Home, Sweet Home!

October 20, 2005

Hi everybody! Just a quick note to say that we made it just fine, and are SO happy to be home. Ling Ling handled the flights like a pro, and thought she was living large in first class on the long leg from GZ to LA! She loved having her own TV and headphones, and couldn't wait until we took off to recline her seat and put up the foot rest. She slept off and on, and watched cartoons in between. The flight attendants were really sweet to her, and made sure she got lots of extra attention (and candy, too). She slept through the entire flight to Dallas from LA, so was refreshed and ready to go by the time we arrived at the airport at 5AM this morning. She was so excited when we landed, and ran and jumped into her daddy's arms when she saw him. My dad came along too, and she took to him immediately, offering him her airline pretzels right away.

When we arrived at the house, the kids were asleep, but woke up soon after when they heard the commotion. I found myself just a little while after we got home sitting in the floor of the playroom watching my kids play together, and it hit me that, HOLY COW, we have 3 kids now!! Jakob was so funny, asking where Baby Jack was (I guess he thought I'd be having the baby in China and bringing him home as well, ha!). My 3 cuties act as if they have known each other for years, and Jaden is following Ling Ling around right now like a little puppy. This house looks as though a tornado has come through, as Ling Ling has explored every inch and left toys everywhere in her wake. We'll work on clean up later. :) She's already munched on french fries from McDonald's, so I guess she is officially "in the club" as far as Jakob and Jaden are concerned. I am continually amazed at how easily she seems to be fitting in to our family, this certainly was a match made in Heaven.

Well, I think I'll go see what the kids are into now, they've probably moved on to emptying closets or something! I promise to post more pics soon of Ling Ling in her new home and with her brother and sister. Thanks again for all your prayers and messages of love, we enjoyed every single one and couldn't have made it without you all!!

Love from Texas,
Marla

Good Bye China!

October 19, 2005

Ok, we're all packed, all I need to do now is disconnect the computer! Ling Ling just had a bath, has fresh braids and a new outfit on (which will probably be a disaster by the time we get to LA, she's not exactly known for her neatness!) It's been a pretty boring day here, but who cares, we're leaving in just a little while!!

I will let you all know when we make it home, please cover us in prayer for the trip!!

We love you all!!

Marla, Ling Ling, and PoPo

At the Guangzhou airport

At LAX

We have her VISA!

October 18, 2005

Whew, it's done, we are officially ready to leave this place and head for home! We shopped all day long (we had to buy an extra suitcase to be able to get it all packed, hehe!), then had Ling Ling's consulate appt this afternoon. She raised her hand proudly, tried to even say the words to the oath along with me, then yelled something to the effect of "Now we get to go home and see Daddy!" when it was over.

She's had a great day today, and I am amazed at how well she is understanding me. The girl loves to shop, and I think she managed to charm every shop owner on Shamian Island. They all said she was a very good girl and were impressed with how much English she is already understanding. She picked out some very pretty things, and was very mindful to remember to also pick out things for her big brother and little sis. She picked up some paper dragons and asked the lady in the shop for 4 so that even Baby Jack would have one. She totally understands that we only have one more night here, and is very excited to see mom and I packing up bags tonight. We have talked of little else but daddy, fei ji (airplane), and home today. I know somewhere in her heart, she will be sad to leave her country, but right now she is so focused on seeing her new country that it doesn't seem to bother her. I had the guide explain to her that we will be on the fei ji for quite a long time before we see Daddy, and she said she understood and that someone had already told her that it took 2 days to get to the United States. :)

Happy Anniversary tomorrow to my sweet hubby, I can't believe it's been 14 years already. I'm sorry that I will be spending our entire anniversary on an airplane, but I'm bringing you the best gift I can think of!! I love you and can't wait to see you.

To my Feb Lovebugs, I will be on the plane during chat, so y'all be nice and behave yourselves in my absence, ha!

To my DSPTC buddies, I'm glad the tournament is over, and it sounds like you guys did a great job. See, you didn't need me that bad after all! ;)

Well, we're off to bed soon, so good night for the last time from Guangzhou. I will probably post once more before we leave tomorrow since we will be here until about 5pm.

We love y'all!
Marla, Ling Ling, and PoPo

Goofing off at the White Swan

Happy Anniversary-14 Years!

October 18, 2005

Hey Marla, Lingling and PoPo,

Just sitting here reading yahoo groups because I can't sleep. Been up since 3am and I'm not even close to being sleepy. I thought playing golf today in the 90 degree heat would have worn me out, but I guess not. I hope ya'll had a very productive day of shopping, and I know ya'll will be glad to head to the airport Tomorrow!! Everyone was asking about you and Lingling at the golf tournament today and can't wait to meet her.

See ya soon.

Love, Derek

Shopping!

October 17, 2005

Hello all,
Yesterday was a pretty boring day so I didn't have much to report. We hung out here at the Phoenix all day and Ling Ling went swimming at the enormous pool. She didn't seem especially confident in the water, so we stayed in the shallow end. She doesn't really like water in her face, even in the tub. We had dinner with the Keohane's (the family with the twins) and it was quite interesting. We ate at the Chinese restaurant here and the wait staff had a hard time understanding us. I asked for water for Ling Ling to drink, they brought her a Coke instead, and then insisted on serving it to her even though I was saying "no" and moving the glass. She ended up mad at me over the whole thing, but she had already met her Coke quota for the day, and I did not give in. This girl is not used to being told no, and is pouting at me regularly when I don't let her do what she wants (like turn the volume up to a deafening level on the computer when she watches a DVD). I'm such a mean mommy. :)

Today we got up early to go to the pearl and jade market and visit Shamian Island again. It was a very good day, and we made a pretty decent dent in our money supply. Ling Ling picked out some very pretty outfits for herself, 2 pairs of shoes, a silk blanket, toy cell phone, beaded purse, umbrella, and is playing happily with her new things right now. At the pearl market, I got her and Jaden both necklaces and bracelets made for when they are older, and have some extra pearls that they can have made into earrings or rings as well. There was a great DVD store at the market, and we stocked up on 12 Disney and Barbie movies for only $2 each!! She's already watched one of the Barbie movies and loved every second of it. I had to fight her to have a second to get the computer back long enough to post here.

Ling Ling continues to do well, and other than the meltdown over the Coke last night and missing her daddy (which also came up last night at bedtime with some tears), she is a very happy little girl. I think she is getting sick of people asking her about her new family and telling her how lucky she is, and I don't blame her. I think she is wondering if she's ever actually going to get to see her real home, and I must admit that I am getting impatient to see it as well!

Tomorrow, we are heading back to the island to finish up our shopping and then will go to the consulate in the afternoon to take the oath and pick up her visa. Then Wednesday, we will hang here for the day and then head for LA on the 9pm flight out of Guangzhou.

Thanks to everyone for your messages of support, you have no idea how nice it is to know that everyone back home is thinking of and praying for us. This trip has been incredible and I am so happy to have so many friends and family members to share it with! I will post a few new pics in a little while if I can negotiate use of the computer long enough. :)

Love from GZ,
Marla, PoPo, and Ling Ling






Red couch at the White Swan


Modeling one of her new dresses

Dad is Home

October 15, 2005

Well, thanks for everyone's prayers and good wishes. I am finally home and the kids are soooo glad to see me. After a very restful trip from China (First Class Rocks!) and a good night sleep in LA, I was able to get home today, and am well rested. Marla, the
pictures from the Phoenix look very nice. I almost wish I was there to see it. Tell Lingling I love her and talk to ya soon.

Derek

We're in Guangzhou!

October 15, 2005

Hi all!! Ling Ling's first flight went very well, she was grinning from ear to ear the entire time and was very excited about the whole thing. We arrived late last night to the Phoenix Hotel and wowsa, what a place. It makes the White Swan look like a Motel 6, and I'm not kidding about that! It reminds me of a resort like the Bellagio or Venetian in Vegas, everything is very European and elegant. The breakfast buffet was pure heaven, and I look forward to pigging out there again for the next several days. :)

First thing this morning, we went to Shamian Island (about a 50 minute drive) to get Ling Ling's visa photo made, have her medical exam, and then had a quick lunch at Lucy's before heading back to the Phoenix. We are here with another couple, Sean and Mary Keohane, their 2 1/2 year old Chinese daughter, and their 2 new additions, 9 month old twins. Yeah, they've kind of got their hands full to say the least. Tomorrow, we plan to go to the amusement park here on the resort, and then Monday and Tuesday will be for shopping on the island and going to the jade and pearl markets.

Ling Ling continues to thrive and does not seem the least bit upset that Derek is missing in action. She and I are spending some great quality time together and I have to say that I am becoming more and more able to understand what she is saying to me in Mandarin. I can't always repeat it, but I understand when she says that she is hungry, thirsty, needs to go to the bathroom (and am amazed to watch her use the squatty potties), wants to be picked up, or needs help with something. She is also understanding more and more in English. She holds my hand everywhere we go and gives me lots of hugs and kisses. Derek taught her the sign for I love you and we flash that to each other often. She can also say I love you in English, and I guess that's my favorite thing she says so far. :) The Holt staff have all been quite impressed with her progress with us and she tells them all that she is very happy with her new family. I can't imagine how things could be going any better for us at this point and feel so blessed to have this little girl in my life. I can't wait for you all to meet her.

Thanks for the prayers for Derek, aside from his slight mishap in Nanning, he made it to LA fine and will be heading home to Texas very soon. Get that Dr. Pepper cold for me honey and give my sweet kids a big hug from Mommy!!

I promise to gets pics posted soon!

Talk to you all soon,
Marla, Ling Ling and PoPo

Our ridiculously fancy hotel:






First purchase in GZ

Medical exam:



Got her passport, yay!

Hanging out at the Phoenix

Dr. Pepper and Baseball!

October 14, 2005

Well, Dad made it just fine to LA, and got here in time to watch some baseball (Go Cubbies in 06, or 07, etc.) and drink a DR. PEPPER. Sorry Marla, your time will be here soon. Hope everything is going well in Guangzhou with Lingling. At the Nanning airport they had a mixup of gates and I, and about 10 others almost got on the wrong plane to Shanghai! That will be a funny story I can tell for years. Well, I am going to go try and get some rest. Tell LingLing that her Daddy Loves her and will see her at the airport in a few days.

Love, Derek

Last Day in Nanning

October 14, 2005

I can't believe our time here is already through. Now on to Guangzhou for the visa and lots of shopping. We're all packed up, and Ling Ling is bouncing off the walls. I'm having quite a time getting her down for a nap right now, I think she is excited and nervous about what we're about to do. I'm certain she's never been on a fei ji (airplane) before so today should be a real adventure for her. I think we're about to move into the phase where she starts testing us with some of her behavior, we are starting to see a little more mischief each day. So far though, she is still minding pretty well and seems to understand when we mean business and when we are being playful and silly.

I will post again when we get to Guangzhou provided I don't have any trouble getting us connected to the internet! And I will endeavor to do as good a job as Derek at posting pics. Please keep him covered in prayer for his journey home, he will arrive in LA at 6pm (8pm TX time) Friday evening and then will fly back to TX Sat morning.

Jakob and Jaden, Mommy and Mimi love you and miss you!! Daddy will be home soon!

Love to you all,
Marla, Derek, Mimi and Ling Ling

Fun facts about Ling Ling

October 13, 2005

There are several things I keep forgetting to mention that I wanted to share about our Ling Ling. First, she seems to be truly
ambidextrous. We have seen her eat with both hands, and last night she was coloring with both as well. She would switch from hand to hand depending on which side of the page she was coloring on. She seems to prefer her right for actual writing, but uses both easily for everything else.

She knows the ABC song and can count to 5 with ease in English. She was apparently learning these in school here and nearly knocked our socks off last night when she busted in the ABC song without prompting. She loves to sing and dance, and knows the words to almost every song on the Chinese children's CD we brought with us. We have some excellent video of her singing quite boisterously.

She likes to squat by the side of the sink when she brushes her teeth. Now this is a sight to behold, she gets up on the counter, squats down, with a cup of water in one hand and the brush in the other and rinses and spits about 20 times for one brushing session. I have to get that on video soon, it's quite funny.

She knows how to braid and could probably be doing a better job of her own hair than I am doing now. She can sit for half an hour at a time and style her Barbie's hair. She pulls hers back and puts it in a ponytail when we take it down for the night if she's trying to color or play because it really seems to bother her if it gets in her face. She's got the most gorgeous head of hair I think I've ever seen. It never tangles, even when soaking wet. I think I'm going to need to take a class in how to style it and will definitely be getting up a little earlier just to have ample "hair time". :)

Lastly, she's already lost her first tooth!! It looks like it just came out a few days at most before we met her. I am glad to know we won't be missing any more of her milestones.

Love y'all!
Marla

Visit to Nanning SWI and foster mom

October 13, 2005

Ni Hao again,
The morning went great at the SWI. Ling Ling's foster mom was very sweet and brought us a picture of her that was taken the morning she came to us. She asked us to send her lots of pictures, and we assured her that we would. Ling Ling was thrilled to see her, and gave her lots of hugs and kisses, but also seemed eager to tell her goodbye at the same time. Derek posted several pics of them together in today's folder. A group of children (mostly boys) with various special needs came by to say goodbye to Ling Ling and they were so precious. Of course, the sight of them started my tears (and Mom's too) and we pretty much didn't stop crying the rest of the time we were there. The foster mom started to cry as we neared time to say goodbye, and that was difficult for me. Ling Ling just happily yelled goodbye to her as she ran off to play in the playground nearby. She didn't shed a single tear, and almost seemed relieved in the van on the way back to the hotel. I guess today was her first true realization that she is staying with us forever.

The Nanning SWI is located in what seemed to be a very poor area of Nanning. The SWI itself was pretty nice, and the caretakers were all very kind to us. We got to see the classroom where Ling Ling went to school and several of her classmates. She seemed very happy while we were there and was eagerly telling everyone she saw goodbye. Her foster mom had given her a bag with jelly candies in it, and as we left, she passed out the candies to all the children who had come to see her off. She was careful to be sure she did not miss anyone and it was honestly the most precious display of kindness I think I have ever seen. Of course, that made me cry too, so I was practically a blubbering idiot by the time we left. :) I am so thankful that we were able to visit the SWI and most of all that her foster mother saw how happy she was with us. It was difficult to even come up with words to say to her, how on Earth do you thank the person who has cared for your child and loves her as much as you do? We will be forever grateful for her kindness and love for Wen Ling and hope that we can stay in touch with her for many years to come.

We opted for lunch in the hotel today and Ling Ling, Daddy and Popo all had burgers and fries (I went for the pizza!). Ling Ling ate every fry on her plate and even some of Daddy's and Popo's too, but wasn't too impressed with the burger. She also ordered a Coke (a habit that will soon need to be broken) and we had a difficult time getting her to lay down for a nap. She's going to be quite shocked when she gets home and sees that her choices of drinks and snacks have narrowed considerably. ;)

I hope you all are enjoying the pictures, Derek is doing a great job of getting them downloaded quickly for me. As you can see, Ling Ling is not at all camera shy and insists on a "peace" sign in almost every shot. She inspects each picture on the digital camera as we take them and most of the time even directs who is going to be allowed to be in the picture with her. We can tell she is used to being in charge and are in for some interesting times when we get home. Though we never understand exactly what she is saying to us, often her tone and mannerisms are such that she gets her point across with very little difficulty, especially when she is unhappy with something we've said to her. We battled a bit over what she was wearing today and I wish I had a picture of the look on her face when she finally gave in and put on the dress I picked out. I had to really work hard at not laughing out loud when she rolled her eyes after I told her how pretty she looked.

We don't have anything really planned for tomorrow except the flight to Guangzhou in the afternoon. Derek leaves about an hour before mom, Ling Ling and me, and then he will head for LA at 9pm. Please pray for safe travels for him, and that Ling Ling isn't too upset by him leaving. She and I have definitely bonded more in the last few days, she even wanted to lay next to me for a while before she went to sleep last night, but I think Daddy is still her favorite.

Thanks for all the support, we love your messages!! And yes, I think a road trip to Texas will be in order for several of you very
soon. :) Also, Lorrie, we dropped off Alycia's gift today at the SWI, so hopefully she will get it very soon!

Love to you all,
Marla

Love this picture of Jacey and her Mumu

Wednesday continued...

October 12, 2005

Hello again,
Derek and Wen Ling are napping (yes, she still naps), so I thought I'd write and share a little more about her. Jane asked her this morning why she was crying last night, and she said it was because she missed her foster mom. Jane reminded her that we will be seeing her foster mom tomorrow and Wen Ling replied "I'm going to tell her that this (pointing to us) is my mama and baba now." We asked Jane to tell her that it is OK to cry and miss her mom and that she didn't have to try and always be such a big girl. She just smiled and said "OK." We can tell she is trying to be very brave in front of us. Last night before she cried, she got up and shut the curtains in the room (to make it darker) and hid under the covers. It nearly broke my heart to hear her quiet sobs, but it is good that she is letting her emotions come out. We just sat with her, rubbing her back and arms and told her we loved her over and over. I can't even imagine going through such changes at such a young age. She is our little trooper.

We took a taxi (not nearly as scary as the ones on our first trip) to an open market today and shopped for a little while. We bought Ling Ling a cute pink Mongolian princess headband and a few other things for her hair. Mom and I both picked out pretty bracelets for ourselves, and I bought Jaden a very cute purple jade bracelet too. The market had all sorts of interesting things, including live fish, turtles, rabbits, parakeets and Ling Ling wanted us to buy her a bird and a fish! Jane had to explain that we couldn't get those on the fei ji (airplane), but that we had a fish at home she could see. She was satisfied with that and we moved on. :) I'm really surprised she hasn't asked for more than she has when we have been shopping. She tried to sneak a few small things into the basket yesterday at Wal Mart, but really hasn't asked for much. She even told one man at the market today, "No, I don't want that, I am just looking." There will be a lot more for her to choose from in Guangzhou than there seems to be here, so we will do the bulk of our shopping there.

We ate a delicious Chinese lunch at Food Street, a giant restaurant where you just walk around and point to what you want. We ordered 3 different noodle dishes, a fried eggplant, corn cakes, jello, 2 cokes and milk and the whole bill was $12! We are still amazed how inexpensive things are here. Nanning is a very beautiful city and is much less polluted and congested than Changsha in Hunan (where Jaden is from). I can't wait to go the park this afternoon with Ling Ling and take some pictures there. Everything is so green and lush here, sometimes I forget we are in China, it looks more like a tropical island than a big city.

Well, I guess that is enough for now. I think Derek posted more pics this morning, and we will add more to the folder today after the park. You will notice that Derek and I will be in more of the photos and that is at the request of Jaden back home. She likes the pictures with Mommy and Daddy in them best. :)

Thanks to Karen for the quick reply about the Mandarin words, you'd think I'd have learned more before we came. She is doing much better today about staying with us, and I think is even starting to understand some of the commands in English. We have started calling her Wen Ling (instead of Ling Ling) when we mean business and she is responding well to that. I'm not sure how soon we will start to call her Jacey, she has a little trouble pronouncing it, so we will probably just start to gradually work it in. We're really going to just leave it up to her.

Thanks for all the messages from home, we miss you all!

Love,
Mama, Baba, PoPo, and Ling-Ling

Beautiful park near our hotel










Love to watch her color with both hands

Is she cute or what?