We have Lily's VISA to Come to the United States of America

Thank you, Lord, we are continuing to have a wonderful time in China!!
Two days ago we went to the Consulate office in Guangzhou to finish the very last part of the necessary documentation to bring our Lily Sha-Sha back to the USA!  We stood among 42 other families to swear that everything in our paperwork was true & correct to the best of our knowledge.  After that the Consulate General congratulated all of us & there was a roar of cheering & clapping --  we had all finally made it to this "finish line in China"!  The experience at the Consulate was so emotional for Jim & I - we both cried.  Once again, my emotions from all the months of waiting just poured out of me.  There are no words to describe the joy my heart feels for our amazing new daughter.  Despite the long road to our precious Lily Sha-Sha, I wouldn't trade it.  If we'd had our referral years ago, we wouldn't have her ... and I just can't imagine that.  God certainly used all the time of waiting to grow my trust in Him & my faith that He always my best interests at heart.
Yesterday was a total kick back day.  Jim made a trip to Hong Kong to check things out over there.  Lily & I had our first "Mother-Daughter Day".  It was awesome!  Imagine what we did?  Shopping & eating!!!  Oh & sleeping, too .. Lily slept in the stroller for part of our day.  I walked about a 1/2 hour to an outdoor shopping area.  It was nice to get away from the tourist shops located right near our hotel.  I was truly in the midst of what was going on in Guangzhou & I loved being among the locals!!  We were out and about in Guangzhou for about 5 hours together.  She did so great & she didn't disappoint with a million smiles for all the locals.
Last night I went out for a late dinner while Jim got Lily to sleep.  I met with a nice couple from one of the local shops & we had a very good discussion about some Good News!  I was so thrilled for the privilege of meeting with them.
Today we did the famous Red Couch pictures at the White Swan hotel.  I will upload those photos later.  For now, here are pictures from the Consulate & from "Mother/Daughter Day".
Thank you to everyone for sending emails, facebook comments & blog comments of encouragement.  It is so hard to imagine we are headed home.  This trip has been incredible & we get to bring home the most preious gift ever, Lily Sha-Sha.
Today is our last day in Guangzhou.  Our flight takes off tonight at 9PM & we arrive to LAX at 6:50PM (same day, 10/1).  We are hoping Lily will sleep on the plane ride home -- she has been so good about sleeping so I don't think tonight will be any different (famous last words).  Just pray the flight goes well, that she sleeps & that we can get some rest.  Jim's back is doing better!!!
Love & Blessings from Shamian Island along the Pearl River in the People's Republic of China!
Jim, Debbie & little miss Sha-Sha

Sailing through the Adoption Procedures

Could this adoption process in China go any smoother?  I am just amazed at the ease of things since we have been here.  Of course, why am I ever surprised at God's overwhelming faithfulness & goodness?  This trip has been a true journey of His amazing grace!!!

Yesterday Lily had her medical exam & it could not have gone any better!  We had to take her to 3 separate rooms at the Physical Exam Clinic.  We were probably in the building for all of 10 or 15 minutes.  There was no waiting at all and no problems at all.  I didn't see the scale when they weighed Lily but our guide, Judy, said her weight was something like 14 pounds.  I am not sure about that but we will find out her true weight when we get to Lily's doctor next Friday.     

Judy came to our hotel room this morning to fill out US consulate paperwork with us.  That took about 20 minutes and then we had the entire day to shop, relax, shop, nap, shop & eat!  We ate 2 meals today at placed called "Lucy's" ... an American style restaurant.  Nothing wrong with Chinese food ... believe me, I have been loving the food, we just needed a break from MSG in our food.  At lunch, Lily had her first french fry & she loved it.  Actually, she likes most food - especially broccoli! 

Lily is our little "people person".  She makes friends everywhere we go!  She loves to make eye contact & flash her smile of all smiles.  She is very happy when we are out walking around the island.  Actually, she is very happy most of the time!! 

There are so many cute things to report but I'll just mention the most adorable moment of the day.  As I was changing her diaper on the bed this afternoon  I handed her a bottle of yogurt drink & she fell sound asleep in the midst of the diaper / outfit change.  It was so precious!  I grabbed my camera & got her on video just after she dozed off. She slept on the bed for over an hour ...  what could be more adorable from this precious addition to our family???!!!!!  

One thing we really need prayer for right now is Jim's back.  Many of you know that Jim has had ongoing back issues but it seems to be especially bad right now.  Tonight he told me if we were back at home I'd be taking him to the hospital tonight!  Poor guy!! Please pray that his back will have a lot of relief -- especially for the upcoming 12 hour flight back to California (on Wednesday).  

We are forever grateful to the Lord for this little baby girl.  We couldn't love her any more!!!

Blessings from Room #1227 at the White Swan Hotel!

Debbie, Jim & little miss Sha-Sha

We are in Guangzhou, China!!!

We had a great last day in Changsha , Hunan-- we relaxed at the hotel & had a fantastic lunch with our new friends from Ireland.  The absolute best part of the day was stopping on our way to the airport at the Civil Affairs Office in Changsha to pick up Lily's Chinese passport!!!  We didn't even need to get out of the van - our wonderful guide, Susan Ma, went into the office & picked up our paperwork & Lily's passport. Susan came running out of the office after just a few minutes.  When I saw her running towards our van, she was not smiling so I got worried that there was a problem.  Everything was perfectly fine -- Susan was just running :-)!!  
It was so hard to say goodbye to Susan at the Changsha airport. She took such good care of us & helped us with our every request while in the Hunan Province.  Susan, if you are reading this -- you will forever have a special place in our hearts & we thank God for bringing you into our lives!!!
I was very emotional at the airport -- I guess from saying goodbye to Susan & realizing we are leaving the province of Lily's birth.   It really hit me that this is the first step in Lily's journey to her home in California.  Little Sha-Sha did great on daddy's lap the entire flight to Guangzhou ... even while waiting an extra hour for take off because of bad weather in Guangzhou.
Our new hotel, The White Swan is so nice!!!!  It is located on Shamian Island.  Seriously, I feel like we are back in Hawaii or the Bahamas.  Let's just say, the China Adoption Vacation continues :-)!!
Lily continues to melt my heart in every way.  She wins the hearts of people wherever we go.  She flashes that 2 teeth full face grin & it is all over for the locals!!!    She is doing so great.  She eats non-stop at every meal - all table food.  She has no interest in formula.  Thank you, Lord, that our little one has definitely connected much more with me since we got her on Monday.  At this point she does fine with me even if Jim is right there.  Today Jim said she said "Momma" and looked at me.  She has been saying "Ba-Ba" for Jim since earlier this week -- wow!!
I continue to love China and the Chinese people!  It goes without saying that I am truly grateful to China for the gift of our daughter.  I still cannot believe we get to bring her home.  In some ways it just feels like we are just sightseeing with this perfect baby!!  I guess when we get back onto US soil, it will all start to feel more real.    
Funny thing -- this morning at breakfast there was an adopting family sitting next to us.  The mom had gotten out here camera & was snapping pictures of her new daughter.  I wasn't paying too much attention but our little observant Sha-Sha was checking it all out.  When I looked over at Lily she was giving me smile after smile  ... as if to say, "Hello mom, take my photo, too!!!!"
Hannah is doing awesome back at home (Thank you, MOM!!!!!!!!!).  It is so fun to talk to Hannah via Skype & watch her "Sha-Sha Shows" that she has been doing for her little sister.  Tonight she did a full dancing & singing routine + her 1st grade workbook to show her sister all the things she is going to teach her.  Oh my!
Thank you to everyone for praying for us and all the outpouring of love we have received.  
I have to close by saying a BIG thank you to Diana for posting for me while I had blogger problems in Changsha.  Diana, there will be some Arbonne coming your way when I get home!  May God continue to bless you & your family in every way.

THE LITTLE RED BOOK

Hello from our last night in Changsha, China!  

This is a post from both Jim and I.   JIM SAYS:  You might be wondering, what does all of this or our day taking in some of the sights, sounds (and smells) of Changsha have anything to do with the "Little Red Book."  Yes, it's a "BOOK" not "Engine."  

Here is the story...  One of the most accurate gauges of any culture is the local Wal*Mart.  Here you find all the important aspects of a culture.  What do they eat (assuming it is a "Super Wal*Mart,) what do they wear, what do they like in ______ (you can fill it in with anything..music, electronics, beauty aides, etc...)  It's all there for everyone to see.  You also see a nice cross section of people.  We were standing in line paying for our cultural items (actually, our trans cultural items, including diapers and Coca Cola) when the man with the little red book came up to the cashier and plunked his items down right in front of the next customer.  He was about to be taken to task by the person behind us when he produced a little red book.  The book looked harmless but, by the way everyone acted, it was anything but that.  At its sight, everyone stopped talking and the cashier immediately sprang into action, ringing up his things.  It was as if he produced the "Book of Life" and threatened, without words, to start erasing names.

We spent some time speculating about the book, wondering what it contained to have that kind off effect.  He looked like any one's Grandpa, with his grey hair, and dapper like clothing.  But, when he produced the book, everyone cowered in fear.  We briefly wondered what part of Wal*Mart carried these books (if they could be sold.)  Even if you could buy one, it seems the price would be too steep to pay.  Maybe you could pay in installments but what fun would a book like that be if you had to wait to use it.

Lily and Daddy had their first date night tonight while Mommy rested.  We think Lily said "Baba" today which means Daddy in Chinese.  But it could have been bottle or something else she wanted.:)  Come to think of it, Daddy would certainly qualify to be in that category.

They went to the "Food Street Cafe" on the 2nd floor of the Dolton.  All the waitresses gathered around and enjoyed the Missy.  She did not disappoint, showering her two-teethed smiles and cheerios on them.  They brought out the dishes baby's eat here, tofu with a fun sausage like mixture in the middle that makes grown-up tummies hurt, noodles, and broccoli.  Lily enjoyed it... everywhere!  The waitresses (who were going to be stuck with the mess did not seem to mind.)

DEB SAYS:  Just a quick note because I am about to go to bed.  We has a fantastic day together checking out this amazing city.  The day started out with just waking up whenever (my favorite kind of morning!)  We sat at the breakfast buffet for over an hour and had such a relaxing time together.  And, to make the breakfast even better, guess who sat next to me and let me feed her the entire meal?  Miss Sha-Sha!!  She was so happy and playful, and she ate a ton!!  I loved every second of it!  Lily is still all about her Daddy but she definitely made incredible progress today with her Mama!

I told Jim I could move here.  I'd love to come back to China one day to teach English and just to really meet all of these people.  Well, maybe not ALL of the people... there are a billion here right?

Jim is feeling much better than he did last night.  Thank you for praying for his health.  The food here is incredible.  So much for weight loss in China.  I should have known better.  I LOVE Chinese food!

This trip continues to feel like an absolute vacation.  Really it does!  Our China Coordinator should start advertising these trips as Adoption Vacations!  I am not kidding.  And, I didn't even get a massage today!  I am starting to think of this as our 12 year anniversary vacation.  Jim and I missed any real celebrating this past June because of life circumstances at the time.  So, thank you Jim, for a great 12 years!  Our life together is definitely what I dreamed of as a little girl!  Although every moment is not perfect, "It's our life"...  As Kate says from "Jon & Kate + 8", "I love you honey!"

Tomorrow evening we fly to Guangzhou to complete the American side to our paperwork.  I will try to post to my blog once we are settled at the White Swan.  I might miss a day of posting but I will try to get on-line as soon as possible.

One last thing, and it is no small thing!  Hannah is doing awesome back at home with her Grandma (my Mom!)  We have talked on Skype everyday, (sometimes twice.)  She has been singing songs over Skype to Lily.  It is such a relief to know that she is doing great too!  Thank you Lor!

Blessings from Room #3012 at the Dolton in Changsha!

Jim, Debbie, & little Miss Sha-Sha

CHINA LOVE-FEST WITH SHA-SHA

We had a great day today! Honestly, I cannot believe that I can truly say this trip has been "stress free" thus far! We are so thankful to everyone that is praying for us and loving us from the other side of the world. Our time together has been so blessed!!! Today we did sightseeing and shopping in Changsha. Yes, shopping.. thank you very much! We bought 2 special things for Lily that are from her Province. It was nice to get her some special remembrances.

Today was truly a wonderful day together!! I am so in love with this precious gem from China. I was thinking today that it feels like we have had her for SO much longer than just 60+ hours. It must be due to the fact that our hearts have been loving this special girl for so long!!

We have met so many wonderful people on this trip, (yes, including Dean the bellman!) There is a lovely family from Ireland that is also staying on our floor. They have been foster parents to a sweet little girl from Hunan for the last 6 years. They got her when she was just over 1 years old and they said she was even smaller than our Lily! The parents are super nice and their little girl is healthy and happy. They are now officially her parents.. no more fostering! The Mom, Bernie, and went today for a one hour massage. I am telling you, the massage I had today was THE BEST! For anyone coming to Changsha, go next door to the Dolton hotel and ask for Massage Therapist #11 to work out all of your stress. It was INCREDIBLE! Since I don't speak Chinese, I just kept telling the massage therapist "I love you" in Chinese! We had a good laugh at my extensive language skills!!

Tomorrow is a totally free day. We have no plans but to enjoy China and to be together. If Jim is up to it we are going to take a trip to Wal*Mart. I just have to see it for myself! Plus, we need more wipes.. wink, wink! :)

We are experiencing a special dose of God's grace during this trip... Thank you Lord!! I get so overwhelmed with it all that I can barely pray out loud without crying. Please pray that Lily's Daddy feels better soon.. and that Lily & I remain healthy.

The pictures today are just some various ones from our day and I think one from last night too. One of the photos is of Jim near the stroller doing something to help Lily. You can see a bunch of ladies from the Embroidery Factory looking on being very impressed with his "Daddy skills!" Another photo is of Jim and I standing in front of a Chinese Character. Our guide told us that this character means, "Obey your Parents!" We just had to get a picture of all of us in front of that one!

All God's best from a most special place in China,

Jim, Debbie, & Lily ("Sha-Sha" as we have started to call her)

OFFICIALLY OURS, "GOTCHA DAY" PHOTOS, AND MORE GREAT NEWS FROM CHINA!!!...

We are officially the parents of Lily Sha Hope!!!!  Guess who slept through the night?!  Lily is my kind of girl!   Lily went to sleep last night without any problems (in the arms of her Daddy) and then slept in her crib ALL night!  She is completely peaceful when she sleeps.  I don't think she moved last night.  I told Jim this morning that I thought her arm must be very sore from sleeping on it all night.  She wanted guess who, when she got up?.... her Daddy!  She is in love with her Daddy!  It is so sweet.  We had a quick breakfast so we could leave at 9:15 to go back to the Civil Affairs office building to complete our adoption paperwork.  We signed the papers, had our thumb prints put on top of our signatures, had Lily's little foot stamped on paper with red ink and then we were told by the official that we are now "the official parents of this child!"  I have been waiting sooooooo long to hear those words!!  God is so good!

After that we had to get her adoption papers notarized in a room down the hall of the same building.  The woman notarizing the papers had me fill out paperwork since Jim was holding our China treasure!  After I signed everything she asked me, "Do you promise to never abandon this child?"  When I answered her (no of course!!!) I just started crying.  I think all the emotions of the waiting, but mostly the receiving of this precious gift just came pouring out in that office.  I was about to really lose it emotionally...  well, I kind of did.

We came back to the hotel around 11:30am, after stopping at a shopping center to buy a sippy cup.  Lily fell asleep in Jim's arms on the van ride back.  She was very tired.  Lily slept for 3+ hours and now we are off to a late lunch.  We have the rest of the day to relax and bond.  Tomorrow we are going to do some sightseeing from about 8am-noon.  Then we have a day and a half to relax together until we have to pick up her Chinese passport on Friday.  I feel like I am on vacation with no real schedule except to take care of Lily and to show documents whenever our guide tells us to!

Lily has a cold so we started her on an antibiotic we brought from the US and Children's Triaminic for her cough and runny nose.  I am sooo glad we brought medicine with us to China.

It would have been very stressful to have had to take her to a clinic here.  We found out from the foster mother that Lily was never on the Sanlu brand formula at her home.  Kids in the orphanage were on the Sanlu formula until the recall. But, Lily never actually lived there!  Thank you Lord for protecting her!  And for those that might be wondering, Lily's kidneys are functioning just fine..  we have had both kinds of diapers, if you know what I mean! :)

The above photos are from "Gotcha Lily Day."  Various priceless photos of her with her foster Mom and the moments that followed.

To all of you reading this that are STILL waiting for your special Joys from China, let me encourage you to keep holding on no matter how many more LID anniversaries you have to endure.  It is so worth it!!!  All the months... and there were MANY, have just faded away.  I hope by sharing our journey on-line you are encouraged that your referral will one day come.  You will not regret hanging in there once you have your precious child!

All God's best from the Dolton Hotel in Changsha, Hunan China!

Jim, Debbie, & precious Lily

"Gotcha Lily Sha Hope!"

Hello from Changsha, Hunan Province!!!

Today has been a magical day - Thank you Lord!!!! We were so incredibly blessed at 10am Changsha time on September 22nd (7pm California time on 9/21) with the newest member of our family, Lily Sha Hope. She is just precious and has already completely stolen our hearts (and even those of the staff members at the hotel restaurant!!). Lily has already become very attached to her Daddy, which I am so thankful for!! Jim went for a massage today so Lily and I had some time alone (Jim and I had both gone for massages yesterday before we got Lily. We each had 2 hour massages and it cost us a total of about $24 for the TWO OF US!) While Jim was gone today, Lily did great with me but as soon as he walked back in the room she about jumped out of my arms for her Daddy. It was too cute for words and honestly, if it has to be one of us that she prefers, I am glad it is Daddy rather than me. I know well enough that she'll be wanting me in the days, weeks and years to come!!

OK, we had two cameras with us at the Civil Affairs Office but the one that took still pictures is not syncing up yet with Jim's laptop so I will post a few pics from after the actual "gotcha Lily moment".... one is of Jim holding her on the van ride back to the hotel and the other is of me holding Lily after I got her to fall asleep in my arms. What a delightful moment to hold her while she fell asleep!! Two of the other pictures are from our dinner tonight and the wonderful staff that fell in love with Lily. As soon as I can post more pictures, I will. But for now... enjoy!!

Here is an overview of our "Gotcha Day!: We arrived at the Civil Affairs office for our 10am appointment and we saw a woman standing outside the building with a tiny, tiny, baby. Initially I did not recognize this baby to be our Lily because she was so small. The paperwork we were given at referral stated that Lily weighed about 16 pounds back in May when she was only 8 months old. I had estimated that she would be about 20 pounds now. Well, I was off by a lot. Her weight right now is probably closer to 10 pounds?!! Our Hannah weighed 9.1 pounds at birth so it was a shock to see a one year old so completely tiny. The food in her foster home was obviously very limited to Lily, even though the paperwork describes 4 meals a day.

After a minute I recognized the foster mother from pictures we have of her with Lily. She came over to us but I knew from other families that I could not hold Lily until our paperwork had been cleared by the officials. We stood outside the building and talked to the foster mom through our translator and took pictures of our sweet girl with her! I was able to give gifts to the foster Mom and pass on pictures from Lily's foster sister, that has been living in Colorado since June, with her family. The foster Mom was sooooo happy to see these updated photos!

After a few minutes, we all went into the building, had paperwork and passports checked and then the foster mom placed this precious bundle of love into my arms. What a moment!!!!! After a few moments of loving on her, I passed her to Jim and she did great. She did not cry at all and didn't even cry when her foster mother left the room to go back home. When we got in the van to leave, Lily started to cry but stopped as soon as her Daddy was holding her. We stopped at a grocery store so I could go in with our guide and buy some smaller diapers. Can you imagine I had to buy the Small size so they'd fit this little pumpkin??? She is so little! All the size 3 Huggies that I brought from home are going to be donated to the orphanage tomorrow! We had a very relaxing day just hanging out at the hotel and walking just a bit near the hotel, (did I mention that they should be calling Changsha, the "Miami of China!" It is about 100 degrees with 90% humidity.) I am very happy for wonderful air conditioning in our hotel (gosh, it is the little things in life... well I guess A/C in this weather is not a "little thing.") Lily has heat rash all over her.... poor thing! I am working on getting rid of it ASAP with the wonderful Arbonne baby products I carried to China! Yes people, you'd better believe she is going to be an Arbonne baby! :)

As I type, Lily is sound asleep in her crib (it was so surreal to be checking into our hotel room yesterday and have the staff wheel in a crib and a stroller for us to use during our stay.)

I'd better get going because we have a full day tomorrow of appointments. Thank you so much to Diana for posting for me since I still can't access by blogger account from Changsha. Many of you know that Diana's journey to Ruby was (and continues to be) a tremendous blessing to me! (Thanks Debbie from Diana!! :)

Christy, thank you so much for the Ergo Baby - Lily did great in it with me while we walked around the lobby shops and walked around the outside area until I felt sweat dripping from every part of my being. I thought of you here 18 months ago with your beautiful Mia. You were right, our guide, Susan is WONDERFUL!.. What an asset to have a guide who is caring, understanding and very accommodating to our every need!!!

Thank you to everyone that has left messages on our blog and emails. I am sorry I wasn't able to blog sooner -- gosh, I have tried! We are so happy and feel like we have had our sweet Lily for much longer than just this one day. I am so excited that she is finally with us! I know God's timing is perfect and I couldn't be more thrilled with the little China treasure He had planned for us since the beginning of time. Thank you Lord!! I was thinking a lot today about my wonderful sister-in-law, Raisin and how she has been seeing Lily since she died on June 7th. I was thinking how excited she must be today to see Lily placed in our arms. I just know she is sharing in this joy of our family today!

All God's best from Changsha, Hunan, China ~!

Jim, Debbie & Lily