It has been one of the most difficult weeks of our lives and Larry and I together have decided to not move forward with the adoption of Molly. We are heartbroken but we had to do what was ultimately best for Molly, and for our family. We hope people will understand the pain and difficulty of this decision and withhold any judgmental comments.  Obviously, we did not come here even dreaming of this outcome.  Our family has a heart for orphans, and we are confronted with the reality that no matter what our passion or resolve, Molly was not meant to be our daughter. We did not arrive at this decision lightly and need time to process all that has happened. We don't want to get into details but trust we made the right decision.  Please consider praying that Molly's forever family is revealed through this process, and that God's will ultimately be done.  Thank you all for your love and support.

Introducing Meilin

Meilin is a tornado of sweetness and enthusiasm.  It's hard to catch her in a bad pose.  She seems to know when a camera is nearby!

Meilin is officially ours!

Yesterday on 11/12/13 we signed all the necessary paperwork making Meilin officially ours!  The rest of the day we hung out in the hotel since it was raining.  We did take a little walk because we were tired of being inside and the kids needed to get out.  The girls really do get a lot of stares but I can't say as if we have seen any other blond girls out and about.  Macy loves the attention anyway.

our official adoption photo

Gotcha day for Meilin!!

We arrived last night to Changsha.  It is cold and rainy here.  We were glad to be a step closer to Meilin though.  It was fun being in Hong Kong and brought back so many memories from getting Max and Mia!  Today we made new memories in China!

We got up and ate breakfast.  Then our guide arrived around 9:30 and we headed to meet Meilin.  Sitting in the room, we were all anxious for her to come.   We had to wait a little while but got to know a couple other families waiting for their boys to arrive as well.  One lady was adopting her 5th child from China making that 8 children!  So we didn't seem so strange to her anyway.

The room looked over the front of the building and we saw the van arrive with the kids!  It was so exciting to know she was coming up any minute.  Once the elevator opened we heard a little squeal and knew it was her.  They walked in to the room and Meilin spotted me.  She literally yelled mama and ran into my arms!!!  We both them burst into tears.  She had tears running down her beautiful face and held me tight.  It was the moment you dream of but our guide said she has never seen that happen.  We were blessed and she took to all of us right away.  She has continued to be happy and sweet all afternoon.  Since it was cold and rainy, and our guide left, we have stayed in all afternoon.  Everyone is getting stir crazy now so hopefully it is nicer out tomorrow so we can atleast walk around outside.  It doesn't sound like it will be though.  We have more paperwork in the morning to make it official that we want to adopt her.  For the record there is no doubt in our minds that she is ours!  Now for a few pictures.

 



Next stop Changsha!

We are now sitting at the airport in Hong Kong.  Not sure how the internet will work in China so will post now.  We found McDonalds so are happy and full.

Tonight is a big night for Meilin too.  She will head on a train I believe to Changsha where she will meet us tomorrow.  That is a lot for a little 5 year old to deal with.  It will also be a big day for all of us.  The girls are getting another sister tomorrow!  Not sure how everyone will react so prayers for a safe flight/ train ride and transition on Gotcha Day for Meilin!

Also pray for my kids we left at home.  It isn't easy for them to understand where I am.  For children who have been through what they have, attachment is a big deal and they just don't fully understand I will be back.  It breaks my heart and theirs to be apart so long.

Next post will be after we have Meilin! 

Greetings from Hong kong

We made it to Hong Kong last night.  We found out our flight to Changsha doesn't leave until this afternoon so we were able to take it easy this morning!  I also just had a visit from a friend that I met on Facebook awhile back and she lives here.  Our hotel, of all places it could be, actually isn't far from her place so she was able to stop by with her beautiful little girl that she adopted from here and also has DS so a special connection!

The girls are having a good time.  They are hanging in there.  So far they have spent most of their trip in airports but tonight we get a break for a few days.  Tomorrow morning we meet Meilin!  It is still unreal to me.  I am sure it will hit me tonight when we are in Changsha!

I will add some pictures of our adventures so far.  Nothing exciting yet though.  It is windy, warm and rainy here today.  The fun thing is apparently this is a big hotel for weddings and wedding pictures!  I heard there are 20 weddings today here.  It is fun watching them all dressed up and the beautiful chinese outfits the brides and grooms wear.  Most are red!
Well now for the pictures and then pack for another trip!

the girls love ice cream and very excited to see it on the plane menu!

watching our plane we took to Hong Kong while in Chicago

the beginning of a 15 hour plane ride!

the view out the hotel window in hong kong

a glass window divides the bathtub from the beds.  Quite silly but luckily a shade does pull down for the guests who prefer to bathe in private!  :)

On our way to our girls!!!

We are on our way to our girls finally.  A year after we started the process we are getting ready to board a plan to Hong Kong!  It is also National Adoption Month so couldn't be better timing to bring two very special girls home and give them a family that they have dreamed about up to know.

Since we only got permission to book tickets last week, there weren't a lot of options.  There were no flights available for all of us to Chicago so we flew in last night.  We are getting ready to head to the airport soon but don't fly out of here until 2.  We are just excited and ready to go.

We brought Maddie and Macy with us.  We feel like this is an amazing experience and they need to be a part of it.  When Max and Mia came home they were younger.  The trip was shorter as well.  So they didn't go.  This time is different.  Maddie is 10, Molly is 9, Macy 8 and Meilin 5.  Since they are close in age we want all the bonding to start in immediately.  We feel it is best and are excited to have them along on this journey with us!  They were very excited about the flight last night.  Macy can't believe she is in Chicago!  I guess with all the saving for all the adoptions we haven't traveled much.
China is going to blow their minds!

Yesterday was crazy doing everything that we put off doing.  It all didn't get done but we got packed and left.  It was terribly hard to say goodbye to Mia Max and Travis.  I rarely leave them let alone for 16 days!  They are in good hands though.  It will be hard but we will survive and Molly and Meilin need to come home!

Maddie's view on the way to Chicago

 

 

 

Maddie and Macy waiting for the flight to Chicago

 

Dates!!!

We are leaving next Thursday night and will be in Hong Kong Saturday night!  On Monday the 11th we will be meeting Meilin for the first time!  Just a little over a week!  Then on the 13th we get to meet Molly!  We have been working non stop to get airline tickets and so thankful they are done.  It was a little bit of work and not the perfect dates and times but they will get us there and back.
Saturday November 23rd we will land back at home as a family of 10!  I can not wait for the moment our kids are all together!  I look forward to filling our van full of kids and driving home from the airport!  I am sure time will fly and we will be home before we know it!