We've been home 8 days

Sorry we haven't posted anything since our first day or so in Guangzhou.
We weren't able to access our blog from there.
We are home safe and sound.  It feels great to be home.
Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks....

After getting Melody, our next best part of this trip was meeting Jordon

from Jordon's Place on Shaiman Island.

Unfortunately, his shop is no longer there.

For now he will be working from home by setting up a website to 

sell his items online.  

While we were there he took us to his home to meet his wonderful family.

He made some beautiful calligraphy for us and then took us out to eat.

It was an amazing experience.

Jordon took us out to eat at a local place...DELISH!

(sorry this is sideways)

(sorry this is sideways too) 

We are in front one of the murals in one of the parks in 

Guangzhou

Visiting a temple

Our Consulate Appt.

Airport!

Home forever!!!!

Jumping for Joy that we are HOME!!!!!

 We left Shanghai to go to Guangzhou on Friday. Guangzhou Airport closed due to  thunder storms so our flight was delayed big time.We ended up waiting in Shanghai for 8 hours until the next available flight.melody was a trooper!

 we got to our hotel room at 3am this morning.  it turns out a lot of other adopting families' flights were delayed. we heard about one family having to spend the night at the airport and arrived at 6am.  talk about rough.  today (saturday) we had melody's medical exam and tb test. the medical exam bldg. was bustling with tons of other families who were adopting. it was a beautiful sight to see all the children with their forever families!!!!!

Last few day in Shanghai...

A visit to the Shanghai Zoo

Ice cream monsters at the mall...

Pizza for dinner, thanks to room service, woo hoo...

Happy Song

Ok, so we're dying out here. not that kind of dying. like, this girl is so funny. she has alexis gasping for air funny. we told her today that her name in amerca is melody joy, ( in chinese happy song ), and she loved it. today we had to get our official chinese adoption papers and interviews with officials. she had them all cracking up. we're so blessed to have her.

The day we all have been waiting for...

Introducing ourselves for the first time.










 Trying out her sunglasses. Superstar!

Easter Sunday in China

Alexis and I spent the whole day walking and exploring the city. We had yummy street food and delicious Chinese pastries for dinner. Planning to Skype our kids, go to sleep and in the morning pick up Melody. She is going to change our world forever!

Easter morning in Shanghai

Happy Easter! 

We are in a big bustling city here in shanghai.

So amazing to be here and be sooooo close to meeting melody. We are beyond excited that tomorrow is the big day,

We are going out to explore the sights of our dear daughter's city! should be fun! across the street from our hotel is a temple, a mall and haagen daas ice cream shop.  i think 2 of the 3will come in pretty handy! wish we could post a pic...maybe later once we figure out how.....

off to explore....

 

Skype

We got to skype with Melody last Friday!!  What a beautiful meeting it was!
We know that skype is not the norm when it comes to adopting but somehow God allowed the opportunity and what a beautiful opportunity it was.  We talked for an hour!!!!!  It was amazing.  She is so full of life and energy and seems so happy to be coming home.  Throughout the entire conversation she kept practicing saying "mother", "father", brother", "sister", and "grandmother" in English!

She was so eager to ask questions and she even sang for us!  What a moment!  Our little Melody was singing a pretty melody!!  It was priceless!!!!

She is back in the orphanage as of yesterday

Our coordinator just told us that Melody went back to the orphanage yesterday.
Our coordinator wrote:  "The director said that she is outgoing and should adapt well."


We are praying for her little heart. 

THANK YOU!

We are overjoyed to report that ALL of the fees that were due to our agency are paid in FULL!!!!

FULLY PAID!  THANK YOU LORD!!!

Thank you to everyone who has helped, prayed , gave generously of their resources, time and talents, (and even secretly gave!)!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

"Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us..." 

(Phil 1:3 MSG)

We will be meeting Melody in 3 weeks

We have great news to share!

We got our travel approval on Friday.

Our travel dates are: April 6^th -April 19^th.

We will be meeting Melody on Monday, April 9^th.

Our Consulate Appointment is scheduled for April 17^th.

We are so amazed that we will be meeting her in 3 weeks!!

Love to all!

THANK YOU FOR COVERING US IN PRAYER!!!!!

Birthday Pictures

We got some new pictures of our babygirl! 

We had a cake sent to her last week for her birthday.

Looks like she enjoyed it!!  :)

A little update on our timeline....we are getting close to traveling to pick her up.

We received our article 5, which is the document you need before travel approval is given.

We should be getting our travel approval soooooooon.

Birthday Girl

Bless you baby girl on your birthday!
Even though it is still the18th here, it is the 19th already where you are.
How I wish I could give you birthday hugs and kisses today.
Hope you love the cake we sent and that you feel celebrated and loved.
As your big brother would say, I HOPE THIS IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!
Hope your day is great as you celebrate turning eight!!!
We love you and we can't wait till you are home.

Family Art

Elijah loves to draw and here's his latest creation!!

Big "E" loves his FAMILY!!

(I love this boy!!) 

3rd Mommy

Angelina said to me a few days ago , "Mommy,  you are going to be Melody's 3rd mommy!" Her comment was so innocent-But oh how it pierced me.   My heart is aching.... 3rd mommy!!!....Thoughts are swirling in my mind and heart: "3rd times the charm?" " 3's a crowd?"  But I am choosing the voice of TRUTH: 3 is God's number:  Rising on the 3rd day....3 in 1 God.... Complete!  This is mommy is going to be the last one.  Her search for a family is complete!

Happy 2012

Happy New Year!