Visa Pic and Medical Appointment

JYesterday we headed over for Kai's visa picture and medical exam. Started out the day with breakfast, Kai decided laying in the chair was better for her ;).  We arrived and took pics, she did super and that was with some bribing to take her bottle away- but it was painless and fast thankfully.

Then we were moved to a wing just for adoptive families. It was just us and it turned out to move quickly and smoothly. Kai weighed in at 20#, I had been wanting to know but all our scales have been broken and Derek wasn't up for using the luggage scale. Lol

She was then seen by an ENT and then had a general exam. USome of the kiddos had to have blood drawn and tb test- that was not fun at all! But we were all so thankful to have one more step complete!!! She was a trooper! We came and had our nap and then walked all around town! Bought a few things while we were out. Smelt really great street food, but weren't adventurous enough to try any. 

Isn't this how everyone had breakfast?? 

Social bug, loves to be walking and checking on everyone.

Ready to escape...

Snack time after being such a big girl! 

We ended our day like this ;) Liz was so silly on the other side of the glass. And we loved it so much we weren't ready to get out!! 

Cruising...

After our exciting day to the market, we finished the evening with a Pearl River Cruise...and wait for it...pizza! Which Kai thoroughly enjoyed until she was done and threw the crust on the floor! She was quickly informed this is a no-no...Momma loves crust! Lol

It was overcast and smoggy all day so the evening was a little chilly which was welcomed! Kai was not a big fan, so we stood at the back of the boat and listened to the waves. This event was passed our bedtime so it took a bit of juggling. We got to see one of the tallest towers in the world- it was spectacular to see and the lights changed every few seconds...it was a sight...we had a good nights rest-pics below...

Adventures continue...

Crammed in taxi to head to the pearl market- Liz is up front, lots of laughter this ride!! And only one door opens- I feel like some sleepiness had taken over. Laughter is such good medicine for the soul. 

Liz was concerned but we assure her this traffic was nothing compared to our first two stops...and when we figured out how to roll down the windows the ride was much more enjoyable! 

Let the shopping begin! This place was so enormous- shops everywhere...

We got down to business found what we came for and headed back for nap time :) 

Pearl earrings, bracelets for a friend! And all sorts of entertaining people watching did take place! 

Was catching up on some devo time- I love this!!! Being stretched certainly is when Gods glory will shine through! And out of your depths- you touch and see Gods love. The capacity of families to love children through adoption is such a blessing. Hearing their stories just reinforces how He is heard and seen and obeyed...there are still so many waiting! Bringing one daughter home doesn't seem like enough...so many waiting in such unjust situations! But not one is lost on God! I'm thankful His plans and purposes are not our own! His ways are better. He's a good loving God and we have lots to pray for- like I told Tinlee sometimes that's all we can do, so let's do what we can now ;) 

Laying beside my sweet heavy breathing girl- it's like she was always mine- there's lots of emotions but tonight I'm just so grateful! And she has such joy- it's been such a wonderful joruney! It is really hard to believe we are counting down to home!!! I don't know where'd we'd be if we hadn't prayed to not be complacent to get out if our boxes- but boy did He have such blessing waiting just for us!  I'm thankful for that man of mine!!! He is a blessing- more than words! All my love! See you all very soon! 

Kisses & See you Soon

We just sit and stare...

Oh my soul!!

Break my heart...prayers for these two as they travel home today!!! Arrive in Texas Saturday 6:21pm 

Love you to the Moon!!! 

Time...

We've been to the park, off to the zoo, napped and napped and needed more naps. And now Derek is busy packing for he and Tinlee to return home and he's packing me up to finish the last leg of our trip.

It's bittersweet him going, but seeing Gunnar's big cocoa beans eyes lets this momma know we have made the right choice. I'm so thankful for all the help and play dates and company that you have been keeping with my babes- it means more than you can know. 

We on the other hand have had some harder days- grief comes in waves...and for a little one- it's so very sad and difficult to watch. Kai doesn't know what the future holds all she can process is she's left everything she's ever known. She is so wonderful- and I want to be the salve to her pain... But in the quiet of my own tears God reminded me that's not for me to do. He heals, she is His girl and I'm to steward her just as I have 3 others. Meeting needs, sharing love, earning trust, being mom, Praying for healing and protection from those things I can't see. I want to fix! But He is El Roi- the God who sees and He scooped Kai up and placed her in our lives and I have to breathe and trust myself. It's in my nature to want to fix, but He continues to whisper through others, this takes time! And we must take it all one day at a time. 

She has attached herself to me like rubber cement- peeling away when necessary or feeling smothered- and we laugh and she is just processing...she is inquisitive and affectionate, she's just learning what feels safe. And when she opens her eyes she expects to see me. 

Deep behind those dark almond eyes, you can see the wonder. She's so brave. And this is much like having an infant- just with a toddler who remembers- and isn't as easily distracted. 

She been giving Derek and Tinlee the cold shoulder some, occasionally a game and sometimes just to set the boundary. Her face is very expressive. Yesterday she got upset and her eyebrows turned red like baby Tinlee- it cracked me up! And thankfully I figured out what she wanted in a timely manner. 

It's like walking on hot coals! Lol

Not that I have but it's a willing act of love and trust being earned and sometimes it feels like your being burned. But grief is always more painful when being walked through! I'm so thankful to know that to be true. God paved this road for me-gently, and He equipped me with all the tools that I need. But I must not take my eyes off Him. He is my guide! And this like in Ecclesiastes is the time to tear down and rebuild...the time to dance for joy for little victories! He is so good All the Time...pics below for you to enjoy!!! 

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV)

She loves to walk...and explore...

A Zoo day...

        Sun setting on another day...

Days 2/3

This is us- ubber excited after arriving in ZZ. We received an update on our girl and our lanyards from CCAI on our way to the hotel! We were all in the twilight zone- it seems so crazy and I told Derek it's like your wedding day, you blink and it's over and you can't remember if you had time for cake. Lol

After Gotcha Day we returned to receive our Adoption Registration! She is officially ours!! It was emotional and exciting. Then we headed to the notary and then on to her orphanage city to apply for her passport. Transition is hard, but beautiful...broken pieces being scooped up gently and made into something new. Of course our drive took 1.5 hrs with traffic- it was time for a nap, but the uncertainty of another car ride and these new people came with high anxiety. There were lots of tears, hers, Tinlee's, my own- children are resilient but in their sorrow I feel so helpless and have to just breathe and be patient and pray 1000 prayers for my sweet girl.

We arrived and applied for her passport seamlessly. Kai posed for her pic without any hesitation. The head official was there and made sure all was done with ease and without waiting! And so we snacked and reacquainted ourselves again. We decided after the hard trip over to not go and view the orphange. It was so hard- I wanted to go so badly- but I know Kai was loved and cared for, they helped her survive- her first photo we received in an album from the orphange she looks like a baby bird- so defenseless and teeny. But this 'triumphant little warrior' , her names meaning, her story just began there. I'm thankful for Kaifeng and the LOCC (provided by CCAI) it is doing great work, I pray that more orphanages here can receive supplemental care because babies are suffering! It is unjust and cruel and hard to imagine, but it is reality. I just am certain we have to trust God in this- He knows all the storylines. 

Drive home was full of play and snacks and kisses! Oh my soul! We took advantage of the happy girl and got our first bath. Then it was time for bed. 

It was a hard night- mostly for Kai. She woke up confused and upset- thankfully didn't cry long after she was in my arms- and then 2 hrs of get to know mom and dad went on. 

I laughed at one point and said I think we are in the midst of a trust exercise- like when you do a ropes course or fall off a tree stump for someone else to catch you. She'd relax and open her eyes wide making sure we had not moved. 

We had success with a bottle and did get her tired body back to bed- as she rocked and soothed herself it about did me in. 

It breaks my heart to hear her sad moan, and know this is how she's learned to soothe herself.

But new mercies come every morning and she woke up happy, hiney in the air- it takes her a minute to get moving and then we chatted with Gunnar and Harper- they were thrilled! I love technology being away from my babes. 

We had breakfast- I think I wore more than we ate, but we enjoyed it. And now nap time- today is our free day so we are enjoying the non schedule and quiet of the day. 

A friend asked if it feels like she's always been ours- 

Yes! It's the most incredible feeling!!! And I believe she knows we are over the moon for her- for us the jury is still out- but we are to day 3 and so in love!!! 

We don't feel a world away- it's kind of bazarre. 

And we can feel your prayers and enthusiasm for us!! Pray for our flights home- that they would be supernaturally restful and safe! Derek & Tinlee head home Saturday. I'll be joined shortly by my amazing cousin. Continue to pray for all our health to be great and thank you for your prayers on attachment and bonding! 

She lights up when she looks for me! It's so precious! She is teeny, but fierce- curious, joyful and just perfect! His plans are always perfect! He always has better for us if we will just yield to Him...

This pic reminds me how good it feels to be FREE! One day at a time, beauty from ashes!! 

Amazing Day!

Gotcha Day is so amazing! The energy in the room is palpable. We all were ready to go sit and wait and I was busy trying to take some pics and I hear Wen Xia- and Rita waving at me! What are you for real? Before we could put our bags down she was in my arms! Poor baby got car sick and was upset and confused and sleepy....I hand off my camera, Derek digs for iPad, Tinlee is in tears because there are babies and parents and it's chaos! And then the baby swaying begins....Kai stopped crying pretty quickly and let me console her. We got the snacks out and she was quiet and observed and was silly and loving. Today was incredible!! She let all 3 of us feed her and love on her- powerful prayers and sweet sweet families joined today! There's so much more I could say and 10,000 pics- but for now meet our sweetest Kai Maelin....

Introductions....she is so beautiful!

Tender Tinlee- this day overwhelmed my girl but she made the rounds to help with cameras and snacks and consoling kiddos! She amazes me! 

Tinlee caught a silly smile! We had all sorts of fun new cups and treats to try...

Taking a break from our walk around the room- not sure about Baba but did high five him...she stopped and rubbed her cheek against mine! My cup overflows! 

Gotcha 3/31/14 A day we won't soon forget! 

Kai napped on our walk to dinner and when she woke up went straight to Derek for food...and they walked all the way back to the hotel together- he is smitten! 

We are in love and can't wait to have all 6 of us together under one roof! Today was Beyond Beyond!! Ephesians 3:20