Maylea enjoying a drink in her cutie Halloween sleeper!
Sweet Maylea!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Catching Up.
Finally, I have a few minutes to play catch up. I can't really remember where I left off. I'll start with Sunday.
Sunday
We left our hotel at 8:50 and attended a church service in Beijing. It was a Beijing International Christian Fellowship church. The singing was in Chinese and American with a big screen, a band and four singers. The preacher was Chinese with an American translator. It was interesting. You could only enter if you had a foreign passport. There were a lot of people attending. The church has a full program with many activities for all ages. We left there and drove past the Olympic Bird Nest being built, and the swimming site, and Olympic village. There is construction everywhere as they get ready for the Olympics. Even at the Forbidden City. We went to eat lunch at a buffet and in the same building was the Pearl Market. It was so amazing to see soooo many pearls in one place. We had a quick education on pearls and how to tell they are real and how they are cultivated in the Summer Palace Lake. Then we stayed there to shop for a little while. We then moved on to the Summer Palace. This is a garden created by the Emperor during the Jin Dynasty , for his mother. It is so beautiful with lots of hand painting, carvings and architecture. On the lake is the marble boat. We left there and ate, and went to the airport. We had a 9:30 flight to Nanchang. We landed at 11:30pm. Then a 40 minute bus ride to the Jin Feng Hotel.
Monday
Gotcha Day!!!!
We got up and I talked with my family by web cam for a little while. Then the internet stopped working. We called for service and they couldn't get it to work either so we switched rooms 10 minutes before time to leave. We rushed around throwing things in suitcases and put them in our new room 2 doors down. Then we went downstairs to meet our group. We were all so nervous and excited. It took 10 minutes for us to get to the Civil Affairs office. We made our way upstairs to the 26th floor where the babies were waiting for us. We were 3rd in line to get Maylea. Finally, it was our turn. At first, she didn't cry. Then she started crying. She cried all day in between naps. Everytime she would look at us she cried. It only took about half an hour for everyone to get their babies (7 of us) and then we came back to the hotel. I called home so Eddie and the boys could see her. Of course she is crying the whole time. We then had to meet in a room here at the hotel for paperwork, and later we went back to the Civil Affairs office where we met the orphanage director, workers and nannies. We had an interview, and pictures. We had a few other things to do after that and then we came back to the hotel. Maylea went down to sleep about 7pm and was back up at 2am. Then she was in a really good mood with laughing and playing. Since then she has been wonderful and is bonding with Leslie and I. She is very active wiggling constantly and is full of personality. She is a little rough and is a head butter. She had a bruise on her forehead that I wondered where it came from, well now I know. This has been a wonderful experience.
Tuesday
Today We went back to the police station so they could take a picture of the babies, and then we went to Walmart to do some shopping. We mostly bought junk food, pop and water. Leslie is having a little harder time than I am with the food here. She was so excited that inside the Walmart past the checkout is a KFC. She had her first real meal in 5 days; Nuggets, Fries and Pepsi. We came back to the hotel and pretty much chilled the rest of the day, which was really nice because I needed the rest.
Sunday
We left our hotel at 8:50 and attended a church service in Beijing. It was a Beijing International Christian Fellowship church. The singing was in Chinese and American with a big screen, a band and four singers. The preacher was Chinese with an American translator. It was interesting. You could only enter if you had a foreign passport. There were a lot of people attending. The church has a full program with many activities for all ages. We left there and drove past the Olympic Bird Nest being built, and the swimming site, and Olympic village. There is construction everywhere as they get ready for the Olympics. Even at the Forbidden City. We went to eat lunch at a buffet and in the same building was the Pearl Market. It was so amazing to see soooo many pearls in one place. We had a quick education on pearls and how to tell they are real and how they are cultivated in the Summer Palace Lake. Then we stayed there to shop for a little while. We then moved on to the Summer Palace. This is a garden created by the Emperor during the Jin Dynasty , for his mother. It is so beautiful with lots of hand painting, carvings and architecture. On the lake is the marble boat. We left there and ate, and went to the airport. We had a 9:30 flight to Nanchang. We landed at 11:30pm. Then a 40 minute bus ride to the Jin Feng Hotel.
Monday
Gotcha Day!!!!
We got up and I talked with my family by web cam for a little while. Then the internet stopped working. We called for service and they couldn't get it to work either so we switched rooms 10 minutes before time to leave. We rushed around throwing things in suitcases and put them in our new room 2 doors down. Then we went downstairs to meet our group. We were all so nervous and excited. It took 10 minutes for us to get to the Civil Affairs office. We made our way upstairs to the 26th floor where the babies were waiting for us. We were 3rd in line to get Maylea. Finally, it was our turn. At first, she didn't cry. Then she started crying. She cried all day in between naps. Everytime she would look at us she cried. It only took about half an hour for everyone to get their babies (7 of us) and then we came back to the hotel. I called home so Eddie and the boys could see her. Of course she is crying the whole time. We then had to meet in a room here at the hotel for paperwork, and later we went back to the Civil Affairs office where we met the orphanage director, workers and nannies. We had an interview, and pictures. We had a few other things to do after that and then we came back to the hotel. Maylea went down to sleep about 7pm and was back up at 2am. Then she was in a really good mood with laughing and playing. Since then she has been wonderful and is bonding with Leslie and I. She is very active wiggling constantly and is full of personality. She is a little rough and is a head butter. She had a bruise on her forehead that I wondered where it came from, well now I know. This has been a wonderful experience.
Tuesday
Today We went back to the police station so they could take a picture of the babies, and then we went to Walmart to do some shopping. We mostly bought junk food, pop and water. Leslie is having a little harder time than I am with the food here. She was so excited that inside the Walmart past the checkout is a KFC. She had her first real meal in 5 days; Nuggets, Fries and Pepsi. We came back to the hotel and pretty much chilled the rest of the day, which was really nice because I needed the rest.
Monday, October 29, 2007
PICTURES!!!!
Mommy and Maylea
Sis and Maylea
These gals aren't too bad....
Cutie face!
Look out Nick, there's a new boss in town.
(No update for now. Brenda said she would send one soon. Thanks, K.P.)
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Side Note...for those of you checking
Hey there. This is Kathleen, Brenda's friend. I am updating their blog for her as I hear from her. So, as you can see...I haven't heard from her. But, just wanted to post on here tonight a note to please pray for them! As we lay our heads on our pillows tonight, Brenda and Leslie will most likely be holding Maylea Xin Harris. I'm sure this little girl will be so overwhelmed and somewhat scared. I know that Brenda and Leslie will be overjoyed, but will also be concerned for the transition of Maylea. Please pray for good health for the three of them and others that are traveling with them. Please pray for Maylea, that whatever grief she will have to process will go quickly and that she will already know how much she is loved, by her family and by those friends waiting anxiously to hear from them.
Hang in there. It's not unusual for there to be Internet connection problems in China. Let's also pray that we'll be able to hear from them soon and of course...see pictures!! :)
Good night!
KP
Hang in there. It's not unusual for there to be Internet connection problems in China. Let's also pray that we'll be able to hear from them soon and of course...see pictures!! :)
Good night!
KP
Friday, October 26, 2007
Update #1 - We've arrived
Hi Everyone!!! We made it to Beijing at 11:00 pm last night which would have been 11:00 a.m your time. Its a pretty exhausting trip. Our flight from Charleston to Detroit went quick, and we didn't have a lay over. We made it to our gate and ate, and then our flight to Tokyo was boarding. I think the plane took off there at 3:30pm US time. It was a 13 hour flight, that seemed like 24 hours. We experienced pretty bad turbulence at times. So much that it nearly toppled over the flight attendance drink cart. For some reason several of us found it humorous. Maybe it was nervous laughter, but the flight attendant didn't think it was funny. She had left the cart for a few minutes to walk to the back for something when it happened and when I looked back at her she could barely stand up for a few minutes, but finally made her way over to get it. Some people sitting by it had to pick up the pitchers of OJ and water to help keep it from falling off. I'm just glad it wasn't beside me... it was one seat behind me. Other than that the flight was okay. We made it to Tokyo, changed planes but had a delay because of fog and low visibility here. I now know the meaning of flying by faith and not by sight.
It is 6:03 am right now, and we have to shower, eat breakfast and off to meet our group by 8:40 for a day of sight seeing. We see the Forbidden City, Tiannamen Square, The Great Wall, and the Summer Palace today. I hope to get some good pictures. I am not a photographer but I'll do my best.
It is 6:03 am right now, and we have to shower, eat breakfast and off to meet our group by 8:40 for a day of sight seeing. We see the Forbidden City, Tiannamen Square, The Great Wall, and the Summer Palace today. I hope to get some good pictures. I am not a photographer but I'll do my best.
Beijing
Hey Everyone,
We made it, safe and sound!!!! I really need to get to bed because we have a full day tomorrow. I'll post more tomorrow. Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes. They mean so much!!!
Love Brenda
We made it, safe and sound!!!! I really need to get to bed because we have a full day tomorrow. I'll post more tomorrow. Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes. They mean so much!!!
Love Brenda
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Adoption Itinerary
October 25th - November 7th
Thursday, Oct. 25th Depart for Beijing (Three hops from Charleston to Detroit to Tokyo to Beijing)
Friday, Oct. 26th Arrive in Beijing
Saturday, Oct. 27th Beijing Sight Seeing
Sunday, Oct. 28th Church Service & Summer Palace
Evening Flight to Nanchang
Monday, Oct. 29th Morning - Meet Maylea Xin Harris
Afternoon - Civil Affair Registration and Notarization
Oct. 30th - Nov. 1st Sight-seeing and Shopping
Friday, Nov. 2nd Pick up Passport and Flight to Guangzhou
Saturday, Nov. 3rd Medical Appointment & Filling out Consulate Forms
Sunday. Nov. 4th Church and Shopping
Monday, Nov. 5t Consulate Appointment 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 6th Pick up Child's Visa
Wednesday, Nov. 7th Depart from Guangzhou for HOME!!!!
Thursday, Oct. 25th Depart for Beijing (Three hops from Charleston to Detroit to Tokyo to Beijing)
Friday, Oct. 26th Arrive in Beijing
Saturday, Oct. 27th Beijing Sight Seeing
Sunday, Oct. 28th Church Service & Summer Palace
Evening Flight to Nanchang
Monday, Oct. 29th Morning - Meet Maylea Xin Harris
Afternoon - Civil Affair Registration and Notarization
Oct. 30th - Nov. 1st Sight-seeing and Shopping
Friday, Nov. 2nd Pick up Passport and Flight to Guangzhou
Saturday, Nov. 3rd Medical Appointment & Filling out Consulate Forms
Sunday. Nov. 4th Church and Shopping
Monday, Nov. 5t Consulate Appointment 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 6th Pick up Child's Visa
Wednesday, Nov. 7th Depart from Guangzhou for HOME!!!!
Monday, October 1, 2007
A Time to Fly
We received our flight confirmation last week. Our flight to China doesn't sound too fun. We'll fly out on October 25th to Detroit then on to China for a 17 hour flight with one stop for fuel. I can't even imagine being on a plane for that long. On the way home we fly from Guangzhou to Japan and change planes and then to Detroit. Just pray for us. Leslie has never been on a plane, and I've only been to Florida and Chicago. This will be a test of faith for both of us. I am excited for only one reason, and you know what that reason is. I cannot even wait to see that little face in person and hold her in my arms. It will be so hard to believe I actually get to bring her home with me!!! We Love You Maylea!!!! Here we come!
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