Red Thread Journey..."An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break." Chinese Proverb


This is the story of our family: Our son Jacob, born to us 12 years ago, and Our daughter Kira (2005~2006), whom was born to us~ and now she rests in heaven before us, with my husband's eldest daughter Shelby (1990~2011). They have all three blessed our lives and souls, in many ways as their humbled parents. They have powerfully lead us through GOD'S hand to be parents of more; through their love, memory, and with the help of adoption from China. We have now come complete circle and have finished our journey to family forever, to adopt our 3...uhhhhh now 4th...no... it is our 5th beloved child from China. Our first China daughter; Hannah was from Guangdong, China ~ in 2008 and we then returned to China in late 2009 to adopt Our oldest son; Scott and Our oldest daughter; Athena, both from Henan, China ~ in 2009. We just finished the process of adopting our youngest daughter; Bella from China, she was also from Henan, China ~ in 2011. At the same time we were blessed to be able to have found another waiting daughter; Deanna, our 4th china daughter, and she is our 5th child from China. She is from Guangdong, China--same as our first China daughter; Hannah (2008) --& the story behind Deanna joining us is way too long to print it all here, but our circle of forever family is complete with her ~in 2011. {Here is just an exerpt of that special final adoption journey}-- Deanna is our 1st adopted daughter's foster sister from Guangdong, China. She is now the same age as our 1st adopted daughter was when we were first united as a forever family. Deanna's Chinese name means: 'perfect, precious circle'.} Our family circle is now complete. Pray with us as we enjoy parenthood, and as we continue to rejoice in the trials, triumphs, and blessings that have lead us each time halfway around the world to add to our cherished family. This is our family we share with you, as friends and family alike.


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Friday, July 4, 2008

Tour part 2 (Tour of Guangzhou sites)

The entrance to the Chen Dynasty Palace.
They are the richest family in Guangzhou: Jackie Chan's family heritage. {Chen to Chan name change, for Hollywood}A bed with ceramic pillows from the Chen dynasty.The beautiful hallway at the Chen Dynasty. Stained glass privacy windows: You can see out of the house,
but visitors can not see in.
These two pictures are hand embroidered, "not" photographs.
An Authentic Ivory Tusk carved into the shape of a ship, the windows and doors actually open and close. (Ivory is illegal to use, or import. They now use camel or buffalo bone instead.)
The inside of the Temple where the Monk's performed our family blessing.
(Good Wishes & Good Luck)
The 3 Buddhas represent: Past, Present, & Future lives.


A Monk.
(I think he was on his 15 minute break) :o)
The Six Banyan Pagoda. A Temple named after the 6 Banyan Trees surrounding it. From the outside it looks like it has 9 stories, but actually it is a towering 17 stories inside. (all stairs)




Tour Part 1(who went on the tour!)

This is the other family in our Agency group, we have been together everyday since we arrived in Guangzhou. The irony is,... we met in Denver at the airport. I introduced myself while we were seated in the Hong Kong departure area... and we are the two families of Travel Group #1377!
(You can tell by her body language, IT IS HOT OUTSIDE!) This is the wishing, good luck pot.
You toss a coin in the hole near the top.
Jacob and Hannah.
Daddy.
Our friends: Robyn & MeiKe and Sharon's family were here too!
Hannah and Maddie!





Thursday, July 3, 2008

Health Inspector?

The Local Health Dept.
We did not risk it today, and we ate American, franchised "fast food".


Starbucks, on the Island near our hotel.

Mc Donald's, We took at a cab for $30rmb ($5.00 US dollars) round trip to the "Underground" downtown Mall. The mall was very nice, because it was nice and cool inside.


James is becoming an expert cab hailer! It took him less than a minute to get a cab to stop for us. The same day, our guide had told us of her cab drama of trying to hail one for 30 minutes downtown!! Way to go James!

The day at the doctors.



Today was Doctor day. One of the many steps before we can leave. Hannah visits the doctor, for a clean bill of health. Perfect vision and a full set of teeth (until after the appiontment.. Hannah started losing a tooth).


Mommy or Hannah, who will get the tooth...




No tooth fairy tonight, she still has the tooth.



Shamian Island where we are staying, is a very photogenic place for brides and grooms to come to have their pre~wedding portraits. Everyday we catch a glimpse of "beautiful" (Hannah's favorite word) Chinese couples in love. Hannah is infatuated with the beauty and the fashion, us also.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Guangzhou, the same block!






At Lunch, Hannah Meiru and Meike...

As we were leaving Lucy's Diner, MeiKe and Robyn were just getting seated... The girls and the mamas, were so glad to meet up.

Lucy's in the sky...

On the Island where we are staying,
is "Lucy's Diner".
Not sure what mystery meat they use for the hamburgers, but it sure makes us miss the Barbeque and the burgers at "Black Belt" Matt's house.
(don't tell him we said that :o)...)
At lunch,
the faces of Hannah...
Mommy's girl.
(The serious side)
Jacob's clone.
(She is a ham)
Daddy's girl.
(Jokes are funny)
At dinner time;
Eating outside at Lucy's on the patio.

Passport office, and "beautiful"...

This is the passport office, almost like an American DMV (dept. of motor vehicles). This picture almost got daddy confiscated... or the camera! We would have given them daddy first. LOL (after James snapped the photo, the guard told him "NO" photos in the government building, as he reached for his firearm.)


Hannah likes things that are "Beautiful"; the dresses in the shops, fixing her hair and nails, playing with barbies with long hair and she really likes fashion. The nannies said she loves songs and that she can dance very well. She sings Farajaque` (sp?) in Chinese of course, the Barney song (I love you, you love me, we 're a happy family...), Twinkle, Twinkle little star...


Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Life in China pt.2



Today we had our civil affairs appointments, interviews, and the notorary; not to many opportunities for pictures or filming.


So, Hannah was the photographer today.


Hannah's self portrait, she looked in the mirror to take this picture.


Hannah watching Jacob staying busy.



Hannah likes the sprayer on our European tub in our room, (I am missing my shower...we are so american spoiled). It is hard to lather, then rinse, wash your face, then rinse, then wash your hair, then rinse, then conditioner, then rinse, then repeat. whewh...



Hannah's pretty shoes.

Mommy blogging to you all back home. :o)

Life in China...

Ashley has fast gone to bed, so I (James) am in charge of the blog tonight. What's it like in China? To start with, the people here are very polite. But what we will remember the most of our trip is how hot it is. Hot comes in all kinds of ways, it's only 84 outside but you can see the steam come off a ice cream cone; it feels like you are in a atrium and after only 5min. you are in a nasty, deep sweat. Your whole body feels sticky. Then you notice the smell everywhere you go, it smells like sewage everywhere.. truly. We went shopping today at a 3 story mall, and they did'nt have any air conditioning. Jacob was looking real pale, Ashley thought he was going to pass out from the heat. I really don't know how everyone can work much less live here. But as the picture above shows, you just take what life gives you... and Go get married!
Well Hannah survived here just fine, so one day she'll be making a blog about how cold it is in Colorado and wondering what fool would make a home there. On a side note, we had KFC today, and the chicken here is half the size that we have in the states. Hannah ate 5 pieces (what a piglet... heehee). She really likes the spicy chicken and the warm pepsi (we can't have any ice because it will make us sick).
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