China II; More photos from the Journey

Dinner on Gotcha Day, in Zhengzhou, Henan. Waiting for our tour of the Delta Pearl River at night, on the "Pirate Ship".

The Infamous "Red Couch" Family Photo,

The White Swan Hotel; in Guangzhou, Guangdong.

Lost in Paradise

I (James) took over 900 pictures in China, then you add the 400+ photo's the kids took each and that's a lot of pictures to never make it to the blog. Now that we are home, and I can use my Photo Shop, here are some of the lost photo's.

Old fashion vs. New fashion

Poor guy needed a boost up.

He's on all the walls, money, everywhere...

Had to add this one last photo taken by Jacob's "Eye Clops". It gets up close like 50X, this is Jacob's ear, do you like the wax stuck to the hairs?

Sorry all. I read this too, and even I (mommy) was like what the heck?...

Daddy... You are just crazy. Note to one's self: you need a sense of humor and a strong stomach to be in this "crazed family". Sorry!!

Believe it or Not!

That they ate it? or That I cooked it?

The girls; or should I say the noodle twins.

The Boys... a little on the "Ham & Corn-y" side. :o)

Grandma, Grandpa and "buddy" (the puppy-dog) headed for their home today. They were a great help around here this past (our first) week home. I think they were ready to go, (we already miss them) but they will be back soon enough with the holidays approaching.

Holidays? OMG, don't even go there, yet.

Journal Update:
Athena age 12; She is wearing a size 10 pants, and a girls medium shirt and a size 12 dress.
Scott age 11; He is wearing a size 12 "Husky" pants, and boys large shirt. No dress Ha ha! :o)
Jacob age 9.5; He is wearing a size 10 pants and a boys medium shirt.
Hannah age 8.5; She is wearing a size 7 pants and girls small shirt and a size 8 dress.

Awwh, We are "finally" going to sleep in our own bed this month.

Yes, you read that right. First time since August.

Good Night, Sweet Dreams.

Surreal

That's how it feels. I went back to work today, arrived an hour before anyone else. Part way through the day, as a realized it was less than 3 weeks ago I was doing {deja'vu} this very same routine. ...{Except then~as I multi-tasked and planned my day out in my head, I was tracking the plight of our adoption paperwork making sure it all was signed, sealed and delivered so we could proceed to China before Athena's birthday.}

Wow, here I am today same place, same time, and what I like most, same routine :o),... but (screech) put the brakes on .... Whoa!! I have 4 kids in grade school and I need to get my buns (no pun intended) LOL! in gear and finish up so we can go pick the them up.

OMG, the sweet smell of surreality!

Hello, Ni Hao, Good Morning

We are home.

I know, I know, I can not believe I have not had one free moment to let you all know. Thank you for waiting.

Yes, we arrived home safely on Friday September 18 at 7:30 pm MST. We arrived via a bus, 3 planes, a shuttle train and a 7 passenger van and traveled more than 27 hours straight to get here.

Everyone is doing well, and the the famous morning saying from Scott is "Hello, Ni Hao, Good Morning". He again says this phrase through-out the day, as he gets a bit bored listening to us ramble in English and it his only way to communicate, as of yet. :o) He is learning a few more words each day. I am sure he is soaking it all in, and in about a week or two he will just explode with phrases. He met his Grandma and Grandpa from the Hunsufamily, and also his Aunt Sherry and family. Scott adored playing with the little ones as they were extra entertaining with excitement. He is extra gentle to the kids. Now the dog, he loves to play with and "buddy" is not used to so much stimulation. So that is another story. LOL!!!

Athena, is eager to try all new words, and follows the meaning of the conversation. She learned how to play on the child keyboard, "Mary had a little lamb" in only one showing from her Aunt Sherry. She is just a sweetheart.

All four Hunsufamily Kids are doing great together. No fights or aggression. Everyone is happily harmonious. Even us parents and grandparents. {The grandparents are here for a week to help us settle in, and it is a BLESSING!}

The kids started school today.

Getting ready for School!

Out the door!!!

It is the first day back to school. Can you see it in Jacob's face? The other three, are still clueless to the "drudgery of a school day".LOL!
Awhh innocence.

First day update: The kids went to school for the first time today. {we only registered the new kids on yesterday} They all had a good day. Jacob and Hannah followed as normal of a routine as could be expected with two new siblings tagging along. They both had a happy great day!

Athena did not get nervous until she saw 30 English speaking, white kids coming noisily into a previously quiet classroom that she herself just entered and found her own school desk minutes before class started, OMG, culture shock. But she made 6 wonderful friends *Pong yous (Sp?). We learned she hated the macaroni and cheese that she had for hot lunch but she loved the chocolate milk.

Scott, acted aloof when he entered his classroom, like hey I don't have to learn or participate because I speak Chinese. HA, :o) we know better, LOL! He pretended he did not know how to "High Five" the young boy befriending him... but by the end of the day he had a great day and he made 2 friends.

At the end of the school day, Athena and her teacher, along with Scott came skipping together out the door towards us waiting on the playground. They are excited to go back tomorrow!!!

I am excited to see the progression over the next few or so weeks, of how our newest son and daughter will do adjusting to school and parents and siblings with only being home in America for two days... stay tuned as we explore the adventures together, as family.

P.S. Scott is getting ready to leave with daddy to watch him participate at Karate, wow....

Leaving China!

Hope you enjoyed our travel blog at http://www.hunsufamily.com/

We will see you on the other side of the world tomorrow x2!

Travel Blog

Dear Family and Friends,

We will be using a travel blog site for our Journey; "Adoption of Two". Please visit us:

http://hunsufamily.com

The reason for this temporary "TRAVEL BLOG" site, is that most likely while we are traveling in China the "Censorship of Free Press", will have blocked Blogger, Facebook, Twitter and other media abused blogging portals.
After our Journey, you can meet us back here to catch up on our family days at home. :o)

China~2009, ready or not here we come!

We are packed and ready to go get our two "babies".

Our children are waiting for us in Henan, China.

A family foursome around here,... will soon be a six-pack!

and Yes,... this is packing light. 4 checked and 4 carry-ons and one purse.

All under TSA/International weight! :o)

China Itinerary~2009

9/1 Leave for airport
9/2 Leave U.S. for Beijing.
9/3 Arrive in Beijing.
9/4 Tour Beijing.
9/5 Tour Beijing.
9/6 Depart Beijing for Zhengzhou on China Southern flight.
9/7 Take a bus to the registration office to receive your child this morning. Congratulations!

This afternoon, all families will sign the Guardianship Agreement.
Take Registration Certificate photos at local photo shop.
Return to the hotel. Meet with Yisha to prepare registration paperwork.
9/8 All families take a bus to the registration office to complete the Adoption Registration in the morning.
Please note that your adoption is finalized at the time of registration. After this point, the Chinese government prohibits you from relinquishing your child in China.
Go to the provincial notary office to apply for the Notary after registration.
Rest or optional group shopping trip to the Lotus Center (same as Wal-Mart) in the afternoon.
9/9 Free time or rest. Optional tours maybe available please ask Yisha for details.
9/10 Receive your Notary documents in the afternoon.
9/11 (Athena's Birthday) All families will receive your child’s passport in the afternoon and leave Zhengzhou for Guangzhou on China Southern flight.
9/12 Have your child’s visa physical and visa photo taken this morning. Have your child’s visa photo and physical completed today. You will be walking to the clinic with Bruce. Your child will also receive a tuberculosis skin test if they are between the ages of 2 to 14.
Meet with Bruce to prepare paperwork for the Consulate appointment: Please bring all of your documents and passports to this meeting. Your CCAI rep will have the required forms for you to fill out.
9/13 Sunday. Free time. Rest, tour, shop.
9/14 If applicable, meet with Bruce to have the Tuberculosis test checked at the clinic.
If necessary have the chest x-ray taken.
9/15 Free time. Rest, tour, shop. If you needed to follow up with the chest x-ray go to the clinic with Bruce.
9/16 Today is your Consulate appointment.
Bruce will deliver your visa packets to the U.S. Consulate Adoption Unit.
9/17 Go to the U.S. Consulate to take the oath in the afternoon.
Receive your child’s visa packet at the conclusion of the oath ceremony.
DO NOT OPEN YOUR CHILD’S VISA PACKET!
9/18 Please check out of your hotel room and be ready to go by the designated time set by Bruce.
Hunsucker and Kulp – Leave Guangzhou for Hong Kong, on China Southern Flight. Leave Hong Kong for the U.S. Please check in 2 hours prior to departure for the US.
Please check your International flight tickets for specific information.
WELCOME HOME!

I can see clearly now,... The rain has gone.

"I can see clearly now... I have my {first pair of} glasses ON". :o)

"J." is in 4th grade and today he received his first pair of glasses. I (mommy), wore my first pair of glasses in 5th grade, a long time ago. We were anticipating this since my family history of eye sight is not good. Last School Year his eye sight was 20/20 during his 3rd grade physical. He was not due for this yearly physical until December. We made his pediatric appointment early this season, because he needed a physical to travel to China. "J." failed his eye test during the physical at 20/50. We saw the optometrist today and found out he has a astigmatism as well.

He is totally thrilled he has glasses.

He can not believe all that he should have been seeing,... and what he was missing. I am amazed by this little man. This is one time that mommy can not do it for him or protect him or fix it. Only help with a solution,...glasses. I know in some ways glasses are not a big deal, but for me and "J.",...at least for me not to be able to do it for him was a little hard; (after all it is his eyes, he has to look with them, not me). So I think I am more emotional over it than anyone.

I am realizing, my baby is growing up, and mommy can not kiss every boo boo away. I did hug & kiss on him a whole bunch, and let him know he is so handsome. :o)

TA: Travel Approval

I can finally tell you we have our TA: Travel Approval,

and our CA: Consulate Appointment.

These were the last two Government Adoption Steps, standing between us and our children.
~

We are so grateful to the Prayers by everyone to reach these milestones, and be able to confirm when we will travel to our children waiting. We were able to purchase our tickets on Friday, before the "airline hold" ran out. Praise GOD, the approvals came in time.

~

We will journey to our kids, in a few short days.

~

Our two current children are coming as well, to welcome their new brother and sister into "Their/Our Forever Family".

~

I have to tell you; it was a bit hard this weekend to keep quiet and not shout "TA" has arrived.

Our agency requested we not blog or post on a public forum until others from our agency received their TA's, and announced ahead of us. Our agency is conservative and compassionate. TWO things our family respects, and loves about our agency. Any way the "cats, out of the bag now" and we can shout it.

~

We are going to China for our Children. Thank you Deniece, Judy, Betsy, Sarah, Lily!! I could go on and on... and thank you to all our friends and family for Praying this day would come. I can not wait to hold my two newest children and caress their hair, kiss their cheeks and let them know how much our family loves them forever!