Today we got up in just enough time to eat breakfast at the White Swan Breakfast buffet and meet our group at 10:00 AM.  Today's main purpose was complete our daughter's Visa Photo and Medical Exam.  I have photos and video clips of this.  The Medical Exam consists of three stations. Each station is first come first serve in whatever order you choose. It reminded me of trying to guess which line would be the quickest at the grocery store...three times in a row.  The Visa Photo was just about 1/4 block away from the Medical Exam building. After we completed the Medical Exam and Visa Photo the rest of the day was ours.  We immediately went in search of two strollers to borrow for free.  Many shops here on the island loan them to the parents in hopes you will shop in their store.  They first try to sell you the stroller and then when you refuse they let you borrow it.  They sometimes will also give cheap toys to your children for free.  So the first free toys were these pink lace head things...pretty goofy looking, and of course once both of the girls had them on, there was no taking them off.  Since we only have three full days here in Guangzhou the first thing I needed to do was get rolling on Granite Etchings which many friends back home wanted.  They are more expensive than I remember from two years ago but still much cheaper than they are in the USA and etched by hand, not machine etched.  Unfortunately you are at the mercy of whatever artists they get handed out to.  Some will look good and some are quite scary.  Due to time they will not have them ready until the day we leave! The glass bottles are pretty if you happen to get a good artist.  They are about $40-50 USD for a bottle with two people painted inside.  We also will have chops made. Chops are a beautiful stone in which they carve your name into the bottom of the stone in English and in Chinese characters by pronounciation. The carved stone comes with a red inked pad contained inside a beautiful blue & white Chinese dish. This evening was spent surveying the shops and relaxing.  

Tonya

14a. Last day in Changsha 1-26-2007

Today was paperwork and packing.  I spent close to two hours completing paperwork that we needed for Guangzhou.  Then we packed up everything and placed our checked luggage outside our hotel room door for the bellboy to go around and pick up the whole groups luggage, that was at 4:30PM. We boarded the bus at 5:00PM and headed for the airport.  Nothing too exciting to write about except, while on the bus ride   to the airport...I started to smell a poopoo smell. Now the airport was about 45 minutes away and we had only been on the bus for about 5 minutes. "Just great, now I have to try and change a poopoo diaper on the bus and everyone has to smell it."  I looked over at Todd to tell him, and as I started to speak he was laughing uncontrollably...but silently.  It was then I realized the smell came from Todd....now why would anyone think this is funny???  Why subject everyone closed up in a bus to this???  Don't men know that just because their farts are silent does not mean they are without odor?  How rude!  So now I am laughing and it stinks horribly..."Oh Well".  I'm sure those around smelled it.  I am also sure when Todd sees that I posted this I will have to remove it.
When we got to the airport each family got a luggage cart and placed our checked luggage on it and everyone's luggage was checked as a group.  It was just a 1 hour flight and you are only allowed one baby per row so families were split up.  It was a cramp, but at least short flight.

Then we picked up our luggage and loaded it on a separate bus to go to the hotel.  What a nice change after several rounds of the train station with all our luggage. 

It was a very long and very exhausting day.  We are all starting to feel a little sick.  We did not get to bed until after midnight due to such a late check in at the White Swan.  The room is very small with two kids and all of our luggage, but it is only for about 4 days.  The girls have done very well considering all the running around we are doing. 

Tonya

Today was a very important day, we scheduled a drive out to Arwen's Finding Place.  It was not part of the GWCA itinerary because it would be difficult to get all the families on a bus and go driving all over town looking for all different locations...many of the locations cannot even be found anymore unless you are traveling with a local that has lived here for at least a few years. For those traveling behind us, be sure to bring your original Chinese version, not just your English translation.  Sometimes the English translation is not complete and/or not correct.  We called a local guide to accompany us on a taxi drive to find Arwen's Finding Location. We took pictures of the area, and the area we would gues she was actually placed, photos looking down the street both directions, and directly across the street.  It was very special to have all of us standing in this area.  Special because this is probably as far back as we can track information for Arwen.  It is part of her story.  Though it may be a sad start, it is still part of her story and I feel, as her parent, I owe her as much of her story as we can find for her.  They are pieces of her life.  To view click on album above.

Arwen is doing better and better everyday.  Sometimes I think her feet never touched the ground before she came into our lives.  She loves being held and snuggled.

We did a strolled down the street for about 45 minutes and stubbled across a local musician, he was sitting on the ground performing in the underground walkway. I took a small video clip with my camera of him singing and then we made a donation.  He actually sang quite well, but I don't know how the clip sounds.  There were also a lot of locals selling fruit from their carts in the streets.

 When we returned we met Grace, our guide, for dinner.  This was the last place in Changsha we would have dinner. The place was beautiful.  Again we were in a private room that had it's own "NICE" western toilet and sink!!!

We did our typical whole family snuggle in the bed with a video.  Monsters Inc....again.  When it was bedtime, lights out, Aubrey crawled over me to be right next to Arwen's crib.  Here the two of them played and played.  It was so sweet to watch the two of them bond.  I kept playing like I was asleep while peeking through one eye. I was tired, but did not want to spoil this special time so I let them play for about an hour before I finally told Aubrey to get back into her bed. 

Tomorrow I will do a lot of paperwork and we will pack to leave for Guangzhou to get Arwen's Visa and complete our American Consulate appointment.   

Tonya, Todd, Aubrey Arwen and Nai Nai    

Today started out with our typical breakfast buffet since it is included in the room rate.  Then we all met in the lobby at 9:45 AM to board the bus to head for Yuelu University.  You can see lots of photos in the slide show of this place.  There were some beautiful views here.  It dates back to the Song, Ming and Qing Dynasties.  

From there we traveled to the Hunan Embroidery Museum of China.  Hunan is famous for their embrodery.  What is especially beautiful is their double sided embroidery.  There are pictures in the slideshow of this as well.  What I had never heard of before was the Crysanthemum Stone Carvings.  They were beautiful as well.  It is a unique precious stone retrieved from the Yonghe Stream in Liyang of the Hunan Province.  So this is something else Hunan is famous for creating.

From here we traveled back to the hotel.  While on the bus we voted on either Chinese food or Pizza Hut for dinner!  It was a definate vote for Chinese Food for us, so we agreed to meet at 5:30 PM.  Maybe I could find some more baby octopus!!!  Actually I found that at the lunch buffet at the hotel and it was quite delicious.  However, I did pass on the small baked turtles. I keep wondering when I am going to get sick???  We've been eating the local food since we got to China.  I'm braver than I was last time...or would that be dumber.  I hope I have my dad's stomach.  

Dinner time was great, we only had three families join instead of all six...maybe they were tired of the local cuisene.  Back to our rooms for playtime.  Then everyone on the bed for movies and snuggles.  I am really enjoying the family time...especially with two daughters now.  Arwen is slowly coming out of her shell.  She prefers me over daddy, but I am watching that change for the better also.  She is allowing herself to get down on the ground and walk a little more as she realizes more and more that I am not leaving her.  She will ocassionally lean in for a kiss when we pucker up.  She is smiling and laughing a little more.  It is such a joy to watch the process and progress.  I go to bed at night and look at both of my girls and thank God for such an indescrible blessing!  

Tonya, Todd, Aubrey, Arwen and Nai Nai  

PS:
I can now receive e-mails through Outlook Express, but it will not successfully send my e-mail :( 
Sorry I replied to quite a few e-mails, but they are just sitting in my Outbox.   

Arwen slept throught the night!  Her temperature is now completely normal and her "very" rosy cheeks are now just rosy.  You can really see a difference in her cheek color and her demeanor from yesterdays photos compared to todays. She lay in her crib awake qiuetly until I picked her up.  She sucked down a 4 ounce bottle, but took her sweet time.  Aubrey would suck hers down in seconds, and would want more when we adopted her.  Arwen is 15 months old and weighs 17.6 lbs, wears about 12 month old clothing...and that is just a bit large.  Aubrey at only 10.5 months weighed 19lbs.  We brought size 3 Pamper diapers and they were a  bit too large, but worked until we got the right size for her later today.  In this photo I was chatting online with my sister in Austalia.  Click below photo for album. Arwen was very responsive by smiling and laughing with us this morning.  She still wants to be held, not placed on the floor even though she can walk. When I try to put her down she cries. It is still amazing to me how much Arwen has bonded in just 24 hours. She also really likes Nai Nai. 

This morning I got to video chat with my sister in Austalia, and later I got to video chat with several of my brothers and my dad. Having a webcam built in my laptop has been nice to have here.  
 
If you remember when we received Arwen she had a ton of clothing on, here is the photo of everything she had on.

From 11. Day after...

Note there is also a light pair of split pants long johns and a light pair of plain split pants...they are harder to notice laying on the white bedspread.  The outer jacket reads size 4/6!!!  Everything was very large and just rolled up at the end of the sleeves. 

Arwen is a lot of fun and really likes to snuggle, that may change as she realizes we are not going to leave her.  She is doing the bottle and eating table food.  Today we relaxed and I tried to get caught up with posting and uploading photos while Arwen napped.  Todd did a group trip to Wal-Mart and got a few necessary items like diapers, and some silicone tipped sippy cups.  She has difficulty sucking on the hard tip sippy cups, even the ones that are a little soft.  She definately needs a silicone tip, but it would have been nice to find a no spill. Adoptive friends bring them from home, I think Nuby makes them.  The ear thermometer also came in handy.  So far she is taking the formula we brought from home. It is obvious to us that she must have been given a bottle in bed at night...and sucked on it like a pacifier through the night.  Sorry as a Dental Hygienist I can't bring myself to continue this routine. So I just lay in the bed next to her crib with my hand on her to comfort her.  She does not cry, but she takes the little dish towels and shoves them up under her neck and makes a sucking sound.  She goes to bed with a full tummy so it is not a hunger issue. It is sad because she is trying to let us know what she wants, but it is easier to break a habit like that now rather than later.  I realize many adoptive parents have very different views on these issues and we all deal with them differently.  I brought pacifiers just in case, but will only resort to those if she can't sleep or is inconsolable.

From 11. Day after...

 
Tonight we joined the whole group for dinner at another very nice restaurant. It was walking distance from the hotel like the last one.  Two friends saved me from just about stepping in a huge pile of poop on the sidewalk...I am very grateful.  Todd yelled "POOP", but I never listen to him, actually I really did not even hear him.  Anyways, I just missed stepping in it and thought everyone might want to know about this!  Just because you are on the sidewalk...does not mean it is safe.  Then the rest of the walk we discussed where it could have possibly come from.  Mom let us know it was definately not dog poop just by the way it looked.  I must say I agree with her...so....??? Anyways....on the way back we took a night photo of the outside of the Dolton, it is a beautiful hotel.

It was a wonderful day and we are a very happy family of four.  We are loving the food this time around.  BTW, I have not had to use a squatty pot since I have been here in Changsha..thought you would want to know:)

Tonya, Todd, Aubrey, Arwen and Nai Nai 

I am trying a new photo server, once you click on the album, then click "Slideshow", then at the bottom click "Hide Captions" and set to "1 second" for fastest preview, or click arrows manually for an even faster preview.  I realize there are a lot of photos, but I am storing them on Picasa for safe keeping until I return home so it is all my photos. Hope everyone is well, still not able to access my RoadRunner e-mail unless I have all day to wait for a message to open...and there are well over one hundred messages waiting for me. 

Today started out by all six families meeting in the lobby at 9AM.  Funny everyone was on time for this!!!  It was about a 10 minute drive to the Civil Affairs Office and then up to the 3rd floor.  The room has wood benches that line the perimeter of the room.  I recognized them from other families photos, so I knew this would be the room we would meet our daughters for the first time.  Within minutes 3 aunties walked in with babies...all the families began trying to see if they recognized any of the babies faces.  Such torture, especially when you are not sure if you will recognize your child because all we had to go by was 3 photos that were 7 months old.  Finally after realizing none of them looked like our babies and confirming it with our guide, we watched for ours to maybe show up.  It did not happen anything like when we adopted Aubrey. Despite my need to feel in control, I quickly realized this was not going to happen in any kind of orderly fashion...if it were organized well it would have been easier to film quality video of all the families, but as Aubrey would say "Oh Well".  "Raw" is good these days. Finally we watched more aunties walk in with more babies...upon families once again observing from an "acceptable" distance, some families recognized these girls as there daughters.  So I rushed over...into an "unacceptable" distance from the aunties and babies, I just had to get photos and had to get a closer look to see if my daughter was there.  No matter how long I stared at each one of them, none looked like my little girl.  Several minutes later Todd spied another auntie walking in with a very solemn little girl walking beside her holding her hand.  I turned and stared just long enough to realize this was most likely her...it was confirmed when I asked my guide to ask the auntie her name.  It was Fan Mei Qiao!!!  My eyes welled up with tears.  I started snapping photos and Todd began getting video.  She was dressed in earth tones with brown corduroy pants that were fashionably ripped.  She was covered with about 7 layers of clothing, typical for China when trying to keep their children warm.  Then all of a sudden families started receiving their children, so off to video and snap whatever photos I could for them.  Then with people and noise scattered everywhere...somehow we realized it was our turn.  Finally it was our turn to hold our daughter.  It was 9:45AM, it had felt like we had been there so much longer, just waiting to see and hold her for the very first time.  

Then came all the hugs and kisses and photos.  It was very exciting, she was crying and I just held on to her tightly.  All my love for her over the past two months was confirmed the minute I was in her presence, and it felt so right having her in my arms. She did not cry more than about 5 minutes and then when she did cry every so often they were short cries.  Unfortunately we had to change her clothes very soon after receiving her because she had obviously vomitrd all over herself just before she arrived and she smelled very strong of rotten milk.  She also had a very wet diaper on underneath all the layers of clothing.  We changed her as quickly as possible,but it takes a quite a while to get that much clothing off of a crying baby.  Surprise, a tiny litle girl underneath all that fluff.  We were so glad we brought extra clothing with us to the Civil Affairs Office.  A small toy also helped in comforting her.  We were very careful to make sure Aubrey was included and got plenty of attention during this whole process.  Nai Nai was a tremendous help in making sure Aubrey received plenty of love and attention.  This comes very easy for Nai Nai. Aubrey was a very good Big Sister.  Soon we were herded out of the building to go back to the hotel.  

Lots of comforting for Arwen on the bus, she grieved very quietly, you could just see it in her face.  I felt so bad for her. 

When we returned to the hotel we had to give her a bath because of all the vomiting.  It was dried up in her hair and therefore she still smelled like bad milk even after all the wipe ups and change of clothes.  We had Aubrey get in the bathtub first and play so that getting in the tub for Arwen was much easier and less scary....because she was not alone.  She loved it!!! She was actually having fun...and her big sister was taking good care of her by washing her back.  Arwen's report stated she was very afraid of bath water...it did not appear this way at all.  Then came the lotion, clean clothes and snuggles.  We spent time trying to feed her a bottle and rice cereal.  Then downstairs to an over priced lunch buffet, Arwen did very well. She loved the rice noodles and congee. I then took off to do paperwork at 1:00PM while Todd, Nai Nai and Aubrey took care of loving on Arwen. 

The time came to return to the Civil Affairs Office, we all met in the lobby at 2:30PM.  This is where we return to make the adoption official by completing the paperwork and paying all the necessary fees.  Registation Fee, Notarization Fee, and the Passport Fee, so we brought three gifts to give to those completing those papers for us.  The Donation Fee we had wired, it saved us traveling with an extra 3k.  We got there at 3:00PM and left around 5:30PM.  It was a long visit, I am so glad I brought snacks and toys it kept them both entertained during the long paperwork process. 

By evening we thought we better check her temperature because she felt warm.  Sure enough 101.1 degrees F.  A little pediatric Tylenol for Arwen. We are all very joyous in another one of God's many great blessings to our family.
P.S.
Cheryl,
The Big Sister and Little Sister shirts were a hit, everyone wants to know where you got them???
Auntie Sheryl,
She is using the knitted hat, scarf and mitts everyday we go out!!!
12 Mooners,
The photos are finally posted!

Tonya, Todd, Aubrey, Arwen and Nai Nai

Photos from last day before we receive Arwen 1-21-2007 

Today we met the families that we will be adopting with us.  We are a total of six families.  They are all wonderful.  We are missing several friends that were suppose to adopt with us, but had issues with paperwork, and now they have to wait and travel with the next group :(

We traveled to the local Wal-Mart with our friends Terrie and Randy. Mom stayed in the hotel with Aubrey because she felt sick this morning.  The photos tell the story of what you can purchase in the seafood section of China's Wal-Mart.  It is pretty cold here, especially for a Florida girl.  The thing to wear is a down jacket, they are popular here and just like the USA they have name brand and generic brand of the same thing.  My black leather jacket was not enough, so I opted for the Wal-Mart brand.  It was 90% Down and 10% Feathers for about $20 USD.  The name brand was a litle nicer, but still same % Down for twice the money.  Tansy, I just couldn't bring myself to spend the extra $20.  Anyways they all had real fur around the collars, I couldn't do that, although it is very popular here.    We tried to buy diapers and clothes...but I could not figure out their sizing...it is totally different.  Our guide will take us shopping after the babies when we have a better idea of what we need anyways.  We do not even know if our daughters are still on the bottle, though we are all prepared for it.  Another fun trip China's largest Wal-Mart.

The taxi ride was quite risky, you come so close to being in accident the whole time you are in the small car.  It really does not matter who is driving or what kind of vehicle...they all drive the same.  They have there own way of communicating on the road.  Beeping your horn is not beingrude at all, itmerely warns others you are coming...especially if you are a driver who drives the opposite direction on the wrong side of the road. 

When we returned we met thewhole group for dinner at 5:30...it was great.  Just about 1 block from the hotel.  There was about 8-10 entrees and it ended up costing each family about $12 USD. 

A small bottle of soda in the hotel is $3 USD and across the street, a two liter bottle with paper cups is less than a dollar.  Then we realized it was much cheaper at Wal-Mart,but you have to taxi to go there.  Most shops and stores are about a $2 USD drive away. It is th same with the laundry.  The hotel charges about $3USD for each item!!!  Grace, our guide knows a local laundry that will do it for just over a dollar per item.  Underpants and children's clothes are about 50 cents each.  We needed our clothes laundered terribly.  Here and Guangzhou you can better avoid squat pots as you are close to the hotel.  However when we were out all day long with the locals in Shaoguan, so there was no choice but squat pots.  They are not that bad EXCEPT there was usually urine where you place your feet...this is not so nice when you are wearing pants, if you know what I mean.  So clothes definately had to be washed.  Also now I know why it is Chinese custom to remove your shoes before going into to someone's home.   So 52 items of clothes cost us about $40 USD, but would have cost around $120 here at the hotel!!! Chinese laundry is definately cheaper on Shamian Island in Guangzhou which is the next province we go to.  That's all friends and family.  Tomorrow we receive our daughter!!!!  Ling you were right about the days...I was confused. It is so easy to get your days confused.  To family, I hope I can visit on webcam after we receive Arwen!

P.S. I am sure it is obvious Todd did not read over and gramatically correct this post before I sent it.  It is %:00AM here.  Oh well

Love to all,  

Tonya, Todd, Aubrey and  Nai Nai

Photos from our Last day in Shaoguan
Today started out with the Wang family meeting us at the hotel and then driving straight to their daughter's middle school to pick her up.  She only had a short day as they are starting their Spring Festival break (Chinese New Year).  Then we visited the Qujiang Buddhist Temple, it is considered one of the largest ones.  It was very interesting.  Then we left for another wonderful lunch.  More squat pots, this is unavoidable when you are out all day everyday.

Next we dropped Director Wang off at Qujiang SWI so he could do some paperwork.  Then his brother drove us to the local Qujiang Park where we could see the Qujiang Mountain.  Within minutes of being in the park Todd found himself playing cards with the children there...sitting on the ground.  It was not long before a crowd formed around them.  I was busy with four little girls that were fascinated with me and kept trying to communicate with me...they were just precious.  Aubrey was very busy giving her Jie Jie  (Big Sister, Min) a run around the park...and a lot of climbing on the rocks.  The big mountain can be seen from quite a distance and represents Qujiang County.

Next we traveled back to the SWI where the Qujiang chef had been preparing a very special dinner for us, he was busy preparing all day.  The staff had noticed that we used silverware and drank coke.  As a result they purchased siverware and coke for our special dinner.  While we waited for the chef to finish preparing dinner, we conversed outside.  Some local officials came out to meet us, and the Director presented to us a special banner of thanks.  The banner said, love that stretches across the sea and love that will last forever, and had our names on it.  It brought tears to my eyes.  It was so unexpected and special.  They were taking as many pictures as we were. 

It was finally time for dinner.  Two huge round tables, with round glass Lazy Susans  covered with trays of food...glorious food.   The chef then joined us.  Almost all of the staff was there. 

Then off to Chinese Karaoke!!!  This was wild.  They had the volume up very loud...very loud.  It was a lot of fun...they got Todd to sing a broadway song a capella.  We even got to hear Director Wang sing!!!

It was now about 9pm and time for the Wangs, Director Wangs brother, our wonderful guide Lisa and her husand, and us to have our group massage before leaving for the train station.  OMG, the very thought of doing the train station again. 

About the train station, the wonderful thing this time is we had the Wang family, Lisa and her husband Shi there to help with luggage.  It was a 1:05 AM train!!!!  Then it was 20 minutes late.  We had a very nice room all to ourselves to wait in because we purchased a soft sleeper cabin so we got to wait in a comfy room.  Then Lisa said it looked like we would not have to do any stairs...hmm...I heard this before (I hope you are reading this Lisa :) lol).  Well, one train arrived before ours and we watched a huge herd of people climbing up the stairs...that sick feeling overcame me.  I felt so bad for mom.  What is so crazy is you really only get about 5 minutes to get on the train...or they will leave without you.  Here we go...again.  At least we had 3 extra people to help us.  It's our turn...we go flying out the doors when we turn to start climbing up the stairs we notice it is 3 Flights!!!  Somehow we finally made it to the top...then when we turned the corner guess what we saw...another 3 flights of stairs going down!!!  You would think this would be easier...NOT!!! I tried to use the smooth concrete ramp that follows alongside the steps...it is about 2.5 feet wide...it is steep.  The trick is to walk the steps and roll your luggage...I should have noticed none of the locals used it.  That really should have been my first clue, but no, I placed one of the two carry-ons on the narrow ramp!  All I can say is it is a miracle I did not hurt anyone including myself.  It was a twisted crash almost immediately after my attempt.  Then I struggled to hang on to my laptop, camera bag, and other carry-on while I tried to upright the fallen carry-on.  It was not working, fortunately one of our friends ran up the stairs to aid me after they got their luggage down.  Fortunately the train was not there yet...so the mad rush was not necessary...but we also did not miss our train.  We waited where we were told to wait for car number "8", then when thetrain showed up and finally came to a stop...our car was 7 cars away!!!!  Yikes, 5 minutes to load, and after 6 flights mom was going to have to walk very fast with her walker...we RAN with luggage in tow.  It was madness to see 7 adults with luggage running the length of 7 train cars.  Mrs Wang and her daughter Min had Aubrey and some luggage and mom moved pretty fast.  We made it and had very, very quick goodbyes...it was very sad to leave them.  No time to be sad though, Todd and I had to manage to get a ton of luggage crammed into a soft sleeper cabin.  It was very tight and the four of us shared 3 narrow beds.  It was about 1:40 AM when the train departed.  We tried to sleep. The train was scheduled to arrive at 7:10 AM, but did not arrive until 8:00 AM.  There we met Samuel and the driver.  This time we had just 4 people to do all the luggage and 3 flights of stairs to descend.  I thought my shoulder was going to fracture...but kept telling myself "just a little farther,you can do it"  I'm sure mom was saying the same thing to herself.  The luggage is not an issue at the airports because you have luggage carts available at your drop off point and then you check most of it.  I was so glad this was the last train.  Once again the ride was enjoyable, just not the transfer with luggage.  We made it to the beautiful Dolton Hotel.  We actually have heat in the rooms.  If I forgot to mention...the hotel in Shaoguan only gave the rooms heat for 2 hours a day between 10-12pm...and then it never even came on..so basically NO HEAT.  It was cold, I slept in my clothes and sweater every night.  So we were very happy to have heat at this hotel. It had just snowed several days before we arrived...most had already melted.  We went straight to the breakfast buffet after check in...while the bellboy brought our luggage up to the room.  We relaxed the rest of the day, our first day of rest.  

I know these posts are long and detailed, and the photos are many, but is also for the purpose of journaling our trip.  I wish I had done it last time as I cannot recall everything we did.  It becomes a blur within days because there is just too much to remember.

Take care,

Tonya, Todd, Aubrey and Nai Nai    

Photos of Danxia Mountain 1-18-2007
Today our extended family in China took us sight-seeing. Since Shaoguan and QuJiang is not necessarily a popular tourist city it is much more rural and non-commercialized. They took us to Danxia Mountain Geographical Park. This is like our national parks- very beautiful landscapes and mountain ranges. This park is famous for its erotic, yes erotic, rock formations. Believe it or not there are formations that look like both the male and female genitalia. Of course our guide did not forewarn us so as we were climbing up the trail she shouted out, "Look up there, what do you see?" I wanted to be polite so I said, "A giant finger." Everyone laughed and I knew I was wrong.

Then we drove to another section of the park that had a buddhist temple high in the mountains. We had to climb up hundreds, maybe thousands of steps. Tonya thought that climbing the Great Wall was challenging but this was truly exhausting and dangerous. Many stairways were very steep and trecherous. One section was almost vertical and you had to hold both handrails and climb like a ladder. This is where Tonya, Lisa and Aubrey stopped. There was no way to get Aubrey up this section. Director Lan's daughter, Ching, and Director Wang's brother and Todd continued up to the top of the mountain. There was a pagoda there overlooking the entire mountain range. You could look around 360 degrees- a breathtaking sight.

It is customary to carry bags of fruit or steamed roots with you to eat on the way. The fruit of the day is Pamello- A large citrus like grapefruit but sweeter. Learning how to eat this like the natives was a true cultural experience. Of course, Mandarin oranges are abundant here and delicious.

After climbing the mountains all day we returned to the hotel for our now daily massage. Words cannot explain how amazing these were.

An outstanding characteristic of our host family is servanthood. We have found the Chinese people incredibly gracious and kind. They have surrounded and showered us with love. Aubrey just simply stepped back into their lives and is flourishing. They spoil her badly though. At each meal there is one of the young daughters on one side peeling shrimp for her and an Auntie on the other side putting food in her bowl and helping her get a drink. Aubrey is loving it.

Make sure you see the photo of Tonya eating frog legs....mmm!!!

Todd

Photos from 1-17-2007
Director Wong, his wife Wu, and daughter Min joined us during our breakfast buffet.  Min is 12 years old and brought Aubrey a little purple butterfly, very symbolic of Aubrey's Chinese name that Mrs. Wang (Wu) named her when she was taken into their care "Die" meaning Butterfly.  Aubrey attached immediately to the Wang Family, and they referred to Min as Aubrey's "Jie Jie" meaning "Big Sister."  The two of them bonded very quickly.  Mrs. Wang has ben an "AnYi" meaning Auntie since before Aubrey was there.  They all remembered Aubrey very well...describing her personality when she was 10.5 months old very well. 

We traveled to the new Quiang SWI first about 20 minutes from the hotel.  There we spent time looking around the facility and visiting with the babies.  It was a wonderful time.  They appear to have only about 13-15 healthy babies at the facility right now.  There is a separate area at the facility where babies that are unhealthy stay.  They are all cared for very well. Director Wang made sure to let me know more than once how much they appreciate the support they receive from those contributing to Love Without Boundaries for formula for the babies.  He said most of the improvements are due to donations made by families.  The area designated for the babies is much smaller than in 2004 when we adopted...because they only use the space that they really need.  It saves on electricty and keeps the babies closer together.  As more babies come in they expand the area needed.  At present there are many more elderly being cared for in this building than babies.  

We spent the day with the Wang family (which includes Director Wang...director of Qujiang SWI), Director Lan (Director of the elderly), Qu Ying (Director of the Children's Dept...she has been at the SWI since she was a young child herself).  Director Wang's brother is the driver for the SWI. 

We then took them out to lunch at a local restaurant of their choice.  The hostess led us to a private room with several of our own waitresses that stayed in the room the whole time to serve just our party.  It was a very wonderful local cuisine.  We enjoyed all the food. 

It was here that I started  using the squat pot for the first time.  I somehow managed in 2004 to never have to use one.  Last time I also steered clear of the local cuisine for fear of getting sick...I knew this time would be different. 

Following lunch we visited the old Qujiang SWI (orphanage), which is no longer being used for anything.  They do have some newly constructed buildings on the site that are for the elderly...they looked very nice.  This visit was a very emotional one for me because this is not only where Aubrey started out her life, but it is also where she was found.  There is a 3 story building behind the old SWI and this is where the Wang family resided with their daughter.  Their daughter Min has always spent much time when not in school in the SWI helping to care for the babies...and just like her parents, it is obvious that she loves caring for them.   

We then returned to the new SWI and presented gifts to the Director and staff, we also made a donation to the SWI along with monies that two other Qujiang families sent along to contribute.  We presented a photo album with many pictures of babies before and after photos since they were joined with their Forever Families through Qujiang SWI.  They all enjoyed seeing the photos and easily identified most of the children. 

It was now time for dinner and this time Director Wang insisted on treating.  Off to another local restaurant here at the entrance you could view snakes in cages...that were priced very high...and available for dinner.  Once inside we were again escorted upstairs to a private room.  As usual, a round table with a large glass Lazy Susan in the center.  It was delicious!!!!  I also got more practice with the squat pot.  Aubrey was not phased at all by the use of a squat potty.  Of course it is much easier for her since I get to hold her up.

We ended the day having massages while Aubrey slept in Nai Nai's room.  We just love our guide Lisa, we feel more like she is a friend than a guide.  She joined us for  foot massages...they actually massaged you from the neck down for an entire hour..after tip it was about $7 a person!!!  It was then that we made the decision we would end the rest of our days in Shaoguan with a full body massage.  It also include some very hot water herbal soaks for your feet.  I can't tell you just how awesome it was.  What a great day!

Tonya, Todd, Aubrey and Nai Nai

Photos from LAX to CAN to Shaoguan
So far it has been a 47 hour journey from our home to check-in at our first hotel in China!!! Following a 14 hour layover in LAX at the Four Points Sheraton (5 minutes from the LAX airport) we boarded China Southern's flight close to midnight on the 14th and after a 15 hour flight we landed in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (CAN airport) on the 16th.  Then we followed the crowd through quarantine check and then through the checking of passports?  Trying to get into the country reminded us of the Chinese Art of pushing your way, very politely, through the lines by cutting if you left more than an inch worth of space between you and the next person.  Though as Americans we may find this rude, it is completely acceptable among the Asian culture. There is no such thing as personal space in China when it comes to lines. Then we waited forever for our luggage to show up on the baggage belt.  As the crowd started to clear and there was still no sign of our luggage I was beginning to think, it was lost. It finally showed up. 
Almost an hour after we got off the plane we met our guide Lisa through Always & Forever Homeland Tours.  She escorted us and our mound of luggage to the Guangzhou Train Station.  This was an experience we will never forget.  The lines were huge and we were trying to lug by hand (no luggage carts) all our luggage.  This consisted of 4 large check-ins and 4 carry-ons...and our personal items!!! This was truly a sight to see...unfortunately I could not take any photos as we were just trying to move at a decent pace without luggage falling over, watching for pick pocketers, and watching out for Aubrey. Nai Nai was a great help with watching Aubrey...and the seat of her walker came in very handy...so did the umbrella stroller (it also became a luggage cart).  I had teased Todd about buying this dinky little foldable lugagge cart before the trip...I was so grateful he did...he got all the check-ins in this tiny thing with the aid of bungy cords!!!  I so wish I had a photo of this.  Now try to imagine these overpacked Americans trying to keep a place in line when we had only just started to learn the Chinese art of cutting...it was so funny. I felt like we were getting nowhere in line...I just kept watching everyone cut in front of us.  Todd's load alone was probably just over 200lbs...so imagine we finally pushed our way to the front...we did use the amount of luggage we had for strategically blocking all cutters...which was everyone behind us.  When we got to the narrow doorway of the security belt Todd's luggage and cart would not fit through...so piece by piece he removed luggage and I found myself doing what I did not think I could do...Todd passed each peice to me and "I" placed them on the belt...meanwhile cutting was going on...so our luggage was all mixed in with everyone elses luggage.  Finally we made it to the holding tank!  

Here we waited for our train for several hours...guarding our luggage.  We purchased 2 bottles of coke and one bottle of water for only 2 US dollars...ahh China! - that would have cost about 7-8 US dollars in America. 

Lisa told us there may or may not be stairs we had to climb to get to the train?!?!  WHAT!!!!  This would not be possible with what we had in tow.  Then when the train arrived...late, she said she thought the pathway to this train probably would not have steps.  We headed for the doors with the crowd...and walked briskly down a wide hallway..then came a sign where everyone was turning left...OMG...when we turned left what we saw was a HUGE flight of stairs.  We could not believe what we were seeing.  This was not only bad for us, but bad for Nai Nai also who had just had a knee repacement only 7 months earlier.  I felt so overwhelmed and all we could think was we can't stop now or we miss the train.  We were 38 hours into our journey and very exhausted...then angels of mercy showed up and helped us get our luggage up the stairs...even with help it was very difficult.  Somehow we made it.  None of this would have been difficult if we only had our carry on luggage, but that was not possible since we had not reachd our first destination point.  The actual train ride was very relaxing and enjoyable after all the airtime and train station experience.  

We enjoyed the train ride for about 2 1/2 hours.  We were greeted at the train station by Director Wang (pronounced Wong) and three others from Qujiang SWI (orphanage we adopted Aubrey from).  They were so happy to see us and we felt the same.  I knew at that moment it was all worth it. They each took several pieces of luggage and loaded it all on the van for us.  I carried a sleeping Aubrey off of the train. Once all the luggage was loaded into the van, Director Wang took Aubrey from me so I could get in...or at least that is why I thought he took her.  He actually had no intention of handing her back to me.  Once everyone was on board, into the front passenger seat he climbed with Aubrey in his arms.  Todd got the seat belt fastened over both of them because he was having difficulty trying to do this while holding her.  Watching him with her was a sight that brought tears to my soul.  When we arrived at the most beautiful de Royce hotel...the baggage boy was a welcomed sight...they deserve their tips!!!  Director Wang continued holding Aubrey on a couch in the lobby while we checked in.  Our guide, Lisa, is AWESOME and the greeting from our Qujiang family was very touching...we just know the next few days will be life changing as new friendships are being etched onto our hearts already.  

The internet is very slow...slower than dial up!  So it is almost impossible to check e-mails right now.  We will be in Changsha Saturday and hopefully the connection is better there.


Tonya, Todd, Aubrey and Nai Nai

Well it is a good thing we finally had to leave the house this morning at 4:30AM...or I would probably still be fretting about trying to remember everything that I can't forget.  We are definitely not COO ( carry on only) as you will notice from the photos.  Am I stressed? I don't think so, but I was told by darling husband (DH) to take my Xanax!!! What is that suppose to mean? It is just for flights...for those of you who are wondering. Two of the photos are of Aubrey and her expressions during take-off...good thing you did not see mine! Mom and Todd are napping, then off to lunch at T.H. Brewsters- a restaurant here in the hotel. We did not check or expect the temperature to be 45 degrees here in California. We got off the plane dressed for Florida weather.

We will post when we arrive in China. We are very excited about being just a little bit closer to adopting our new little girl, Arwen.
Photos from Home to LAX 1-14-2007
In order to watch the "Stealing Kisses" video clip allow time for it to download.

Love to all,

The Donovans and Nai Nai

Today I got the e-mail from our agency stating the requested CA of January 29th was accepted!!!  What does this mean for us???  It means we leave in 5 days!!!  It also means our very dear friend whom we refer to as family can not travel with us.  The week that we travel was the one week that Aubrey's Godmother would not be able to travel...and of course that is what happened.  We are all very sad about it and she will be very missed.  

It is such a wonderful thing that I got news today because I was off of work today and was able to spend the entire day scheduling our China Trip.  It was a bit tricky because we had to work out the flights and train travel to coordinate with our side trip we are planning to visit Aubrey's hometown.  We are just 5 days away and I still do not have the details of that part of the trip ironed out yet.  I still am not packed.....

I am so tired and a bit overwhemed...I am at work for the next three days so that will leave Saturday to pack and buy whatever I am missing.  I still need to purchase some gifts for about 12 nannies, 4 directors and some of the officials.  I really have a lot left to do and not sure when I am going to get  it all done.

I think I better go..... 

Tonya    

Well, I did not expect the delayed batch of TAs to arrive until later this week so I was very surprised to the point of tears when we got the e-mail from GWCA today!  Now the real craziness begins.  We may leave as early as the 14th. YIKES!!!  We are now waiting for confirmation of our Consulate appointment.  Am I packed? "NO" Will I sleep tonight?  "NO"

We are also planning a 3-4 day visit to Aubrey's hometown!!! This is why we would leave about 3-4 days earlier than the rest of our travel group.  We are also considering possibly doing this portion of the trip at the end of our trip instead of the beginning. It really does not matter, it is just an issue of which would work out better for our schedule so that Aubrey's NaiNai (Grandma) and GiGi (Godmother) can travel with us!!!  This portion of the trip will involve quite a bit of commuting by train.  It will be a 16 day trip in China by the time we are done with the whole trip. 

I think I better go...I have a few things to do...I'll check back in soon

Tonya

Since we received our referral on 11-30-2006 after a 16 month wait, we now find ourselves in the waiting process once again.  This time we are waiting for our Travel Approval from China, aka "TA".  It is permission from China approving us for travel to China to receive our daughter.  This has to happen before we can then have our agency schedule a Consulate Appointment, aka "CA", with the American Consulate in Guangzhou, China.  Our travel dates are based on our CA, the American Consulate grants us our daughter's Visa so she can travel back home with us, so it is a critical part in the planning.  Now that I explained all that and it is as clear as mud....our referral group from our agency received TAs last Friday, January 5th...but only for part of the group.  We did not get our TA with the group.  Needless to say we were very sad after waiting four weeks.  Hopefully we will get our TA sometime next week.  We just want to get in and back out of China before Chinese New Year which is February 18th.  If not, then we travel after all the Chinese celebrations take place.  That would mean we would have to wait until late February.  It has been so long this time around and I just want to be with our daughter....now.  Please continue to pray for Arwen and her Foster Family as the transition will mean much grieving for all of them. 
This photo was taken on the day we received Arwen's referral.  We celebrated with friends, whom we refer to as family, at Outback Steakhouse!

 
Tonya