March 20, We're Home!

Just wanted to let you know we made it! Our plane landed in OKC at 9:50 p.m. as scheduled last night. We had an awesome welcome home gathering at the airport, and I can't wait to share the pictures.
Leaving the White Swan at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. No, we are not awake :)

Our first flight, from GZ to Tokyo. We didn't know how good this one was until the following flight!
From Tokyo to Dallas. Kaeleb was a trooper and slept most of the way. Kambry, on the other hand, cried and screamed several hours. I think I know why now. She has either a sinus or ear problem ~ poor baby.

Waiting for immigration. Between the five of us we checked 10 bags (what??), carried 5 backpacks, a double stroller, a porcelain tea set and the laptop.
Making the final walk to see waiting family and friends. April and I were so excited we could hardly stand it!

Kaeleb sporting some of the new duds the kids bought for him.

Jetlag at 6:30 p.m.? You bet!

We are so grateful to be home! All our flights were on time, amazingly enough. The kids both did well on the first flight, but by the time we left Tokyo Kambry had had enough. She didn't travel well after that. We were dreading a 5-hour layover in Dallas and hoping to catch an earlier flight to OKC, but we had no idea what was ahead. Immigration was a nightmare. Basically, all the immigration officers processed 5 international flights before they would process the citizenship paperwork for 8 families. We sat waiting for over 3 hours, ridiculous! We literally walked up to our gate as boarding began for our final flight. That's one way to kill a layover, but not what we had in mind. All was soon forgotten as we landed in OKC on time and couldn't wait to see our kids we'd been missing for three weeks! We had an awesome reunion! Kaeleb was his usual joyful self and charmed everyone. Thank you all for meeting us and driving us home!!!! Once we were home, the kids wanted to play with their new brother, and he was more than willing. It didn't take him long to discover the toy drawer (used to be my tupperware, but I gave up on that) and scatter things throughout the house. Finally, at 3 a.m. we all went to bed. Kambry woke up 2 hours later and wouldn't go back to sleep, screaming and crying. Thank goodness Daddy dealt with that and let me sleep. I guess tonight will be my turn :) Right now the two munchkins are out cold, and we're right behind them. Kaeleb loves his siblings and vice versa. We had a great first day home, getting very little done! Thank you for leaving us voice mails, emails and comments to welcome us home. We'll probably be ready to answer the phone tomorrow :) Of course, we'll post airport pix and updates, so stay tuned ... Blessings from one tired mommy!

Signing off from China!

All paperwork is complete, and we have Kaeleb's visa. After a 4 a.m. wakeup call, we will leave China in 12 hours! This is a bittersweet day as we prepare to leave the birth country of our youngest son. After our oath ceremony we came back to the Swan Room for pizza with the travel group.

A cheap bag to carry the goodies, and a cheap double stroller to carry the Goodies!

April and Kambry at Lucy's one last time.

Cutie pie!

At least two of us are packed!

I can't believe the time has come for us to go home ... and start the real journey. We have been so caught up in the adoption journey for the last 4.5 years, it's hard to grasp we could be leaving China for the last time, at least until a birthland tour. Oh, we will continue to ask the Lord, "What now?" And I can't imagine a grander blessing than the addition of our children. I want to share two things that happened today.

First, Kaeleb's 8-year-old friend, Tian, spoke with Rebecca today and told her that she knows Kaeleb because she would come down to play with the kids on his floor. She would not only play with Kaeleb, but would assist the nannies by handing them diapers and clothes. What a precious piece of his life puzzle!

Then as we were walking past Jordon's today, he came running outside and said, "Madam, if I don't see you again today, safe travel, and I will see you again," as he pointed up, to heaven! I couldn't stop the tears of joy over his passion for the Lord!

And finally, I want a glass of water that has more ice than liquid; I want my king size bed and memory foam pillow; I want to ride in the front seat of my car, belted in, as my husband drives the speed limit (or close to it); I want to hug my four kids I've been separated from for three weeks; I want to chase my toddlers through the house and play hide and seek; I want to go to my church; I want to see my family and friends; I want to eat fajitas ... but if I have to sacrifice any or all of these things to fulfill God's purpose for my life, so be it. It has been a joy sharing our journey with you, hearing from you and knowing we've been bathed in prayer. Thank you! In roughly 36 hours my youngest son will become a citizen of the United States, and we can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together as a family of eight. Signing off from Guangzhou ~ Connie

March 17, CA

Wow, we are literally on the hourly countdown now! We didn't take many pictures today. We were busy making last-minute purchases and comparison shopping for luggage. Hard to believe we had our last supper at Lucy's tonight. The staff won't know what the think when our family doesn't show up again. We'll spend tomorrow ditching the extra "baby" things we don't need for the trip home, starting the meticulous repacking, more island shopping and then our oath ceremony at 3:00.
Finishing off a great day with ice cream at the deli. We had an awesome time of fellowship with the H family.
The mom doesn't handle the money in China; the dad does a great job!

Last supper at Lucy's. Notice who is NOT in the Ugli Snugli! He spent 3 hours in the stroller tonight, and ate breakfast in the high chair. We are seeing his true personality come through. He really is the sweet boy with contagious laughter that others have described. When I give him the bottle, I can't help but smile at him, and then he smiles so big he laughs. He is going to bring lots of laughter to our home.

Too many days in Suite 2438???? Daddy was really trying to convince Kaeleb the crib is ok.

I just love the beautiful flowers all over the island.

We will have a group pizza party tomorrow night, and we hope to get lots of pictures of the families we've been so blessed to spend time with. Thank you for praying for our health; everyone is doing much better. We'll post again before leaving, so until then ... blessings from GZ ~ Clayton, Connie, April, Kambry and Kaeleb

March 16, Red Couch, Zoo

Kaeleb and his friend, Tian, from Foshan Nanhai.
Yeah, today was a big day: 2 meals in the high chair and some time in the stroller! It really was a day of milestones.
Kaeleb and his new friend, Steven. (ever notice my kids are rarely fully clothed??)

Behold the cuteness!

Time in the stroller

If only a girl could relax.

More cuteness: Hudson, Max, Kaeleb, Emma, Jada, Madi

Are we there yet? We want to come home. Monday is our CA. We have 2 more full days here. We can do this! Love~ Clayton, Connie, April, Kambry and Kaeleb

March 15, Medical Examination

Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise Him half enough? Psa 106:2 (nlt)

The most amazing thing happened this morning at breakfast, and I cry happy tears every time I think about it! These happy parents received their precious daughter last Monday, and every time she sees Kaeleb at breakfast she comes to play with him. We've chatted with them but knew we had plenty of time to visit more in depth. Yesterday her mother made the comment that Kaeleb is the only child she really pays attention to, and April casually asked where she is from. The reply: Foshan Nanhai!!! Immediately I said his Chinese name, and she lit up. This darling girl probably helped take care of Kaeleb on weekends. It's obvious they enjoy seeing each other. He is as tickled as she is! So we have exchanged contact information and plan to keep the two of them in touch. If you could see the number of families here in this huge place, you'd understand what a miracle this is. And the fact that my son and their daughter are here at the same time is even more miraculous. Nothing but the orchestration of God Almighty!
And then for the medical exam. Lungs ~ check!

Ya' think he's unhappy?

As horrible as this looks, it provides an excellent opportunity for Mommy to comfort him, and she seized the moment!
Huh??? This sign is in the waiting area between the three exam rooms. And we're finished! April and Kambry stayed in the room to play.

Then it was lunch time. If you're tired of Lucy's, make paper airplanes.
Or sleep.

We had a group dinner at Cow and Bridge!

This was an amazing day in so many ways! First, there was the breakfast encounter, then we finally got to meet the rest of the families in the group. We had breakfast with the Hills, and Madi is adorable! There are six families in all, with the children ranging from a 9-mo-old girl to a 3-year-old boy, and every one is amazing! We've certainly enjoyed being spoiled by Rebecca for so long, but it's great to finally meet and interact with other families. All the kids are showing remarkable progress. In addition to Mama, Kaeleb said "Dada" today! In the afternoon we met to complete paperwork for the Consulate on Monday, then we all walked to Cow and Bridge for a great time of fellowship (and food!)

Sunday we are meeting at 9:30 for the Red Couch and group picture, then we're off to the zoo! Monday we need to stay by the phone so Rebecca can call us after the Consulate Appointment to tell us everything is fine. Then in the afternoon we're going shopping at the plaza, then taking the Pearl River boat cruise in the evening. Tuesday morning we're going to the toy market, then going to the Consulate for our oath taking ceremony in the afternoon. Wednesday morning we will meet in the lobby at 5:30 a.m. to leave for the airport ... and that means starting the 29 hour journey home!!!!

Please continue to pray for our health. All of us except Kaeleb are now on antibiotic. April has lost her voice, but she feels much better. I'll leave you with some pictures Ladena sent from home. I think the kids are growing up while we're gone!

We love and miss you! Blessings from GZ ~ Clayton, Connie, April, Kambry and Kaeleb!

Guess what?!?

KAELEB SAID "MAMA" AT SUPPER TONIGHT! Not just once, but several times. Woohoo!

March 14, Amusement Park

Today is Friday (is that right??). We went as a group with the Hs to the children's park, and it was a slow-paced hour and a half of fun. My kind of amusement park, no roller coasters :) Kambry and Kaeleb are learning to communicate a little more. Still not sure what they're saying to each other, but sometimes it's very sweet. Here she's holding his hand.

Yep, April is in her element, amusement park! I love this picture. Clayton was trying to catch Kaeleb and I as we came around, and each time he just got April: "It's me again!"

Max's favorite ride besides the stroller, the teeter totter.

Kambry enjoyed the panda ride.

Wheeeeeeeee!

I love my bubba, most of the time!

Kambry update: she was feeling much better this morning, but by afternoon not so good again. I'm glad we started the antibiotic. Still lots of Bungee Bugars but as long as we have Kleenex and Motrin, we can survive.

Kaeleb update: he spends a lot of time quality testing things. So far, very few items pass the Kaeleb Quality Exam. All boy! He is waking up from naps much happier, less confused.

Daddy update: he's trading the dumplings for the fitness center :)

April update: she seems to be getting the upper respiratory thing again. We had planned a massage this afternoon, but she's not up to it. She's started her antibiotic to nip this thing in the bud!

Mommy update: I'm healthy as a horse ~ somebody's gotta keep this crew going :)

Three or four more Small World and Lifeline families flew into Guangzhou today and will join us in the morning for the medical exam. So we've gone from a single family van, to a 10 passenger van to a bus! We're going to Cow and Bridge for chicken and noodle soup tonight. Blessings from GZ!

March 13, Baiyan Mountain

We celebrated that Kaeleb spent a few minutes in the high chair at lunch time before melting down. He is doing so well!
Cheerios are good! Though he still doesn't chew, the cereal will eventually dissolve. He pockets food in his mouth and eventually it must come out!

More beautiful scenery at the Baiyan (White Cloud) Mountain today.

Our little group, including Rebecca and the H family. Tomorrow four more families will join us, including the Hills and Madi!

Daddy and Kambry watching the dancers from this perch on top of the mountain.

Going to supper.

I think it's official ~ we've tried everything on Lucy's menu, except the squid and prawn. We'll save that for someone else :)

Kambry and April being silly at supper. We really are tired!

Kaeleb continues to progress and bond. We are amazed each day. He will now respond to "Kaeleb." Neither of the kids ate well today and were not themselves. We've started Kambry on antibiotics because she is sick. Please pray that she recovers quickly and no one else catches the upper respiratory infections running rampant among the families. We are going to make a priority of getting the $12 seventy-minute massage! I feel like I've been sleeping on the ancient wooden bed with porcelain pillow! Sorry this is so short. April has an awesome detailed post about today's activities on her blog. We love you and miss you! Clayton, Connie, April, Kambry and Kaeleb.