Journey to Mia

New Journey Begins

2008-07-10T23:42:00.006-05:00

As we have closed the last chapter of our adoption journey - I decided we needed a new blog to continue our "Life Journey"! It is not about adoption...but about our ongoing journey of life! So family and friends that are keeping up with us now: www.sharingoursteps.com

Our orphanage visit

2008-07-01T09:48:00.005-05:00

One last reflection on our time in China a year ago...
Looking back at this picture of us standing just feet away from Mia's "finding spot"...seems surreal. Mia was found under the blue sign behind us on the day she was born...in front of the gate to this restaurant. Who knew that day would lead her into our arms and into our hearts. I thank God for planning her destiny.

These 7 cribs are where the 7 girls in our travel group spent their first 8 months of life. Mia McMath, Faith Rathjen, Kylee Oswald, Jessni , Annie Copeland, Jenna Holcomb, and Maddie Cardwell.

Here we are...the McMath's. Mia will never again see this orphanage unless we CHOOSE to visit here later in life. She is ours forever.

Day 9 One year ago - May 11th

2008-05-11T07:03:00.005-05:00

Mia took a nap with me for the first time one year ago today. Just laying there looking at her...holding her little hand in mine....smelling her sweet skin....listening to her breathe....I was finally able to process some of my emotions. I'm not one to cry in the midst of an emotional moment - I have to process everything and integrate each aspect before it becomes "whole" for me. This was a special nap time for me!

I took this picture of my girls...on Mother's Day...in a hotel in China. My first Mother's Day with my 2 girls!

ONE really funny and sweet thing I remember was when they were rushing us up after our Gotcha Moment and back to the bus - Macy saw all of the families moving - and she looked up at me with the saddest voice and concerned eyes and asked, "Are we going to get to keep her?" ;) So sweet. I reassured her that Mia was ours forever now and that God had picked us to be her family.

I had told Macy that out of all of the little girls in the world that God had picked her to be Mia's big sister. And she said -"I know. All the kids were raising their hands saying....'Pick me, pick me'. And I asked her - "but who did God pick?"....to which she replied, "Me - Macy!" Soooo sweet.

Day 8 One year ago - May 10

2008-05-10T07:02:00.001-05:00

One year ago today Mia had just had her first night of sleep in a crib with lush comforters and a pillow. I remembering worrying that I might have to strip the bed for her to sleep b/c all she was used to sleeping on was a board. But she rubbed her little hand on the soft pillow, laid her head down and was asleep in 30 seconds! I think she was thinking "Ahhhhh what is this comfort??? Calgon - take me away!" She slept until almost 6 AM. She woke up happy and ready to go.

Of course I had her in a hairbow within the hour. Still a blank expression about all of this. But a hint of a smile.

NEW VIDEO!

2008-05-09T11:08:00.011-05:00

Wooooo hoooo! Finally it is here for you! Keep in mind there is NO MUSIC for the first 25 seconds. Our "dance" did not begin until we departed on our journey to Mia!
P.S. The text is a little fuzzy b/c it is a compressed file.

CLICK ON THE "JOURNEY TO MIA VIDEO" LINK TO YOUR RIGHT.

We love you all so much. Share in our joy with us today!

.

THE moment...

2008-05-09T11:03:00.005-05:00

Before they came in with the first child it seemed as if all of the air had been sucked out of the room and we were all holding our breath...waiting...finally...for our child. I wasn't sure what to feel. Nervous energy. I had Macy to be aware of also... What would it be like to finally meet this child that I loved so much? How could I love someone so much that I had never met? I am sure that is a feeling that expecting parents have all of the time!

I will NEVER forget....never....the expression on the faces of our new friends...Josh & Teri, Russell & Lisa, Joel & Shauna... You see this was their first child. They had been unable to conceive. I feel the tears burning in my eyes as I write this right now... how awesome it was to see the barren womb filled with full arms that day. Even though we were about to experience a life-changing moment ourselves - the faces of these families in particular will be forever etched into my memories. Their tears, their love, their trembling, their smiles,...holding on to this little baby as if they will never, never, never let go.
It reminds me of the awesome verse from the Bible: Psalm 113:9 "He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children."

It was honestly one of the most incredible moments that I have been honored to be a part of. I don't think my words can even possibly do it justice.

---
Then they called "McMath"...

I remember feeling like I was in a daze...could this really finally be happening? Or was I sleeping and dreaming about all of this? We couldn't see her immediately as we walked towards the front of the room....there were so many families crowded in with their new little ones...

But then I saw her. A little, tiny, thing. I immediately approached the nanny with open arms. I took her and just looked at her. And she looked at me. And she looked at Brad. Such a blank expression. You could tell she didn't really know what she thought. There was a vacancy I saw in her eyes that I can only now describe as a relational void. She didn't know how to connect with anyone. Life was just life. She was just existing. Not LIVING.

Our guides quickly motioned for us to return to our couch to make room for the next family to receive their child. We sat down quietly. I quickly whipped out 2 little plastic cups I had brought for this moment and she immediately began clicking them together and chewing on them! Victory! Brad and I just gently touched her as if she would break. But then comes Big Sister! Macy throws a little sheep on top of Mia's head and pulls it off quickly...and just as I am about to reprimand Macy for being too rough...out comes this most delightful sound I have ever heard. Mia giggles. She really laughs! I don't know how much she was played with up until this point - but her and Macy formed a bond that day that I will NEVER forget.

After about 15 minutes we are transported back to our hotel room where Mia shows us 2 extraordinary things about herself. I turn my back on her to answer the hotel room door - and she breaks down in tears...utterly heartbroken...almost as if she was afraid that this new "relationship" that she has discovered is going to go away. It was one of the most amazing things to experience. And for the rest of our time in China - she only wanted ME. Amazing. Our bond was God-given and an answer to prayer. But it was almost a fear thing - that if anyone else took her that she would not get me back. I, of course, lapped up every drop of it! :)

The second thing we learned is that she had been waiting patiently for 8 long months to EAT! I was eating a chicken leg that night in our room and everytime I opened my mouth and took a bite - she would open her mouth. And she has been opening it ever since! Everyone that knows Mia - knows this one thing- the girl LOVES to eat...ALL of the time!

Words can not describe what this day means to us. Macy and Mia both are incredible...really incredible gifts from God to us. I am just so thankful to God for His goodness.

Day 7 One year ago - May 9

2008-05-09T07:01:00.007-05:00

GOTCHA DAY!!!

This is a copy of the paperwork we received the morning we were to receive Mia. It had an updated pic and footprint! Ahhhh !!!!! Her hair had grown back in (or so I thought) since my first picture of her !!

We were warned that usually the "receiving rooms" where they bring in the babies to the families is usually full of lots of drama and lots of chaos...babies scared....but the AWESOME thing is that out of the 9 families in our group - NONE of them cried! Except for maybe a tear or two...but no wailing!

Day 6 One year ago today - May 8

2008-05-08T07:30:00.002-05:00

Abandoned at a Restaurant Gate...
Her story begins in the south of China.
In China, the most populous land on earth, the government allows couples to have but one child. Baby Zi Zhen (her orphanage name) was born female into a culture where sons are more highly valued than daughters.
Boys are raised to head households and provide for the family. Daughters are raised to marry young and care for their in-laws.

There, Mia was abandoned at a restaurant gate. The police were notified early that morning, August 21, 2006, and picked her up. They noted that she was only a few hours old. Whoever left her there, out of fear, or shame, or desperation, or panic, wanted Mia to live and gave her a chance at life. It is illegal to abandon babies in China, a punishable offense that is rarely enforced. Sometimes the abandoned babies show up in the most unlikely places, such as vegetable bins in outdoor markets.
More often, they are placed anonymously at not-so-secret drop spots, where caring individuals scoop them up and deliver them to orphanages.

This is Mia's "Finding Spot".

There is no way to know how hungry or distressed Mia was when she was discovered and taken to the orphanage. But this we know: She was tiny, resilient and well cared for by the time she was put up for adoption.
After more than two years of adoption paperwork and waiting, Brad & Glenda McMath received "the call" that Mia would be theirs. They had already decided to name her "Mia", which means "my girl".

God has chosen 2 girls, Macy- age 5, and Mia who is almost 2 now... to be daughters in this family. One by birth. One by adoption. Both completly chosen by God to be "McMaths".
--------
One year ago today we flew from Beijing to Guangzhou on a 3 hour flight. Mia's orphanage was in the Guangdong province in South China. Only one more day until we could hold our baby!

Day 5 - One year ago - May 7

2008-05-07T10:14:00.006-05:00

RAZORBACK FANS SPOTTED AT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA...

Or so my headline would read!

We climbed the Great Wall of China one year ago today. I remember it was amazingly cool (Hallelujah after every other sweltering moment)! It was neat to experience such a grand piece of history. I remember it was steep, the air seemed thinnner, and every Chinese person there wanted to take a picture with Macy!

This is the picture of all of the families who were in our travel group. We will forever be "tied together" with these people with love. All on a journey to our children...

Prayers answered - One year ago

2008-05-07T10:00:00.003-05:00

Wow. I was looking back at blog entries from last year before we left for China and saw this one. It really struck a cord with me because of how AWESOMELY God answered EVERY PRAYER! If you have read our story - you know that this #1 prayer request that I had - was SO AWESOMELY answered!

Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Prayers Needed
As we approach this monumental day in the life of our family - we realize that the hurdles are not yet all crossed. We need for our friends and family to join us in asking the Lord for specific answers to these prayers:

1. That Mia will BOND quickly with us. She has been institutionalized for all of her 7 months - and many babies struggle with bonding and attachment disorder. We believe God can go ahead of us and prepare her for our family! WOW -SHE MAJORLY BONDED!

2. Pray for all 7 families that are adopting our babies from the same orphanage in Yang Xi. Pray that their daughters will bond and attach with their families quickly. The 7 baby girl's names are: Mia McMath (ours!), Kylee Oswald, Faith Rathjen, Jessica Morris, Jenna Holcomb, Maddie Cardwell, and Annie Copeland. Please call out the name of our girls to God asking for protection, health, & bonding. ALL OF OUR BABIES DID INCREDIBLE!

3. Pray that Macy will embrace her role as big sister and have an incredible God-given bond with her new baby sister!
MACY HAS BEEN AN AMAZING BIG SISTER!

4. Pray for Brad, Glenda, Macy, Dorinda, and baby Mia that we will all stay healthy during our stay in China. Many travelers struggle with illness and we need God's blessing of health while we are there! WE WERE ALL WELL.

5. Pray for the LONG flights! Pray that Macy and Mia will both be peaceful and happy while traveling! BOTH GIRLS DID ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

6. Pray for God's provision - He's gotten us this far- pray that He will provide for everything else down to the last penny! We are not sure yet how much our travel is costing - hoping we can stretch every dime to cover it all! With God all things are possible! GOD BLESSED US SO MUCH WE EVEN CAME HOME WITH A LITTLE CASH LEFT IN OUR POCKET! AMAZING! SOME EXPENSES WERE LESS THAN WE HAD ANTICIPATED!

7. Pray for God's favor in everything we do while there. We want to pray now for favor - in case we face any unforeseen circumstances while in China! WHEN BRAD FOUND THE GUY LEAVING WITH OUR LUGGAGE - THAT WAS NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE!

Day 4 One year ago - May 6

2008-05-06T08:00:00.003-05:00

One year ago today we attended the Beijing International Church and then toured the Summer Palace. I remember a couple of things. They sang a song at the church.... "You lift me up....so I can walk on mountains...." and Brad being very emotional. To this day that song takes him back to that place in Beijing as he wrestled with all of this feelings. Now he says he should of had us just leave him there for a while to pray and get ahold of his emotions and the rest of the trip would have been so much better for him. Instead we rushed off to blazing hot hot hot touring. Exhausting.

My mom bought Mia her first Chinese Bible at the church that day.

This is one of my all time FAVORITE pictures and memories from China: when I had my mom "pose" over the squatty potty at McDonalds. :)

Day 3 - One year ago May 5

2008-05-05T14:21:00.007-05:00

I discovered this picture on my online yahoo group after we came home from China last year. Another family had travelled to get their daughter in March 2007 (we were there in May) and they had taken pictures in the orphanage. They JUST happened to capture this photo of Mia and Jenna (another baby that was in our group). Wow. This is what they looked like then and what every day for them looked like one year ago.

A look a her over a year ago - before she was ever even in our arms.

And a look at her today.

ONE YEAR AGO today we had our first "touring day" in Beijing. It was the day we encountered the desperation of many people. The man bowing and groaning over his child on the sidewalk ( who was supposedly sick and unconcious), the little boy with rotting feet rolling around on his skateboard begging in the middle of Tianemen Square... And this is the day that the entire trip went "south" for Brad. He was so taken aback by these things....that he withdrew into a cocoon for the rest of the trip. He was having a hard time processing...just the oppression of people...the sadness of the beggars.... AND I WAS NO HELP for him b/c I was TOTALLY focused on getting Mia and could NOT understand how in the world he could be acting that way when we were about to get our daughter. So HUGE communication breakdown - but that is all history. God has worked thru it and even made us better people b/c of it.

I can't remember if I posted this last year or not - but this is actually the first page that was in our "Hotel Guests" book in each hotel room: Note #1.

LOL! :)

Most BLESSED woman on the planet

2008-05-04T23:21:00.003-05:00

Absolutely. No doubt about it. Today is May 4th. 12 years ago today - I married the LOVE of my life. 6 Years ago today Macy was conceived. One year ago today we were in China awaiting patiently for May 9th to come so we could have Mia in our arms.

An amazing day for me. I was so bubbly and emotional while teaching my Sunday School class today. Sharing all of this. Verbalizing how I am the most luckiest, blessedest, happiest woman on the planet.

About then Macy rushes into our classroom and grabs Mia's hand saying, "Your teacher is here now, Mia....I will take you to your class"...to which Mia squeals and grabs Macy's hand and they race off down the hall giggling together.

Sniff....sniff. To which I said to my class in a blubbering excited emotional blurb..."One year ago today Mia had no idea that she had a big sister that loved her so much..." Sniff...sniff.....

Then I go on about how happy I am with huge grins and wiggles....only to be followed by the comment of one young gentleman in class... "You are nuts today!"

:) If being nuts means being this ecstatically joyful from God's goodness and blessings - then I will be nuts everyday! Pure joy was what I woke up with today. Wish I felt this way everyday! It is kinda like some great drug or something! :)

12 Years. Wow.

May 4 - One year ago

2008-05-04T09:03:00.000-05:00

May 4 is our anniversary. Brad and I woke up in China for the first morning on our 11th anniversary! Needless to say - it wasn't really in the front of our minds. The first night in the hotel had been wretchedly HOT. We called the front desk several times in the night and finally a guy comes up with a sensor gun, points it at our air vent, smiles, rattles off something in Chinese, and disappears. No help there!

We were recovering from jet lag and a sweltering night in a hard hotel bed....we may have remembered to say Happy Anniversary?? Hmmmm....seems like Brad was wanting to go see the new Spiderman movie that came out that day.... :)

We ended up meeting another family in our travel group at breakfast and he (Tim) arranged for us to take cab rides to a popular restaurant across town. I guess the favorite thing about my 11th anniversary would be that cab ride! I love adventure - and it was WILD! If you have never ridden in a cab in Beijing - you have not lived! Beijing is home to 16 million people! People were walking all over the streets! It seemed as if we almost clipped or killed about 300 of them on the way to eat! Fun fun!! :)

Still Day 1 - One year ago

2008-05-03T08:56:00.003-05:00

May 2nd of 2007 never had a night! I am not really sure where we were on May 3, 2007. Somewhere between Chicago and Beijing on the 14 hour flight to get Mia. We flew out in the am on the 2nd and landed in the evening on the 3rd (technically like 32 hours later) yet only 14 hours had lasped. The whole time change thing REALLY threw us for a loop!

I remember one of the most memorable...umm....I mean traumatic things from the trip was our landing in Beijing. It had been storming and the plane experienced more turbulence than I knew was possible without crashing! People were throwing up in their little airplane bags all around me - so finally I succumbed to the peer pressure and joined them (even though I was looking at a fixed spot on the ceiling giving myself a pep talk of "you are going to be ok...you are not going to be sick...it's ok....it's ok...." and then suddenly I couldn't hold down that airplane ham sandwich even for a moment longer!

My equilibrium was messed up for several days after this. I felt dizzy and sick for about 3 days before I felt stable again. Weird.

I remember the row of red China flags as we left the airport. Flying boldly in the sky proclaiming to anyone who entered here that this is CHINA!

I just wanted to see and hold my baby. My heart had been longing for her for sooo long!

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY - MAY 2

2008-05-02T08:43:00.003-05:00

What were we doing one year ago today? Oh my....about right now we were changing planes in Chicago. We were getting on that HUGE international plane headed for Beijing. I can still remember being up late the night before...packing. I had put tons of stuff into gallon size ziplock bags to keep our suitcase more manageable - and that turned out to be a great tip!

I remember being up at 4:30 AM one year ago today....clapping and talking to the video camera....saying - "We are coming to get you Baby Mia!"

Just as we were getting up to travel, a little girl was going to bed halfway around the world...with no idea of how her life was about to change.

All she had known up until now was a steel barred crib with a board in the bottom and one blanket. All she was familiar with was a room full of infants each in their own cribs. I really believe that the orphanage workers cared for the babies and did their best to take care of them, however Mia had never known what an intimate nurturing RELATIONSHIP was. Her life changed the moment they put her in our arms! All Brad, Macy, and I have done is pour out our love on her for the last year! We all adore her!

Not only has her life changed - but so has ours. We are so much fuller, happier, and complete since having Mia in our family. She is pure joy. I say all of the time that Macy and Mia are the 2 most delighful little girls on the planet...and I am SO BLESSED that God picked ME to be their Mommy. Wow.

One year ago today - our official "journey" began. Even though the journey had begun 2 years earlier with mounds of paperwork and lots of prayers - the real, tangible, touchable trip began this day, May 2, 2007.

T-Ball

2008-04-30T09:35:00.003-05:00

A friend of mine asked me last week, "Today is the last day to sign up for T-Ball - do you want to sign Macy up? " I had one hour to decide...so I said ...."Umm...sure...ok."

Now I am wondering what I have gotten us into. :)

It is soooo cute to watch though! Mia is wearing me out though! Walk, run, walk, run, wander. Repeat.

Macy and her friend Raegan got on the same team - and they are soooo funny! Last night after standing in the outfield they got really bored - and Macy put on some lip gloss, then tossed it to Raegan. Raegan took off her glove and she is lubing up - putting on lip gloss too! Then she tosses it back to Macy. LOL! We were dying laughing!

Mia and Raegan's little brother River managed to sit still for .03 seconds!

4 Wheeler and Feeding the Ducks!

2008-04-27T09:46:00.001-05:00

We have our friends 4-Wheeler for a few days again. It has been great!

And of course we had to feed the ducks again since the weather has been nice

Is that Hannah Montana?

2008-04-15T23:12:00.004-05:00

Noni and Big Daddy brought "surprises" for the girls. Wigs.
Funny. Hilarious, funny girls.
Brad? Scary.

Big Daddy and Noni visit

2008-04-15T23:04:00.005-05:00

My mom and dad were up for a few hours yesterday and the girls got to spend some time with them. Both girls had shining eyes and big smiles when they saw Noni and Big Daddy walk through the door! We miss them so much - living 5 hours apart seems like 25 hours sometimes!

Kids Fest

2008-04-15T15:50:00.006-05:00

Wow. Biting cold winds. April 12. The day for Kids Fest at our church. But in spite of that - it turned out to be a great day! The kids that did the human video did a GREAT job! So proud!

Mia is getting a bracelet and candy from the booth that "Pa" is working!

Commentary for Pictures

2008-04-06T16:25:00.000-05:00

I am trying something new today - and it is not wanting to work for me! I posted my pictures to the blog straight from Picasa - and they are there!!!! - but it won't let me comment beside the pictures now! So you will have to read...and scroll down!

FEEDING THE DUCKS First of all - we took Mia to feed the ducks at the park for the first time. She was soooo funny! I don't think she quite knew what to think. My favorites from the collage from that day are the top 2 center pictures. The top one Mia is running and screaming from a little tiny duck....the middle center picture shows Macy reaching out over the water to get one of the mean ol' geese to eat the bread out of her hand! It was quite the contrast!
------
FIRST TRIP TO FUN CITY We took Mia to one of those fun pizza places (kinda like Chuck E Cheese). She is proving me wrong from the Feeding the Ducks Trip. She climbed up into this HUGE maze of tunnels...by herself.....and stayed up there running from one window to the next to look out. But then I lost her...I sent Macy after her....and Macy was trying to get her to come out....but then Macy lost her. I was starting to get a little sweaty and panicky....(I know she couldn't go anywhere else)... but I couldn't see or hear my baby! Finally she emerged from a slide about 10 minutes later - all smiles! Whew. I was fixing to climb myself up in there with all those kids if I had to. Thankfully - I didn't have to!
-------
SPRING DAY - I took pictures of the girls today after church in Mamaw & Pa's yard. Thank you God for green grass! Woooo hooo! I am so READY for the brown of winter to pass!
----- I also put Mia's hair up in pigtails last night. It has taken her hair soooo long to finally grow out. I think Mia may have been one of the only babies in our travel group who had her head shaved - so getting her hair long enough for pigtails is a BIG deal for us!

Spring Day at Mamaw & Pa's House

2008-04-06T16:10:00.000-05:00

First Trip to Fun City

2008-04-06T16:08:00.000-05:00

Feeding the Ducks (and Geese!)

2008-04-06T16:05:00.000-05:00

Easter Cookie Recipe

2008-03-27T08:59:00.000-05:00

Easter Story Cookies
Here is the recipe as promised! :)
To be made the evening before Easter or anytime you want to teach about the death and resurrection of Jesus:
You need:
1 cup whole pecans Zipper baggie
1 tsp. Vinegar Wooden spoon
3 egg whites Tape
Pinch salt Bible
1 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)!

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. Vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because
He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Ps. 34:8 and
John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white Represents --in God's eyes -- the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that
Jesus' tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven
overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.
Notice the cracked surface and take a Bite. The cookies are hollow!
On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open
and empty.

(If for some reasons – your cookies don’t turn out hollow – you can still break them up and talk about how Jesus was broken so that he can fix our broken lives OR break them up and say that they are like the "rock" that was put over the tomb.)

Read Matt. 28:1-9
Share The Easter Cookie Story With Friends and Family

BEST EASTER STORY EVER!

2008-03-26T00:16:00.001-05:00

OK. How amazing to have these awesome moments with your kids. I had reserved Saturday night to make "Easter Cookies" with Macy ( while Mia was napping). We were making a BIG batch to take to FBI Kids Church for Sunday because I was teaching and thought it would be a great Easter lesson. I got the recipe in an email from my friend Delane this week. I will try and post it on the blog later this week.

To sum it up....First you have to put whole pecan halves into a ziplock bag and beat them with a wooden spoon until they are all broken up. Then you read the verses in the Bible that talk about how they beat Jesus. Then you add vinegar. Have them smell and taste it. Read the verses where they put vinegar on a sponge and gave it to Jesus when he said "I thirst". more ingredients...more verses.... (really neat)....

So I decided to get one of Macy's dolls to talk about the whole "concept" of Easter and what it means. So I cut out 2 hearts on white scrap paper. I had her color one black. Then we taped it onto her doll's chest. We talked about how all of us sin. We have ALL made bad decisions....disobeyed. Bad attitude...etc. Those things keep us from God. Sin makes our heart black. But because Jesus died for us - we can ask Him to forgive us and to come into our hearts. And when we do this - we can have a clean, white heart! I asked Macy if she wanted a black heart - and she said NO! I asked her if she wanted a white heart - and she said "YES!" I asked her doll if she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart and to forgive her. She said YES (with a little help from mom). Her doll prayed and then we took off the black heart and taped the white heart on.

THEN HERE IT IS - I ASKED MACY IF SHE WANTED TO PRAY - AND SHE DID - AND SO WE PRAYED FOR JESUS TO COME INTO HER HEART. AND WHEN I ASKED HER IF SHE WANTED TO TAPE A WHITE HEART ONTO HER SHIRT......SHE SAID NO!!! AND LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS SILLY. THEN SHE SAID "I ALREADY HAVE A WHITE HEART". I ASKED HER WHERE IT WAS...AND SHE POINTED AT HER CHEST AND SAID "IN HERE" ... all the while having a huge beautiful smile on her face.

What a deep moment. Wow. She really gets it. I was really going to tape a white paper heart on her chest as a symbol. But she didn't need it!

First Easter Eggs

2008-03-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

Mia's first Easter was sunny but the wind was stinking cold!!!!! These pictures were taken at Mamaw and Pa's house after church.

Always the adventure girl... "how can I get out of this fence?"

Both girls were SLEEPY - but finally decided to enjoy the day! I had to have a big talk with Macy. She wanted to HIDE the eggs - but when it was time to hunt them - she would run ahead of Mia and get them all in her basket. NOT FUN for Mia! So she finally decided to run past some of them (even though SHE hid them) to leave some for Mia to find!

Awwww.

FINALLY SHARING! :)

Forgiveness

2008-03-25T23:53:00.000-05:00

Brad took these pictures on a recent Sunday morning to illustrate his sermon. Just that morning Macy was slinging a necklace around and hit Mia in the eye. Mia of course started screaming and crying - but Brad had Macy hug her little sister and say she was sorry - and they instantly hugged and all was OK again at the McMath household. Kids are so great about forgiveness!

As you can tell though - by the third picture - Mia was tired of the whole forgiveness theme and ready to quit hugging!

10 Month Update

2008-03-25T23:29:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month, on March 5th, we celebrated the one year anniversary of our "Referral". In adoption circles - this is KNOWN as a very big deal. This is "THE DAY" that you receive your packet that you have been matched with a specific child - and you see a picture of them for the very first time. My life changed forever on March 5, 2007. THE DAY had come. God had put together in His perfect timing - that we were now ready to become the parents of this wonderful little girl that He had created.

Even as I look back now at Mia's "referral" pictures - it almost doesn't seem like the same baby. Even though I "bonded" with those pictures - my only link to this child until I could meet her - she has literally TRANSFORMED before our eyes into such a personality. I think that was the thing most lacking. All she knew up until her life with us was so limited. Her personality had never had the opportunity to develop. The transformation has been almost magical. From blank eyes - to dancing eyes...from no expression - to hilarious interaction...from being an observer of objects around her - to being the object of love, adoration, hugs, kisses, and laughter.
Just watching Macy and Mia giggle and hug and play together tonight has been....ahhhhh....such a sweet aroma to this Mommy's soul. And I love the way Mia's eyes light up when her Daddy is chasing her and then the belly laugh that bursts forth when he catches her!

My life has been so incredible since I finally surrendered running from God 18 years ago. I was so empty, but embracing who Jesus is and what he has done for me, for all of us, has changed me. REALLY. I am a different person. I didn't deserve God's grace. Thankfully He loved me more than I could love myself. And now my mind, my soul, my emotions- feel like they have walked from the desert and taken a long drink of refreshing water. How did I get off on this????....

Oh yeah - My life has been incredible since I finally surrendered my life to God - but I must say - that I honestly think that the last 10 months of my life - have been the BEST days yet! Mia seems to complete the puzzle in my heart that is already full of incredible people....God first of all, my wonderful husband, Brad...our incredible firstborn, delightful daughter, Macy...my family...his family...and finally this missing piece of our puzzle is HERE! Wooooooooo Hoooooooo!

Forgotten sledding pictures

2008-03-02T23:53:00.000-06:00

Forgot about these pictures from our one snow we've had this year. The girls had so much fun together. It was such a sweet day!! The news is "saying" we might get 4 inches of snow tomorrow - but HA! I will believe it when I see it. It was over 70 degrees today and I don't think the ground is cold enough for anything to stick! I am thinking these are the only snow pictures we are getting this year! We shall see! :)

First Snow Day!

2008-01-31T13:27:00.000-06:00

It seems like maybe Mia's childhood is on it's way to completion....isn't your first snow part of the "big" childhood events? I was beginning to think we may not get any snow this year - but today's snow is PERFECT for sledding and snow ball fights!

She could hardly walk in her little pink snowsuit! Hilarious!

Macy's friend Candace is spending the day with us today b/c her mom and dad are moving stuff in to their new house. We have been having a BLAST!

8 month update

2008-01-21T13:29:00.000-06:00

Wow - I don't think things have slowed down any from Christmas yet! Craziness!

We had the BEST Christmas EVER! Definitely because Mia was now with us. We have been "waiting" for her the last two Christmas season's - and it was PURE JOY to have her here. She was so sweet - opening so many presents and being in awe over what to touch first. Macy of course LOVED being able to not only open her own gifts - but to help her little sister open hers too!

Then Macy turned 5 on January 7th! Ahhhh! My little baby girl is getting so big! We had originally gotten a trampoline for the girls for Christmas...but we were way too busy to put it together...so we saved it for the big birthday.

I love this layered picture I made of the jumping girl!

Mia can say ma ma, daddy, moo, arf arf, please (ta), thank you (chk chu), mamaw (mam), pa, and if she doesn't have a word - she will just scream and wave her arms to communicate! Her first word she learned when she had been home only one month was "kitty kitty" (did did did) - calling the cats! Soooooo sweet.

This has been a GREAT 8 months with little Mia!

7 Month update since Gotcha!

2007-12-15T20:55:00.000-06:00

If little Ms. Mia develops any more personality - I am afraid she is going to bust! Personality plus she is! I thought last month was great - but she continues to amaze me day by day.

I have heard people make the comment - "I am not sure that I could love an adopted child as much as a biological child." Well, I can tell you - I feel no differently about Mia than I do about Macy. One born in my tummy - the other born in my heart. I LOOOOVVVVVEEEEEE these girls soooooo much. I can NOT imagine our lives today without Mia being in our family.
-------------
We had our 6 month follow up visit with our social worker in November. After she had asked about 20 questions - I stopped....and said.... " I am sorry I don't have anything negative to say...everything has just been wonderful.....the bonding....her health...her development..." She was thrilled because that is not always the story. Many times families have to work through bonding issues and adjustment periods... It made me realize that everything with Mia - has been like out of a fairytale for us. It has been PERFECT. And I don't want to take that for granted. God - out of His grace - chose to bless every part of our post-adoption. I was fully prepared for every possible outcome - but for some reason He gave us an easy road. Maybe it was the 7 years we spent praying for this little girl! Or maybe some people can just handle that "test" and He knew it would be too much for us! :) Either way - I am thankful for our fairytale!

Mia playing in fall leaves.

This is my youngest sister, Taylor. She had us all in awe over Thanksgiving b/c she has mastered her back-handspring.

We went to see the new movie "Enchanted" over Thanksgiving. Then "played" princess....Macy would eat the poisonous apple....and fall asleep FOREVER...the only way she could wake up was if her one true sister would come give her a hug and a kiss! We played this over and over and over.....and it was a moment that was just....enchanting.

Ladies Christmas party at our house on the first Tuesday in December. Missed all of you who couldn't make it - but we had a great time. None of the MOPS moms could make it- must have something to do with all of the small children!
I had set my timer on my camera for this picture and then ran and jumped in with Macy and Mia....and whoops it cut Lesia out!

While setting the timer I experienced a GREAT moment...Macy jumped on my right shoulder wanting to be held and see what I was doing...and Mia crawled onto my lap to see what I was doing...and I started falling out of my chair backwards...and Mia laughed and laughed and squealed with delight. It was too precious. I about busted a gut laughing!

Boy these parties can get wild! While playing white Santa - we wanted to see some of the gifts modeled! Thanks to Pam for always bringing the gift with all of her purses from the previous year! We still haven't decided who brought the zebra/batman mask....hmmmnn..it is still a mystery....

And by the way - I really love these ladies!

Then we raced onward to Friday night when we hosted the annual Deacon and Staff Christmas party at our house. Pictured are back row: Associate Pastor, Deacon, Youth Pastor, Deacon; Seated: Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper, Deacon; Floor: Deacon, Pastor Brad and Mia!

Just thought that was fun and "official"...should put it in the paper or something!

We missed our secretary Tiffany at the party this year - but her best friends were graduating from nursing school...and she could have brought a HUSBAND this year!
We are so blessed to be a part of an awesome church and to have a group of people that we work closely with that are like family to us. As I look at this picture my heart swells - b/c these people were at our house with us last year - as we waited patiently for Mia. They prayed with us, waited with us, and rejoiced with us. Thank you! We LOVE you!

Who do you think makes a better Batwoman? Mia or Ms. Dianna? I will have to start a poll on this question!

And of course our "elder" deacons always get a little frisky at my parties...seems like I have a picture from 2006 Christmas on this same couch of them smooching....hmmmnnn....devavu?

6 month update since Gotcha!

2007-11-13T23:11:00.000-06:00

Wow how this girl is growing! And RUNNING! And LOVES being DESTRUCTIVE! No matter how clean the floor is when the morning begins - Mia has her mind set on throwing as much stuff on the floor as quickly as she can!

I finally got around to our "American" pictures! I have made it a point to do these once a year with Macy - and today was Mia's FIRST "Proud to be an American" picture day!

Everywhere we went today - people were shaking their heads and smiling at Mia. Saying things like.... "She's something else", "Boy she's busy", Man, she has a lot of energy" etc... Usually everyone stops to say how cute the girls are.... but today they were all noticing my wild child's zest for life! And yes she is busy, energetic, curious, and most of all DESTRUCTIVE and like a bull in a China closet! :) I LOVE IT!

We had a costume party at our house last week with our MOPS group. Macy was a "pink tinkerbell" and Mia was a bee. Great to do this after Halloween cause all the costumes are on clearance! They were so sweet!

This little bee won't sting!

We are missing 4 of our usual kids for this picture - but as you can tell - other than Macy and her friend Raegan - all of the others are 1-2 years old. And Mia is the only girl among that age group! Her rough and tumble ways should fit right in!

5 month update since gotcha

2007-10-13T22:34:00.000-05:00

OCTOBER 13, 2007

Okay. So I have become absolutely terrible about keeping up my blog. But life with these 2 girls and Brad just flies by! :)

Mia has become a little bull. She started walking timidly on her birthday - (Aug. 21)....but has not stopped since! She literally runs into and over EVERYTHING! It is not that she is clumsy - she just does NOT slow down for anything! Her balance is so good - she climbs onto any table or chair that she can and then squats up and down like she is dancing - with a HUGE grin on her face! She is so proud of herself for climbing to such heights! But when it comes to running - watch out! She WILL run over you! Even if it causes her 15 bruises to get there!

It still amazes me that this little baby with such a blank expression and quiet personality could blossom into this "move it or lose it", vivacious, adventurous, life loving child! I am amazed more and more each day!

------------------

OCTOBER 1, 2007

A couple of weeks ago a friend of ours had left his 4-wheeler at our house so could use the attached grass seeder (still working on this massive yard project). So we took it out for a family adventure one morning.

I will have to say, that as we rode for those 2 hours - it seemed like just a few minutes. The day was absolutely beautiful. Blue skies, cool air, and our family together. This 4 wheeler is the ultimate family ride. It has a dual seat with a back on it for me! There is plenty of room for all 4 of us to ride safely and comfortable! Of course we never got more than 5 miles an hour!!!! :) We just rode off behind our house and the airport....there are all kinds of trails back in here.

As we rode I thought about how blessed I am. I spent the time thanking God for his goodness. And I am convinced that the two most precious girls on the planet are mine!

Mia LOVED riding the 4 wheeler. She would just wave her little hand at everything....trees, squirrels, spiders, the wind..... And of course Macy loved it too! I have marked this day down as one of my all time favorite days of all times. I will always treasure it in my heart. Slowing down for a few moments of family togetherness. Mmmmm....

4 months since Gotcha!

2007-09-10T23:40:00.000-05:00

This weekend we celebrated the four month anniversary since our gotcha day! It is unreal how much Mia is growing and changing. She had gained 3 lbs at her 1 year old wellness and 3 month follow up at the Pediatrician's office. He was thrilled with her development. She is doing everything a one year old should do. Woo hoo!

She started taking about 5 steps a day right before her birthday and now - just 2 weeks later she is walking everywhere she goes! It is so funny to see the JOY that every new advancement brings her! She LOVES life! And we love her sooooo much.

WILD HAIR DAY!!!

Sleeping Sisters!

Happy Birthday Mia!

2007-08-21T09:58:00.000-05:00

One year ago today a sweet, newborn baby girl was abandoned in front of a street front restaurant in YangXi City, Guangdong, China. The events of that day eventually led her to be our daughter and to celebrate her 1st year of life today, August 21, 2007, as Mia McMath. I thank God for choosing Mia's destiny to be in our family. We are so blessed. She brings so much joy to all of our lives.
-------------------
HER BABY DEDICATION
We had a small portion of our service dedicated to celebrating Mia this past Sunday morning at our church. Most people know this as a "baby dedication". Brad worked for about 9 hours indexing all of the the video he took while in China and then editing the select "Mia" parts into an 8 1/2 minute video. It was powerful. I think everyone was crying by the time it was finished. It began by showing the place where she was abandoned, her crib in the orphanage, then her empty crib at our home the day we left to go and get her. At the point where they handed Mia to us for the first time the music starts to the song "When love takes you in" by Steven Curtis Chapman...a song he wrote about adopting their first daughter from China. The video finishes with a clip of us waking her up in her crib this week. She was so cute! As soon as we can get it loaded to UTube I will post a link here so you can watch it too.

----------------------
MACY'S MYSTERIOUS TEARS
Brad took Macy on a date yesterday to see the new movie "Underdog". On their drive to Fayetteville they usually listen to silly songs together. Today Macy asked to hear "Mia's song". Brad looked in the rearview mirror moments later to see huge crocodile tears rolling down her face. He waited until the song was finished and asked her what was wrong. She said, "That song makes me sad", and began to sob. He pulled over and held her, talked to her, and asked her why the song made her sad. She couldn't explain, didn't know, she just knew it made her sad.

Macy had watched Mia's video several times before this - and always laughed at the funny parts. Maybe this time she listened to the words about "crying yourself to sleep....", or "you belong here"...or maybe it was just one of those powerful unexplainable moments. Brad was very touched and emotional by the whole thing. One thing is certain. Macy loves her little sister. And her little sister adores her.

Month 2 At Home

2007-07-15T23:14:00.001-05:00

For MONTHS Macy and I talked about how one day when we went to Sam's Club where they have the dual child carts - ONE DAY her sister Mia would get to sit with her...and the day finally came in early summer on our first outing to Sam's since returning from China! Woo Hoo!!

I took these pics at my Sunday School Class get together. These were taken on the trampoline at Kenneth & Melissa's house- overlooking their beautiful view.

These two pics were taken on our vacation days in Branson when we stayed in the Kelly's condo. We have stayed there every summer for five years.

Macy had her first powdered donut here at 7 months old and we thought it would be fitting to carry on the tradition with Mia! She....destroyed her first powdered donut!

These girls were EXHAUSTED after a day at Silver Dollar City! It was one of our first big outings with the double stroller that Kellie Vanover blessed us with! Thank God for GREAT strollers and GREAT friends! :)

Mia finally gave it up at White Water while Macy and I went riding the water slides. I returned to this precious sight!

After Branson for 3 days (trying to fully recuperate from our China trip...since we hit the ground running hard when we got home...) we spent the rest of the week in West Memphis with my family. It was the first time they all met Mia!

I love this expression that Mia is making as Uncle Bubba gives her a smooch!

My mom and dad took us to eat at "Big Foot" in Downtown Memphis. This hamburger fed the entire family of 8!

Our Mia is turning into quite the party animal!!!!!!

Sweet Girls

2007-06-15T16:29:00.001-05:00

I TOOK THESE PICTURES!! And I think they turned out great! I wanted some pics to have printed that were framable for Father's Day...so I dressed the girls up and took them into town, threw them in the flowers in front of the First National Bank of Berryville...and this is all I got. As you can see....Mia was NOT in the mood! :)

New Experiences for Mia

2007-06-07T10:38:00.001-05:00

My lips brushing against her soft baby cheeks at least 1000 times a day.

Daddy saying her name in a high pitched voice and tickling her until she giggles.

Macy's face lighting up when returning from preschool -and running to kiss baby sister. Mia in return throwing her little arm up and down in excitement and smiling at big sister's voice.

Laying in bed with her new family - her on Mommy's tummy - watching Daddy and Big sister giggle and tell bedtime stories.

Being a part of bedtime prayers - we laid in this same bed for over a year praying nightly for baby Mia. Now she lays here with us and we thank God that she is here with us.
---------------
Brad was holding Mia on his chest this week making an elephant sound. After about the 20th time - she started trying to mimick him. She started with a simlar elephant sound and went on to repeat it over and over...her lips and tongue sounding more and more like a motorcycle and spit bubbles joining the party! Macy and I were both laughing so hard -we were about to cry. Macy has been telling people since then, "My baby sister is sooo funny!..."
---------------
Mia had her first visit to see the pediatrician last week. She is in the 60th percentile for height, (27.5 in) and the 5th percentile for weight. Dr. Ball was very interested in her and our trip. He told us that nutritionally formula is going to pack the most punch for her gaining weight - and that other foods are just for her to learn with....so lay on the formula! We are hoping she will gain at least 3 lbs by her first birthday in August. She weighed 14.5 lbs. and is 9 months old now.

She did receive her first round of immunizations too (they have to be re-given after coming home to the states b/c there is no way to measure the quality of amount they received in the orphanage) - and she did GREAT during the shot giving. She only cried a second and I think it was more from me keeping her arms still for a moment than the shot itself. However, starting that evening through the next afternoon she had an extremely high fever....104.2 - and started throwing up everytime I would give her a bottle. I was afraid she was getting dehydrated and we were getting ready to take her back over to the clinic - we laid her down, prayed over her, and started getting ready - but when she woke up an hour later - her fever was down. Miraculously! She was BURNING up when we laid her down - and then it had come down by 4 degrees! Macy has never had a fever like this. She kept down some pedialyte...we cancelled the appt., and she was herself again by evening! Woo hoo!

Transformation of my beautiful Mia!

2007-06-07T10:08:00.001-05:00

These pics start with Mia now and go through Mia one month ago - the day we got her. What a beautiful transformation that is taking place!

Oh - what this smile does to my heart! This pic was taken Saturday, June 2 - 2 weeks after arriving home.

I managed to keep the hat on for just a few pictures!

Mia can somehow army crawl faster than any baby I've seen. She is thrilled to be put in the floor and have so much open space to explore.

She is of course getting lots of cuddling! My little photographer Macy snapped this picture during our jet lag recovery week. None of us managed to make it out of pajamas that week b/c we weren't sure when we would be sleeping or when we would be awake!

This was the amazing airport traveling baby! We traveled for 30+ hours the day we came home and both girls were AMAZING! Mia only cried for maybe 15 seconds the entire trip - but when we got in the car to drive home from the airport she screamed her head off....car seats were NOT OK for a couple of weeks!

For someone who had never had a real bath - Mia is a little fish! She loves the water! So did Macy - I've been blessed! This was Mia's first bath in China.

This is Mia on the 4th day in our family. She is starting to smile more and more.

This is Mia the first day in our family. Clean and adorned with a big hairbow - but still checking out all these new things and new people.

Mia is still wearing her orphanage clothes. This is the day we got her - and Macy is excited to show her all of the toys we brought. Mia is not so excited. A little overwhelmed I think.

Mia during the first few minutes after we received her. We are still at the Civil Affairs office where our group received our babies. May 9th 2007.

What a transformation is taking place in our sweet girl! It is beautiful to watch her blossoming before our very eyes. Every day is a new adventure!

GUESTBOOK

2007-05-28T01:54:00.000-05:00

Please click on the pink "comments" link at the bottom right of these 2 paragraphs. I have changed the settings so that anyone can leave a comment on our blog now.

I am creating a "Guestbook" here for all of our friends, family, and guests that have followed Mia's blog at some point or another. The messages from all of you mean so much to us - and we wanted to officially keep this record for Mia so that she will one day know of all the people who followed her journey into our hearts. Thank you & we love you all!

At Home Photo

2007-05-28T01:49:00.001-05:00

This is the only picture I have since returning home....as you will notice that both girls are still in pajamas...as...umm...I have been all week. Jet lag is for real. Especially trying to get 2 girls to change their clocks from China time to Central Standard time! Ugghhh!

Now that we are feeling human again - I am sure to break out the camera for some interesting pics! Keep watching! :)

2007-05-28T01:44:00.000-05:00

Oh my - she is growing up so fast! Even over the last few weeks she has blossomed even more into a "Big Girl" instead of my 'little girl'. I was thinking this week...where did my 'little girl' go to? God has blessed us with such a wonderful, sweet, beautiful little girl...and now he has blessed us twice....as Mia joins us being the wonderful, sweet, beautiful little sister!

This is my mom climbing the Great Wall. It was sooooo steep. I am so happy that she didn't trip and fall and take the crowd down with her! ;)

Noni and Macy at the Great Wall.

Forgotten Photos

2007-05-28T01:33:00.000-05:00

Macy wanted to wear one of Mia's hairbows...I think she looks like a Power Ranger Princess!

Brad, Macy, & Mia at one of the bus stops between Yang Xi and Guangzhou.

Happy Sisters!

Go Hogs!

Deleted photos

2007-05-28T01:21:00.000-05:00

These are the pics you didn't see from mother's day! We couldn't get everybody to be happy at the same time!

Beautiful, Wonderful, America

2007-05-24T09:17:00.000-05:00

I have been on many missions trips. I have always returned home and been thankful for living in America. This trip has taken me beyond any other visit to another country. China is so different. I always wondered why people would want to go to Montana and why they would talk about it being so "great". I have never been there - but always thought these people crazy for calling the middle of nowhere - "great". Now I understand. After being in cities with 16 million and 10 million people for 3 weeks...just seeing land and green grass is beautiful. People are wonderful - but when there are SO MANY...it is nice to feel space again. China inhabits 1/6 of the world's entire population (out of 6 billion people on the planet - 1 billion live in China). It is hard to even try to communicate the massive amount of people. I was overwhelmed by how many people there were. How could you ever know very many?

In America we have the freedom to live anywhere we want. We don't have to get permission or a license to live in a certain city. In China there are so many people - you have to "apply" to move to the city. Many times you are denied b/c the cities are so overcrowded. In China you can not own land. The government owns the land - but you can own a building or house on top of the land.

Our 2 acres of rocks, dirt, weeds, half burned brush pile, huge trees with wonderful green leaves, and our home has NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD! When our family went for a walk down the driveway in our pajamas the other day - no one could see us....it was wonderful! The wind was blowing through the leaves in the trees...the sky was beautiful and blue....and even though our yard is still a wreck and needs lots of work finished on it - IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL to me. I told Brad this and figured he would say I was crazy - but I think he was contemplating agreeing with me (even though the unfinished yard is about to give him a nervous breakdown!)

In the entire time we were in China...I NEVER recall seeing blue sky. The cities are so smoggy. Even the drive into the country to the orphanage was hazy. Maybe in west China near the mountains they have blue sky??? I don't know - but I missed our blue sky and cool breezes and fresh Arkansas air! All we could do was breathe deeply when we got off the plane in Fayetteville! Ahhhhh!

And FREEDOM. I don't think I have ever fully appreciated this. We look a lot at America's downfalls - and yes our culture is deteriorating...but it is still a WONDERFUL country to live in. I thank God in a new way now that I am an American. It really is a wonderful thing.

A couple of things I did observe was that I saw more "cheap" looking/scantily clad women at our 5 hours at the Denver Airport than I did during the entire trip in China with millions of people.

Also - there was an "emptiness" about the people in China that you just couldn't put your finger on. I know we give America a hard time about our disintegrating culture - but there is still a strong Christian presence here. That is what made America so strong and successful to begin with. There were several people I spoke with at the Denver airport that just had something "different" about them. A joy. A peace. Sometimes you can just sense that some people are Christians by coming into contact with them. I did not encounter this at all the entire time we were in China, even though I know there is a strong growing Christian community there.

Maggie and Rosa had made the comment that it would be nice if there is a God - but when you have been taught otherwise... your entire life like they are in China - it is hard to believe in religion. I think that when you have a real encounter with God and experience a RELATIONSHIP with God, (not just churchy religion) YOU WILL KNOW that religion is not the answer, but that God is. And that He is REAL. I know I have NEVER been the same since I embraced these truths...since I asked Jesus to come into my life. And I have studied out the facts - because I don't want to just be RELIGIOUS. I want authentic faith. I want the genuine stuff. What is real? What can I count on? I can count on the Bible - many atheists have set out to disprove it - and changed their minds about it as they researched and found that it is accurate. I am so thankful that I have the peace....REAL peace that comes from KNOWING God. Not religion. I am sick of religion. But God has been AWESOME in my life. I am soooo different now than before I gave my life to Him.

Anyway....I get passionate when I talk about the miracle of my life... :)
I am so thankful to be an American. I am so thankful to know God in a real way. I am so thankful for my family, my church full of amazing friends that are as close as family, and BLUE sky! And the fact that it was 60 degrees when we landed in Fayetteville...and that we have run our air conditioner whenever we wanted since being home....wooooo hooo!

Processing things...

2007-05-23T08:59:00.001-05:00

Brad and I were able to spend a couple of hours talking last night - the first chance we have really had. Even in China things were so crazy that we didn't talk like we needed to. He just really wasn't himself on this trip and we were trying to define what got to him. The day we visited Tienanmen Square and saw all of the beggars and sick people really got to him. He was really struggling with fear that Macy would somehow get some kind of illness while we were in China. It was a real battle for him and really drained him. I could tell that he had receded into a shell at some point.

But I know that God works ALL things together for good - and may be using this experience to build Brad's trust in Him. He always has so much faith for everyone else. I guess this was his time to not have to be strong for anyone else. Please pray that we will learn all that God wants us to from our experiences in China and that God will bring new freedom from fear and worry to our lives.

Tuesday night...getting better

2007-05-23T08:55:00.000-05:00

Macy was sooo exhausted that she fell asleep on our way into town to pick up our manna from heaven (aka blessed food!). She slept from 7 PM straight through until 6 am this morning. Mia slept from 10 - 1am. She went back to sleep about 3am and is still asleep at 9am! I however never could go back to sleep after 1...so I am running on two hours of sleep today. My mind was just whirling last night and I couldn't sleep. I stayed in bed and rested though. So MAYBE tonight we will have a victory party and ALL sleep through the night! Could you all please pray for our family to recover from jet lag and to get on a good sleeping schedule!? God has been so faithful - and once again we need his help with this sleep thing!

Bring food...see baby

2007-05-23T08:51:00.001-05:00

Sounds like cave man lingo, huh? :0) GOD BLESS MILLIE CALICO! Millie made us dinner and we ran by to pick it up....sooo good. I am still on strike from cooking this week! Then we ran by Mark and Carolyn's b/c they had some steaks for us! Krista had a great comment when she brought us food yesterday and was the first to get to hold Mia....."Bring food....it has priveledges....you get to see the baby!" AMEN! And what a blessing these two nights of food have been! :) Love you guys!

Coming Out of my Coma

2007-05-22T14:46:00.000-05:00

I have lost a few days of existence this week. But I am seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe I'll make it!

I can't believe it! When we got home I told Joyce (Brad's mom who spent our first night with us) a little about Mia's routine in case she was able to help with her any during the night - but told her to bring her to me if she was inconsolable. I really expected that b/c in China she didn't want Daddy or Noni - just Mommy. But....I woke up 19 HOURS later to find that Mia has warmed up and bonded with Mamaw immediately! Wow! She was a doll for Mamaw and only cried when needing to have a poopy diaper. She is constipated from the trip.

I SLEPT FOR 19 HOURS STRAIGHT WITHOUT WAKING UP! Oh, I take that back, I got up at 4 am to throw up and eat a bowl of cereal. Only up for about 15 minutes so that doesn't count. I don't really remember it anyway - just a faint memory. So I get up at 9 PM, Joyce leaves, and we all go back to bed at 10 PM. Up from 12 - 2 with Mia. Down from 2 -4am. Up again from 4 - 6am. Down from 6 - 10 am. Our clocks are definitely messed up. We all took a nap today (Monday). Me and Mia from 1:30 - 4:30pm, and Brad and Macy from 1:30 - 6:30 pm. Krista - my angel - brought us dinner tonight. I was so thankful. I knew no cooking would be going on in this house for a while. I don't even feel human yet. After dinner we went for a walk down our driveway to get Macy woke up. I will write later about the emotions and feelings and observations I made during this walk.

Monday night we slept from 11 - 2am. Up from 2 - 4 with Mia....up with Macy from 4 am - 5:30 am. Macy was WIDE awake. I would just think that maybe she had gone back to sleep and then she would start wallering around in the bed again and talking. Then her breathing would get slow - & I would think - Ok she's finally asleep....but then she would belt out "The itsy bitsy spider...." ! If I wasn't so exxhhhaauutted it would have been really funny!

Macy went on to preschool today (Tues) and we were told DID NOT take a nap. How she managed that after being up all night I don't know. Mia and I managed to go back to sleep from 8-11am. The rest of the day was a zombie like state.

Travel Home Pics

2007-05-22T14:39:00.000-05:00

Noni getting to hold sleeping Mia one last time before departing on her flight to Memphis.

Mia wrapped up in a blanket sleeping soundly on the SF to Denver flight.

I captured this smile with wagging tongue while waiting to board one flight.

Macy can smile with her tongue hanging out too! My Old Navy girls entering America!!

18 Days, 17 nights

2007-05-22T13:34:00.001-05:00

You've heard of the movie - "6 Days, 7 Nights"....well this trip could be a new blockbuster film!

We were up at 4:30 AM to set our luggage out in the hall - then we left the hotel at 6 am. Never would I have guessed at this point what lay ahead in the next 33 hours. Utter chaos.

We got to the airport in Guangzhou- loaded our luggage onto carts and headed towards the check in counter. Our group divided into 2 lines among the 8 lines or so available. It took FOREVER for us to get through this line. Mom went on ahead of us. We didn't see her again until we got to the gate to board the plane.

Then we had to go through the departures line. Between the time mom had left us and we got to this line - about 300 Chinese people had gotten in line in front of us. It was one of those weaving roped off lines like you stand in for 2 hours at 6 Flags. When we FINALLY made it through this line... we had to go through security. The lines were unbelievably long for 8 am on a Saturday morning. I had packed UNOPENED baby Tylenol in case we needed it on the plane and diaper rash cream. They made me go to a counter and buy a Ziploc bag to put these items in. By the time we hoofed it to our gate there was NO ONE left except my mom who was insisting that they not leave until her daughter made it to the gate. The Jordan's from North Carolina caught a cart to the gate and got there right after us. Our group applauded when we boarded the plane - we made it!

This first flight was from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. In Hong Kong we had to go check in at the United counter. There were 2 ladies working this line - and about 30 people in line. We were down to one hour before our flight left. Everyone else lives on the east coast and their flight departed an hour after ours. We went through security AGAIN and found our gate. Then we bought a couple of cokes but I decided it would be easier to drink as soon as we got on the plane instead of trying to carry an open drink and all of our stuff while loading. Bad call. They confiscated my drinks when doing a final bag check right before loading! Wasted money! And they were more than $2 each!

On the flight we were once again - seated at the back of the plane. These big huge international flights carry like 500 people I think. Fortunately the guy seated in our row of 4 seats (Brad, me, and Mia and him) offered to move to another open seat so that our family could have more room. I am not sure if that was his motive - or if he saw the new baby and dreaded what the ride might be like! It was a blessing except for now that there was a seat open - Macy wanted to sit with us instead of Noni. Noni and her had 2 seats in front of us. It wouldn't have been too bad except me trying to keep both a 4 year old and a baby happy on a 13 hour flight....was a little much. Both of them were squirmy. But they did AMAZING! I can't tell you what a miracle it was. They did GREAT! Especially Mia who had cried every time we took a cab anywhere b/c she didn't like enclosed spaces. She never cried more than 15 seconds the entire day - and that was b/c she was either hungry, wet, or sleepy. Thank you to all of you who prayed. I know it was God's favor. I am so thankful.

I tried to close my eyes every time Mia was sleeping just to rest and conserve energy. And boy did I need it! San Francisco Airport was a NIGHTMARE! When we landed we had like 2 hours to go through immigration with Mia, retrieve our luggage, go through customs, recheck our luggage and make it to our gate. First of all - I am trying to go into the left line for US citizens and mom insists that we have to go through the "visitors" line. She says that is what the lady at the American consulate said to do. I am not too sure about this - but trust her. After standing in this line for about 15 min - she asks a security person and they say "Oh, no - you need to be over here in the immigration line." I tell mom we are not trusting her anymore! We finally make it through this line and now Mia is OFFICIALLY A U.S. CITIZEN! Wooo hoo!

No time to celebrate though - Mom swears that the stewardess announced that our connecting flight from San Francisco to Denver would be departing an hour early. So we are stressing to get to our gate. So.....we go to the luggage console figuring ours will once again be the only luggage left....but there is NO luggage. Mom asks - and they had switched our flights luggage to console 6 instead of 2! Ugghhh! We wade into a couple of hundred people, get our luggage, but there are NO luggage cars anywhere. And we are down to an hour before our flight supposedly leaves. Mom is fanning herself - having a part hot flash/part meltdown/part nervous breakdown...and we are looking everywhere for a luggage cart. I find this big cart thing - we load our luggage - and some employee comes up and says, "You can't use that."

About this time Brad snaps. He throws all of our luggage off into the floor with exasperation. I ask an official looking employee how we can find a cart - our flight leaves in an hour....and he calmly says -"There are just a lot of flights coming in right now. They are bringing up more carts. Should be here in a few minutes." To which he then turns away. No helpfulness. No care. I am just an ant that got lost on his hill.

So....we commence to dragging all of our luggage ourselves! If you could have seen this on video! Ohhhhh myyyyyyy gooodddneeeesss! I had Mia on my hip in a carrier, diaper bag on other shoulder, pushed Macy in the stroller with one hand (with bags hanging all over the stroller), and dragged one large suitcase behind me with my other hand. Mom put a small suitcase on top of a large one and somehow pushed 3 bags?? Brad took the remaining 4 - 5 suitcases and cave man style DRAGGED them through customs. you could see the FIRE in his eyes! Then we had to wait in yet another line to recheck our luggage to our final destinations.
By this time we are all sweating bullets! We find this huge line in front of us going through security that we are sure we don't need to go through b/c we are a connecting flight. Wrong. I asked the girl working the line of about 300 people where we should go to get to our gate - and she just says -"get in line". I informed her very nicely :) that our flight leaves in an hour....but there was no compassion. Fortunately a "higher up" employee - and the ONLY one that showed kindness to us at the SF airport - waved us over and put us straight through to the front of the line. God bless him. However mom gets held up in security - b/c there is some "substance" in one of her bags. She says - "I promise it is just pillows...I will take them out and show you"...to which the security people answer "No, do not take anything out of the bag. There is something in the bottom of it." They acted like there might be a bomb in it or something. She lifts the bag up and sees that it is her bottle of water they gave us on the flight earlier. Thankfully they believer her, feel sorry for her, confirm and confiscate the bottle of water, and let her pass. We then hoof it to our gate to barely make it by the supposed 10 am departure time to see it posted at 11 am as our tickets say.

But the extra time gives mom time to buy soap and a new shirt. I had packed two extra shirts in my backpack in case of spit up - not knowing sweat would be the reason I needed them! We have just enough time to freshen up and then load our next plane to Denver. Mia and Macy both slept this entire flight! But by the time we reached Denver - I was about to cross my eyes and pass out from exhaustion. I think it was just the accumulated emotional, mental, and physical stress of the trip. Both mom and I look like druggies with bloodshot eyes! Brad just goes back and forth between being pale and being flushed.

When we get to Denver the walk to the gate we need for our flights is literally like a mile. We are trying our best to make it when a cart driver offers us a ride. He drove us from like Gate 58 to Gate 80. Our flights left from 91. God bless him. After getting a sandwich I spread Macy's blanket out and lay down on the floor. I told mom and Brad that after you have been traveling over 24 hours - there is no shame. We looked like a homeless family -our stuff and us all spread out. After I slept about 30 min to an hour I felt like maybe my eyes would quit crossing. We moved to seats closer to our gate. So many people would stop to comment on how beautiful our girls were. I thought it was sweet since I think we all look like beggars at this point.

To sum up the last leg of the trip - we board our 4th and final flight of the day at 8:20 CST, 25 hours after getting up this morning. We make a quick 1 1/2 hour flight to Fayetteville. Both girls sleep again. As soon as we get off the plane Brad has me video tape him kissing the ground! We then give Mia her American flag to hold as we walk out of the last airport of the day! She waves it so proudly! Brad's mom and dad, John & Lesia, Krista n Tina are all at the front waiting for us. How wonderful to see faces that we love and have missed so much!

We arrive home about 12:30 AM and it takes us about 1 1/2 hours to get everyone a bath and ready for bed. 2 AM lights out. 34 1/2 hours after getting up this morning! Whew! This has been worst than a youth Lock-In! ;)

Since our flight came in so late and the airport is so far - we are planning on having a "Welcome Home Mia" party sometime next week for people to meet her and visit with us. Maybe by then we'll have pics developed and some video produced!

Day 17- Last full day in China

2007-05-22T13:29:00.000-05:00

Today we went down to the lobby at 2 PM to take a few group pics, then off to the American Consulate at 3 PM. The entire "ceremony" there didn't take long - we just had to wait in line for them to confirm that we were the people on our passports, then we had to all stand and take an oath that everything we have signed our name to during this adoption is true and accurate. There were probably about 60 babies with 60 families in the room being adopted out to America on this day. I think the lady told us that there are about 6,000 children adopted from China to the US each year??? Couldn't really hear her b/c her mic wasn't working and babies were crying.

We went back to the hotel and spent the evening packing.

Last couple of days in pics

2007-05-18T08:45:00.001-05:00

See the American people dancing with the dancers in the background? That is (l-r) Joel Oswald from VA, Russell Holcmob from CA, and Grandma Bonnie Bear (half of her anyway). The Banana Leaf restaurant was great for entertainment and for food!

Sisters!

Razorbacks rule the Asia International Hotel in Guangzhou, China! Mia even had a razorback outfit! :)

Mia's first real bath. I think she can already swim or something! She LOVED it!

Our group of 9 families for group picture today, May 18, 2007.

Coming Home!

2007-05-18T08:29:00.000-05:00

I have never been so ready to come home. Not only b/c I miss my bed, my house, my friends, my church, my town, ....but b/c I am ready to bring our new daughter into our home. She has never had a home...but now she does. We are her forever family. Brad and Macy are both READY to come home, BOTH tired of this hotel room, BOTH cranky, BOTH ready!

It is 9:30 PM here now....packing up our bags. Today we went to the American Consulate and received a special packet of paperwork to give the immigration gate when we land in Denver. Upon landing in America - Mia will be a US citizen! Woooo hoo! We get up at 4:30 am, send our luggage off at 5AM, leave the hotel at 6 am, and fly out of Guangzhou to Hong Kong at 8:25 am. We will then connect from Hong Kong to Denver, stopping over at San Francisco for fuel or something like that. We will have a 5 HOUR layover in Denver before flying to XNA in Fayetteville and landing at 10:19 PM Saturday evening, May 19. We will have been up for 30 hours when we land at XNA. I really think Jet Lag will be permanently tattooed on my head by then.

PLEASE pray for us. Mia is an extremely good baby and has bonded AWESOMELY. However, she is restless. She does not like to be in dark rooms or confined for long periods of time when she is awake. The taxi rides here have been very fussy. And those were only for 15 - 30 min. So the 30 hour trip, 16 hours of which is one flight - we NEED YOU TO PRAY for her to be CONTENT! I know that God can do this - he has been so faithful to answer all of our prayers regarding Mia and this journey so far. So please ask the Lord for favor for our family as we travel.

Hope to see you all soon! We will 99.9% not be at church Sunday......duh, huh?!! :) But we do plan to recuperate and be in church the next Sunday, Memorial Day Weekend. So if all of you from Huntsville First Assembly do not catch a glimpse of the new McMath angel this week - you can see her at church NEXT Sunday - as long as all is well at our household! :) Macy can not wait to see her church, her preschool, and her friends again! Also, Mamaw, Pa, Max, Maggie, Copper, JoJo, and the kittens are high on the list!! :)

Love to you all! Thank you for praying for us on this journey. Oh - and P.S. to the West Memphis following - we hope to be with you in service sometime this summer so you can see our sweet Mia in person! ;) Maybe Big Daddy can see her before Christmas!!!!

I will continue to post to this blog for a few weeks to allow you to follow the transition process for our family. I know that many of you adoptive families have found the blog helpful and I will post more tips and BTDT thoughts later this week also. My mom and I have been forming a list of things that would be helpful for you all!

Orphanage pictures

2007-05-17T10:44:00.000-05:00

We were received with great hospitality. We were taken into a conference room and each of us had a plate with all of this fruit on it!

Mom chowing down on something. We are not sure what kind of fruit it was - but she like it!

Mia getting her first taste of banana!

These are the 7 cribs that the 7 baby girls in our group slept in.

Macy standing in front of a bunch of walkers on their patio.

Our group standing outside the baby room we got to see. Left to right: Gary Morris holding baby Jessica (from Oregon), Joel & Shauna Oswald holding baby Kylee (from Virginia near DC), Steve & Jodi Rathjen holding baby Faith (from New York), and Russell & Lisa Holcomb holding baby Jenna (from California). And of course Macy in her red shirt (from Arkansas - Go Hogs!)

Brad video taping the inside of Mia's crib. I'm sure he will turn it into a video moment.

We learned from the nannies that Faith and Mia shared a crib during their baby days. They also said that Faith and Mia were the most outgoing of the bunch.

Our family standing in front of the Yang Xi orphanage. I thought it was so neat that this is the last time Mia will ever have to see this orphanage unless we come back by choice at a later time to visit China. She is a McMath now!

The orphanage director and nanny took us to a restaurant to eat lunch. This is our big circular table with the spinning family style center. I'm not sure what all was served today. ;)

This is Mia's "finding spot." She was left at the gate of this eating establishment on the day she was born, August 21, 2006. I journaled about this a few posts down from this one.

The director and nanny waving goodbye to our bus. They were truly caring and sweet to us this day. I think that they are happy that these babies have loving families now.

More Macy funnies

2007-05-17T10:40:00.000-05:00

1. In the cab the other night Mia grabbed a handful of Macy's hair. Macy said, "No Mia, don't pull Sissy's hair!" It was so comical! I don't even know where she picked up referring to herself as "Sissy". We've not called her by that name. That made it even funnier.

2. Last night Macy was praying before she went to sleep and going through the usual requests when she said, "Help me to follow the Lord...and help the Lord to follow the Lord." It was too cute. She had been watching a cartoon on TBN that was probably produced in the 70's - Brad and I thought it was corny - but she loved it!

Day 15

2007-05-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

I feel like I am in the twilight zone. Are we ever going to go home? Are we stuck in hotels and paperwork forever? I am SOOO ready to see Huntsville, Arkansas again! To see green grass. To see our beautiful trees! To see our Ozark mountains! .....to smell the chicken houses....well, OK, maybe I won't go that far....but then again - YES I will! The chicken house smell is better than the sewer smell in most of the bathrooms here! They must not have good plumbing or something b/c most of the bathrooms reek!

Anyway, today I had to stay in the room from 9-11 AM while Maggie and Rosa went to the Consulate for us. We had to be by a phone just in case any questions arose. No call - so that was good! Mia did not sleep well last night. I think it is b/c she didn't eat much yesterday so she was hungry and was making up it through the night! She was so fussy - Brad was concerned. She didn't wake up or cry hardly at all the first few days we had her - and last night was really hard. But according to most of the families in our group - this was the case. We have no structure to our days now - so I am sure that is why everyone is out of whack. Can't wait to get home!

Tonight we ate at a GREAT restaurant called the Banana Leaf. The food was excellent and the entertainment was great! There were about 5 guitar & drum players with about 10 dancers that moved around the room with lively and festive music. They got a couple of our guys and one of the grandma's up to dance with them. It was hilarious! I'm pretty sure Brad captured it all on film (of course). :)

Day 14

2007-05-17T09:03:00.000-05:00

Day 14
Today we were scheduled to go to a park for a little sightseeing and be back by noon. We opted to stay at the hotel. Everyone said we made a good choice. The ones who went said it was HOT, miserable, and hundreds of steps! The park was more like an outside museum type place with statues of stuff. No nice breezes and trees. Brad and I decided we would walk to the friendship store that everyone has been talking about. It ended up being about....5-6 blocks and we were both POURING sweat by the time we got there. Literally. The shopping center we went to was VERY UPSCALE. Like Dillard's but way nicer. Very expensive. The supermarket we were looking for was on the 5th floor. Even their food was expensive. $5 for a box of Ritz bits crackers! I couldn't believe that we had walked in the heat for this! We ended up buying 6 bottles of water for our room and a jug of apple juice for Macy.

THEN...on the way down....well, first of all-Brad was NOT having a good day. He was very edgy and Macy was hyper, Mia was fussy, and I was too easygoing! :) On the way down the stairs - I was experimenting with having Mia in the stroller and walking with Macy. Macy had a plastic drawing board tucked into the basket on the stroller. Brad was carrying the stroller, with Mia and the bags in it...when the drawing board slipped out...and clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk.....you get the picture. It was VERY loud! All the way down the open staircase inside this uppity department store. About 30 Chinese employees turned and just stared at us. You could see Brad about to crawl under the closest clothing rack! Red face. Gritted teeth. Narrowing eyes. Mia was fine until this point - but the cluttering and clanking startled her and she started screaming. Brad wanted me to take her out of the stroller, but I said, "Just start pushing it - maybe she will get distracted and be fine." About 30 seconds and 20 steps later....she was still screaming. By this time Brad was about to blow a fuse b/c the onlookers had grown by about 20. Let's just say that we didn't really talk until we were out of the building! :) If he wasn't so mad it would have been an absolutely hilarious moment! ;) After hoofing it back to the hotel and 5 gallons of sweat later - he realized that he had not taken his thyroid med this morning. And without it he is a bear!

Mom, Mia, and I took a taxi back to Shamian Island tonight to finish up some shopping. I had some name scrolls made for Macy and Mia for their rooms that have both their Chinese and English names on them. I also bought about 10-12 small cheap identical gifts for them. Each year on the date that we received Mia into our family we will have "Forever Family Day". Most adoptive parents call this "Gotcha Day", the day they received their child into their family. But since we are blessed to have 2 girls - we will celebrate "Forever Family Day" and they will each receive a small gift that day that came from our trip to China.

Some new pics

2007-05-15T03:20:00.000-05:00

Mia's first French Fry from McDonald's. We are getting her trained right. We like to eat in this family!

Me and Mia with one of the head nannies from Yang Xi orphanage. We are standing in front of the orphanage.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ME! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ME!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ME!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO GLENDA! WOOOOO HOOOO!

Our famiy at the outdoor museum. HOTTTT.

Macy in front of intricate embroidery screen.

Guy playing Chinese hacky sak with Brad.

The snakes for sale on the street at Shamian.

Macy holding some kind of living squeezy fish thing. If you squeeze it - water squirts out. They are swimming around in a tank of water.

Mia at her medical exam. Check out that HUGE hair bow! Her head is soooooo tiny!

A Few Travel Tips for those About to Travel to China

2007-05-15T03:18:00.000-05:00

My mom Dorinda has a couple of travel tips that will be relevant for those of you about to embark on your journeys:

1. Pack a cheap egg crate for your bed. It doesn't take up much room - she will leave it here when we leave - and it has made a BIG difference making her bed softer. Wish I would have thought of it!

2. Don't just bring 2 shirts and 3 pairs of pants. You will get tired of wearing the same thing over and over!

Day 11, 12, & 13

2007-05-15T02:53:00.000-05:00

Day 11
We were supposed to all go to a Chinese church on Shamian Island - and area here in Guangzhou that is famous for it's tourist shopping. It is kinda like an outlet mall except Chinese style - and definitely catering to adoptive families. But we were just too wiped out from the long bus trip to the orphanage yesterday. We basically slept, ate, slept, ate, and that is it today. We did walk to Starbucks so Brad could try out their Wi-Fi on his PSP. He was impressed with how fast the Wi-Fi was there. Then we did walk about 4 blocks to find a street side flower vendor to buy flowers for my mom for Mother's Day from my dad. We were able to get 18 red roses and 4 Lillie's in an arrangement for about $20.

Day 12
Today we went to an outside museum for about an hour before heading to Shamian Island for shopping. It was HOT....so of course it was hard for me to enjoy. There were some incredible things there though....carvings made from single pieces of wood....statues....art stuff....but I was really too hot too care. It was around noon time. Then we headed to Shamian. The first couple of hours was miserable for me b/c I had Macy with me and she was tired and cranky. But Brad took her back to the hotel on our bus at 1 and let my mom and I stay with others from our group that wanted to shop longer. We did some power walking then....no 4 year old to corral and keep from breaking things! :) We ended up buying most of the things we had on our list that we wanted from one place - "The House of Love". CoCo was the girl that helped us and her service was impeccable. If we wanted something in a different size she would go out of her way to find it (3x for my dad...!! Chinese men are usually on the tiny side!) But it was SOOO sweltering outside today. I think the humidity level was higher than usual. Mom and I were literally about to MELT...especially me b/c I had Mia strapped to me in a carrier through all of this! And my girl is such a trooper! She did so great through it all! Except for one minor glitch...she did projectile puke all over me while we ate lunch....but no biggee!! Usually I have been letting her experiment with table food...then giving her a bottle a little later. Today I gave her a bottle - then she was eating some of my rice and noodles. She got gagged - and UP came her formula! But fortunately it was very fresh and still smelled like formula - not sour stomach! We just took one of the hot rags they bring for your hands and wiped my pants down. The food was GREAT though. We had fried vermicelli (similar to lo mein from Hunan's) and fried rice. We agreed that if the food had been like this the whole time - we would have been loving it!

Mom bought a hard case suitcase from the store "Jordan's Place" - it is on a side street - for $36. It would have cost $200 at home. We then loaded all of our purchases in it and wheeled it to the taxi stop. Several of the families in our group were still here when we headed back...but we were worn out. We took a taxi back to our hotel - it cost about $2.50. The drivers here are amazing. Even though the traffic is crazy - cars everywhere - you never see cars that are dinged up or many accidents. It's wild. And the taxi drivers are excellent. They just whip in and out and get you anywhere fast. They don't speak English - you just give them a Chinese card with your hotel name on it and they take you there.

Last night AFTER a shower - we went next door to Pizza Hut. I told Brad I didn't think I would ever speak these words...being from Huntsville, AR - where Pizza is about all you have - "This is like the BEST MEAL!" After all of the "interesting" fare we have had - good pizza was heavenly. And their pizza from Pizza Hut is VERY good. The only thing is - no diet coke anywhere in China. They have Coca Cola Light....which after you get used to it isn't too terribly bad. That is their sugar free version of diet coke.

DAY 13
Today we took Mia to her medical exam. The guides told us on the way that 90% of all babies will scream and cry at this appt, so be ready. I told a couple of the families that maybe we could be the miracle group and that not be so. Everything else in our group has been so miraculously wonderful. And guess what? None of our babies cried! Mia even slept through one checkpoint! There were 3 checkpoints inside the clinic. (1) weight and height, (2) doctor checks ears and throat, and (3) doctor checks heartbeat, makes sure you recognize Mongolian spots....which are the blue, bruise looking birthmarks on the backs of all Asian babies.

I saw my airplane friends Herb & Monica from Ohio here with their little girl. They are adopting an almost 2 year old - so she has a little more difficulty adjusting - but is definitely bonding to her Mama.

We came back to our hotel - had a quick lunch at KFC next door (I didn't want to walk far in the heat and turn into a sweat monster again) and then I headed up to the paperwork meeting on the 39th floor. By the way we are on the 31st floor. My ears pop a little everytime we go down. We spent about 1 1/2 hours doing paperwork. Rosa would give us a form, walk us through what to put into each blank, then start again with another. We are now officially done with 99% of paperwork and fees.

Day 10 - Visit the orphanage

2007-05-13T01:26:00.000-05:00

We left the hotel at 8 AM this morning and took a 3 1/2 hour bus ride to Yang Xi to visit the orphanage where Mia has spent the 8 months of her life and to find her "finding spot".

Brad called the bus ride "horrendous". I would call it a cultural experience. First of all the shocks were out in the front of the bus we took. So the ride was very "bumpy" to say the least. Up, down, squeak. Up, down, squeak. So I sat up front so that I wouldn't get car sick. I find China fascinating. There are SO many people. In America we have groupings of housing areas. There are the rich areas, the subdivisions for middle class, and the old worn down housing for lower income families. But not here. In a one mile stretch you will encounter nice apartments, followed by shabby apartments, followed by shacks, but in no order - just all jumbled up together. And the sequence repeats. Again, and again, and again. The drive to Yang Xi was mostly on the expressway - all paved. We did see lots of water buffalo out in the fields. Also, we saw many farmers in the customary Chinese field worker round hat - out working and irrigating their fields. It was like the scene out of Mulan where they march past the filed workers.

When we arrived at the orphanage, the director and assistant came out to meet us. They ushered us into a meeting room with an oval table that had a pile of some kind of native fruit and bananas in front of each seat. Our guide showed us how to peel this fruit to try it I wasn't too crazy about the kind I tried. Kinda jelly like texture. Mom loved whatever she tried. Macy loved the bananas. I am guessing it was safe for us to eat b/c our guide directed us to eat! :) The standard is supposed to be: "Any fruit you can peel is safe to eat while in China."

We then went upstairs to the baby room. This room only had babies that are "referral" age (of age to be matched with an adoptive family). There were 18 babies in the room. All of them were in a stainless steel looking crib with a smooth board in the bottom of it. You will remember from my earlier posts that it is very customary for people in this area to sleep on mats or boards b/c of the humidity. Several of the babies had large sores on their heads like Mia did. Our group has speculated that these are from either rubbing their heads against the boards repeatedly and causing sores that in turn get infected....or bug bites that have gotten infected. We really are not sure. I was able to post to my Yang Xi Yahoo group that we would be going - and that if there were any parents that had been matched with a baby from there - that I would try and take pictures. 5 parents responded before we left. It was so wonderful to take pics of 5 of the babies for their new families. I would have loved to have had something like this while I was waiting on Mia. It was also wonderful to know that these 5 babies had a "forever family" they were about to go to. All of the babies in the room were between 4 months and 3 years old. There is also an infant room with tiny babies - but we are not allowed to visit this room. Since this orphanage has only been established for 5 years - the oldest child there is under 5 years old.

One observation is that the nannies were VERY loving and VERY friendly. They knew every baby by name. They all addressed Mia by her name "Zhen Zhen" (pronounced 'Jen Jen'). Several of them tried to get Mia to go to them, but she wouldn't...she held onto Mama! But all of the nannies shook their heads yes in approval and said "Mama". I think they are very pleased to see that she has bonded with me already. That made me feel good! :)

One of the babies in our group cried every time they took her into the baby room. And she continued to cry for the next 2 hours. I think it traumatized her parents too. It was really hard to think that your baby was crying b/c she thought that she had to go back there. Mia was very happy the whole time - as long as I was holding her.

The director and head nanny boarded the bus with us to take us to lunch and to help us find our "finding spots". We had lunch at an authentic Chinese restaurant in the town. No KFC or McDonald's here. I think their population is around 50,000 - a small town for China. Especially considering Beijing is 16 mil and Guangzhou is 10 mil. We all sat at a large round table in an air-conditioned room of the restaurant (thank you God!). The nannies were acting like it was freezing in there and I was rejoicing for air! Of course we had the spinning round thing in the middle so that we could eat our meal family style. There was fried pork similar to sweet and sour chicken, strips of beef with peppers, a plate full of onion and garlic and cashews, and a few other things. Then they brought us each a bowl of fried rice. The best we have had since being in China. Also, they brought out a pan of fried steamed rolls with a dip that tasted like glaze for donuts. MMmmmnn...good. I had 3!

We then headed out to find the places where each of our girls was abandoned and found. Mia was left in front of a group of street front vendors. I think specifically it was a restaurant. As we looked at the spot - it was an overwhelming feeling. We got back on the bus to go on to someone else's spot - and tears began to stream down my face. What circumstances left this beautiful baby girl on the street 8 months ago? There are so many people in China with many different takes on this child abandonment issue. Was her birth mother in agony at having to leave her baby girl? Did her husband bring the baby against her will? Did she leave her feeling that she didn't have a choice? Did she leave her in hopes of having another baby that might be the longed for boy for the family name? Was she an unwed mother? The pain of what she may have felt overwhelmed me. And then the thought that such pain has brought forth so much joy for our lives. It is b/c of this abandonment that we are here - but what if we had not obeyed God's leading to come and get this girl? What if we had said no? You can't know how this broke my heart. She is already a part of us. A part of us that God left incomplete has been completed by Mia Grace entering our family. I already can not imagine our lives without her. But what if we had said no? I can't bear to think about it.

As I held her close on the bus, kissed her spiky little hair on top of her head, and my tears stained my shirt - I thanked God for choosing me to be her mother. People say - what a lucky baby that you would go and get her from that life. But I think - No - what lucky and blessed people we are - that God would choose us to be her parents. Why us? WE are so lucky. WE are so blessed. We are so blessed that God has chosen both Macy and Mia to be our daughters. I am humbled that God chose me to the mother of these beautiful and wonderful girls.

2007-05-11T00:02:00.000-05:00

I took this pic just now of Mia waking up and playing with Daddy.

Macy checking out the "pets" at the meat market. She was going "Ohhhhh - look at the little turtles, frogs and snakes!" And I told her I didn't think they were sweet little pets - but that people were planning on eating them!

Daddy working his magic again on the sleepy girl!

Macy sitting under the "Great Stone Dragon" like Mulan!

Brad ordered this Baked Pie at McDonalds. He thought it was blueberry. But it was nasty! It said "taro" pie....can't remember what that is? A root maybe?

Day 9 and Sister stories

2007-05-10T23:45:00.000-05:00

Finally - some "free" time. We don't have to be anywhere today until 3 PM. Going to apply for Mia's Travel Visa. Then we are supposed to go on a dinner cruise on the Pearl River. Several people were saying they were going to take a cab to the shopping district today - I told them I thought our whole family needed a nap! And that is what we all just did! Today is kinda like a Sabbath for us. Do nothing but rest! Mia took a nap with me and just laying there looking at her...holding her little hand in mine....smelling her sweet skin....listening to her breathe....I was finally able to process some of my emotions. I'm not one to cry in the midst of an emotional moment - I have to process everything and integrate each aspect before it becomes "whole" for me. This was a special nap time for me!

She is starting to "talk" to us with her baby sounds. I don't think I am being proud mama or anything - but I do think she is absolutely beautiful! One of our families commented that they think she looks like Brad. So now I have two beautiful girls that look like their daddy!

Macy is incredible! She has been such a trooper on this long trip and now she is blossoming into such a sweet big sister. I have really worked hard to prepare her for "loving" her sister. I don't want her to be one of those kids that is nice to her sibling b/c she has to be - but b/c she loves her. I know there will be sisterly fights - but I have longed for there to be a special bond between them. And I have already seen God do this. Macy has been helping me change diapers and doing such a GREAT job! She also will lay by her on the bed and play with her. She then tries to pick her up and hold her....it looks more like a wrestling match! Mia is a bit squirmy to try to get sitting up good!

Brad has been calling Mia the spider monkey ....b/c her little legs and arms are so skinny - yet she can spin around on the bed in a split second to get to something that she wants! We have to really watch her or she's going to just leap off one of these times!

ONE really funny and sweet thing was when they were rushing us up after our Gotcha Moment and back to the bus - Macy saw all of the families moving - and she looked up at me with the saddest voice and concerned eyes and asked, "Are we going to get to keep her?" ;) So sweet. I reassured her that Mia was ours forever now and that God had picked us to be her family.

Today I was bragging on Macy to my mom about what a great big sister she has been. And I told Macy that out of all of the little girls in the world that God picked her to be Mia's big sister. And she said -"I know. All the kids were raising their hands saying....'Pick me, pick me'. And I asked her - "but who did God pick?"....to which she replied, "Me - Macy!" Ohhhhh...make my heart melt! We went on to talk about how blessed Mia is b/c Macy is her big sister and Macy can teach her all kinds of things. So Macy is loving this big sister thing.

We switched Mia's bottle over to an Advent last night. We figured something out about her. As long as there is ACTION going on around her - she won't eat. And the next thing you know she is starving to death! So last night Brad fed her in the dim room while I played with Macy in the floor. It took her a few minutes to "get it"....the sucking thing - but when she did she was all business. It was wonderful b/c up until now the milk has been POURING out into her mouth and running all over her clothes....b/c the hole in the orphanage nipple was so big. So we are making progress!

I am not sure when I'll get to post again b/c we are traveling 3 hours tomorrow to visit Mia's orphanage at Yang Xi.

Love you all!

Day 6,7,&8

2007-05-10T02:43:00.000-05:00

The last 3 days have been a blur so I will try to catch you up. Last I wrote - I was comparing the differences between Beijing and Guangzhou (pronounced Guang joe). I am a very optimistic person and always see the positive in everything. I try hard not to complain. BUT...comparing our stay here in Guangzhou with the Beijing days....our time in Beijing was pretty miserable. Not awful, just miserable. The hotel air conditioning was terrible. I think what made this so bad for me was that the landing into Beijing had made me so sick - that I was queasy and my equilibrium was thrown off for several days. I think that if we could have had a cool room - that I could have gotten back on my "feet" quicker. Remember me saying that the first night they came to fix our air - they pointed a sensor gun at the air grate in the wall and left. I have no idea what they did. But they had switched the button to heat. I am OK with being somewhat hot - but sweltering is another story.

ANYWAY - as you can tell the air conditioning issue has traumatized me! :) Ok...on with the comparison. We have seen so much more GREEN here in Guangzhou. Grass, trees, shrubs. It is more like the South Florida weather. There is much more traffic here and it takes longer to get around. There are many more communities that are street front in the areas we are driving in. All along the street are different vendors and the 20 floors above that are apartments. These apartments look VERY run down though. Worst than what I've seen in Mexico. But the people seem content. This is their life. There are 11 million people in this city alone. Tons of people on every street all day every day. Kinda like Christmas time at the mall in NW Arkansas. Except all the time!

Our room here at the Asia International Hotel is AWESOME. The air is GREAT ....all day ....all the time. No crazy sensor guns and wacko heat button pushing boys! I have always heard and read people say that their hotels while in China on adoption trips are better than the US. That is definitely not TRUE about the Guangxi Hotel in Beijing. But this one - yes. It is like an upscale hotel with fancy shops and great housekeeping, nice sheets, big rooms, and in a great area! Pizza Hut and KFC are right next door and McDonald's is across the street! After all of the Chinese authentic meals we had in Beijing this is heaven! I always thought I loved Chinese food but the real Chinese food is not Hunan Manor! Hunan Manor in Fayetteville is my FAVORITE and now I have learned that even though it looks authentic - it has been Americanized. I'll take my Hunan any day over the bland stuff we've had here! I like spicy and sweet. Hunan's house spicy chicken and Lemon chicken, and fried rice, and egg rolls....mmmmmm that sounds really good right now! :)

DAY 7
This was May 9th and our GOTCHA DAY! "Gotcha Day" is a term used in the adoption community to celebrate the day you "got" your baby. We started the day after breakfast by doing our paperwork. I took a picture of ours and posted it for you that day! We were told to go and do some currency exchange b/c we would need roughly 5000 yuan to pay the notary and registration office for paperwork fees (equals a little over $600). BUT our hotel refused to exchange such a large amount of American cash into yuan. So we all had to go to a bank down the street to do it. About 4 families went with us and we waited for over an hour to get our money. We were supposed to have it to Rosa and Maggie's room by noon - but it was 1 PM before we even got out of the bank. And of course the bank was VERY HOT!! ;( 2 of the families were across the street at another bank and waited for 2 hours! You get a number out of the machine when you get there and wait for them to call your number. It felt like we waited for an eternity! But I had read many adoption blogs with this great advice - BE FLEXIBLE. Times, appts, etc will change. So I just took it all in stride!

We left for the Civil Affairs office at 3:30...supposed to get babies at 4 PM. Traffic was bad and we were 20 minutes late. We went up to a conference room and they called families and brought in babies in alphabetical order. Then they gave us about 15 minutes to "get to know our babies", take pics, video, etc and then whisked us back to our bus and back to the hotel. It was very fast. I think I already told you what a miracle it was that NONE of the babies cried more than a couple of tears. I have had so many of you praying for so long that all of the babies in our group would BOND incredibly with their new families....and God has heard our prayer. Awesome.

It was a little overwhelming when they first brought us Mia b/c she had this huge gash/sore on the top of her forehead. After I got past that I was able to see how tiny she really is. I don't see how she weighed 13 lbs. in January. She is very light. And VERY skinny! She just looked at us inquisitively with those big brown eyes. AND then...MACY got the first laugh out of her within just a few short minutes! Of course we are being all gentle like she is a newborn and will break - and Macy is already rough housing. She puts Mia's toy sheep on her head and pulls it off - and Mia starts laughing! WOW! Within 5 minutes of holing her she is SMILING AND LAUGHING!

Brad and I had some one on one with Mia last night while Macy spent some time with Noni. At first she would avoid making eye contact with Brad. It was like she wasn't sure what she thought of him. She has probably not ever been around men very much. But then Brad started playing with her and she opened up. He had her laughing and smiling....it was so sweet.

She didn't take much of her bottle. I think it all the excitement of the day. Her schedule the nannies gave us was like this: Up at 6 am, bottle at 6:30, 11 AM, 4 pm, and 8:30. Each full size bottle takes 7 scoops of formula and 7 scoops of rice cereal. Wow. They gave us a bottle for her that she is used to. It has a hole in the nipple about the size of a small ladybug. So the milk just POURS out as soon as you tip it up. She spits out half of it just to swallow. I think this much be the way they do it at the orphanage b/c they have so many to feed, so little help, so little time. Probably makes feedings faster and babies fuller longer. I am trying to transition her to a Advent bottle that I enlarged the hole in the nipple. But I don't think that she knows how to suck. She's just used to it pouring in maybe? We will see how it goes.

Last night I put her in her crib about 10:30 - the cribs they gave us have huge fluffy zip up blanket sleeper/comforters. I was afraid I would have to strip the bed for her to sleep b/c all she is used to sleeping on is a board. But she rubbed her little hand on the soft pillow, laid her head down and was asleep in 30 seconds! I think she was thinking "Ahhhhh what is this comfort??? Calgon - take me away!" She slept until almost 6 this morning. She woke up happy and ready to go. I posted the pics I took of her in her first outfit and big hair bow already! This girl can army crawl like no body's business! She is going to be fast like her big sister Macy!

Today we went back to the Civil Affairs office to do paperwork. We were there for a couple of hours b/c there are 7 babies and 2 toddlers in our group. Larger than most groups. We had to have 2 short 5 minute interviews just stating that we promised to never abandon our baby and that we wanted to adopt her. At the end of the meeting with the notary and the meeting with the registration office - MIA was officially OURS! Wooo hooo! Done deal!

Guess what - the civil affairs office was hotter than the pit! I shouldn't be surprised! The Chinese people don't like cold air b/c they think it messes up the "balance" in their bodies. That is why for the most part they drink their drinks warm also. We did not have a cold drink until we got here in Guangzhou. Ice in our drinks from Pizza Hut. Ohhhh so good!

While we were there the time for Mia's bottle came and went and she was VERY hungry. So as I was trying to get her bottle mixed up one of the nannies came over to help b/c my water was too hot. Imagine that. They tell you to boil water and pack in a thermos b/c your baby is used to only having bottles that are scalding hot. But my water was still boiling in my thermos! So they had to cool it down! And while she was crying she scratched at the sore at the top of her head....and when I looked down blood was everywhere! Ahhhgg! But we cleaned it off and got it to stop bleeding. After her bottle she was happy again! This was the loudest we had heard her cry. Usually it is more like a whimper.

We went to the "carafour" store on our way back to the hotel that is comparable to a Wal-Mart I guess. A little of everything. We loaded up on 2 cases of water, snacks, more diapers, a prize for Macy and a nice little bag for me to use as a smaller diaper bag while we are here. The bag was only $4. Good buy. Me and Macy checked out the meat dept. while there b/c you know adventurous me - I wanted to see if there were any "interesting" things. I took a pic of Macy looking at a bin of turtles, frogs, and snakes. Live ones. For sale in the meat dept.! Fun!

We have been back at the hotel a little while now. All of us took a little nap. We ordered from Danny's Bagel and they delivered. It is an American based restaurant here. Chicken Parmesan, Greek salad, and a hamburger for mom. I haven't eaten yet b/c I'm trying to catch you up - but Brad says his is very good!

Tomorrow we go apply for Mia's visa and then SATURDAY we go the orphanage at Yang Xi where Mia has spent the entirety of her 8 months of life. I am really excited we received permission to go. I think the fee for the drive is like $35 per person....300 yuan??? Not bad. We will also try to find all of our 7 babies "finding spots" where they were abandoned. Just to see and touch the place that led to them being in our lives. Bittersweet. A lost child that has become found. Beautiful. We have traveled east to bring home this daughter. There is a contentment among us already. My mom worded it perfectly...."It is as if she has always been with us." Stop to savor that. That is also the story of my personal adoption with my parents. It is as if we have always been together. I am having warm fuzzy feelings right now! :)

Good Morning Mia!

2007-05-09T18:49:00.000-05:00

Hairbow time! Mia in her first outfit!

Macy with a hairbow too!

Sensory overload. Macy surrounded her with every toy we brought her. She wasn't too sure about that!

Sleeping princess!

Mia Grace McMath

2007-05-09T06:29:00.000-05:00

We have our girl!

2007-05-09T06:20:00.000-05:00

We have had Mia for 2 hours now! And she is doing GREAT! The AWESOME thing is that out of the 9 families in our group - NONE of them cried! Except for maybe a tear or two...but no wailing! That is really unique. The drive for the girls us to us was a 3 hour bus ride. So it has been a traumatic day for them. It is incredible how great they are doing.

HERE is the AWESOME thing. The only time Mia has cried has been when I walked away from her. I put her in Brad's lap to look for something and she started crying...ALREADY wanting her Mommy! Wow! She definitely wants ME already. It is unbelievable.

The only thing is that when they gave her to us - she had this big sore at the top of her forehead that looks pretty bad. But I have good med for it so we are prepared!

I will post more later. My baby girl is crying for me again! Can you see me grinning and clapping right now? :)

Here we come MIA!

2007-05-09T02:03:00.000-05:00

This is a copy of the paperwork we received this morning with an updated pic and footprint! Ahhhh !!!!! Her hair has grown back in !! So sweet - next time I post I will have real pics of her ....with her mommy and daddy...and big sister...and Noni!

Off to get her! Bye now!

Day 6 Leaving Beijing

2007-05-09T01:44:00.000-05:00

Today we took the bus to the Airport around noon. We were able to purchase authentic Beijing Olympic stuff there. Of course everyone in our group bought the pack of little "mascots" they are using called "friendlies". They look like little stuffed animals in the 5 colors of the Olympic circles.

The plane looked much nicer than any we've taken, even those in the US. There was a TV screen built in to the back of the seat in front of you...for each seat. The seats were about 1/3 larger than our other planes. But looks can be DECEIVING! The plane was SOOOO HOT. After we took off it seemed as if they just turned off the air completely. I think I was having hot flashes....really. Either I'm entering menopause a tad early - or that plane had massive heat waves! It made me queasy being so hot. And it was a 3 hour flight! And to top it off - the seat bottoms were angled up to where it cut off your circulation. My legs were KILLING me on the flight. Going numb, cramping up....they kept the seat belt light on b/c we were experiencing turbulence and asked people to stay in their seats, but I pretended I needed to go to the restroom - just so I could stand up and walk. It was that bad!

The landing was GREAT. Nothing like the Beijing landing that made the whole plane hurl. So this was definitely a positive! We took a 30 minute bus ride to our hotel - and I am still having a hard time assessing the EXTREME differences between Beijing and Guangzhou. The difference is unbelievable! Everywhere we drove in Beijing there were 30 story apartment buildings with a window and air unit for each apartment. Beijing was dirty, under construction, ...Guangzhou looks like a business and commerce area, lots of bright lights, nice buildings, ...but the apartments we passed looked more run down. Each apartment had a walk out balcony and it didn't appear they had air conditioning. It looked like people washed out their clothes and hung them on their balcony to dry. You could see through the doors and windows and see the people inside. There were many highways intersecting with lots of traffic....kinda like in Dallas where a lot of highways have ramps above other highways for several miles. That is how we could see in every one's apartment - b/c our highway was up high on their level. Kind of like being in Chicago riding the L and looking in people's apartments. My mom said some buildings she saw looked like they had one floor that was a factory where people were working and the rest of the building looked like apartments. The apartment areas are the only areas we have seen in Guangzhou that look run down compared to Beijing.

OUR HOTEL here is MORE than awesome. This is probably the BIGGEST contrast. We now have AIR CONDITIONING! WHOOOOO HHOOOOO!

Gotta go, will finish this later. We are leaving now to go and get our babies! Here we come baby Mia! :) So you may not get a post from me again until "tomorrow" our time. We are focusing on bonding tonight! Just know when you here nothing on the blog - that it is b/c we are with our precious baby girl! ;)

More Great Wall Pics

2007-05-07T09:32:00.000-05:00

Brad, Glenda, & Macy McMath on the Great Wall of China. Razorbacks were well represented today!

Macy, me, & Mom calling the Hogs on the Great Wall!! Wooooo Pig!!

This is our travel group. 9 families. 7 receiving daughters from Yang Xi in Guangdong Province. 1 family receiving daughter and 1 family receiving son from other orphanages in Guangdong Province. We represent: Arkansas, Virginia (2), New York, Alabama, North Carolina, Oregon, Missouri, and California.

These 2 pics are sites being constructed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The bubble looking one is called the "Water Cube." There is construction going on ALL OVER Beijing right now to prepare for the Olympics.

Most of our meals here in Beijing have been served "family style". They just bring all of the dishes to your table and you serve yourself your choice. There is a cool lazy susan thing in the center of each table to make this easier. I am thinking we need one of these for Thanksgiving Dinner! Also it would help waitresses in America to not have to walk around the table to fill everyone's glasses!

We climbed the Great Wall of China!

2007-05-07T05:19:00.000-05:00

Macy and my mom walking down the great wall. Very steep!

Macy McMath at the bottom of the Great Wall! Pretty cool huh? Will post more pics when I return from dinner tonight!

Permission to visit Orphanage!

2007-05-07T05:07:00.000-05:00

Wooo hooo !!!!! This morning when I was manning the mic I asked how many families would be interested in visiting Yang Xi - the orphanage where 7 of our 9 babies are. It was just about everyone. I was wanting our guides to see it was more than just us. You have to get permission from the Civil Affairs office and the Orphanage Director before you can go. Not all orphanages are open for visits from foreigners. The guides said we will wait until we have had our daughters for a few days, see how they are adapting and bonding, and then make the decision on how many people still want to go. But we are pumped that permission has been granted! I have read that if you do get to visit the town where your orphanage is that your driver may take you to your child's "finding spot" - where they were abandoned and found. At first that may seem depressing - but I think it also offers roots. Go and read my post from April called "Mia's story - the condensed version". It tells a little about where she was found and the first day of her life.

How can we love someone so much that we have never met? If you are a parent of a biological child - how could you love them so much before they were even born? That is what we are feeling. She is about to be delivered into our lives and our family. We can't wait.

Day 5 in Beijing

2007-05-07T04:50:00.000-05:00

Macy slept from 5 PM last night until 5 AM this morning. She was worn out. Brad went to bed at 7:30 - w/o dinner....so that is a miracle. We opted to not go to dinner tonight even though it was the famous Beijing Duck dinner. We just couldn't. I felt I needed to do what was best for Macy so we just stayed in. Brad was so wore out too. I slept from 8 until 5 am - so I am getting there on the time adjustment!

TODAY we went to the Great Wall of China. It was AMAZING to actually be there climbing it. With the mountainous elevation there was a wonderful cool breeze that made it a very enjoyable time. We climbed to the 2nd or 3rd observation deck - I am not sure and just sat down panting. Macy told me her legs hurt about halfway to that point and wanted me to carry her. Too bad for her. That didn't happen! I was doing good to make it myself. The first halfway up is like a steep slanted ramp with very few steps so it is harder than steps. And it is hard to breathe. The air seemed thinner or something. We took a break at the "top" (as far as we went) and had a snack....we needed some nutrition to get the energy to walk back down! Some in our group went all the way to the top of the area where we were.

You MOPS girls and my SS class will love this...I am facilitating getting our entire travel group together for some discussion time. I used the mic on the bus to talk to our group to see if everyone would like this. It is so hard to actually stop and hear each other's stories while we are here b/c we are running all the time! This is the part you will like: I TOLD THEM WE WOULD START WITH A FUN QUESTION LIKE: THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE PARENTS - WHAT IS YOUR GROSSEST MOMENT SINCE HAVING CHILDREN? I also said we would probably ask Maggie and Rosa if they have any gross moments of adopted babies pooping or puking on them or something. You know.....questions ONLY I would ask! :) Also we will be sharing how all of us came to decide to adopt and why China; And Maggie and Rosa say they like to study all religions even though they don't believe - so I thought it would be neat to have several people share WHY they believe the way the do...Good idea huh! We learn so much from each other and about each other when we have group time discussion. I think one of my passions in life is facilitating relationships between people. I LOVE IT!

We visited a Jade factory today and learned a little about it's making. The real deal is very expensive. I could really care less. I don't want to spend a lot of money on some thing I might lose. ;) I think I'll wait for the cheap fake jade we can find lots of in Guangzhou. I'm sure Lesia would have loved the real thing though! :)

We are "sleeping in " in the morning and then flying out to Guangzhou. 3 hour flight. Then on Wednesday we get Mia!!!!! That is what I am READY for!

By the way - I may have already said this - but all of the tabs for blogger are in Chinese so I can't figure out which one is "edit" for when I look back at my typos and misspelled words. So bear with me! I know my mistakes have been GREAT b/c of my level of exhaustion and jet lag. It was either post it imperfectly or post it not at all! So I can not be a perfectionist while here in China!

Day 4 in pics

2007-05-06T06:31:00.000-05:00

These pics are from the Summer Palace, the popular tourist site - where the royalty of dynasties gone past would spend summers. It is beautiful in architecture and on a nice little lake...even though the water looked very dirty.

Another of Macy's adoring fans at the pearl factory. The group of girl clerks told me I did not look American. They said they thought I looked part Asian! Never heard that one before!

Day 4 in Beijing

2007-05-06T06:03:00.000-05:00

OK - I'll be honest....this has been a wonderful experience....but I am tired, tired of being hot, and ready to see my Mia. I am ready to get on with it. I'm here for her - not for the grand tour! ;) I realize we come early to acclimate ourselves to the time change and weather change so that we are better ready to receive our children with full energy and health...but all of the touring is exhausting and it is starting to get agonizing. I am ready for my sweet girl. I am ready to see her. 3 days now until we get Mia.

Last night I slept from 8 PM until 5 AM this morning. That is when Macy woke up ready to roll! I probably could have slept longer. Mom gave me something for queasiness last night to help me sleep and I finally got a full night of sleep. I was really needing it.

Today we attended the Beijing International Church service. Only foreigners can attend. You have to have your passport to get in. I didn't really get to take much in b/c I had a splitting headache and Macy was very squirmy until Daddy finally took her and worked her into sleep with his magic. Thankfully by the end of the service my headache was gone...but I don't know anything that was said. In all truth I almost fell asleep - not b/c it was boring - but just the exhaustion. They sang contemporary songs and had guitar and drums. It was really nice - I just didn't get to enjoy it.

Our guide, Maggie, was telling us about the top 5 religions in China on the bus. She told us a little about what most Chinese people believe. Basically they believe the sun is their God and if the sun shines and it rains so their crops produce - then they are blessed. Kind of the "nature" thing. Brad had made the comment to me that he thought it was illegal to attend church in China - and most of the people in our service looked Chinese. So I asked Maggie a question on the bus, "I have heard that it is illegal to be a Christian in China." To which she replied that "that may have been true 20 years ago - but not now. You can talk about what you believe with anyone." I am not sure about this. I hear too many stories of persecution. I think this must be a very complex issue here. She did state that her and Rosa study all of the religions....and also something along the lines that even though they don't profess believing any religion - they study them. She said that when you have been taught your entire life that there is no God - but nature...it is very hard to believe in religion. So please pray for these precious girls. My heart wants them to know the same peace and joy that I know in accepting Jesus. Pray for them to have understanding. Pray for their hearts to be opened. Pray for opportunities for us to show them God's love.

We went back to the hotel and our group went on to a Beijing Duck dinner. It may be famous - but Macy needs a break and so do Brad and I. So we are all vegging out in our room....wondering what in the world we will eat for dinner - but not having enough energy to care. Tomorrow we go to the Great Wall of China. Then Tuesday we depart for Guangzhou. That is far into south China. At least a 3 hour flight. Then WEDNESDAY MIA JOINS OUR FAMILY! That is what we are ready for!!! :)

Then we visited a restaurant where they served what they call "Western Chinese" food. Thank you God! They had a dish that closely resembled lo mein and one that was like sweet and sour chicken and I got a HUGE plate full and enough for 3 hungry teenage boys! And they had FORKS! Wooo hoo!

Then we visited a pearl factory next door. Once again - I didn't really take in what they were saying about how pearls are made. It was our decision to bring Macy - and I am really glad that we did - but it requires 100% of my energy to keep her occupied and to keep her contained....especially in a fancy place like this. It kinda looked like a jewelry store. Lots of pearls in glass cases. And once again....my little Macy was the "movie star". All of the clerks swarmed her talking to her, commenting about how beautiful she was, took her to the drink cases and gave her a sprite, gave her a little bag for her pearl....definitely special treatment. There are 2 other American children in our group: Ben age 10 and his sister Callie age 7. And of course there is Maggie the Chinese girl that is 5. I am thinking they find Macy's curly, fine, long hair and her big round eyes unique. It would probably be the same for us if we had hardly ever seen a little Chinese girl...we would be fascinated. Callie has also gotten lots of attention b/c of her blond hair and blue eyes. Ben reminds me of my sister Mackenzie so much it is amazing. His mannerisms, sweet spirit, eyes, the way he interacts with Macy. He looks more like Mackenzie than Jordan or Mackenzie or me! It is really weird.

Next we walk to the next block and visit the summer palace. It is a historical site where the emperor would stay in the summer. We walked over a big bridge to an island, then took a boat with a dragon on the front across a lake to the other side. It was interesting - but hot and tiring. I had heard that Beijing weather is comparable to Chicago. Not true. It is not as hot as DC, but not as cool as Chicago this time of year.

Day 3 in pics

2007-05-05T18:44:00.000-05:00

This little deaf girl at the preschool came out and sang a song for us. It was precious.

That is "Bat" our guide for this tour in the background.

This man came up to our group with his little can, begging for money.

This is where we were standing when the man started drawing Brad.

Rick shaw riding. These are our 2 guides, Maggie & Rosa.

Some of Macy's adoring fans.

Army marching by.

Macy has done GREAT in the chaos and the heat! :)

Forgot to post pic of mom practicing at a squatty pottie. Macy has been saying loudly...."I don't like squat potties!"

Day 3 in Beijing

2007-05-05T17:56:00.000-05:00

If you don't want the details - sorry! I am trying to paint a pic for the rest of you who want to really know about this experience!

Wow. I would have to write a book to give you all the details of this day. Unbelievable. It was an experience. We started out the day at our hotel breakfast buffet that is HUGE. It has some really INTERESTING things for breakfast. Looks like part lunch. Then we loaded on our medium size shuttle/tour bus and headed to Tienanmen Square. Rosa and Maggie, our guides are AWESOME. They have such great personalities and are so wonderful to us. They are both probably in their later 20's. They did tell us that everything we see in Beijing will be VERY crowded b/c their Labor Day holiday is May 1-7 and everything is closed and massive amounts of people are here from all over China visiting the tourists sites.

Macy received loads of attention today. As we walk past crowds of people would turn to look at her and point and watch....then if I stopped with our group for any reason at all....people would began motioning asking if they could take pictures with her. We are talking non-stop. I can't remember if I have told this already - but Brad came up with a way to help her understand what is going on -on her level. He told her that people think she is a movie star so they want to take her picture and talk to her. So she did extremely well with all of the crowds. Those of you who know Macy - know she is a "I want my space" kid - and does not like lots of people touching her. So it was nothing short of a MIRACLE that she allowed people to touch her all day!

Every 200 yards or so our guides would stop and tell us a little history about what we were seeing and EVERY TIME we stopped - hoards of people would surround Macy's stroller wanting to take pics with her. It was crazy. Little kids would come up to and say, "hello" - getting a chance to practice their English on us Westerners. One man even came up to me and wanted to have his picture taken with me and his child. I was thinking - "I don't have blond hair! Why do you want your pic taken with me?" Macy did so well for a long time - that I was afraid it was going to start getting to her. So I got to where I would wheel her into the middle of our group each time we stopped so people couldn't see her.

One of the saddest things was upon walking down the street to get to Tienanmen square and while there we saw some troubling sites. On the street there were beggars with cans asking for money. The guides had told us not to stop for anything. Just keep walking. There was one man that looked very scroungy bowing over a sick looking child moaning with a can beside the child for money. It just looked fake. If your child was really sick you wouldn't be out moaning over him among thousands of people - you would be trying to get him help! Our guides told us it is common to borrow children and drug them for these begging sessions. Then we saw a little boy - probably around 10 - sitting on and wheeling around on a skateboard looking thing. He had club feet and they looked like they were rotting. He had a can to beg also. It was very sad. Upon asking our guide about it - she said that there is no reason for children to be like this. The parents have made the choice to not fix this medical issue - b/c help is available for it. I can't imagine choosing for your child to suffer just so you can beg.

Then we headed to the Forbidden City. It is a massive palace. Huge buildings all linked by courtyards that we WALKED through for what seemed like hours. It is actually the site that you see in Mulan - at the end where she is swinging around the columns to get the bad guys. Macy pointed up to them and said, "That is where Mulan went whoooo, whooh, around those poles! Where are the bad guys?" :)

Then, b/c we are having to stay this extra day in Beijing b/c of the holiday - we got a SPECIAL treat. Most groups don't get to do any of this. We were taken to the Hutong District to eat lunch with a family in their home. Most of the people in Beijing live in the huge, tall apartment buildings. But there is a group called the Hutongs that get to live in one/two story dwellings. They said the houses in the area are mostly over 200 years old. They look like concrete huts put together like a maze with connecting little alley/streets. Our entire group took rickshaws into this area to get to the house. We had a mighty convoy of about 20 rickshaws - each being driven by a man on a bicycle. It was a very neat experience. The house we visited was very nice on the inside - but they said this is not common. This lady's family line and government job enabled her to have a nicer home than most. They made us a wonderful lunch and it was very neat to experience this.

Our guide told us if there are 2 cylinder looking things above the door of a home - it is a poor family. 4 cylinders - rich family. Someone from 2 can not marry someone with a 4 above their home. We then took the rickshaws to the Hutong shopping district and just walked through it. We were standing in our little tourist crowd listening to the guide when Brad whispered to me - that guys is drawing me! Some man was intently staring at Brad and drawing on a plate. It ended up being amazing! We bought it from him for $3. Brad thinks he looks like Hank Hill (from that Texas cartoon) in the picture! I then asked if he would draw Macy - and while he was drawing her we were surrounded by a huge throng people. They blocked the street and cars were honking b/c they couldn't even drive through b/c the crowd.

Back to the rickshaws and they took us to a preschool for deaf children. Then back to the hotel and shower time! When I got on the bus to leave I told everyone - OK, lets sing. "If you stink and you know it clap your hands, If you sweated today and you know it clap your hands,..." To which a lot of people joined in singing and clapping! I can't imagine how much hotter Guangzhou will be than Beijing. After an hour of rest we loaded the bus again and went to a restaurant for dinner. There was dancing entertainment and the food was good. I have not eaten much since being here - just a general queasiness from lack of sleep and trying to eat with chopsticks. I usually just give up - b/c it is too much effort. They had forks tonight and I feel like I actually got 1/2 a meal in. I was the only one in our group that used a fork! I am a loser!

One thing I have been having fun with if every one's reaction when I introduce my mom. They don't say anything - but they all have that look of "How old did she have to be when she had her - she looks so young...." So tonight one of the guys said - I have to ask you - how old is your mom? I told him I would tel him later! So on the way back to the hotel I asked if could address the entire group and tell a little about my story (the guides generally talk on a mic to everyone while we are riding). So I tell the story of my adoption - tears are flowing for some people - and I let everyone know how old mom is! It was fun.

I went to bed at 8 PM last night and got up at 5:30 this morning b/c Macy was wide awake. Finally a night of sleep. I only slept 3 hours last night. Just couldn't sleep. Today we are off to the Beijing International Church (which we know is supposed to actually be and Assemblies of God church - so we are excited!), then off to a Duck Dinner, and to the Summer Palace and if we are not passing out from exhaustion we will see the Acrobats tonight. They keep these touring in Beijing days really full, b/c once we receive our babies - we will just focus on them and paperwork. I am trying to give you condensed version and I know this is scattered - but my time to blog is rushed and at weird hours. We love you all.

Evening of Day 2 in Beijing

2007-05-04T10:40:00.000-05:00

Tim & Lynne had the hotel pick a place for us to eat dinner tonight. We took a cab across town and ate at an AUTHENTIC Chinese restaurant. We drove through very ethnic and culturally enlightening area on the way. We even took what looked like an alley/slum area as a shortcut. BUT we ended up in a nice place - AWESOMELY authentic. We are not really sure what we ordered...no one spoke English. Fried rice, fried noodles, some fried pork ribs, fried pumkin, some kind of chicken dish (we think), and a beef dish. I was queasy still and didn't eat much but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Macy insisted that it was an emergency that she go to the bathroom, but when we got there all they had were the squatty potties. She refused and said, "No, this is not my favorite." :) Somehow she held it until we returned to the hotel.

This is the McDonald's squatty potty and sign.

Macy is considered an "Angel" by Chinese?

2007-05-04T10:22:00.000-05:00

This morning we met Tim & Lynne Copeland at breakfast. They are great! They are the couple that brought along their 5 year old daughter that they adopted in 2003. They are very knowledgeable about things since this is their second trip to China. They told us to be prepared for the Chinese people's reaction to Macy. We looked at them strangely and said, "What do you mean?" Tim went on to tell us how for some reason the Chinese people think that any child with light colored hair is an "angel". I'm not sure how literal that is - will have to research it a little. But starting at that moment and through all of today people would stop and talk to her, touch her hair, and even motion the question for could they take a picture of their children standing next to her. Even when Macy's new friend Maggie (Chinese adoptee) and her were playing and the workers were stopping to talk to them - you could see a preference for them to talk to and touch Macy. I am so GLAD the Copeland's prepared us for this or it would have MAJORLY FREAKED US OUT!

Brad was trying to explain to Macy why people keep looking at her and talking to her and she repeated to me the reason for all of this. She said, "People keep looking at me b/c they think I'm a movie star." Soooo funny.

Day 2 in Pics

2007-05-04T02:47:00.000-05:00

Macy sitting on a mat outside our hotel.

Two buildngs down from us is this hotel. Look at the small writing at the top of the sign. It says "Hot Springs Hotel" in English. All of us Arkansas people can appreciate this irony! :)

Brad eating at McDonalds. :) Today is our 11 year Wedding Anniversary! Love him more today than ever. God has blessed me with a man that is more than I could have ever dreamed of.

I am very blessed.

My big mac! Pretty cool huh? Tasted pretty

much the same. Especially the fries.

We may not know where anything else is here in Beijing - but we know how to walk to McDonalds! We and 2 other couples ended up having to take flights a day early so today was a "free" day. Everyone else in our group will be arriving tonight. Sightseeing starts tomorrow. See the air conditioning units? That is what EVERY building looks like except this is actually a small building.

This is Macy and her new friend Maggie. Another couple in our group that arrived early have brought along their 5 year old daughter. This will be their 2nd adoption. They are 47 and 50 years old. The couple I became acquainted with on the plane yesterday, Herb & Monicka from Ohio, are 47 and 53. I LOVE how these people's hearts are so open to God leading them into adoption. Most people at their age are not open to what a blessing adoption can become in their lives and the life of a small waiting child. Maggie and Macy played their little hearts out today during breakfast and in our room while Tim & Lynne, her parents, offered Brad some converter advice. They had gotten really quiet in the bathroom playing and we discovered they had colored their entire arms blue with Macy's markers! Thankfully it was the washable kind!

Look closely and you will see that this sign says, "Please don't smoking." We all thought it was funny. Most of the translated stuff here seems awkward in it's wording.

Day 1 in Pics

2007-05-04T02:07:00.000-05:00

Macy and Daddy on the flight from Fayetteville to Chicaco.

The reason I don't have too many stories about Brad yet is b/c this is about all I have seen him do so far. In the airport, on the plane....he has enjoyed getting to know his PSP better! FYI he has been a tad cranky since the flight....it made him feel yucky.

Glenda and mom Dorinda after exiting customs. Ready to go to hotel and go to bed! Brad is somewhere behind them trying to push luggage cart through throngs of people to catch up!

Oh - there he is...Lisa's husband Russell is helping stack bags back up! See starbucks in the background at the airport? :)

Glenda and Macy at Gate C18 in Chicago waiting to depart for Beijing.

This is Glenda meeting Lisa Holcomb and her mom for the first time outside customs at the airport in Beijing.

Here is our first sight on Chinese soil. The Red flags.

"Angel" Angel

2007-05-04T02:01:00.000-05:00

Angel Rogers - from West Memphis - I just want you to know that your name is so fitting. I was speechless upon receiving the gift packages you sent to us for our trip.. Going to our Wal-Mart registry and buying stuff for our trip - you are MORE than amazing. I want to endeavor to have that incredible gift of hospitality and charity. How did you know that the Sam's choice tropical was my favorite trail mix? I am LOVING it! And Macy LOVED her little books and stuff. I can't express to you how wonderful you have made me feel. Thank you. And I can't believe you gave MY MOM an envelope with $ in it for us. That you trusted her not to lose it is one thing!!! But that you sent such a wonderful $ gift on top of all of the other stuff. Wow. You can't know how much it blessed us. We ended up being short of $ at the end b/c of the additional costs with our hotel room, having to renew paperwork that was getting old, and Macy's flight ticket being almost as much as an adult ticket. YOU BLESSED US. Thank you. Sniff, sniff. Blow.

Our comic experiences from Day 1

2007-05-04T01:14:00.000-05:00

So far I have given you the detailed account - but not the funny little stories randomly floating in my memory bank. By the way - I am having to make these posts to blogger using all prompts that are in Chinese. I tried to get babble fish to translate the website for me - but it won't ...so I am just going by memory on where the "post" tab is. So I know everything is not perfect. Also, I am still pretty loopy from time change and lack of sleep - so my grammar and thought processes are pretty scattered! Sorry!

Random stories & thoughts:
1. The day before we left Macy and I were in a store in Fayetteville run by Asian people. They were talking in their native language and Macy grinned HUGELY and said "they are talking SPANISH! I know Spanish!" And went on to count to five "uno, dos, etc..." It was SOOO funny & precious! The girl she was talking to didn't speak much English so she didn't have a clue to anything that was said so I was glad! :)

2. When we were leaving the plane and walking to baggage claims I was walking slower than usual b/c I felt terrible and Brad called my name, and I stopped, turned around and looked at Him...and he said, "Can you speed it up a little?" While loads of people parted to continue walking around us. I just said, "You have got to be kidding me. You STOPPED me in this throng of people to tell me to speed up? That really helped." I might have been a tad cranky...I'm not sure. Then, about 10 minutes later he hollers out, "Can you slow it down a little - you keep leaving us behind." To which I replied - "Make up your mind. Speed up. Slow down. I can't make you happy!" By now I had a huge grin on my face and was feeling a little spunk coming back.

3. When we exited customs there were a couple hundred Chinese people standing behind a rope watching for arriving guests. Several were waving signs with names on them. In the midst of the people I saw a small dark blue sign with AWAA on it. THAT'S US! I think that Rosa our guide may have begun to wonder if we were showing up b/c it took us soooo long to get to her. She is VERY nice and speaks great English.

4. The first thing we saw when we exited the airport onto the street were about 8 huge flagpoles all flying the red Chinese flag. It really made an impression on Brad. He thought it was interesting that this is the first thing you see upon setting foot on their soil. A reminder that you are in CHINA.

5. We are staying at the Guangxi Hotel (pronounced gwong-shee) in Beijing.

6. On the 40 minute shuttle ride to the hotel our guide was telling us that 16 million people live in Beijing. 16 million. That is hard to grasp. Each side of the highway had huge apartment looking buildings that were at least 15-20 stories high. Every window/apartment had a VERY old looking air unit on the outside wall. It kinda looked like some places in Mexico except that there were LOTS of apartments buildings....all the way on the 40 min drive to our hotel. And they were all tall and run down looking. All of them.

7. We slept at our hotel room from 8 PM - 11:30 and then Macy, Brad, and I all woke up. Hungry & thirsty. So we got up and snacked and played until 2:30 AM. Our room was EXTREMELY hot. We called housekeeping and they came to "fix" it. He pointed some sensor gun at the vent and acted like it was fixed. Hmmnnn....30 min later it was just as hot. He had put it on HEAT and turned the temp up. I'm thinking - "You saw me with sweat beads on my face and you think I want heat???!!" So we sleep until 3:30....another hour in...then I'm up. Snack again. Then at 5 I go down to the front desk to talk to someone about our room. She says that all of the rooms are on a sensor and they are all the same. BUT I KNOW Moms room is cooler b/c I've been in there several times. So she sends someone up to "check on it". I have my language book out and tell the girl "air-conditioning. No?" (in Chinese) And she just shakes her head no like nothing can be done. After another 30 min of sweltering I go down and ask if we can change rooms or something. So at 5:30 in the morning we pack up our mess and move 3 rooms down the hall. It is still not cool by any means - but it IS much cooler. I think the blower wasn't working in that room. So pray for miraculous cool breezes to blow in our room. I'm serious!

MOM STORIES
1. OHHHH - and Dad insisted that Mom get this new suitcase that has 4 wheels that swivel in every direction so she wouldn't be knocking her suitcase over all the time....those of you who know my mom, Dorinda - will appreciate my stories about her this week! She brings such joy to my life. Actually, in my opinion she brings joy to all. I think 'To Know My Mom, Dorinda is to Love Her.' We are having great fun together! I come up with all of the silly ideas - she helps them turn from funny to comical! :) I know you West Memphis people will appreciate all of this! Anyway - back to the suitcase....We are leaving the airport walking out to the parking lot and she snags a wheel or something and about loses her balance and falls. I enjoyed my first belly laugh since my belly hurling experience. Then everyone else goes across to the street, but we are behind b/c I am waiting on her, laughing, etc. So when we go to cross traffic flies out of nowhere...and there is seriously NO YIELDING to pedestrians even though we are standing in the crosswalk with suitcases and a stroller with Macy on board. We just laughed.

2. After we got to the hotel and got our rooms, Mom and I decided to walk across the street to the supermarket to buy a case of water. There are lots of bicycles carrying carts on the streets. We will get a ride at some point and take pics. We were the only Americans on the street and in the store, but no one looked at us funny. We each bought a case of 12 bottles of water for less than $2. (Chairman Mao is on every denomination of currency they use here.) She didn't want to buy a case b/c she didn't want to have to carry it back across the street to the hotel...but of course I said, "Oh, come on...you are a hoss woman. You can do it!" So, on entering the rotating door thing to our hotel - she jumps into my cubicle with me! As we are both holding on tight to our cases of water I holler out - "Don't you trip me or we will both end up sprawled out on the floor of this thing going in circles with water bottles everywhere!" After I had this "vision", I told Mom I have decided to call our part (me and her) of this journey, "DUMB AND DUMBER GO TO CHINA!" Isn't that great! :)

3. Today we walked about 4 blocks to eat lunch at McDonald's. Come to China. Eat McDonald's. go figure! But it felt like a safe option on food. It was PACKED with Chinese people and we all had to sit at a teeny tiny table to eat. I took pics and will hopefully load pics soon. I have a pic of my Big Mac box. THE FUNNIEST PART is that after taking Macy to the bathroom - I told Mom - let's go to the bathroom together. With our cameras. She looked at me like I was crazy - but came anyway. There were 2 stalls. One had a sign that said "sit" and a pic of a toilet, the other said "squat" and had a pic of 2 feet with a hole in the middle. I told her I wanted her to pose over the squatty potty and let me take a pic! So we go in and shut the stall door and mom is just baarreeeely squatting and I show her how I think you are supposed to it - squatting all the way down. She then attempts my great feat and about falls over, her purse flies open and everything flies out all over the floor. Another great dumb and dumber moment in China! We are dying laughing when we hear someone enter the restroom and the stall next to us. We both cover our mouths and try with much effort to laugh silently ....which makes it worse! Then someone else comes in. I'm whispering - "Now what do we do? There is a line and they are going to see both of us coming out of this squattie potty stall together snickering and with cameras!" To which we erupt in another round of quiet snorting. I then say, "maybe we should just stay in here until the coast is clear." And after a moment the restroom was empty and we quickly exited. WHAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE! :)

Travel Day 1

2007-05-03T21:25:00.000-05:00

What an eventful day! First of all - thank you Joyce & Luther for moving in......(practically) to take care of our puppies, cats, & kittens while we are gone! We were going to have to take out a second mortgage if we had to kennel Max and Maggie while we were gone! ;) Thank you for ALL of your help this last week....couldn't have survived without you! We love you SOOOO much!

Okay....we got up at 4 AM yesterday, left the house by 5 AM to arrive at NWA Airport by 6 AM. We got there at 6:10...not bad. I had a feeling that our bags were a bit heavy and I was right. One was over by 7 lbs. and the other by 2. So we just moved more granola bars, peanuts, and other stuff to our carry ons....since they don't weigh those! Ours were therefore heavy!! Mamaw & Pa walked with us as far as they could....which was just to the top of the escalator!

Our flight left at 7:30 and when we landed in Chicago we had to take a shuttle to the other side of the airport to find our international departure gate. The short walk we had outside was chilly in Chicago. We were looking for my mom - and saw her in the corner messing with her laptop. She flew from Memphis to meet up with us in Chicago before heading to Beijing. We had to wait for about an hour and 30 minutes before our flight departed for Beijing. A Chinese lady called our name over the intercom two different times b/c there was a problem with Macy's passport. It hadn't been translated correctly or something. Thankfully it was fixed quickly.

Guess where our seats were??? :) At the back of the plane of course! And dad had been worried b/c mom's assigned seat was in front of ours....and didn't want her having to sit with strangers. Ironically the two people sitting in those two seats ended up being a couple I had met earlier waiting in line at the ticket counter! Herb & Monica are from Cincinnati and they are adopting a little girl from China also. So I took mom's seat so I could talk adoption stuff with them and Macy got to sit between Daddy and Noni. All we talked about all morning was seeing Noni - so she was wanting her Noni time! I enjoyed getting to know Herb & Monica - they are a wonderful Christian couple and we hit it off. The 14 hour flight really went by quicker than expected. I was yapping and Macy was entertained by Noni's special bag of kid activities. MACY did GREAT on the flight!!! :) Whooooo hoo! Brad mostly played his PSP for the flight. Macy slept for the last 2 hours of the flight and the rest of us maybe slept 30 minutes? We actually flew NORTH over Canada and then east over Alaska and down south over Siberia into Beijing. I thought we were going to take a straight shot east from Chicago to Beijing over the ocean...but we kinda went over the north pole! I think I saw Santa! Flying over the Elizabethan Islands in Canada and Alaska the ocean and ground below looked like a combination of glaciers, rivers, cracked ice, .... you get the picture. Very unique.

One odd thing is they did not offer us anything to drink for at least what seemed like an hour and every time they served us food they did not serve beverages for at least 15 minutes - we were all VERY thirsty. We did get to see part of the Great Wall of China as we were descending into Beijing. We will actually go tour it on Monday I think. My ear pain was excruciating upon descending but finally popped. No one else had trouble with this. BUT the descent into Beijing was BY FAR the most horrible any of us have ever experienced. The turbulence was awful. We kept rocking and dropping and I'm getting dizzy just thinking about it again. Really. The room is spinning..... OK. I'm going to be OK. :) Anyway - I was fixing my gaze on the seat belt light focusing on breathing and NOT being sick. I was like the little engine who could. I think I can, I think I can... except I was saying I think I won't, I think I won't.... BUT I did. We made another sudden drop and I grabbed my little grab bag and as graciously as you can throw up sitting next to new acquaintances....I lost my lunch. Literally. They had given us ham sandwiches about 30 minutes earlier. I don't want to have ham any time soon. Then Monica, my new friend said Ok - I'm going to too- except she really hurled. ;) I don't remember anything b/c I was just focusing on not totally losing it - but Brad said people were throwing up all around us. Guess United airlines will be restocking those little paper bags in the seat back cover this time around!!! I told Monica we would have to be friends forever b/c you can't puke in little bags together and not BOND!!

Because I was SOOO sick... and we were at the back of the plane...I just sat while the other 500 passengers exited the plane. Slowly - I finally started gathering up my things and we started exiting the plane and a steward asked me "You OK?", and I answered - "I'm just sick". And he asked, "I get Doctor?", to which I replied "No, just motion sick", while thinking " YOU IDIOT - CAN'T YOU SEE I'M WHITE AS A SHEET AND JUST LOST MY HAM SANDWICH FROM THIS LANDING??? :)

Anyway, after landing we had to go through 3 desks: 1) Turn in health questionnaire stating that we had not come into contact with any birds in the last week (comical since we are from Madison County and poultry farm land), (2) Foreigners entry desk, and (3) baggage claim and customs.

A BIG MIRACLE..... since we were the LAST people to get off the plane and were so slow making it to baggage claim - almost all luggage from our flight was gone. Brad got our bags and I looked at him and said - that is not our bag. And He pointed out that it had the special NEON yellow tag that I had bought the day before. It was the exact same kind of tag - but not our bag! I told him - I bet someone else has our bag. Silence. He just began walking...and stopped a guy wheeling off with a bunch of bags and told him that he might have our bag. Sure enough - HE DID! WE ARE SO THANKFUL TO GOD FOR HELPING OUR LUGGAGE TO NOT BE TAKEN. WHAT A BLESSING! Turned out that the guy was from Nebraska but has a brother that lives in Springdale, Arkansas! SMALL WORLD. Fly to Beijing, China and meet someone linked to Springdale! :)

One last thing and I'll have to finish this later b/c it is time to skype dad - They do not yield to pedestrians in China! Me and mom almost became roadkill trying to pull luggage and push stroller across the street to parking lot! We just died laughing. What else can you do? :)

Wheels Up!!!

2007-05-03T06:37:00.000-05:00

We have now been up for 26 hours.....I am WIPED out! The sun was shining on us for the last 25 hours! We flew with the sun - so I am so messed up! Going to bed now - so the short update is....we are here safe in Beijing! It was a VERY eventful day...but I am way too tired to think straight - so you'll all have to wait for the details! One hint is - my little paper bag on the plane got used... ;) When we wake up say....in 20 hours.... :) just kidding.... let's say at 9 AM or so...(it's 7:45 PM here now) - it will be 8 PM tonight for you - I will try and get the details posted before 10 tonight your time!! (We are 13 hours ahead). Love you all & please keep praying for us to be healthy and safe on our journey to Mia! We will have her in 6 days! Pics and details later!

Macy told everyone today - 10 DAYS!

2007-04-22T22:38:00.000-05:00

Brad may be my videographer, but Macy is my aspiring photographer. She insisted on setting the timer for a Macy/Mommy pic today since we took one last Sunday before leaving for church...then of course she had to take pics of me and everything in her room before we could leave! She told everyone at church today - 10 DAYS until we get on the big plane to go get Baby Mia!!!

Shower Blessings

2007-04-22T22:29:00.000-05:00

We have to go down on the books as having one of the most unique shower gifts of anyone around these parts. Thanks to everyone who helped buy supplies for our trip to China!

We are now stocked up on travelers kleenex, antibacterial, OTC medications, and snack foods!

AND OF COURSE ONE SUPER CUTE RAZORBACK OUTFIT! THIS SHOULD DO BIG DADDY PROUD!

More Shower Entertainment

2007-04-22T22:15:00.000-05:00

Smell or taste were our two choices. That is all that they told us. Joyce smelled. I tasted.

This is what we were tasting!!

The GOOD news is - both Joyce and I guessed correctly - Snickers!

The funniest part is that Macy had been playing in the other room and came in to see Mommy eating "poop" out of a diaper - everyone said she covered her face in HORROR - and looked at me like "WHAT are you doing?!" Everyone was hurting they were laughing so hard.

After 4 dirty diapers filled with sugary chocolates - I was screaming for a drink - and Macy ran to rescue me with a drink of her lemonade. Sooo sweet!

Baby Shower Entertainment

2007-04-22T18:02:00.000-05:00

Passing the pacifier with chopsticks took great skill!

The greatest skills of all were seen as we learned how useful chopsticks can be. They are not just for eating!

Baby Shower

2007-04-22T17:52:00.000-05:00

We are so blessed by our awesome friends. Thank you to all who were a part of blessing Mia and our family through the baby shower. Thank you Carolyn for planning the shower and being such an "entertaining" hostess!

By the way - Macy was in hog heaven with her gifts from the shower. She now gets to "Dr." every toy in the house. She was taking Mommy's temperature last night...and said..."Yep, you have a temper...you need a shot!" (Trying to say temperature!) ;)

Baby Lizard

2007-04-20T13:04:00.000-05:00

Macy found a green worm outside this week, and after taking it to preschool it wasn't looking like it would survive. So as we were outside looking for a new worm last night - I found a teeny tiny baby lizard. It looked like a "preemie" if there is such thing in lizard world.

This post is for Tay Tay!!! :)

Moms, Friends, and more...

2007-04-19T14:28:00.000-05:00

Even though everyone couldn't make it this week - us MOPS girls had a great time as usual. To all you MOPS girls that come to my house weekly while we aspire to be greater moms - I LOVE YOU! Thanks for supporting me on our Journey to Mia! Every week is an inspiration! You are all a gift to me from God!

And soon I'll be holding 2 girls on my lap! So it's kinda good all you girls with 2 little ones weren't here this day! We can wait n take that pic after I have 2!!!!

Mia's story, the compact version

2007-04-19T14:10:00.000-05:00

I found a summary online this week and thought - "What a great idea for our blog!" And so Mia's story begins...
---------------
Abandoned at a Restaurant Gate...

Her story begins in the south of China.
In China, the most populous land on earth, the government allows couples to have but one child. Baby Zi Zhen (her orphanage name) was born female into a culture where sons are more highly valued than daughters.
Boys are raised to head households and provide for the family. Daughters are raised to marry young and care for their in-laws.
There, Mia was abandoned at a restaurant gate. The police were notified and picked her up. They noted that she was only a few hours old. Whoever left her there, out of fear, or shame, or desperation, or panic, wanted Mia to live and gave her a chance at life. It is illegal to abandon babies in China, a punishable offense that is rarely enforced. Sometimes the abandoned babies show up in the most unlikely places, such as vegetable bins in outdoor markets.
More often, they are placed anonymously at not-so-secret drop spots, where caring individuals scoop them up and deliver them to orphanages.
There is no way to know how hungry or distressed Mia was when she was discovered and taken to the orphanage. But this we know: She was tiny, resilient and well cared for by the time she was put up for adoption.
After more than two years of adoption paperwork and waiting, Brad & Glenda McMath received "the call" that Mia would be theirs. They had already decided to name her "Mia", which means "my girl". God has chosen 2 girls, Macy-now age 4, and now Mia to be daughters in this family. One by birth. One by adoption. Both completly chosen by God to be "McMaths".

Big Dummy. Cut my hair.

2007-04-18T18:17:00.000-05:00

What was I thinking? I was thinking it is going to be HOT in China. I got my hair cut - but I have NO IDEA how to fix hair this length. No more ponytail!

This is me and Macy running out the door for church on Sunday. She is carrying 2 Bibles, Dora dominoes, and of course...her favorite....lip gloss.

I'm already late for Sunday School since having Macy (thank you to my class - you wait patiently...and to Dallas for making our caffeine loaded Hazelnut Vanilla coffee!) -what am I going to do when I have Macy AND Mia?? I hope I make it in time for the dismissal bell! :)

Gotcha Day Celebration

2007-04-15T17:09:00.000-05:00

On Saturday we celebrated Candace's 4th Gotcha Day Party. In April of 2003 Mark & Carolyn had a miracle enter their lives! It is hard to believe that it has been 4 years already! Carolyn turned 51 this year (don't tell her I told)...but I think she looks YOUNGER since becoming a mom! Candace has definitely brought that mommy fulfillment into Carolyn's life.

It is AMAZING how Candace fits their family. Carolyn and I have discussed many times how there is not another child who could ever have fit their family like she does. She is just like her mom! High strung, clumsy, silly, and PURE JOY!!

We are so blessed to call them friends! And of course Candace & Macy are still big buddies!

My Life in Perspective

2007-04-15T17:03:00.000-05:00

The girl from Wal-Mart that thought my "Registry Scanner" was sooooo awesome....also asked me if I was taking all of the diapers in my cart on my trip. I had 6 cases of diapers, 2 cases of wipes, & some baby wash in my cart that I was buying for this Sunday's baby shower at church. I told her that a group of people always give me money and have me shop for showers. .....And she said....get this...." What an exciting life...I wish I had that much excitement."

OK - the scanner gun might look exciting. But a cart overflowing with diapers for a shower.....come on! I would have called my life chaotic! It's made me stop and think - what kind of life must she have to think a registry scanner gun and being the point shopper for a shower - is an exciting life? I guess I should be more thankful for my chaos if someone finds it "exciting".