MADE IT TO GUANGZHOU

What should have been a 1 hour flight from Changsha to Guangzhou turned out to be a 9 hour ordeal.  From flight delays, to changing gates, to waiting on the runway for over an hour due to thunderstorms.  We are beyond exhausted and starting to get really nervous about our 15 hour flight home.  

Colton had his very first melt down and I can't blame him at all.  He was so tired that he didn't know what to do with himself.  He became so cranky and agitated.  Poor little guy...we just felt terrible for him.

Sorry for the short post, we need to go to bed.  We need to be up early for Colton's medical exam.

We are on the last leg of our journey home to finally unite my family back together.  I can't wait.  And although I love China dearly...I am so ready to bring my son home forever.

FREE DAY AND NOODLE BOY

Not much to report today.  Today was a free day and so we asked our guide to take us to the local Walmart.  We love looking around at all of the different things China has to offer.  It wasn't an exciting trip to say the least.  When we were on our adoption trip to Ava, there was a local Walmart right across the street from the hotel.  They had tons of neat stuff.  But not this one.

After Walmart we went to the pool at the hotel.  Since both Halainah and Colton love the pool it makes for an easy afternoon.

We are approaching the end of our trip now.  Tomorrow we fly out of Changsha, Hunan Province for the last leg of our journey to Guangzhou.  This is about the point where we feel like we just want to be home to start our lives together.  It's getting hard living out of suitcases, we miss Ava tremendously and although Colton is one of the easiest babies I know, we still need to get him into a permanent routine.  

Colton just goes with the flow.  We have been on the go since we got him and he is fine with it.  We are starting to see his feisty side as he is now getting comfortable with us.  He was touching something that he shouldn't touch today and Tony kept taking his hand off of it.  Colton was getting angry and started to grunt.  It was really cute but we can tell he has a stubborn streak to him.  

Colton is also starting to cry when one of us leaves the room.  That's amazing and is a sign of his bonding to us.  He wants to be with us all the time and doesn't want us out of his site.  We did see a little melt down this evening.  But he was very tired and wanted his bottle and I wasn't getting it fast enough.  Once he had his bottle he was a new child and quickly drifted off to sleep.  

This evening after Colton's bottle, I was laying next to him.  He kept looking deep in my eyes and touching my face.  I wonder what is going on in his tiny little head.   He easily goes right into his crib when it's night night time and will talk to himself and finally fall asleep.  At first I thought this was great.  But this evening it occurred to me that this is the way he has been falling asleep for his entire life because nobody was there to rock him, or sing to him or just hold him.  He had no choice but to self soothe and put himself to sleep.  It was so nice to see him starting to accept his new life.  He is not used to all of the hugs and kisses.  In the beginning he would pull away.  But now he can't get enough.  

Please pray for us tomorrow as we will be boarding yet another flight to Guangzhou to complete the last items of the adoption.  We leave the hotel at 3:30 and will arrive in Guangzhou close to 9:00 pm.  Please pray Colton does well on the plane. 

We found out today just how much Colton loves noodles.  Just like his sister!  We called her noodle girl in China and now we have a noodle boy!  Just put a few noodles in his mouth with chopsticks and he slurps them right up!

ORPHANAGE VISIT AND FINDING SPOT

Today was a very emotional day to say the least.  But I am so thankful that I was able to visit my son's orphanage.  It was something that I dreamed about for each one of my children but only became a reality for Colton's journey.  

Our day started out very early.  We had to meet our guide in the lobby at 8:00 am.  The drive to the orphanage was 2 1/2 hours each way.  As our van pulled out of the hotel, a bus came out of nowhere and  crashed right into us.  Everyone was fine but we were scared.  We had to wait for another van to come and pick us up.  And on the way home from the orphanage the van started to smoke and there was a horrible smell.  Turns out something was wrong with the air conditioner so another van met us on the side of the highway and picked us up to finish our trip back to the hotel.  

Once we got to Colton's orphanage we found out that it's also a place where older citizens reside.  The orphanage director and nannies were very happy to see Colton.  They invited us to stay for lunch and of course we were happy to stay.  The food was delicious and there were so many different dishes they offered.  They were so kind to us.  They explained to us that international adoptions have dropped in the last few years.  Partly due to their being fewer children and partly due to the fact that there are more domestic adoptions which is really nice to hear.   They also told us that they believe Colton was meant to be our son.  With Domestic adoptions you are able to go into the orphanage and choose a child in which you want to adopt.  We were told that many Chinese citizens wanted to adopt Colton but his file was already locked to our agency and to our name.  We certainly know that the Lord has his hands all over Colton's story and he certainly was meant to be our son.

Colton seemed ok.  He wasn't exactly happy or sad.  He sort of just soaked it all in.  He's way too young to understand it all, but I do believe it affected him in some way.

Before showing us around the orphanage staff decided to take us to Colton's finding spot.  So we all loaded into the van and they drove us to the hospital in Loudi City in which he was left.  It was a very busy area there and the hospital was nestled between a few other businesses.  Tons of people walked past us.  I clutched Colton tightly wondering if his birth mommy still walks that road.  Or has she never returned since placing her child in front of the hospital and walking away?  I have no doubt that she picked this very spot carefully knowing that someone would find him.  We have pictures of Colton shortly after he was found.  They are very hard to look at.  He is covered from head to toe in bug bites.  My heart aches wondering how long he was outside before he was found.  

I will never know exact details.   I only have pieces of his puzzle that I can give him when he's older.  No specifics but at least I have some information for him.  I feel as his mother I want to give him more but I am helpless in that area.  All I can do going forward is to promise him that I will love him forever and ever.  I can give him an amazing future that will perhaps make up for the missing pieces to his past.

Once we returned to the orphanage we were given a tour.  My heart is still so sad.  No child should ever be without the love of a mommy and daddy.  Yet there are millions of orphans in the world.  I saw things today that will always lay a burden on my heart.  The sadness in the children's eyes breaks my heart and the thought of what their future holds is too unbearable to imagine.  The nannies do all they can to love on these children.  Colton was loved I am sure of.  But they can only do so much.  

Halainah handed out lollipops to all the children.  All were so grateful to receive a sweet treat.  Some ran up for seconds and thirds.  Halainah is still too young to understand it all.  But on her level, she understands that these children do not have a mommy and daddy.  She understands that is where her story began.  Yet she doesn't understand that they may not have the happy ending that she has and honestly I am glad about that.  

Colton recognized his main nanny right away and he went to her when she put her arms out.  I was happy about that as I felt he needed to feel secure at that moment.  When it was time, he gladly jumped back into mine which made my heart very happy.

We were able to see Colton's room and his crib.  We were able to meet those that slept in the same room as him.  We were able to ask questions freely.  Most orphanages do not allow adoptive parents to visit.  I am so thankful that Colton's allowed us to.

There's just so much more on my heart that I wish I could share.  I think I need to keep some of it private for my son.  This is his story and if he wants to share it later in life then that is his choice to make.  What I do know is that a piece of me was left in his orphanage.  I pray one day the Lord sends a mommy and daddy for each one of those children.  I know the odds but I also know all things are possible with prayer.  And I will continue to pray for each and every one of them.

Colton continues to do well.  He is opening up more and more everyday.  He is a funny little guy who loves to mimic and play games.  He seems to love his new family and we are head over heels in love with him.  Some have asked his size.  Although he looks huge in pictures, he wears a size 12 month clothes.  Thank goodness because that's what size I brought with me.   I even put a few 9 month onesies on him.  

He's so amazing and I pray he loves us as much as we love him!!  

To my Ava...we miss you terribly.  It has been really hard being so far away from you.  We can't wait for you to meet your little brother.  1 more week and we are coming home for you!  Thank you for being such a good girl for Grandma!!

Please understand that I am only posting a few photos of Colton's orphanage and finding spot.  Some of them are just too personal for him.

Orphanage Pics:

Finding Spot Pics:

ADOPTION DAY! COLTON IS OURS FOREVER!

Today we returned to the Civil Affairs office to complete Colton's adoption paperwork.  Yesterday we were given 24 hours to think about whether we wanted to adopt Colton or not.  Today when we returned we had the choice of returning him or keeping him forever.  Come on now...he's ours and we are never giving him up!  

We were asked questions like why we wanted to adopt from China.  And if we love our new son.  We were also asked if we still loved him regardless of his special need.  I don't think I ever explained what Colton's special need is.  His special need is the birthmark he has on his right cheek on his face.  Do I love him even with his special need?  What special need?  Colton is perfect in every way.  He is exactly how God wanted him to look.  Personally I think his birthmark makes him look even more handsome if that's even possible.  

Once we answered all of the officer's questions, Tony and I put our red thumbprints over our signatures.  And they placed Colton's footprint in red ink on our paperwork and that sealed the deal.  He is ours forever and ever and we thank God for giving us this perfect miracle.

I cannot even explain how perfect Colton is.  He is the happiest baby that is just so content to be with his new family.  He does not cry at all.  Ok...just a tiny bit but honestly it's only if he somehow hurts himself.  He will sit for hours just playing and smiling.  Today we heard his little baby talk.  He was talking up a storm and smiling.  He is starting to show us his true self and we are loving it.

Today at the Civil Affairs office the head nannies came to complete their side of the paperwork.  They wanted Colton to come by them.  So they were waving him over to them.  One of the nannies came over to him and put out her arms to pick him up.  He turned his head into Tony's arms, he didn't want to go to them.  He was perfectly happy to be with his daddy.  I'm sure that has got to hurt the nannies feelings.  But maybe it makes them happy to see Nan Nan (Colton) so happy to be with his forever family.  We honestly were not expecting Colton to make such an easy transition.  Sure we prayed hard for it but we also tried to prepare ourselves for the worst too.  

After the Civil Affairs office we took Colton and Halainah swimming in the hotel pool.  Our guide told us Colton wouldn't like it so it wasn't a good idea.  Well let me tell you...he LOVED it!  He was splashing and laughing.  He didn't want to get out.   Halainah had a blast in the pool too.  She loves the water and would have spent the entire day in the pool if we let her.

Halainah is a wonderful big sister.  She plays with Colton for hours and makes sure he is happy.  And she loves to give him his bottle.  She keeps saying..."isn't Colton perfect?"  

Colton is definitely delayed with his motor skills but we weren't expecting anything else on that end.  He is currently 14 months old and cannot pull himself from a laying down position to a sitting position.  He does not walk or crawl yet.  He gets himself on his stomach and sort of just pulls himself a little bit but then gives up.  He can hold himself up in a standing position when he is leaning on something.  He can grasp small objects like cheerios but it takes a little bit of time.  These are all things that he will pick up very quickly now that he is with us.  Halainah wasn't even sitting up when we adopted her at the same age so I am happy that he is a little more advanced than she was.

We love watching our son blossom.  We love learning new things about him, like, when he is tired he will suck his thumb and that is the only time.  Also, when he is tired he will start making baby sounds.  When he is happy he rocks back and forth.  

Tomorrow we visit Colton's orphanage.  I'm so excited and also very glad that Colton has attached himself so well to us.  If he didn't we would have cancelled the orphanage trip.  His nannies are so happy that we are coming to visit.  Tomorrow will be the last day that they will see him.  When we were at the Civil Affairs office, one of the nannies called to see how Colton did his first day.  She wanted to know if he ate and slept well and once she found out that he did, she was relieved.  They really took such great care of him and I can tell that they will miss him tremendously.  We will also visit Colton's finding spot tomorrow.  It's going to be a big day...and I'm sure a very emotional one as well. 

GOTCHA COLTON ANTHONY!

Today was beyond amazing and we are thanking the Lord for taking us on this journey.

First, look at the pictures because I know that is what you came here to see anyway :)

Colton is a true gift from the Lord.  Today could not have gone any better.  Thank you Lord for our cherished Son.  

When we arrived at the Civil Affairs office, Colton was not there yet.  So that gave us a chance to calm down a bit and get all of our camera equipment out.  I was starting to get a little nervous but for the most part I was pretty calm.  Halainah on the other hand, was bouncing off of the walls in excitement.  

About 15 minutes later, Colton arrived with his nannies that he is most close to.  He did look a little nervous but he wasn't crying so that was a good thing.  His nanny sort of put him on the floor while he was standing up and leaning against her.  So she brought him closer to me.  He seemed calm so I decided to scoop him up.  He was still content with no tears.  I gently spoke to him and gave him a few kisses.  He was still totally fine.  Halainah began to play with him and he started to laugh.  Before we knew it, we had Colton cracking up and he was so happy.  Colton let both me and Tony hold him with no problems at all.  It was almost like he knew us.  His Gotcha Day reminded us a lot of Halainah's.  

The orphanage staff told our guide that they were very surprised that Nan Nan (Colton) was not crying because at the orphanage when a new person would visit and try to hold him he would cry.  Colton had the photo album that we sent him in his hands and as he was sitting with us, he kept pointing to our pictures and looking up at us and than back down at the picture.  It was almost like he recognized us.  

We stayed at the Civil Affairs office for a while doing paperwork.  During that time, Colton was playing and laughing as if he had been a part of our family for a while.  

Once we got back to the hotel, he was in desperate need of a bath.  Since he seemed to be doing ok, we decided to try out the bath.  Again, he did very well.  There were a few tears that were shed but I think it mostly had to do with the fact that he was cold.  

After his bath, we went out to eat.  We decided to eat at the hotel so that we didn't have to go out in the heat again.  Let me tell you, Colton can eat!  He is not picky as long as you are shoveling it in his mouth.  He opens his mouth like a baby bird.  It really is the cutest thing.  

After we ate, we came back to our room and played for a while on the floor.  I made him his bottle exactly how the orphanage told me to.  He really didn't drink much of it.  So not sure if he ate too much at dinner or if he didn't like how I made it.  

At this point Colton was very tired and getting a little cranky.  So I rocked him to sleep and off to bed he went.  Just like that...no fight.  He simply fell fast asleep in his Mama's arms.  

We are so in love with our son.  We are so happy that we listened to the Lord when he said he had another child waiting for us in China.  Today has been all I have prayed for.  And I pray every day is just as good.  Thank you for your prayers.  The Lord heard each and everyone of them.  

It was a long day today and we are very tired.  I will let you know more about our amazing son tomorrow.

A FEW HOURS BEFORE GOTCHA

In a few short hours we will be making our way to the Changsha Civil Affairs office to meet our son.  We are already in love with him.  For 4 months we have studied every inch of his body in pictures.  We have read the few updates we received on him over and over again.  And we have dreamt of this moment.

At this moment Colton is saying goodbye to the only family he has ever known, his caretakers at his orphanage.  Are they crying?  Are they hugging and squeezing him tight?  Are they waving goodbye to him as he drives away to make the 2 1/2 hour drive to the Civil Affairs office to meet his new unfamiliar family?  Is he sad right now from all of the commotion?

Gotcha Day is so bitter sweet for me.  It's the day an adoptive mom dreams about from the first day you hand in your application.  2 1/2 years of dreaming of a child comes down to this 1 day.  It's the most exciting day for us, we get to hold our son and love on him face to face.  We get to shower him with tons and tons of kisses and tell him how cherished and loved he is.

Yet we know too well, that it's a traumatic day for our son.  He is being taken away from the only family and life he has ever known.  He doesn't understand any of it.  He will not be dressed in the same clothes or sleep in the same bed or hear the same sounds.

I pray Colton's transition is easy.  And if it isn't, I pray he allows us to comfort him.  

So even though I am beyond excited to meet my son.  I am sad for him that he is leaving his formal life behind.  But I promise him that we will give him the best life full of love and joy and most of all family...a mommy, a daddy and two of the best sisters in the world.

I can't wait to share our son with you.   I can't wait for you to see the miracle that the Lord has given us.

ARRIVED SAFELY IN CHANGSHA, HUNAN PROVINCE

We have arrived safely and are now in our hotel room in Changsha, Hunan Province.  Tomorrow is Gotcha Day!  Woo Hoo....the moment we have been waiting for.  Unfortunately we will not be meeting Colton until 3:30 pm China Time instead of the morning which is a bummer.  But it will give us time to enjoy a nice breakfast and come back to the room to organize and prepare for his arrival without rushing.

We are beyond exhausted and are still trying to recover from jet lag.  I am so shocked and wasn't expecting this.  We have always acclimated so well arriving in China.  We are up every morning at 4:30 or 5:00 am so needless to say by 6 or 7 pm we are exhausted.  Hopefully we will adjust soon.

There's not much to report today.  Our flight from Beijing to Changsha was pretty smooth and seemed to go quick.  The overall flight time was 2 1/2 hours.  Halainah slept the entire time.  

Hunan province is known for their spicy food so that is a little bit of a struggle.  I like spicy food but the food here is beyond spicy.  No one speaks English so it's nearly impossible to order food.  Our guide gave us a menu to a place near our hotel and explained the food choices to us.  She circled the ones we wanted.  We went to the restaurant by ourselves and gave them the menu that we circled.  When the food came it didn't look like what was in the picture so not even sure if it was the food we wanted.  The food was good but SPICY.  Tears were running down my face and all I wanted was something cold to drink.  Unfortunately, they do not believe in cold drinks in China so we had to drink warm juice.  I think it's going to be a struggle to eat around here.  Good thing we are adventurous and we will figure it out.  

We have Colton's crib in our room now and I can't wait to see him sleep in it for the very first time with his new family.  Halainah keeps saying "Can you believe that Colton is going to have a mommy and daddy and sister's tomorrow?"  I think she gets it...maybe not on a grand level but she gets that Colton does not have a family to call his own right now.

We are so excited to meet our son.  We were told today that they are granting us permission to visit Colton's orphanage.  His orphanage will be the only one out of all of our children's that we are able to go to.  I have been praying that we would be given permission.  When you adopt, you try to gather as many pieces of their past life while you are in China.  I won't be able to answer all of his questions when he gets older but if I can give him clues...pieces of his past...maybe he won't feel so empty.  Hopefully Colton bonds to us well, otherwise the trip back to his orphanage may be difficult for him.  I think we need to play it by ear but I'm praying that he bonds well and we are able to make the visit.  

Since today was mainly a travel day I do not have many pictures to share.  But tomorrow for Gotcha Day, I will have tons.

Oh and one more thing...we are in Southern China now.  So when I told you that Beijing was hot, Changsha is 100 times worse.  The humidity here is awful!   I will never complain about the heat back at home again.  It truly just does not compare to the heat here.

Thank you for your prayers.  Todays prayer request is that Colton's heart accepts us and he lets us calm him when he grieves.  Pray that his grieving is minimal and his adjustment is quick.  Thank you for being our prayer warriors.

This picture is of Halainah enjoying a bag of chicken flavored potato chips at the airport.  I thought they were gross but she LOVED them!  

We are coming for you Colton Anthony...our cherished son FOREVER!