Gotcha Day Video ...

Lena was placed in our arms.  We wanted to share the video of us in China when we first met our little girl.  We, along with 16 other families, waited ... and one by one little kids were brought in the room.

Finally, it was our turn ...

Daily Life with Lena...

We are enjoying being home! We've been home for two weeks now.  Lena had her first haircut and we went to the San Diego Zoo! She is very brave and doesn't scare or cry easily. She did well with the haircut and really liked the comb! The thing she liked most about the zoo was the music - they had a 'bell choir' and she loved that part! The orangutan's seemed to be very interested in Lena though!

Our Travel Group - CCAI 1663!

Here is a photo of our travel group! Yep - we're BIG! We hear it may have been the largest group yet. There were 16 families adopting, near 60 folks traveling! It meant a lot of BIG buses! Everyone was so friendly, patient, and kind that it was FUN traveling with a group this size AND everyone was always on time...how can that be???

The group had 11 boys, 5 girls adopted, all coming to the United States. We were the only family from California.
We hope to post the "Gotcha Day" video soon!

We're HOME!

We went from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, a short 2 hour lay-over, then the long flight to LAX. Lena slept a good portion of the 14 hour flight. She did just great the other hours. She is such a good sport about all the travel and changes she has experienced in the last weeks.

Besides jet lag and colds, we are all doing well. Here are a couple of photos.

We'll post more soon...

Homeward Bound!

It seems too good to be true - but tomorrow morning we leave bright and early for home.  We have lots to share about this incredible experience.  We've learned so much about so many things during this process - and it almost seems bitter sweet to be leaving this place - but as much as we've grown through adoption, about China and its culture, about the amazing families that went through this tedious process for the second and sometimes third time, and how important giving homes to special needs children is, and finally how so many brave children like Lena endure.  Janna and I never expected how much this experience would teach us.

We're all packed and excited to bring our Lena home!

Lena!

Here are some pictures of Lena!

Zhengzhou to Guangzhou

We ended another segment of our trip and on to the home stretch.  We've had time to spend with our daughter in between paperwork and meetings.  We received Lena's Chinese Passport (hard to read but it's definitely her photo).

Lena is doing amazing.  She's adjusting well and parts of her personality are starting to show.  She just turned 18 months on Thursday.

The next step is a doctor's visit, consulate appointment and Visa documents.  We can see Thursday, December 9 quickly approaching - that's when we get to take Lena home!