tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79802346268845461332024-03-13T19:35:44.830-04:00Natalie....Our China DollHome with our girl and doing well!Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-48809444528754575812010-11-11T11:07:00.002-05:002010-11-11T11:17:30.577-05:00Halloween 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG_BpGQghjwrBApBXpumSq4SpcYlj1gGa4EfYPba5vPP1Dtlkfd71RhSVRaYI-fiGyGbnrIIrxldkNGQMMckkm3VnDmoBVRUZJRuTaYQxNN7JQtk0Y3V-KzU7jF7ZBCAsLbCWCqlWg6oG/s1600/DSCF2003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538326967882219474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYG_BpGQghjwrBApBXpumSq4SpcYlj1gGa4EfYPba5vPP1Dtlkfd71RhSVRaYI-fiGyGbnrIIrxldkNGQMMckkm3VnDmoBVRUZJRuTaYQxNN7JQtk0Y3V-KzU7jF7ZBCAsLbCWCqlWg6oG/s200/DSCF2003.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_ekFAeHzGpwyIi_-OzN4O7_5dkOgPUPOXaglt4jar45JS3p74sgWeEVmUxm7bW-wo0LVzqQDcCWD5Ny3zA3YXSb4hGN3X4XMezbX7lD-47aj6mJuw5EOOWYKAIzlmO9MRm7_j3fpo1Io/s1600/DSCN3464.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538326964084013026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_ekFAeHzGpwyIi_-OzN4O7_5dkOgPUPOXaglt4jar45JS3p74sgWeEVmUxm7bW-wo0LVzqQDcCWD5Ny3zA3YXSb4hGN3X4XMezbX7lD-47aj6mJuw5EOOWYKAIzlmO9MRm7_j3fpo1Io/s200/DSCN3464.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u75ishiicmVEdz0q6b865We5PbQFfVW-kCktB5g3W90O-HZNNS6ljUsojwTKet8YXRbo2oXyAwfrlu3kPZMRYVZEVC3crGA8TlJcICG2bbLtV13z1h6DOjq5-7BePpANwSLQz1gQoCmQ/s1600/DSCN3428.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538326959903109554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u75ishiicmVEdz0q6b865We5PbQFfVW-kCktB5g3W90O-HZNNS6ljUsojwTKet8YXRbo2oXyAwfrlu3kPZMRYVZEVC3crGA8TlJcICG2bbLtV13z1h6DOjq5-7BePpANwSLQz1gQoCmQ/s200/DSCN3428.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigq8Y3qd0zhjlHSKA1Jerf7Hh45COaKC9N74gTJWyLlykot8PEbp1dG5mkvHIKYWkdEN5YfswbORABXT_lwx_X45nMeNYVLC94batrSnk5TY0YVGjUFYvEseyZc6zDGiFkhP5D31CZEAYs/s1600/DSCN3423.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538326955157726386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigq8Y3qd0zhjlHSKA1Jerf7Hh45COaKC9N74gTJWyLlykot8PEbp1dG5mkvHIKYWkdEN5YfswbORABXT_lwx_X45nMeNYVLC94batrSnk5TY0YVGjUFYvEseyZc6zDGiFkhP5D31CZEAYs/s200/DSCN3423.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMSxFDrf_zpH9Wt7ZSRrfZPowEFBpNpTl7a2uR6n6c08Ilk7DGa6j1o3_GjV4Oo5wy0J8UgXVsyDsKif05q64sfl2Bc9jIJuIgO9Zo5Tz2ox4DOFFBx4AzJuBt0SSkLaF_ajZHqSVlxjo/s1600/DSCN3401.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538326949462041426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMSxFDrf_zpH9Wt7ZSRrfZPowEFBpNpTl7a2uR6n6c08Ilk7DGa6j1o3_GjV4Oo5wy0J8UgXVsyDsKif05q64sfl2Bc9jIJuIgO9Zo5Tz2ox4DOFFBx4AzJuBt0SSkLaF_ajZHqSVlxjo/s200/DSCN3401.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Of course we were excited to share one of our favorite holidays with Natalie. However, at first she was somewhat uneasy with the whole idea of dressing up in some goofy outfit. <a href="mailto:T@rget">T@rget</a> had the cutest garden gnome costumes this year. Unfortunately for us they were for toddlers. After some major net surfing, I ran across the <a href="mailto:Tr@velocity%20Traveling%20Gnome">mailto:Tr@velocity%20Traveling%20Gnome</a> costume. I figured this was my last year of having any say with the girls and their get-ups. So I used it to my advantage and got them all to be gnomes. After a couple of knocks on the door, Nat was getting into the groove of "Twick n' Treet". Here are a few pics of our festivities and some random soccer ones. This was her first trophy! So she was extremely proud! Enjoy~~~~</div></div></div></div></div>Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-23234095301607003322010-10-05T22:07:00.003-04:002010-10-05T22:16:52.073-04:00The Time is Flying By....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-djx708vH2KNiVZTfG2tpKGAPEMroq0Y64-dPtOXljOM_nDFq2g_C_HqladYAWvZftXh8uAzSuufOGL0bfYbBQ0aSedqSsoKkkTLx9DxCkJ3Klwxl_OINVUnjxKmTd96F3tNRPbIlLoxh/s1600/DSCN2853.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524751216159332194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-djx708vH2KNiVZTfG2tpKGAPEMroq0Y64-dPtOXljOM_nDFq2g_C_HqladYAWvZftXh8uAzSuufOGL0bfYbBQ0aSedqSsoKkkTLx9DxCkJ3Klwxl_OINVUnjxKmTd96F3tNRPbIlLoxh/s200/DSCN2853.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQtEM4kt42MXOfkD1dz1PV5ZcA7wwzL7LD-Y3uB5lubMfWGlxj2LFY1O0QshiLFaBR_-vdOJvezxMpKK1iugVgxhFeT0Qe0ZseNw1w1mIemHSAlzC1P1GJm4Y4btG0u2eFGm1XRDlXuRP/s1600/DSCN2742.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524751211479187346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQtEM4kt42MXOfkD1dz1PV5ZcA7wwzL7LD-Y3uB5lubMfWGlxj2LFY1O0QshiLFaBR_-vdOJvezxMpKK1iugVgxhFeT0Qe0ZseNw1w1mIemHSAlzC1P1GJm4Y4btG0u2eFGm1XRDlXuRP/s200/DSCN2742.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJVQKEToNOiQ04_ZV2jOHxR7Ly2N-yVER1-Bpio2x55B6mUGBapw8l0K01BecjCcxQYzrtmi56hj7_tYHTAkWMQ6APzvfBrCJFL5LnjLYJ9eKhqm365J6yAUKgs3zae7QVU5EHbmA-rnH/s1600/DSCN2712.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524751206694347714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJVQKEToNOiQ04_ZV2jOHxR7Ly2N-yVER1-Bpio2x55B6mUGBapw8l0K01BecjCcxQYzrtmi56hj7_tYHTAkWMQ6APzvfBrCJFL5LnjLYJ9eKhqm365J6yAUKgs3zae7QVU5EHbmA-rnH/s200/DSCN2712.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVausc-5n1GfiZI-203tk8RRTreMyYuckH_JjfJnI_S8OX8S1mL7xZ6F8OLvroXGMNvv9eS6O3Vhmv58KQnlhEha6mjN2Vcl9Ev4eecPxnqYSe0zQftUJ5aHtyMeZylU3jptHmE-H1ySx5/s1600/DSCN2652.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524751204418943442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVausc-5n1GfiZI-203tk8RRTreMyYuckH_JjfJnI_S8OX8S1mL7xZ6F8OLvroXGMNvv9eS6O3Vhmv58KQnlhEha6mjN2Vcl9Ev4eecPxnqYSe0zQftUJ5aHtyMeZylU3jptHmE-H1ySx5/s200/DSCN2652.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8KDSyNhpbDTM7pciBkM86vjd83m0MyXZhdh5J8K_RhlZ0_RnRLD4uWygjQLvCbYyxWCB1FMmG8cG1P30NV32YPexu_UTtO3Lvujwy90rcvSarIZWSvQYQPuwuybEjqLooRKEuiNUGQCF/s1600/DSCN2628.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524751200784449874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8KDSyNhpbDTM7pciBkM86vjd83m0MyXZhdh5J8K_RhlZ0_RnRLD4uWygjQLvCbYyxWCB1FMmG8cG1P30NV32YPexu_UTtO3Lvujwy90rcvSarIZWSvQYQPuwuybEjqLooRKEuiNUGQCF/s200/DSCN2628.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Sorry guys but this is the first time I have had a chance to sit down and actually post some pics. Nat is doing well at school. Her English is getting so much better everyday. It is such a blessing to see her flourish and come alive so much in such a short period of time. Last week we had a 3-day break from school. With all of that rain from TS Nicole...we loaded the girls up and headed west. What a wonderful break from day to day life and to get to share some of our family traditions with Nat. Enjoy the pics!</div></div></div></div></div>Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-23563043600329349232010-09-18T22:12:00.003-04:002010-09-18T22:22:03.112-04:00Home At Last!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxk3CPeOVAMKAA1fNX_08kxdbsd6A9Q77FQqkz7AIw55zRrw4jVn6-PnnhP43Z95gxYnD2h2MfaBV7o9U34Za22sSYUlXH9G6AIg_Qws43qWIUR-f_XhNloM5yP01tLPLGgN0Pp3GFgba/s1600/SDC12572.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518444009792333490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxk3CPeOVAMKAA1fNX_08kxdbsd6A9Q77FQqkz7AIw55zRrw4jVn6-PnnhP43Z95gxYnD2h2MfaBV7o9U34Za22sSYUlXH9G6AIg_Qws43qWIUR-f_XhNloM5yP01tLPLGgN0Pp3GFgba/s320/SDC12572.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gAhf_nQpgrj-ePc_AJSpuVBL6P9-MFRRe7DmMA2xnF1nYO7vOCsKR5-R_OM1sbU1md81fD_vvvEDJDtAzBY5R_jzFX6fo-30Zgp4RDG33RESBI8S5IgJ9bfkvY3X6YV7jaZ9Oii6EHBF/s1600/SDC12558.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518444003599149826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gAhf_nQpgrj-ePc_AJSpuVBL6P9-MFRRe7DmMA2xnF1nYO7vOCsKR5-R_OM1sbU1md81fD_vvvEDJDtAzBY5R_jzFX6fo-30Zgp4RDG33RESBI8S5IgJ9bfkvY3X6YV7jaZ9Oii6EHBF/s320/SDC12558.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayuhrlR7PTlEKljiAhZxPnaFwe7nihB9PP7r0niHIOGF82P7QkQZC5mAEFsxayASXSky4fkei2Mlh9zB1wH7gci3eI4bXYHDG6u88e57NrM0S3puWe5ShhkU_D1GEppRU0Jt3FYZdzyO0/s1600/SDC12557.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518443990193373986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayuhrlR7PTlEKljiAhZxPnaFwe7nihB9PP7r0niHIOGF82P7QkQZC5mAEFsxayASXSky4fkei2Mlh9zB1wH7gci3eI4bXYHDG6u88e57NrM0S3puWe5ShhkU_D1GEppRU0Jt3FYZdzyO0/s320/SDC12557.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Hello!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Just wanted to chime in for a bit..we are Day 1 into our lives with Natalie. Got in to Raleigh last night around 730. Stopped and had some dinner with Grandma/Grandpa & Aunt Kelly! What a nice surprise to turn that corner at the airport and see so many loved ones there waiting! Flight home from Hong Kong was awesome! Not a bump in the whole ride. Our plane was 2 levels, had 16 flight attendants, 4 engines on each side and 12 escape doors! Talk about a monster! Regardless of how large the plane was, we were packed in like sardines and not an empty seat in the whole house! How weird was it that we went from daylight to night and back to sunrise/daylight all in one flight! Such a huge experience for the girls!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>It is Saturday night and after a day of trying to convince myself that I could stay awake, I finally collapsed this afternoon at 3 pm and took a 5 hr nap. And the really sad part is I am quite certain that I won't have any issues giving in to a lofty slumber here shortly!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Took Natalie to Sweet n' Sassy for a new hairdo & some new earbobs! First thing she said to the stylist, who need I mention had platinum blonde hair, she says "I like black hair!" How funny, she just new she was gonna be the next Asian Barbie! Bless her heart! So, she is dolled up and ready for her Welcome Home party tomorrow!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Here are a few more pics!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Hope all is well!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>T</div></div></div>Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-21154188571120232212010-09-15T20:10:00.001-04:002010-09-15T20:10:51.010-04:00Last Post From China<p>Good Morning/Evening ! <p>The day has finally come! We are headed downstairs for our final breakfast here at White Swan. Wow! Have we been spoiled! We went to the US Consulate yesterday afternoon for our oath ceremony. Such an emotional packed event. A milestone of one journey coming to an end and the start of a new and more exciting one. We leave Guangzhou today at 4 pm headed to Hong Kong. Taking a train ride which should be about 3.5 hours. Another chance to get to experience all the aspects of China. <p>I caught Natalie staring out the hotel window yesterday and at that moment I came to realize that she really understands what is going on now. Such a brave little girl. Cannot wait to get her home to meet her family and friends. Please be in prayer with us during this leg of our journey. Not only for our safety, but for the smooth transition of our daughter into her new family. <p>See you guys soon!! <p>Teresa <p>P.S. Here are our last <a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/albums/xx262/teresacapitalfire/Oath%20Ceremony%20%20Heading%20Home/" target="_blank">photos</a>. You can view all photos <a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/home/teresacapitalfire/allalbums" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-59681338302866939182010-09-11T20:05:00.001-04:002010-09-11T20:05:23.908-04:00September 12, 2010<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"> <p>Good Morning Everyone! <p>I know I've not been the best blogger since being in China, however the last little "world-turning upside down paperwork catastrophe" has kinda got me a little gun shy in regards to posting. With everyone's prayers and the Lord's blessing not to mention poor Todd's above and beyond call of duty dedication we worked thru it. The package should be arriving here at the White Swan on Monday. The time has flown by! It is already Sunday! We are headed out to the Safari Park today with the kids. Is it wrong that I've already started packing my luggage to come home? :) <p>Christy J and her crew met us for dinner last night at Lucy's. It is soo nice to hear someone else with a Southern twang in their voice. We introduced Natalie to saying her blessing before meals. With all of the ups and downs we have had this week, I admit adding another facet to our already huge pile of frustration was something I had decided to do once we got home. <p>We have our days. She is 11 yrs old, however her stature suggests around 8 or 9. She is definitely tiny. However, our guide says it's because she is Cantonese. They are always small structured people. I was wondering about the squatting thing of Chinese people. So, what does every curious American do? They GOOGLE it! And I discovered that the Chinese believe that squatting vs. standing helps alleviate the stress standing places on the spine. Wow! Who would've thought. <p>So enjoy our <a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/albums/xx262/teresacapitalfire/Saturday%20Guangzhou/?albumview=slideshow&track=share_email_album_view_click" target="_blank">pics</a> from our outing last night! The live animals in the tanks are choices for dinner if you are interested! Yes, flounder was normal, however the water beetles, eels and snakes kinda pushed me over the edge. The once thought deep-fried pigeons that we saw suspended from their necks have later been identified as some sort of duckling. Yummy! <p>Where is Olive Garden when you need it! <p>Countdown has begun! <p>See ya'll soon! <p>T</p></td></tr></tbody></table> Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-88141066314574800182010-09-07T18:46:00.001-04:002010-09-07T18:46:03.474-04:00September 7, 2010<p>Good Morning! Finally! All of the nerve wrecking paperwork at the Civil Affairs Office is complete as of yesterday. Our little Nat has definitely come out of her shell so much! We went swimming at the pool yesterday for the first time and went out for hot wings last night! Let me tell you, that girl can put a serious hurtin' on some wings! She decided that she wanted some sunglasses like Ashton's. So we got her some LV's (I'm sure they are genuine) :) and she is a self-proclaimed movie start. Hilarious! As you can see in the <a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/albums/xx262/teresacapitalfire/Gotcha%20Day/" target="_blank">pics</a> she is awesome and is doing well. We have some moments but considering only one day into the process, we are going to be just fine. <p>Headed to the security office here in Guangzhou today to apply for her passport to come home. She calls Ashton, "sista" and me "Mather"...still working on the mommy thing. For some reason "mother" makes me feel like I should be about 60 years old and in a wooden wheelchair. :) All is well...all of our buddies will be here on Sunday. Cannot wait! <p>See ya then! <p>T</p> Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-14015837332216444972010-09-07T10:46:00.001-04:002010-09-07T10:46:00.841-04:00China Trip/Gotcha Day Photos<p>You can check out all of the photos at <a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/home/teresacapitalfire/allalbums" target="_blank">Photobucket</a>.</p> Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-45147078961787314092010-09-05T15:56:00.002-04:002010-09-05T16:02:12.651-04:00Day 2 – September 5, 2010 and the Adventures of Peng<p>Sunday September 5, 2010 <p>Early this morning we left Beijing headed to Guangzhou. After flying with China S*outhern Airlines and realizing that the Chinese people do not like anything cold i.e. air conditioner, cold beverages etc. needless to say that 3 hr. plane ride ended with a class on Chinese acupuncture coming across the TV monitors in the plane. <p>All of my preconceived notions about how Guangzhou was this tiny secluded place where I thought there would be a lot of rural areas were totally shot out the window when we arrived. Wow! Never will I let my predetermination's set the tone for what's to come. Our guide Lucy meets us at the Guangzhou airport. We head out talking about what our day will consist of tomorrow. Go exchange money at bank early in the morning. Make more copies of your passports and the list goes on! Meet us in the lobby at 2 pm to go to the Civil Affairs Office..here you will meet your daughter! Why is this so hard to believe? After all this time..less than 24 hrs. we will have our Nat!!! Amazing it has finally hit! The tears start flowing as we leave the airport. Just thinking I am in the city of my child's birth parents. Somewhere out there in this crowded place walks a woman who has no idea that in less than two weeks her daughter will be gone from here. Gone to be with her new family. I sit here and think about the huge sacrifice this woman has made. I pray for her conscious, I pray for her ability to know that somehow her child is loved already. I pray for Natalie to be able to see our actions in a positive light. Not just another couple who comes and take these children away from all they know. I can only imagine how Natalie is going to feel. After being in country for only 3 days now, the smells are different, the language is different, the people are different...I get it! I totally understand how hard this is going to be for our child. Please pray for her to jump back into life and understand that we love her even though we've never touched her soft hands. Only admired her photos from afar... <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP1zfFknZI/AAAAAAAAAHM/tr-jw9Iy6lI/s1600-h/DSCN1592-1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1592-1" border="0" alt="DSCN1592-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP1zgNmSYI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/_zp5VWdMp_U/DSCN1592-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP10pIZs2I/AAAAAAAAAHU/qzR2fAQLtsw/s1600-h/DSCN1588%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1588" border="0" alt="DSCN1588" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP10_BrPuI/AAAAAAAAAHY/LB4K5EjXskg/DSCN1588_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p><p>Peng takes and elevator. Peng missing his cell phone.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP11-aL8bI/AAAAAAAAAHc/B4TMjGlxQow/s1600-h/DSCN1587%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1587" border="0" alt="DSCN1587" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP12E4JBZI/AAAAAAAAAHg/TwLjNaL5rdA/DSCN1587_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP12ypltNI/AAAAAAAAAHk/OF6CQ75d7T4/s1600-h/DSCN1586%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1586" border="0" alt="DSCN1586" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP13F-ISdI/AAAAAAAAAHo/0cLxyue4ico/DSCN1586_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p><p>Hanging out in Beijing. Peng at the Forbidden City</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP131_3_gI/AAAAAAAAAHs/hTQYHeXaXtY/s1600-h/DSCN1584%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1584" border="0" alt="DSCN1584" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP14H5nWTI/AAAAAAAAAHw/JiPu2vWh-JA/DSCN1584_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP14wTGUsI/AAAAAAAAAH0/-l8HjJj9mcE/s1600-h/DSCN1580%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1580" border="0" alt="DSCN1580" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP15fX7rdI/AAAAAAAAAH4/eHddo51hn7g/DSCN1580_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p><p>Making one last call. Waiting for a bus.</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP16HEOtRI/AAAAAAAAAH8/ukUsa3T1MUo/s1600-h/DSCN1579%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1579" border="0" alt="DSCN1579" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP16mzzjNI/AAAAAAAAAIA/HrpL1Yt5vCQ/DSCN1579_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP17JNj2iI/AAAAAAAAAIE/wMkpJ2mqrAU/s1600-h/DSCN1595%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1595" border="0" alt="DSCN1595" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP17vs7M_I/AAAAAAAAAII/vb4m41MiN6c/DSCN1595_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p><p>Obeying traffic rules. Peng checking out. <p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP18dGHrTI/AAAAAAAAAIM/iCMDN2PhAgI/s1600-h/DSCN1597%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1597" border="0" alt="DSCN1597" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP18vdO8wI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/aX7cduXbQFU/DSCN1597_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP19f1S3RI/AAAAAAAAAIU/3zWuiBvpJqE/s1600-h/DSCN1599%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1599" border="0" alt="DSCN1599" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP198_fugI/AAAAAAAAAIY/0Px8Pzxnj_U/DSCN1599_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p><p>Saying goodbye to Water. Checking out the White Swan.</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP1-lB-owI/AAAAAAAAAIc/UA8hDI8RkGM/s1600-h/DSCN1602%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1602" border="0" alt="DSCN1602" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP1-8D71nI/AAAAAAAAAIg/fa9imI-nlZE/DSCN1602_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP1_tBmRaI/AAAAAAAAAIk/F0CqmQXACLs/s1600-h/DSCN1603%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSCN1603" border="0" alt="DSCN1603" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIP1_5DHc7I/AAAAAAAAAIo/k42ZQJ6qRgw/DSCN1603_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p><p>View of Guangzhou from room. </p>Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-48794997853478755152010-09-04T16:04:00.001-04:002010-09-04T16:04:57.707-04:00Day 1 - Beijing<p>Hello from Beijing: <p>Well, it's 2 am here and I was hoping to be a little more acclimated at this point but I'm sure a few days will be better. Yesterday was crazy! Ashton and I started out around 0530 got dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. So excited to see French toast & bacon! Yummy! Had a nice, satisfying breakfast and then headed outside to check things out. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKl_4S2lrI/AAAAAAAAAEI/OYQvvT2ylzE/s1600-h/DSCN1412%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1412" border="0" alt="DSCN1412" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmAQVU9MI/AAAAAAAAAEM/EgdnQ7qUWBQ/DSCN1412_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="center">Hotel restaurant</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmBJEJQ7I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/daF5UaRgMUY/s1600-h/DSCN1409%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1409" border="0" alt="DSCN1409" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmBm0dxBI/AAAAAAAAAEU/89s8G9DoGhg/DSCN1409_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmCFys2II/AAAAAAAAAEY/A97zE0dWaKA/s1600-h/DSCN1398%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1398" border="0" alt="DSCN1398" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmCeOQ5zI/AAAAAAAAAEc/2Mc8hJeMR4w/DSCN1398_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="center">Our hotel</p> <p>Not too much going on in Beijing at 0630. But let me tell you...it doesn't stay like that long. By 1000 the streets were packed, horns blowing in his strategically orchestrated dance of city traffic. Not an angry or stressed out face was to be seen. Amazing! Already China has taught me that there are some things in life you have to accept and realize it is what it is! <p>Our guide picked us up around 9 in the lobby. We were heading over to the Great Wall. On our way we stopped off at a local jade factory. Not only was it a museum, there were sculptors displaying their works and a huge store ready to be immersed with those American dollars. I am not a huge jade fan. Some people can pull it off...not me. I'm the same way with turquoise, really weird. So instead of spending money on something that I knew I would never wear, I decided to pick up a few small things for the girls. I'm sure before I leave there will be something I just can't live without. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmDIL2bZI/AAAAAAAAAEg/btSM-i-ydco/s1600-h/DSCN1426%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1426" border="0" alt="DSCN1426" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmDgDlzRI/AAAAAAAAAEk/xs0GT58wafA/DSCN1426_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmEQae-dI/AAAAAAAAAEo/_QUqSq8_jmg/s1600-h/DSCN1429%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1429" border="0" alt="DSCN1429" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmE_anNLI/AAAAAAAAAEs/0usJIv5Dtt4/DSCN1429_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center">Traditional way of putting on a jade bracelet <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmFpQr_UI/AAAAAAAAAEw/PM-qdsJ2Hb8/s1600-h/DSCN1433%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1433" border="0" alt="DSCN1433" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmGExzdWI/AAAAAAAAAE0/-_55e8PP2DE/DSCN1433_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center">Those girls again <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmG0M_4gI/AAAAAAAAAE4/tRj9hA9x-Xw/s1600-h/DSCN1437%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1437" border="0" alt="DSCN1437" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmHP85_BI/AAAAAAAAAE8/9zsxlX-ZaBk/DSCN1437_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center">Lined up outside the Jade Factory</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"> <p>At the Great Wall the heat and aridness of the mountains really kicked in. Why had I never figured out that these steps were so steep? I'm talking nosebleed section here! Thank goodness I wasn't the only one struggling. Whew! I think my legs were still shaking when I went to bed last night. It was really random. Being the nerdy tourist that I am, Ash & I get our pics taken in the traditional Chinese garb. While standing there looking as out of place as we did, these random people just kept showing up in the middle of our photo shoot to stand beside us for family pics. It was almost flattering however the expression on my beet red face does not convey that at all. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmIFvvMhI/AAAAAAAAAFA/Fiqj8tP6jz8/s1600-h/DSCN1445%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1445" border="0" alt="DSCN1445" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmIUpj0UI/AAAAAAAAAFE/RYRFmKUU4MM/DSCN1445_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center">Great Wall <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmIzZum1I/AAAAAAAAAFI/nb9IBWc29UA/s1600-h/DSCN1446%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1446" border="0" alt="DSCN1446" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmJLjyj0I/AAAAAAAAAFM/nq9kLmrVc7k/DSCN1446_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <p align="center">“Great Crowd” on the Great Wall <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmJ2xEkkI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/krBsKh90_P8/s1600-h/DSCN1447%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1447" border="0" alt="DSCN1447" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmKsY83rI/AAAAAAAAAFU/vmxbfDX2fEw/DSCN1447_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center">Our guide, Water <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmLfoNI2I/AAAAAAAAAFY/d_hHx8heanA/s1600-h/DSCN1448%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1448" border="0" alt="DSCN1448" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmL5g1UwI/AAAAAAAAAFc/toCwNf827p8/DSCN1448_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center">Getting ready</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmMUbfT8I/AAAAAAAAAFg/mETzrv5dUfQ/s1600-h/DSCN1449%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1449" border="0" alt="DSCN1449" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmMvkXC3I/AAAAAAAAAFk/c362u8QINwc/DSCN1449_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmNlKONwI/AAAAAAAAAFo/E6kUPXLsz_Y/s1600-h/DSCN1450%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1450" border="0" alt="DSCN1450" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmNzbhlZI/AAAAAAAAAFs/-f2eepYQPTw/DSCN1450_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="center">Still getting ready</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmOnlj2wI/AAAAAAAAAFw/mIU_xn1HvyY/s1600-h/DSCN1458%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1458" border="0" alt="DSCN1458" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmPJFcYVI/AAAAAAAAAF0/6F4zZKRZNYE/DSCN1458_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="center">The “Great Stairs” of China</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmPkRThVI/AAAAAAAAAF4/1y434ISECv4/s1600-h/DSCN1467%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1467" border="0" alt="DSCN1467" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmP-Z9e7I/AAAAAAAAAF8/44l4QwAHzsE/DSCN1467_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmQ8skIoI/AAAAAAAAAGA/GhT6oM4NdTY/s1600-h/DSCN1476%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1476" border="0" alt="DSCN1476" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmRQ3picI/AAAAAAAAAGI/QbIBv-kIh5A/DSCN1476_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="center">New friends</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmSBoqyvI/AAAAAAAAAGM/vx_5CeJMabI/s1600-h/DSCN1470%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1470" border="0" alt="DSCN1470" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmSxRb9GI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/PVyXvR2KFtM/DSCN1470_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="center">Did I mention it was 400 degreesF!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p>The rest of the afternoon went well. Headed downtown to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Still smoldering from the Great Wall the walking around brought a hugely deserved breeze. Again while walking around this young Chinese teenager asked for our photo with her as well. Not that I mind that at all, it's just weird to know or not know rather where these pics are gonna end up. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmTgzY9NI/AAAAAAAAAGU/Jgr3cqB-e7s/s1600-h/DSCN1494%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1494" border="0" alt="DSCN1494" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmTzhLHiI/AAAAAAAAAGY/uzjtkWTQH0U/DSCN1494_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center">Lunch! <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmUn9W4wI/AAAAAAAAAGc/PIggwzQ3b7E/s1600-h/DSCN1508%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1508" border="0" alt="DSCN1508" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmUyLO0JI/AAAAAAAAAGg/rVDnUkIprdk/DSCN1508_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center">Forbidden City <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmVjkokzI/AAAAAAAAAGk/AivyzgcuZ7o/s1600-h/DSCN1515%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1515" border="0" alt="DSCN1515" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmV0WqW-I/AAAAAAAAAGo/e2ELMDrCIKg/DSCN1515_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center">Meiguoren <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmWiMn0EI/AAAAAAAAAGs/0tI9qbc2a40/s1600-h/DSCN1543%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1543" border="0" alt="DSCN1543" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmXNrNcfI/AAAAAAAAAGw/_TQkBKs3o58/DSCN1543_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmXwyUFgI/AAAAAAAAAG0/SuEcqJsvNfY/s1600-h/DSCN1559%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1559" border="0" alt="DSCN1559" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmYaP9dJI/AAAAAAAAAG4/T02af_7JsgA/DSCN1559_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmY8pBszI/AAAAAAAAAG8/e3pyf_gOhEI/s1600-h/DSCN1561%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1561" border="0" alt="DSCN1561" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmZIMLdII/AAAAAAAAAHA/v3FmfcoHFwE/DSCN1561_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center">Chairman Mao on Gate No.1 <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmZyhf31I/AAAAAAAAAHE/OGGgTBdOyqE/s1600-h/DSCN1562%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1562" border="0" alt="DSCN1562" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UH76rXZTJAI/TIKmaO8ciII/AAAAAAAAAHI/-e9DTb3RLRU/DSCN1562_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p align="center">Tiananmen Square <p>Off to acrobatic show. Boy, this day has really took it's toll on me and Ashton. Hoping to get some sleep.We fly to Guangzhou in the morning and still in denial that on Monday, less than 48 hrs, we get to meet our little princess...Cannot wait! <p>See ya soon! <p>Teresa & Ashton</p></td></tr></tbody></table> Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-81728597282260085672010-09-03T08:30:00.001-04:002010-09-03T08:30:31.507-04:00We Made It!<p>Just got to our room in Beijing about an hour ago...it's now 7:41 pm here...after a 2 hr delay from Chicago it has been a long, long day. Traffic is horrendous here in Beijing. Our guide "Water" is so nice. We are staying at the Holiday Inn-Downtown Beijing. If I weren't so exhausted Ashton and I might go look around. But I think I'm gonna take a rain check for now. <p>Headed to The Great Wall/Forbidden City & Tiananmen tomorrow...Will post pics later...</p> Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-77082100509193120632010-09-01T20:33:00.002-04:002010-09-01T20:40:21.483-04:00The Night Before ForeverWell, here we are! After 5 days of haggling with ticket agents and trying to adjust agendas, not to mention a little incident that came up with our agency, I can honestly admit I am exhausted!!! Physically, mentally and emotionally. The excitement of this journey still hasn't set in yet. Not sure because the travel came about so quickly that I haven't had time to enjoy it. But I think it was a saving grace of going now rather than later. If I had to wait two more weeks to travel, like we were supposed to then I think I would be a basket case, well more than I am now.<div><br /></div><div>Ashton and I are headed out in the morning. We leave RDU @ 0745 headed to Chicago not much of a layover there. Then headed to Beijing. We arrive there Friday China time at 240 pm. Headed to Tiananmen Square BEFORE we check in to our hotel. By that point, I'm sure I will have shut-down. But in an attempt to get acclimated to our new time zone, I think it's the guide's duty to keep us as awake as possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday we leave Beijing and head down to Guangzhou. We get Nat on Monday at 230 pm. Then the fun begins. I pray that she will not have hard feelings towards us because we are taking her away from all she's ever known. But I hope she will understand that a family and sisters and home...it will be good..I just know.</div><div><br /></div><div>Headed out at 840...forgot to get my passport pics done...ugh! Where has my head been...</div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time....Beijing!</div><div><br /></div><div>T</div>Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-41972297075584229042010-08-27T08:37:00.002-04:002010-08-27T08:53:58.913-04:00MIA, I Know!Well, soo much has happened since my last post! We received TA on Wednesday 25th. Originally requested 28th of September for our CA (consulate appointment). However, noticing that the 25th is on a Tuesday, the week after the Autumn Moon Festival in China. The Chinese offices will be closed the whole week before the 28th not allowing enough time to get Natalie's paperwork to take the CA appt that is mandatory. Thinking of how hard it is to already leave for 2 weeks, I asked our agency rep to see if it were possible to get an earlier CA. It will be so much stress on us initially but at least I won't be sitting in Guangzhou a whole week with nothing to do and still risk the possibility of not getting her documents. After sitting on pins and needles all yesterday afternoon and most of the night, I wake up to an email from Kerry stating that we got our appt on 09/14 @ 1030 am. Yippeeeee! I know it's gonna be tough but I also know that sitting here for another 2 weeks waiting to leave would be tougher. Let's get this show on the road! I will be home on September 17. The bad news is I have to depart/arrive from Raleigh..Ugh...that 2 hr drive home after flying for 30 hrs..not too enticing. I think Todd and I have decided to just stay in Raleigh that Friday night after we arrive home. Just to get some rest and get the girls together asap!<br /><br />So, FINALLY, it is happening! After sooo many years of waiting! Your prayers and support have been tremendous! Thanks again for everything!<br /><br />TJourney to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-71852270428584582572010-08-23T21:50:00.003-04:002010-08-23T21:57:18.170-04:00Monday,...Again!So off to a new week. I've decided that I wanted to make these little envelopes for Caroline & Claire to open each day we are gone to China. So, after trying to figure out how to come up with something that wouldn't make them sad and something that would let me finish them without bawling my head off again I had quite a successful trip to Party City today. Bracelets, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">lipgloss</span>, soccer ball erasers and who knows what else is in that bag. I plan on starting tomorrow. Because I STILL don't have a travel date, I'm not sure if I have enough goodies for every day. So, I will just keep waiting and waiting and waiting...and surely it will come sooner or later!<br /><br />Friday night...I just had this huge tear fest...I mean downright boo-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">hoooing</span>...it had no specific origin...It just finally sank in that my oldest will be a senior in 4 years....I can't believe it..I mean I still remember the ultrasound to confirm my pregnancy...where does it go? They are all changing so much...Claire has been asking me for a year if she could shave her legs when she turns 12. Poor little thing is a hairy little beast...so I caved...yes, against my best wishes I now have 2 daughters that have crossed into the dark side of being a woman...ugh! I want my babies back! I want them all to wear matching St. Paddy's, Halloween, 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of July, Easter t-shirts & scooter skirts just like they did not so long ago!!!!<br /><br />It's a harsh reality. Ready or not they will grow up and leave and then come back with more....<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">YIPPPPPEEEE</span> cannot wait!<br /><br />Keep praying for a TA soon!!!!!Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-26530675101974331502010-08-19T17:26:00.003-04:002010-08-19T17:38:57.190-04:00First Day of School<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXpVkQ4utnDMRNzAWQgOSZw3vYrDtXTyRGKiWKvsjQLwLyMYM3GIn552z2BzVnCrLw3Bt0VQfbFFxuTPe75aW8cUjB6wULA_2lnxJZBtTaKCRDyw7dupq9UxoETq2NqerIGQqDd-_WQta/s1600/DSCN1366.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507238222774486194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXpVkQ4utnDMRNzAWQgOSZw3vYrDtXTyRGKiWKvsjQLwLyMYM3GIn552z2BzVnCrLw3Bt0VQfbFFxuTPe75aW8cUjB6wULA_2lnxJZBtTaKCRDyw7dupq9UxoETq2NqerIGQqDd-_WQta/s320/DSCN1366.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXxFiGuKvbDpvNinNiSHl6ubc-i4urOT28RbNU9GDyvBfn8Sl_-TW4NRcUqwJ6jiXGeMVZF1Z6XaGAXFWOCTWvwThaknxKYRF1Re8JV-FEowdeDeKAipa5SFLc-yjorNCxpJmK10WPX54/s1600/DSCN1368.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507238215835807186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXxFiGuKvbDpvNinNiSHl6ubc-i4urOT28RbNU9GDyvBfn8Sl_-TW4NRcUqwJ6jiXGeMVZF1Z6XaGAXFWOCTWvwThaknxKYRF1Re8JV-FEowdeDeKAipa5SFLc-yjorNCxpJmK10WPX54/s320/DSCN1368.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Jl_r1IH8NLFgW9G5-xfAPDzhzeGEccXbYQbbX2ITWKiOfz8sgd0x_lttYPT9ouDCK-nbn3JRrAsuuDa3vsNZ5p_xfb4Ih1VoYlBUG7-XURD4jjy2PQ-5Dy5AG5YQgwHFaQEpU9FeK3o2/s1600/DSCN1363.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507238209829204898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Jl_r1IH8NLFgW9G5-xfAPDzhzeGEccXbYQbbX2ITWKiOfz8sgd0x_lttYPT9ouDCK-nbn3JRrAsuuDa3vsNZ5p_xfb4Ih1VoYlBUG7-XURD4jjy2PQ-5Dy5AG5YQgwHFaQEpU9FeK3o2/s320/DSCN1363.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>We did it!!! First day of school has come and gone! Wooohooo! Girls survived, everyone is glad to be home and the best part is tomorrow is Friday! I could sooo get used to this! Still nothing from China...geez..get on with it now people! Got a sweet little girl waiting on me who probably thinks we are never coming!!!!</div></div></div>Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-73736740146622470062010-08-17T23:46:00.000-04:002010-08-17T23:46:08.910-04:00Research-China.Org: Trees in the Forest V -- Finding Locations, Part 2<a href="http://research-china.blogspot.com/2007/11/trees-in-forest-v-finding-locations.html">Research-China.Org: Trees in the Forest V -- Finding Locations, Part 2</a>: "#10 -- Bridges<br />No finding location strikes me as stranger when I am doing research than our next finding location, bridges. Often have I stood on a bridge in the middle of the countryside, looking for some reason why a family would leave child there. Often one finds a reason: a bus stop, a house, or some other explanation, but often there is no apparent reason. Nevertheless, in 2006 a little over 2½% of children found were found at bridges. There is one common thread that connects most bridges, and that is that they have heavy foot-traffic as farmers, students, and women walk to fields, schools and markets."Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-46858482995661047802010-08-17T21:44:00.003-04:002010-08-17T21:49:18.509-04:00School Daze!Well it's only the Tuesday before school starts and I am already exhausted!!! I know that this year is going to be full of surprises, ups/downs and new beginnings for all of us. Yesterday I think I was in this huge state of denial...cannot believe that summer is over and still no news of travel. But the rumor tree is rustling it's leaves....from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">privileged</span> sources it is believed that our TA should come by this week's end or early next. Allowing for travel either first or second week of September, depending on available Consulate <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Appts</span>. Then the mayhem will commence. Reservations, flights, scraping that last chunk of money needed to take with us. The scary thing is a huge amount will have to be carried on me while travelling..Am I excited about that...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ummm</span> no!!! But I am a very cautious person by nature...so I will make sure I am safe in every regard!<br /><br />So as soon as I hear something so will you guys! Wish me luck as I embark on a new year of 3, soon to be 4 little girls but with the Lord's blessing we all will be fine!<br /><br />Talk soon!<br />TJourney to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-62325051107535267982010-08-15T18:03:00.003-04:002010-08-15T18:09:56.573-04:00Lookey Here!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuYAFT1ciUCAvRBeiMZ4Y1N3XUA-QETaDeDcsRcb0Nndz3Xuz0FL1bzjNXsgbb7tWxvp8fyJwSAI9TrmMLfVU7NOjF96K4EbT67d332wFVpnaM9HLh1Mk-j6HnPr5o2fG0-mQVeIVOTRq/s1600/DSCN1354.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505762296230704114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuYAFT1ciUCAvRBeiMZ4Y1N3XUA-QETaDeDcsRcb0Nndz3Xuz0FL1bzjNXsgbb7tWxvp8fyJwSAI9TrmMLfVU7NOjF96K4EbT67d332wFVpnaM9HLh1Mk-j6HnPr5o2fG0-mQVeIVOTRq/s320/DSCN1354.JPG" /></a><br /><div>When we first got photos Natalie...she was holding a painting that she had done at Camp Ox. Camp Ox is where our agency got together with the orphanage and had plays, skits, arts/crafts and just an overall good time that the kids don't normally get to have. I spoke with one of our agency reps on Thursday and asked if it were possible that they still had Nat's picture. So, Saturday after nearly dying at our yardsale we had, I came home to find this in the mailbox...What an awesome surprise!! It was so surreal to know that finally, I have touched something that our daughter has touched. Even though we've never held hands this was enough to get me through until we get there! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Next big question...WHEN???? I wish we knew. I do know that I start back to work at school tomorrow...and then school actually starts officially on Thursday. My biggest fear all along was it would be so close to school starting and then we would be gone for the first day. I have NEVER missed a 1st day of school for any of my girls...so I do believe the Lord was looking out for me to not have this happen. Our agency has said that we should've had TA by now. It seems there are 6 families should have been notified of travel before then....but we will see. The Lord's timing is PERFECT and I know that...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Enjoy this beautiful day....starting to feel a "nip" of autumn in the air....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Until next time...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>T </div>Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-85178722989866569832010-08-11T15:04:00.004-04:002010-08-11T15:09:15.061-04:00How Quickly Time Flies When Your Girls Grow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3uL-Wz9OgeE7keWjaCX5pml-kWxPYqeTWw55iX0DbMtdWFu6NjVHUqx1Fbu3asyHZsbgmJCsrhZ11KmF_iY1Z8uhLjhj1q0T1ZI07TQFKUQpqWJHmNE6vH0UH08m1HgkZxTMSaX7xqQw/s1600/ashton+2317.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504231153608465970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3uL-Wz9OgeE7keWjaCX5pml-kWxPYqeTWw55iX0DbMtdWFu6NjVHUqx1Fbu3asyHZsbgmJCsrhZ11KmF_iY1Z8uhLjhj1q0T1ZI07TQFKUQpqWJHmNE6vH0UH08m1HgkZxTMSaX7xqQw/s320/ashton+2317.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZVK33kNJ66PKZSy9s9CxuhlY-RraQZ2B5IO7-7YdtxzJ1BMB1fGTZD8SuWWn-c5b1nrH8Tvn5r0RQP6NP_vei5o3ntnQKWrJ2VNrhtgmMb0_m76ZHugB6k0kirRP2fu5fHVk8GiIXhRv/s1600/ashton+2314.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504231148804190482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZVK33kNJ66PKZSy9s9CxuhlY-RraQZ2B5IO7-7YdtxzJ1BMB1fGTZD8SuWWn-c5b1nrH8Tvn5r0RQP6NP_vei5o3ntnQKWrJ2VNrhtgmMb0_m76ZHugB6k0kirRP2fu5fHVk8GiIXhRv/s320/ashton+2314.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Looking back through some pics today, I stumbled across last year's first day of school pics. Wow! What a difference a mere year makes! I am hoping that we are still here for the first day...have never missed one yet!!! I'm sure we will..school starts back next Thursday and I'm sad..I admit...but they are excited! That is their whole little social networking nest...so enjoy!</div></div>Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-54671679980057250022010-08-11T14:40:00.001-04:002010-08-11T14:40:36.415-04:00Listen to bmwfeismoms Playlist<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI4MTU1MjAwMzQ4NCZwdD*xMjgxNTUyMDMxODEyJnA9Njk*MzAxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmbz*zY2RjYmRlZWM5MDU*/MDkwODc3NzExOTM1YmJkYmE5MiZvZj*w.gif" /><div style="text-align: center; margin-left: auto; visibility:visible; margin-right: auto; width:450px;"> <object width="435" height="270"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.playlistproject.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_green_shuffle.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.playlistproject.net%2Fpl.php%3Fplaylist%3D79949898%26t%3D1281551998&wid=os"></param> <embed style="width:435px; visibility:visible; height:270px;" allowScriptAccess="never" src="http://www.playlistproject.net/mc/mp3player_new.swf" flashvars="config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indimusic.us%2Fext%2Fpc%2Fconfig_green_shuffle.xml&mywidth=435&myheight=270&playlist_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.playlistproject.net%2Fpl.php%3Fplaylist%3D79949898%26t%3D1281551998&wid=os" width="435" height="270" name="mp3player" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" border="0"> </embed> </object> <br/> <a href="http://www.playlistproject.net"><img src="http://www.playlistproject.net/mc/images/create_green.jpg" border="0" alt="Get a playlist!"/></a> <a href="http://www.playlistproject.net/playlist/20467173899/standalone" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.playlistproject.net/mc/images/launch_green.jpg" border="0" alt="Standalone player"/></a> <a href="http://www.playlistproject.net/playlist/20467173899/download"><img src="http://www.playlistproject.net/mc/images/get_green.jpg" border="0" alt="Get Ringtones"/></a> </div>Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-3786567693751703632010-08-09T21:54:00.002-04:002010-08-11T15:28:05.039-04:00Ah Monday!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0prl0BwMn-HYYGJErUB1S-QU-XKCc_kbXXaFVnXyHv1sqtaqYszvE79y9SMdxHXK-nEAvInoNMUmFEUIXf1s1Z-grbRo_QZFUSqZBWXJdItfkJmvz3MXANW_w_F90EqF8FDKQ3Vco8PV/s1600/DSCF0215.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504229692232717586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0prl0BwMn-HYYGJErUB1S-QU-XKCc_kbXXaFVnXyHv1sqtaqYszvE79y9SMdxHXK-nEAvInoNMUmFEUIXf1s1Z-grbRo_QZFUSqZBWXJdItfkJmvz3MXANW_w_F90EqF8FDKQ3Vco8PV/s320/DSCF0215.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiryPufiezHBIjmXpyZOIFTsuueXjYO5xmeXWbf5V1psed2MLQ-P1UtgKlwMQFxZLpfJlZll0anM4YHL3l34AZ3FyztXkhUm9F3PQEslpsd331PJFLHIXaSY1d8fgtlRZUW8WIHS0oj0-/s1600/39059_1174699343863_1719450425_338203_428700_s.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAXn86uz3Hje19qxSvkcmpzFYRH7lO0YjVVzDz-I9ELhEG_hjra0xaA9Hf0yu-AZri4TYzb_u2mZBXA6tXJPnsXrE86QchV1Uegh-opNAdqSF4_dz_ycmIyc2BjKWsq39_6P6LOgUufcC/s1600/DSCN1314.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503596977827109442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAXn86uz3Hje19qxSvkcmpzFYRH7lO0YjVVzDz-I9ELhEG_hjra0xaA9Hf0yu-AZri4TYzb_u2mZBXA6tXJPnsXrE86QchV1Uegh-opNAdqSF4_dz_ycmIyc2BjKWsq39_6P6LOgUufcC/s320/DSCN1314.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Today has been wonderful! The girls and I have a whole week scheduled of appts. doctor today, dentist tomorrow, violin/church on Wednesday, hair on Thursday and my little one is hoping to squeeze Grandma's in one more time before D-Day! I think I've figured it out! I am OVERWHELMED!!! There I said it!!! I know it's going to be ok...I just know that and I think today I am at peace with that..FINALLY!</div><div></div><br /><div>It's also a blessing to know that I'm not the only one feeling these apprehensions and they too will pass and just be a fleeting glimpse of unneeded stress!</div><div></div><br /><div>Here are a couple of pics of the girls from last week. The day after my surgery I had to head to downtown Raleigh to pick up Todd's POA (since he's not travelling to China) and we stumbled upon an awesome museum. So, needless to say, I took the girls to run around and burn off some steam. They were so patient with me the day before with the surgery. Sure, I didn't need to be there...but we had a blast! Enjoy!</div></div></div>Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-88167535474568620282010-08-08T21:35:00.000-04:002010-08-08T21:43:28.270-04:00Sunday....Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I posted...for a couple reasons. Been fighting this funk that I have been in for a few days now. I dont know if it's because I still do not remotely feel like myself or maybe I'm coming down with something? Not sure...ugh! Hubby thinks I'm nesting...I wish! I wish I knew something more definite...school starts in a week and a half. Which means I'm back full-force there as well. There are a couple more items that need to be addressed in C & C's room. Nothing serious, moreso Mommy being the weirdo that I am, has this huge issue with completion. That all would be fine and dandy if we were loaded but I think having to come up with such large amounts of money here lately and just all of the stuff that needed to be done here at home has finally took it's toll on me...Overwhelmed, I think that is the term that describes me to a "T" at this point. Me a planner? Oh my gosh yes! I am in charge of all family vacations and activities from start to finish. I just do things the way I do them...and this whole adoption journey has told me that regardless of how in control I think I am, the Big Guy comes in and shakes things up a little just to get me back baseline. Paitience, Faith, Servitude, Compassion, Obedience these are just a few terms that keep things in perspective for me.<br /><br />Trying to get some rest...I just want to feel better!!!!!!!<br /><br />Night all...Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-15060243919421027772010-08-04T09:30:00.002-04:002010-08-11T14:54:48.616-04:00Day 1---Post OPHello all...so glad this computer doesn't have a live webcam on it or you would think I've been backed over by a dumptruck! Na, not really but maybe that's how I'm feeling! The pain meds and anesthesia officially worn off last night-early morning...around 3 am precisely. After fighting all afternoon with Percocet, I figured I would try to get something more solid on my tummy and take 1/2 of the pain meds....so, I am as of 932 am EST, checked out of the hotel and headed to feed my lil ones some decent breakfast. I'm sure yesterday it consisted of nabs & soda....<br />I also learned that trying to yawn too early after jaw surgery is not the most comfortable move to make. I'm soo ready to get home in my old lumpy bed and rest. Well, praying for rest...<br />Catch ya'll later!<br /><br />TJourney to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-64130303350423911752010-08-02T08:30:00.001-04:002010-08-11T15:25:14.466-04:00A Surprise For This Morning!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRj_4Q7yUg4E4_A1hLA7jhcmDEMoSBUTtsnY9q9Tz0BsmZFZDej5gG6PSoNjxBIfzm1Z3MCdrFKEpgehJFfEhZj_Kpw_bFusuDNk_4nVZmkNw0cdxyYW4IQexfV7k8LOrSgRfZCbG5HTqX/s1600/nataliewindowdoll.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500790116882130162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRj_4Q7yUg4E4_A1hLA7jhcmDEMoSBUTtsnY9q9Tz0BsmZFZDej5gG6PSoNjxBIfzm1Z3MCdrFKEpgehJFfEhZj_Kpw_bFusuDNk_4nVZmkNw0cdxyYW4IQexfV7k8LOrSgRfZCbG5HTqX/s320/nataliewindowdoll.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nvRx_I7RvZphpmNUjJASikDay5pLBHF8chTh_cN7kZ5rJVYLHKRQ3FYP3q1uX0g-nr6K7fkr3PRxVhtKvsoyvONjYEmezCujPm0-t4Eyb33oKWvhz48cA8L8msdWieOlgqTRMAzItpCz/s1600/natalieporchdoll.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500790113454122386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nvRx_I7RvZphpmNUjJASikDay5pLBHF8chTh_cN7kZ5rJVYLHKRQ3FYP3q1uX0g-nr6K7fkr3PRxVhtKvsoyvONjYEmezCujPm0-t4Eyb33oKWvhz48cA8L8msdWieOlgqTRMAzItpCz/s320/natalieporchdoll.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div>Well this is a total shocker! Woke to an email from our friends who are in China now...I have new pics of Nat and her doll we sent her. So now I'm sooo excited and more certain that she knows we are on our way! She is the sweetest little thing...what a smile!!!</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Waiting to hear back from Chapel Hill this morning. I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning at 9. Since it's a university hospital, got to double-check they have the sedation meds on hand for my procedure. I sure hope so!!! I took off this whole week at work to have this done and I'm ready to go and get it over with!!! I am not a procrastinating person, never have been so therefore I don't do well with hurry up & wait...let's get there, get it done and get home...so please be in prayer for me that we can move this little obstacle out the way and move on!</div><div></div><br /><div>Enjoy our new pics of Natalie!!!</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Happy Monday!</div><br /><div></div><div>T</div></div></div>Journey to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-73709629330068498662010-07-29T15:42:00.001-04:002010-08-11T15:24:41.159-04:00Rainy Thursday!There's nothing more I love than thunderstorms and rainy days! I'd trade a bright sunny day anytime for a snuggly bed and a roaring thunderstorm with a few candles around...But today my thunderstorm experience consists of about 20 3 yr olds and Play-Doh...accented with un forgiving flourescent lighting..but they are my little darlings and I can't imagine not having them as part of my day.<br />Only two more days and my oldest is heading to Pensacola Fl for cheerleading camp. You would think after 2 years of this I would be emotionally prepared but this time I am coming up a little short. Granted, we have our moments...but it's these moments that I think we are at our closest. The little two are still camping with Gma & Gpa...everytime the chance of them going anywhere with the grandparents the girls are gone....Claire has learned to crochet this trip and Caroline is learning how to use a crab pot...those are great skills to add to their resume..however the time with my parents is invaluable and that is most important.<br /><br />Happy Thursday to all!<br /><br />Hang in there---Friday is just around the corner!<br /><br />TJourney to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7980234626884546133.post-84888330627321714692010-07-28T15:41:00.000-04:002010-07-28T15:44:02.361-04:00Saying Goodbye To A FriendHello all...just wanted to update you guys. The world lost an awesome friend, mother, Christian and just all around wonderful person. Goodbye Dawn...may you rest peacefully in your Holy Father's arms. I promise to keep an eye on your children for you while you're gone...see you again soon friend...<br /><br /><br />TJourney to Natalie...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05009173846254427740noreply@blogger.com0