Bringing Libby Home: Guangzhou

Home Sweet Home

After a total of 18 hours on 3 different planes, we are home. Libby did well on the 2 shorter flights and just ok on the long flight. It is hard to get comfy and sleep on plane seats and she fell off once which made her very leary of falling asleep again. We spent some time in the bathroom while she screamed herself to sleep, so we didn't bother other passengers. We also took turns sleeping on the floor so we would be more aware when she was rolling around during her sleep. We made it and I am happy to say when we got home, she also slept for 6 hours!! We are hoping the transition to the time change is a smooth one for all of us. We are so blessed and grateful to be home. Libby LOVES her brothers. She is doing better about not needing me to hold her as much, but only if she is on the floor playing. She is not ready to let me leave the room or let anyone else hold her. It will take some time, and I am amazed at how well she is doing overall. We welcome visitors, but you may want to call first as naps could be happening at any moment for any of us!!! Thank you again for your prayers. We serve an amazing God.

Ready to come home

We have had an amazing stay in China and have loved every minute of it, but we are very ready to come home. After a gliche in the system at the American Consulate yesterday, we have been cleared to leave and we have Libby's Visa. It is 7:00pm US EST time. The trip home involves 3 plane rides and a total of 24 hours so we need your prayers. We board a plane in Guangzhou at 11:55pm your time and take a 3 hour flight to Beijing. We have a 3 hour lay over in Beijing and get on a flight at 6:30am your time for a 13 1/2 hour flight to Washington DC. We then have a 2 hour lay over and board a plane at 9:30pm for our final 2 hour flight. Please pray for smooth plane rides, our health and safety and for Libby as it will be a long day and will be the start of adjusting to the time change for all of us. Thank you for your prayers and we thank God for His hand upon everything.

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Guangzhou

We are in Guangzhou, our final destination in China. We are staying at the White Swan Hotel, where most adopting families stay, so there are tons of American families with babies. It is nice. Not as big, new or fancy as the Intercontinental in ChongQing, but nice. The flight here was good and Libby fell asleep during the landing!!! She did well, and only fussed for a few minutes just before she fell asleep. Oh, and she vomitted all over her mom!!! Dad was holding her, and managed not to get a drop on him. She is not sick, so either the roll we gave her didn't agree with her or she had some motion sickness from the flight. but she has eaten again and is playing. Yesterday, we took a taxi to the Wal Mart. That was very interesting. It is a 2 story store inside a plaza. The grocery part took the whole bottom floor, and clothes, toys, sporting goods, etc.. on the top. A lot like the US in some ways and very different in others. Check out some of the pictures - the frogs were in the meat department!! We are about to check out the town and look for something to eat. There isn't a Pizza Hut, KFC or Starbucks right outside our hotel, but we will find something. Tommorow is Visa picture for Libby and shopping. We'll keep you posted. We will also be celebrating Easter as a family, without our Church but still very grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ who died on a cross for our sins. That alone is an overwhelming, amazing blessing.

2 comments:

The Bubblegum Tree said...: OH MY GOODNESS! Bundle of love was definitely the perfect name for LIbby!! Of course I am crying every time I look at her sweet face. I can't wait to hold her. I know she will probably cry since I'm not mommy but I'm fine with that : ) It is so incredible to see how God has brought such a sweet and perfect end to this long and difficult journey. Looking back it is amazing to think of all that He has taught you as you have learned to depend on Him! I am honored to have been able to watch and learn from the sidelines with you. Most of all it brings tears to my eyes to think of what a life changing moment I am witnessing for sweet Libby. Having a mom and dad who love the Lord with all their hearts who will teach her His ways is one of the best gifts God could give her and I'm so glad you are letting me share in this great blessing!! I love you ALL!!
Bethany
P.S. I know everyone thinks I love frogs but I do NOT want to buy them in the Wal-mart meat department - YUCK!; April 7, 2007 at 6:11 AM
Unknown said...: Scott said the fact that Rod didn't get a drop on him means he did just as he would do and point it right at Mommy.

Libby looks so content and very bonded to Mommy already!! What precious gift! Can't wait to see her in person.

Bethany is right. This has been an amazing journey and I too am honored to have been able to witness your strength and perserverence through it all.

My kids like looking at the lobsters at our Walmart here. I think Faith and Jospeh would just want to take the frogs home as pets.

Much love!
Kelly; April 8, 2007 at 5:21 PM