Home.

Home.

How wonderful it is to be home.

It was a privilege to be able to visit another country, experience its beautiful culture and meet so many wonderful people.  But coming home is like being wrapped in a warm comforter on a cold winter’s night;

there's nothing else like it.

And now, being home almost two weeks with our new son, we are all adjusting and transitioning into our new normal, and this normal feels great.

So much has happened since we arrived home, and I want to share some of the highlights and fill everyone in on how things are going.

We arrived home late in the evening on August 24.  Lani had Ella and Ross waiting for us at our house, they had decorated with a welcome home banner, streamers and balloons.  I cannot put into words how I felt when Ross and Ella came running out of the house to meet us, I had missed them so much and my heart was singing as I smothered them with hugs and kisses.  It wasn’t long before they were running to the other side of the van to greet Logan who was still in his car seat.  Logan recognized them from the pictures we had shown him and from our time Skyping together.  They all took to each other right away and are so close now that you'd think they’ve been together for much, much longer.

 

Logan is doing incredibly well.  It’s so much fun sharing all his new experiences with him.  I’ve taken for granted the simple pleasures in life that, to Logan, are amazing discoveries to be explored and enjoyed.

It was adorable to watch him walk through grass for the first time as he used large, exaggerated steps to make his way across the yard.  He was a bit frightened with his first encounter with bubbles, but he soon realized the fun of chasing and popping the bubbles as they floated by…

He’s conquered the backyard slide…

And enjoyed his first ride on a carousel…

 

Our only challenge comes at naptime and bedtime.  We were told by the orphanage that Logan slept in a crib.  We began his new bedtime routine his first night with us and when we went to put him in the crib in the hotel room, a look of terror came over his face and he began screaming and crying.  We quickly understood that, for some reason, bed time was traumatic for him.  There have been a couple days this week when naptime and bedtime have not brought about such a frightening reaction by Logan and we’re starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel for him.  Slowly we’re seeing him become calmer as we prepare him for sleep and we’re praying that soon he’ll be able to enjoy the routine of snuggling up to read books, rocking, lullabies and the comfort of a warm bed.

He is enjoying his siblings and he loves having a big brother as much as Ross loves having a little brother…

 

All the kids are smitten with him and I so enjoy seeing them having fun together…

He celebrated his third birthday this week…

 

And we look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with him.

He has already learned some English words and he has taught us quite a bit of Mandarin.  But it’s remarkable how the love of a family can break through the language barrier…

It’s been only two weeks, but it seems like he’s always been with us.  The journey to Logan was filled with endless amounts of paperwork, anticipation and excitement.  And now this journey with Logan is filled with endless amounts of joy and thanksgiving…

Logan's Journey.

Our bags are once again packed, this time for our voyage home.

This will be my last post from China before we leave early Saturday morning.

 

Almost two weeks ago we picked up our sweet, little boy.

He walked into the receiving room at the orphanage calling us mama and baba,

but he didn't really understand that we'd be taking him with us...for keeps.

 

On the bus ride from the orphanage to the Civil Affairs office

he cried silent tears as he sat on my lap.

The lump in my throat swelled and my heart cried for him.

 

We quickly learned that he carried a hunger from a belly that never knew the feeling of being full.

He also carried a hunger for a love he'd never known.

We filled his belly and

we filled him with love,

the love of a family...his family.

 

In less than two weeks we've seen this precious boy blossom,

opening up like a beautiful rose in the sunlight.

His personality shining through.

 

Two weeks ago we were strangers to him,

and now, it feels as though he's always been with us.

 

We can't wait to get back home,
to introduce everyone to our new son.
Until then, enjoy these last few pictures of our time in China...

He said nǐ hǎo (hello) to each of the statues.

 

I have another Starbucks kid!

 

 Pure happiness!

When we arrived in China we thought that our Journey to Logan
had come to an end...

 But truly, the journey has only just begun...

 



Guangzhou

 

We arrived in Guangzhou on Saturday.

A typhoon had just made it's way through the area before our arrival, leaving hot and humid weather behind. 

Perfect weather for swimming,

or just splashing by the pool... 

 

We've spent quite a bit of time on Shamian Island.

The island is a famous historical area with beautiful parks, restaurants and tourist shops.

 

Of course we found the only Starbucks on the island.

Logan enjoying dinner on the island.



Tonight we enjoyed a river cruise on the Pearl River.

We went with the other families in our travel group.

It was a beautiful night and the view of Guangzhou was breathtaking.



 

 I'll soon post an update on Logan and how his transition is going,

but for now here is one last picture of our sweet boy and

a story about a new friend...

 

 

Jenni's Story

This is our new friend Jenni who we met while walking along the streets of Shamian Island. 

She was with her four year old son and stopped to ask about Logan. When I told her that Logan is our fifth child, she said that I had very good luck.

I told her that it wasn't luck, but that each child was a blessing.

Jenni asked what a blessing was, she said she had never heard that word before.  I told her that each child was a gift from God.

Her face lit up and she quickly showed me her necklace, pointed to the cross and said, "I know Jesus too, I am a Christian."

She took us to her store where we met her husband.  She told me the story of how she and her husband met at the church on the island, the church where they eventually would be married.

She said that her husband plays the calabash flute at the church each week. 

He played a song for us and it was a privilege to hear him play, he's an amazing musician.

Before we left, she gave me, Olivia and Julia each a bracelet that had a traditional family ball charm on it. 

She said they were gifts from her because we were her family in Christ.

The Forbidden City

Today we visited the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

The Forbidden City was the imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.  It was amazing to walk the grounds where emperors once walked.

 

Here are several pictures from our day...

Logan always likes to point at me when I take his picture.

 

It was an incredibly hot and humid day,

but that didn't stop us from having a fantastic time on our tour.

Logan seemed unimpressed by the rich history that surrounded him.

Logan playing with Jiejie Olivia's camera.

Our day ended with a tour of a local silk factory.

We were able to try our hand at making a silk comforter, but we weren't as skilled at it as these lovely women who make it look so easy.

 

Yesterday our adoption was finalized in China, it was very exciting to know that this little boy was officially our son.

Tomorrow morning (Saturday) we fly to Guangzhou where

Logan's medical exam and passport paperwork will be completed.

 

We are so thankful to everyone for your continued prayers and encouragement

and I'll post more when we arrive in Guangzhou...

 



Meet Logan.

We are overjoyed

to finally introduce you

to our son

Logan David

 ADOPTION DAY!

Meeting Baba (daddy).

Mama's joy.

Logan walked in holding his caregivers hand,

as soon as he saw us he called us mama and baba.

He is amazing!

It was obvious that the orphanage director loved our little boy very much.

She told us that we were now family and that we were welcome back any time.

 We had brought him a special backpack filled with goodies.

His favorite item was the toy phone.

Leaving his handprint on the paperwork at the Civil Affairs office.

He is incredibly smart.

It didn't take him long to master the stacking cups.

Taking his first walk with his new family.

Meeting Ross and Ella via Skype.

He loves his big sisters!

Having fun in the hotel pool.

We are so blessed and privileged to be given the opportunity

to parent this beautiful child.

More pictures coming soon...