Two Weeks w/ HollyMei~

Two weeks ago God blessed us with the 9th beautiful blessing in our family~

HollyMei Qiuhan Ankerich

The look in her eyes is heartbreaking... NO idea what was happening to her.

How are things going now?

Better everyday!

We have seen huge growth in trust through attachment and bonding.

There is a twinkle in her eye and she is feeling the love of her family.

The first couple of days home she was a ball of nerves especially when it was time to rest or sleep.

She is sleeping a 2 hour nap plus 12-14 hour nights... huge for her health and overall good~

She is bonding sweetly to all her sibs... big and little.

She calls for baba and mama when she needs us or just because.

She does exactly what Evie does and usually that is good.

She is understanding more and more English.

She laughs and laughs when we repeat her Chinese phrases.

The boys have taken her under their wing just like they have Evie.

A one to one ratio is working out great!!! :)

Today it just felt right to get back in a some sort of routine.

Everyone up about 8 and breakfast right away.

Next chores and back to sunroom for the short version of school.

Holly joined right in and everything went great.

We went out about 11 for a walk but the rain cut it short so we came in for a little PBS.

Lunch and NAP time~

Is there anything sweeter than sleeping children?

Well other than them snuggled up in your lap?

Off to the pool when they wake up...

if the rain holds off.

Thankful to be home with our Holly baby!!!

Our Homecoming~ {Prayer is Power Filled}

We began our journey home Wednesday afternoon in China on a van headed to Hong Kong~

And after an almost 4 hour ride of whipping in and out, curving, and breaking with a long wait through customs...

Scott was SO sick when we reached the Marriott near airport.

I mentioned it on IG that went to FB 

and the prayers starting pouring in...

Prayer is Power Filled because no sooner had we gotten to the room 

and he was sick than he began to feel better then sleep.

Thursday morning we were up @ 5 headed to airport for 4 hour flight to Tokyo, 2 hour layover, then 13 hour flight to Atlanta.

We went from 4 to 12 people with NO complications at all.

Flights were pretty smooth and the girls slept more than they were awake. 

Praise the Lord!!!

The best journey home we have ever had. 

We were SO thankful!

Flight got in just a little late and our immigration wait was long but all worth it when we rounded the corner 

and was met by family and friends waiting to welcome us home!

I have to thank Kelleyn for shooting all these beautiful photos!!!

Memories we will always cherish~

We can't thank Lifeline enough for the support through the long wait, during our travel, and when we return~

Our family is finally reunited and we couldn't be MORE thankful!!!

HollyMei is a dream come true and more precious than she even appears.

Thank You Jesus for our family... we couldn't be more blessed!!!

Consulate Appointment~

We left the hotel this morning about 8:50 for the US Consulate.

We were there about an hour and a half to apply for HollyMei's visa.

After all the paperwork had been given, we headed back to the hotel and took photos to remember this day forever~

Sometimes they are the best of friends and other times Holly is bopping Evie on the head or back...

either way, they LOVE having each other to play with and can't WAIT to be HOME!

Tomorrow we wait for HollyMei's passport with Visa then leave by van to Hong Kong about 4:30.

Fly out Thursday morning and land in Atlanta around 3:30pm. Whoo hoo!!!!!

Shamian Island~

Breakfast was the best so far with both girls eating so we took them out to feed the HUGE fish~

Took a few photos of our cute girls~

Played in the room for a while and then were off to Shamian Island~

It was wonderful to be back and loved seeing both Michael and Jenny... not to mention all the models in photo shoots and eating @ Lucy's~

We came back for naptime then decided to get dinner in before the storm... we had just finished when the bottom fell out and we had to wait about an hour for it to let up then made a run for it~

Needless to say it was a very fun run back to the hotel. You never heard such laughing coming from two little girls!!! 

Tomorrow is our Consulate Appointment... the last official business before getting Holly's visa and the long journey HOME!!!

Can't WAIT for our family to be back together again!!!

Pearl/Jade Market & Chen Temple~

Today was a shopping and touring day with these two precious girls~

After breakfast before we left hotel, we took a Lifeline photo~

Then we were off for a shopping spree~

with the two cutest girls in ALL of China~

and a walk around the temple yard~

One little could take the heat and one could not... around 90 but feels like 104 with the humidity~

Then back to the hotel for lunch, nap~

and playing~

Tomorrow... Shamian Island!!!! and one day closer to HOME!!!!!

28th Anniversary & Medical Exam~

Today Scott and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary here in China reminising~

One of the best days of our lives~

and Everything Beautiful that has come since that day!!!

Our day has been as good as it could be I guess since Holly had her medical exam.

Got the girls all ready for breakfast and they did pretty well eating~

Holly was amazingly brave with all the stations she went through with each doctor~

Evie was awesome waiting the two and a half hours it took to get it all done~

The hardest part was the TB blood draw but she didn't cry but a minute and was perfectly fine~

Both girls fell asleep on the way back to the hotel~

Holly's sweet hands resting on mine~

A family selfie to remember our anniversary forever.

We celebrated by eating mexican @ Tequilla's and picking up sweets on the way back.

About to put the littles to bed and enjoy a quiet coffee together.

God has blessed us big and we give Him all the glory for our love, our marriage, and our family.

Choosing Joy and Counting Blessings~

Today began with a few tears as Holly woke to find she was still with us but after potty and turning on the tv, she began to play with Evie and all was well with the world. 

Down for breakfast and we all made plates to eat together... BIG improvement!!!

Today was our travel day so nothing planned but hanging out... Holly decided Dad was pretty cool too~

It was a beautiful day with no smog so we did lots of walking to keep the bitties happy~

Down long stretches of sidewalks and through parks~

and it was HOT~

This photo was just sweet because Evie is constantly taking care of Holly as if she is a baby... wiping her messy hands~

Around 2 we piled into the van for the flight NO ONE wants when traveling with little ones much less as an adult~

We made it to the airport in plenty of time and THEN it was time to go through security.

IF you think security in an American airport is scary, try China.

They come at you with the wands and check every single part of your body.

I go through first and little girls follow. They have me stand up on  a box with my hands stretched out.

Evie's eyes are big as saucers and LOL now Scott is on a box and Holly is walking back and forth through the security door making the alarms go off.

THEN the officers want to frisk Evie... did you hear on American soil?

Ummm yes, she screamed so loud she scared the scary officer and she just let us go.

Maybe you have wondered why we have the girls in the stroller instead of carriers... this is where they feel the safest... both strapped in we moved onto the hottest area in the airport to wait but we found chips and diet coke... made the wait happier!!!

SO we then have to load onto an overcrowed bus with two kids, two backpacks, a carryon, and the big stroller... to ride all the way around the airport, get off to climb up the stairs with all that into a loaded plane~

This is probably the happiest we would be the whole trip because between the girls one of them cried pretty much the whole way but what could you expect...

we sat in the plane on the tarmac for an hour, flew for two and half hours to find a huge storm in Gaungzhou and hover for another hour!

Think it can't get any worse??? ummm we had to load another overcrowed bus with all our stuff and two overtired girls to ride around the whole airport and get off and find our bags.

Choosing JOY...

~ we found our bags and stroller

~ our sweet guide was waiting for us

~ made it to hotel and had girls in bed by 10:30

~ all got a good night's sleep

~ HUGE step closer to home

Today is our 28th anniversary and we are off to the medical exam for Holly.

Won't that be fun??? haha

Choosing JOY!!!

Scripture from a sweet friend~

Psalm 77:14... You are the God Who works wonders!