Cousins

There's nothing like a cousin for fun, so much fun that Maryn can't stop asking when she will see Jenny again. I know how she feels because I love spending time with her, too. She is Maryn's first friend and she is a best one at that. We celebrated Grandpa's birthday yesterday with a cookout and before that was a bike ride, time at the park, and playing with Pinkie in the backyard. When it was time to go home, Jen offered up a too small pair of pajamas so Maryn could fall into bed when we got there, and she did, looking forward to the next time she could see Jenny.

One Month Anniversary

It's been one month today since our little darling walked into a room and allowed us into her life. In one respect it seems like it just happened yesterday and in another it seems like we've always been together. It's hard to believe that we waited so long, and, yet, we've not only been to China but have been home for almost three weeks. We'd love it if all the families in our travel group could go back together, this time without the anxiety and stress but with all the joy.

Today, on our one month anniversary, we are thinking of all the new families celebrating this milestone with us and wishing continued blessings to all of them.

The photo was taken by a man named Marco from Holland. He and his wife, Anna, were waiting to meet their 2 year old daughter in the same room where we met Maryn. Marco was kind enough to snap this photo and emailed it to us before we left China.

H..e..l..l..l..l..o

Tom has a way of answering the phone that is almost like no other, except it's the male version of the way his mom answers the phone. Everyone who knows him knows the way he answers the phone. Tonight we were sitting at the table finishing dinner. Maryn was sitting in my lap when out of the blue she said something in Chinese. We didn't get all of the words but we did hear "Baba (dad)...dianhua (telephone)...H..e..l..l..l..l..o." Tom hadn't even answered the phone today, and all of a sudden that's what came out of her mouth. We cracked up, of course, and she spent the next half hour repeating it because who doesn't love making someone laugh, and, at 8 years old, when you don't even speak the same language yet, it's particularly fun. We're really beginning to get one another.

The video was taken in our hotel room in Guangzhou. Two of the three hotel rooms we had in China had a wall of glass in between the shower and the room with a miniblind or shade in between. The glare is from the glass.

I Feel Your Pain

I know, I know. There has been nothing on the blog lately. You keep checking and still nothing appears. Believe me, I feel your pain. I did it for three years, following adoption trips to China, before it was our turn to go. You're going along just fine, checking the blog each day for the newest adventure, and, suddenly, it feels like the ride is over, and it's time to get off. You're addicted, and you want more, but you're getting nothing. Now we're on the other side, and I know how it is for the returning travelers. It's not a matter of getting back to regular life, it's trying to find a new normal with a lot of jet lag thrown in. You're exhausted and want to do nothing, but mail starts coming, the grass keeps growing and everytime you turn around it's time to make something to eat for someone who doesn't want to eat anything you make. All the while you are reminding yourselves that you've only known each other for X number of days so, really, you're doing remarkably well. And, we are. Maryn is a brave girl, trusting us to take care of her more and more each day. We are blessed. She wants her mama in her sights at all times and loves her baba to make her laugh. We're still rough around the edges, but there is progress for all of us each day, and it's a beautiful thing to witness.

The top photo is the newest one we have. The bottom photo is one that was sent to us while we were waiting to travel. Look at that smile. Most of you had to wait until we met Maryn to see our beautiful baby. We knew she was adorable, and now you do, too.

Living Life

We're making strides working on a new normal, and this is what it looks like. She's doing a good job sleeping at bedtime and getting a nap, too. We aren't, but at least our camper is happy. We are attracting attention when we go around the block with the dog in the early evening, so sometimes it takes us a little while to make it out and back. It's wonderful to see how delighted everyone is to see her sweet face. Tonight we were later than we wanted to be, and we were hungry so Tom said, "Remember this while you're out there: don't talk to anyone." : ) The last three nights our neighbors have been so kind to have made us dinner, and one more is coming tomorrow. What a relief that has been. Eating is a bit of a challenge so by the time dinner rolls around, it's nice to warm up a delicious something that someone has already labored over. I have to give Maryn tons of credit because she is a very willing taster. Most things get rejected, but she gives them a try. That's more than most people would do. Somethings are good one day, not the next. The one thing that remains constant is the love of noodles. She wants Ramen noodles three times per day and eats the whole package. I try adding this and that to it and every now and then something slips past quality control. People say not to sweat the meals because she'll come around to eating what we're eating, and we aren't eating Ramen noodles.

I'm falling asleep here as I write, so it's time to go to bed. I've been lasting till 3 a.m. and getting out with Toby at 5:30. The problem is the earlier I get up, the earlier she gets up because she checks to see if I'm still sleeping in the bed, and if I'm not there, she gets up. Only a few short hours to go till she sends her periscope up.

She's an American Girl

We're home. We flew all night with a fantastic girl who waited until just after the wheels left the ground to fall asleep and stayed asleep the whole long leg of the trip. Flying at night was good planning on our part, and we want full credit for choosing our flights so wisely. Upon entry into the country, her passport was stamped with a temporary resident stamp awaiting her final paperwork for citizenship. An American girl. Our dear friends Sandi and Bruce picked us up at the crack of dawn this morning, and Maryn was not shy about meeting them. We came home to a driveway covered with Welcome Home Maryn messages from the kids in the neighborhood. You gotta love that, and we did. Thank you so much for the welcome. That was such a special treat to come home to. Sandi and Bruce filled the fridge with a variety of foods including watermelon and Ramen noodles. So far it's been noodles for breakfast, noodles for lunch, and I'll bet at dinner we'll hit the trifecta. Tomorrow night dinner will arrive at 6 p.m. from one of our neighbors. They have really rallyed around us, and it makes us feel great to be able to bring our daughter to a neighborhood filled with wonderful, caring families. Toby was well loved in our absense, and she and Maryn are getting to know each other, very cautiously on Maryn's part. She doesn't realize that Toby's only interest in her is as a potential food source, that is, one that has the potential to drop food on the floor.

Everyone says coming this direction is much harder on you, and I have to agree. We're tired, but we're going to try to tough it out until 10:30 p.m. The travel experts tell you to stay awake until midnight in the time zone where you are, but we can't stay awake till midnight on New Year's Eve, so that's not going to happen. I want to lay my head down as I'm writing this, but I must resist.

Maryn is napping right now in her own bed in her own home. What a heartwarming scene. Hope it works for going to bed later.

Goodbye Guangzhou

We're headed home, and it feels good.  Don't care how long the flight is, we'll eventually get to a place called home.  We took the trip of a lifetime, and it has made our lifetime a trip.  I'm a mom.  We've got a long way to go, but we're going to give it all we've got to be the best parents we can be to our daughter who deserves that and more.  Thank you, God, for showing us how to get here and for knowing it would work out this way even before we were born.  Thank you to Maryn for the courage you have had to show for one little 8 year old, and for the courage the future will require.  Thank you for your willingness to let us in to your life.  Thank you to our family and friends who have supported us all along.  Thank you to Children*s Hope Internat'l for making it your mission to bring families together.  Thank you to our neighbors and church family who have been so enthusiastic about Maryn's arrival.  Thank you, Bruce and Sandi, for taking care of our home and loving our sweet little Toby in our absense.  Thank you to all of you who have followed this leg of our journey.  It's been fun to have an audience with whom to share our little darling.  We'll see you soon on the other side of the world.