Angels on Earth, Documents, and a Rat

We were able to talk to the boys and family on Skype this morning. The boys seem to be having a ball and enjoying themselves. Just hope that grandparents are having just as much fun having them (ha!).
We took Bella swimming for the first time today. She loved it!!!

We did not bring floaties, but if we had them, I think she would have taken off. You have to wear a swim cap while swimming here, so we had to buy one. I think I will sport one every time I go swimming from now on.
We had to go back to the Civil Affairs Office today to sign more paperwork. We are not exactly sure which day she became a Garland officially (either yesterday or today), but we know she became Isabella Garland the first moment we saw her.
We have told some people a little more about her story before, but I just thought we would post about it now. Even though Isabella is 3 ½, she is much more like 2 years old right now. For a child who is adopted, being delayed is quite common. We have learned that at the age of 2 years when the foster family brought Bella into their home, she could not hold her head up, sit up or roll over. She only weighed 12 pounds. She was very much like a newborn at the age of 2. From the point the foster family brought her into their home, loved her and gave her the care she needed, she has progressed wonderfully. It is almost like she was really born on the day they got her. So right now, she is your typical toddler exploring, testing her boundaries, trying to figure out how things work. If we show her something, she will try to do it herself. She has even tried saying some new words. So, the question is, “Do we think she will catch up to her actual age?” We aren’t sure. But do we think she will progress right on track as if she were currently 2? Yes, we do. She is very smart. And we think once we get her palate repaired, she will take off with eating and talking. Our prayer is that we can provide the love and care for her, just like her foster family has given her unselfishly for the past 20 months.

Tonight we went to Jin Li Street which is a really neat historical street. It has been restored with lots of shops and street food.


We met up with Bella’s foster family there. It has been a wonderful experience getting to know them and spend time with them while in Chengdu. They are angels on earth. God has completely orchestrated us getting to know them and placing our daughter with them until He was ready to bring us together. They are family and will be part of our family forever. We are so blessed to have them in our lives.
Jin Li Street was beautiful all lit up at night. We saw a lot of beautifully made Chinese souvineers. Michael tried some fried squid on a stick. It was very good.

I can't figure out how to turn the picture and it is late, so I am just going to go with this (turn your head to get the full picture). We also could have had our ears cleaned out with these extremely long swabs on a stick. We passed on that; pretty gross. We went to eat at a nice Chinese restaurant. It was on the second floor of a building and had all of the windows open. Excellent food. However, while we were sitting there eating, a rat (yes, I said a rat!!) came up on the seat behind my head. I was immediately warned and we moved very quickly out of the restaurant. I never saw the rat, but then again, I did not try to stick around to see the rat. Yuck!!!
Tomorrow is a busy day, so am not sure if I will get to post or not. Going to the Panda reserve. Will post again as soon as I can. Love to everyone!

Exploring Chengdu With Bella!

Before we get started with our post, just want to point out to those of you following that there is a new link on the left side of the page that will take you to more photos. The blog will only let us post so many, so I'll be dumping more photos onto our flickr website and you can access that by clicking the "MORE PHOTOS" link.

AIN'T SHE CUTE!!!

Isabella had a hard time at bed time last night. She cried for a while and finally settled down after we sang to her and kept reassuring her over and over. It was heartbreaking for me especially. But I know it is a good thing because it just shows that she has bonded so much with the family that has been so good and loving to her. She slept like a champ and did not wake up until about 8 or 8:30 this morning. When she did, she cried again. I think she had forgotten where she was and who she was with. She calmed down pretty fast though and has been a happy little girl ever since.

We took our time getting ready this morning and just played in the room for awhile. We then walked around the city a bit and did some shopping. Chengdu is China’s 4th largest city, about 12 million people. Largest being by the number of people, not area. So think about shoving about 100 people in an elevator. That is what it is like here. I think Chengdu is a prettier city than Beijing. The area around Chengdu is very green with a lot of rice fields. We were able to see it from the airplane as we landed in Chengdu. While out shopping, people gawked and stared at us. And we thought we were being stared at in Beijing … it is nothing like being here with a Chinese child! Some people try to talk to us, but we have no idea what they are saying. Others just stop, stare and talk about us with the people they are with.
We went back to the Civil Affairs office this afternoon where we completed the adoption registration. We were asked questions to make sure we would care for and never abandon Isabella.
We ventured out for dinner tonight and tried an Italian restaurant on the other side of the city that was recommended to us. Really, “ventured” is not the word for it. It was more like risking our lives because we had to take a cab. I know I have said this before, but I have never seen anything like it. Michael sat in the front of the cab and Bella and I hung on for lives in the backseat. Oh, and no seatbelts in the back, so I was holding on to her very tightly.

The restaurant was good and everyone was very nice there, but a couple of the workers stood at the counter several feet away from us and just watched us eat. A little uncomfortable, but I think they were just curious about our situation.

We have just put Bella down for the night and she was not happy to go to bed. She was tired but did not want to give in, especially when she can see us in the bed next to hers. She finally fell asleep while holding my hand. So precious.
Thanks everyone for all of the prayers and encouraging comments!!! We enjoy reading them everyday!

Introducing Isabella Xin Hope

We left Beijing early this morning and flew to Chengdu. We checked into the hotel and our guide took us to the Civil Affairs office where we waited only a few minutes for Isabella to arrive with her foster parents. The office was kind of like a courthouse office. The whole experience has been surreal and one that could only have been orchestrated by our heavenly father.
We met Isabella as she toddled toward us. Talk about heart thumping out of our chests! She is the most beautiful little girl!!! She is so tiny and petite (which we have learned is very customary for the town she is from). She toddled toward us and took a little toy that I brought for her. No tears, just checking us out and the environment around her. We asked her if she could give us a hug and after a few minutes, she did … and gave us kisses!!! Because she has been so blessed to be with an amazing American foster family, she understands EVERYTHING we say. She can’t talk much because of her missing palate, but we know exactly what she wants. She is an imitator. If we dance, she dances. If we clap, she claps. I also just snapped my fingers to music and she tried snapping her fingers. She is also very obedient. After we finished some paperwork at the Civil Affairs office, our guide took us to a grocery store. Whenever I would tell her no, or tell her to hold my hand, she did. She is also very independent. She wants to walk everywhere and climb and just explore. She still has not cried one tear, but every once in a while we see her look around as if she is looking for her foster mommy and daddy. That is when I tear up. They have loved her so much and haven taken such good care of her and also have given this little blessing hope. This family will always be part of ours and we will be forever grateful.
Today has been so natural and it seems like she has always been with us. I know this may be the “honeymoon” stage so to speak, but we pray it continues.
She loves the toys that we brought her, especially the little Arial cell phone and magna doodle. When she smiles, she looks like she is gritting her teeth as hard as she can … so funny.
There were other families either waiting to receive their child or receiving their children at the same office we were at. They were all from Spain. We chatted with them and it is so neat to hear about the children, their ages and if they are a waiting for a boy or girl. We have seen many boys find their forever families during this trip as well as many older girls.
It has been a long, emotional day. More updates tomorrow. We have her and we are truly blessed. We can’t wait for her brothers to meet her. We miss them so much right now and wish they were here to meet Isabella. Thanks to all of you who have been lifting us up in prayer. We can truly feel his presence all around us throughout this entire experience. Bella is a miracle and is truly a gift from God. We love you all!

Tiananmen Square and Hutong

At the end of each day I sit down and try to recap what we did, what we saw and try to share these experiences with you. There truly is so much to share and talk about and I know I can’t possibly begin to explain the scenery, the people, the looks, the language or the smells, but I will try.
Each morning the hotel has a buffet that offers a western style breakfast. This is probably the best meal of the day because we know what we are eating is ok. Our guide also lets us know of other restaurants in the area where we can eat and should not get sick. We cannot drink the water or get drinks with ice in them unless we are told it is ok. We also cannot eat a lot of the local foods because our stomachs can’t handle it. And believe me, after the way we felt after our long trip and trying to adjust to the time change, we are not going to risk it.
We started today by going to Tiananmen Square. This area is kind of like their Washington monument. This is the tourist season and people are everywhere. I have never been anywhere and been around so many people. When walking you just get lost in a sea of people and you better keep going and pushing along. There was a huge long line at the Red Square with people to pay their respects to the last president. We did not do this, but we were able to take pictures of the buildings and statues.
Today we got to experience a bit of what a celebrity must feel like. People stared, smiled, tried their English out on us and we were also the subject of many pictures and videos. One little boy approached me and asked me if I spoke Chinese. I said no and he then said, “Picture?” I asked, “You want me to take a picture with you?” He nodded and smiled a big smile. I turned around and took a picture with him and his mother acted so happy. He thanked me and then tried to get pictures with others in our group.
We also visited the Forbidden City. This place is huge and we walked and walked and walked. This is where the emperor lived during the different dynasties. Again, so many, many people. By the time we reached the center of the city, we were all very hot and tired. The humidity is so oppressive at times. And because of the crowds, the smells are sometimes nauseating.
We then went on a Hutong tour. Hutong is a village with alleys that wrap around. The best way to get around the village is on a rickshaw. This was the highlight of the day. We rode on rickshaws through the streets of Hutong and it was so much fun. We got to see how the people live and work. Kids played in the alleys with anything they could find. Merchants sold anything and everything. We also got to go inside of a family’s home and learn about their life and home. Mr. Cricket also came and talked to us. He is a local legend of sorts. He trains crickets (the insect) to fight. I know, sounds silly, but it is a very serious matter here. The winner of a cricket fight can win up to 850,000 Yuan (a little over $100,000). Losers have been known to lose the house they live in. He is so proud of what he has been able to accomplish and he showed us articles and books where his story has appeared.
Once we got on the bus, our guide told each of when we needed to be ready for check out in the morning, what would happen when we got to our child’s province and when we would meet our child. At times throughout this trip, we find ourselves sitting back and realizing why we are here. Up to this point, it seems like we are vacation touring, learning the local culture and then it hits us … oh yeah, we are receiving our child tomorrow!!!
We leave very early tomorrow morning to fly to Chengdu. We think we will meet Isabella at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon. Please pray for all of us tomorrow … Isabella, Michael and I, Bella’s precious foster family, and everyone who is part of this journey to her. Next post will be after we have her in our arms!!!!!!!!!!

The Great Wall of China

What a day! We started early and headed out by bus to the Cloisonne Factory and got to see some beautiful pieces being made.

On the way there we got to see more of Beijing. This is the biggest city I have ever been in. I know we drove at least an hour before we came to the end of skyscrapers and tall apartment buildings. Once we did leave Beijing we were in the mountains and got our first glance of the Great Wall of China.

Absolutely amazing! The Great Wall was breathtaking. It is the rainy season here and we have not seen the sun, so it made it difficult to see how far the Great Wall expands over the mountains. We took a lift up to the Great Wall and then hiked the rest of the way to the top. There were so many people that we learned the Chinese way of getting around. Just push! No manners, just keep pushing your way through or you will never get anywhere.

We have really become close with some of the couples in our travel group and it has just been so awesome to be here with all of them.

The children that have already joined their families have been such a joy to be around. They have bonded and adapted so well. We got into major traffic issues and got back to the hotel 3 hours later than anticipated. The kids all did awesome. The adults on the other hand, were ready for rest!

On the way back to the hotel, we drove through the Olympic village. It was so neat to see. There was a soccer game going on at the Bird’s Nest tonight so the area was very busy. We did not stop, but did take some pictures from the bus. (The Bird's Nest and The Aquatic Cube ...)
We finally were able to connect and talk to the boys on Skype tonight. They are having a ball and even though they say they miss us, we really don’t believe them.
Well, we are heading to bed soon. We have another day here of sightseeing before we fly to Isabella’s province. We have to keep pinching ourselves … can’t believe we are only a day and a half away from meeting our daughter. Thank you all for your prayers and support. God has blessed us with such supportive family and friends.

Beijing - Day 2

This was our first full day in Beijing. We met a lot of the other families in our group. We have been emailing and keeping in touch with some of these families so it was nice to finally see them in person. We have such a neat group. We are not all here yet, but there are 16 families in our group. All of the families are adopting children with special needs. How cool is that?! The families that arrived in Beijing on Monday received their children then. It has been awesome seeing these families together with their children and how well their children are doing adapting to their new life. There is one family that got here that we did not get to meet. They had their child for a couple of days and decided her needs were much more severe than had been described. They made the very hard decision to take their child back to the orphanage and I believe they have gone home. Please pray for this family and this child. I can’t even imagine. Just heart wrenching.
After breakfast and a short meeting this morning with our group, we headed across the street to the bank. We found out that Isabella’s province would accept a wire transfer for the adoption “donation”. What a relief – no more carrying around a ton of money worrying something might happen to it. Our guide took care of everything and the money has been wired to Sichuan province.
I tell you what, just walking across the street here is more dangerous than anything I have done in a very long time. Green, red … doesn’t matter. And pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way. Just crazy!
When we got back to the hotel we took a short nap to try to catch up and feel a little more human. Our stomachs have been doing some somersaults, so it was needed. When we woke up there was a note under our door stating that we needed to have our temperature checked twice a day in the lobby while we are here. A few of the other families received the same notice, so we are assuming someone on the plane (although we were all on different planes) has the flu. It is another infrared camera that took our temp. Fine today for both of us. Please keep praying that we stay well. This time change has done a number on us.
We went to the acrobatic show this afternoon. That was really amazing to see. I did not know it at the time, but they scanned all of us for fevers prior to going in there also. We are the minority here and they do not want this flu here and since it originated in North America, they are very careful around us (at least that is the way it seems). And since we are the minority, even though we are here checking everything out, we are also the object of stares and pictures as well.
Tomorrow is the Great Wall and Cloisonne Factory. Please feel free to leave any comments to the blog or send us an email. Facebook is blocked, but we are able to update status on Michael's phone. We also can't text since it is expensive here. This building is in downtown Beijing and the locals call it the "Big Pants" building. This picture really does not do it justice because it is a HUGE building.

A picture of us before going into the acrobatic show.

Downtown Beijing
This is the little grocery store down the road from our hotel. Michael thought it was funny that it is an IGA ... not quite Tandy's (if you are from Rising Sun). The smells were interesting to say the least.

More updates tomorrow!!

Beijing - Day One

Ni Hao China!

What a long day this was! We left our house at 8:30 Wednesday morning and did not arrive to our hotel in Beijing until 11:00 Thursday evening (Beijing time). All flights were good, just very long. We have never been on a plane as big as the one from Detroit to Tokyo – it was huge! We each got very little sleep on the plane. We were told we could not site together because there were no more 2 seats together, but once we boarded and they closed the gate there were empty seats by me, so Michael was able to move. So glad for this because that was the longest flight ever. Can’t say I am looking forward to that 14 hour flight back with Isabella.
Once we arrived in Beijing, we expected our temperatures to be taken before we got off the plane, but they weren’t. Instead once we got off there were people with masks on and we were directed through check in and our temperatures were taken with infrared cameras. There was a family that was a few people ahead of us in line that got sent to the quarantine booth, but we did not sit near them on the plane. We got through all of that and I stopped at the restroom and saw my first squatty potty. I just couldn’t do it yet … I know I am going to have to at some point in this trip, but will wait until absolutely necessary. (Ha!)
We checked into our hotel, It is nice and in the center of downtown. Downtown Beijing is huge and we got to see it all lit up last night on our way in. We were able to finally sleep once we checked in last night. We are heading down to breakfast and then off to our introduction meeting with our travel group. Some families in our group have been here a few days. Others arrived yesterday (like us) and still others will come in a few days. We are also going to an acrobatic show this afternoon.
Thanks everyone for your prayers!

This is our last family of 4 picture! The next one be all 5 of us!

This was our plane from Detroit to Tokyo. We just had to take a picture once we landed because it is the biggest thing we have ever been on.