Today I’m finishing up our incredible adoption story with a bunch of photos from our time in China. Thank you for all your kind comments and support as I’ve shared over the past week. I’m sure you will be seeing lots of my new daughter on this blog from now on!
See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 for catch up..
On June 6th we flew into Qinghai, China.. here’s the view out my window as the plane was landing. Qinghai is a province on the Tibetan Plateau so it is quite high elevation and the climate is very cool in the night, but was in the 70’s during the day… very nice!
On Monday morning we signed the papers for temporary custody and walked out of the office a family of five! Rose YiLi Thompson came home at 19 months old.
Our family with the Children’s home director who delivered Rose to us at the gov. offices.
My first attempt to get a photo of my kids! We went to a paid park/play area in the afternoon and they all had a blast!
Rose even had some good bonding with the boys the first day!
On Tuesday morning we signed the official adoption papers.
That afternoon we played ball and bubbles in a nearby square. The boys loved watching Rose chase after the ball and try to catch it. We also began to see her love of water bottles…
She is a very hydrated little girl! {ha!}
On Wed we tried to get some better photos. I’ll share more later when I blog about the iron on decals these cuties are sporting on their shirts. I also have a free boys’ t-shirt pattern to share soon, my boys are modeling theirs here.
Still can’t believe I have a daughter!
Rose initially showed a preference for me, but she was okay with dad in small doses. We are looking forward to summer when we can all bond further!
Wednesday evening we went to our social workers house for dinner. We use a US agency {if you are looking for a fabulous adoption agency, check out Children’s House International!!}, but our social worker actually lives in China… we flew her to HK for our home-study. She has 10 kids! 7 adopted and it was so fun to spend the evening with her family.
Thursday morning we were able to drive to the location where Rose was found {all orphans in China are abandoned}.. it was an incredible and emotional morning.
We had dumplings for lunch before the boys got ready to fly back to HK.
Rose and I had the rest of Thursday and Friday morning together before our flight to Guangzhou. If you aren’t familiar with China adoptions you have to go the province where your child was born for the first week, then everyone goes to Guangzhou to get a US visa in your child’s Chinese passport before returning to the US.
Rose loved this Yak milk yogurt that is made in her birth city. We had to get a photo to document as it might be a very long time before I can buy this again! Oh, and look… I cut some bangs!
We had major delays on our flight Friday.. but made it to bed around 1 am Sat. morning. Of course, Rose was up bright an early in the morning, but that was okay because she had a medical check Sat. morning. All went well at the clinic and then we had the rest of the day to explore. Again… loving the water bottle…
Sunday morning we started off at Starbucks… this liked my coffee a little “too much” and then had a little meltdown when I said no more {ha!} I think we have a strong willed one on our hands.
We took the metro to the Chimelong Resort Safari park… I’d been there before with my family for a little mini-getaway, so I knew how to get there. Rose LOVED the animals!! It was very HOT, but a great day.
Monday morning we had an appointment at the US consulate and all went well. It was so fun to see all the other families with their new little ones! 17 of us were applying for visas this morning. The plan is that we will pick up her passport and visa tomorrow afternoon then we have an evening train back to HK. The slight glitch is that last week the US gov. database was hacked and there have been visa delays worldwide in the past week. We were told this morning that we may not get our visa until wed. morning… either way I’m home by Wed. afternoon and SO ready to be back all together. It’s been a wild and wonderful ride and I cant wait to learn more about this new little addition to our family.
Kristy says
Wow! Whata cutie pie! I am so excited for you and your family.
Jenn - A Jennuine Life says
Aw so adorable! It’s great that she’s drinking so much water. My friend adopted a little girl from China and she struggled with dehydration and constipation because of the change in diet.
Emily says
yes, I think being with a foster family was helpful with her eating and drinking habits..
Gina says
An amazing adventure with so many blessings too- I’m beyond thrilled for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Emily says
thank you Gina!!
Rebecca says
Congratulations and what a cutie! Looks like it’s time to update that author bio! Hope the rest of the process is smooth sailing for you!
Emily says
ha!!! yep, not just two boys anymore!!
Kristi Andres says
Oh, wow what a beautiful girl… I was just innocently reading along and then saw the photo with our friends and almost burst into tears! All the kids huddled around to get a good look at their friends. I am so happy you got to see them! We got to hang with them for a few days in their previous city when we came for our adoption 3 years ago.
Emily says
yes!! Amanda’s family is so great!!
Kristi Andres says
yes, we love them so much. We are bummed they can’t come back for a visit this summer. They usually stay part time with my in laws 2 miles away so we get to hang out with them a lot!
An (StraightGrain) says
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I really enjoyed reading all four episodes. Congratulations on your beautiful new daughter – I can only imagine how happy you and your family will make her, and she will make you!
Emily says
thank so much!
Sarah Schroeder says
LOVE the update and all the pics! Can’t wait to see you guys! Lots of prayers for that Visa!
Michelle says
CONGRATULATIONS!
Clearly you were meant to be her family.
Terry B. says
So, so happy for you and your family Emily!! Rose sure is a cutie pie!! You all should have fun learning her little quirks and all about her personality!!! Thank you for sharing your journey with us and what a journey it has been!!! God blessings upon you and this little one as you all adjust to each other!!
Birgit LÖwin.g says
Congratulations, dear Emily…. The pictures are so nice and it realy looks like she feels good in Your arms and in the arms of her big brother too… I’m sure afte a few weeks it will be like she was allways part of Your family
Christine says
GREAT photos!! They tell the story so well! I love seeing sweet Rose!
RobyGiup says
Emily, I’m so happy for you and all your family!!! God bless you all!
Diana Rambles says
Lovely story!!! Good luck with your US travels and paperwork.
JTwisdom says
Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures. I read the other post and commented before this one. Blessings to you, very happy for you and your family.
Shecki @ Greatly Blessed says
Congratulations! Best wishes on blending your family. I hope everyone adjusts well.
Alyssa Thys says
Congratulations! May God bless you and your lovely family! My husband and I are currently considering adoption. There are so many different options. How did you decide that international adoption was right for your family?
Emily says
We are currently living Internationally {in Hong Kong} so it made sense for us to adopt from that part of the world as well. It’s a big decision and there are so many options!
Melinda says
Here from Sunday Features.
Wonderful story! Congrats on your new daughter!
My grand baby loves to drink out of water bottles too!
Steph says
What a wonderful journey – congrats on your growing family!
Diana Rambles says
Congratulations! This post is featured over at Diana Rambles today and has been pinned in the Featured at Diana Rambles board at Pinterest and shared on Twitter, Facebook & G+. Please grab a featured button off my button page or via the post guidelines graphic. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea!
Gert says
I did’nt know where to find this info then kaboom it was here.