Checking out the snow!!

Disney....Home....Christmas!!!

Well our last day of our LONG trip happens to be at a Magical Place..Disneyland Hong Kong. We are a Disney family and the boys were so excited. It was a fun fun time....all in all!! Tough after a long vacation...but so glad we went. We werent sure how Ella would do with the characters.....well she loved Mickey and didnt want to leave him. She has always been shy when the camera comes out..not so with Mickey....a big big posed smile!! She liked the rides....especially mama's favorite...Its a small world!! She does not like water spraying though.....we will cure her of that....we live on the water and in the pool!!

Our flight home was long...but everyone did really well!! Ella only slept about 4 hours of the long flight from Hong Kong to Detroit. Evan kept looking out the window to see if he could see Santas sleigh. :) In Detroit we were so excited. Eds sister, Amanda and Matt and her 3 boys met us at the airport. They got to meet Ella and we had lunch. It was a perfect way to celebrate christmas eve. Ella was very comfortable with all the boys....I think she is going to be one tough cookie. Our flight from Detroit to Portland was quick....but Ella had a meltdown the last 15 mins. I guess its ok...since she had been soooo good the whole trip.

When we landed we in Portland to quite a reception. Grammy and grampy, Aunt Mary, Jason and Natasha, Nick, Niki and Tyler....so happy to see them all!! Ella handled the excitment well and went to them all. Grammy and grampy arranged our ride home in a stretch hummer limo. So fun and a great way to get home. We were so ready to sleep in our own beds.

We got home and visited for a bit...showed Ella her room and the house. Edward slept in Ellas room with her...she did well. It being Christmas eve was a good reason for the kids to head to bed without any fuss!! All the kids fell right asleep and it was time for Santa to arrive. The gifts were all wrapped and the stockings were hung on the chimmney....ready for Christmas morning.

Ella slept well and woke at 5:30am....way to early to begin Christmas day.....kept her quiet until the boys woke at 7. We all got up and headed down to see what blessings Santa had left. It didnt take Ella long to figure out how to unwrap the gifts and play with her toys.....she sure loves all of her babies and loves to give them their bottles. The boys equally loved all of their toys. Great way to begin our lives as a family of 5. We had a few visitors....Godmother Kathi and John, Tammy, Godfather Brian, and Bethy all came to meet our Christmas Angel. She had fallen asleep before they arrived....then when she woke she was somewhat groggy...then had a meltdown. So much going on for her. Then our next round....grammy and grampy, Aunt Mary and Great Grandmother and Great Grandpa arrived with dinner. So nice to see them all and for them to meet Ella. She is slowly warming to them!! By 8pm...we were toast....just very groggy. We were in bed by 8:30pm.....too bad our bodies didnt cooperate. Will take a bit to get used to the 13 hour difference......

So today we sit and wait for our first biggest snowstorm....we will see how Miss Ella reacts.

Thank you for following on this amazing journey. We have been blessed in so so many ways.

Hong Kong

We arrived last night in Hong Kong via train....it was a smooth ride...but getting us 5 and 7 pieces of luggage from trainstation to hotel at airport.....was difficult!! We made it though.  Headed in a bit to Disneyland and the boys are excited....Ella has no idea what she's in for. 

 

Our flight itinerary home is....

 

Delta flight 26 From Hong Kong to Detroit  leaving HK at 10:35AM arriving Detroit 12pm

Delta flight 4245 from Detroit to Portland ME ;) leaving 5:48PM arriving Portland at 7:46pm Dec 24!!!

 

We cant wait to be home!!!

 

Pray for our safe travels!!

 

xoxo
 

Our hotel...and the Baiyun Hotel....(Ella's Chinese name!!)

 

 

 

 

 

Last day in Guangzhou...

 

So today was our last full day in Guangzhou and it was a busy one.  We went shopping with a new guide for the day Aron....she was very accomidating....as they all have been.  We went to a local market where we could barter....we had a blast and got LOTS!!  While we were walking Evan noticed this "Cool building'!  It was a Buddhist temple.  It was incredible.  It was just what we were hoping to see.  Aron was very knowledgable on it all....it was very interesting.  The boys really enjoyed seeing it all. 

 

Ella had a great day.  She is definately getting more and more comfortable.  I think we may have a diva on our hands.  This morning she pitched a fit because she didnt want to wear the pants I put on her.  Mind you I dont have many clothes here that fit her....she has worn these pants once...and I just got them back in the laundry....she just didnt want them.....and cried and cried.....mommy won though :)  Then when we were shopping she spilled her water on her shirt.....you would have thought it was burning lava....she wanted that shirt off!! She doesnt like to be dirty or wet...have anything on her hands or face....so this didnt go over well.  We did buy her a dry...short sleeved shirt. I justified it since it was a hot day!!

 

Tonight we went to dinner at the Banana Leaf resturant.  Food was great....service...not so much!! Ella looked adorable in her Christmas dress and enjoyed watching the staff sing and dance. 

 

We head to Hong Kong tomorrow...via the train.  We will spend a day there....then HOME BOUND!!!

 

 

 

Two great days...

Yesterday we spent the day shopping and then the evening we went on The Pearl River Cruise.  It was a lot of fun.  The kids all enjoyed it.  Since it was the last night of the Asian games that were here in Guangzhou they had a light parade on the water.  It was great.  Ella was full of energy.....I cant imagine what was going through her mind.  She has been great with all of these new things going on in her life.  We were pooped though when we got back to the room and we knew we had a busy day planned.

 

Ella and I got up early and went with Rebecca (our guide) to the healthcare facility to have her TB test checked!! She was given the all clear!! So we returned home and had breakfast as a family and headed to the zoo with Lily and the other lifeline family and our friends...The Beans.  We had a great time.  Saw pandas.....monkeys....elephants...tigers....lions.....so many animals.  The kids enjoyed it....Ella liked everything from a distance. 

 

After the zoo....Ed,Ella, Lily (our guide) and I headed to the consulate.....we took the oath and Ella is a US CITIZEN the moment she steps foot on American soil......so exciting.  She slept through the ceremony.  :)  It was so nice to meet Lily today.  Lily was instrumental this past year in keeping us connected to our Ella.  She was our contact through Amy Hart at Lifeline....they are both angels to us.  Going through this whole process was very tough emotionally at times....and they both did their best to calm my heart at times.  So it was nice to give Lily a big hug and let her know how much I appreciated all she did!! Hopefully someday I will be able to give Amy a hug...for now....I will send one through cyberspace.

 

We are all doing so so well.....Ella couldnt fit any better than she does into our family!! We cant wait to share her with all our family and friends....Warning.....her smile and laugh are infectious!! :)

 

 

 

 

First day with the whole family!!

What a beautiful day in China.....today was my birthday...and what a wonderful present to have my family together.  We spent the day shopping.....got some great stuff!! We had a great time.  Ella has taken to Ed and Evan so so well.  Evan just cant get enough of his little sister.....she loves the attention too.  She has taken to Eddie very well.  She isnt timid at all.  She is just right where she belongs!!  We went to an authentic chinese resturant last night....was tough ordering....Ed got a whole chicken....he really just wanted the head....so he could play with it.  I am sure they were thinking we were "crazy americans!" 

We are headed for a River cruise tonight with dinner....should be fun.  Ella has been on a train....car....bus....airplane...and now a boat.....all in a week!!  It has been a week exactly since this little angel was put in my arms....it is just amazing how comfortable she is in such a short time.  She is repeating lots of english words and is just amazing us!!  Her smile will make anyone melt.....ecspecially my heart!! :)

 

Life is good in the Radley family!!
 

 

From yesterday!!

 I think my last message was two big with attachments....so I will post a few pictures seperately!!

Message from yesterday...trying to repost!!

Yay...finally we are all together as a family of 5 for the first time.  We surprised Evan and Ed and met them at the train station.  They thought just our guide was going to meet them.  It was great....Ella had fallen asleep while we waited....but woke right up.  She has taken to daddy and Evan very well.  I think it helped that she has seened him quite a bit on the computer.  She is all smiles.  

This morning we went for her physical.  She did  not think it was a great idea.  She was screaming....the doctor said she is "strong willed!!"  We now just need to have her TB test checked and then our consulate appointment then we are off!!! We got her passport today...... Spent time on Shamian Island doing some shopping and enjoying spending time with another lifeline family....The Beans.

Off to spend sometime enjoying our family all being here!!

 

Life couldnt be any better!!

 

They are almost here....

Just finished skyping with Ed.....he and Evan made it safely to Hong Kong....they head to Guangzhou tomorrow.....cant wait!!!!
 

Still in Nanchang....

 

Well....we are STILL in Nanchang....mother nature decided to dump a pile of snow here in China.  We spent the day in the airport.  We knew we most likely wouldnt fly out....but for some crazy reason we had to stay there until the "official" word came.  So we left all our luggage at the airport....and got on a bus stuffed like sardines with a bunch of china men that love to smoke and the airline sent us to a 2 star skanky hotel.  So our guide ( who is awesome by the way) got us back to our original hotel the galactic.  We are safe and that is all that counts.....but we are soooooo tired.  I am sure we will all sleep well. 

 

Ella did pretty well on our adventure today.....a couple of little testing moments.....but thats to be expected.  She all in all did well!!

 

Please pray that we are able to move on to Guangzhou tomorrow!!!

 

 

Emotional workout!!

So this morning I decided to get in a workout before we head to Guangzhou.  It was the first time I have been by myself since we got Ella.  I was on the elliptical and tears were running down my face.....I realized just how blessed I am .  My life started out in such a chaotic world with less than ideal parents.  I was a little girl in a tough situation with big big dreams and determination.  I never could imagine life would be this good. I have a loving family, amazing husband, 3 great kids and great friends.  What more can I ask for.  I hope to be the mother that I always dreamed of having.  But, my Ella had it much worse than I could have ever imagine.  Imagine at 5 years old...not knowing how to give a kiss, not knowing the love of a family member....or having a safe place to live and be her own person.  I can teach her to speak english, to give kisses and to play like any other child....but the one thing I hope to teach her is to dream.  I want her to dream big dreams and to chase those dreams. So this morning as I had my moment on the elliptical....the worker kept staring at me....I said a little prayer for my family and ask god to give me the tools to be the best mom possible to my kids.

 

Just wanted to share!!! :)
 

Flea Market

 

First McDonalds!

 

Our last day out in Nanchang

We spent our daughters last day in her birth province yesterday.  We went to the beautiful pavillion which is amazing.  It was built by the emperors brothers and its breath taking.  Then we went to the flea market which is crazy in it self.  So much fun though. Usually Ed does the bargaining but I did pretty well for myself....Edward was impressed.  We got Ella two pairs of shoes that fit....she is just so small.  She did fabulous with all the crowds.  She wouldnt let me out of her sight...which makes my heart smile!! She also said "Mama" which brought tears to my eyes.  She still isnt talking....but she is starting to understand what I say to her.  She speaks a language (local dialect) and doesnt understand mandarin either....so it has to be tough. She did talk in her sleep again last night!!   Shee is doing really really well!!  She had her first McDonalds....and loved it!! She loves peanut butter and jelly crustables that I brought from home!! I also weighed her and she only weighs 26.5 lbs.  We are going to fatten her up!!!

While at the pavillion and shopping we got lots of stares.....our guide says that everyone ask if she is my daughter and they get upset thinking that someone could give up such a beautiful child.  But she says they are usually happy that she is going to the United States.....So am I!!

We are so ready for Ed and Evan...just a few more days.  Today we will fly to Guangzhou!  It will be Ellas first time on an airplane...i am sure she will do great....she is such a good girl. She has been full of giggles and smiles....and she learned to give kisses!!  It makes me sad though that she didnt know how to give kisses!!! We will make up for that!! When I ask her where bubba is...she looks at the computer....she is going to wrap him right around her finger.  Cant wait!!  So next time I post...we will be in Guangzhou.....on step closer to home!!!