A little Dumpling time......

Walmart in China

Walking around Kunming.......

this picture doesn't due justice to the traffic around here

life in China

apartments

Dumpling

bakery with beautiful cakes

Our guide Susan and her son

mamma and Dumpling
Dumpling is getting to know and trust us more everyday.  Tomorrow we will leave Kunming her birthplace.  Leaving the place of her birth is bittersweet.  She is beginning a new life filled with hope and promise but saying goodbye to all that is familiar.  Again, thank you for all of your prayers.  They are surely felt and appreciated.

Bird and Flower Market Kunming

she has a very cute laugh.... makes you fall in love with her!

We went to an interesting market today filled with many animals as well as souvenirs.  Dumpling is doing well overall.  She has times when she is frustrated due to lack of language and overstimulation.  We have had a few times of grieving mainly at bedtime.  It breaks our hearts.  We are continuing to work on bonding and attachment daily in hopes to solidify our relationship with her.  She is pretty easy going.  She is open to all kinds of new foods and seems to be a great eater.  We are sticking to soft foods now due to her cleft palate. She has to work hard when eating and taking the bottle.  Everyday is a new experience!

Sleepy baby.........

Had a lovely dinner with friends last night at their apartment.  We enjoyed a great meal and good conversation.  Dumpling just goes with the flow.  Took this during her short nap!  Her new toy is a toothbrush which she just loves.  You never know!

Yunnan Minority Village

for some unknown reason she wanted her picture taken with me

Yunnan is known for a great diversity of ethnic minorites.  There are 56 nationalities in China and 51 of them can be found in Yunnan.  Today, we enjoyed touring the Yunnan Minority Village showcasing all of the minorities.  The Dumpling was as good as gold!  She is enjoying many new sites and sounds.  She is beginning to trust us and we are learning more about her personality.

Dumpling eating noodles.....

Dumpling sure does like her noodles.  She prefers being fed with chopsticks.  She is an easy going little girl.  She babbles non-stop.  We only wish that we knew what she was saying!  

A glorious day..... one less orphan!

We have our beautiful girl and she is perfect.  She has a sweet disposition.  We were the only family at the Civil Affairs Office so we got a lot of one on one attention.  Our girl was loved by the orphanage staff.  The director played with her while we did paperwork.  God is good!  We are amazed at her transition so far.  Thank you for all of your prayers.

hello from China......

Our hotel

city life

The Dynamic Yunnan Show

We are feeling the effects of the altitude here, but trying to take in every minute.  Had dinner with some internet friends and went to the Dynamic Yunnan show last night.  We will be getting the Dumpling tomorrow morning.  Love to all~

We made it!

We are tired puppies right now, but we are thrilled to be in Dumpling's Provincial City!  Our guide is a doll!  We can't wait to explore tomorrow.  Love to all!

O Almighty and merciful God, who hast commissioned Thy angels to guide and protect us, command them to be our assiduous companions from our setting out until our return; to clothe us with their invisible protection; to keep from us all danger of collision, of fire, of explosion, of fall and bruises, and finally, having preserved us from all evil, and especially from sin, to guide us to our heavenly home. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

A Parent's Thanksgiving Prayer

O God, we give You thanks for our Dumpling, whom You have welcomed into our family. Bless this family. Confirm a lively sense of Your Presence with us, and grant us patience and wisdom, that our lives may show forth the love of Christ, as we bring our Dumpling up to love all that is good. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

For those inquiring minds..... here goes

August 23rd: Fly Huntsville -Atlanta - Seoul - Kunming

August 24th: Arrive in Kunming China

August 25th/26th: Learn about the Dumpling's Provincial City

August 27th:  Gotcha Day

August 28th: Adoption Registration Day Apply for Passport

August 29th/30th: Open

August 31st: Pick up Chinese passport fly to Guangzhou

Sept 1st: photo/medical exam/TB test/Consulate paperwork

Sept 2nd: open

Sept 3rd: TB test result

Sept 4th: Consulate Appointment

Sept 5th: pick up Dumplings' Visa

Sept 6th: Fly out of Guangzhou - Seoul - Atlanta - Huntsville  arrive 10:02 pm!

Quite a whirlwind of activity!

Another fantastic post:

Jen did it again:

http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/08/21/the-truth-about-adoption-one-year-later

and another one:

http://casadealegria.blogspot.com/2012/07/an-open-letter.html

First day of school........

One preschooler was SO excited about school this morning.

One middle schooler did not want his picture taken.  None the less, the mom won and the picture was taken.  I think they all look great!

Preschool open house..........

Doesn't get any cuter than this!

I think that the Princess is getting anxious about our trip to China.  She said " so when are you finally going to get my sister".

"This is my baby.  I adopted her from China."

"For finding your mother,
There's one certain test: 
You must look for the creature, 
Who loves you the best." 
From the book: Little Miss Spider

Our girl turned 11........

Happy birthday to my favorite 11 year old!  You are growing up before our eyes.  We are so proud of the beautiful young girl you have become.  We love you!

frosting is always good