I always wondered why it took so long for people to update once they are home. Now I know why. It’s called jetlag. Ava seems to have adjusted the best to the new time zone. She is taking one nap during the day and sleeping 10-12 hours most nights. Morgan is still not on his regular schedule but staying up late at a campout the other night did not help. I seem to be back on my previous schedule but I seem to have no energy during the day. Tammy is by far having the most difficulty. She is still not able to go to sleep until around 3:00am. At least, Ava sleeps in until around 10:00am.
It is still hard to believe that it has been one week since we left Guangzhou for Hong Kong. Wednesday, July 8 was an amazing day. This is the day we took the oath at the American Consulate. This was an amazing experience. I wish they would allow cameras in the Consulate so that we could have recorded this experience. After the oath ceremony, we and three other families were taken to the train station to leave for Hong Kong. It was hard saying goodbye to the other families that we have gotten to know so well in such a short time. We look forward to reunions and especially trips to Tennessee to see Angie and Mia. Ava did not enjoy the train ride very well which concerned us about the upcoming plane ride. It was nice to be able to walk across the street to our hotel when we arrived in Hong Kong. The hotel was very nice and the staff was great.
On the way to the airport, we saw the signs pointing to Disneyland. For those who know us well, you know how much we wanted to head to Disneyland. However, we had two boys waiting for us at home that we couldn’t wait to see. The flight went very well from Hong Kong to Newark. I definitely want to know who all prayed for peace for Ava on the flight because I want you praying for me. We could not have asked for a better child on the flight. Ava slept for two hours and then four hours. While she was awake, she sat on Tammy’s lap and just played with various toys. Then she slept the whole flight from Newark to St Louis. Praise God! We thank everyone so much for their prayers. The flight is just another example of answered prayers.
We landed on time in St Louis to an amazing welcome from family and friends. As we came around the corner and saw the crowd, the only two we were truly looking for was Jackson and Hudson. And here they came running to us even beyond the security gates. Thankfully, there was no staff around. It was fantastic hugging those two boys. Then came the introduction to their new sister. Praise God, she responded very well to them. Before we left for home, she sat on Jackson’s lap and when we stopped at Cracker Barrel to eat Ava was hugging and kissing Hudson. She also responded very well to the entire family. Naturally, she didn’t want to be held by anybody but mommy but she took all the people in stride. Once we got home, Ava was not ready for bed since she was still on China time. Thankfully, this was her worst night yet.
Over the next couple of days, we just sort of stayed around home for her to get adjusted to her new family and her new home. Our church family has again blessed us by bringing meals to our home. This has been a huge help. Needless to say after two weeks away, we came home to a house empty of food. On Sunday, we had Hudson’s Fifth Birthday party at Tammy’s oldest sister’s home. He turned 5 the day after we got home, but we postponed the part a few days. Again, Ava responded very well to even more family members. She even got off Tammy’s lap to wander around and interact with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. She enjoyed opening presents and playing with new toys.
Sunday was a great day. It felt good to be back in church and able to worship with our family. As soon as we entered the church, Ava became the center of attention. We were so glad to be home and able to introduce and share her with her church family. This is a body of believers that dearly love this little girl. She made it through the entire service without having to be taken out. She seemed to really enjoy the worship time.
This week we are still just trying to readjust and recover. Naturally when you have three boys in the house, there is going to be havoc. On Tuesday morning I got an urgent call from Morgan. He had spent the night camping out with a friend’s family. He told me on the phone that he had wrecked his bike and was bleeding. He said I needed to come and get him fast. Thankfully, he was able to describe where he was on the bike trail which just happened to be across the road from the house. I figured it wasn’t as bad as he was indicating and that he would just need a Band-Aid. Well, he was right and it was pretty bad. Tammy was concerned he was going to need stitches. So we called our brother-in-law who is a doctor to see if he could get him in quick. Naturally, he said to just come on into his office. Morgan did not need stitched and got by with just some bandages. He is pretty scraped up especially his face. The poor guy must have slid on the concrete face first.
Ava enjoyed her first American Chinese meal tonight at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants. She did very well sitting in her high chair. She continues to eat very well. She will still not take a bottle or formula. We are supplementing with calcium enriched orange juice and yogurt. We will discuss this with her pediatrician next week at her first appointment. She has an appointment with a neurosurgeon on 7/30. She continues to adjust well to her new home. The boys enjoy having her home and she is having fun playing with her new brothers.
We are still amazed at the journey God placed us on. He has blessed us and continues to bless us beyond measure.
It is still hard to believe that it has been one week since we left Guangzhou for Hong Kong. Wednesday, July 8 was an amazing day. This is the day we took the oath at the American Consulate. This was an amazing experience. I wish they would allow cameras in the Consulate so that we could have recorded this experience. After the oath ceremony, we and three other families were taken to the train station to leave for Hong Kong. It was hard saying goodbye to the other families that we have gotten to know so well in such a short time. We look forward to reunions and especially trips to Tennessee to see Angie and Mia. Ava did not enjoy the train ride very well which concerned us about the upcoming plane ride. It was nice to be able to walk across the street to our hotel when we arrived in Hong Kong. The hotel was very nice and the staff was great.
On the way to the airport, we saw the signs pointing to Disneyland. For those who know us well, you know how much we wanted to head to Disneyland. However, we had two boys waiting for us at home that we couldn’t wait to see. The flight went very well from Hong Kong to Newark. I definitely want to know who all prayed for peace for Ava on the flight because I want you praying for me. We could not have asked for a better child on the flight. Ava slept for two hours and then four hours. While she was awake, she sat on Tammy’s lap and just played with various toys. Then she slept the whole flight from Newark to St Louis. Praise God! We thank everyone so much for their prayers. The flight is just another example of answered prayers.
We landed on time in St Louis to an amazing welcome from family and friends. As we came around the corner and saw the crowd, the only two we were truly looking for was Jackson and Hudson. And here they came running to us even beyond the security gates. Thankfully, there was no staff around. It was fantastic hugging those two boys. Then came the introduction to their new sister. Praise God, she responded very well to them. Before we left for home, she sat on Jackson’s lap and when we stopped at Cracker Barrel to eat Ava was hugging and kissing Hudson. She also responded very well to the entire family. Naturally, she didn’t want to be held by anybody but mommy but she took all the people in stride. Once we got home, Ava was not ready for bed since she was still on China time. Thankfully, this was her worst night yet.
Over the next couple of days, we just sort of stayed around home for her to get adjusted to her new family and her new home. Our church family has again blessed us by bringing meals to our home. This has been a huge help. Needless to say after two weeks away, we came home to a house empty of food. On Sunday, we had Hudson’s Fifth Birthday party at Tammy’s oldest sister’s home. He turned 5 the day after we got home, but we postponed the part a few days. Again, Ava responded very well to even more family members. She even got off Tammy’s lap to wander around and interact with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. She enjoyed opening presents and playing with new toys.
Sunday was a great day. It felt good to be back in church and able to worship with our family. As soon as we entered the church, Ava became the center of attention. We were so glad to be home and able to introduce and share her with her church family. This is a body of believers that dearly love this little girl. She made it through the entire service without having to be taken out. She seemed to really enjoy the worship time.
This week we are still just trying to readjust and recover. Naturally when you have three boys in the house, there is going to be havoc. On Tuesday morning I got an urgent call from Morgan. He had spent the night camping out with a friend’s family. He told me on the phone that he had wrecked his bike and was bleeding. He said I needed to come and get him fast. Thankfully, he was able to describe where he was on the bike trail which just happened to be across the road from the house. I figured it wasn’t as bad as he was indicating and that he would just need a Band-Aid. Well, he was right and it was pretty bad. Tammy was concerned he was going to need stitches. So we called our brother-in-law who is a doctor to see if he could get him in quick. Naturally, he said to just come on into his office. Morgan did not need stitched and got by with just some bandages. He is pretty scraped up especially his face. The poor guy must have slid on the concrete face first.
Ava enjoyed her first American Chinese meal tonight at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants. She did very well sitting in her high chair. She continues to eat very well. She will still not take a bottle or formula. We are supplementing with calcium enriched orange juice and yogurt. We will discuss this with her pediatrician next week at her first appointment. She has an appointment with a neurosurgeon on 7/30. She continues to adjust well to her new home. The boys enjoy having her home and she is having fun playing with her new brothers.
We are still amazed at the journey God placed us on. He has blessed us and continues to bless us beyond measure.
Getting Ava ready for Disney
Mia's not liking the carousel
Ava's future husband, Gabe
Watch out America, Here I come!
On the train to Hong Kong
Hong Kong at night
Good-bye China!
This must be the beginning ofthe flight, her sweater's still white
Our first Sunday back at church
Ava loves her great-grandma!
Eating at our fave Chineserestaurant
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