Taryn's Journey

Gotcha Day Anniversary!

2010-03-09T06:14:00.005+08:00

Taryn, one year later!

This was our first attempt at pics!

The girls!

This was the best we could get! You can see Taryn is ready to get up and run again!

Okay, sorry for the week long delay. I misplaced my camera cord and have spent this whole week looking for it! Finally, I have found it and here are the few pics we were able to get! We went out to eat with one of the families we traveled with...of course, Chinese food! It was so much fun and the girls had fun playing together. Of course, trying to get pics out of them was a whole other story! They are definitely both toddlers. I can't believe it has been a year since we were in China. This time last year we were still in China! I have felt so nostalgic about China, our trip and Taryn in general this week. Basically, I feel blessed to have our first year with her. To have been able to travel on a once in a lifetime trip to China. And to now be on the other side of the adoption process. Our one year visit with our SW is over...the process is now FINISHED! This leaves me feeling so happy...and I suppose relieved.
I still have such a heart for those of you waiting and in the process. I have heard that the wait for China NSN is up to 6.5 years! I pray that this fact doesn't discourage those of you with a heart to adopt from China. I know for a fact that there is a child at the end of the wait. A child chosen just for you and your family. Please hang in there and know this!
Until next time...

My Montage 2/16/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-02-27T04:01:00.001+08:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Movin' Onward and Upward...

2009-03-29T21:01:00.002+08:00

It has been brought to my attention (by my sweet and honest sister!) that I should NOT be posting on this page any longer. I am HOME, therefore should be posting on the family page. So, she is right (urghhhh...), and I will now be posting further life "episodes" on our family page! Please continue to join me on this journey that is my life...

Spit Peas and Snot...

2009-03-25T21:31:00.006+08:00

These are the days of my life...we have all been sick, thus the lack of posts recently! Taryn has been the last women standing at our house...and she has fallen to the "cold" we have all had. When our boys were babies and had colds there was OTC medicine we could give them...well, not anymore! I am just sucking her nose out (to the point she might need therapy later in life!) and using a humidifier! Poor thing...not only does she have all of these changes to adapt too...now she can't breath on top of everything else! And, we were just getting into a routine with sleep and wake time too! Oh well, I didn't take off from work to "play" around...but to get her and us settled in to real life.
Speaking of real life. We have started baby foods (as you can see by the picture) and she is defiantly a baby that knows what she likes and doesn't like! She seems to like veggies better than fruit (that was how they ate in China as well!)...she has also learned that it is great fun to blow "raspberries" while eating baby food! We have to duck and cover with most feedings...shower following!
Besides the sleeping issues that continue to plague us...she is making great strides every day! She is now rolling over and bringing Cheerios to her mouth...neither of which she could do last week! She also HATED her bath...until, last week. Now, she is sticking her head under water and coming up laughing! She loves her "Johnny jump up" and exercise car (a remnant from the boys)...the use of her legs is her favorite thing! We have OT sessions every morning and evening! It has been really fun to help her learn and grow to where she should be at 9 months! She has her first Doctors appointment on April 1st...I don't know if she gets shots or not...lets hope NOT! I plan on posting once a week, maybe twice depending on the "excitement level" in our home!
She sure has been a joy to parent...I feel blessed to be her Mommy every day! Just the other day Wesley summed it up best by saying to her "Taryn, we are so lucky to have you!"...and we are!

"So...how much did it cost???"

2009-03-15T17:21:00.002+08:00

I thought I would start a discussion about the issue of "Questions" from total strangers (and sometimes family!) regarding adoption. I have only been out with Taryn once in the USA and that was in the Chicago Airport! But, in the 3 hour layover we had, we were literally approached by at least 5 people that I can remember! All total strangers...all very "curious"...and ALL of them asked "So, how much did it cost?" I always thought I WOULDN'T be annoyed with this...but, and maybe it was because I was very tired and jet lagged, (and obviously still am!) it seemed a bit odd to me! I mean, we don't EVER ask someone how much it costs when they give birth! We just assume that some amount of money was paid...and go on about our lives. So, with adoption, I would just assume that it "cost's alot"! Seriously, most people who know ANYTHING about adoption know that it cost's alot of money to do so! In the end we just told them "25 grand"...but, I couldn't help feeling slightly annoyed that it wasn't any ones business! Steve isn't as "skeptical" as I am and just felt like people were being "curious" and "didn't know it was rude..." And, he is probably right! But, what about the other questions? Ones like "why didn't you stay in the US?" or "is she adopted?" (actually, this one makes me smile...because looking at Steve and myself and then at our China baby...well, it's kind of obvious!) or "You all just wanted a girl..." The latter being the one that makes me the MADDEST of all! This has actually been said A LOT (mostly by family members!) and it is SO NOT TRUE! I feel like that particular question negates my boys! Like they "weren't good enough" so we had to go "get us a girl"...Ooohhh, NOW I am on a soap box people!
And, just curious to know, how do you answer "where is your baby from?" or "are your other children adopted...?" All of this is partially "okay" right now...but, what about when Taryn is older? Old enough to think out the answer herself? Will she not be "from" Kentucky? And will she forever be reminded of "how much she cost"? One last question (and really, that is what I am doing is trying to get feedback on how others have handled/answered these questions in the past!) do I refer to the boys as my "bio" children and Taryn as my "adopted" child...I don't think that sounds correct at all! There has to be a better way to deal with all of this "curiousness" (ignorance is how I am looking at it...but, just trying to be nice!). And, early on a BTDT mom reminded me that how I react to questions is how my daughter will perceive my "feelings" about her...which I thought was a very wise statement. She also said that to handle things "wrongly" or "badly" (out of frustration or anger) will only teach Taryn to do the same thing!
So, all of that being said...I KNOW some of you have dealt with this issue...because 5 people in the span of 3 hours was obviously a small glimpse into what life will be like now! Not to mention, I have to go to Wal-Mart Monday and wanted to be prepared!!!
Thanks for letting me vent...I am now stepping down from the box!

Ramblings...

2009-03-14T10:12:00.005+08:00

She usually doesn't look this worried about things...we sat her down for one of the first times on the floor to play with her brothers and toys...she wasn't trusting the idea at first!
...she got used to it very quickly!

Meeting Wesley...
Garrett enjoying being a big brother for the first time!

I have comprised a list of ideas and things for those of you getting ready to travel or waiting to travel to China. These are things that I wish I had known about to bring...or not to bring! I know most of you have a "packing list" to copy or borrow...I borrowed my list from a friend and just made changes as needed. So, I am NOT going to post our packing list because there are like a blue gazillion out there on-line to download! However, these are a few things that I DIDN'T have on the list and they would have been SO great to have had. First, even if the little voice inside your head tells you to NOT bring movies for you to watch on your "down" time...bring some anyway. If you have a laptop you will be able to watch them on the laptop. And...YOU WILL have plenty of downtime. Especially in your babies Provence. We were in our hotel room more than we were out...the weather was horrible and there wasn't much to do outside in her Provence anyway. There is only so much Discovery Channel or CNN one can watch...we would have LOVED to watch a few movies during naps or before bed!
Secondly, if you don't know about "Skype"...find out about it! It is the BEST way to communicate back to home. We DIDN'T know about it at first and in Beijing we used a calling card home...only cost about 8 US dollars. That doesn't sound bad, but, once again, in the Provence the calling cards wouldn't work unless we used an outside phone line...which IS NOT convenient! Skype is virtually free (2 cents a minute) we downloaded it on our computer and called home. Our boys talked to us via the land phone and we talked via the computer! I was able to even call other friends and family (not just the boys!). If you actually download Skype to your home computer before you leave...it won't even cost 2 cents a minute...it will be FREE! And, it gets even better, if you have cameras on your computers (web cams or laptop cameras) then you can talk face to face...for FREE! Don't fall for the "panda phone" or "calling card" suggestions that will be given to you when you prepare for travel...check out Skype...we are totally all about that! So glad our friends in China (props to Evelyn!) showed us how to use it!
Thirdly, I want to emphasise this one...BRING PEANUT BUTTER! If you are traveling with anyone that is a picky eater, this will save you at some point! We brought PB and bought bread at every Provence and ate it at least 2 times in every Provence we were at. You can only eat so much rice...just a suggestion!
Regarding Travel...EVERYTHING MUST WEIGH UNDER 44 lbs! This is a biggy! We witnessed people (even in our travel group) who had to actually open their suitcases and flip flop stuff around because they weighed to much. You don't want to have to wait until you are at the airport to do this...especially a foreign airport! Someone loaned us a small luggage scale that actually weighed less that .5 lbs...it saved us! You only get to bring one suitcase per person going to China...coming home you can bring two. We bought a third suitcase in Guangzhou (if you do any shopping at all you will have to do this to get home!) for 13 US dollars (props to Jesus on that one!). Steve wants me to point out also, that on the way back you actually have to check your luggage at 3 different airports (or however many airports you travel to going home). Because you are coming from a "foreign" country and have to go through customs you will have to retrieve your luggage at the baggage claim at every airport and re-check it and go through customs and security each time (it is acutally worse in the US airports on the return trip). Remember this when you are packing your "carry on" items to go home...Going to China we had 4 carry on's (slightly excessive???)...coming home we eliminated 2 of those. Thank God! All of the checking in and going through security each time was a huge pain...extra carry on's would have been a HUGE hassle on top of everything else!
I am also glad that I brought a whole pack of US diapers. They were needed. I had debated on bringing a few...and in the end, packed a whole pack. Chinese diapers are crappy diapers (excuse the pun!)...they don't hold very well at all and can really only be used for short periods. So, overnight and for long trips the US diapers were needed and worked so much better...FYI!
One thing I didn't have and really could have used multiple times was a formula dispenser. It would have come in handy on SEVERAL occasions...but especially when we traveled home. The mom's I traveled with had them and said they got them at Babies R Us...I just ended up filling a bunch of Playtex refills and putting rubber bands around them! Which brings me to the last thing I can think of .... If you bring any bottles at all bring the refillable Playtex kind. We switched her to those several days after Gotcha day, and they were so easy to pack. We didn't have to have multiple bottles that took up a lot of space...just make sure you bring enough refills (50-100) for the trip. The Orphanage bottles were poor quality and took up a lot of room! We also had our Chinese Guide read the instructions for us on our formula bag...the orphanage told us what they were doing and it didn't correspond at all to the instructions on the bag! They were actually halving the amount of formula needed and upping the rice cereal dose (as a filler...). So, once we figured that out we were able to switch her around on that as well! Okay, that is it...but these "tidbits" of information really would have helped me if I had gotten them ahead of time, so I hope it helps SOMEONE out there at some point!
BTW...if anyone has some suggestions on "changing" your babies schedules to American time let me know! We are having a hard time with this! Granted, it is only our third night...but, all of a sudden she doesn't like her crib and she is waking up ALL OF THE TIME! I don't think I am doing something right! Any suggestions from BTDT moms???

Were Home!

2009-03-13T07:45:00.004+08:00

Home at Last!
Taryn had her own seat in the plane...

Her friend Emmalee in the front of us...
...and another friend in the back...we were surrounded by cuteness!
Trying to nap...is it daytime or night time????
Meeting Grandmommy...
Meeting Garrett at the airport...
Wesley, Garrett and Taryn...we are complete!

We made it! Through the 3 flights and 3 layovers totaling 27 hours...we made it home in one piece and halfway sane! Taryn did beautifully...she was still smiling when we landed in Lexington. She had a hard time sleeping on the plane, and you can't hardly blame her-we all had a hard time sleeping on the plane! I believe there were 18 babies on the flight going home with families (3 were NOT adopted...). So, you can only imagine the flight itself! For the most part it was calm...long...but calm!
And we are SO VERY HAPPY to be home in America! The first thing we did in the Chicago airport was eat at Chili's! The plane served fish not once but TWICE! Why??? Why is fish served on a plane? It smells the entire plane up and you know, it doesn't travel well! Both flights too and from had fish...I really like fish here in the states...but on a plane??? So, we had gone almost 24 hours without eating...Chili's was Awesome!!!
We have been home one full day now and it still seems surreal. We are, of course, tired and "off schedule"...Taryn never really has established a schedule...but, it is especially hard when you are trying to "turn around" by an entire 12 hours! The boys are "in love" with her...they say she is "better than a puppy..." hehe! She seems to really like them as well. She doesn't cry when they hold her and laughs when they play with her. She is such an "easy going" baby...I have been quiet pleased so far with her "reaction" to new people!
We are now in the process of "cleaning" old baby items: ex...high chair, bouncy seat, etc... It is bringing back sweet memories of when the boys used them! Poor Taryn...she has a car bouncy seat instead of a "princess" one! Oh well...she has older brothers right???
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us, communicated good wishes to us, stood by us through all of this "drama" and especially thank you to those of you who have said they would bring meals...wow! That helps out more than anyone will ever know...especially with jet lag...I don't really know what time of day it is let alone feel "perky" enough to cook! So, thank you!
I plan on continuing to blog...I don't really know when it will switch to the "family" section...but, probably soon. I just can't believe this part of the adoption is OVER! We received an email from our adoption agency saying something to the effect of "Congratulations it is finished..." I still can't quiet grasp that concept!
I hope everyone has a peaceful night...we will!

Leaving China...

2009-03-10T20:51:00.006+08:00

Worth the Wait!
Taryn "met" at sweet little 9 month old boy from this Provence (notice the "bundling")
Sweet little Liam (4 yo) and his mommy and Daddy (Scott and Joleene) from Indiana
Faith Ann (2 yo) and her parents John and Jeanie from Ohio
Little Emmalee Rose (16 mo) with her happy parents Doug (a.k.a. "Smiley") and Rebecca from Tennessee
Mei Li (9 mo...Taryn's Orphanage sister) with Evelyn and Jesus...we absolutely love this couple! From Miami Florida
Very "spicy" Sylvia Joy (10 mo another orphanage sister) with Cliff and Amy...we became great friends...from Kentucky!
Our PRICELESS guide Susan with our daughter...we could not have done this trip with out her! Seriously...she was a Godsend...

Today was our last day in Guangzhou China. It is bittersweet. We are SO ready to leave and come home...but, (and I can't believe I am actually going to say this!) it is sad to leave the country where our baby was born. I feel like we are leaving a part of her behind. She is a Chinese-American now (to be PC about it!)...but, part of her heritage is here. And as hard as this trip has been, and as "different" as the culture has been compared to what we are used too...I am still sad about leaving! I can't quiet put into words exactly "why" I am sad...It is mostly for her...and partly because I am so darn tired that everything is making me all mushy and weepy! We are taking away so many wonderful, bizarre, not-so-wonderful, and totally Awesome memories with us. All of a sudden I don't feel like I took enough pictures! I don't know...I am just feeling different than I thought I would a week ago about taking her out of her country. And, apparently, it is NOT out of the ordinary for me to be feeling this way. I have heard from many adoptive moms that they felt the exact same way...I just thought after the crazy, culturally different week we had in her Provence of Jiangxi Nanchang that I would be okay with leaving. I know I will feel differently when I see my sweet boys at the airport...but for now, I am sad for many different reasons!
Moving on to "lighter" things...we went to the US Consulate today and took "vows" to take care of our baby, give her all of the same rights as other US citizens and never to abuse or abandon her. According to China and the United States she is 100% officially our daughter! Wow! We (mostly the moms) were all tearful after saying the vows because we knew it was OVER! And all of the paperwork, planning, tears, worry, stress, ups and downs, renewing everything under the sun (3 times!),answering endless "have you heard anything" questions, and finally...waiting almost 4 years is FINALLY OVER...it was an overwhelming emotion that most of us were not expecting! There was our group of 6 families and then about 50 other families that all said our "vows" together... Taryn is officially ours! Once again, Wow! Praise God it is OVER (have I said that enough yet???)!!!
So, the next time you hear from me (and it won't be until Thursday your time...) we will be back in Kentucky in our dry, mold free beds. With our boys and our daughter all under one roof...a complete and whole family.
Once again...addressing waiting families...please hang in there! Your turn will come and it is SO VERY WORTH IT (another thing I wasn't sure I would ever get to say!). Your son or daughter need you...they really do! I encourage you to keep your "eye" on the prize and like Paul says in the bible...finish the race! It will be over soon...maybe not soon in your eyes...but soon enough for the child God has picked out for you. His timing is perfect...continue the wait.
I am including pictures (once again...but these are more organized!) of the families we traveled with. We will NEVER forget them...they are precious to us!
We have 18 hours of flying and approximately 7-8 hours of layover time tomorrow...prayer is in order please! See you on the flip side friends!

Red Couch Day!

2009-03-09T20:56:00.004+08:00

The three "Orphanage Sisters"-Sylvia Joy; Mei Li; Taryn Joy
Mei Li and Taryn goofing around...
Our Asian Princess!
How cute are these two! Everyone says they look alike! Because they are both Cute!
Faith Ann; Emmalee Rose; Liam Kai; Mei Li; Taryn Joy; Sylvia Joy

There is a "tradition" among adoption families that when you have "made it" to Guangzhou the babies in your travel group all take a picture on "the red couch" at the White Swan Hotel. First, let me start by saying the White Swan Hotel is the sharpest hotel I have ever seen...hands down nice! It is like a 6 star hotel! We are staying up the road at the "ghetto"(just kiddin') , but our hotel, The Victory is NOTHING compared to the White Swan! We all went to "check it out" the other night after dinner, which we shouldn't have done! We left all sad and mad because we weren't staying there! Anyway, we had to walk to the White Swan from our hotel to get the red couch pictures today. The babies in the photo are all in our "travel group"...meaning, all 6 families are from the same adoption agency and traveled together (in Beijing and now in Guangzhou...we split up for the Provence week). Three of the families are in the "special needs" program and three of the families (including us) are in the "non-special needs" program. All three of the non-special needs babies were in the same orhpanage so we have been together now for almost 3 weeks! We have become really close with these two families and it means a lot that our babies started out together! I really hope we can keep in touch! The other 3 families are precious as well...they have been "called" to a much higher calling than adoption. Taking a special needs orphan takes even more dedication and determination...they are truly wonderful parents!
So, that being said...Enjoy the "cute" pictures of the Red Couch. I will try to "explain" who the children are! Taryn, is the cute one in the light pink Chinese "tutu" (thank you very much!). Mei Li is her "orphanage sister" on her right in the hot pink "tutu"...she has the great hair! Her parents are so much fun to be with, they are from Miami Fl. And then Sylvia (to Taryn's left...the one needing her mommy for the picture!) was Taryn's friend in the orhpanage. We actually have pictures of them together with Sylvia's arm around Taryn! Her family lives in Georgetown Ky! That is great because the two can stay friends by living close to each other! In the middle is Liam...we LOVE this kid! He was special needs simply because of his age. He is 4 1/2 years old...he is the sweetest little boy! The only American word he knows is "hello" and he says it ALL OF THE TIME! You can hear him coming because you hear "hello...hello...hello"...he is precious! Next to him is Emmalee Rose...she has a cleft lip/cleft palate to be repaired in the States. She is ALWAYS smiling...just like her parents! And on the end is Faith Ann...she has a hearing disorder that hasn't been taken care of yet but will be as soon as they get back to Ohio.
So, these are the "kids" in our group. I will miss seeing them! It is funny how "attached" you get on a trip such as this! You really rely on the families to "watch your back" so to speak when you are in an unknown place. And it has so helped to have people going through the same stuff as you! It has been a life changing experience...one we will never forget.
On another note...we have "one man down" in the Feck family right now. I have been a single mommy today...Steve is sick. And, just like at home when he gets sick...he gets REALLY sick! He looks awful and has a fever...he has been in bed all day accept for the short "outing" to the White Swan. We have been teasing him that he is just trying to get out of eating another Chinese meal...but, in reality...he feels awful! Please pray for him if you think about it...we have another day here and then a LONG, LONG, LONG flight home. He will need to be feeling better to get through that!
I also wanted to say a big "HELLO" to my little friends at Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary School in Nicholasville Kentucky! I know some of you have been keeping up with the blog in your classrooms and I hope you have learned a lot about China! Hello to Ms. Brakebill's class and Ms. Burn's class...We will have to bring Taryn in to meet you as soon as she is able!
That's it for now...enjoy the pictures...ONE MORE DAY in China!

For Kicks and Giggles...

2009-03-08T20:50:00.004+08:00

Guangzhou China = Gatlinburg TN. United States...

2009-03-08T19:41:00.009+08:00

We are now in the "tourist trap" of China! This entire day was busy. We started out going to a Chinese Christian Church...it was lovely. Probably the 2nd greatest "highlight" of this trip for me (the first being getting Taryn of course...). I have never felt so overwhelmed listening to the many Chinese people praising and worshipping God...it was so moving...words can't describe. I couldn't even understand the words...but I recognized the tune from our church at home. I actually "teared up" listening to it...it was beautiful to witness and I almost felt a little "sad" that Taryn wasn't going to be surrounded by such lovely Chinese people as those in this Church. The minister even started out with a joke! There was a translator of course...but, it was a lovely sermon and I was so glad to be a part of something I didn't even know existed in China.
Then, directly after Church we rushed, rushed, rushed straight to the Pearl Market...yeah baby...I said the PEARL MARKET! Wholesale "real" pearls...We got Taryn a necklace and earrings with a silver clasp for 90$ US dollars (sweet!!!). We actually bought these for her wedding day...My goal has been to get her one gift from China for every birthday through her 18th birthday...and then a wedding gift. I know, that sounds ridiculous, but we aren't buying huge expensive items. Just little things from her home Country. The biggest gifts (or most expensive I should say) were the "wedding" pearls and then we bought a Jade (which is also big here in China) ring and bracelet for her 16th year (45$ US!...even sweeter!). Then, and I had to include pictures/video of the next adventure or nobody would believe me...we went to a wholesale market called "Carrefour"...it is like a Wal-mart...only 10 times CRAZIER! We all left there having anxiety attacks! It was nuts! And we only had to get baby cereal! Lesson learned...stay away from Carrefour in China!
Finally, we met for dinner as a group...once again (and probably not the last time) for Chinese. You KNOW it is a good Chinese food restaurant when the food is swimming in the tanks and there are Chandeliers hanging overhead...extra special...hmmmm!
So, I leave you with tons of pictures and video "footage". We are tired...and poor Taryn...went down with a smile as always!

Back in Business!

2009-03-07T12:18:00.004+08:00

We are still here! I am sure some of you might have been worried as the last post said we were flying to another part of China...and then you didn't hear from us again! Once again we had some Internet trouble...and we are now up and running, hopefully until the end of our trip here in China. We are now in Guangzhou China...this is the US part of the trip. We just had our health physical (well, Taryn's physical!) and we get her US visa here as well as meet with the US Consulate where we say our "vows" to never abandon Taryn among other things (I don't really know what we "vow" to do... I will have to inform everyone after it is done...Tuesday.). We arrived here at 5:30 pm yesterday (Friday) and it is now lunch time on Saturday (all of you at home are hopefully sound asleep!). We totally missed talking with our boys yesterday, and I know they like to read the blog and look at pictures...so I was feeling the "mother guilt" all night and couldn't wait to get our "adapter" from the hotel to get some pictures posted for them (and you all!) to have!
We are now staying at the Victory Hotel...is was built in 1860...and, you can tell! It isn't bad...the rooms are huge! Our guide says it is a 4 star hotel and not a 5 star (as the White Swan is...which is the other popular hotel for adoptive parents!). I don't want to complain because there are a lot of great things about this hotel...the surrounding gardens are beautiful. The hotel room has a veranda with a panoramic view of the cobblestone street, shops, and gardens below(many couples come to these gardens to take Wedding pictures. We caught an adorable couple today and felt like the "paparazzi" taking their picture...but did it anyway!). We have very quick access to Starbucks, McDonald's (the boys would like that!), Subway, AND "Lucy's Bar and Grill" (the one "famous" American restaurant here in China!). We had Cheeseburgers and fries for dinner (and a beer! A real one!) TONS of shopping everywhere...this is the place to shop because everyone caters to us adoptive parents. They bargain on everything (we just bought a hand calligraphic name print and 6 embroidered bibs for our darling slobber girl...for 9 US dollars!!!) Dude...I am LOVING' this part of China!!! The down side of the hotel (and you KNEW I was going to have to mention it!) is that the rooms are so old they smell "musty" and are kind of "damp"...lovely huh! There is really nothing that can be done about that short of switching hotels and that can't happen! So, I guess the good outweighs the bad, and in China...that is all you can ask for! We actually both think our boys would have liked Guangzhou...if they had survived the other parts of China without killing each other!!!
So, we are doing well. Taryn's physical exam was hectic (as everything related to the adoption has been!)...they really don't look very closely at anything...and I just checked "normal" for all of the questions they asked! Even though, we DID have to start her on Zithromax yesterday. She started having a fever on Thursday night (101.5) and then Friday morning she woke up with the same temperature. I am about 90% sure it is her ears as she has been pulling on them all week...which we assumed was teething because she didn't have a fever. Now, 2 doses later, she is doing fine! I will have her ears checked when we get back to the US. The antibiotics last through Tuesday and we leave on Wednesday. Steve has been battling a cold as well...luckily, his nurse wife packed an entire pharmacy of medicine to cover EVERYTHING that could possible happen! He is starting to feel better. Because I missed a day...I could go on and on...but, I will stop for now! We miss you Wesley and Garrett...Taryn is ready to play!!!!

Another Day In Nanchang...

2009-03-05T21:02:00.006+08:00

It was our last full day in Nanchang. And, once again, it was rainy! We got out when we could...and then I didn't bring the camera!!!! I had our friends take pictures, but there won't be much to post as far a pictures go! I finally got to see what I like to call "food on a stick". The Chinese eat a lot of "different" things as I have pointed out many times before...anyway, some of the fun things they eat are always on a stick...scorpions on a stick, octopus on a stick, etc...today was the first time we were able to get out on the streets of Nanchang today...so I took just two pictures of the food on a stick...I hope to get more for the boys (who like the "cool" pics!) maybe in Guangzhou. We passed a middle school today and were quickly surrounded by the cutest middle schoolers giggling and whispering...they kept saying "hello" and "hi"...and then would giggle some more. It was so cute...teenagers are the same no matter what country you are in! We then went to a bookstore this evening and were, once again, surrounded by a group of little girls. I had my friend take a picture (of course I don't have it because it was in her camera!). They LOVED it! They actually spoke better English than the middle schoolers! One of them handed me a piece of candy...and then they all had to "scatter" because the bookstore owner began to yell at them (in Ky. we call it "Wal-Mart parenting!)...I felt badly because the girls were being so sweet...but, kids here have there "place" and it isn't to flock around the "customer" which was us! So, we have "food on a stick" pictures, and then the "van" picture is China's version of a mini van (ours is way better!!!). And then, of course...cute Taryn pictures!
Speaking of Guangzhou...we fly there tomorrow! It is a 1.5 hour flight...I am praying for an "easy" flight...there will be approximately 15 families with babies flying on our flight to Guangzhou! I know the three in our group are all teething...so it might prove to be interesting! I am not going to pull out the "drugs" (aka...Baby Benadryl!) until our 17 hours of flying next Wednesday!

Taking Nothing For Granted...

2009-03-04T19:59:00.008+08:00

Today we went to a village that has been in Nanchang China for over 1000 years. Apparently they are used to tourists coming because this particular village was featured in National Geographic a few years back. It was very interesting and very sobering to see how people in the country live here in China. The city life is totally different from the US in so many ways. But, the country life is almost unimaginable unless you see it as we did. According to our guide farmers make about 100$ a year -ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS A YEAR (in US dollars!). These are the types of villages where babies are carried and then taken to larger cities and abandoned. There is one picture...the Chinese writing on the wall...it reads "One Child per family!" and then the smaller sign says "Will be strictly enforced..." Wow! That says it all! I asked our guide what actually happens when these families give birth. If it is a boy...they stop. If it is a girl they might try again and then put the girl up for adoption by "abandoning" her at the orphanage. Or, they would "hide" the second pregnancy and then leave the baby where it could be found and taken care of by an orphanage. They have been given no other choice by the government. It costs about 100,000$ US dollars to keep a second child. Very few in China-city or country can afford that. We were given the "finders add" for Taryn by her orphanage. This is the newspaper add with her picture and general information about her when she was found as a newborn. The sad thing about this is that there are probably 200 more babies and children on the same page with the same types of adds! This was just for her Provence here in Nanchang! These adds come out weekly with new faces and names in every Provence of China! It is overwhelming to see all of the babies that are left! The village was a great way to actually see how Taryn would have lived if she were kept. I can't imagine the living conditions! Chickens coming in and out of open doorways...small gardens being watered by the same water as the sewer flows from...Once again though, the people were very friendly and "interested" in us. The 3 story white building and the "outhouse" building in the pictures are the local school and the bathroom the children use outside (no complaining about school boys!!! It could be a lot worse!) We tried to capture as many pictures as we could! The video is short but essentially is what happens when you are on the streets of China! The people love to see Americans (especially blond ones!) and the babies. They look at it as the baby has found "luck" to go to America and have a family. They KNOW that there is no other option for these babies! I have learned to be gracious as women and men come up and touch, kiss, want to hold Taryn...and talk to me or Steve...mostly me because I am the one with the carrier! They all seem to love babies...and yet, they can't keep them! It is very sad... we tried to capture a few of the faces we saw and the homes they live in. Hope it enlightens those of us who take things for granted! And, praise God, our daughter has been saved from this!

Rainy Days in China

2009-03-03T15:17:00.007+08:00

I am blogging early today because I am getting very stir crazy! It is "monsoon" season here in Nanchung...so it has rained every second that we have been here! It is also about 30-50 degrees...so, our time is limited outside of the hotel! Our China guide had stuff planned for us to do every day this week, and so far, we have only been able to do the "business" side of our trip and visiting places that are covered! Today we took the babies in the pouring rain to a place called "The Pavilion"...I still don't quiet know what it was all about...but we saw a really cool show and viewed some great Chinese Architecture...then, we went to yet another Chinese Restaurant. This one was interesting as you could pick your food from the many tanks surrounding the restaurant...we ate rice.
The Chinese people have been so gracious to us here. Really in Beijing as well...they are very curious and very much want to please us as their "visitors". It was funny today at the Pavilion...somehow Taryn and I turned into a picture show...there was a group of business men (tourists from somewhere else in China?) That all just started taking our picture! I was sitting with Taryn minding my own business...and, as if I was a "display" or something...they walked up and started shooting their cameras! It was hilarious in a way...I didn't know what to do, so I just sat there and let them do it! Steve wanted to charge them per picture...maybe help pay for the adoption...just kidding!
Speaking of kidding. Every time one of us in our group "jokes" around with our guide, Susan, we have to say "that was a joke..." because she doesn't know when we are joking or not! I didn't realize how sarcastic and full of "jokes" (for lack of a better term!) we Americans are until we have to say that after almost everything we say! It is all just SO DIFFERENT here!
Enjoy the pictures and the Video...it was our first attempt at getting Taryn to "perform" and it didn't go to well! She is just like every baby and doesn't "perform on demand"!

We Are In Love...

2009-03-02T21:10:00.009+08:00

Princess T has stolen our hearts! She is precious! Of course, 9 months is usually a fun time for babies anyway...so, we got her at a great time! She is playful, laughs, dances (while sitting), and babbles! She can't roll from front to back or back to front...she should be able to. And, she keeps pulling on her ears...which makes me think she is teething (which she is!) or she has an ear infection. Just keeping an eye on it. It is a vulnerable situation to try and parent a new baby in a foreign country! We are in a beautiful 5 star hotel in the middle of downtown Nanchung China...and we are surrounded by trash, dirt, and slums. I took a few pictures of our surroundings vs. the hotel to try and show everyone where we are! This is more of the "country" China...Beijing was the "city" China...there IS a difference! The food and smells were different in Beijing...they are REALLY different here! "Fungus soup" and "Pig hearts with Duck intestines" are a few of the items we have on our room service menu...DELISH! LOL! We are eating a lot of Peanut Butter that we brought from home! We went to the local Wal-mart today and bought baby food, bread, and chips...everything we have at home...but it is all in Chinese! The Wal-Mart is the same...but very different. They sell what we would consider "normal" items with Chinese labels and then "different" items...like fresh turtles, scorpions, and worms...once again, YUMMY! I should point out, however, that the Chinese people DO eat very healthy. The staple is vegetables, fruits, rice, and noodles for all three meals. They eat A LOT of veggies...they just aren't always the kind we eat!
We also went to 4 different Government agencies today. I wish I could name them all, but they all had a small part to do in the finalizing of our adoption of Taryn. In the eyes of China she is 100% our baby! We stay here until Friday to get her Visa. Friday we fly to Guangzhou China to complete the US part of the adoption...that takes another 5 days! It is a long process that will soon be over...Yeah!
We finally got to call the boys tonight (which is your day! Monday morning...). Wesley and Garrett wanted Taryn to "talk" to them...of course she wouldn't perform on demand so we said we would try to video tape her talking "performance". However, it seems we are running into some technical "difficulties" regarding the video! Some have seen it and some can't see it on the blog...don't know...can't explain it! Everything is upside down...we still can't get on our email. So, I hope everyone got to see the gotcha day video (even though I look like a blubbering idiot!), and we will try to post another...can't say it will work or not!
So, for now, we have been hanging out in our room since the business of this morning is over...it is getting kind of boring! There is only so much Chinese television one can watch! Hope everyone is well...We miss you Wesley and Garrett! Hang in there, your sister is coming home (along with your parents!) very soon.

GOTCHA DAY!

2009-03-01T21:31:00.014+08:00

I don't know where to begin! This day has been SO LONG and SO EMOTIONAL! We are exhausted...but very happy! We woke up at 4:30 am and left our hotel in Beijing at 7:30 to board a plane to Nanchung. We arrived in Nanchung around 1:30pm...at 4:00 pm we get a call from our Chinese Guide Susan...asking us to come to her room to get our baby! What...wow...it takes 4 years to get here and less than 2 hours to be her forever family! I panicked because it happened so quickly without any warning as to when the babies would arrive! After that it was all so chaotic! We get to her room with the other two couples and I don't remember much from there. Except for crying and laughing! It was overwhelming watching all of the families getting their babies! We were last, because we chose to be. The other families have no children and I wanted to see them get their babies. So Taryn came last bundled in 3 outfits and sweating (that is how it is done here in China!). She was laughing and babbling...when she saw me -she stopped and stared. It was obvious she had not seen a blond haired person before! It was rather cute. She would look around and smile at everyone in the room and then she would look at me and stop smiling and just stare! And...I kid you not...she starts saying "Dada"! Bizarre! I know she is babbling...and she doesn't yet know who her Dada is...but it was fun hearing it after waiting 4 years for her. "Dada"! Steve said "of course she knows I am her Daddy..." As soon as the orphanage Nannies and Director left...the crying started. She wouldn't take a bottle from either one of us and she was frantic. They hadn't fed her on purpose because it was an hour from the orphanage to our hotel and they said they didn't want her to throw up. She was crying like she was scared and it was heartbreaking. She kept looking in the direction of where her Nanny's had been...and then she would cry some more. Finally, she cried herself to sleep in my arms...and, of course, that was the time we had to go sign paperwork for the orphanage! During the entire paperwork signing she was awake and screaming. I remained calm...just praying that she would somehow feel better. We got her to eat (finally!) after returning to our room...and, thank God, has been a totally different baby since! She laughs, coos, dances (very cute!) and of course says "dada" constantly. We were even able to take her to dinner with the other families...which I didn't think would happen when she was having her "episode". She is now sleeping quietly in her crib...looking like the Angel that she is. I am totally in love with her! I kind of knew I would be...but didn't want to get my hopes up that it would be so "easy". Steve seems "shy" about her. He holds her and talks with her...but is cautious. That is EXACTLY how he was with both boys in the hospital when they were born. It didn't take long for him to be in love with them...and I know he will be "all up in it" very soon! She is the smallest baby of the bunch. She only weighs 16 lbs! Very petite! She is wearing 9 month old clothes right now...probably 12 month clothes in the summer. She is perfect! Besides her teething...she seems very content. We can't wait to bring her home to her brothers (BTW boys...we do not have a calling card until tomorrow, so we won't be able to call you today...but we LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU VERY MUCH!). I know it will be mutual love. Enjoy the pictures and video (especially Jonna who requested the video when I hadn't planned on posting one! You get to watch me cry once again!)... we will be back tomorrow!!!!
P.S. A note to waiting parents...Please hang in there! Oh my gosh it is SO WORTH IT! And, it WILL HAPPEN...it will! There is a baby waiting for you, whether born or not, she has been chosen for you and your family. I know how hard it is...I have been there! I am still amazed that it is our time! I pray that all of you will not give up and wait, because there are literally millions of orphans here...they all need families...and YOUR FAMILY will be chosen just for one of them-the one intended for you from the beginning of your journey! Peace....

Our Feet Are Hurtin'!

2009-02-28T19:55:00.008+08:00

We are still here! It has been a NON-STOP day of touring! A day with MANY firsts for us...we saw the Forbidden City, Tian an men Square, The Great Wall, and finally WAL-MART! Everything is SO different I don't even know how to describe it all! Steve hiked to the top of the Great Wall...I made it like a 1/4 of the way...the steps are really uneven and it was NOT like my Elliptical machine! At least, that is the story I am sticking too! The GW was almost indescribable! It was Awesome...and you would really have to see it in person to appreciate the enormity of it!
The Chinese people are super nice and VERY curious! I have been told it doesn't help that I have blond hair...apparently that is a "cool" and unusual thing for them...it has drawn quite a lot of attention! I am now used to being stared at and talked about CONTINUALLY! We have been asked to take pictures with random strangers (by the random stranger!), we have been stopped for students to "practice their English" and we have been "circled" by curious bystanders MANY times today! And there are security soldiers at all times and EVERYWHERE! They are really cool to watch and we were told NOT to take pictures "head on" of them! If we wanted to take pictures of them it had to be from far away...I tried to get a few of the groups we saw! When you see them marching in groups, or standing around guarding places you are reminded that you are in a Communist country.
The culture hear is AMAZING and very interesting...there are 16 million people in Beijing-16 million! People everywhere! And they just walk around you, through you, over you...very fast always trying to get where ever it is they are going! It is kind of like a Chinese New York City! And there are no speeding rules for drivers! SCARY! I would be dead if I had to drive here...I wouldn't last 5 seconds behind the wheel with the Chinese drivers on the same road with me!
The women are beautiful! I really haven't ever been a minority like this and it is a weird feeling! But, as much as they stare at me, I find myself staring at them! The beauty in the Asian faces is really astounding! In other words...our daughter is gonna be one hot chick!
So, the highlights of the day really were not the major wonders of the world that we saw (although those were AMAZINGLY awesome!) ...but, the meal we were served for lunch! Wow...ummmm...hmmmm...I don't really know how to describe it other than interesting! They eat "family" style...everything at the table in the center and you serve yourself from that. Our guide ordered for us...and it was different to say the least! The fish that was put down in front of us...was very large and "alive" looking! The tail of the fish hit all of our plates and glasses when the lazy susan (which is how they eat here!) spun around...it was freaky! And, no, we didn't try it! In fact, we just finished our dinner of Peanut Butter sandwiches here in the room! We ate alot of white rice for lunch!!!
It was also a first for me...I used a "squat pot" for the first time today! The hotel toilets are like our toilets...out in the general public they use "squat pots"...I included a picture for everyone to understand (of the toilet, not me using the toilet!)! It is just like camping...only camping might be a little more sanitary! It is something I have dreaded doing, and it really wasn't that bad! FYI to families that haven't traveled yet-bring your own toilet paper! They don't have it here...except for the hotel room! Another "first" over with!
Tomorrow we fly to Nanchung in the morning and we get Taryn at our hotel (in the lobby no less!) around 4:30 pm! I can't wait! We have been told, however, that the attention we have received will triple when we get our baby! I don't know if it is because there will be two Americans with a Chinese baby...or that there really aren't to many babies out and about! In fact, kids are scarce! I know they are out there, but because of the "one child rule" the adults out number the kids and it is obvious!
Anyway, enjoy the pictures! I had fun taking them! We can't wait to meet Taryn and we can't wait to introduce her to everyone!
Wesley and Garrett...we miss you! What about the funny picture of your Daddy eating the fish!
Two more thing's...no one in our group has access to our email! So, you can contact me with this blog...but, I am NOT getting emails! I will have 5000 of them when I get home! Also, the top two blogs on my blog list are couples that are over here right now as well. One couple (Jem China) are in our travel group and the other (Andy and Susie) are just a cool couple we sat with on the plane that are here adopting with another agency. Just thought those of you who are "waiting" and watching, might want to check those out as well!

We Have Arrived!

2009-02-27T20:01:00.007+08:00

Ni Hao! We made it through what was, quiet frankly, the longest plane ride I have ever experienced! We are going on 28 hours of NO SLEEP! It has been crazy! We weren't really able to sleep on the plane or in the airport (6 hour layover), and then we didn't sleep the night before we left but maybe 2 hours! So, if this post makes no sense it is simply because my brain is making no sense right now! We are getting ready to sleep soon...after we call our boys! They should be waking up for school very soon and we can't wait to talk with them! Already we miss them very much, and we are just getting started!
So, we were joking that we now know what Hell must be like...one would be exposed to a never ending plane ride...where they NEVER land in there destination! Not only that, they wouldn't be able to sleep; babies would be crying non-stop; they would be served ramen noodles with freeze dried fish that expanded when exposed to water (Seriously gross!); there would be nothing to watch but Disney's Phinneas and Ferb (which the boys would love!) and finally, the entire never ending flight would smell like warm, old, fish! That sums up our 14 hour plane flight in so many words! Hope that painted a vivid mental picture for everyone!
So, to recap, we have learned what? That we are SO THANKFUL we aren't going to ever go to Hell...because we got a small "taste" of it today...literally!!!!
So far we haven't seen very much of China. We are in Beijing until Sunday and we went straight from the airport (that looked like any other airport!) straight to our hotel room...which is very nice and clean! The room has all the amenities of a 5 star hotel, including 2 gas masks, for what I don't know! It is ALWAYS good to have a few gas masks laying around I have always said! LOL! There is a Subway...where we ate for dinner (I think it was our 6th meal in 28 hours...we have lost count!). There is also an ice skating rink in our hotel...very cool!
Tomorrow we "tour" all day...the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square, and Olympic sites...
One of the pictures is of our travel group. There are 6 couples in all, three of the couples (us included) have babies in the same orphanage. So, we will be together the whole time! We meet Taryn on Sunday and take her with us for the remainder of the trip! Yeah!
BTW...we were told NOT to drink the water...we both forgot and have brushed our teeth not once, but TWICE using sink water! We are so tired it is almost unsafe! So, we are scared any "ill" effects will hit us right when we are climbing the Great Wall...nice...
So, until next time...goodnight America!

One More Day!!!!

2009-02-25T11:42:00.003+08:00

I am so crazy busy that I can't believe I am taking the time to blog! But, sadly, I am ADDICTED to it! Packing is nuts...hopefully I will get some pics posted tomorrow...but right now, everything looks insanely messy! We have so much still to do! At this point we are scheduled to leave Lexington at 6:30am on Thursday morning...and, somehow, with the magic of time travel...we will arrive a mere 19 hours later in Beijing and it will be 4:30pm on the 27th! Can't explain it...that is just what the ticket says...
We are scheduled to get Taryn on Sunday evening. Amazing. I won't believe it until it happens! Steve has been practicing with the video camera so the entire blogger world can watch me cry - again! Hopefully we will get it up and running for everyone to "enjoy". If not, there will still be pictures...just not all of the "drama"!
I am so tired right now...which is funny, because I know it is only gonna get worse as the days turn into sleepless nights! I KNOW, that I know, it will all be totally worth it!
So, unless I post crazy "packing" pics tomorrow...then I will catch everyone on the other side of the world! Peace!

The Great Unveiling Of Taryn's Room AND My Blog!

2009-02-19T05:19:00.006+08:00

FINALLY! We are finished! I have been collecting items for almost 4 years and have been so pre-occupied (lazy-cough,cough) that I am just now getting her room finished. Thanks to my highly motivated sister (props to Bethaney!)...it is now the CUTEST ROOM EVER! I am very pleased with it. I know it seems a tad "impractical" for a baby...but I promise things will be moved when she starts moving! All we need is a rocker...and that is on it's way! I wanted to share it with everyone because I am SO VERY GLAD it is finished!
And what about my new "tricked out" blog? I really loved my old blog (Melissa!), but I wanted to add a few more "features" and had been a part of "The Story of You" website for almost 3 years now. So, Tina, TSOY "owner", helped me get this newer blog up and running. I am equally as pleased with it! Hope you all like it! BTW...if you waiting parents haven't checked out the above mentioned site...you should! It is ton's of fun watching other families get there babies...and it helped me see an "end" could be in site for the "patient" waiters!
So, on a "different" note! We LEAVE IN 7 DAYS!!! I can't even believe that! All of our planning, waiting, stressing, worrying, tears, prayers, highs, lows, ups, downs, laughs, and yes-stress eating-will be over soon! I don't think Steve and I will breath until we are taking off in the plane heading for China!
I sure do hope everyone joins us in our journey! It wouldn't be the same without you!

China Bound!

2009-02-07T18:46:00.000+08:00

Holy Schamoly! We got our TA today!!! We will be leaving a week earlier than we were originally told! We are leaving on February 26th thru March 11th! Wow...just 3 weeks away! 20 days! OMG! Pressure! We wait for almost 3 years and then get a 3 week notice on travel! I'm not gonna complain however...we want her home ASAP! Seriously, her sad little picture makes a momma want to hold her ALL of the time! So, as I get updates on travel I will be blogging them! Remember to pray for us as we travel...for safety and a quick return with a healthy baby girl! WooHoo!!!

I Have The Bestest Friends Ever!

2009-01-28T00:53:00.000+08:00

So, I went on my annual "Girls Weekend" this past weekend and my sweet friends gave me a surprise shower! I have NEVER had a surprise anything...so it was SO MUCH FUN...and, would it be redundant to say-IT WAS SUCH A SURPRISE! I had no idea! And, I ALWAYS have an idea of something...I am the type that likes to know what is going on at all times in all situations and I usually do...so they really pulled one over on me! These were the same girls who were with me when we were "passed over" for our referral in the beginning of December...so, that made it extra special to share a "happy" moment with them.
There was even a cute little cake with a Chinese baby on it! LOVE IT! They gave me a TON of stuff! I even got a massage out of the deal! I have the greatest friends ever!!! So, I promised them I would give them a "shout out" on the blog so they would forever be "famous" in cyber space!
Here goes: Thank you too...Tina E.; Jonna P. ;Cheryl J (who masterminded it all!); Julie W.;Princess Teresa W.; Kiesha; Virginia W.;Sherrie O.;Diana H.;Regina C.;Sandy T.;Julie C.S.; Janet V.; Cherrie. C; Lynne. L; Trish; Pennie Y.; Lydia; Amy F.;and Michelle H. There were also a few ladies who came that I had never met (cuz' they were there scrap booking with us!) and I wish I new their names...I am already HORRIBLE with names, so I feel bad I can't mention them as well! Also, if I left ANYONE out let me know (and I know you will!), because I was listing names from memory...and my memory is sleep deprived so I might have left you out on accident! However, since I don't really know them they will not be reading this blog anyway!
So, I wanted to share my first shower with everyone and also say THANK YOU to the wonderful friends that I have who love me enough to take me by surprise!

Princess T is growing and growing and growing...

2009-01-20T21:34:00.000+08:00

Check out our chubby girl!!! She has changed SO much that I had to sit with the first picture held up to the computer for 30 minutes to convince myself it was her! And even then I had to recrute others to get thier opinion! Apparently, she has had a growth spurt! Of course, I would venture to guess that about 3 pounds of what you see is the 9 outfits she has on!!! For those of you new to Chinese culture...they "bundle" their babies...why? Well, I can't answer that one! All I know is they put multiple layers of clothing on the babies no matter if it is January or July! And, I have also heard from other China adoptive families that they will not hesitate to let you know if they think your child is "under dressed"! She looks like she is stuffed into the walker...or using the bathroom...take your pick!
Anyway...according to the latest information she weighs 15 pounds now at 9 months. These pictures were taken last week so they are pretty recent. She went from the 10th percentile on the growth chart to the 70th! We will see what she "really" weighs and looks like on the day we get her!!!
I have big plans for that day and they are as follows:

1. Hug and Kiss her for the entire day.
2. take off the 9 outfits she will be in.
3. Give her a bath.
4. put Vaseline or some kind of serious lotion on her chapped cheeks (as a nurse I noticed!).
5. slap a big, fat bow on her head.
6. Finally, put her in the pinkest outfit that I can find! In that exact order...

As of right now...we are traveling March 5-March 18th! Yippee! I NEVER thought this day would come!!!
I will be posting pretty regularly when we travel (every day I hope!) and as we draw closer to our travel date!
Thanks for hangin' in there with us!

Drum Roll Please....

2009-01-04T02:44:00.000+08:00

Wow! Thanks to all of our friends and new "cyber-friends" on the name dilemma!!! I actually have to say that I learned more from adoptive parents than I realized! Don't get me wrong, my friends who haven't adopted had plenty of great advice (just strokin' you all a bit so you don't get all "riled" up!)...but, I REALLY liked the advice given by people who have "been there and done that"! I even had people with the actual name in question answer! Zheng-how cool are you! Anyway, for now, we are going with (and this is where you hear a cyber drum roll...) :
Taryn Joy ZhengBen.
Apparently, it is just not correct to use only one of the two given names in China, and this is how it is done. It would be like calling me "Re" or "Becca", but not ever putting them together. She is probably being called "ZhengBen" or "BenBen" by her caretakers now. I have also learned that just like in America, Ben is a boys name in China as well!
Given' our princess a boys name...was up with that???? On the flip side of that, when I look at her cute, little face I want to call her "BenBen" as well!
However, we like the meaning of both. We like the sound of both together. And we like how it looks written down...so it shall be!
Now, the only catch will be if we get over there and for some reason it just "doesn't seem right". And I say this, only because it has been brought up in the comments by several parents whose daughters name didn't fit her upon meeting her. I can understand that...in theory...BUT, I am such a HUGE name FREAK (apparently) that I doubt this will be happening! I am just allowing "room" for it if it does!
So, a BIG thank you to everyone who posted and those of you who posted on Face book...
I am truly grateful to every ones interest and advice and am SO totally stoked about hearing from other adoptive parents!
Until next time....

What's in a name...a poll for my friends!!!!

2008-12-31T11:09:00.000+08:00

So, those of you who know me well, know that a name is very important to me! We had Taryn Joy picked for our daughter at least 3 years ago. I usually don't pick a name according to the meaning. I always check to see if it means something horrible (ex: Satan's Spawn...LOL)...but, if it doesn't (and mine haven't) then I go with what I like-providing the hubby agrees with it! The boys first names have decent, but not important meanings...ahhh, but their middle names have great meaning! This is also the case with Taryn Joy (at least we are consistant!).
Thus, the issue of Taryns Chinese name...to keep it, or not to keep it...this has been the question! After checking Chinese name websites with no luck...one of my favorite sites-Rumor Queen- gave great, and fairly easy, advice on getting the meaning of your daughters Chinese name. The Chinese read their names backwards from ours...so mine would appear as Feck Michelle Rebecca...interesting fact huh!
Taryn's Chinese name is...Zhang Zheng Ben...so Ben is her 1st name and Zheng is her middle name. The last name is chosen according to what Provence or social welfare institute the baby was found in...so, not as important as far as her birth certificate goes!
What I was wanting to do was, of course, give her the name we chose Taryn Joy (Joy after my mother! Taryn...just cuz' we liked it!) and then give her a third name as her given Chinese name. Confused yet?? Hang with me people cuz' I need your advice!
Ben means: go to, towards, run fast
Zheng (pronounced "Jung" with a soft "u") means: Just right, correct, straight
I like both of these. It is Awesome to know her name means "just right" after all of the worrying we have done!
So, my question to the masses is...use both-Taryn Joy Zheng Ben?
Use one-Taryn Joy Ben? or Taryn Joy Zheng? Or, just give up and start over with a whole new name...(just kiddin', not gonna happen!).
The question has been presented...now please give me your answers! If I was really computer savvy I would get a poll chart going...but I will just use the comments section and tally up!
BTW...have I mentioned SHE IS GORGEOUS yet??? Hmmmm, just checkin'!

OMG!!! Princess T Has Arrived!!!!!

2008-12-30T01:19:00.000+08:00

I can't believe I am typing this...It is surreal...I am SO EXCITED and partly worried (cuz' of what happened last month!). But...WE GOT OUR GIRL TODAY!!!! Yippee!
And she is, of course, BEAUTIFUL!!!! I honestly didn't think we would get her this soon after our LID was mysteriously missing from last months batch...but Thank God I WAS WRONG!
Her Chinese Name is Zhang Zheng Ben; she was born May 26, 2008 and as of October she weighed 12 lbs! She is from the Jingxi Provence...and did I mention SHE IS BEAUTIFUL! Our FA said that we would "possibly" travel in February..but didn't really know for sure!
I just am so excited that I am sure I am rambling right now! But, thank you for your prayers and encouraging words this past month! When it didn't work out for us at the beginning of this month I was devastated...But "joy cometh in the morning..."
And she has! Praise God...FINALLY! FINALLY! FINALLY!

Is PTSD possible with adoption???

2008-12-28T08:38:00.000+08:00

So, one of my favorite "rumor" websites is saying that referrals could be coming out through the LID's of 2/28/2006. And, while I am very happy for these families, I also want to scream at the top of my lungs.."Hey China, what about us! Remember us? The ones you 'OVERLOOKED' last batch of LID's?"
Obviously, it would be like screaming at a brick wall! I am having flashbacks from the beginning of this month when I was convinced it would be us...now, they have "moved on" so to speak with the LID dates...and we still don't know anything! Our agency is open 2 days this week and we were supposed to hear from them...I'm not holding my breath! Steve said he will call them on Monday to see if they have heard anything about us! This is SO HARD! Just when I have been able to talk about it without crying like a freak...the new batch of referrals come in. I can't let myself hope and get excited like I did last time. But, not knowing is very hard as well! Please just keep praying for us!
And, yes, I do want to congratulate those who are getting the referral this week! I can't imagine how awesome that would be! God Bless!

The Reason We Adopt...

2008-12-24T11:08:00.001+08:00

Steve and I just finished watching The Nativity Story for the first time. It went straight to my heart, for many reasons. The people that make up this story are all very different and very crucial to the coming of Christ. Mary, Joseph, Zachariah, Elizabeth, John, the Three Wisemen, the lowly shepards...even King Herrod! I am in amazement that God sent his son to earth in the form of a baby! And what about the humble people chosen for the ENORMOUS task of raising Christ into a man!
That is what struck my heart the most....Out of all of the people in the nativity story, Joseph was one of my favorites! He rose above prejudice from others against his unwed, pregnant, soon to be wife. He made the choice to not only marry Mary but to raise Jesus as his own son.
Isn't that the choice so many of us have made with our adoptions? We have chosen to take a child, birthed by someone we probably will never know...and raise it as our own. The essence of adoption is, to the core, a spiritual decision. In order for God to adopt all of us as his own children, Joseph had to adopt Jesus as his son here on earth,
To adopt a child is to love a child in your heart instead of your womb. To know that you know, that the child you are adopting has been chosen for you and your family by God...just as biological children are chosen. Our adopted child is destined to fulfill a glorious purpose, as we all are! Those of us parenting any children, adopted or not, have the same awesome responsibility as Mary and Joseph were given...to raise our children to glorify God!
When Taryn comes...and I am back to saying when instead of if...she will be loved no differently than our boys. She has been growing in our hearts for almost 4 years now. Through all of this heartache with our adoption...and it has been a literal "ache" in my heart...I have been made aware of the fact that she is so very much loved-already!
So, just like Joseph, and following God's example, we are perservering through this challange of adoption! Not that we thought otherwise, but it has been such an uphill battle! I am thankful for the example shown in both of these stories...and I am especially aware of it this time of year. The birth of Jesus! The adoption of Jesus by Joseph...the chance for our salvation through the adoption into Gods family...
Merry Christmas to all of you...and especially to all of the waiting families...may God bring our gifts home soon!

No news is good news....

2008-12-17T11:16:00.000+08:00

"No news is good news..." unless you are waiting to find out what the heck is going on in China and why aren't they producing a referral for us!!!
I wish I had something positive to say...right now, I am venting! I totally know that no one wants to read a "downer" blog...so, as my mom used to say..."unless you have something positive to say, don't say anything else..."
Sage advice mom!!!!
Merry Christmas friends! Peace to you and your families...
P.S. Yes, her name is misspelled in the header! I am trying to get it fixed without erasing everything!

Seriously??? You have GOT to be kiddin' me...

2008-12-12T02:59:00.000+08:00

Let me start by saying that the prayer I prayed over this situation was (and is) if it isn't going to happen, if it is not "meant to be", then please let us find out now. Yes, it will hurt and be awful...but anyone who is going through this knows the wait is ridiculously awful...I am just tired and want to get it over with! But, if not, if there really is a Taryn floating around somewhere in China waiting on us...then let's keep continuing. Either way, I was going to praise God...whether in pain or not.
That being said...Steve was the one to return the phone call to the President of our adoption agency today. He was given a few reasons as to why this has happened...one was that they just didn't have enough babies to give to the whole group...hmmmm, shady...
The other was a health issue we dealt with a few years ago and has been "flagged" several times already(and dealt with) caused them to "pause" on our paperwork. However, the other 6 families did not have "health" issues and they are dealing with the same delay.
Here is the kicker...are you ready for this??? Obviously, it would seem like since this happened we would be put with the upcoming LID's for February (coming out in January...). China being China, does it totally differently. We now virtually have NO LID and are just at their mercy -whenever they decide to match us it will happen. We were told the longest it has been is 4 months....hmmmm, heard that back in 2005 when we started this whole process!
Naturally, Steve asked if we should just stop this or are we actually going to get a baby! We were told that we had been "accepted" that we started all of this before the "rule change" that China had in 2006. We are supposed to hear something back the week of Christmas from the agency. Steve said he wasn't really thinking that they would know anymore then...it all sounds so shady to both of us! There aren't enough babies, in the largest, most overpopulated country in the world???? Then why are no other agencies reporting this happening? And the "fairness" (yes, I know life isn't fair...but just hear me out!) of not putting us before or at least in with the next LID group...WHAT THE HECK?????
I for one have HAD IT with this whole process! Yes, I feel like my prayer was answered...we are still in this "game"...and yes, I will continue to praise God through all of this...BUT, WHAT THE HECK????
There is just no explaining the way China works...and I honestly don't believe the agencies here have any control over any of it! It seems that we, the parents to be, the ones paying bucket loads of money to parent an orphan from their country, as well as the adoption agencies, are just pawns in some kind of twisted game the Chinese Government is playing with us! Dramatic? Well, yes....but would you expect anything less from me???
I will keep everyone updated! Peace out...

"There's a tear in my beer..."

2008-12-11T18:25:00.000+08:00

Okay...approximately 14 hours later I am able to tell the story without crying. I do have to say that I understand grief now! I always have said that I have been fortunate enough to not have gone through anything horrible yet in my life (no deaths of loves ones; healthy pregnancies; etc....). But, now, now I can identify with others who have experienced a loss of some kind. Not that Taryn has been lost...but, when this went down the way it did...well, I don't want to compare it to anything horrible because if I do, inevitably I will get the response that whatever I compared it too is nothing like our situation!
So, that being said...let me just build up the drama of what happened yesterday...and then I will move on!
The call happened while I was at MY birthday lunch with 6 of my dearest friends...none of whom have adopted, understand the "drama" of the referral, etc... the phone rings...I get emotionally excited. They get the camera's out to capture the moment...then I am told the horrible news! The call lasts approx 10 minutes with me sobbing the whole time and my poor friends, who don't really understand what is happening, looking on and feeling terribly uncomfortable! Then, to make it even better...the Mexican waiters bring out the sombrero, fried ice cream, and start singing "Feliz Coup-li-an-ous..." ( I really don't know how to sing "Happy Bday" in Spanish...so just work with me on the translation!) CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE!!!! And then, to top off the event...the waiters take my picture...crying, with the sombrero and ice cream in front of me (not to mention the barely touched Mexican food! And, those who know me know how I love my Mexican food!). So, I had one of my friends escort me out of the restaurant shortly after that with my un-opened gifts, still crying, and extremely humiliated!
Now...now, can you see why surely I KNOW I am being punked! It was like a really bad movie! Seriously people!
Hopefully, later on today or tomorrow I will have a plausible explanation for everyone as to exactly why this happened...as for now...I just thought the above story was better than the previous tearful one! Go ahead, it is okay to laugh! Someday I will! Hey, it makes me smile thinking about the irony of it all...but laugh? Not yet...hopefully soon!
Sidebar: Thank you SO MUCH for all of the prayers and encouragement I have received both on this site, face book and my email. I may not have been answering the phone...but I could feel the prayers and I am grateful! Until next time....Rebecca
P.S. I am not trying to leave Steve out of this...he was (and probably still is...) ticked off! He doesn't get all "weepy" and dramatic like me! He was soooooo mad though at all things China!

This So Sucks...

2008-12-11T02:45:00.000+08:00

I don't even know what to say right now...I am crying so hard I can barely breath...Steve is on his way home. We just got a call from our adoption agency. Basically 2 out of the 9 families with an LID of 2/23/2006 (ours) got their referrals...the other 7 did not. The president of the agency was the one who called me he didn't know why this happened and can't call to find out until the offices open in China (right now it is in the middle of the night there...). He told me that this has happened before, but not with so many families at once. He said that once he finds out something he will call us. I was told that it could take up to 4 months to get our referral...
Obviously, this is a huge disappointment...I can't even describe how I feel right now! I wanted to post this however instead of telling this over and over again! I just ask for prayer that this is resolved quickly to a positive outcome.
I am hoping that some friends of ours that were in our travel group were one of the two couples who did get the referral though. When I feel a little more "stable" I will call them and check! I apologize if none of this makes since! But, I know other familes in this process will understand all of the "lingo" used!
Thank you...

Pins n' Needles...

2008-12-10T22:41:00.000+08:00

Okay...so it is OFFICIAL via the CCAA website that our LID date (2/23/06) has been "drawn" and sent. What does this mean????? Well, hopefully all of my friends and fellow "waiting parents" watching will see pics of our Taryn TODAY if not this week!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!!! I have been a hot mess this week...seriously! I am obcessivly checking the Rumor Queen website for information (which I havn't done in 4 years until last month!). I have just wanted to scream...but, on a positive note, I have exercised more to burn off the excess energy (adrenaline) I have had! So, I honestly don't think I will "calm" down until we go get her in China! Keep posted and I promise to have pics up as soon as we get them! Thanks for thinking of us and praying for us...it means more than anyone (except other waiting parents!) could ever know! Peace out...

OMG! I can't stand it!!!!!

2008-12-04T00:57:00.000+08:00

I am getting so excited that I really think I am going to lose my ever lovin' mind (or pee my pants, one or the other!)!!! All of the "rumor" sites that I know of have said that the "rumor" is looking like the 23rd has gone through...that means we WILL GET OUR REFERRAL this month! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT! I mean seriously...I didn't even think this would ever come...EVER! Even now I am hoping that I am not setting myself up for a huge disappointment! This will be the bestest (yes I know that is not a word... but that is how my 6 year old says it!) Christmas present ever! I will let everyone know the minute I hear anything...now I have to go back to "real life" and work! Peace out...

It's December!!!!!

2008-12-02T02:13:00.000+08:00

Well, we have made it to December! Still, no mention of referrals for this month. I have officially turned into a "referral watching freak"! I am obsessed right now and convinced we are going to get our referral this month! I keep telling myself and Steve that if we don't get it this month I will be okay because I am used to disappointment...but, we are UP NEXT IN LINE with the LID's! It really just depends on whatever China felt like doing this month! As far as if they processed 3 days or 6 days (the latter being our date..). This is harder than waiting for Christmas morning when I was a kid! I am READY to get our Taryn...and we have waited SOOOOOO LONG! This will be the 4th Christmas she has had a stocking up on our mantle! THE 4TH!!! I honestly can't believe we have lasted this long without giving up! Sometimes it is hard to even "hold on to the dream..." but we have!
Today is my 37th birthday (thank you very much!)...and I KNEW it wasn't going to be today because it is just too early for China to be "moving" on the referrals for the month. But, wow...what a great bday/Christmas present it would be to get her, at least in pictures! I feel like I felt emotionally when I was 9 months pregnant with the boys! I just want it over and done with so I can be a mother to her without all of this "built up drama"! And, I have had a little "nesting" instinct going on as well...just wanting to get everything done before she comes home!
So, as soon as I know anything I will let everyone know! Her little pic's will be plastered all over the Internet! I just pray she is healthy...just like any new mom would! Until then...

"About three things I was absolutely positive..."

2008-11-24T10:40:00.000+08:00

So, I just saw the movie...and, of course LOVED IT! I just had to blog about it...and since hardly anyone reads my blog...I am not too worried about appearing foolish! I would to most people if I was a much read site! Anyway, I REALLY love the book series and the movie, while not being as great as the book...was still GREAT!
Steve said the funniest thing before I left to see it...he let me know that I shouldn't come home and "bite him" cuz' he just "isn't in to that..." LOL! If any of you know my hubby, you will be laughing at that cuz' he definitely is NOT a biter...or anything else freaky for that matter! And, I have to say that besides constantly rolling his eyes when I talk about "Edward", he has tolerated the whole "vampire crush" thing that I have! And, let me add too, that I am NOT the only 35+ women that feels this way! Oh no, I went with at least 5 other women (including my lil' sister) who were just as "over the top" about Edward/Vamp's as I am! So, to anyone reading this who IS in fact, a Twilight fan...the movie is worth seeing! It was funny to hear a collective "sigh" from all of the pre-teen through young mothers (and older!) in the theatre...and no other guy can make an entire theatre giggle at the same time! Ahhhhh Edward...uh, I mean Steve...

To the one who gave us the gift...

2008-11-18T09:10:00.000+08:00

I stumbled across this beautiful picture and fell in love with it...as I am sure any mother in my situation would. It portrays the love that I feel for our daughter who is still somewhere in China. As well as the love of the one who carried her...I wonder about her...Taryn's first mother. Was Taryn her first child? What did she name her? Where did she leave her? Will she think of her always? Will a specific day of the year cause her to mourn, or to smile... It saddens me that I will never know who she is. I don't really believe there is a way to find her either. We can only think of her with love and admiration for giving up the greatest gift life has to offer, in hopes of a brighter future for her... My heart breaks for this mystery mother. My heart is also full of love, respect, honor, awe, and a spirit of kinship for her as well. Wherever she is in China, I will always pray for her. We will always honor her on Taryn's birthday. She will always be given the utmost of respect in our home. For she has given us her gift...the greatest gift one can give.

The same gift was given to all of us thousands of years ago and many take it for granted...

I never will...

Thank you...

All Alone....

2008-08-13T20:47:00.000+08:00

I just dropped off both boys to their elementary school... Wesley is starting third grade, and Garrett first. This is the first time both of them are going all day long. Which means, for the first time, I am all alone during the day! Now, most of you might relish this thought...however, we had planned to have Taryn by now, so it is hard to not have her to take care of! I only work part time at the hospital and pick up when I can...but, I sure would love to have our girl with me right now! I am certainly NOT used to this "alone" stuff! I am going to focus on getting projects finished (my husband would start laughing right now if he read that comment!), and getting back into shape, and maybe work on some scrap booking...Obviously, I won't be hurting for things to do!
On a different note, I so enjoy looking at all of the babies that were referred to families this month! If you go to "The Rumor Queen" website that is listed under my links, she always posts pics and blogs of the new referrals...THEY ARE ADORABLE! Even though I long for our girl...I am VERY happy for those who get to bring their daughter home! After waiting as long as we have, it is easy to identify with other families who have done the same!
Well, I am signing off...hmmmmmm, maybe I will go back to bed!!!!!!
Peace out!

Reading is Sexy!!!

2008-08-08T05:41:00.000+08:00

I have finished my second novel written by Lisa See. I am an avid reader and just wanted to let all of my "China" readers know about these 2 books, as they are written about women in Ancient China. They were SO INTERESTING! I like history, I don't LOVE history...but these were really great reads for those of us interested in China. They were fiction however, but all historical facts and culture related practices were very real and accurate. The facts and practices were woven into the novel making it enjoyable and interesting.
So, the title of these books were: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan; and Peony in Love... These ARE NOT Christian books, as we all know China is not a "Christian" country... so, just keep that in mind if you are used to reading only Christian novels. I actually ended up buying both of them to have for Taryn, when she is much older of course! Okay, just wanted to pass this information along to anyone interested! Have fun reading!

Disheartening Day...

2008-08-08T05:34:00.000+08:00

Well, we found out today that the referral batch for this month only went through January 27, 2006 (we are LID 2/23/06). It is CREEPING along...and it is VERY DISHEARTENING! Every month I get excited about this time (the first of the month is when referrals come), as do most all waiting families. And now that we have been waiting for 2.5 years...every month it is getting harder and harder! I am trying to keep up a good attitude, but it is just VERY HARD TO WAIT AND WAIT AND WAIT AND WAIT AND WAIT AND WAIT AND WAIT (you get the picture!). Anyway, so our status hasn't changed...we are still in the waiting game. Maybe next month they will at least get through Jan/06 and on to Feb/06 (lets keep praying!!!). In the mean time, I will be watching the Olympics and dreaming of our trip to Beijing! Peace out...

Our First Fundraiser!

2008-06-03T02:15:00.000+08:00

We had our first attempt at a fundraiser for our adoption this past weekend-a mondo yard sale! I thought it went quite well! I had asked some friends from my work to donate items for us to sell...my home ended up looking like a consignment store for the week I was getting it all together! I also became slightly "manic" and baked a lot of muffins, cookies, brownies, etc... to sell. Those actually went over really well! I think I would have been upset if they hadn't! I don't know about you all, but Garage Sales are a MAJOR PAIN IN THE BUTT! Just getting it all together and pricing everything...It is really great to get rid of everything in the end! We have "purged" our home of junk! Okay, okay, I DID keep a few items that I knew would sell on ebay, but otherwise we are "junk free" right now! We made about $400.00! Every little bit helps, especially if we fly to China when the gas prices are like 6 bucks a gallon or something dreadful like that! Anyway, I want to say thanks to all of my friends who stopped by to "support" us and also to all of my friends at work who donated things. It wouldn't have been much of a sale without all of our friends! Check out the "cool" poster I made! Steve made fun of me for making it. But, I wanted to let people know why we were having the sale and I also needed a picture for Taryns life book! Of course! I am ALWAYS looking for a photo op!
Until next time!!!! Peace out...

Swimming, Dogs and China...

2008-05-27T11:46:00.000+08:00

Okay...it has been "a while" since the last post. Everyone has been left "hanging"...all 2 people that read my blog! Just kidding! Wesley's cast is now OFF after 3 weeks and he is wearing a brace for 3 more weeks...however,the biggest question has been answered for him-HE CAN STILL SWIM! That was really all he was worried about I do believe!
And, the dog, God love the dog...she is doing "okay". It has been harder than I thought to keep her "still". She has gone up the stairs several times...shhhhh, don't tell her vet/surgeon! And, she has run twice...once again, keep that on the "down low". But, I have to say emphatically that IT WAS NOT OUR FAULT. All of these instances happened without us knowing...or watching her close enough...WHATEVER! She goes back on Friday to be checked...we will see if any damage was done. I pray not, this surgery was such a HUGE deal and the recovery is such a HUGE deal, that I hope everything goes smoothly...I will keep everyone posted!
Finally, adoption news...well, there really isn't any news...as usual! I have to say that the events happening in China are simply gut wrenching! It is hard to even wrap your mind around the devastation going on there...I KNOW this will slow our adoption even more...now, I feel like it will be next year...maybe even late next year, before we get our daughter. I can't think about that though. I just keep praying that things can be made whole in this country again. When I catch myself thinking selfishly about our FOREVER AND A DAY wait for Taryn...I have to remember who is in control, and how ALL things come together for good. I have to remember this as fact, and then pray for those suffering in China right now...setting aside my wants. I would much rather keep waiting if I thought more children would be aided by doing so, then to go now...HONESTLY! It will come...it will come...she will come.

Drama!!!!

2008-05-14T07:29:00.000+08:00

We have had "drama" at our house lately...not that drama isn't a regular visitor here, because "she" is...but, we have had her visit in the form of injuries. Yes, Wesley has had his first trampoline accident (not at our house says the pediatric nurse mom!). He was, and I quote, "trying to reach the tallest branch on the tree..." when he fell the wrong way and broke his left ankle! We were in the ER until 2am and the the "casting" took two or three hours the next day. So now he is sporting a UK blue cast, a "fancy" boot, and crutches. He is like a rock star in the second grade! The other kids have loved signing his cast and helping him do whatever it is they do in the second grade. Then, to top off the medical fun in our home...our dog Sallie had her ACL repaired today! So, she is now confined to her kennel for 6 weeks and we are looking at 6-8 months recovery time. We have taken a lot of lip about getting our dog's knee fixed...but, she is a member of our family and honestly an AWESOME dog...so, come on people, let us just do what needs to be done with her and move on already!
On a different note, I have to give props to my sister Melissa Corder Forester for helping me re-design my blog! She is a very talented graphic artist and is teaching me new techniques (which really aren't "new", but I am not as swift on the computer!) as well as designing my header! The black and white pic is me as a little girl and the other pic is of our boys...I will have to ask her where the picture of my hubby is as a little boy...hmmmm.
Remember to keep praying for China right now...I am sure everyone is following the news, it is just breaking my heart to see the devastation! I have a friend over there right now picking up her daughter (EmmaLi Rebecca) and they were forced to evacuate their hotel in Beijing due to the effects of the earthquake! It was felt that far away from the site! They are okay however, and will be heading home soon!
Everyone stay safe...and keep your kiddo's off the trampoline! Peace out...

"Faith is believing in the unseen, as though it is seen..."

2008-05-06T05:11:00.000+08:00

Okay, so the good news is that referrals came in for those people that had LID's (log in dates) of 1/12/2008 (YEAH!)...The bad news is that China seems to be processing by 3 day increments. What the bloody heck? Why? If this keeps up we will not go to China until NEXT JULY! Yes, I said, NEXT JULY!!! I don't know what to think! The funny thing is I have really "stepped up" the praying on getting our referral soon...and all of a sudden the process slows down even more! I have to remember...Faith, Faith, Faith...my "mantra" at this point! I can only believe that there is a reason for all of this. I swear, if we had known it would take a bazillion years to adopt from China, we would have waited to tell people about it! I know I am not the only adoptive mom in waiting out there that is very tired of hearing "so, where are you at with your adoption..." or "have you heard anything..." or, my personal favorite, "How much money have you given so far, can you get any of it back..." Anyway, looking on the positive side, we are 3 days closer to bringing our daughter home. And, we will continue praying for her regardless of the circumstances. We should name her Taryn Faith, instead of Taryn Joy...except "Faith" doesn't sound all that great with "Feck"! Okay, enough! Peace out...

Just "checkin in"!

2008-04-29T09:41:00.000+08:00

Hey! This is the "fabulous" Eva...my niece from Guatamala! She just came home this past January...isn't she ADORABLE! "Eva the Diva", that is what I call her! She is darlin'!!!
One of my Internet friends is getting ready to go pick up her daughter in China in a few days. It has made me REALLY want to go! It is getting ridiculous how long this wait has been! Most days I am really positive about it...like "there is a reason for everything..." but, on those days that I am not so "glass half full" it is definitely harder. Today has been one of those days! I know I will outlast, outwit, and outplay (borrowing from Jeff Probst!) this absurd wait...it is just SO DARN HARD! I mean, seriously, what is the BIG DEAL over there? Really? Does it really have to take 3-4 years to adopt a baby from an orphanage into a good home? This is one area where "money" does not talk!!! If it did...we would have her by now!
Anyway, just expressing the thoughts in my head on this "wait" issue. I KNOW I am not alone! There are plenty of other parents just as frustrated and just as anxious! It is a shame that there are so many good and willing families waiting to help these girls and we are all at the mercy of a country and it's government! So, today I go to sleep again. Praying that our Taryn is safe and healthy. Praying that the doors to China will open quickly...miraculously. Praying that we will be able to stand the wait with patience and grace. And, always, thanking God for what we DO have...a WONDERFUL marriage, two WONDERFUL boys, and of course our AWESOME friends! Peace out!

Blogging and You Tube "junkie"

2008-04-22T00:11:00.000+08:00

I am turning into a You Tube "junkie". I found that if you type in "Gotcha videos" or "adoption videos" there are like 16 bazillion of them to watch...most from China. So I am living my "dream" through everyone else's videos right now! It is little stuff like this that helps with the wait. I don't buy Taryn anything...like clothes and toys, because I don't know what size she will be and I am forcing myself to wait to do these things. But, watching other people receive their daughters and prepare for there daughters (on blogs!) gives me a glimpse into what is in store for us! So, I have officially become a "lurker" according to the cyberworld. I don't know if that is good or bad, sounds kind of like "stalking"...but anyhoo! Have a great day!

"I'M HUNGRY!"

2008-04-20T22:12:00.000+08:00

Okay, I am being "tortured" emotionally right now by my 8 year old! We started, as a family, to eat healthier a few months back...However, Wesley (my 8 year old) is the picky eater of the family...so I have been "working around him" (a.k.a. still giving him "crappy" processed food) just to keep the peace. Well, Steve and I had decided that after his crap food was gone we were going to provide healthy alternatives (ex: low sugar fruit loops instead of the regular; whole grain waffles instead of frozen pancakes; fruit instead of fruit snacks; etc...). It is not like we are asking him to eat spinach and brussel sprouts...but, I am just trying to buy less junk food and he was the last man standing when it came to still eating this stuff! I also want to throw a disclaimer out there that we are not against the "crap" food...we just all need to lose some weight and that was part of the problem! This just helps put "limits" on what we choose at our house...Anyway, so today I wake up to my 8 year old laying on the kitchen floor crying...sobbing really..."I'm hungry Mommy... I'm Hungry..." over and over and over again. It doesn't matter that we have a kitchen filled with $150 dollars worth of groceries...we don't have his "old staples". Once again, let me remind you that we DO have the alternatives mentioned above, so it is not like we are starving anyone...and when you see his picture, you will see that my kids are NOT STARVING! So, I feel horrible because I want so badly to "give in" but on the flip side it seems silly to not even try the alternatives he is being offered! AGHHHHH! I feel like a "wicked Mommy"...holler at me if you have been here! Parenting is HARD! So, for now I am leaving him crying his "I'm hungry" mantra to go get ready for church...God forgive me for "starving" my kid!

note: As I was getting up to go get ready he says in a small voice..."Mommy, can you make me some life cereal with milk...?" SCORE one for the team!

I'm back...well, maybe!

2008-04-19T17:25:00.000+08:00

I am tired of reading these great adoption blogs and feeling totally incompetent on how to even begin to make mine look like that! It has been a year since I even opened my blog...and, now for some reason...jealousy of other blogs has prompted me to re-open mine. I have to say that I HAVE NO CLUE as to how to even get mine as "cute" and read worthy as the other blogs I have been "lurking" on...but, I will worry about that tomorrow! Right now, I just wanted to even see if I could post anything on my old blog! And, I will try my darnedest (this word was corrected by spell check...I didn't realize it was even a word! Hmmmm, ya think I am gonna need help?) to figure out what to do from here! Still waiting for our Taryn by the way!!!!

Short and Sweet

2007-02-03T02:46:00.000+08:00

Just curious...does anyone even read this thing??? I feel like I am typing into space sometimes! I guess I kind of am! We DID start this site kind of early...before we knew the Chinese government was going to put a delay on all of the adoptions! I don't even have much to write about. I had just decided I was going to try my best to keep up with this blog the last time I wrote in it!
SO, we actually had a snow today! Big news here in Kentucky! We haven't had an accumulation of snow this winter...global warming and all! My boys are both home today on a "snow day", that means they are "bored" continually. What is up with that? I would KILL for a snow day! A day to just hang out with nothing to do! Anyway, that is probably why I am blogging, avoidance of the bored children!
Since the last entry we have had no change in status on our adoption. Kind of boring in itself right now! Just waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting....etc....etc...etc...
Peace out!

It is about time!

2007-01-25T06:58:00.000+08:00

Okay, I am a certified TERRIBLE blogger! This is ridiculous! I can't believe I haven't posted since OCTOBER! That is embarrassing... Anyway, there hasn't been a reason to blog relating to our adoption! Nothing has happened. China has come out with a ton of new "rules" pertaining to who can and can't adopt from their country. Luckily they don't start until May 1, 2006 so they don't pertain to us. It is yet another reminder that we are dealing with a Communist country! "You can't do this...You can do that..." One of the new rules states that your Body Mass Index must be under 40%...Dude, who cares! Obviously if you have a massive amount of orphans without families or homes does it matter if the parents are fat or not! If anything it should be an indication that the child will be fed well! Another rule pertains to mental health in that the parents must be in good physical and mental health and not be on any psych medicine for at least 2 years prior to adopting. Okay, so you can't be large and you can't be on psych meds...correct me if I am wrong, but that rules out half of the American population!!!! Anyway, none of it pertains to us thankfully...unless this wait to get Taryn keeps up and Steve and I continue to eat! Then our BMI may skyrocket or something (just kidding!).
Something positive has come out of our adoption journey, or I would like to take credit for it, but it probably has nothing to do with our adoption! My sister and brother-in-law have decided to adopt from China as well!!!! Yeah, one more sweet little child will have a home! Although, before it is all over with they might fall under the "no psych illness" law since they have 3 other boys living at home! The below pic of Nate is their youngest...they may be a tad "crazy", but who cares...their daughter will have a full, fun family! So, we are excited about that as well!
Anyway, I wish I had more information pertaining to our adoption. Just keep praying for her, she is definitely alive right now. If we were to sit and think about it, that would be hard to deal with! This is where our trust in God and his angels comes in very handy. Anyway, thanks for checking in after our long silence...The above picture is of our sweet "tazmanian devils" on a little "trist" with Steve. Needless to say, Mama loves the four-wheelin' trips!...Peace out....

The Orphans Cry

2006-10-25T05:12:00.000+08:00

I found this wonderful song on our adoption agency's website.

The Orphans Cry
By Jeff Fannin, Morehead KY

All around the world tears are falling. Like raindrops that are stored in children's eyes. Living in a world that doesn't want them. Feeling all alone the orphan cries. Lying down to sleep, to ignore the hunger. Thankful that another days passed by. They dread to see the morning, should it even come. No hope for tomorrow the orphan cries...Chorus...As an orphan cries will we choose to listen; or close our ears and hearts and turn away. How can we ignore them any longer. And let them live without hope one more day. We know that we can't change all the world. But can't we change just one or even try? While we linger in our ease for an answer, another orphan's gone that used to cry...We find ourselves faced with a decision. One that truthfully takes us by surprise. What can we even do to make a difference. But open up our hearts, our homes, our lives. By giving we receive more that we've given. And that which we receive no one can buy. As we look into their eyes we see the blessing. To know there's one less orphan now to cry...I never imagined stading here. With this thought upon my mind. I never knew my eyes were closed. I never knew that I was so blind. But now my eyes and heart are open. And I see more than with just my eyes. I'm reaching out with all God's given me, cause I can hear the orphan's cry.
Sniff,Sniff,Sniff.....

Getting a tad anxious...

2006-08-20T07:04:00.000+08:00

Okay, today I am TIRED of waiting! Probably because I kept my 8 month old nephew last night (the cute one in the recent photo!). It triggered the "I want my baby" button in me! I might have even called poor Nate "Taryn" last night! Anyway, I know others in our travel group have been feeling this way for a while now, but it is defiantly getting harder to wait...And we still have at least 6 more months (if everything goes as it has been looking like it will!)! I have even been buying Asian dolls for her room! Every time I go on line to look at them I get all "maternal" about it! It is funny how you can love a child you are not carrying inside of you as much as you do the biological ones! I feel bonded with her already, and I know Steve does! Every time I ask him about it he expresses concern about not knowing if she is born yet, or what is happening to her, etc... It has defiantly been a "different" experience compared to our two boys! We are just ready for her! The whole family is I believe! I just had to "blog" about it because I know so many of you feel the SAME way! Talk to yah next time!

It's about time!

2006-07-25T01:50:00.000+08:00

Okay, Okay... When I started this I envisioned myself being a tad more on top of the blogging than I am! It has been a while! But, the nature of the adoption "wait" is just that... A very long...Wait! That is all we are doing! I don't know about the others that are on this adoption journey with me, but it is getting increasingly harder to answer the same question over and over again! That is..."Have you heard anything about your little girl yet?" The answer is always the same..."No, we are just waiting!"
And, that is what we are prepared to do! However long it takes we are going to wait! It makes it a lot easier when our days are filled with the daily ins and outs of taking care of the rest of our family! Our boy's are very distracting by just being themselves! I have been buying stuff for her bedroom, that helps to pass the time a little. It will be fun to finally put it all together!
I do have to say that I have had a few "annoying" comments lately. I have heard them before, and we have even had to take a preparation course on dealing with comments. But, for some reason, this particular one bothers me the most..."So, you are doing this to get your little girl..." I could scream when I hear this one! As if we don't love our sweet little boys enough, that we have to add our "long awaited" girl to be "complete". WHATEVER!!!!! I actually had a very (rude) family member argue with me recently over this issue! They were convinced (with all of their knowledge of us...) that we were doing this to get a girl! We don't ever want our boys to think they were not good enough, or for Taryn to think she is this "token" girl! As we stated in the opening blog, we are doing this to help a child. To give a child a family, home and love. We would have 5 boys if we thought we would not go insane, or 5 girls for that matter. Taryn is simply a fulfillment of a plan we had before we were even married for our family. IT IS THAT SIMPLE!
Sooooo, now that I have stood on my soap box about this issue, I hope everyone is doing well right now! Keep praying for her, she could be born by now! The date is still way up in the air! We are thinking December or February! I will try to be more faithful about posting information as well as some random pictures every once in a while! God bless!

Watch this Video

2006-07-22T02:14:00.000+08:00

Answered Prayers

2006-05-06T03:07:00.000+08:00

God is so Awesome! I can not even believe what has just happened. For a year and a half we have prayed for a better job for Steve-a year and a half! And, we were willing to pray longer! I am proud to announce to everyone that prayed and had to listen to all of my "sob stories" about Steve's job-HE GOT THE JOB AT TRAIN! YEAH, YEAH, YEAH! AND, I am not finished...The whole time we have been praying, I have been asking for what, by our standards, would be a significantly better job. It was a stretch because he is one of the top Engineers at the horrible company he has been working for. Well...They offered him more insurance and significantly (he won't let me say anything else, and would probably not like me saying even that) more money! Those of you who know our situation with the adoption, hopefully realize what a HUGE answer to prayer this is for us! I am so very amazed right now at the 100% (not just 50%) answer to our prayer...TOO COOL... I mean I am blown away excited right now! I don't know how else to describe it! And, it couldn't have happened to a greater guy! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for your prayers...They worked!

Glass half -full, NOT half -empty!

2006-04-21T07:40:00.000+08:00

After reading all of the emails from our potential travel mates...I feel a little differently! Of course, everyone else was VERY excited and did not look at the half-empty glass as I tend to do (that is a nice way of saying I can be negative. Those who know me are laughing right now!). Anyway, after having the entire day to dwell on it, I realize there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with going next year! The end result will be the same either way...We will have our third child home, and safe with us! So, that being said, I will "sign off" and try my best to view everything in a more "positive" light! Of course, the grandparents are hearing none of it and insisting she will be here in November or December! Denial? Only time will tell...Until then, we wait!

The "mysterious" Log in Date has arrived!

2006-04-21T00:34:00.000+08:00

Poor Taryn...This is what she has to look forward too!

Okay, maybe I was in total denial, I don't know, but now it looks as if we will be traveling to China in January or February 2007! Actually, it will probably be February 07, because we can't travel during the Chinese New Year, which I think is almost the entire month of January. This fact has "overshadowed" the joy of having our LID at the moment! I really believed we would be going to get Taryn in December! That was when I was just "guessing" at our LID-I guessed wrong! I was thinking the beginning of February (or hoping). The later day in February gave us another month-January or February OF NEXT YEAR!!!! This is upsetting for 2 reasons: 1. Our precious daughter will be waiting for us longer (and vise-versa), and I can barely stand the thought of her in the orphanage. 2. We do not get the tax credit money back until 2008's taxes! Believe me, that is a considerable amount towards her adoption-later than planned.
So, our date is February 23, 2005... There's not much else to say! Except, now when people ask me "when" it will happen I will have a more definite time frame! We should get our referral in December, so that will be a fun Christmas present!
Now, now I am starting to understand the "dreaded" wait I have heard other adoptive parents talk about! It somehow seems so much longer when you look at next year!
Okay, I am done "venting", we are that much closer to bringing her home!

Aprils list!

2006-04-19T00:03:00.000+08:00

It is April and still no log in date for us. However, we have been assured by our agency that we have one by now it just hasn't been sent in as of yet. We are hoping our date is in early February as our Dossier papers were sent in mid-January. A log in date (LID) is important to us because that will be the "official" date our waiting period starts. That is the date we are "logged in " with The People's Republic of China and begin to be "considered" as parent's for one of their waiting baby girls. So far, it seems most people are still waiting 10 months for their referral (the picture of their chosen child) and then another month to travel and pick up their child. So, if nothing changes (no SARS or bird flu epidemic!!!) it will hopefully be November or December-we can only wait and see!
We do however have a "list" of people we will probably travel with! That is cool because we can all start to get to know each other before we spend 14 days together in China! I guess I was naive to think most of the people would be from around here because our agency, A Helping Hand, is in Lexington (only 30 short minutes away!). But, it turns out, there is a large variety of States represented in the group. That will be fun to get to know others from everywhere! This group is also significant in the fact that all of our daughters (and sons) will be given to us together, at the same time. We hope Taryn will have some life-long friends in this group!
Well, that is the only "update" we have for everyone. Just continue to keep us in your prayers. Most importantly pray for Taryn (and the other waiting children), we just want her to be "safe" and healthy until we can be with her...

Our story...

2006-03-23T11:37:00.000+08:00

There is an ancient Chinese belief that says: "An Invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break..."
This is so appropriate for our period of "waiting" to bring our daughter home.
We started the adoption process in September of 2005 with A Helping Hand Adoption Agency here in Kentucky. However, the idea of adoption started long before this time. It first began as a concept before we were married. We knew we wanted to have biological children, but also thought it would be awesome to help children without families. The concept grew even stronger after the birth of our second son in 2002. It became a real possibility to us in 2004, but we just didn't know how we were going to pay for it! As some of you know, when God lays a task on your heart it is VERY hard to ignore! But, we DID try to ignore it for a good long while! Finally, we KNEW it was time to began the process. We took a HUGE leap of faith doing this, because, of course, the money is not all there! However, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we should do this. We are more certain of this than anything else we have done in our lives.
A lot of people have questioned the choice of "China"... "Why China..." "Do you just want a girl..." "Why not adopt here in the US, (a.k.a. 'one of our own')"
Our answer is simple...We just want to help kids without families! We don't care where they are from! We belief that ANY child in an orphanage situation, regardless of "where" the orphanage is, will ALWAYS need a home, a family, love. There is a "need" everywhere, race was not an issue, a child with no family was. We belief, (and this is TOTALLY a personal belief) that we, as Christians, are called to do this. Be it just financial support, mission support, adopting, whatever-The Lord wants us to take care of widows and orphans (and we like to add, if we could add, the homeless, the hurting, the poor, etc...).
So, here we are! We posted this blog for all of our friends and families to follow us on our personal journey to give Taryn Joy a home. So you all could be a part of what we are doing. We also wanted our sons to be able to follow us while we were in China, so they would know exactly where we are and we could communicate to them!
Thank you to everyone for there prayers, without them this would be SO much harder! Steve and Rebecca

Please join us!

2006-03-18T11:22:00.000+08:00

Family photos...

Steve & I

"Icing the cake" - Wesley, Luke, Flyn (cousins) & Garrett

My boys, Wesley & Garrett