Gotcha day

Today was beautiful. We got up, ate and met vivian in the lobby at 9. We then got into a van a drove to a government office to meet our kids. As we we're getting out of our van another van drove up! Surprise it was our kids. Vivian let us know it was ok so we stood as they got out. I was scanning faces waiting for the one I had come to know and love through pictures. About the time I was beginning to think these kids were for another group, out she popped.

The aunties from the orphanage had there hands full so I immediately got to pick her up. She started crying but didn't fight me. By the time we got inside she was cuddled up close to me feeling very scared. I cuddled and patted her until she calmed down. (Cont)
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The day before

Today was a great day. Breakfast was good and a good mix of western and chinese food. It will be good for all three of us as Ariana adjusts to American food. We explored a little when we got here. Then decided we needed a map :) We got a map and another family that is adopting and went for a walk around West Lake. It is beautiful and a big tourist attraction here.

We then met Vivian and another family and went on a mini tour on the way to a grocery store. David amused us in the meat department, they eat some gross stuff. In the store was live eel and turtle among other things like ckn feet etc. I had to leave that area the smell was soooo nasty.

We then went to a toy store and bought 2 small dolls for Ariana. I cannot believe tomorrow I will hold her and see her face.

Sigh...
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Ahhhmerica

So funny how much we take for granted. Just picking up the laptop and accessing any website we want, whenever we want. Being able to look up and get answers to questions. Using our phones...calling from here is becoming a challenge (sorry mom). Anyway we rode a bus from Shanghai to Hangzhou today, it was dirty and slow, and the driver kept hocking up loogies and spitting into a bucket! Gross! Oh btw breakfast was good, I had rice mixed with egg and a sort of hash brown, a croissant and a small sweet pastry. Of course we cannot drink the water and were warned by a native that milk here is gross and NOT to drink it. So we stuck with canned Coke :) Anyway, back to the trip, we arrived in Hangzhou, which is very pretty, more what we expected china to look like, but as we got deep into the city we ran into what I call "NewYork on crack" Ppl everywhere and no order, cars run all over ppl cross the road when and however they want. Lots of honking a quick stopping. We took a taxi fm the bus to the hotel, we were warned not to take a ride fm unregistered cabs. They were very aggressive in trying to get us in their cab. It was funny, david and I and all our luggage running to a real cab and a little Chinese man was following us yelling and waving his hands over and over, he didn't want to take no for an answer! Once at the hotel, which is very nice, we met one of the other families adopting fm the same agency. We spoke to our rep and were told to rest for the night. Tomorrow we will go to the bank and to a toy store to buy toys for our orphanage visit on wed. We will meet Ariana on monday morning!!!!!! Ahhhhhh! I so miss the comfort and ease of America but now that we are in Hangzhou with other ppl and a rep I feel much better. We are still adjusting to the time. Sleeping at odd times to make it through. Hopefully tonight we will not wake up. I hope u all know we are so thankful for your prayers and support, God is definitely guiding and caring for us. I will keep trying to get updates through.

Love u all!
Kathy
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Update

For those who havent heard, we are in Shanghai.  We arrived last night, exhausted, but safe and comfortable.  Gettin luggage was interesting since everyone crowded around a vlow moving luggage belt and fought to get our bags. Going through customs was quick and efficient.  It was eerily quiet as we entered the airport,  there were signs up telling us to remain quiet.  Then after we went through customs it felt more familiar.  We found our hotel quickly because signs were in both English and Chinese.  This was a huge comfort for me :) After some botched communication we got our room and found out how to catch our bus for today.  We slept well, but woke up around 3 ready for the day, I guess our clocks are off :)  I am still feeling the effects of flying, feeling lightheaded and quesy.  Our room is very nice, and our bed is round lol.  It was pretty comfortable temp wise last night but it is as if the AC is off this morning.  So we are off to breakfast... hoping to find something that looks familiar.  I will let you know. Sorry for the spelling a grammar, I blame exhaustion.   Love you guys, keep praying for us.

 

Kathy

Leaving,,, again. :)

Ok so the plan is to now leave Detroit today at 230. We will see :D the weather here is cool and our hotel was comfy, we got to sleep in a little so that is good. Anyway off to grab food with our meal vouchers. Love u guys!
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Adventure... I think

Well after three hours in the air we are now back in Detroit. We had a control malfunction and couldn't completer the flight, we circle for a while before they told us we had to come back. Then because we had to much fuel and thus to heavy to land we had to dump fuel. Now there is something VERY wrong with flying in the air in a massive plain filled with ppl and watching out the window as fuel gets dumped from the wings for over an hour! Then we, upon landing, were met with fire truck, ambulances and police because it was an emergency landing... Now as far as we know they followed protocol and we were not in danger... At least that is what the pilot was selling lol. So here we sit in detroit with meal vouchers waiting to see if we will fly tonight or not... Adventure.. Yes... The kind I like... Ummm not really, although we passengers had some fun while waiting for enough fuel to dump.. Of course that could be because we were feeling woozy from flying in circles.

So to wrap this up, pray people, for safety, staying here a night won't hurt our plan, since we were early. I will update asap.

Love,
Woozy in Detroit
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Landed

We arrived in detroit, and for some reason the nerves have hit me. I am nervous about this next looooong flight and about being in a country soon were I cannot communicate Aaaaahhhhhhh!! We did come through the coolest tunnel ever between terminals it was like a giant plexiglass tube with cool sounds and a light show... If I hadn't been to busy trying not to fall on my face on the giant treadmill I would have taken pictures :) pray for us, for safety and good health and to calm my nerves :) and for all of our kiddos.

God thank you for safe travel and making this possible... All the glory is yours alone.

Now it's time for food...
Kathy

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