Sunday, January 24, 2010

It's Almost Here!








We had a super full day today. We started at a Christian church service. The only reason we were allowed into the church is because we are foreigners. You actually have to show your passport to be able to enter. The service was emotional just knowing that the Chinese people are not allowed to worship like we do. The worship team was a very multi cultural group. I would love to know their stories and how the ended up in communist China leading a worship service.

After the service, we went to lunch and enjoyed the Chinese version of "western" food. Have I mentioned that the food is not my favorite part of China? I have to say, I am so proud of the boys. They have been so willing to try new things and have liked some and disliked a lot, (same as me :) ) They just find a couple of things that they can eat and have been fine. Cade did have his first gagging bout at lunch. Poor thing took a big bite of "chicken pizza" and then decided that he didn't think it was chicken after all. We made him swallow it, but didn't know if he actually could for a minute. We think it was some kind of mushroom. I had a very similar incident at dinner tonight with a boiled shrimp. I'll just say... we're not in south Louisiana anymore.

We then went to the Olympic park and saw the water cube and birds nest. It was fun to see and the boys were treated like celebrities. They had a couple of picture opps, and loved every bit of it. By the way... I'm a celebrity here too. Not because of the blond hair (though I do get lots of stares) but because I have 3 boys. I have gotten more than one hug from a young girl when she finds out that all the boys are mine. They say I am very lucky. I agree, but not for the same reasons!

Tiannemen Square and the Forbidden City were next. Bryce was so excited to see the Forbidden City. He has talked about it for 2 days. I have no idea why or even if he knew anything about it. I have to say... I think he is the only one that had a great time. It was a TON of walking and it was FREEZING!!! I don't even know what the temperature was, but you'd subtract at least 10 degrees for the wind chill factor! This Louisiana girl was pretty miserable. In fact, one of the moms came up to me and said, "Why are they punishing us when all we want to do is adopt a baby?" So funny, but very true.

The Pearl Market was next and that might have been my favorite thing of the day. I bought a beautiful strand of pink pearls for Wesleigh when she gets older. I wanted one for myself, but decided against spending any more money. By the way Michelle, you owe me some money!!

Dinner wrapped up the day. Yep, not such a fan. That's ok, we have plenty of snacks in the room. Right now, it's 8:00pm and we just finished packing everything up. We leave the hotel at 5:30am for the airport! We have an 8:00 flight to Nanjing. The day we've been waiting for all this time is finally here! I really don't know if I believe it yet. It's a lot of fun to see all the families so excited. I can't wait to see them all in Guangzhou when we all have our children. They say we'll have a little time to get checked into the hotel before going to the civil affairs office to get Miss Wesleigh. We are all so excited. The boys started fighting over who was going to get to hold her first. Of course, I set them straight and told them they better get in line.... behind ME!! I am so excited to see what tomorrow brings. I'll post a picture as soon as I can.

You can probably tell by the length of this post that I'm much more rested today. I think Diana has had to rewrite my posts so you can even understand them. I wasn't able to put two sentences together my brain was in such a fog. I'm still tired, but not exhausted like before.

Thanks for all the support and prayer. If you're not commenting...please do. I'm going to print them all as a keepsake for Wesleigh later, all the wonderful people who followed our journey to her. You can sign as anonymous if you want and sign your name in the comment. Thanks!...I love seeing them all!!

The next time I post, I will have my little girl....can't even believe it! Can't wait!! One more sleep!!

46 comments:

Ali said...

I have been reading your blog for over a year but never commented. I am so excited for you to get your daughter tomorrow. What a wonderful day that will be for your family.

Little Rylan Cooper said...

OMG!!! I can barely wait for yall to wake up and go get Wesleigh!!! I am so excited to see the pictures tomorrow. I bet you can hardly sleep tonight. We are praying for you and are so excited to meet Wesleigh!!!!

Anonymous said...

Reid is so excited to see the boys on the plane and at the Great Wall. He says to tell them Hi! We are so happy for you and we know that Wesleigh is one lucky little girl to become a part of such a great family. Take care and have a great day tomorrow :)

Kim & Reid Didier

Anonymous said...

Anxiously awaiting our new niece, can't wait to meet her, Uncle Joel

Anonymous said...

It's almost here!!! You are bringing back so many wonderful memories from our trip to bring Ryan home. How I remember how COLD it was. (lol) One more day until you meet your love girl.

I cant wait for you to have that experience. It was the best moment of my life....

Heather

Anonymous said...

I have been following your adoption adventure for a little while and I'm so excited for your day to finally arrive. Many blessings to you and safe travels home! By the way, the pictures of China are beautiful.

Best,
Erin

Kim said...

I am crying.. this is AMAZING.. sooo happy for you my friend..
I sooo cannot wait to see the boys with their sister.. Wesleigh is on her way..
Hugs..
Looks like you had a great time..

Anonymous said...

We are so excited for you to FINALLY get your baby girl! We are praying you up here at home. Be safe. Hurry home with Sweet Wesleigh Jane!

Love,
Candice & Kiva

Anonymous said...

hey cade,hope you are having fun!I am jealous,because I have to go to school while your in China!Lucky.Was it hard climbing the Great Wall?Probaly was.Well, I hope yall have a save trip home!Oh yeah,say hi to Wesleigh!

from,jag

Anonymous said...

I only ate Chinese food twice the entire time I was in China. I just could not stomach the smell, and I like Chinese food (from Hunan's in Baton Rouge;). In Guangzhou you need to find the Italian restaurant. They have the BEST pizza! I think you will like Guangzhou alot. The weather is a lot more our style, and it kind of reminded me of South Louisiana. Can't wait to see you guys with Wesleigh!
Courtney Barnett

Anonymous said...

We are rejoicing with you during this amazing journey. Standing with you in prayer for your adorable daughter. She will be a delightful addition to your already wonderful family.

With much love,

Lori Planchard

Linda said...

So thrilled to see my baby girl get her baby girl. I know she will be as much of a blessing to you as you are to me. Wesleigh Jane, I love you already! Can't wait to be your MawMaw!

Anonymous said...

I've been following your journey to Wesleigh ever since I discovered and fell in love with your brick floors! Wishing you and your family many blessings in the days to come with your new daughter.
Lynette

carolinagirl said...

you guys are probably asleep right now as it is 12:43pm EST. Praying for your sweet family and for Miss Wesleigh tomorrow. What a monumental day for you all.

Anonymous said...

Have been following your blog for only the last month or two but im sooooo excited for you all! tomorrow is going to be such a special day and i cant wait to see all the photos of your lovely familiy. with sincere good wishes Mark & Deborah, Dumfries, Scotland.

Beth said...

Can't wait to see your little girl with her family at last....!! Another - "She/he was worth the wait" story come true!! Loving hearing about all your adventures....!! I think I would be with you in the food department....snacks are good!! Take care and enjoy that little girl!

River Road Bulldogges said...

Thank GOD I have the Saints game to distract me until you go get Miss Wesleigh! LOL Hurrrrrryyyyyyyyy!!!!!!

Love,
Jill :0

3 Peanuts said...

Hey sweet friend! I love seeing your whole family explore the sight and sounds and tastes (LOL) of CHina! I cannot wait until you meet Wesleigh!!!!!! I am not sure I am going to be able to sleep tonight because I am so excited for you. We just got home form Mass and I offered my prayers during the whole mass for your family and my friend. karen who is there right now (and I think went to the same worship as you did too). Y'all are moving in the exact same circles there.

I pray that her heart be ready for all of the love your beautiful family will flood her with.

Much love,
Kim

Ashia said...

i've been following your blog for over a year and i'm soooooooooooo excited and happy for you guys! i've been thinking about you guys in china and praying for wesleigh's transition. she is absolutely beautiful!! God bless...

Mrs. S. said...

So excited for you all...I know the exact feelings you are experiencing right now...even though our Kate's Gotcha Day was 5 years ago! You will laugh someday about the foods you ate. I lost 18 pounds while there...allergic (deadly!) to seafood, so couldn't eat much other than white rice...after 5 years I still have not eaten white rice!
I will be thinking of you all tomorrow while I am teaching....thoughts and prayers are with you!
Lynn Schadler
Wyomissing, PA

The Whitledge Family said...

I am so glad to see that you made it!! I have been checking your blog daily to get new updates. I cannot wait to see Wesleigh with her forever family!!

Carole Turner said...

Hey Jennifer. So excited for you all! Praying for you all too! God bless.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Hi Jennifer!

OMG....it is so great to see you guys there.....and it looks like you are enjoying all the sightseeing and tours!! I will be checking in first thing tomorrow morning.....can't wait to see you with your sweet girl!! I am SOOOO Happy for y'all:)

Sending Prayers and Best Wishes for your big day!

xo,

Lisa

Jennifer O'Cain said...

I am so excited for all of you and cannot wait to see the pictures of you all with Wesleigh. What a memorable time it will be!

Prayers for tomorrow,
Jennifer

Stephanie said...

This is all so very exciting! I said a prayer for your family! Best wishes and safe travel.

Keisha said...

Okay.. I'm so excited!!! It's prob. the morning of Gotcha day .. by now.. & I know you have butterflies in your tummy!!!!
Oh...... I can't wait!

DiJo said...

Jen,
You will be boarding that plane very soon.. Destination Wesleigh Jane!
I will be praying for you and the Vikings!!! :)

Seriously, I can not wait to see that precious "Tea Cup" in your arms at last! God has chosen this very day for you to meet YOUR daughter!!!!

It's Wesleigh Jane Day!!! I can't wait to post her photos soon!! Very soon!!!

Love ya,
Diana

Aaron and Erica said...

It's 5:42 PM CST now, which means you guys are probably getting ready to get on the plane. Today you will meet your daughter!!!!!!!! I'm so excited, I don't think I will ever tire of following along whith families during this special time.

Praying for your sweet girl now as her life is about to be turned upside down. And praying for you as well...that you will have patience and wisdom as you comfort her during this transition.

Bring on the pictures of the new family of 6!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I can't wait to meet Wesleigh!

Love, Grace

Anonymous said...

Hi to all! Your wonderful posts makes us feel as if we are on the journey with you all. At times I lose my breathe just thinking of the moment you will touch Wesleigh Jane. Unbelievable. God has certainly enriched your lives with this MAGNIFICENT experience. Lauren McGowan Oh, and sloppy kisses for Cade.

Linda said...

Can't wait to go to sleep tonight (if I can) knowing that while I sleep, you will meet Wesleigh. Can't wait for tomorrow's pictures!!!!

Anonymous said...

Jennifer,
This is so exciting!!! We are anxiously awaiting pics and the news that your precious baby girl is with you!
It's really been fun to see the pics from your trip. So much of the scenery looks exactly like what I would imagine China to be! WOW. What an adventure and memories for a lifetime.
We are praying for a smooth transition for Wesleigh and a safe trip home for all of you.
With love,
Lori and Jimmy Kaiser

Football and Fried Rice said...

Oh Jennifer - I have goosebumps!! And not because it is cold here too :-) I am glad that you got to go to the BICF service - unfortunately for us, we flew out early on a Sunday morning so we didn't get to go - but we belonged to a church in Colorado that sent Mark & Carrie Tedder to be Worship Leaders at the BICF (their son, Daniel now fills their shoes!) It was AMAZING to hear their stories about teaching CHINESE worship leaders how to reach people for the Kingdom - truly amazing. I felt a lot of the same emotions and felt SO blessed to have my Bible tucked away in my bag and to be able to read it on communist soil.

I am glad that you are better rested (you're gonna need it for an active toddler!) TOMORROW!!! I think I will be up sometime in the middle of the night praying for you - praying for Wesleigh. That her little heart would somehow understand what is going on. That she would be able to see the love beyond the confusion. What a blessing it is to see families being made.

Sending Hugs & Prayers your way - can't wait for pictures!

~Sara

p.s. The Tedders recorded the first ever live Worship DVD on CHinese soil - it's called "The Door" - it has some Chinese artists & instruments on it - and includes a CD (one song is in Chinese....it's amazing!) You'll have to check it out when you get home!

Anonymous said...

Jennifer,

Blessings to you on this Wesleigh Jane day!!! I can't believe that the next pictures of your family will have a little girl in them - how absolutely exciting!

Praying for a safe flight and a wonderful forever family day for you all!

Blessings of Joy, Ashley

Anonymous said...

So very happy for all of you, especially Jennifer. I got curious as to whether or not it was "happening" yet and went to your facebook page. She is going to be a very loved baby, huh?
As I read this I am very emotional for you, because your prayers have been answered. Can't wait to meet lil' Miss Wesleigh Jane!

See you soon!!!
Niki White

Julie Leah said...

Yay!!! Oh, Jennifer I can't wait to see pictures of your whole family, finally together! This is so wonderful! I have enjoyed so much following you all for the past couple of months. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you all! My prayers are with you all as you get Miss Wesleigh and for a safe flight back home! Yay!

Anonymous said...

So excited to see/hear about your trip. What a history lesson for the boys. Tell Braden I am going to share the blog with the class tomorrow and can't wait for him to tell me all about it himself!! We might have to have a lesson on China tomorrow as well.
Hope ya'll are able to sleep tonight or should I say last night. I know the excitement has your adrenaline pumping!! Ya'll are in our thoughts and prayers. Give Wesleigh Jane a kiss from all of us!
xoxo,
Michelle

Anonymous said...

By the way--I will take all your "boy mom" clothes. Wesleigh Jane makes them null and void... I'm just sayin....

Niki White

The Byrd's Nest said...

Oh my goodness....you are soooo close! I can't wait!!! Many prayers are being said for you here in the Byrd's Nest!

3 Peanuts said...

I am sitting here right now wondering if you have your lil darling. I know it was this time of night here on a Sunday night when Dave met Kate. Thinking if you right now and praying for you all. I cannot wait to see the photos tomorrow:)

Love,
Kim

Anonymous said...

Richard and Jennifer, we are so excited for your family. In the morning we will be checking in to see if the new Doughty family picture is posted. We love you and are praying for the Lord to shower each of you with His peace and grace.

Welcome baby Wesley Jane Doughty!

Trent & Mary Pat Thevenot

Eloise said...

I am so excited for you! Can't wait to see pictures of you and your sweet family with your daughter.

Mission To Macie said...

Jennifer!!!! THE SAINTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!! THE SUPERBOWL!!!! THE SAINTS!!!!!THE SAINTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!

Yay!!!

Erin said...

Can't wait to meet Miss Wesleigh!

Anonymous said...

I have followed your blog since I saw It posted on my niece Wendy's blog. They brought their beautiful daughter home on July 29th 2009. I am so happy for you and your precious child. God bless you and your family

Everyday Mom Designs said...

I have chills thinking of what all you're going through.. You're finally getting the little girl you've wanted for so long. I am thinking of your family and your little girl constantly. I wish you all the best and can't wait to see pictures!

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