We had a free day today, so we got ventured out on our own. We took a taxi and went to Shamian Island to do some shopping. (That's where a lot of adoptive families stay.) We only had a little bit of difficulty with the taxi driver getting there. Once we got there, it was a very nice day. Most everyone there could understand us. We saw lots of Americans. We heard lots of English. And we ate in an American restaurant. It was great. We found a nice little shop, where the shopkeeper was willing to bargain on any and everything. Once we were done, he hailed us a cab, and told the cab driver where we needed to come back to.
After we got back to the hotel tonight, Austin and I walked down to the corner market to buy diapers. We found and decided to try honey flavored ice cream. It was okay - WAY better than the pea flavor.
We’re David and Lois McBeath. We live in Point Pleasant, WV – a small town along the Ohio River on the western side of the state. We have 2 sons. Austin is 15. He’s a sophomore at Pt. Pleasant High School. Darrell is almost 12. He’s in the 6th grade at Roosevelt Elementary.
We actually began our adoption journey more than 10 years ago. I saw an ad in the newspaper about Chinese babies. We called about it, but it just wasn’t even feasible at that time in our life. All these years, it was always there, stuck somewhere in the back of our minds. I don't know why exactly – it just was. The thought never completely went away.
We also talked off and on about having another child. Our house was only 3 bedrooms, and we know the boys could have been in a room together, but we didn't want to do that if we didn't have to. In the spring of 2006, for some reason (I don't recall exactly what) - it came up again. We started thinking and talking - why not? So we started checking into it more. We did a lot of research online. The more we found out, the more we felt a calling, a desire and even a need to do this.
We started the adoption and added onto the house all at the same time. It took about 6 months to get the paperwork together. Then about another month after we sent it to China for them to translate it and 'log us in' (11/6/06). That's when we started to officially wait.
We finally got "THE CALL" on 7/13/08. It was a Sunday afternoon! After 2 ½ years, we are finally going to get our baby!
We actually began our adoption journey more than 10 years ago. I saw an ad in the newspaper about Chinese babies. We called about it, but it just wasn’t even feasible at that time in our life. All these years, it was always there, stuck somewhere in the back of our minds. I don't know why exactly – it just was. The thought never completely went away.
We also talked off and on about having another child. Our house was only 3 bedrooms, and we know the boys could have been in a room together, but we didn't want to do that if we didn't have to. In the spring of 2006, for some reason (I don't recall exactly what) - it came up again. We started thinking and talking - why not? So we started checking into it more. We did a lot of research online. The more we found out, the more we felt a calling, a desire and even a need to do this.
We started the adoption and added onto the house all at the same time. It took about 6 months to get the paperwork together. Then about another month after we sent it to China for them to translate it and 'log us in' (11/6/06). That's when we started to officially wait.
We finally got "THE CALL" on 7/13/08. It was a Sunday afternoon! After 2 ½ years, we are finally going to get our baby!
Leila Ann McBeath, formally known as Shun Xi Yi, was born on Oct 29, 2007. She had a cleft lip and cleft palate. The lip has been repaired, but not the palate. (We'll have to do that when we get her home.) She's in the Children's Welfare Institute of Shunde District of Foshan City, which is located in the Guangdong Province, in the southern part of China.
Shunde, the hometown of flowers, is one of four cities under the jurisdiction of Foshan City. Covering an area of 806 sq meters and with a population of 1.05 million, Shunde City is situated in the middle of the fertile Pearl River Delta, between Guangzhou and Hong Kong. It was set up as a county in the 3rd year (1452 AD) of the Jintai reign of the Ming Dynasy (1368-1644), and conferred with the administrative status of a city in 1992 by the State Council.
Foshan City is also where the actor Bruce Lee was from.
Shunde, the hometown of flowers, is one of four cities under the jurisdiction of Foshan City. Covering an area of 806 sq meters and with a population of 1.05 million, Shunde City is situated in the middle of the fertile Pearl River Delta, between Guangzhou and Hong Kong. It was set up as a county in the 3rd year (1452 AD) of the Jintai reign of the Ming Dynasy (1368-1644), and conferred with the administrative status of a city in 1992 by the State Council.
Foshan City is also where the actor Bruce Lee was from.
7 comments:
Maybe it's their "different" flavored ice creams that keep the Chinese looking so healthy!
Lois and family,
Your daughter is beautiful! I am so happy for you and your family. I bet you cant wait to get her home and into her own crib. You and your family and all the families you are traveling with are in my prayers daily.
Linda(Roach)Ward
My kids and grandkids and I have been following your trip. Leila is so cute! Can't wait for all of you to get back home, and we wish you luck and a safe trip.
Dorothy Morrison
I just figured out how to send you guys a comment. You know I'm such a computer whiz. Really enjoying reading about your trip. I bet WV will never look so good. Leila is a real cutie. Wish you a safe trip back. You are in our prayers.
Love ya
mplants
Hi, I love being able to follow your trip every day, this is great. I am so ready for you all to bring our beautiful little girl and come home. I miss you and will see you on Saturday. Love Mom
Congratulations,Lois and Family,
Your Mom was telling me about your trip to China to bring home your "precious" baby girl.We are so very happy for you.I logged on to your blog to read your story and see pictures.It's GREAT and Leila is beautiful.It reminds me of the wonderful time when Allen and Kelly went to Guatamala and brought home our darling Gracie.
We're keeping you in our prayers that everything will continue to go well and for you to have a safe trip home. I know you will be relieved and happy to get home so Leila can sleep in her own crib and you all can get into your own rountine.We're looking forward to meeting Leila.
Our love and best wishes,
Your "cuz", Sue
FINALLY, some ice cream that is sweet! I don't even care for ice cream but I would like to try honey flavored. Scott & Dalton eat ice cream almost every night but I know they wouldn't try pea or kidney flavored.
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