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!


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.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Track Meet

Darrell had his 1st Cross Country track meet on Sat. He did pretty good. There were 130+ in his group. He came in right about the middle of the pack. They have a very small team. Cross country is still pretty new at our school. It's only the 2nd year for the high school team and the 1st for the Jr High team. (Actually Darrell is the only one for the jr high boys team.) I'm so proud of him for going out and doing it. Most kids his age wouldn't have the guts to go it alone like that.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

1st Day of School

The boys went back to school today. Austin started the 11th grade, and Darrell moved up to 7th. They're in the same building (but in different parts) for the 1st time since Austin moved up - that was 4 years ago. They each have 4 classes (block scheduling), and will get a totally new schedule next semester. Right now, Austin has chemistry, history, drafting & fundamentals of electricity. Darrell has math, english, science/geography, & health/gym.

We had the kids' Sunday school classes come out last Sunday for a pool party and cookout. Everyone couldn't make it, but the majority did. It was a good day and a good way to spend the last weekend before school started back.

Here's another picture of Leila and Sable. The pictures make it look like they're best of friends. Pictures can actually be a little misleading though. It's more of an aggravate/tolerate relationship. Leila aggravates the dog endlessly. She uses her as a pillow, chair, stepping stool, etc. I'm sure Sable wonders why on earth we ever brought this 'human puppy' home. She probably thinks the only good thing about her is that she drops a lot of food.
(Leila doesn't bother Bailey, the other dog much - probably because he usually runs from her.)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

A Short Break

Leila is always on the go. This was a short break she took today.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Kings Island

We went to Kings Island on Wednesday. The youth group planned the trip and invited the rest of the church, but then the majority of them weren't able to go due to various sports and activities. (Darrell is running cross country track now. He missed practice, but his coach is really good about it. As long as you let him know, he doesn't care.) We had between 20-25 that did make it though. Austin, Darrell and I went. David had to work. (He's afraid that if he takes any more time off 'for little things', then he won't have enough time left for hunting season.) Mom kept Leila.
We had a very good day. It was hot, but not unbearably and there was a breeze most of the day. Best of all - it wasn't crowded at all! I think that most of the OH schools have already gone back so it was great. There was one ride that we waited about a half hour for, but that's it. The rest of them, we walked right on. We even walked onto the new "DiamondBack" coaster - no wait.

Darrell had his 7th grade orientation last night. He's moving up to the 'big' school this year. The new school now houses 7-12 and is very nice. (They're just putting the finising touches on a brand new stadium this week.) He got his scheule and his locker and met his teachers. He'll do fine.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Fair Days



Our county fair is going on this week. Although the boys have gone every day, last night was the first night David, Leila and I went. Leila loved it.
We ran into some friends that traveled to China at the same time we did. Their daughter (Savannah) is just about the same age Leila is, but look at how long her hair is! Isn't it pretty?
We looked at the animals. Leila petted all of them that would let her.
We ate some of the fair food. Mmmmm - love those funnel cakes.
We didn't make it to the ride section though, maybe tomorrow.
We did listen to the music, and Leila danced right along clear up until we finally decided to leave at about 10:30.