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.
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.)
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