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.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Birthday Party

We had a surprise birthday party for my dad last Sat.
It wasn't one of the 'big' birthday's (65, 70, 75, 80, etc). It was 73.
So he really wasn't expecting it. And we pulled off the surprise!
Considering that we only decided a week beforehand to do it - I think we did pretty good with it.
We had it at our church and ended up with about 45 people.
Most of my aunts and uncles made it - very few of my cousins though.
I'm not sure if they didn't get word, or if they already had other plans.

On the downside, Leila had gotten a flu shot on Fri.
I know that people in the medical profession say it does not make you sick.
But a lot of people in the general population says it does.
She's gotten one the last 2 years and been fine with it. Not this time.
She was sick from Sat until Mon. She ran a fever - no other symptoms (other than whiny).
But it made her not the most pleasant person for the party.

Dad


Mom


Me & Leila


Austin & David


Darrell


Darres & Juanita




Dad & some of his brothers
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Thursday, September 16, 2010

2nd Gotcha Day

Today was our 2nd Gotcha Day.
We didn't do much to celebrate.
David worked today. The boys had school. I ran some errands.
Austin was off tonight (oh yeah - he got a job a few weeks ago).
Darrell's track practice got cancelled due to rain.
We did all manage to go out to eat together this evening before Leila went on to gymnastics though.
We went for Chinese - of course.

I had a new Chinese dress for her, but she doesn't like it and won't wear it.
The neck comes up high, and it bothers her.
With her - it definitely HAS to feel good, and apparently this just doesn't.
I had even considered putting it on her for Halloween.
I know - it would have been a little bit of a cop-out.
But hey, I thought it would work.
I guess not.
I have no idea what I'm going to do with it now (or what she's going to be either for that matter).


Austin's job?
Well, he got a job at Leila's gymnastics place.
He's working with the girl's team.
So far, he really likes it.
It interferes with his weight lifting schedule - which his wrestling coach wasn't too happy about.
But Austin assured him that he was lifting 'weights' and getting a far better workout at the gym than he'd been getting in the weight room.
He's doing better now, but oh my, was he sore and tired that first week.
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Saturday, September 11, 2010

Happy Travel Day

2 years ago today, we got on a plane and headed around the world to pick-up this beautiful baby girl.

Although it may be a sad day in our nation's history - it's a happy day for our family.
Happy Travel Day to all our Travel Buddies!
I've enjoyed 'knowing and growing' with all of you the last 2 years.
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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Family Weekend

We just had a full family weekend.

My dad's family had a family reunion on Sat.
Perfect weather. Lots of food. Good company. What more could you want?
My aunt had come across a huge barrel of hats somewhere. These were expensive, outrageous, beautiful, and yes - somewhat outlandish hats.
She decided that we should have a 'hat parade'.
Well now - this family will do just about anything suggested. So, yep - a 'hat parade' it was.
Pretty much everyone was seen in fancy finery at some point that day.






On Sun afternoon, we went to David's mom's for my birthday brunch.
My birthday was actually last week, but sometimes it's easier to get together on weekends than it is during the week.

Later Sun night, we had cookout with my mom's family. More food.
As much as I'd like to eat like that all the time - it's probably not in our best interest.
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