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.

Friday, February 12, 2021

Summer 2020

 We made it back from our girls trip just in time for Father's Day.




I had Caleb's pictures taken as a birthday present for his mommy and daddy.
(Austin turned 27, and Casey turned 26 in June.)
I know they were supposed to be just of Caleb - but I couldn't resist sticking Leila in for a few too.
Good thing he's cute - because the little snot did not smile for a single picture!



We took the side-by-side to the Hatfield & McCoy trails one weekend in June.
It was a 'history ride' highlighting points of interest from the famous feud.
We made Leila watch the Hatfield & McCoy movie before we went so she would have a better idea about the places we saw and the stories we heard.
I'd definitely like to do a few more things like this.



Another thing we did in June - we ALL got our conceal and carry permits.  
(All of us except Darrell - he already had his, and Leila - who isn't old enough.)
We just a little too concerned about the direction our country seems to be heading not to take some precautions.

July was also busy - especially considering that life still seems to be on hold from Covid.

I learned how to quilt during quarantine.
I made a Crazy Cat quilt.
I found the pattern and a few pieces in a box that had originally belonged to my aunt Evadean.
The cats on it make me happy, because they're just so silly looking.



Darres and Juanita brought BrookLea up from TN.
We did a little mini photo shoot with the 2 babies.




We went rafting on the New River.
None of our girls (Casey, Haley or Leila) had ever been.
I'd like to try the Gauley sometime, but this was fun.



One of the best parts of July is always the Craig Reunion.
This year was super special though, because it was the 50th one!
That's pretty cool.
We had games, a slide show, an auction (with some amazing hand made crafts), and of course - lots of food.
We even had matching 50th shirts and hats to commemorate the event.
Sadly, we were missing several - due to this damn Covid.
(Still hoping it will go away.)



August - no county fair, no Bible school this year, and still no school.  





 


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