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, January 3, 2024

New Beginnings

 After such losses, it's nice to post about some new beginnings.

 

Although, Leila played travel volleyball for Galaxy last year, she did not make the team this year.

She was disappointed, but not devastated. 

At almost the last minute, she decided to try out for a different team - Own It.

Not only did she make it - she's thrilled!

She (and we) feel this team is a much better fit for her and for us.

She said she feels more at home, more accepted, more comfortable and most importantly - happier.

We love the team, the kids, the parents, and the idealogy they stand for.  Yes, volleyball is important and the main goal - but community service and personal growth rank right up there too.

Not that we didn't like Galaxy (they're a great organization with great people), but Own It seems to be more 'us'.

We've started tournaments now.  

There isn't nearly as much travel this year - which has pros and cons both.  We don't get to go and see as many places, BUT it's much more affordable - which is nice.

 

Another 'new' thing in our lives - Leila got her learners permit.

It's harder this time than it was with the boys.  They had been driving 'things' for years - lawn mowers, 4-wheelers, tractors, etc.  She hasn't.  

I know she'll get there - but it seems to be a longer, bumpier road this time.

 

Easter was special this year because Mom had her entire family at church Easter morning.  That hasn't happened for a very long time.

 

Things seem to be looking up.


 

 



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