Charlotte Day 2

Okay well today was harder than we anticipated. Charlotte stored up all of her emotion and crying (screaming) for today. First, we were having trouble getting her to eat. She would just not take any bottle I brought. When we met our guide she said we needed to cut the hole even bigger and maybe make it thicker. We went back to the civil affairs office to sign our Chinese portion of the paperwork. While we were there I was able to get Charlotte to drink about 5 oz. of juice, yeah! Then after leaving she was very hungry and letting us know about it. She screamed. We tried to make a bottle thick-well it gaged her. So she screamed all the way back to the hotel. Oh and I did not tell you that immediately after we got moving in the van she started to dry heave (nothing in her stomach to throw up) so she is definitely motion sick in vehicles. Please start praying now for our flight home. I came back to the hotel with Ethan and Charlotte and Jay and the other Dad with us went to the Chinese Walmart for some supplies. Charlotte would not let me console her at all and actually pushed me away. I finally just laid her down and let her cry herself to sleep. She slept and I of course had a break down. When she woke from her nap I tried just formula with the bigger slit nipple and she took it-praise God!! She was very alert after that. She played with her toys and smiled and laughed for us for about an hour and a half. We were so happy to see that. It did wonders for our heart. Then she closed up again but did take another bottle and went to sleep hopefully for the night. So we saw a glimmer of hope which will continue we know. Ethan is doing really well, he is a big help but it is hard on him to not have Charlotte interact with him yet, so say an extra prayer for him if you can. So that's where we are. Looking forward to lots more smiles and laughs tomorrow. Here are a couple of pics from our happy time.

Love you guys,
Carla, Jay, Ethan and Charlotte

We Have Charlotte!!!

Okay, I am making this a quick post because we have to pay by the hour for internet service in the hotel. We will try out the free wireless internet at Starbucks tomorrow to post more. We flew out of Bejing this morning to Guangzhou, leaving the hotel at 5:30am. Then we arrived checked into the hotel and went to the cival affairs office to meet Charlotte. We ended up having to wait about 1 1/2 hours the van from the orphanage was running late because one of the babies was having motion sickness. Of course that was Charlotte. Anyway they finally brought her in and she was good as gold. Not a single tear, but not really a smile either. I think she was a little shocked by the whole experience. She is starting to open up a little bit more the longer she is with us, so keep those prayers coming they are working. We are very blessed to have been chosen to be Charlotte's parents. We are so excited to have in our arms at last. We love you all, thanks for helping us get this far.

In Him,
Jay, Carla, Ethan and Charlotte (yeah, I can finally say that)

Day 2-Beijing

Another whirlwind of a day in Beijing. We started this morning with a very meaningful bi-lingual worship service at Beijing International Christian Fellowship. We sans songs like "Everlasting God" and "Blessed Be Your name" in English, and several other songs in Chinese. It was a beautiful service, with communion and a guest preacher. After Church it was off to a jade factory store, another lunch around a lazy susan, and then finally to the Great Wall. I thought it would be flater. Lots of steep steps. I think I saw an episode of the Amazing race that featured these steps, where the teams had to climb to the top. One of our Friends, Roy Duffey, says he made it to the top. He is in the picture waving. Ethan and I made it about 2/3 before He got tired and I got scared of heights! We had another lazy susan Chinese dinner and then went to see a acrobat performance! They were amazing! We are tired but having a wonderful time.
Tomorrow is the day! We will leave Beijing around 5:30am to head to Guangzhou to finally meet our Charlotte! Please pray for us for this upcoming day, and that God will increase our sleep tonight. After tomorrow, I'm told the pace slows down some. Let's hope.
Jay

Day One-Beijing

Wow, what a day!!! We started with breakfast in the hotel Lobby, which was good. Then we got on the bus at 8:30am and we are back in the hotel now at 8:30pm. We begain with a tour of Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City. From there we went to a pearl market, bought some pearl earrings for Charlotte and a bracelet for Mommy. Next was a Chinese Lunch, which was pretty good, just a couple of questionable items. Ethan enjoyed the rice. Next we went to the Summer Palace, a silk market and then a traditional Peking Duck dinner, you can see a picture of Jay making his "duck taco" and enjoying it. Oh and I forgot to tell you that Ethan is a celebrity here in China because of his blonde hair and blue eyes. I can't tell you how many people came up to him to shake his hand or touch him. Or just look and chuckle. He handled it all in style though! Tomorrow we head to and International Church service and then the Great Wall. Only two more days until we meet Charlotte-yeah!!! Oh, and we are meeting some fantastic people in our group so all in all even though we are ready for sleep, we had a wonderful day.

We're Here!

Just wanted to write a quick post to let everyone know that we arrived safely in China!!!! The flight was long and Ethan and I did not sleep much but we are going to get the bed early tonight. We have a full day of sightseeing ahead of us. We will update again tomorrow. Thanks for all your prayer for safe travel, we appreciate them all.

In Him,
Carla, Jay, and Ethan

We're Off

Today is the day and we can hardly believe that this day is finally here! The bags are packed and this morning Papa will take us to the airport. Yesterday Carla and I worked steadly at packing until it was time for lunch. We went to get a bite to eat and when we came home, We had locked ourselves out of the house. Priceless! Every time we think we have it togehter, God tells us to slow down, relax, and let him have the driver's seat.
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to t give you a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29: 11
Please continue to pray for us and other traveling families as we begin this long, exciting day! Pray specificily for safety, patience, jet-lag, and the upcoming transition.
~ Jay

Travel Itinerary

Okay, I can't believe it but here it is our Itinerary while we are in China!!!

November 1st - November 17th
Thursday, Nov. 1st: Travel Day, Depart Norfolk at 10:30am
Friday, Nov. 2st: Arrive in Beijing at 2:20pm
Saturday, Nov. 3rd: Beijing Sight-Seeing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall
Sunday Nov. 4th: Church Service and Summer Palace
Monday Nov. 5th: Morning Flight to Guangzhou-Afternoon-MEET CHARLOTTE!!
Tuesday, Nov. 6th: Civil Affairs Appointment
Nov. 7-10: Paper-work, Sight-seeing, Shopping
Nov. 11-14: Fill out Consulate Forms and Medical Exam
Thursday Nov. 15th: Consulate Appointment
Friday Nov. 16th: Pick-up Charlotte's Visa
Saturday, Nov. 17th: Depart Guangzhou to Beijing, Then Beijing to Norfolk, Arrive in Norfolk at 11:15 pm