Saturday Morning

I have to work today so I’ve been up since about 4:30 cleaning house, doing laundry, walking the dog, etc.  Li is usually up by 6 or 6:30, so no time later in the day to do these things.  However, I’m about to leave and still no Li or Daddy.   I peeked in the room and there they were, curled up together, mouths open and snoring.  Now that’s the way a Saturday morning should be!  

I’d get a picture but I just can’t disturb a good sleep in.

Guard Frog

And for those of you fool enough to ignore the warning sign, our poisonous South American dart frog will inject you with deadly neurotoxin!

Mowing

“Ok, is any mowing going to get done or is everyone just going to sit around ?!”

First Hug!

Li gave her first hug today!  She’s been holding on to us and showing affection when held but this was the first time she’s walked over and just hugged one of us (and not asking to be picked up).  Trey was making an adjustment to the bedroom door and out of the blue she walked over and hugged him!  Thankfully she did it several times and I was able to catch the moment. 

Almost Home!

We arrived at the Nashville airport at 10:30 Friday night, or we think it was Friday night.  We have been in travel mode since 3:00 pm. Thursday afternoon Tennessee time, so over 30 hours of planes, trains and automobiles.  Li did pretty good for most of the trip.  On the first leg of the journey she was very fussy and an older Chinese couple tried to help us but it was impossible to communicate why she was so upset. 

Along the way Li made many friends.  Some young men from the Dominican Republic kept her entertained by talking to her while we were standing in the Immigration line and each time they saw her in the airport they smiled, waved and said “hello pretty baby”. 

A very nice elderly lady stopped us in one airport and asked if we’d just adopted our precious little girl.  She was so sweet to Li and told Trey and I “to enjoy a wonderful life”. 

Everyone along the way, including airport officials in China and America, were so sweet to Li.  Even when we couldn’t communicate it was easy to understand the smile on their faces and the happiness they tried to express to Li.  And almost everyone could at least say “Big Eyes” and point to Li and smile. 

Well, we look a little flat coming through the Nashville airport.  Li’s Nana, Paw, Aunt Beth and cousin’s Abby and Savannah, no longer flat, were there to welcome us home and to meet baby Li.  We were sooo happy to see them.  And to give you an idea of how out of sorts we all are, in the airport we squeezed all the Hassler’s on to one elevator and we were all excitedly talking when after some time Trey said, “Did anyone push the floor button?”  I have no idea how long we were in there!  Or what the people outside of the elevator could have been thinking!

Paw drove us home to their house and Nana made us something wonderful to eat.  We had a “Welcome Home Li” cake and Abby wrote a message on the driveway “Welcome to America!”   Savannah’s beautiful red hair was much admired by Li, she’s never seen anything like it.  We can’t believe we made it!

It’s so nice to be home!

Angie

There and back again

It’s 4:00 a.m. and I can’t get the two sleeping beauties awake.  It’s been a great trip, (so far…..!?) the Chinese people have been kind and gracious with many of the elderly stopping us on the street to say hello to the new Ba Ba (Dad) and Ma Ma.  We’ve had some rough times, mostly at nap and bed time, but we’ve had many more wonderful experiences.  China truly is a fascinating place. 

 I’m looking forward to getting back home to our lonely mountain for some quiet time and for my nerves to recover.  There’s something about cars driving on the sidewalks that has put me on edge.  And the constant honking of horns!  OK, here we go on our last leg of our journey home.  We are so happy you joined us for this little adventure.  And we’ll be seeing you in the coming weeks!   Angie

American Consulate

     Today we traveled to the American Consulate for the swearing ceremony. They took my camera away at the security check point so I didn’t get to take any pictures inside. Wasn’t much to see other than 100 other tired parents wanting to get this over with. Anyway, we all took our oath and Li should have her Passport/Visa by tomorrow. Her immigration papers are given to us sealed and only to be opened by an immigration officer on the US side.

One more hour

OK, it’s 1:00p.m. Monday, March 8th and Trey has gone to get the money.  I’m packing gifts for the orphanage Director and the nanny and Cheerio’s for Li.  At 2:00pm we go to the Adoption Center, 12:00 midnight for you.  So, right now it’s around 11:00pm Sunday night at home, maybe by the time you get up Monday morning we will have pictures posted.  After 4 years it’s only one more hour…..