tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11928045549203401192024-03-19T13:17:36.193-04:00Rettew Family NewsOur Adoption Journeys...Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-4788282994806256582018-10-17T16:36:00.003-04:002018-10-17T16:36:41.012-04:00Pictures from Roy's Orphanage Visit<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgjtF_X2i2W0X1XV_KpXblpxezdKV_pFbBV04gh8PBTp6-8Tim8jV3rXxWSrlbBPyLoEo2IF6kuWFgYW6CDM9KujWovldpql6iFnUA6DBWky0a5eTE2gpiXk8ckA7bISU5RT8I_aUKLQ/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="612" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgjtF_X2i2W0X1XV_KpXblpxezdKV_pFbBV04gh8PBTp6-8Tim8jV3rXxWSrlbBPyLoEo2IF6kuWFgYW6CDM9KujWovldpql6iFnUA6DBWky0a5eTE2gpiXk8ckA7bISU5RT8I_aUKLQ/s320/IMG_1272.JPG" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike & Emily bonding on the way to the orphanage. <br />His shirt was the perfect choice for today!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy and his foster mother! 💓😍💗</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the orphanage staff. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They loved Maddie! 😊</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside Roy's orphanage.<br />There are currently 189 kids there waiting to be adopted.</td></tr>
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Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-88880822408722920532018-10-17T09:55:00.002-04:002018-10-17T09:55:50.812-04:00Roy’s Orphanage Visit<div>
Today was the day to visit Roy’s orphanage! I’m happy to report Mike woke up feeling 100% again! Poor Roy didn’t want to wake up at all!! We were scheduled to leave at 7:45am. We could barely wake him up! He slept the whole way there (it’s a 2 hour drive, one way). 🙈</div>
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Unfortunately, I woke w/my stomach feeling awful. It was a tough decision, but I thought I should stay behind & rest. I literally stayed in bed all day & caught up on some much needed sleep.</div>
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Mike was very brave (& amazing) and took all 3 kids to the orphanage. We figured it would force some bonding between him & Emily. It did! She wanted to be held by him the entire time! I was thrilled to hear it! Our guide kept sending me updates, assuring me all was well. </div>
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Roy was able to see his foster mother today! She was delighted to see him!! Mike said Roy got so many hugs today from her & many of the orphanage workers! It was great to see photos as I recognized several of the staff from last time.</div>
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They were able to get a tour of the orphanage & meet many of the kids. Such a special day for them!</div>
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They were home a little before 5 and had pizza in the room. Tonight is our last night sleeping in the hotel! We start the long journey home tomorrow night!! Finally! We arrive 11pm on Thursday night at JFK. Oh it will be so good to be HOME! These two weeks have gone by slowly this trip. We are ALL excited to get home & start some new routines as a family of 5!</div>
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I’m not sure exactly when I’ll post again...so please keep praying & specifically for the flight home. Once I have pictures from Jana, I plan to do post some here. I’ve barely taken photos this time as my arms have been full w/Emily. A great problem to have really! 😍</div>
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Thank you for your love & support!! </div>
Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-79396267533927038662018-10-16T16:12:00.000-04:002018-10-16T16:12:32.615-04:00Pictures of Consulate Appointment and Safari Park - Oct. 16<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzGPSuZ3X0j8ZAXFQVn0cOt6vRUF9pOxefms42Kvdl_7siJAzrILX7pYR7m7vV0nqMmANP8IaBIQVn6wwW6QPFA3xmiOB2JPYBVsghIbk1QrSmEYyNlBETuMvLL9kFcsqH_RyvCpuMQU/s1600/IMG_1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzGPSuZ3X0j8ZAXFQVn0cOt6vRUF9pOxefms42Kvdl_7siJAzrILX7pYR7m7vV0nqMmANP8IaBIQVn6wwW6QPFA3xmiOB2JPYBVsghIbk1QrSmEYyNlBETuMvLL9kFcsqH_RyvCpuMQU/s320/IMG_1243.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily's foster mother told us that she loves cell phones!<br />She sure does! 🙈</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hotel gave us some yummy pastries as a thank you for changing rooms. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily's just checking out the view from our 22nd floor view. 💗</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loves playing peek-a-boo with the curtains. 🙈</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHRNY9qF4amTyT1yDnN90Ix1lEOhzfrj-nsg9bzKs1WM9q87LEjrkZsbJRHtwFP1tLg97FFP-CxFTx9_XNDG9hFUkd8LkKtZJufEyUU0-tQCgPK2SuicKp4TLT5GOjkgORaTDMQvE_WQ/s1600/IMG_1248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHRNY9qF4amTyT1yDnN90Ix1lEOhzfrj-nsg9bzKs1WM9q87LEjrkZsbJRHtwFP1tLg97FFP-CxFTx9_XNDG9hFUkd8LkKtZJufEyUU0-tQCgPK2SuicKp4TLT5GOjkgORaTDMQvE_WQ/s320/IMG_1248.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's so nice to see her so HAPPY!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy was showing her how strong he is! 🙊😂</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think Emily must've seen yoga before! <br />She just started doing this on her own!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Consulate appointment. <br />Jana stayed with Roy back at the hotel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmbekyvBrpLhnADdCo1iq3-rNyA3etraC4ID2gITtKQaynSl4p3nleAH1O7dAMjyYortlcllAtkDXawlCf9bZv1MKh61dU_fapyOVIv1dHqngfeWPB3NMODB5uKziMUxzLvvhsDUsjnw/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmbekyvBrpLhnADdCo1iq3-rNyA3etraC4ID2gITtKQaynSl4p3nleAH1O7dAMjyYortlcllAtkDXawlCf9bZv1MKh61dU_fapyOVIv1dHqngfeWPB3NMODB5uKziMUxzLvvhsDUsjnw/s320/IMG_1253.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy feeding the giraffe today! <br />Jana took a ton more photos. Hopefully I'll post more when I get them. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVG1e_Jxbi99HImiYR0z5RFMLWcrXW7Daxy_ZlpkwNTW4E5D6JPAm860UvqSPPcnnYBzYY98SzYYSjmNlMR4oegEFFP40cYQEGanXjclIxxA-lEHYxTbiNqFE8_GsJmOItSfTlFGhuL0/s1600/IMG_1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVG1e_Jxbi99HImiYR0z5RFMLWcrXW7Daxy_ZlpkwNTW4E5D6JPAm860UvqSPPcnnYBzYY98SzYYSjmNlMR4oegEFFP40cYQEGanXjclIxxA-lEHYxTbiNqFE8_GsJmOItSfTlFGhuL0/s320/IMG_1257.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We loved seeing the pandas up close!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rC9PLeGU7erv5Z3EPQrmKzjA5sUzuD7q29IKEpxcaDrJxe94Wp1OvXgCwgjSPpyMqBTQWwED1yxio6qcwhNqu9ab77BpyBzstOp4y9VCfihOp8bJmF3T7NBOUYi8WDUPqwCq1yzXn0I/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rC9PLeGU7erv5Z3EPQrmKzjA5sUzuD7q29IKEpxcaDrJxe94Wp1OvXgCwgjSPpyMqBTQWwED1yxio6qcwhNqu9ab77BpyBzstOp4y9VCfihOp8bJmF3T7NBOUYi8WDUPqwCq1yzXn0I/s320/IMG_1258.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh how I love this photo! <br />We were thrilled Emily let Mike hold her!!<br />Progress is being made!!!<br />PTL!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85WJtrbcJmMY517mWEwPxqQ1cxvEwFs3tXruCNf5gDbS3O3TOIwLx6pB3LtBRQTNVnB-j4sTLMAP1yo2Kt1nx3D44hOjPpXrsQ0WzdSQAd0I5RNmlmAG7mhic3fcfGF4QKynZAS0BTa4/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85WJtrbcJmMY517mWEwPxqQ1cxvEwFs3tXruCNf5gDbS3O3TOIwLx6pB3LtBRQTNVnB-j4sTLMAP1yo2Kt1nx3D44hOjPpXrsQ0WzdSQAd0I5RNmlmAG7mhic3fcfGF4QKynZAS0BTa4/s320/IMG_1259.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a mini gondola ride over the park!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyX2w9n38TniIiLF3I92gaPzIhosD2ghNVEsdJXZa_ZOBv5TWhhznNgK-bJzZX63EowbRbijOzp6KtgI-u6d5zI-OE9gSmuIXP6TPxbgjBveJPsUSst0CbiRAz3QWOvvWvHib60fXhhg/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyX2w9n38TniIiLF3I92gaPzIhosD2ghNVEsdJXZa_ZOBv5TWhhznNgK-bJzZX63EowbRbijOzp6KtgI-u6d5zI-OE9gSmuIXP6TPxbgjBveJPsUSst0CbiRAz3QWOvvWvHib60fXhhg/s320/IMG_1260.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Brave!!</td></tr>
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<br />Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-64020404329136717772018-10-16T10:00:00.001-04:002018-10-16T10:00:15.419-04:00Consulate Apointment & Safari ParkHey all!<br />
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We were supposed to go to the wonderful Safari Park yesterday, but it was down pouring all day. We were disappointed, but really needed a calm day at the hotel. Ironically enough, there was a big water leak in our bathroom & we had to switch rooms. 🙈 it ended up taking way longer than we thought, but now we have a jump start on packing for home.<br />
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Unfortunately, Mike & Roy have some sort of stomach bug. They've been troopers, but nobody wants to be sick away from home. We are praying it is over soon.<br />
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This morning we had our consulate appointment. It went great. Lord willing, Emily's visa will be ready on Thursday morning & then we fly home Thursday night. We are ALL ready to be H.O.M.E! <br />
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We decided to go to the safari park after the consulate appointment. I'm not sure it was the best decision or not, but it's definitely a memorable trip! We knew Roy would love it, despite not feeling so hot.<br />
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Tomorrow, we head to Roys orphanage. We are excited to go & even see his foster mother again! It is four years this month that we met our Roy-boy! Oh how we love him & are so thankful he is our son.<br />
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Please 🙏🏻 for a few things:<br />
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1. Mike & Roy to be well soon!<br />
2. That nobody else gets this bug!<br />
3. For Emily to warm her heart to Mike. She is very very timid of him. She did actually let him hold her for 10 min today without crying!! This is a BIG deal!!<br />
4. For our long journey home! Maddie & Roy did great on the way over here, but now we are adding a 2 year old - no doubt that it will be a little more lively.<br />
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Thank you soo much!!Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-32201986153880863742018-10-14T16:41:00.001-04:002018-10-14T16:41:33.978-04:00Sunday Oct. 14 Pictures! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPMHp9hRT_dh0DDpZfe_P2MuWBvzy9hUZ5RImvUhBBI_zVx7vS-faCiGvPXpnIO9Z0oDVhBS0_3RfqDxsonlRkqda6F5_SH-azT3ZawRUN9uStzR7anRe6_VOAibt_HU9KzRgytBY_5U/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPMHp9hRT_dh0DDpZfe_P2MuWBvzy9hUZ5RImvUhBBI_zVx7vS-faCiGvPXpnIO9Z0oDVhBS0_3RfqDxsonlRkqda6F5_SH-azT3ZawRUN9uStzR7anRe6_VOAibt_HU9KzRgytBY_5U/s320/IMG_1221.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy getting a potato on a stick today! He loved it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROmgdD6143BCVX6N9qjNQuY5vDWBEUVDt8w_PUiPG0O0Mnv9yB3WJ0pqENd3_8Py7-et0s2evjcLc3_9aGV9wGssZXDzDHYJ3POR8P1mZtuhYHy78hXi4Ex_ZD-MPcAs8N8EgyEeL2tg/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROmgdD6143BCVX6N9qjNQuY5vDWBEUVDt8w_PUiPG0O0Mnv9yB3WJ0pqENd3_8Py7-et0s2evjcLc3_9aGV9wGssZXDzDHYJ3POR8P1mZtuhYHy78hXi4Ex_ZD-MPcAs8N8EgyEeL2tg/s320/IMG_1222.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily's first stroller ride! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlnqIEex5w3dNR3CL959B3XDMCJ6NkXs2uCwdpBgx7e2ldDZxG8tBQBjnxzXjwiAX4dzooNf9glvJCOl-eK3voKN5I6lYOjRJ_P6BbTp7mvMxrpm003w7amIOGD2xdxiFoFuLutvlgqs/s1600/IMG_1223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlnqIEex5w3dNR3CL959B3XDMCJ6NkXs2uCwdpBgx7e2ldDZxG8tBQBjnxzXjwiAX4dzooNf9glvJCOl-eK3voKN5I6lYOjRJ_P6BbTp7mvMxrpm003w7amIOGD2xdxiFoFuLutvlgqs/s320/IMG_1223.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many people & so pretty all at once!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffZRgRs_kGw_0uMvDZd5J31wiBVyHJnVWjA_kLnDuakZjrSDZ-4R_eSltUj1fF6XQ8_uwqdAhdaNQ_3se7VOM3yf1i1UVWEJ2Lxp399GI7cwtJS0Z8lYyZApRO7Kg7IBjzFf9nnylUb0/s1600/IMG_1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffZRgRs_kGw_0uMvDZd5J31wiBVyHJnVWjA_kLnDuakZjrSDZ-4R_eSltUj1fF6XQ8_uwqdAhdaNQ_3se7VOM3yf1i1UVWEJ2Lxp399GI7cwtJS0Z8lYyZApRO7Kg7IBjzFf9nnylUb0/s320/IMG_1224.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can anyone spot Mike in this photo? I'll give you a hint - he is wearing pink. <br />He joined in on a mob shirt sale frenzy! 🙈😂</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wdJN0GwG_798WWLNWsURkANajy2Mro4J0sWkKf26uMs85vaIgwyWix1NzIkkH5poGsd6sOrzKMWnzO6QVNv177DRImvIbX5ACSCPkE6WNiOw6Olj02VuAKmXqkg96jHGv-LtnkTC1I4/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="800" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wdJN0GwG_798WWLNWsURkANajy2Mro4J0sWkKf26uMs85vaIgwyWix1NzIkkH5poGsd6sOrzKMWnzO6QVNv177DRImvIbX5ACSCPkE6WNiOw6Olj02VuAKmXqkg96jHGv-LtnkTC1I4/s320/IMG_1225.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters playing together at lunch! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-CT90vnNqf4T434kME3CTW1rRXo09yCUuCM71lmUBZBJSPGfKyL3OJkByGtrTICZvKnLE8iw7DuF_TKITBie_cnPD4l6irkgKk67Si76LNfj3UKL8qCn_p3qCQXh0HmdpNzNPd0IPdk/s1600/IMG_1226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-CT90vnNqf4T434kME3CTW1rRXo09yCUuCM71lmUBZBJSPGfKyL3OJkByGtrTICZvKnLE8iw7DuF_TKITBie_cnPD4l6irkgKk67Si76LNfj3UKL8qCn_p3qCQXh0HmdpNzNPd0IPdk/s320/IMG_1226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_VXZBVd2clMsPIw3lIw1arHSbfnOR23gLNaIExQu3QxPgB_eZbtDjBiMoT8ONCYqjpP6fWBWlEvtTumrpjYU_D3UHYeCB9k_M74U5j4nWD2_23xRAMIlsCiEiT5OWD57BR82dxiUctA/s1600/IMG_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_VXZBVd2clMsPIw3lIw1arHSbfnOR23gLNaIExQu3QxPgB_eZbtDjBiMoT8ONCYqjpP6fWBWlEvtTumrpjYU_D3UHYeCB9k_M74U5j4nWD2_23xRAMIlsCiEiT5OWD57BR82dxiUctA/s320/IMG_1227.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy loves his little sister! 😍</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gTZjexz8MduoY5DKojTaNJ5xIc1ID55VZLEoa5ZDi9b_OYnj5dC2b2K4qCk1RU_zhc6LcyyR0R7W2_EWGXXfe3kN4_e1PCLcJW6YNdV3FU7QCx4X8wiUoclDC3k0s9xkd3Hcs-_7Rr8/s1600/IMG_1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gTZjexz8MduoY5DKojTaNJ5xIc1ID55VZLEoa5ZDi9b_OYnj5dC2b2K4qCk1RU_zhc6LcyyR0R7W2_EWGXXfe3kN4_e1PCLcJW6YNdV3FU7QCx4X8wiUoclDC3k0s9xkd3Hcs-_7Rr8/s320/IMG_1228.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look who finally got himself a Silk! <br />He's been wanting one for years! I always thought he was joking! <br />🙊😂</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The traditional statue picture! <br />We have one of Roy by the statue in 2014...crying! 🙈</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZIoDb6nRrzSBtwD1KBf7NRA8wpyQlUqMlgGOHuqANqLkFAA2YK9DGB8bG2yO-Vt0QGiiHt6h1FVA_dnnk_ZU4cg5gB4zxlYWgQsXgWV1xNV8hgTRQpeksR_fkk5rfJ0gH11RqX25BK8/s1600/IMG_1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="749" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZIoDb6nRrzSBtwD1KBf7NRA8wpyQlUqMlgGOHuqANqLkFAA2YK9DGB8bG2yO-Vt0QGiiHt6h1FVA_dnnk_ZU4cg5gB4zxlYWgQsXgWV1xNV8hgTRQpeksR_fkk5rfJ0gH11RqX25BK8/s320/IMG_1231.JPG" width="234" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcge3D46XawJCVjULKQMv3aBjs-EcMCxaqAXCDIFkBjjn2Vdh568gEsKDGFfYjRl_XCwi-j_it5gI5BPgF0eAU9uWVjBoZvEMsa6LR83FlWl6XXatCHry4yYyFewyNv-ZpfjGiJpiqd5w/s1600/IMG_1232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcge3D46XawJCVjULKQMv3aBjs-EcMCxaqAXCDIFkBjjn2Vdh568gEsKDGFfYjRl_XCwi-j_it5gI5BPgF0eAU9uWVjBoZvEMsa6LR83FlWl6XXatCHry4yYyFewyNv-ZpfjGiJpiqd5w/s320/IMG_1232.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Red Couch at the White Swan!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCNTt3QbhG-P-koqYEtIPGdqkfA4iU_gLqhsMocddC1Yu-SsJ46dM_SQO5_VDqFjAn4Ku5IVWGqhvodfhRgNpZKw2swRCKDr2mFe7r7I0eMxmSW0alL_rseWV9RNdcamqB709UAjYpKY/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCNTt3QbhG-P-koqYEtIPGdqkfA4iU_gLqhsMocddC1Yu-SsJ46dM_SQO5_VDqFjAn4Ku5IVWGqhvodfhRgNpZKw2swRCKDr2mFe7r7I0eMxmSW0alL_rseWV9RNdcamqB709UAjYpKY/s320/IMG_1233.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The White Swan Lobby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK32cJIYhKqFCvkeduH5_awHwSMEk47sY3n58JkiZYsOhYSZz4c2FD_S9LX4bJOP-yLbbRe1r5JxWj021mf9vPjOXr6NCaJTqaG2phX2XdHAVhNtbZgqnVPAxzvlYSx2A_l8EkD3uf1Q/s1600/IMG_1234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK32cJIYhKqFCvkeduH5_awHwSMEk47sY3n58JkiZYsOhYSZz4c2FD_S9LX4bJOP-yLbbRe1r5JxWj021mf9vPjOXr6NCaJTqaG2phX2XdHAVhNtbZgqnVPAxzvlYSx2A_l8EkD3uf1Q/s320/IMG_1234.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All five of us, admiring the beautiful lobby. <br />I'm not sure why - but I LOVE this photo! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAZrIDw9dsxzM1NeIUv-wxmEtrA6gzEfE1sqO-m3Yg7bPz3xLqpVdp-BMS3CiuMXOdZlf3-6RMQtwA-7ohSOsVpHbxyocyXnQ6PTBLthaRDd4Qt1oZMpSwxBJH3w83zbznPXVptZYN50/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="538" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAZrIDw9dsxzM1NeIUv-wxmEtrA6gzEfE1sqO-m3Yg7bPz3xLqpVdp-BMS3CiuMXOdZlf3-6RMQtwA-7ohSOsVpHbxyocyXnQ6PTBLthaRDd4Qt1oZMpSwxBJH3w83zbznPXVptZYN50/s320/IMG_1235.JPG" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike always wanted a baby bump! Ha! <br />As it turns out, Emily wants to be held all the time, but HATES our Ergo.<br />We saw a woman on the train wearing one of these & we thought it was such a good idea!<br />So we purchased one & Emily really enjoys it, while giving our back & aching arms a break!<br />The child basically sits on the little seat. <br />Of course you hold them there, but it's much easier than carrying her all the time. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivedhi6QKX2THQcerT2Ia4hGd2GiCqaoOy6uLcjPeZLim_IgCWAtjWi9kjmiLEpdAKD1Vu4DO6DcT0jaQCYVvwJS452Mk5G6YmN0n03OiCSTzIZZJP6RxOjwueU3X3hXCf5Rps_XLa1U/s1600/IMG_1236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivedhi6QKX2THQcerT2Ia4hGd2GiCqaoOy6uLcjPeZLim_IgCWAtjWi9kjmiLEpdAKD1Vu4DO6DcT0jaQCYVvwJS452Mk5G6YmN0n03OiCSTzIZZJP6RxOjwueU3X3hXCf5Rps_XLa1U/s320/IMG_1236.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily is helping pick out her pearl necklace! 😊</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoYUOTMZ66ntAOxDiWW4S407tM1qXTffybQlL1l44zPWbQ7uXGvAMvP83T4zZr3l9smE-9abgLkxm2wIK7WiZAhfgEdeMI5gwPTbVFUSU4Uv5lG8eFj3hgewBiO3dwMu5TEHLLk7iVUY/s1600/IMG_1237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoYUOTMZ66ntAOxDiWW4S407tM1qXTffybQlL1l44zPWbQ7uXGvAMvP83T4zZr3l9smE-9abgLkxm2wIK7WiZAhfgEdeMI5gwPTbVFUSU4Uv5lG8eFj3hgewBiO3dwMu5TEHLLk7iVUY/s320/IMG_1237.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently Emily is already into selfies! 😂</td></tr>
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Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-78517927227834287902018-10-14T11:04:00.000-04:002018-10-14T11:04:03.600-04:00Medical Exam & Shamian Island Yesterday was the medical exam & Emily did AMAZING! It is such a scary time for the kids. They’ve only been with their new parents a few days & suddenly they have to get seen by several doctors all at once. Most kids scream & cry (understandable as they’ve just been through such trauma)! Well, our little Emily was so brave & only cried at the TB test! We couldn’t believe it!! We were so proud of her!<br />
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This morning when Emily awoke, she didn’t immediately cry like she had been doing. We are excited for the progress. Everyone went downstairs for breakfast and just she & I stayed in the room. We started playing with bubbles & she actually giggled & started WALKING AROUND THE ROOM! For the most part, she has wanted to be held non stop. I couldn’t believe this change in her. She ended up giggling!! Oh what a glorious sound this was to hear.<br />
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Mid-morning, we went to the pearl market & Shamian Island. We bought Emily a pearl necklace to give her someday. ❤️ We could tell as the day was going on, she was getting more & more comfortable with us. Smiling more & even letting us give her first ride in the stroller!! <br />
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We went to Lucy’s for lunch (popular restaurant that many adoptive families enjoy on the island) & watched Emily come alive before our eyes! She was giggling and really playing with the kids. Our hearts are so full seeing her finally let her guard down & start to like us!! What a blessing!<br />
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We then did some shopping where I might’ve gotten carried away. 😉 Hey-it’s not everyday I get to shop in my kids birth country! I bought gifts to give them on special occasions over the years. ☺️<br />
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After that, we headed over to check out the famous “White Swan” Hotel. It was under construction when we were here adopting Roy. It’s absolutely beautiful!!!<br />
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We are all just soo thrilled with the progress Emily has made! Soo much in one day!!<br />
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Of course we had to push it & try for her first bath tonight. 🙈 She was having NO PART of that! Not even w/big sister in the tub with her. We will try again soon.<br />
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Tomorrow we are off to the Safari Park. I can’t wait for the kids to experience this! We enjoyed it so much last time.<br />
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Please keep 🙏🏻 for us, especially Emily. They are felt & oh so needed!<br />
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Love,<br />
Dawn for the Rettews ☺️Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-75094258025711009452018-10-12T15:11:00.001-04:002018-10-12T15:11:04.562-04:00Pictures!! :) <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB4561I023VUSLdrLYC_CF8HfYxr1c6h8QmCMn2LZd3UxNomsJ25eeTZh4Gc2EQKCvvcE1959t4-MtOz3-gERAB0A0l-P9w83FWQ4LHsKc_8d8vmP5i34ZP8ue3ydh8KPGQVGvWmwrB0/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB4561I023VUSLdrLYC_CF8HfYxr1c6h8QmCMn2LZd3UxNomsJ25eeTZh4Gc2EQKCvvcE1959t4-MtOz3-gERAB0A0l-P9w83FWQ4LHsKc_8d8vmP5i34ZP8ue3ydh8KPGQVGvWmwrB0/s320/IMG_1198.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here was one of the only times we've heard Emily talk. We are pretty sure she was telling Roy not to touch her water! 😂 Look at her little finger!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVp3h6padELGYbsjpA6GdLYweT4z1zQ1TikwChGpGNjCcVJX_Da8KiJ1LlmgyxD_MYI0GKF-S9xOY2DVvGlOXAyTYT2Kaxs-et5w0jweAtTiRsChJb5m0VObD_BDvT1cFPSOPfrDEeLM/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVp3h6padELGYbsjpA6GdLYweT4z1zQ1TikwChGpGNjCcVJX_Da8KiJ1LlmgyxD_MYI0GKF-S9xOY2DVvGlOXAyTYT2Kaxs-et5w0jweAtTiRsChJb5m0VObD_BDvT1cFPSOPfrDEeLM/s320/IMG_1199.JPG" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've heard "imitation is the most sincere form of flattery".... Well, she's got that down! We are pretty sure she copied Maddie snuggling her "rara". She has completely latched onto a washcloth & uses it as a comfort item. She genuinely gets stressed when she can't find it. 🙈</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGZoTDIg6JbPFxeLZfGjQpHNl0ueZMoupypLRwtjbmuZy8TibUgtk5RI-U-EgLSS_GUFWbUaJPG2p3BkIUX98TUjNaILGkTGknWJafDStJV3hubvzjYZy-NfXl9T-cO1mgW9lcShgG0M/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="618" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGZoTDIg6JbPFxeLZfGjQpHNl0ueZMoupypLRwtjbmuZy8TibUgtk5RI-U-EgLSS_GUFWbUaJPG2p3BkIUX98TUjNaILGkTGknWJafDStJV3hubvzjYZy-NfXl9T-cO1mgW9lcShgG0M/s320/IMG_1200.JPG" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And...when she is scared of you or doesn't want to deal with you, she uses it as a shield. No joke! 🙈</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUomP_6gu7vUMgDZXiesEePo4ni2DhS377_jpVOfO2WSMOgBJ_GUWmNHwNd1DB-jedrzEQQ1Mpi7VU6YMNhCMyrT90eJYw8TWXMD1t2rqqDynl0f0MoYljR4wOGncf5JEcYq2uNH5zJ8/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="918" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUomP_6gu7vUMgDZXiesEePo4ni2DhS377_jpVOfO2WSMOgBJ_GUWmNHwNd1DB-jedrzEQQ1Mpi7VU6YMNhCMyrT90eJYw8TWXMD1t2rqqDynl0f0MoYljR4wOGncf5JEcYq2uNH5zJ8/s320/IMG_1202.JPG" width="286" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw8RWhyjJjkixD485Mv3wIRT-za-OGyzjtzGL31B1uHI4vksoHfABhwzPd59r2jRIREIi5uWi5v-fODeQZYb5_8YgGd92cu956aXp6PdoWIDH_xVx9b7XudpXVwIavayRhUClOiyKcSQ/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="800" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw8RWhyjJjkixD485Mv3wIRT-za-OGyzjtzGL31B1uHI4vksoHfABhwzPd59r2jRIREIi5uWi5v-fODeQZYb5_8YgGd92cu956aXp6PdoWIDH_xVx9b7XudpXVwIavayRhUClOiyKcSQ/s320/IMG_1203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are some of the views on the way to Emily's orphanage. It was so beautiful! The photos don't do it justice! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PfgiUvBBSaq01iMH10xDcYfW3o92axOaPMaavWWbD4OfRsUu9gX-ROwOSQ1lme92yN6Vvo5JO1zsXuhEmmld1juuPrVUaxP1DzmOopLtKOjsZgjVq5BpL3n2FB_WXQu77dSkMCEVB7s/s320/IMG_1204.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are with Emily's foster Mother. 💗😍💗😍</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PfgiUvBBSaq01iMH10xDcYfW3o92axOaPMaavWWbD4OfRsUu9gX-ROwOSQ1lme92yN6Vvo5JO1zsXuhEmmld1juuPrVUaxP1DzmOopLtKOjsZgjVq5BpL3n2FB_WXQu77dSkMCEVB7s/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PfgiUvBBSaq01iMH10xDcYfW3o92axOaPMaavWWbD4OfRsUu9gX-ROwOSQ1lme92yN6Vvo5JO1zsXuhEmmld1juuPrVUaxP1DzmOopLtKOjsZgjVq5BpL3n2FB_WXQu77dSkMCEVB7s/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPy7CBqAJAi8151tE_WEK4h0Ky2Hq5gmREg4k2q1TgmRtTgXWbWScsxWniDf6VIecBoqAGZL-LU3ec_NNSuMNRYmqw6A7XgfwpBoErbOu6MaMAmTNwjtFEhCcIJwR3EY-Mf0rFc3iCz_M/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPy7CBqAJAi8151tE_WEK4h0Ky2Hq5gmREg4k2q1TgmRtTgXWbWScsxWniDf6VIecBoqAGZL-LU3ec_NNSuMNRYmqw6A7XgfwpBoErbOu6MaMAmTNwjtFEhCcIJwR3EY-Mf0rFc3iCz_M/s320/IMG_1206.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happiest big brother & big sis around!! They love her so, even with all her crying! Roy has only complained once about it!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the hotel playroom while we wait for our room to be ready. </td></tr>
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<br />Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-67130158595573334662018-10-12T09:50:00.002-04:002018-10-12T09:50:56.638-04:00Quick Update...Quick update...<br />
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Things have been going ok. Poor Emily is truly broken hearted & sooo scared. We get SO EXCITED to see her smile! We hope & pray that she becomes more & more comfortable with us soon.<br />
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Yesterday, we went and visited her orphanage and was able to meet her foster Mother there. I had put in a special request that we meet the foster mother separate from Emily. She is grieving SO HARD right now, that it seemed extra cruel to reunite them, only to be taken away again.<br />
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As soon as we met the foster mother, I burst into tears! We are SO THANKFUL for her & how much love she gave Emily. You can tell because she is crying for her soo much. The foster mother had also packed a backpack full of snacks, clothing & diapers, along with a small gift of money for US. We were sooooo touched! I've never heard of a foster mother doing this before! <br />
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We also learned that she is single...which means Emily hasn't had a lot of exposure to men, which makes sense why she is terrified of Mike. Poor guy. Time will help...<br />
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We knew we weren't going to be allowed to get a full tour of Emily's orphanage & we'd heard all the rumors why. However, Mike & I both felt the staff that we met genuinely had a love for the kids & we could hear kids around! So, that made my heart extra happy.<br />
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It was a long hard day, but I'm so glad we were able to go. <br />
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Today we left Nanning & took the bullet train to Guangzhou. It feels good to be on familiar territory (we stayed here the whole time for Roys Adoption).<br />
We really enjoyed the beautiful scenery. China truly is a beautiful country. I was wishing I could've taken more photos, but I had a sleeping baby in my arms! 😁<br />
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Tomorrow is her medical appointment - which is never fun. The kids hate it. She will also have to get a tb test (which I think they draw blood). 🙈 poor dear.<br />
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Please keep 🙏🏻, we ALL need it. Maddie had more stomach issues this morning before we took the train. Never a dull moment w/our family!!<br />
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I've been having issues w/uploading pics, so hopefully I can get another post up later. <br />
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Love, The RettewsDawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-18004111458132247722018-10-10T08:57:00.002-04:002018-10-10T08:57:25.823-04:00Glimpses of Emily...So...we are seeing glimpses of the true Emily. After breakfast today, we saw SMILES & even a few squeals!! I think when she forgets about her grief for a bit, we see the real sweet girl ready to bloom. It breaks my heart just how hard this has been for her. <br />
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Tomorrow we visit the orphanage & I had to ask for a special request that she NOT see her foster Mom. I know the foster mom will be disappointed, but we have to do what is best for Emily. Mike & I will get to meet her and give her a gift & ask her LOTS of questions about Em. I can’t wait. Jana will watch the kids for us in a separate area.<br />
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It’s been a tough few days...but seeing the glimpses of her true self come out is very encouraging!! One day at a time!<br />
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Today we went to Qingxiu Mountain, it was so pretty! We really enjoyed walking through the orchid garden. It was breathtaking!! I thought of my Norman Grandparents-they would have loved it!! They had such a love for all flowers. I wish they could have met my kids. October 16th is their wedding anniversary. That is the same day that Mike and I will take an oath at the US consulate, swearing to always love & protect Emily. ❤️❤️ I think that is pretty special.<br />
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Please please keep 🙏🏻 for Emily’s peace & all of us really. This is so hard on her. So hard to watch.<br />
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Love from the Rettews!Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-10792572859561897452018-10-09T02:38:00.000-04:002018-10-09T02:38:06.188-04:00A few details about gotcha day...<div>
Here are a few more details about yesterday. When we arrived at The Civil Affairs office, Emily & her orphanage workers had already arrived. We saw her immediately! She was smiling & happy as could be! They ushered us all into a smaller room where we could do paperwork. </div>
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While Mike & I were signing paperwork, Maddie & Roy began to play with Emily. There were squeals of delight!!! Emily immediately gravitated towards Roy. It was adorable. When he tried to stop playing with her, she immediately grabbed his hand & made him play again. ADORABLE!! </div>
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Things were going fine until her orphanage workers disappeared. Oh the tears & screams started coming. She has been beside herself. It’s the most heart breaking thing to watch. She has every right to be terrified of us. She has no clue as to what is going on. </div>
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She has been struggling hard core since then. The only times of quiet are when we have pulled up Chinese lullabies on YouTube or finding random cartoon shows in the hotel. Her heart is just soo sad. This is normal & in time she will learn to trust us.</div>
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This morning (10/9), we took her down to the breakfast buffet. We thought for sure she would be delighted to have some delish warm Chinese food. Nope! She wanted nothing to do with it. Back in the room we went. </div>
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Shortly thereafter, we went back to the civil affairs office to complete the adoption. In China, they give you a 24 hour period to decide if you are happy with the child. Of course we are!!! Anyways, she was soo excited to see the orphanage workers for a short bit. We asked them if they could get her to eat something. Up until that point, she refused all food from us. I think she is afraid we’ve poisoned it! 🙈 They were able to get her to eat one small pastry. </div>
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After signing all the paperwork & stamping our thumbprint & her footprint, we began a small ceremony in a separate room. They asked if we will always Love her & never abuse her. We of course said YES! </div>
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After that, the orphanage workers gave us a precious album, full of photos of Emily.</div>
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Shortly after that, the orphanage workers left, more tears from Emily came. Poor poor dear. It makes us sooo sad to see her so upset.</div>
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We then went to the notary, bank to exchange money & then back to the hotel. Jana went to the mall & brought back Burger King for lunch. Well, are thrilled to say that Emily ate from us!! She has French fries!! Baby steps! Baby steps! At least (for now) we don’t have to worry about her being soo hungry. </div>
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I’m trying to get her to doze for a nap right now. She is in my bed, watching some Chinese cartoon. Hopefully she dozed off soon. </div>
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Please pray for her heart!! My goodness! </div>
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Thank you!! </div>
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Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-4970826214972115372018-10-08T07:46:00.001-04:002018-10-08T07:46:44.953-04:00We have her!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We have her! She is absolutely precious!!!She was so brave & doing soo well until her orphanage workers left. She's been grieving intensely for hours now. Please pray for her dear little heart. She ADORES Roy!!! I'm happy for him. She's terrified of us right now. Very understandable. We look forward to the days where she learns to trust us. </div>
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Please keep praying for Maddie - she is extremely sick. She had an incident in the car on the way to meet Emily. She's been dreaming of meeting Emily for months. I can assure you that it never involved being this terribly sick. ;-(</div>
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Thank you all!!! </div>
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<br />Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-45917777366547273252018-10-08T07:02:00.001-04:002018-10-08T07:02:39.987-04:00Pictures from Sunday October 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdfVkEI_PyPN08bMJjpJRRSKaqITN25rVfW4yy4hk_d-nl8lTYC5fZldnPwH2cq3dToqeAu2A2xCkYfL5o3tOedr3qXhk-VktTuMWNkUwBNyMyd5Tir_KNumKQTlpdvB6H517Fj4IOLY/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdfVkEI_PyPN08bMJjpJRRSKaqITN25rVfW4yy4hk_d-nl8lTYC5fZldnPwH2cq3dToqeAu2A2xCkYfL5o3tOedr3qXhk-VktTuMWNkUwBNyMyd5Tir_KNumKQTlpdvB6H517Fj4IOLY/s320/IMG_1125.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids wanted a picture with the beautiful hostess at the breakfast buffet. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful "Butterfly Bridge" in Nanning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike & Roy took a fun ride in this little contraption!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heaven! This boy is in heaven here!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some photos from the cultural museum. Roy says that the dragon is his favorite animal. :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie & Roy were baffled to see kids & babies on scooters - with no helmets! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjcI22UDpGX18nvpPZhGmYcpn9Ut2eH166GPEYNWIJvlcgI1Zxx3CtBsuyGsiEsPQI-2JdwZf-RrwSo3IPGBhuPQJnJxZAETuMiw-37GtVpMUPOMIjvUO15x-URXWS6zXLf8nXyj5mzI/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjcI22UDpGX18nvpPZhGmYcpn9Ut2eH166GPEYNWIJvlcgI1Zxx3CtBsuyGsiEsPQI-2JdwZf-RrwSo3IPGBhuPQJnJxZAETuMiw-37GtVpMUPOMIjvUO15x-URXWS6zXLf8nXyj5mzI/s320/IMG_1124.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie & Roy have both been enjoying the morning breakfast buffet! I'm so impressed at how much Maddie is using chopsticks!</td></tr>
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<br />Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-70587520849553408112018-10-07T19:47:00.000-04:002018-10-07T19:47:16.854-04:00Hello again!<div dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px;">
Hey all!</div>
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So we are counting down to meeting Emily!!!! We meet her at 4pm today (4am your time). After two years of paperwork, we can’t believe the time is finally here!!!</div>
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Yesterday was pretty low key day - we went to a heritage museum. It was interesting, but our kids didn’t think so. 😏</div>
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Maddie has been pretty unwell - she was up all night with intense coughing fits/severe wheezing. She has every symptom listed for bronchitis. Poor girl. We made the choice to give her the antibiotics we brought along. We are hoping that was the right decision, but it’s scary hearing her wheeze so much. She had a long steam shower & that helped some.</div>
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Our dear friend Jana who came with us is also under the weather. She has a stomach bug of some sort. She stayed back at the hotel yesterday while we went to the museum. </div>
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Please 🙏🏻 for everyone!</div>
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Roy is still enjoying his time here immensely! I’m so glad we brought him. 💙💙</div>
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He & Mike went for a little exploring while Maddie & I stayed back & rested. I’ll attach some photos in a separate post. ☺️</div>
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Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-80755080784781984862018-10-06T20:48:00.002-04:002018-10-06T20:48:32.468-04:00We made it to China!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZJnLtiOHleHaSDDH7OvOsU_tqQMpq4UcnsjTHa3ITJ9pnUD_FyA0df0sXREb5cfUpzKB_ggYk_mXdPi1pJC6HVYQOYauVWi_FN5bi_zL2TOQkHFVv4hFeIuqeT1jlVMcJG_1z9femIQ/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZJnLtiOHleHaSDDH7OvOsU_tqQMpq4UcnsjTHa3ITJ9pnUD_FyA0df0sXREb5cfUpzKB_ggYk_mXdPi1pJC6HVYQOYauVWi_FN5bi_zL2TOQkHFVv4hFeIuqeT1jlVMcJG_1z9femIQ/s320/IMG_1097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we go...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy fell asleep waiting to board our 1:45am flight</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two happy travelers! They loved the game/movies in the headrest. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun in the Guangzhou airport!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the flight attendant that was smitten with Maddie! She couldn't stop squeezing & pinching her arms!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jet lag is so hard!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pool requires swim caps!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6qBN5-SwzSiVg4i5qJ-1cdXvlW0L32ECejgV1nhyphenhyphenOXJ0QGo2BzRJJMWa2Ya95tikScEdR8ESV57JiDdsfsmBTQ7Ke_I2hkH1Xpp8FXzrjm2WPILLUSvljKHxU4dka5bbKU9Ozd4kBxc/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6qBN5-SwzSiVg4i5qJ-1cdXvlW0L32ECejgV1nhyphenhyphenOXJ0QGo2BzRJJMWa2Ya95tikScEdR8ESV57JiDdsfsmBTQ7Ke_I2hkH1Xpp8FXzrjm2WPILLUSvljKHxU4dka5bbKU9Ozd4kBxc/s320/IMG_1112.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning views from our hotel room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtwyXfhU7qM5XG_fijroOPihI_oapDgWzUSBKWThcjJ5mYNpzCmX_hVw1ZfMgPAC0h5oysXggS6L0hoTKLRQG1W0r6ZUvqo6K989-iOC4KtFqJQfE8mJAbhg7m40AVXVWusd8iIOIVlc/s1600/IMG_1113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="800" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtwyXfhU7qM5XG_fijroOPihI_oapDgWzUSBKWThcjJ5mYNpzCmX_hVw1ZfMgPAC0h5oysXggS6L0hoTKLRQG1W0r6ZUvqo6K989-iOC4KtFqJQfE8mJAbhg7m40AVXVWusd8iIOIVlc/s320/IMG_1113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another picture from the Guangzhou airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-37237849899784012982018-10-06T07:58:00.001-04:002018-10-06T07:58:15.996-04:00We made it!!<div dir="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px;">
Well - we made it!!! It was a long flight, but it went well overall. We lost our stroller, but it should be arriving at the hotel tomorrow. 🙌🏻</div>
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The kids were excellent little fliers! Roy & Maddie enjoyed their games/movies in their headrest entertainment center. </div>
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Roy had fallen asleep in JFK airport for about 2 hours while we waited to board our 1:45am flight. So he & I slept the least on the way over. </div>
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He finally fell asleep on the way to our hotel & we COULD.NOT.WAKE.HIM! It was scarily funny! 🙈 he ended up sleeping from 2pm-7am! Amazing!</div>
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Maddie had an admirer on our second flight. The flight attendant (female) could not stop squeezing or pinching Maddie!!! 😂😂 she kept saying how beautiful she was! Maddie handled it like a champ. I kept thinking if this happened in the states, the lady could be fired! 🙈 I was proud of how well Maddie handled herself.</div>
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We are loving our hotel (Marriott in Nanning). Somehow we got upgraded to a larger suite. Yahoo! The kids have plenty of room to play. It’s just wonderful!!!</div>
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Roy-boy is in his heaven! He is enjoying noodles anytime he can. He told me today that the noodles in China are better than the ones at home. Haha. I think I’ll be going to the Asian market more frequently when we get home! </div>
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Today we have been doing mostly relaxing. We enjoyed the amazing breakfast buffet here. Soo many choices!!! </div>
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There is a large mall/Walmart connected to our hotel, so that has been fun & interesting. ShY a shock for Maddie to see chicken feet for sale!</div>
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The kids & Mike enjoyed the pool today for a few hours. I took a much needed nap.</div>
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Tomorrow we meet our guide & will do some sight seeing. </div>
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Have a great day!!</div>
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I’ll try & post photos in a separate post. It’s not letting me do it now for some reason. 🤷🏻♀️</div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" />Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-66329171613918682962018-09-26T01:25:00.001-04:002018-09-26T01:25:49.357-04:00Here we go again….<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Here we go again….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If you didn’t know, we are
adopting again!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
OVER.THE.MOON.EXCITED about this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
adopting a little girl (age 2) from China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We leave on Oct 4<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are bringing Madelyn & Roy along with us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are soooo excited to meet their sister (Roy
also says he is super excited to watch the movies on the plane! Ha!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I’m going to do our best to update
this blog as long as we have good access to wifi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would be so grateful if you could please
pray specifically for a few things:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">•Please pray for Emily's lil heart
– We are so THANKFUL she has spent a little over a year with a foster
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is A HUGE BLESSING for her
& to us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is learning what a
family dynamic is like & certainly getting so much more love & attention
from a foster family versus staying in the orphanage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But….this means she will be extra devastated
when we finally have her in our care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She will not understand why she is no longer with her foster
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ache just thinking about it
for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">• Please pray for Madelyn &
Roy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be a BIG life change for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our attention is now divided between 3 kids
versus 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, trying to bond with
Emily & learn all about her will take extra attention right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the kids are SO EXCITED & I’m sure
they will be loving on her right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She may or may not reciprocate that love towards them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray they have peace if she doesn’t return
their love right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">•Please pray for safe travels &
good health for all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first
plane ride is 16 hours, then an additional 1hr45minto Emily’s province.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be a very long day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are bringing a special friend along to be
an extra set of hands, especially for Maddie & Roy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Emily needs us & is really struggling,
Jana can step in and take the kids to the hotel play room or for a walk,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are delighted to have her with
us on this trip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Thank you all so much for praying
& following along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have really
appreciated all the support given up to this point!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Rettews, Party of 5!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhX31WHqMsfHfLClMSPE-_ZxXzB0DEHp4U0jfIFqKUczEirTHbIoiz1E9aIrbVZZv3HGKG-xhYYJxqh7zdHqwK402l12gvRNWFmR5icCudShreyhhqRw2cb-hiNMobkI7M_vVwRpPKsw/s1600/Emily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhX31WHqMsfHfLClMSPE-_ZxXzB0DEHp4U0jfIFqKUczEirTHbIoiz1E9aIrbVZZv3HGKG-xhYYJxqh7zdHqwK402l12gvRNWFmR5icCudShreyhhqRw2cb-hiNMobkI7M_vVwRpPKsw/s320/Emily.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKTyotr7CrmFoO4AgpTKwnCgLEuC4X7-aLSh5J3MBu4YKpiOaYFbzil6UqmPsDXAVRbsmoJqbhn1m7EhINmFXJsUANKqR1xMe1MmoFwahTaWPvkSId-2_zYITHyQxY8aAJ4_W9eYVsxE/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKTyotr7CrmFoO4AgpTKwnCgLEuC4X7-aLSh5J3MBu4YKpiOaYFbzil6UqmPsDXAVRbsmoJqbhn1m7EhINmFXJsUANKqR1xMe1MmoFwahTaWPvkSId-2_zYITHyQxY8aAJ4_W9eYVsxE/s320/IMG_0745.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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(Above: Eating some of her birthday cake we had delivered)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNXLONIjilQUX-Td3Fl49uYk77j2ynevcWDzdAinTWxeVgyDlWxhmE4jclgQv9jetADgZy670cn-KhhQlOiaMhIICklf90c-RK1JlGd3qCbBazwLFEfvsEI4WsauYzf-GkzAklqLMkgA/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="890" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNXLONIjilQUX-Td3Fl49uYk77j2ynevcWDzdAinTWxeVgyDlWxhmE4jclgQv9jetADgZy670cn-KhhQlOiaMhIICklf90c-RK1JlGd3qCbBazwLFEfvsEI4WsauYzf-GkzAklqLMkgA/s320/IMG_0737.JPG" width="308" /></a></div>
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(Above is Emily opening her birthday gift from us this past August)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYebGLTBjDDD8bPLvcjGthrkmtMxMGOAUttw9mhwRRafmlf8vZJV5wbj3s1Y1AT-PwWeNpb3h4GNK3nlY5mLwe9VHLjBCO20tFvElWf7PVHHBUnKh4bE7BjMlBHIImLYeMThfl5teEgYQ/s1600/17023905-5771-43B6-BB54-AD015EB8A39C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYebGLTBjDDD8bPLvcjGthrkmtMxMGOAUttw9mhwRRafmlf8vZJV5wbj3s1Y1AT-PwWeNpb3h4GNK3nlY5mLwe9VHLjBCO20tFvElWf7PVHHBUnKh4bE7BjMlBHIImLYeMThfl5teEgYQ/s320/17023905-5771-43B6-BB54-AD015EB8A39C.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(It wont be long & my 3 sweeties will be together in real life!)</div>
<br />Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-70283068061659137302017-11-18T23:01:00.000-05:002017-11-19T16:38:04.853-05:00Remembering Grandpa...<div class="s3" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">A year ago today, my sweet Grandpa passed away. I miss him. I’m amazed at how the grief comes and goes. Many many times Grandpa will come to mind during the most random moments. More than once I’ve become teary at McDonald’s, thinking how he LOVED his “senior coffee”. I wish my kids would’ve known him like I did. I was blessed to have him in my life. I’m oh SO THANKFUL that I got to tell him about the news of us bringing home a daughter from China. I just wish I would’ve shared her name with him. He was so happy for us. Oh how blessed I was to have such a kind Grandpa. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Below is what I wrote for his funeral last year:</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1192804554920340119" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="webkit-fake-url://3b0de3e7-24bb-42d9-adbf-bd0bafd9fbae/imagejpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="266" /></a><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">“W</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">hy</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> Hello!”</span></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">These were </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">the </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">words I was often greeted by Grandpa</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. They always came with a ready smile. </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">When Grandpa spoke with you –</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> h</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">e listened to every word. </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">As his granddaughter, i</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">t was clear that he loved </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">me</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> & genuinely</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> cared about what was going on my life. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Some of my earlie</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">st</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> memories of Grandpa </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">was him </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">taking </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">my siblings and </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">me</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">out for ice cream at local diner in CT. He would get us off the bus and off we would go</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">, eating</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> ice cream just before dinner</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> time</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. It was there that he instilled in us how to calculate the waiters tip</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">, practice </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">our </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">multiplication tables and teach us a mean game of tic tac toe. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I have so many wonderful memories of our visits to Ohio – walking in the woods, exploring in the barn, </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">many </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">many</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> trips to the Eaton Place, </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">going for tractor rides with Grandpa, but I think I really enjoyed the few times I </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">was able to go to work with him the best</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. I was absolutely fascinated by his work. I enjoyed driving all over the county going from farm to farm with him, having lunch just the two of us & being absolutely AMAZED that he knew someone EVERY WHERE WE WENT! </span></span><span class="s4" style="font-family: "symbol"; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">J</span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Grandpa was one of the most social people I knew. He had the gift of being able to talk </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">to</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> just about everyone. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Grandpa and Grandma would have celebrated 70 years of marriage this January. What a beautiful example they have been to watch over the years. I have watched them kiss each other more times than I can count! I watched them hold hands for years. </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I have </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">been beyond</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> blessed to call them my Grandparents.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">When my husband & I announced that we were adopting – there was nothing but </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">a </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">pure Joy</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> reaction from Grandpa</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">! Grandpa </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">and</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> Grandma have loved my kids as their own flesh & blood. I can’t even tell you HOW MUCH this means to us. THIS was the best gift they have ever given me. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">When I was a young teen</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> (perhaps even a bit </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">ornery</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> 😉</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> ),</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I wanted to see if </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Grandpa</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> took his faith seriously. I left a note in Grandpa’s Bible, wondering when & if he would actually see it. Well </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">– it wasn’t long at all before he</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> thanked me for that note. That </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">really stood out to me</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. He didn’t just read his Bible on Sundays – but he showed me that his faith was REAL. This made quite an impression on me.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">E</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">very year Grandpa </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">and</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> Grandma went to Hawaii for several weeks. </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I was lucky enough to be able to visit them there. If you didn’t know it…Grandpa was the official tour guide of Hawaii (ha ha!). He was so proud of this gorgeous island and thoroughly enjoyed showing it </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">off </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">to me. It was truly a special time that I will never forget. </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Each week, Grandpa </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">and</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> Grandma would stand and pas</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">s out hundreds of mini Bibles to people leaving a hula show. I believe that over the years, they have passed out thousands of them. What a </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">testimony</span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">! Because of Grandpa’s faith in Christ, </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I know I will see him again. </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I’m so thankful for the man he was & what a wonderful example he has been to me.</span></span></div>
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Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-76426338143152752682015-07-13T16:49:00.001-04:002015-07-13T16:49:39.719-04:00Priceless...<div style="text-align: center;">
We recently had our family photos taken by the amazing Megan of <a href="http://celticgrayphotography.com/">Celtic Gray Photography</a>. These make my heart so happy. I literally teared up while viewing them. She captured us perfectly.</div>
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Here are my favorites.... <em>Pardon the weird cropping on the photos - </em>I don't have the originals with me & I just wanted to get a few of these up. :-)</div>
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This last one is my absolute <strong>FAVORITE</strong>....after all those long months waiting for Roy to come home.... He is now home & <strong>he's running to us</strong>! Seriously...I'm tearing again. </div>
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I just love these pictures soo much!</div>
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Welcome HOME Roy-boy!!! Happy almost 9 months home! </div>
Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-48602161651641048002015-05-17T00:52:00.000-04:002015-05-17T00:52:00.544-04:00Mother's Day & Farm FUN!Wow! It's been awhile since I posted! I'm happy to say things are going well. We've developed a nice little routine. Roy has recently started speech therapy & we are all excited about this. We can't wait to watch him blossom in this area. Maddie is constantly encouraging him "...say <em>this</em> Roy... Good job! Now...say...<em>this</em>. Good Job Roy-boy!!!" It's adorable to watch. ;-)<br />
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This past Sunday was Mother's day. Oh how thankful I am to be the mother to my kids. I am grateful to know and love Madelyn's birth Mother. She is such a special young lady to all of us. I couldn't help but think about Roy's birth Mother more than usual. I wonder where she is, what she is doing, what circumstances led her not to be able to parent <em>our</em> sweet wonderful son. I read a beautiful quote this week. It so moved me. I am truly soooo thankful my children's birth Mother's <strong><u>chose LIFE</u></strong>! I can honestly say that I can't even imagine our lives with out these two special darlings in it.<br />
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"He is mine in a way that he will never be hers, </div>
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yet he is hers in a way that he will never be mine, </div>
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and so together, we are motherhood." ~Desha Wood</div>
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For the first time in years, I was actually with my own Mom on Mother's day! Madelyn's school ended & I was able to head to my parents farm for the week. It has been such a wonderful week! I think Roy is a country boy at heart! He seems to be taking it all in! I love having so much land for my kids to RUN in! It does <em>my</em> heart good watching them on the swings and checking out the cows and exploring. I never realized how lucky I was to grow up on a farm until I was an adult. </div>
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This morning, my Dad let Roy "drive" the tractor. Oh how I wish I had this on video! His face was priceless!! Dad took his hands off the steering wheel and Roy wasn't bashful taking over! He had the cutest, proudest little grin! So many times I wish his birth parents could catch glimpses of times like these. I have to giggle thinking he was from a big CITY in China! You'd never know that now!</div>
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Our city boy turning into a country boy before our eyes!</div>
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Every night, the kids would have some wonderful quality time with Uncle Neil. </div>
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He loves them & they love HIM so much! I'm grateful for their bond.</div>
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Testing out Auntie April's new double stroller! Too cute!</div>
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Having some fun at Roger Williams Zoo with cousin Leah & Auntie April!</div>
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Possibly Roy's best day in his life! ;-)</div>
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I might just have to enlarge this for Roy's room. :-)</div>
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My favorite Roy's in all the world!</div>
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Lazy Daily Swinging.....</div>
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My lil' farmers... :-)</div>
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It's been such a great week! it's bittersweet to go. I can't wait to see Mike & get back to our routine, but truly, this trip was just what the Dr ordered for us 3. I look forward to coming back this summer. </div>
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Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-70300822766948323332015-03-23T16:02:00.000-04:002015-03-23T16:02:19.557-04:00A Very Belated Happy Chinese New Year!!!Oh my goodness - I can't believe I forgot to post pictures of our Chinese New Year! This was a first of many Chinese New Year celebrations to come! <br />
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It was fun because my family was in town to help celebrate Maddie's 5th Birthday. I loved that they were able to celebrate the New Year with us!<br />
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We celebrated at my cousins house - they did it up big! What a FUN night of great food (Chinese, of course!!), games & fellowship.<br />
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Enjoy the pictures!<br />
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The cousins together</div>
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Roy & Maddie</div>
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Double Trouble! I mean...Roy & Matthew. ;-)</div>
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Mr. Strong Himself!</div>
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Sweet sweet girl cousins!</div>
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Boy Cousins (for the life of me, I couldn't find Roys matching pants!!!)</div>
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The beautiful, Festive Table Setting</div>
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Jumping on Bubble Wrap, pretending it's FIRE-CRACKERS!</div>
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During the New Year in China, they light lots of Fireworks. </div>
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The kids LOVED this!</div>
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My Dad having some fun with the grandkids & "grand-cousins". </div>
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Hee heee</div>
Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-1529173430259319202015-02-12T14:47:00.001-05:002015-02-12T14:47:38.419-05:00This Boy....
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><o:p>Makes us Smile</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is "Curious Roy" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is Soo Tender</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is A HAM!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Is So <span style="color: red;">Loved.</span></strong></span></div>
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We have plenty of hard days too...these are a glimpse of the good times. </div>
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Regardless of the good or bad. <span style="color: red;"> <strong><u>He is SO LOVED</u></strong>.</span> We are truly </div>
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thankful he is HOME where he belongs.</div>
Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-3692029985032554782015-01-11T14:59:00.000-05:002015-01-11T14:59:03.388-05:00Roy's First Christmas!Hi All! <br />
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I hope you and your families had a wonderful holiday season! We sure did. We traveled to my parents home in Connecticut. We were very apprehensive on how Roy would do. We had visions of staying for 2 days & having to come right back because it would have been too much. He did WONDEFFULLY! We kept him home mostly. We had a few family members over to meet him. We were very careful to not overwhelm him. We couldn't be more proud of how (overall) well he did.<br />
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It was truly a pleasure celebrating Christmas with him. Wild to think he has most likely never experienced this. China is not a Christian country AT ALL. <br />
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It sure didn't take Roy long to get into the groove of opening gifts. Look at this face!!! <br />
It was his first look at this pile of gifts....<br />
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JUST KIDDING! ;-) Who knows what that face was for. :-)</div>
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I was so happy to watch him to enjoy this special day, the day of our Saviors birth. I couldn't help but think of all the little kids that are still in his orphanage. It is so hard to fathom what they are missing out on. Not simply the Christmas tree & presents & excitement of this special day - but the LOVE of a forever family. FOREVER. I kept thinking....that if Roy could talk & go back to the orphanage...what he'd tell them - that he has a family who LOVES him even when he is screaming for no reason. :-) We love our SON. I pray the other kids find families soon.</div>
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This is what it's all about...</div>
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Christmas Eve with cousin Leah and Big Sister, Maddie</div>
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Our happy Boy...</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Merry Christmas Roy-boy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of my awesome </span><a href="http://michaeldavidphotography.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">bro-in-law.</span></a> </div>
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Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-82072177637477801182014-12-15T22:58:00.000-05:002014-12-15T22:58:30.034-05:008 Weeks LaterIt's been 8 weeks since we have known our Roy-boy. It is hard to believe - some days it feels as if we have known him forever & some days it feels like it's only been 8 days. <br />
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We FINALLY feel like we are getting into a groove. Roy's behavior is showing improvement. To our delight - <em>we really think he is starting to understand us</em>. We have given him very simple instructions & he does it. It makes our hearts soar! We are making progress! He is trying to say a few things. So far, he seems to have mastered: <br />
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uh-oh</div>
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Bu-Bye, Cya</div>
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Choo Choo!</div>
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Dadda</div>
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Mama (very rarely though)</div>
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Toot Toot!!! <strong>Boys will be boys!</strong></div>
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With all this being said, we are very encouraged - however, he will start speech therapy after the new year. We think this is great - it can only get better from here. :-)</div>
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It has been fun getting to expose Roy to some "Firsts". I especially cherish them since we missed soo very many other "firsts" in his life. </div>
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<strong><u>His First snowfall!</u></strong></div>
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Surprisingly, he did not have a strong reaction to it. Perhaps he was thinking it was overrated considering it took us forever to get layered up and out the door! ;-) haha</div>
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<strong><u>His First Thanksgiving!</u></strong> </div>
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Our little Indian! Turns out - he loves cranberry sauce!?!?!? who knew! :-)</div>
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<strong><u>His First St. Lucia Celebration!</u></strong></div>
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He seemed to enjoy all the festivities of the night with his wonderful cousins! He had his first taste of Rice pudding (My Grandmother used to make this all the time & was such a treat!). He had his first Swedish Meatballs & sauce. Mmmm - Great night with such great Swedish Food! Thanks Brubs! ;-)</div>
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<strong><u>His First Dress up Experience:</u></strong></div>
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He actually really enjoys dressing up! Maddie is just thrilled about this! </div>
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<strong><u>His First Piano Lesson from Big Sister Maddie:</u> <em>;-)</em></strong></div>
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Lastly, he is wearing HIS favorite new shirt! <strong>WINK WINK</strong>!</div>
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Surely this must be his <strong>FIRST</strong> shirt like this, right?</div>
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We love him sooo much! He was <em>truly</em> SO.WORTH.THE.WAIT!!!!</div>
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Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-17419211864330155472014-12-01T22:11:00.001-05:002014-12-01T22:11:38.837-05:00Six Weeks Since We Met Mr. Handsome...<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't believe it's been six weeks since we met our son. Time has flown!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh how we love him!!!!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl7TBec4TP4MTl1tP7rqfoksud1EnNoqI-i5_kswv6shyphenhyphenEnOh7wvS7xolyyNvycBEQ95Z94fhVfoeS9WCQg8Z9KL0FXGbDcAyBUxdF1kv4qTJ9_vMkbp5Q8hKjVGKardyNNrXxqQJPpc/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl7TBec4TP4MTl1tP7rqfoksud1EnNoqI-i5_kswv6shyphenhyphenEnOh7wvS7xolyyNvycBEQ95Z94fhVfoeS9WCQg8Z9KL0FXGbDcAyBUxdF1kv4qTJ9_vMkbp5Q8hKjVGKardyNNrXxqQJPpc/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our Little American Citizen! </div>
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Roy is our sweet, funny, shy, feisty, handsome son. It's been a harder transition than we thought it would be. We have good days & not so good days. At the end of <em><u>any</u></em> day - </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't imagine any one else I'd like to call my SON.</span></div>
Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1192804554920340119.post-24323492223900719802014-11-13T20:55:00.000-05:002014-11-13T20:55:49.787-05:00And So It Begins....I believe that we are witnessing the beginning of a life long friendship between cousins.<br />
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Roy & Matthew are from the same part of China, same orphanage, only 11 days apart in birth! And now...only living less than 10 minutes from each other. Truly...Truly...on God could have orchestrated that! What a BLESSING!<br />
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Roy was not sure exactly what to think of Mr Funny Matthew when he first met him. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PQCYk10jPuxwQRt1khHobMJJlQOAw_9m3oirlxdtZUvsf9C-_0Qe9jrW0NR1tMvnOzb71RTGWZ7VNTPW2liotUUq3xSAo3Gy0Y8mmwQqXa19Y8Ah2Y7ZF-Z9c6vkB5eTTpAFTPXtUuc/s1600/SuperMEN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PQCYk10jPuxwQRt1khHobMJJlQOAw_9m3oirlxdtZUvsf9C-_0Qe9jrW0NR1tMvnOzb71RTGWZ7VNTPW2liotUUq3xSAo3Gy0Y8mmwQqXa19Y8Ah2Y7ZF-Z9c6vkB5eTTpAFTPXtUuc/s320/SuperMEN.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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By the second time they interacted...there were smiles and even GIGGLES!!!! oh how this makes us soo happy!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GEQGYp-sqyAq9I7YtBV4o6NBL1wv2ShGDgUfe_Y0MfPUwfbK9eZYjdBZcqUKJww6ll29KXOVpWCYqnv5JJ3xRqhhrQgc_QaakcaW08XJ4bGBnW3TCcuS8ZJc0XWHV3VHfG60Uu4v6pE/s1600/RoyMatthew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GEQGYp-sqyAq9I7YtBV4o6NBL1wv2ShGDgUfe_Y0MfPUwfbK9eZYjdBZcqUKJww6ll29KXOVpWCYqnv5JJ3xRqhhrQgc_QaakcaW08XJ4bGBnW3TCcuS8ZJc0XWHV3VHfG60Uu4v6pE/s320/RoyMatthew.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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This truly is no surprise to us....because their big sisters are best friends too!</div>
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Maddie & Gracie could<em> literally</em> play for <strong>HOURS</strong> together & we wouldn't hear a peep from them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHELn65Qx38sIv-FOZwrXzR_80zS6Hs1EV93UV3u2B6HMUlcLDz8PAcVGVuzusuoxMHdl6YI1fjumEwQAOOW7emMw9F8GN4BLmSPR5TPFhguvvAFWdCbE_waE-rgtB8OTGUMY3zQVG38w/s1600/Daytheymet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHELn65Qx38sIv-FOZwrXzR_80zS6Hs1EV93UV3u2B6HMUlcLDz8PAcVGVuzusuoxMHdl6YI1fjumEwQAOOW7emMw9F8GN4BLmSPR5TPFhguvvAFWdCbE_waE-rgtB8OTGUMY3zQVG38w/s320/Daytheymet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><em>They just met & already holding hands in above photo</em></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIQHG_GFBfEuFrmHg7BZAFgzWS6SQtQnBFimSb0c26cBvFrr6NsEwDBygFvgZoV2xy86sQp5ylaveey70ThdatvQAlyJv1xfD4aQq0Js0WTOLSTIUDSiLH-LzUAmkt1JAeTM0l0Nq9XQ/s1600/gracieMaddieballerinas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIQHG_GFBfEuFrmHg7BZAFgzWS6SQtQnBFimSb0c26cBvFrr6NsEwDBygFvgZoV2xy86sQp5ylaveey70ThdatvQAlyJv1xfD4aQq0Js0WTOLSTIUDSiLH-LzUAmkt1JAeTM0l0Nq9XQ/s320/gracieMaddieballerinas.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1U9QBfO7YD_1fby-rL7XBX2TlUnTvPiv3KthrixqkCJctHmDHrsqXLfQ9yutTggP6MrTPmcVMzt4nI0gTVRXsMdTwfS2n4GB9MgH8j3sOM7HaghxmPIdKJXYKcBtIX-TbWPdhKG7sFFc/s1600/cousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1U9QBfO7YD_1fby-rL7XBX2TlUnTvPiv3KthrixqkCJctHmDHrsqXLfQ9yutTggP6MrTPmcVMzt4nI0gTVRXsMdTwfS2n4GB9MgH8j3sOM7HaghxmPIdKJXYKcBtIX-TbWPdhKG7sFFc/s320/cousins.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Cousin Love for sure!</div>
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And....absolutely <em>none</em> of this surprises me because Kristina & I have been dearest friends/cousins for approximately 35 years! We are so close & I am just sooo thankful for her. She is a big support system for all of us (especially me). I couldn't have filled out 1/2 the China paperwork with out her! We even flew out of the country ON her birthday, stealing her hubby away for a few hours to drive us to the airport. She didn't mind at all. What a true friend!!! We love you Kristina & THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!</div>
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CRAZY COUSINS INDEED!</div>
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Dawnuellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11403505933461599142noreply@blogger.com0