Hi everyone... we have not heard from Ben today and he has not posted any additional pictures for us to add. If I am figuring things correctly they are probably traveling today.(correction they did not travel this day but a couple of days later) After getting Lily's Chinese Passport in the Province where she was adopted they will go to Guangzhou which is south of where they were and closer to the South China Sea. In Guangzhou Lily will be seen by a clinic where adoptive families are required to get some paperwork about the health of the child for the American Consulate where they will issue her a Visa to enter the United States. Since Ben and Carla both traveled to China the adoption was finalized there and because of all the paperwork done during the pre-China phase Lily will become an American Citizen when she arrives and steps (or is carried ) onto American soil. That is an awesome thought. This time last week she was in an orphanage in China and soon will be a Citizen in The United States Of America, and she is part of wonderful family who will love and cherish her. Praise God.
I will try to check for emails and additional pictures about 5:00 am and post any I can before work in the morning.
Becky
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Email From China!!
I'm having a little trouble uploading pictures on dropshots today. The reps tell me the internet is kind of slow, and I think my computer doesn't like China. I'll try again tomorrow.
Lily! We finally decided on a spelling. Lillian Cen Mei Sims, aka Lily! We found out that Cen is actually pronounced more like ten than chin with really hard accent on the "t" sound. We had to pronounce it for one of the officials during the paperwork process (kind of weird). The doctor says she's very healthy. Lungs, heart, ears, nose, and throat are all good. She does have a little dry skin, but I think that we can handle that. Everything is going very good. God is in control!
We have all the paperwork done in Nanchang. We're just waiting for it to process now. We didn't go to the market today. We just hung out with Lily and got to know her a little better. Lily is smiling a lot and laughing out loud now. We're going on a half day tour tomorrow of Nanchang and maybe a little shopping, then back to the hotel to rest.
Talk to you soon and hope to have more pictures.
Ben
Lily! We finally decided on a spelling. Lillian Cen Mei Sims, aka Lily! We found out that Cen is actually pronounced more like ten than chin with really hard accent on the "t" sound. We had to pronounce it for one of the officials during the paperwork process (kind of weird). The doctor says she's very healthy. Lungs, heart, ears, nose, and throat are all good. She does have a little dry skin, but I think that we can handle that. Everything is going very good. God is in control!
We have all the paperwork done in Nanchang. We're just waiting for it to process now. We didn't go to the market today. We just hung out with Lily and got to know her a little better. Lily is smiling a lot and laughing out loud now. We're going on a half day tour tomorrow of Nanchang and maybe a little shopping, then back to the hotel to rest.
Talk to you soon and hope to have more pictures.
Ben
October 30
Nanchang (I think)
Hi Luke We Miss You, And Lily... We Are On Our Way!!
Nanchang
Nanchang
Hong Kong
Marley experiences China
Hong Kong
Famous Floating Restraunt Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Victoria Peak
Hotel Hong Kong
Hotel Hong Kong
Hong Kong from Victoria Peak (I think)
Becky here, we have another email from Ben to post and I'll add that after this post. I wanted to add a lot more pictures to the blog and need a place to put them. If you are familiar with blogging whatever you post last is on top...so I wanted Ben's email to be on top. I will load the pictures in just a little while.
Internet problems will try again about 5:00AM to post the pictures. Sorry.
Becky
Hi Luke We Miss You, And Lily... We Are On Our Way!!
Nanchang
Nanchang
Hong Kong
Marley experiences China
Hong Kong
Famous Floating Restraunt Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Victoria Peak
Hotel Hong Kong
Hotel Hong Kong
Hong Kong from Victoria Peak (I think)
Becky here, we have another email from Ben to post and I'll add that after this post. I wanted to add a lot more pictures to the blog and need a place to put them. If you are familiar with blogging whatever you post last is on top...so I wanted Ben's email to be on top. I will load the pictures in just a little while.
Internet problems will try again about 5:00AM to post the pictures. Sorry.
Becky
Message Posted From Nanchang China
Hey, it's Ben, Carla, and Marley. I took a chance and signed in with only Chinese characters on the webpage. Success! We're in China with our beautiful new daughter and little sister. We can't really post much ourselves here because we can't view the blog at all. We just wanted to personally say, "Hello and that we miss and love you all very much!" Thank you for your continued prayers and good wishes. All praises to God for this blessed journey of a lifetime. We'll be home soon!
Love,
Ben
Love,
Ben
Monday, October 29, 2007
Hello From Carla
Hello, everyone, I know I haven't added anything to the blog myself yet but I have been very busy. Today is our third day to have Lily. She is very timid and doesn't cry much. She does let us know if she does not approve of how we are doing something though.
We were somewhat concerned for the first day and a half that she would not take any of the nipples we had packed. She did, however, drink from a cup. We went to the Wal-Mart here yesterday and bought some Chinese bottles. She loves those and got very excited to see them and very eagerly drank a bottle down quickly.
We see the doctor in a few minutes, so I can give you all a better idea of her size after that. But she is very tiny. The nine month clothes I brought are too big right now. We are going to a market later and I am going to buy some smaller clothes there. She likes Marley the best when it comes to playing. She will laugh out loud, although you must listen to hear it. She likes to eat cheerios. They all seem to. Ben and I can't believe we got the baby who eats slowly and only small bites. Some of the babies eat very fast and large bites at a time.
The hotel here in Nanchang is called the Galactic Peace International Hotel. It is just over a year old and it is a five star hotel. It is very, very nice. Lily's crib mate is also in our group. Her parents live close to Tyler, Texas. Can you believe that? Two East Texas girls from Jangxi province. The CCAI guides are excellent. Both are women, Sissy and Evelyn. Sissy says the girls from this province are called "spicy girls" because the local food here is very spicy. We'll see if Lily gets spicy later. Right now she is more like brown sugar.
Thank you all for the prayers and the concern. We are very happy and cannot wait to share Lily with you back home. We cannot access the blog from here, so if Ben has included the same information, now you know why.
Thanks, Carla
We were somewhat concerned for the first day and a half that she would not take any of the nipples we had packed. She did, however, drink from a cup. We went to the Wal-Mart here yesterday and bought some Chinese bottles. She loves those and got very excited to see them and very eagerly drank a bottle down quickly.
We see the doctor in a few minutes, so I can give you all a better idea of her size after that. But she is very tiny. The nine month clothes I brought are too big right now. We are going to a market later and I am going to buy some smaller clothes there. She likes Marley the best when it comes to playing. She will laugh out loud, although you must listen to hear it. She likes to eat cheerios. They all seem to. Ben and I can't believe we got the baby who eats slowly and only small bites. Some of the babies eat very fast and large bites at a time.
The hotel here in Nanchang is called the Galactic Peace International Hotel. It is just over a year old and it is a five star hotel. It is very, very nice. Lily's crib mate is also in our group. Her parents live close to Tyler, Texas. Can you believe that? Two East Texas girls from Jangxi province. The CCAI guides are excellent. Both are women, Sissy and Evelyn. Sissy says the girls from this province are called "spicy girls" because the local food here is very spicy. We'll see if Lily gets spicy later. Right now she is more like brown sugar.
Thank you all for the prayers and the concern. We are very happy and cannot wait to share Lily with you back home. We cannot access the blog from here, so if Ben has included the same information, now you know why.
Thanks, Carla
Adding Photos
Becky here...we are adding photos to each of the posts below. Now that Ben has been able to get the photos out we want to go back and try to get caught up. Please take time to go back through each of the posts and see what you missed!!! We will put some labels on some that we are pretty sure of. Others Ben can add after getting home. Enjoy!!
She's Officially Ours
From Ben: 10/29/07 @ 9:52 AM Texas Time
I forgot. She's officially ours today. No one can ever take her from us!
She Is Precious!!!
We got several emails today from Ben and the picture issue has been solved as you can tell by all the beautiful photos below. We will continue to update those as we receive them.
Luke your little sister is beautiful!!! I know you are soooooo excited.
From Ben 10/29/07 @ 9:21 Texas Time
Well today was even better than yesterday. Lillian (we're calling her Lilly/Lily, but not sure of spelling) is still a little reserved at times but now smiles very much. She is getting used to all of us. She even let Marley babysit her in the room while Mom showered and got ready, and I went to pay some fees. She even slept on Marley awhile.
We went to Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart) today. There were people everywhere, and they were all looking at us. Everyone in our group needed various things, and where else do you go! Do you think Sam Walton envisioned Wal-Mart in China, wow!
Lillian finally took a bottle today! We got some chinese bottles, and she loved them. She has relaxed with us even more since we got the new bottles with a smaller nipple.
The CCAI reps here in China are wonderful. Evelyn and Sissie have told us a lot of little things that are different in raising chinese children that have really helped. Also these two have basically done all the paperwork. We just go where we are suppose to go, sign what we are suppose to sign, and pay what we're suppose to pay. Leave your brain in the US, or give it to Evelyn and Sissie.
Tomorrow we see the pediatrician and then go to market for shopping (bargain shopping). We are having fun and missing everyone.
Love to all,Ben
Luke your little sister is beautiful!!! I know you are soooooo excited.
From Ben 10/29/07 @ 9:21 Texas Time
Well today was even better than yesterday. Lillian (we're calling her Lilly/Lily, but not sure of spelling) is still a little reserved at times but now smiles very much. She is getting used to all of us. She even let Marley babysit her in the room while Mom showered and got ready, and I went to pay some fees. She even slept on Marley awhile.
We went to Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart) today. There were people everywhere, and they were all looking at us. Everyone in our group needed various things, and where else do you go! Do you think Sam Walton envisioned Wal-Mart in China, wow!
Lillian finally took a bottle today! We got some chinese bottles, and she loved them. She has relaxed with us even more since we got the new bottles with a smaller nipple.
The CCAI reps here in China are wonderful. Evelyn and Sissie have told us a lot of little things that are different in raising chinese children that have really helped. Also these two have basically done all the paperwork. We just go where we are suppose to go, sign what we are suppose to sign, and pay what we're suppose to pay. Leave your brain in the US, or give it to Evelyn and Sissie.
Tomorrow we see the pediatrician and then go to market for shopping (bargain shopping). We are having fun and missing everyone.
Love to all,Ben
Houston we have pictures now. Gotcha Day..Finally
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Proverbs 25:25
Those first moments.....
Orphanage Director and Lillian Cen Mei
Gotcha!!!!! Mom's first moments
Daddy's first moments
I have a family!!!!
November 28 Before Gotcha!!
Lillian's bed at the Hotel just waiting for her.Ben Carla and Marley waiting to see Lillian for the first time.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
They Have Her!!!!!!!
From Ben, Carla, and Marley,
We are parents yet again. God is in control. Of course, He picked the perfect baby at the perfect time from the perfect place. Praise God! Lillian Cen Mei Sims is extremely healthy, cries very good, is very timid, and loves her nanny from the orphanage very much (She kissed the picture of her nanny in a photo album). She chose Mom first, Cheerios second, Daddy and Marley third (We had the Cheerios.), and still doesn't like the bath.
Ben
From Becky
I will post pictures as soon as possible. They are in a weird format...not sure if it is the fact that they came through from China or if they did not download correctly. We are working on getting them open and will post them as soon as possible.
We are parents yet again. God is in control. Of course, He picked the perfect baby at the perfect time from the perfect place. Praise God! Lillian Cen Mei Sims is extremely healthy, cries very good, is very timid, and loves her nanny from the orphanage very much (She kissed the picture of her nanny in a photo album). She chose Mom first, Cheerios second, Daddy and Marley third (We had the Cheerios.), and still doesn't like the bath.
Ben
From Becky
I will post pictures as soon as possible. They are in a weird format...not sure if it is the fact that they came through from China or if they did not download correctly. We are working on getting them open and will post them as soon as possible.
Still Waiting For News
It is about 6:30 PM in China now and although we have not gotten official word yet Ben, Carla, and Marley probably already have been united with Mei. That was the plan anyway that they would be receiving her late in the afternoon of Sunday May 28 China time. Hopefully they will be able send some pictures soon or maybe just a note to let us know that all is well.
I cannot even imagine how they are feeling right now. Please continue to pray for them since sometimes the transition can be a little difficult for the little ones.
Becky
I cannot even imagine how they are feeling right now. Please continue to pray for them since sometimes the transition can be a little difficult for the little ones.
Becky
Saturday, October 27, 2007
No news yet!!
I have not yet heard from the "World Travelers." As soon as I do I will post the journal and pictures they send!!
Waiting for news from China!!!!
Becky
Waiting for news from China!!!!
Becky
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Journey of a Lifetime
Ben, Carla, and Marley are on their way to China!!! They left earlier today. I'm not real sure of all the details on flight times and when they will arrive in China but I should hear from them soon. I'm Ben's cousin Becky and will be taking care of the posts for them while they are gone. They are going to email pictures and their journal and I will get it posted as soon as I can. I know everyone is just as excited as we are to see all the great sights but most of all those first moments with precious Mei.
Feel free to leave comments. I'm sure they would love to hear from you. If all goes well Ben may be able to access this site at some point during the trip and do some posting.
Remember to keep the entire family in your thoughts and prayers while they are on this "Journey of a Lifetime." Don't forget Luke as he is home patiently waiting for his new little sister.
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31
Becky
Feel free to leave comments. I'm sure they would love to hear from you. If all goes well Ben may be able to access this site at some point during the trip and do some posting.
Remember to keep the entire family in your thoughts and prayers while they are on this "Journey of a Lifetime." Don't forget Luke as he is home patiently waiting for his new little sister.
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31
Becky
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Busy, again!
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 21:5 (NIV)
Our diligence is about to pay off! We leave for China on October 25. We have been so busy the past couple of weeks or so. I haven't had time to post anything. We've been filling out even more paperwork, having phone conferences, buying tickets, working, and NESTING. The nesting part is about to kill me. I'm asking to work overtime so I can get a break from working at home (ha ha).
Anyway, we'll arrive in Hong Kong on October 26, get checked in at our hotel, and relax. On the 27th, we will be doing a little sight seeing in Hong Kong and resting, I hope. We fly to Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi, on the morning of the 28th and that evening, we'll get Mei (Gotcha Day!).
Well I've got to go. Lots to do! I'll make a more detailed post later, I hope.
Thanks for the continued prayers!
Our diligence is about to pay off! We leave for China on October 25. We have been so busy the past couple of weeks or so. I haven't had time to post anything. We've been filling out even more paperwork, having phone conferences, buying tickets, working, and NESTING. The nesting part is about to kill me. I'm asking to work overtime so I can get a break from working at home (ha ha).
Anyway, we'll arrive in Hong Kong on October 26, get checked in at our hotel, and relax. On the 27th, we will be doing a little sight seeing in Hong Kong and resting, I hope. We fly to Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi, on the morning of the 28th and that evening, we'll get Mei (Gotcha Day!).
Well I've got to go. Lots to do! I'll make a more detailed post later, I hope.
Thanks for the continued prayers!
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