Home At Last (This Is Long!)

Yes, we are alive!!! We have been in hiding for a while. This is the first time since Hong Kong that I have even touched a computer, other than to do a quick check of the email!!! That's really saying something as my work depends on it and I spent every moment I could on it BC (Before China)!

I know I didn't blog every day from China. I know that sometimes I just sent photos. Having a very ill baby in a totally foreign country is harder than you can imagine. Unless you have lived through it... Some people have pointed out to me that Aunt Heather's blog gave more information than mine. Well, Aunt Heather had the computer in her room and only had herself to take care of. Cullen slept in her room, but he is still my child and was with me during most waking hours. We knew it would happen this way, that's why we put a link to each other's sites on the blogs. I won't apologize for this.

Well, now on to our long day. We woke up in Guangzhou at 3:45am on Wednesday, December 21st. We had to finish packing our carry-ons and get dressed so we could leave the hotel at 5:15am. Our luggage was picked-up the night before at 9:30pm (now THAT was a pain!). No time for breakfast, but who wants to eat that early anyway! We loaded the bus and were on our way. The trip to the airport was uneventful. Kieren slept the whole way. The enormous mound of luggage that was waiting for us at the airport was not to be believed! We couldn't stop laughing!! We located our bags and hauled everthing into the airport. It took 3 luggage carts (including Heather's 2 bags). Mable rushed us to the check-in desk and we wait for the counter to open. Meanwhile, the rest of the Americans (all the other agencies) arrived. Of course they opened new lines for them, after we had been first and waited so patiently. We waited for our group to complete the check-in and said a teary good-bye to Mable. (WE LOVE YOU, MABLE!!!) Then we had to get through security. UGH! At this point, I have one question: why do they always give us the gate as far away from check-in as possible?! We had to run to get there! Kieren loved her first flight so much that she went to sleep at take-off. No screaming. No fussing. Just sleeping! We landed in Hong Kong 45 minutes later.

The Hong Kong airport is HUGE! The signage SUCKS! We knew before we landed that our flight was delayed. We also knew we would have to go to the transfer counter. Someone from United was supposed to meet us and guide us. They didn't. So we got off the plane and walked forever. We found a screen that said we needed to go to Transfer W1, but it didn't say where that was. So we followed the crowd to the left. WRONG!!! We had to turn around and walk all the way back to where we had deplaned, and then keep going for about 20 more minutes. Try to imagine Heather and Andy each carrying a backpack and carry-on; Cullen dragging his backpack, blanket, and stuffed panda; and me with Kieren strapped to the front of me, a huge backpack strapped to my back, and hauling a carry-on. We finally made it to the transfer counter and waited in line again. It took forever to get our flights straightened out! By this point, we were starved!!!! Next, we headed upstairs to find our gate and some food. Of course we had to go through security again. Along the way, we ran into one of the other parents (Kent Douglas). He said there was a Burger King in the airport!!! Cullen, Kieren and I took charge of all the carry-ons and headed to our gate while Andy and Heather went in search of FOOD!!! It took forever for them to return. I guess Burger King is about 1 1/2 miles from gate 63. OMG!!! That was the best burger I have ever had!!!!

The flight from Hong Kong to Chicago was long, hot, and boring. The plane was older than the one we took from Chicago to Beijing. There was only one movie screen and half the films we not for kids to watch!! Every time we hit turbulence, the movie cut out. The food was AWFUL!!!! And there was NO AIR CONDITIONING!!!!! Let's just say that I don't want to think about it ever again!!!

We landed in Chicago and Kieren became an American!!!!! We had to gather all of our luggage and go through customs. It was harder to get the luggage off the conveyor than it was to get through customs!!! We rechecked our luggage and head for our next flight. Of course we had to go through security again. This time Kieren was singled-out and had to be patted down. How I wish she would've had a full diaper!!! Those people were not nice.

We finally landed in Dayton, Ohio at 9:10pm (not 3:21pm as planned). We were met by my parents, Grandma Marcia (Grandpa Norm had the flu), Jan Tracy and her mom, Grandpa Carl and Uncle Jeff, Uncle Mark (Aunt Heather's other half), cousin "Burt-ney", and our wonderful friends from church - the Harris family (Robin, Bill, Rachael, and Nick)! We were so happy to see familiar faces again! Kieren did really well and went to everyone for a quick moment, as long as I was within reach. All of our luggage made it!!! Yes, the bag we bought in Guangzhou has a broken handle. We knew that would happen, but everything made it safe!!!!

After getting all of our luggage together and saying good-bye to air travel of any sort for a LONG time, we had to haul everything to the van. Hmmm... Can 4 adults, 1 over-sized 9-year-old, a baby, 1 duffel bag, 1 diaper bag, 3 backpacks, and 5 large suitcases fit in a Chevy Venture? Yes, if you are creative!! AND we only broke 1 law! Kieren had to ride on my lap for the 20 minute drive. So report me!!! There was no way to fit everyone and everything PLUS a carseat. The way I look at it, it was safer than all the times she sat on my lap in China! Those people drive crazier than the taxi drivers in Chicago or New York!

We were so happy to see home! My dog was so excited to see me that he couldn't walk (tail was moving too fast)! The cats, well they are cats. Harry opened one eye, yawned, and rolled over. Pumpkin took one look at all of our junk and ran for the bedroom to hide. Kieren woke up and sat on the couch, eyeing the dog. Crombie jumped up on the couch, licked Kieren (who screamed), and sat on my lap (trying to show the new family member that she is below him in seniority). It was soooo good to be home at last.

The next morning bought us to the doctor's office. Kieren was still pretty sick so we went to see Dr. Tammy and Dr. Budzak. Well, to shorten this story, Kieren had to have more medicines. She weighed-in at 15.8 pounds and was 28.75 inches long. Yes, she still had pneumonia and ear infections. This day was busy for all of us. Cullen had to get his hair cut and had choir practice. Nothing like jumping back into our routine!!!!

Two days later was Christmas Eve. Cullen did an amazing job singing! Poor kid was SOOOO tired. He almost fell asleep! From church we went to my parents' house for dinner. Then it was rush home, put the kids to bed, wrap ALL the presents, put cookies out for Santa and oats out for the reindeer, and off to bed by 3am.

I don't remember much about Christmas day. The kids opened gifts at home, then we went to Nanny and Pop's house. Uncle Sean and Aunt Nikki were waiting for us. We had dinner (YUMMY) and opened more gifts! It was a very nice, but rushed holiday.

That takes us through Christmas. I will add photos later today and continue my update. Now I have to go pick up Aunt Heather at the airport. She had a mini-vacation in Miami! More later!

FLIGHT DELAYED!!!!!

We have been delayed in Hong Kong. Our flight will land in Dayton at 8:20pm today!!!!!!! I hope someone reads this and picks me up!!!!!!! I just want to come home.

Yet More Photos

A Helping Hand Adoption Agency - Travel Group #36

Kieren now LOVES bath time!!!

Cullen and Cassie goofing around at the Chen Clan Temple.

The babies of our group.

(top: Jenna & Nikki; bottom: Alice, Kieren, Daniel, Lily, & Dottie)

Look at me! I'm a happy girl!! I love my brother and his stuffed panda. They make me laugh!(Look at all the teeth!!)

Andy and Kieren going to breakfast.

Cullen can't help but attract cute little girls! I think he wants to bring home a couple more!

Cullen and Kieren on the Red Couch at the White Swan Hotel.

Shopping, Playing, and the Stank

First I will start by telling you how much better Kieren is doing! The runny diapers have slowed down. She is taking lots of bottles. And... she has discovered RITZ CRACKERS!!!! Finally, something Kieren will eat! She loves them! (Mother, please stock up!!)

Yes, the Stank keeps rearing its ugly head. I was being rotten today (imagine that!) and threw a Stank diaper at Cullen. He freaked out!!! It was so funny! Yes, the diaper was sealed in a plastic bag, but the kid will never be the same. Cullen did get even and threw it back at Andy's head.

Kieren is very playful today! She is also a good shopper! We are teaching her as best as we can! We aren't done shopping yet. We still need MORE SHOES!!!

Well, have to run now. More later!

Sam

Kieren is still not well.

Kieren is still not doing well. Yesterday was filled with vomiting and runny diapers. Today was over-filled with runny diapers. We've been advised by our doctor to cut back on meds and wait.

Kieren is also shutting-down in public. She is having problems adjusting and simply goes to sleep or clings to Mommy. She will not eat or interact. When we are alone in our hotel room, she talks, sings, plays, and interacts. She is not interested in food, but that's okay as long as she keeps taking bottles.

To those of you meeting us at the airport: please still come, but be aware that Kieren may not respond to you. This is something we will just have to work through.

As tomorrow is a free day for us, I will be blogging about our trip to the orphanage. Our guide confirmed that we are the first people to adopt from this orphanage. It was a wonderful, but difficult day. Please check back later.

Well, I still haven't eaten dinner. I sent everyone off to eat and stayed back with Kieren (who was blowing out diapers every 20-30 minutes). Madame has gone through 7 outfits today. We have made two trips to the laundry. We also had to buy Kieren more clothes, diapers, and wipes. With that pleasant thought, I'm going to find some food now! More tomorrow!

Sam

Photo Update

Gate of JiangCheng Orphanage

Cullen and Cassy at the Guangzhou Zoo.

Aunt Heather practicing with Kieren.

Are you still here?

Cullen and Kieren with orphanage director at Kieren's Finding Place.

Cullen on the 6-hour (3 each way) van ride to YangJiang City to visit Kieren's orphanage. He was such a trooper and big help!

Orphanage director with Kieren.

Kieren on the long van ride. Daddy was sitting behind her and taking pictures.

Feeling Better, Thank You!

Kieren is feeling much better tonight. The fever is gone!!! She will now take bottles. We still have runny butt issues, but we are dealing with that. Thank you for all the prayers!

We are traveling to the orphanage tomorrow. It will take 3 hours just to get there. We are not allowed in, but we will be able to photograph Kieren's finding place. There is only one other family going with us. We are really looking forward to going, but dreading the long drive.

We had some major retail therapy today!! It was so much fun! We all ordered custom made silk jackets ($31 each). They will be ready on Friday. Heather, Kieren and I all ordered the same color fabric, but they have different patterns on them. Andy ordered a black dragon pattern. Cullen ordered the red dragon and pheonix pattern. We bought more squeaky shoes!!! Sorry, we only have 3 pairs so far, but we still have a week!!! We also bought Kieren two dolls. There were many other purchases, but SOME PEOPLE may read this!!!

Oh well! I have to go to bed now! I'll post again after we get back!

Sam

More Photos!!!

Under all those clothes, I'm very skinny!

I am also very tall!

Mommy knows how to make me smile.

You people look funny!!

When you look this good, who cares how you smell!!

Update on Kieren

Kieren is starting to feel better. We had a really bad night, last night. She has had awful running diapers. Last night her fever was really high and wouldn't come down. So we went to the medical exam and they sent us to the hospital. The doctor says she has viral pneumonia and ear infections. The virus combined with the medicine is causing the potty problems. Kieren is now on new medicines. I hope we will see improvement tomorrow!

I feel so bad for my little angel. She is so tired and fussy. She just doesn't feel good. Hopefully she will sleep through the night. Thank God we have a free day tomorrow! Maybe we can get a little rest!

Well, I'm really tired now. I'll post some new photos in the morning. Later!

Fast Food???

We went to a wonderful Cantonese place for dinner tonight!! It was soooo good!! I have no idea what we ate, but that's part of the fun! We were served at least 15 different dishes. The food was so amazing.

In the front part of the restaurant there are display cases so you can meet your dinner entree and decide if he's frisky enough for you. Your choices included sand worms, lobsters, water beetles, assorted fish, silk worms, turtles, and other friendly little critters you could name or eat. Yes, they are all alive, at least until you order!

After dinner, we were trying to get our stuff together so we could leave when I had a little mishap. I killed someone's dinner. There was a roach scurring across the room so I stomped on it. I think it must have escaped from the food display in the front of the restaurant. OOOPS! I hope that wasn't a to-go order! Because it is now "sole" food. I guess he would've been considered "fast food"!

Are we at Disney World?

Today was an experience. Kieren was very sick so we called Mabel, our guide. Mabel took us to the medical exam where they then sent us to the hospital. The doctor in the medical exam said Kieren needed an IV.

So Mabel, Andy, Kieren and I hopped in a taxi and set out for the Children's Hospital of Guangzhou. Let me tell you, Disney really should turn the taxi rides of Guangzhou into a new virtual ride! It is such a blast!!! There are no rules. There are no seatbelts. There are no cops! Actually, there are cops. As long as you don't hit anyone, they just don't care how you drive! It is impossible to describe our crazy ride! Let's just say that the guy in the green car on the right really should trim his nose hairs. I got a really close look at him as the side of his car was within an inch of our bumper.

The next attraction for the Guangzhou Adventure at Disney would have to be "Foreigners at a Hospital". First let's just say that you are definitely the minority. Once we left Shamian Island, we didn't see another Westerner. Everone stopped to stare. Now there is staring (like "you have something hanging out of your nose" staring) and then there is Staring (like "OMG did you see that wig!" staring) and then there is STARING (like being "the only Americans we have ever seen with a Chinese baby in China" staring). The Chinese have perfected the latter. It is so funny to watch people almost walk into a door because they are staring at you! Now don't think the Chinese people were being rude, because they weren't. Most of them have no idea why we are in China and have Chinese babies. It is not something the government wants its people to know.

Anyway, we went to the hospital and our guide had to fill out forms and stand in so many lines just so a doctor would look at our baby. We had to go up three floors and wait in line. Then we had to go down again, cross to the other side of the building, and go up three floors again. Then we had to move to the other end of the corridor and wait. All the time we were being stared at like we were an exhibit at the zoo. Some people walk right up to you to stare at you. Finally it was our turn with the doctor. (BTW, all the people who work at the hosptial wear masks, glasses, and gloves at all times. It makes you paranoid!) The doctor was young and spoke some English. He was very nice. He examined Kieren and asked lots of questions. He decided that Kieren has viral pneumonia. She is getting better, but needs more medicine. Her lungs sound good, but the fever is not cooperating!

So we bundled Kieren up and headed back down stairs. Mabel took care of the bill and getting the new medicines for us. I don't know what we would've done without her!!! Then it was time to board the return taxi ride!!!! WOOOHOOO! That was so much fun!!! Disney could make a mint from the Guangzhou Experience!!!

This post is not for the weak of stomach!

Okay, I am pasting in Heather's blog from today. Why? I am tired, slap-happy, and Heather and I decided we could only type this story once without peeing ourselves (again).

Kieren is starting to feel better. We have been to the clinic twice for breathing treatments and will go again in the morning. She is on major amounts of Chinese medicines. The following blog will give more insight.

I will have more time in the morning (unless we go SHOPPING or die from the STANK during the night) for updating my blog.

And now without further ado...

There is stink and there is STANK

Let me explain:

This child can clear a room. And, she has repeatedly cleared a room today. The last time, Andy and I, ran for the hills the minute we heard the rumbling. Cullen was brave and tried to stick it out gagging the entire time. The time before that requires some commentary.

First, Kieren is on all types of medication for the ear infections and pneumona. This particular concoction smells like very sweet strawberries. For the record, it's an "Ancient Chinese Secret" formula. In other words, we have no idea what they are but they seem to be working.

As most of you know, I receive the nickname Auntie Exlax for a really good reason. I touch a baby and it poops. This is such a phenomenon, that people will no longer allow me to touch their children unless they need my help. So....I held Kieren this afternoon. And.... within minutes she filled her diaper. Being the nice Aunt, decided to change her. I got her undressed, opened the diaper and the STANK of the beast within was released!! Both Sam and I started losing our hair at that point from the smell. I think our eyebrows are permanently singed from the fumes. This STANK is poop that smells just, well sorta like, the medicine that is going in the other end. Again, a stink is not a good enough definition. This is pure room clearing STANK.

Then, the fun really began. Kieren decided that this was a good time to do baby acrobatics. This child can contort herself in to positions that no human should ever be able to do. (You know the Chinese are known for their acrobatics, well, she is no exception.) Picture this: I am holding her legs out of the STANK and she arches her back. I let Sam have the legs so I could continue with removing the STANK. I turned away to get the horrid diaper as far away as possible, and turned back to find Kieren on the top of her head and doing a backflip. At this point, Sam and I are laughing so hard, we are crying and can't continue with the diaper change. We finally got control, got the diaper on, but never got the rest of her clothes on her. (All Sam wants to say about this adventure is, OH MY GOD!!!!)

After this adventure, it has occured to me that we have to get on an enclosed airplane with this child in about 1 week. I am very scared! I am considering upgrading to First Class and allowing the peons to fend for themselves. I am, however, afraid that may not be far enough away. Maybe another flight before they leaver so I can avoid the STANK trail???

As for what we did today other than the STANK: Today was the day that Kieren was declared officially Sam and Andy's child by the Chinese government. Get this: They give you the child for 24 hours to see if you like it and then they make if official. (Like your going to give it back after all this time, money and heartache!!!) So this morning, we went back to the Civil Affairs Office so that Sam and Andy could swear that they would never abandon her, would educate her and would love her and not discriminate against her ever. They had to tell 3 different people this info today as well as putting this on paper yesterday. This process is so odd compared to what we do in the US for an adoption.

The remainder of the day was spent shopping and eating at a wonderful Thai restaurant. Kieren has her first pair of squeaky shoes, pink of course. Dinner was incredible. We had approximately 15 dishes to choose from. They were placed in the middle of the table and you could spin it around to get to everything. Cullen loved the spiciest things on the table! We had: Yellow Curry, Spicy Beef, Fried Squid, BBQ Pork and perhaps the best Tofu dish I have ever had.

Well, I am off to bed in the room where the STANK does not exist. Hopefully, it can't penetrate the walls. I have set the deadbolt, since Sam is threatening to bring her to my room in the middle of the night. I am very scared about what tomorrow will bring....

~Heather~

Introducing: Kieren Olivia ChengLi Campbell

Hello!

Sleeping Princess!

Can you really resist this face???

Forever Family Day

Finally, a big brother!

Our family with the orphanage director.

Happy girls!!!

Did I Keep You Waiting???

Okay, sorry it took so long to post. It is midnight here and I just got Kieren to sleep. She is most definitely Cullen's sister!!!

I would have posted sooner, but right after we received Kieren, I made them take us to the 3rd floor clinic. I knew she was sick and I knew it was bad. Kieren has ear infections (expected that) and pneumonia. She is running a fever of 100.4. We did breathing treatments and have a ton of medicine to give her. She was REALLY ticked off at the clinic! She screamed bloody murder for an hour!!! Well, it was good for her lungs. We have to go back in the morning for more breathing treatments.

I bet you want to here the good stuff now, huh? We left the White Swan at 2:30pm for the Civil Affairs office. I love how they drive here!!! (Daddy, we fit right in!!) Our bus driver amazed me today and actually stopped for a red light! That was a first on this trip! Our guide, Mabel, video taped us getting off the bus, walking into the building, and going upstairs to the 5th floor. We filled out a bunch of paperwork. Andy's hands were shaking too much to fill it out so I did it. The man was a mess!!!

After the paperwork, the orphanage director came in to talk to Mabel. She looked at us and said to Mabel, "Oh! Cheng Li's parents! I recognized them from the photos they sent to the orphanage!" KIEREN GOT OUR PACKAGE!!! We had to wait for a few more minutes. Everytime the door would open, we would jump! I think they were enjoying torturing us!

Finally, the door opened and a man was holding a baby! It was the Broomhall's baby, Dottie Marymae. Next was the Gardner's baby, Jenna. Then it was our turn!!! The man brought Kieren in, said her Chinese name (Jiang Cheng Li), and then handed her to me. OH MY GOD!!!! She came right to me and just looked at me and looked around the room. None of the babies cried. Kieren was comfortable with me from the beginning. She is fine with Andy, but I'm her first choice. She is longer than I had guessed, but very thin. She can wear a size 1 diaper without a problem. The 6 months size sleepers are too short and too wide. She is such a calm, sweet baby. Even as sick as she is, she still smiled at me.

I had a chance to talk to the director. She is such a sweet woman. She really loves the babies. She brought in the photo key chain and gave it Kieren. You can tell she's had it with her because it is chewed on and well loved. She loves to play with it. The camera we sent was returned to us so we will have to find somewhere to get it developed. We also receive a photo album with Kieren's baby photos and a thank-you certificate. The director has agreed to let us visit the orphanage. It is a three hour drive one-way, but I think it's very important trip. We took photos of the nannies and the director. They were so nice!

We are having problems getting Kieren to eat. We finally ended up using a medicine dropper. Oh! Kieren loves the Gerber snacks! And she really likes the pear juice. But she won't take the bottle. We are going shopping tomorrow after we finalize the adoption. I am going to pick up a Chinese bottle and see if she'll take that.

Kieren wasn't feeling well after the clinic visit, so she and I stayed at the hotel while the group went to the Cow & Bridge (Thai) for dinner. I finally got Kieren settled and she slept for a couple of hours. My friend Traci (who adopted her daughter a week ago) had her guide bring her to the hotel to see me. She had been waiting for me at the restraurant. It was wonderful to see her and meet her daughter.

Kieren woke up after everyone came back. She played for a while and ate a little then we gave her the medicine and played some more. She is sooooo sweet and beautiful!!! She can sit on her own. She can crawl. She can flip herself over and get up on her knees. She can pull herself up and cruise the furniture. She smiles and giggles too! She is amazing!!! Now we just have to work on the eating and sleeping things!!!

One more thing: KIEREN POOPED!!!! (This is a big deal to adoptive parents!) Man this kid can clear a room!!! She likes to poop standing up. Not unusual. Traci's daughter does the same thing.

Well, I need to go to bed. I will post some photos and talk to you later!

Sam

Count Down To Kieren!

We leave in one hour for the Civil Affairs office. We are to receive the babies at 3pm!!! The diaper bag is packed and ready. The baby bed is in the room. The baby stuff is ready and waiting! WOOOHOOO!!!!! More later!!!!

STAY TUNED....

Photos from yesterday (Beijing)

Summer Palace Gate

Sam, Cullen, And Mao with our new pet.

See! We really are in China together! (Sam, Heather, and the back of Cullen's head at the Marble Boat in the Summer Palace)

Whatever We Didn't Do Today, We Will Tomorrow!

Holy cow! Nothing like getting up at 3am and running constantly until 9pm! What did we do today? What DIDN'T we do! We started with a wonderful breakfast at the hotel, followed by an exciting drive through Beijing.

First tour of the day was Tian An Men Square. I can't even describe how huge this place is! The photos won't do it justice. Man it was cold! The piranha sure liked to attack! You couldn't walk 5 feet without someone getting in your face, trying to sell you the same thing the other 50 people were! "No" is not in their vocab! It was a bit overwhelming at times. The Square is pretty neat, but the vendors spoil it.

Next we walked to the Forbidden City. OH MY GOD!!! It went on forever! It was so beautiful! Some members of our group kept wandering off so it took forever to get done. I didn't shoot any video here. It wouldn't do much good. There are so many people touring that you can't really get a clear shot of anything. The piranha were here also. Cullen was really getting tired of them. It is amazing how much detail and paintings are on everything! The gardens at the end were the best! I wish we would've had time to wander through them, but some people were missing yet again.

Walking back from the Forbidden City, our group got split due to a light change. We made it across the street with one guide and a couple of other family members. That's when Cullen ran into trouble! The piranha were waiting for us. When we had to stop and wait for the group, the pushiness started. Someone finally spotted Cullen and everything stopped. Then the chaos started. "Are you American?" "Such beautiful boy!" "Look at his eyes!" "Look at his rosy cheeks!" "Look at his hair!" "How old is he?" "What is his name?" "So beautiful!!" Then the touching started! Touching Cullen's hair. Touching Cullen's face. Touching Cullen's arm. The crowd was friendly, but poor Cullen was overwhelmed. A crowd of strangers pushing each other to talk to him and touch him. He took it like a trooper, but it was so hard for him. The long walk back to the bus was hard. He was waiting for it to happen again.

After that we went to lunch. It was okay, but not great. Cullen ate three bites and wouldn't touch anything else. He never complained, but he didn't like any of the food. We then walked next door to the Pearl Factory. Hmmm... I won't go into the details, but it wasn't pretty. Mark bought Heather some beautiful stuff! Gee, Mark! How nice of you!!!!

Back onto the bus and on to the Summer Palace. We were running late. We had only one hour to tour this massive summer home! It was so pretty! The Long Corridor lives up to its name! We had a couple of minutes for my favour thing: shopping! Cullen got a cool toy and a hat. I wish we would've spent more time there than Tian An Men! I wanted to go exploring!!! It was so fascinating!!!!

Back on the bus, yet again! This time we went back to the hotel for the night. Traffic was awful. Cullen fell asleep. It was so hard to wake him. We got to our room, sent a couple of quick notes, and then went to dinner at the hotel. Cullen was a beast at dinner so I brought him back up. He had a shower and is dead to the world! We have to get up early. Our luggage is getting picked up at 7am. We have to check out and be finished with breakfast by 8:10. Then we head for the Great Wall! Our flight leaves for Guangzhou at 5:30p so we won't be returning to the hotel. Next post will be from Guangzhou!!!!

See you later!
Sam

The Holiday Inn Central Plaza, Beijing

Heather's & Cullen's room. Love it!!

Cullen wide awake at 3:30am. Andy sleeping like the dead!

Photos of the flight

We flew over Siberia. The mountains were so beautiful! You just can't put it into words.

Cullen, Heather, and Smoochy the frog on the plane to Beijing. You can tell this is the beginning of the flight - they are still smiling!

First Morning in Beijing

Good morning! Off to a rough start. I woke at 3:00am to a migraine. Cullen joined me in bed at 3:15. Andy is still snoring his head off as Cull and I sit in Aunt Heather's room watching some weird Chinese show about cheese. Cullen said he woke up because of a bad dream. He's fine now, just playing Gameboy. I fed him some peanut butter Ritz and all is right with the world!

The air quality in Beijing is awful! Everything looks foggy all the time. The traffic last night was bad, but not worse than Boston or DC at rush hour. It was fascinating driving through the city at night and seeing all the lights and signs. The city busses here are so full that people are standing everwhere and sitting on each other. I have never seen anything like it! I'll try to take a picture later.

Flying in yesterday was beautiful. We flew over mountains in Siberia. AMAZING!!! We took some photos, but Andy is the only one who knows where the cord is and he is STILL sleeping. I promise to post them this morning!!!

Well, I think I will go ahead and get my shower. We have a full day of touring today. I will post the photos tonight. Cullen says hi!

Sam

Ni Hao from Beijing!!!!

We are finally here! After all these months (and years) we are sitting in our beautiful hotel in Beijing! It doesn't seem real. It feels like we are visiting Disney World! Maybe it will feel really tomorrow when there is daylight and we go on our tours.

This is post is going to be short tonight. We didn't get to our rooms until 8pm (China time - 7am Ohio time). We are hungry, thristy, and tired. I will post more tomorrow with photos! Everyone is great! We felt like sardines on the flight. It was overbooked and it was not fun! Shockingly, the food was very good! We cut it real close in Chicago. Our flight from Dayton was delayed after we landed. We had to run to make the flight to Beijing! We did manage to score some Big Macs on our run so we did eat lunch (sort of)!

Well we still need to eat so I need to go. I will write more later!

Sam

The True Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . ."TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Clause, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL,. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD."

~anonymous~