What a new year it's gonna be. Last year was full of excitement and sadness of waiting. This year instead of being a fantastic family of 4, we are the fab 5. Ming will fit in so well, I am sure of it. We leave in one week and we are both shaking in our shoes. We are worried about everything. I hope Ming will accept us easily. We are thinking of the worst of course because you never know what the little thing is thinking. I can't wait to post updated pics when we get him so everyone can see. I hope he's not crying though. I have had a couple people tell me, "oh he will love the both of you and be so glad you have finally came for him". I think they are trying to encourage me because I know better haha! How in the world could someone know there's something better when they are 3 and this is the only life they have known. Please pray for us and him. We need the miracles to keep rolling in!
Sweet I wov woos!!
Wow, it is amazing how things change. We feel like Ming has always been part of our family now. He and the girls act just like brother and sisters! He understands every thing we tell him to do, although he picks out the wrong color shoes to wear haha. He loves for mama to pick a couple outfits out and let HIM choose and makes his decision quickly. He doesn't hide food anymore (unless we are just not good seekers), and it is so cute to watch him eat. He sits as close as possible to the plate and moves just right at the edge of the table. He then opens his mouth wide and shovels it in! Somethings may NEVER change! He is walking so much better, but hasn't learned how to fall?! He just kinda....falls :o) We put him on Hannah's tricycle yesterday. Poor little thing didn't have a clue. But when he did take off, he ran right off the concrete about a foot down on the ground. He was perfectly fine without a scratch but we couldn't help but laugh. You know what they say about people falling (or maybe it's just our family that feels that way). He hugged me last week and for the first time without me saying a word he said, "Mama, I wov woo." How awesome is that? Well let me tell ya, YIPPE! Ming does love me!
Hi from Guangzhou, almost done :o)
I wanted to share one story from this morning. Eddie said he heard Ming talking and going on last night in his sleep. This morning when I got up, I checked on him. He had his pajama bottoms off and his pullup was wrapped totally around his waist! AND the bed was wet haha. It looked like he tried to go anyway.
Something to know about shopping in Chengdu/China
Ok, just in case anyone is planning on traveling to China for the first time you need to know this. We went to a childrens store yesterday. It was full of everything you can imagine but very expensive. Even things made in China are much more expensive than in US. The clothing was in sections of brand. If you bought something in that section, it had to be paid for in that section. First you tell them what you want, they give you a ticket for the cost of item then you go pay for it. They give you the ticket back along with your receipt and then you go back to that department and claim that item. Same way with toys. You have sections of Chinese toys, Disney Toys and so on. If our guide wasn't with us we would have been in a Chinese prison some where! Imagine being in walmart and buying milk and having to get a ticket, pay for it, then claim it..... then go to the meat? It was very stressful, even the most avid shopper would not like shopping here.
We are going to China
Ok, now its almost here! We are both very nervous and excited. We hate leaving our girls for so long, even though they will be in wonderful hands, and the long flight will probably not be so much fun either.
We leave Kentucky January 9th and arrive in Chengdu January 11th (US day January 10th--late). We will have Ming in our arms the morning of Monday January 12th. Don't know the exact time yet but probably 9:00 am (US time will be Sunday January 11th at 8:00 pm). Don't miss it! We will post as soon as we can so you should be able to see pics and updated info when you check on your Monday morning. We are hoping it is as easy as everyone says to access the internet in China, so keep your fingers crossed.
We leave Chengdu January 17 (US January 16) and fly into GZ. Our Consulate Appointment is scheduled for Tuesday January 20, and we go Wednesday January 21 for the swearing in ceremony.
January 22, Thursday, we will return home!!! So, we will arrive home Friday January 23!
We will not be using our cell phones so if you call us we may not answer because it will be way too expensive. We will have a special phone while in China that we can use to call home. Please send us emails or post on this blog if you are unable to contact us. We will call family members to keep them updated. AND remember us in the airports... Lexington is one thing..Beijing is another! :o)
Le Xiao Ming (chinese name) Ming Canaan Melton (american)
Ming is 3 years old and resides in the LeShaun City Orphange in China. He was abandoned at only 2 days old. Updated information from these orphanges are almost impossible to gather but here's what we know. He is diagnosed with "brain paralysis" which is a vague diagnosis in american terms. He does have poor reflexes and delayed eye movement. Our goal is to get him home as soon as possible so we can get him evaluated by a medical doctor.
We have had many questions like, "why not adopt a baby in the US, so many need homes". Well they are right! Babies are babies, God made them the same no matter where they are from and it just so happens that we didn't choose China, God chose Ming for us. We fell in love with him. It didn't matter where he was from or that he is a special need child. No matter how you look at it, he has already been rejected once, we would never do such a thing!
Ming and our family are both blessed to have each other. Ming will have a forever family to love him no matter what and even better, we have him.
Our Timeline
November 26 LOI
February 23 PA
April 22 Home Study
June 5 USCIS Approval
July 30 DTC
August 6 LID
November 13 LOA 99 days of long long waiting
December 22 TA
January 12 Gotcha Day
January 20 Consulate Appointment
I am so excited for you guys! I will be keeping you in my prayers. Good Luck!!! Love, Lori
ReplyDeleteI was showing Ming to Tessa and she said..."Thats my new cousin...he's from Chinese"...I'm so PROUD and HAPPY for you guys...good luck...I will be praying that all gows well.
ReplyDeletehang in there it will be worth the trouble.you will be home before you know it. it will be a lot easyer when you get home. you are half way there. we are all thinking about you and love you very much. love brenda
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