Welcome...

Hello... Welcome family and friends. This blog was started so you could follow our adoption journey to our daughter in China...Crystina Luz ChenLi. Now, it's to follow our everyday adventures with 2 active young children, who are growing SO fast, Crystina & Ethan and 2 playful Yorkies, Lola and Bertha.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Day 10 in China

Ni hao!! Today was a "somewhat" relaxing day for us. We spent most of the morning in our room, because our guides took all of our paperwork to the Consulate...and it went just FINE!!! Thank you LORD! And then in the afternoon, we went to Shamian Island to do some shopping! And boy, did we! We bought so many goodies...that we even had to buy another suitcase, for all of our stuff. ; )

Tomorrow we are taking a group picture with ALL of the families, it's going to be a BIG picture! And then we go to the Consulate for our Oath. Sorry, but they don't allow cameras in there so I won't be able to take any pictures. And that's when we get Crystina's Visa! Yippee!!!! This means she is able to leave the country! And then we FLY HOME!! We are SO homesick, we just want to go home NOW...2 weeks away from home, sure is long!


Here are some pictures and a few videos of our day...enjoy!!

This is the piece of fabric that is 160 years old, for Crystina's wedding dress. The picture doesn't do it justice, at all.
What a wonderful nap we had!!
Dreaming...of going home!
This is Crystina's hair EVERY morning, it's SO frizzy.
Crystina with her daddy...just hanging out.
They are on the other side of the glass...having too much fun! Crystina just hanging around...being herself!

Having a melt down... First time in a stroller and Crystina LOVED it!! Strolling down the street...shopping!
It's HOT here in Guangzhou.
Lunch at Lucy's, with her friend, Emma.
In the lobby at the White Swan Hotel. Statue at the White Swan Hotel.
At the famous red couch!!
Check out my new hat! Am I cute or what??
Crystina's new China doll. Check out Crystina's crocs!! And YES, she is always squatting like this.
Munching on my toes...yummy!!
Can't get enough of the toes.
Hope to see you ALL soon...like Wednesday night!! ; )

Well, hope you all enjoyed the pictures and the silly videos. We are literally counting down the days and hours until we are HOME! Thanks for supporting us during this life changing experience, no...adventure! ; )

Please keep the comments coming, we enjoy reading ALL of them!! Some have even caught us by total surprise and we are loving it! Miss EVERYONE dearly and can't wait to see you all real soon!! Sending so much LOVE to all!! God Bless!!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

She is toooo cute. Her hair looks like Aydens in the back when he wakes up..It looks just like that. How cute. Ayden loves looking at pics and the videos of Crystina.She loves taking pictures which is a good thing. Better get used to it. lol. Two more days!!! Seems like forever.Take care and caint wait to see yall.
Love yall
god bless
annabel

Anonymous said...

Yeah Im the 1st..
lol

Anonymous said...

She is so adorable…even when she is having a meltdown. 
She is just so pretty! I love all the pictures and the videos!!
Can’t wait to meet her!
Love Brenda & Sean

Anonymous said...

I LOVE THE VIDEOS AND PICTURES OF CRYSTINA IS TOO CUTE .CAN'T WANT TO SEE HER.GOD BLESS YALL.SEE YOU IN 2 DAYS LOVE YALL.

JESSICA & WILLIE

Anonymous said...

CRYSTINA IS A DAUGHTER DRINGS SUNSHINE TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY.CRYTINA BRINGS JOY THROUGH HER LOVING WAYS.CRYSTINA IS A BLESSING THAT COMES FROM ABOVE.CRYSTINA IS A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GRIL MOM & DAD WILL ALWAYS LOVE. SHE WAS MEANT FOR YALL.

LOVE ALWAYS
JESSICA & WILLIE

Anonymous said...

CRYTINA IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MIRACLES IN LIFE,ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS WE CAN EVER KNOW,AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THERE IS A LITTLE EXTRA SUNSHINE,LAUGHTER AND HAPPINESS IN YOUR WORLD TODAY.

LOVE YALL
JESSICA & WILLIE

Anonymous said...

what a cutie!!!we are praying for your safe return with that little doll Crystina, I think she have some spanish on her, she dance pretty good, don't you think? What a joy must be for you guys. Be carfull with your mom she wants to bite Crystinas cheeks,I told her to wait a couple of week, then go for it. It is so nice you are keeping the tradition of the wedding dress, I think that is very loving and caring of you guys, see you pretty soon. Love Elda

Anonymous said...

Dios Te bendiga mucho mas porque ya estas bendecida con la nena como dice la biblia todo tiene su tiempo pero se que vas tener gemelos. Barbara y Edgar siempre los tengo en mis oraciones Ahora tu casa va a resplandecer con el brillo de Crystina te ama Blanca la nagra.

Anonymous said...

HI!!!Love the videos!! too cute!! Right about now you're probably sleeping...counting down the hours to come home!! Look forward to seeing you all and of course Crystina! Have a safe trip home...we'll be praying for a smooth 13 hr ride for Crystina :)
Love you guys,
Taina

Anonymous said...

Barbara and Edgar
I can't tell you how much we have enjoyed your website! Even my husband and Taylor were looking at it last night! She is so precious! You can definatly tell she is a little ham!! And she loves the Camera!!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful Journey with us via this website!!! God Bless you beautiful Family and have a safe trip home!!
The Willard Family
Erica, Eric and Taylor

Anonymous said...

Thank you for todays cuttie pictures. Esta chulisima! A Dios gracias por contestar todas las oraciones, para que ustedes esten bien y les salga todo bien. I know you must be anxious to get home! You will be there in no time! Enjoy the remaining of your 2 days there since you do no tknow when you will be back! un beso y un abrazo - a los 3 - su prima y "titi" (just had to squeeze that in!) SOL

Anonymous said...

Barbara & Edgar,
very happy for you guys, you make a beautiful family of 3, i think it's reaaly great how you keep this site so up to date- anyhow,
i hope you have a great flight home and hope that you have made the best of this experience, thanks for sharing it with us.Make sure to get some sleep on the plane and get ready- because as soon as that plane lands- THAT'S WHEN THE REAL JOURNEY BEGINS.-
on a personal note- i think it's really great what you guys have done, you both are really brave and all our family should be very proud of you..
can't wait for Crystina to play with Gianna and Ary on our next vist to Orlando.
Rene

Anonymous said...

Shes so pretty!!! i bet you guys arent tired of hearing that hahaha. I love getting on the computer everyday and wondering how your day is going!!
Hope to see you all soon
Much love and God bless
Angelica & Isabel

Unknown said...

Saludos. Tenia que parar por aqui para ver las ultimas fotos y videos de Crystina.Gabriella (mi nena de 2 años) me pide ver las fotos y los videos over and over y pide siempre tocar el monitor como si pudiera tocar a Crystina. Veo que ya pronto estaran de regreso, pues no me queda mas que desearles un feliz viaje. Que Dios les cuide y que lleguen bien a por fin reunirse con sus familias y amistades que es evidente que tanto les quieren.
Abrazos,
Viviana Melendez (Edwin Melendez)

Anonymous said...

HOLA! Nos enteramos q estan buscando a su bella princesa. Nos alegramos q todo este bien. Can't wait to meet her, she is beautiful.
JJ and Frances

Carla said...

tooo cute! it all brings back so many memories too. :)

Anonymous said...

Hey , i have so enjoyed yall's journey to china God has layed an awesome plan for you 3 . Ipray for your safe return. I kinda wish u would keep this site going . Yall make my day . When i see crystina what a beautiful child god has blessed you2 with i know this has been said before . Crystina brings much joy & happy tears for me I thank you all i love you guys Debbie

Anonymous said...

PARECE MENTIRA COMO PASA EL TIEMPO HACE TRES ANOS ERA SOLO UNA ILUSION Y UN SUENO... HOY YA ES UNA REALIDAD... Y EN DOS DIAS YA SERA UNA PURA VERDAD... CUANDO DEBUTEN ENTRANDO POR LA PUERTA DE SU HOGAR COMO... LA FAMILIA DE TRES, "LOSSS FIGUEROAS"... ESTARAN EN SU CASA PARA COMENZAR UN NUEVO CAPITULO. UN CAPITULO LLENO DE AMOR, SUENOS, ILUSIONES, ALEGRIAS, LOGROS... QUE DIOS LOS SIGA BENDICIENDO EN ESTE VIAJE. LES DESEAMOS QUE TENGAN UN VUELO DE REGRESO TRANQUILO Y SERENO. YA SOLO QUEDAN 46 HORAS PARA QUE LLEGUEN A ORLANDO, FLORIDA. BESITOS A LA BEBA,Y LA BENDICION PARA TODOS, LOS QUEREMOS MUCHO TITI WANDY, TIO JR, EDGAR Y BIBITA {LASSIE,TITO Y CHISPI TANBIEN LES MANDAN SALUDOS JAU,JAAU,JAU PARA LA CRYSRTINA}

Anonymous said...

TATI SIEMPRE PREGUNTA POR USTEDES Y TIENE LA FOTO DE LA NENA AL LADO DE SU SILLA EN EL FAMILY ROOM. Y DICE ELLA "HAY TAN LINDA QUE ES" PARECE QUE ES BIEN AMIGABLE. CUANDO ES QUE ME LA VAN A TRAER? CUANDO ES QUE ELLOS LLEGAN? TAMBIEN DICE HAY DIOS MIO SIGUE CUIDANDOLOS EN ESE VIAJE SENOR Y ACOMPANALOS Y BENDICELOS. TATI ESTA MUY BIEN Y ESPERANDO A LA CHILINDRINA COMO ELLA LA LLAMA

Anonymous said...

Hi, Got back to Orlando from Puerto Rico on Sunday...was desperate to log on and see my "chiquita" again. Thanks for this grate idea and for sharing with us!!! I feel like I've know her for ever. How did we (our Family) do without her? She is precious!!!! Can't wait to hold her
in my arms and love her dearly. Keeping you in my daily prayers.
Love Titi Lucy

P.S. Isaac loved the pictures and
read all the "story" today. He could not log on untill today.
Sends his love and thinks she's
a cutie pie.

Anonymous said...

Me encanta ver como la niña va creando su propia personalidad con ustedes. Se ven que hacen una linda familia. Tambien se nota que Crystina ya se siente mas comoda con ustedes. Se ve la felicidad en sus ojitos, que Dios la Bendiga.

Marisol Arce

Anonymous said...

Saludos Barbara y Jay ya quedan pocos dias para su regreso a casa y particularmente con la alegria mayor de tener en sus brazos a Crystina. Aca estamos super contentos y agradecidos a Dios por todo lo sucedido en estos dias y en especial por la dicha que tendran de ahora en adelante. Dios los continue bendiciendo.
titi Hilda y Luis