China Adoption....Our Journey to Jaden

No time to journal......here are some pics to hold you over....details to come...

I think I can post pictures while I work around the room.  We're busy, we have a plane to catch.  We have a very important date today..... :-) YEA!

We enjoyed The Great Wall with our new friends Kim and Ed.  What nice people.  We look forward to meeting their daughter.  Their girl lives in the same foster home that Wan Rong lives in. 

This is the route that most people take up the Great Wall.  We chose to go the road less traveled.  We were interested in a little serinity as we hiked the wall.  It was amazing!  We have so much to tell you about it.  Later, Traci, later.  Keep packing.....you have an important date today...

My guy and I on the Great Wall. 

Unbelievable!

Lunch with travel mates.....

.....Such nice people!

We've never had so much fun sweating our bottoms off in our life!  It was so hot and exhilerating!

The Marble Boat at the Summer Palace....

The temple at the Summer Palace...

This is the "Dragon Boat" that we took a ride on while visiting the Summer Palace.

This is a close up of the dragon that lead us around the beautiful lake.

The Great Wall....

There is no way that Scott or I would come to The Great Wall of China without our babies. 

Valerie, Kevin & Jaden on a journey up the wall with their parents! 

We have so much more to share.  Be patient as we try to get some sleep.  This jet lag is unbelievable.  If it weren't for adrenaline.......

GL, this is for you....

It's a bathroom scale.  What do ya' think?

Some people draw a lot of attention in China.....Scott is one of them...

We have been told for the past year and a half that Scott would draw a lot of attention and they were right.  I'll tell you all about our day.  Prior to leaving this morning we each had one cup of coffee with breakfast.  I choked it down because it was so unbelievably strong.  I didn't think much of it and headed out with the group.  That cup of coffee had me flying!  One cup of coffee has never had that much effect on me.  I think it was a triple espresso or something.  The rest of the group agreed.  I think that's one of the reasons that our time at Tianamen Square was so lively!  We laughed and had so much fun.  I think the locals must have had the same coffee.  We had a blast with all of the people.  The humidity had not hit yet and there was a nice breeze in that wide open space.  I'll include pictures below. 

Our tour in the morning started at Tianamen Square went through to the Forbidden City and then we went onto Imperial Gardens.  We had SO MUCH fun at Tianamen Square.  I think that Scott and I could  have stayed there all day.  There were families playing, flying kites, laughing, and just plain having a great time.  Check out this website for great information about this historical place. 

All Americans draw a lot of stares.  We don't go anywhere that we aren't being stared at.  I've taken to waving and giving a very botched NiHao with a big smile.  I practice my mandarin on them.  Did you know I spoke mandarin?  Here you go; NiHao, ShiShi, Bu and I learned sorry today but darn if I don't forget it already.  That sweet girl and I practiced hard too!  Dang!  I'll have to ask someone again.  I love how they laugh there heads off when I completely screw it up.  It's also fun listening to them practice there English.  Some are pretty good and others smile and shake there head back and forth while saying, "No, no, no." 

We were at "Wonderful" (local grocer) last night and I was looking for peanut butter for my skinny, rail of a husband (who is at risk for dissapearing on this trip).  I asked a salesperson if they had peanut butter and they said, "No."  I still don't know if they don't have peanut butter or if he meant that he doesn't speak English!  Poor Scott.  We might have to shop for size 29 pants when we get home.  I've digressed....expect that a lot until I get some sleep. 

I'll let the pictures show our great time.  We have great video of Scott with his fans.  I should have worked harder at learning how to upload those videos.  I'll see how I can do with this fogged brain. 

One more thing before the pictures.  We went to the bathroom near the entrance of the Forbidden City.  Dear Father, I will never complain about a port-a-pot again.  I have enjoyed the diversity of this trip.  I will continue to have an open mind and take in this awesome experience, EXCEPT where these public toilets are concerned.  I can honestly say that I have never been in a bathroom so pungent that I was hurling while peeing.  Too much info?  Then skip this paragraph.  The rest of you stick with me.  It was beyond what any person should have to endure.  Picture this:Okay, so the bathroom wasn't this nice.  There was no way that I could have smiled in this situation and my pants were around my knees but you get the idea.  I pulled this pic off of the internet.  (Thanks model girl.)  Okay, okay so I also exaggerated a little in that I didn't really hurl, BUT I was seriously about to.  One of our travel mates rescued me and many others.  As I was walking out of the stall I was gagging big time.  The sweat beads had started forming on my brow and I knew I was going to lose it.  The place wasn't that dirty but the smell was beyond what I've ever encountered.  Our travel mate sprayed something with a sweet smell on my hands and said, "Cover your face with your hands now."  THANK YOU JENNIFER!!  I remember being told to bring our vix and we did but it was in the hotel room.  For those soon to travel make yourself a list of things to take on these tour days.  Your brain is so fogged you'll never remember the things that you spent 18 months learning about.  Don't forget your toilet paper, vix or other pungent odor fighter and hand sanitizer.  And for heaven's sake when your guide says, "Does anyone need to go to the bathroom?"  Ignore her and keep walking! 

Here are the highlights of our day:

This is our guide, Katherine. This woman has some wheels.  She stands about 4 feet tall (okay, maybe a little exaggeration again) but she kicks everyone's butt on walking through these tourist areas.  Click on these pictures.  We were all so amazed we finally decided to take a picture of her racing along.  She kept saying, "Don't lose the flag."  I thought we came her to adopt a baby but sometimes it felt like we were part of The Amazing Race.

She's really great!  It just made us laugh that our legs are so much longer than hers and she kicked our tails with the walking.  I suppose she had a little something over our jet leg.  We shouldn't forget that. 

Here is my celebrity husband.  You can't imagine how many people stopped him to have their picture taken.  We all felt like his enterage!  I kept saying, "Hey, I'm his wife.  Do I count?"  He had a really great time.  We all did. 

Having his picture taken yet again.

Oh my gosh this was so much fun!!!  Aren't these girls beautiful?  It sure does make us miss our children!

This is Rich, Angela, Scott, Eve and Chris at Teinamen Square.

These my friends are split pants.......

Peddlers are everywhere....

We were told that this lady is 90 years old.  People were so friendly.

Traci & Angela at The Forbidden City...

Scott & Traci at The Forbidden City.

So much to see......The Forbidden City went on and on and on......

There are 9,999 rooms.

Driving in China. Whooaaa!  Watch out!

Split pants again.  So dang cute!  We have to buy at least one of these outfits to keep.  I can't stand how cute they are.

Jet leg has set in.....be patient with us.

We only have a minute.  We have so much to tell you but it will have to wait.  If we're late when the group meets then we'll be left behind.  That happened to one family this morning.  I have about five minutes. 

Jet leg has hit me hard today.  I want to lay down so desperately.  We're off to see the Acrobatic show.  I hear it's great.  I'll post more when I can but when we return my butt is hitting the bed.  We'll be in touch soon.

Love,

Scott & Traci

An update in pictures....

This is Traci and Paula at the Guangzhou Airport.  These are definitely fatigued versions of Paula and Traci. 

We met Paula and Craig at the L.A. Airport during our layover.  They live in Orlando and have three teenage kids.  Two girls and a boy.  We enjoyed their company and look forward to seeing them again.

  This is Scott & Craig.  It was so blasted hot in that airport.  We were definitely starting to wear down at this point. 

Hotel?  Has anyone seen our hotel?!

Ahhhhh.........here it is.  Home Sweet Home for the first three days. 

Scott was successful in blowing the breakers in our room right away.  I think that we might have over thought the whole conversion/adapter thing.   Oh well....we're up and running.

The robes, slippers and umbrellas that are in our closet.  This is a very warm and comfortable room. 

What an awesome bathroom we have.  That's it...I'm redoing our bath at home.  I love an all-tile bathroom.  Check out the shower.....(...give me a break we haven't left the room hardly at all.  As boring as this is, it's all that we have for you so far.)

I've always wanted to try one of those shower heads.  It felt great!  If only I wasn't paranoid about the water getting in my mouth and eyes  while in there.  It would be much more enjoyable then.

The view outside our hotel room window.  This was at 4:00 in the afternoon Friday.  Look at the haze in the air.  My cough was under control on the plane.  Barely noticed it.  However, I haven't stopped coughing since we got off of the plane in Beijing.  Poor air quality.  I'm glad Valerie isn't here to breathe this stuff.

See the lady in the bottom of the picture?  The one with the mop?  Yes, that's right.    She's in the parking lot between the hotel entrance and the street.  Here's a closer look.

  I'll bet you wouldn't find this in America!  She was even sure to put up a warning sign....

.....In the parking lot.

Well, it's 4am Saturday morning.  I only slept six hours before waking up at 3 am.  I thought that as tired as I was I would be able to sleep until 6 am.  No chance.  Scott & I are up.  He's watching a muted TV.  He wishes that he could watch the news and understand it.  That would be very interesting, wouldn'tit? 

I bet we'll be ready for a full nights sleep Saturday night.  We're going to the Temple of Heaven on Saturday morning and then to the Acrobatics show Saturday afternoon.  We'll post more soon.  Love you all!

Valerie & Kevin,

We only have 2 1/2 more days until we will have your sister with us.  Can you believe it?!

Love you!  Mommy & Daddy

(aka......Scott & Traci)

Saying goodbye...

Saying goodbye to our babies....WOW!...that was hard.  Seeing Scott, Kevin & Valerie crying and expressing what I was feeling inside made it even harder.  It wasn't our intention to dwell on the emotions that surrounded leaving our children for two weeks, but at the same time it's the hardest part of this journey and worth mentioning.  Don't get me wrong, we have taken trips before.  We've left for anywhere from one to five nights without them but this is different.  This is China......this is for two weeks!

Enjoy your days Baby Girl and Sweet Boy!  We are thinking of you every minute and we look forward to seeing your smiling faces very soon!

As Sandy already shared we started the trip with a big scare.  God either wanted us to be sure that we were on our toes OR it could simply be that we just messed up right away!

When going through security at Dayton Airport (while crying & still able to see our babies) Scott had the bag with all of our electronics in it.  He had to empty it out, show everything, yada, yada, yada.  He was trying to hurry for those behind us and threw our camera on his hip with the velcro strap and snap.  Well, when we sat down to eat at Outback at the Cinci airport he realized that he didn't have it.  PANIC!!  I saw a few hundred dollars being spent at the local mall during that layover.  I called Sandy for help while Scott took off for the nearest ticket agent.  Thankfully, it was left on the plane and they had it at the gate.  Whhhhhheeeew!  Close call. 

On to the journal that I kept in the air...

Wednesday night at 9:30 Ohio time.....

The day has been a little long but it will get much longer.  We have a four hour layover in L.A. and then at 2:50 am our time we'll hit the air again.  We're hoping for sleep and hope that it's not too much of a struggle.  So far the only thing that has been a bit of a bother is not being able to bring water on the plane.  On this five hour flight to L.A. we've had one 8 oz. bottled water each.  We're drinking & drinking our water on our layovers.

Valerie & Kevin,

Mommy & Daddy love you and look forward to hearing all about your day today.  Tomorrow you'll be able to meet your teachers.

Have fun!!  We love you!

Mommy & Daddy

Thursday morning at 9:30 am Ohio time...

GOOD MORNING SWEET BABIES!  WE MISS YOU VERY MUCH!

It is 9:30 am at home and we are half way to Guangzhou from Los Angeles now.  We flew over Alaska about an hour ago.  This airline, China Southern, is pretty great!  It feels like we've already made it to China.  The crew is all Asian, the food is authentic and language is a small barrier.  Some of the crew have wonderful English and some have very little.  They are very friendly people and very accommodating!  The service is awesome too!  (Carrie, go against the grain and go through L.A.!!)

To all China bound friends *** we highly recommend the China Southern upgrade to premium economy.  It is reasonably priced and worth every last cent.  I can't stress enough what a difference it made.  God was really looking out for us when that Continental flight didn't work out.  What a blessing!

We are coming up on 24 hours of travel.  Twelve hours ago I didn't see how we would make it but now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We only have about 14 hours to go. 

So far the thing that has struck us the most was when we took off from L.A. Feeling the wheels of the  plane pull off of U.S. soil, knowing that they will land in our daughter's home country was big.  Very big.  Scott & I took a few minutes and prayed at that time.  We prayed for safety, for Jaden's transition to her new family and for all of the children who would not find forever families.  We pray that the Holy Spirit opens the hearts and minds of family's who have not considered adoption for their family. 

Valerie & Kevin,

We can still feel your arms wrapped tightly around us and feel your tears on our cheeks.  You gave us the best goodbye  ever!  You both gave us such great big hugs that we can still feel where your arms squeezed.  Thank you for that gift.  Thank you for showing us how much you love us and how much you'll miss us.  Daddy & I are so glad that we had good family time before we left.  We loved our time at the fair and loving on you at the airport.  We adore you!  We can't wait to see you at the airport on September 7th.  We can't wait to hug like that again.

Aunt Sandy is going to get your chains to you.  I hate that we forgot them.  There was so much to remember, wasn't there?  Aunt Sandy & Mommy and Daddy Bundy have become our arms and legs while we're gone.  They will get your chains to you and hug you tight every night and every day for us. 

We're always thinking of you!

Love, Mommy & Daddy

Thursday afternoon at 2:30 Ohio time.....

There is  only one way to make this trip.....UPGRADED BABY!!!  We have slept at least 8 or 9 hours on this flight. The seats are reasonably comfortable, the airline has given us; eye masks, ear plugs, toothbrushes and paste (YEA! No toothpaste allowed per TSA regulations), lotion, lip balm (also a no-no per TSA), slippers, pillow and blanket.  All the comforts of home.  Seriously, I think the trip will be okay.  I even think that it will be doable with Jaden in tow.  Currently, we have 3 1/2 hours until we land in Guangzhou.  This is starting to feel very real.  I don't know if it's because we are on an Asian airline with Chinese as the primary language, if it's because we're being served authentic Chinese food or if it's because we have been traveling for a month.  Well, 26 1/2 hours....same thing!

We have met several other adoptive parents on this flight.  There are four other couples that we've chatted with.  As sorry as we are that we didn't travel with the folks that we have come to know over the past year, there is a big upside to being alone until this flight.  Scott & I were "all alone" on our Journey to Jaden for several hours and it was wonderful.  Similar to those hours in the delivery room when you look into each other's eyes with wonder and awe as you realize what's about to happen.  We enjoyed that very much.  We were able to focus on each other and enjoy celebrating the journey as a couple.  We were able to talk about the past year and a half and what it has taken to get to the point.  We were able to focus on each other & the joy of becoming parents again.  We were also able to cry together as we spoke of Valerie & Kevin and what it will be like for two weeks without them.  Our time alone has been a blessing.

It has been difficult for me to focus on the joy of actually leaving for China.  I'm sure that part of that is because of the huge to do list as well as the dread that came from thinking about this 36 hour journey.  But now that I've slept (thanks to premium economy - listen up future travelers!) I am filled to the brim with joy!  I can see the gift a the end and I can't wait to hold her and bring her home to her Ge Ge and Jie Jie.

THREE AND A HALF MORE DAYS TO JADEN!!!!

We love you all.  Let us hear from you in the comments.  We really look forward to messages from home.  (Dad, that means you and Dawn also!!)

Love,

Valerie, Kevin & Jaden's MaMa and BaBa

Thursday night 5:10 pm, Ohio time

Ni Hao from somewhere over Nanchang, China.  We're on our way to Guangzhou and getting close.  Nanchang is where we'll return on Monday and that's where we will be handed our daughter.  We are 50 minutes from landing in Guangzhou.  It really is sinking in for us.

We have slept well (for being on a plane) and we hope to spend some time looking at the area around our hotel today.  We'll probably head to bed early tonight (VERY early) and hope to be transitioned to China time with minimal difficulty.  Laugh with me if I'm all wrong.  One small leg of the journey to go.

We change planes in Guangzhou after a two-and-a half hour layover and expect to land in Beijing, China at 10:55 pm your time.  10:55 am Friday morning our time.

I'll write more soon.  We love you all!

Thursday night 8:35 pm, Ohio time

Good morning (Evening for you),

We made it through Guangzhou Airport and we are now taxing out to the runway headed to Beijing.  Two and a half more hours and we will have survived the worst of the travel part of this trip.  I still maintain that the hardest part of the trip was leaving Valerie & Kevin but this was the longest and hardest travel part.  Coming home will not be as arduous.  But we will have our sweet girl which could make it even more of a challenge.  We'll see...

I'll admit that we are done.  It's been 33 hours since we left.  We are in need of a hotel room.  I can't imagine doing this in coach the entire trip.  I think I would have died before I made it.  I am writing this from coach (we were only upgraded for the international legs of the trip).  But as it was, we're good.  Very good!  Our feet and ankles are swollen (we look like we have CHF) and we need moist air but I understand we're about to encounter that! 

OH!  And for the record, Dayton Airport security was tougher than any other airport that we have encountered.  Hands down!  Tougher than Cinci, L.A., Guangzhou (and now I can say) Beijing!  We were very surprised about that.  In addition, the baby formula in the large ziploc baggie made it through with no problem.  So did the 4 oz. of cough syrup.  The only people that gave me a tough time about it was the Dayton security people.  They told us there was no way Cinci and L.A. would allow it to go through.  Those airports never questioned it.  The only thing that they took away was a lip balm that we tried to get through.  We didn't sneak it but we had it in our baggie with our eye contact stuff.  They took it away in Dayton and we knew it wasn't allowed.  We had to try to get it on a journey that long, didn't we?  There's my rebelious spirit again!

Valerie & Kevin,

How was your open house?  Did you find your desks?  Did you see some friends at school?  We can't wait to hear all about it.  Daddy & I hope to see you and talk to you Friday morning after your up.

We can't wait.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Friday morning at 3:45 am, Ohio time

Hi from our hotel room.  It feels so much better to have our travel journal transferred to the blog.  I noticed that I repeated things and I'm sorry for that.  However, I wanted to write it here exactly as I had on the planes.  I hope you understand. 

We're thrilled to be here and have so much more to share.  Especially lots of pictures. But right now I have to prioritize a nap so that we can wake up to call our kids later on.  Here's a couple of family shots at the airport.  I'll also insert a picture of where we're sleeping for Valerie & Kevin to see.  These beds are where we are resting and dreaming of you two! 

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

We can't imagine how sweet our homecoming will be.  We can't wait!!

The very moment that we landed in China! 

Notice the difference 30 hours makes in a girl's appearance?!

Right now, as I type, your Daddy's head is laying exactly where that green pillow is.  I think I'll join him before dinner.

We love you all!

Valerie & Kevin, Will you give each other a hug and know that it's from Mommy and Daddy?  We love you Sweet Babies!

MaMa & BaBa

It was cool while it lasted!

Ok, so we failed to pay attention to the big red note at the bottom of the very cool flight tracking site.  If anyone checked it out before they got to China'ish you know how cool it was to watch the plane move along the route.  Apparently once it got out of range (below is the big red note that we missed) it looked more like it was turning around and coming home.  Oh well, it was fun while it lasted, right GL?

WebTrax is predominantly a US & Canadian Flight Tracking application. Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific, and Central/South American flights may contain errors in the data because of lack of transoceanic radar coverage once the flight leaves FAA tracking range. If necessary, check with the Airline.

It won't be long and they'll be done flying for a while; I'm sure they'll be glad about that!!

Traci, we went to open house at school tonight and met Miss Blackburn (who Seth recognized as a teacher from Sylvan) and Miss Luke (who Rita confirms is a very cool teacher).  We also spent time visiting with Mrs. Everett & Rita.  I stopped in the office and talked with the secretary who was very nice.  I filled out the emergency contact cards and left those with her.  She said the other forms can be returned after you get home and settled.  She also said Valerie's food allergies list needs to come from Dr. Horvath.  Do you want me to get that done or wait until you get home?  Here's the bad news (at least you can't hit me from over there) I had every good intention of taking pictures for you but completely forgot.  They looked adorable.  I love you.  Enjoy the journey!

~SJ

Real Time Flight Tracking

GL found a very cool site that shows where they are as they make their journey to China.  Check this out -

Go to: http://www.flytecomm.com/cgi-bin/trackflight under search for flight select China Southern Airlines and flight # 328.  This is their flight from LA to Guangzhou. 

Their flight # from Guangzhou to Beijing is 3101.  They won't get on that until 8:20 tonight.

Thanks for finding this for us, GL.  You're the best!

~SJ

Looks like I'm up to bat -

I thought Traci & Scott would post to the blog during their "free time" in Cincinnati today, but they must have been too busy looking for the camera they lost. You'll have to use your imagination to know which one lost it (but you'll probably be wrong--sorry, Scott).  It was interesting getting a frantic phone call within two hours of dropping them off at the airport that they had lost the camera and I needed to call Delta in Dayton and check their lost & found.  Uh, guys, you weren't supposed to do this!  Luckily, they called back shortly after and had found it.  It was at the Delta gate in Cincinnati.  I didn't hear the full story but I wonder if it had been left on the plane??  I'm not sure. 

Let's back up prior to the camera being lost...We arrived at the Dayton airport this morning and after making sure Jaden's powder baby formula (in a zip lock baggie) wouldn't be questioned or thrown out by authorities (keep your fingers crossed) they had their luggage checked.  They had allowed extra time for sitting with the kids, talking, hugging, crying, playing, picture taking, crying, reminders of why they have to leave, I'm never letting go hugs, crying, etc.  I know they and the kids were glad to have that time.  It was, as Valerie said several times, "very hard" to see them go.  As adults, the hardest part is seeing the kids so torn up to see their mommy and daddy leaving for two weeks.  I know it was hard for Traci & Scott to leave them too, but I still think seeing Valerie's uncontrollable crying and Kevin's I'm never letting go hugs were the hardest parts.  I guess I'm allowed to tell that Daddy could only be so strong for so long and he broke down for a minute too.  A man that knows how to be a man.  They are an adorable family.  I'm sure Traci will post some of the pictures when she gets time.  I think you'll be able to see the love they feel, happiness that Jaden will be home soon and sadness of being apart in all their faces.

They had a 5.5 hour lay-over in Cincinnati (of all places!) and are now on their way to Los Angeles.  They should arrive in LA at 11:00 Dayton time.  They'll leave LA at 2:50 AM and they will arrive in Beijing at 10:55 Thursday night (after a two hour stop in Guangzhou).  Again, I'm giving you Dayton times so you don't have to do the math.

I know they are very thankful for the love and support of family and friends.  Traci will be posting when she can.

~SJ