China Adoption....Our Journey to Jaden

My Final Post On Our Journey To Jaden...

Our Journey to Jaden is complete. 

We have traveled to Jaden's homeland and brought her home.  This particular chapter in our lives has come to an end, but a new journey has begun. 

It is now time to replicate this journal on CD and in book form for our three children to keep. 

If you're interested, feel free to join us at our new blog address:  http://journeytojaden.typepad.com/smith_family_journal/.  Currently, the blog is without a login and password.  However, we will be securing it in about a week.  Please email us for the login and password for the account.

Thank you again for all of your love and support through these past months.

Love,

Scott, Traci, Valerie, Kevin & Jaden Smith

Sometimes blog topics are just handed to us on a silver platter....

Take one very cute and adorable Chinese-born ham....

.....and place her with one very cute and adorable American-born charmer and this is what happens. 

Jaden reached up for her brother while he was busy getting ready for school.  He didn't have time to play with her and that lead him to this conclusion: "This kid just worships me!"

Too funny!

Emma Sue Elizabeth Staub...

This is Emma.  I saw this picture on our travel group today and took it.  Isn't she gorgeous?!

Julie & Chris, You must be having a great time!  We miss you.

Traci, Scott, Valerie, Kevin & Jaden

Fun with family....

Mom is trying to keep me from being a toddler so soon and Grandma is teaching me to walk.  It looks like Grandma's winning!  If I keep this up I could be walking by my birthday. 

Don't be sad Mom & Dad....I'll still be your baby!

Grandpa, I love you but do you think we should be playing like this before your surgery?! 

Grandpa, Can I play too?

This is my Grandma.  She and I have really connected.  Thanks for all of the fun Grandma!

Here we are visiting with my Grandpa after surgery.  It's hard to tell but this is where we were clapping together for a successful surgery. 

I shared some of my crackers with Grandpa too.  He was hungry when he got to his room! 

Uncle Rick & A. Shellie came down to hang out with all of us.  This is U. Rick and I dancing to the great blues music playing at Lu Lu's Restaurant.  (We missed you Daddy!)  We left Grandma and Grandpa alone for a little bit today so that Grandpa could get some rest and get his pain under control.  I hear that Mom, A. Shell' and U. Rick got in trouble for being gone FOUR HOURS without calling and checking in!  Shame on you adults!  (Seriously, Sorry Dad and Dawn.  We didn't mean to scare you.)

This is my A. Shellie & I in Gulf Shores.  Don't let my Mom take any credit for these beach shots.  If it were not for A. Shellie I wouldn't have seen the gulf while I was here.  Thanks A. Shellie!

Bonding is fun on the beach!

Thankfully Mom took her time introducing me to the sand.  At first I screamed when my feet touched it.  But this sand was beautiful.  Soft, white sand.....aahhhhh. 

Maybe I can do this! 

Hey Mom & Dad, Can we move to the beach?

We sure do wish that Valerie, Kevin and Daddy were in this picture!  We miss you and can't wait to come home!!!!

These people wear me out!!  Good night!

Love, Jaden

Dad is doing great....

......thanks for asking.

Jaden and Dad were clapping and celebrating in his hospital room this evening.  They were celebrating Dad's surgery going so well. 

Many of you have written and asked me how he's doing and we're happy to report that all went well.  They are even saying that he might go home by noon tomorrow.

As little as five years ago repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm was massive!  High mortality rate on this one.  And now with modern medicine it's nothing short of cake (at least in comparison.)  Well, he does have a sore back from laying so long and from the spinal, but other than that he's GREAT! 

Thank you for the prayers...God took care of him for us again!  Thank you God!

Love, Traci

Bonding with Grandpa....