Julan’s Home Page

This was a long day of travel.  We left home to get to the airport around 10:00 that morning, traveling to Ohio, then on to LAX.  After meeting up with all the families from our travel group, we took off from LAX around 2:00am our time, so after 14 hours of airports and airplanes, we started our 15 hour flight to China.  First impressions of China are a bit hazy since we arrive exhausted and will meet Julan in only a few short hours... the next time we write, we'll be proud parents.

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This morning we woke after a full night's sleep... Yes, Julan slept thru the night without a peep.  This morning, she opened her eyes, looked back and forth between us and then proceeded to play.  The morning hours were all business, meeting with any number of Chinese officials.  But by early afternoon, all forms completed and fees paid, in China's eyes at least, Julan is ours!  We've only known each other for 24 hours now, but she is smiling, giggling, and loves to be snuggled! This afternoon we nap, get to know one another and wait...

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Today was a welcomed relief after the last few days.  Jolene is feeling much better today, but more than that, Julan is finally becoming our daughter.  Her personality is really starting to shine thru now that she is feeling more comfortable with us.  Initially when we held her, she would hold her arms out wide and stiff.  Now she readily embraces us and snuggles.  We are beginning to understand her tired cry/hungry cry/lonely cry, etc.  She is also smiling often and seems much more content to be near us as opposed to always being held.

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The only official work done today was receiving Julan's Chinese passport to take to the US consulate early next week.  Today we took a tour to White Cloud Mountain.  Although it's not really a mountain by "Rockies" standards, it did offer an impressive view of GuangZhou.  Of course they neglected to mention that we would sweat out every spare liter of hydration we had in our bodies!  The best news is that yesterday was not a fluke, and Julan really is beginning to blossom.  Always a smile, more adventurous... she's so much less tentative.  I hope that the pictures we're uploading are helping you to get to know her.  It's a little tough on Jolene and I from the standpoint that it's been nearly a decade since we've had a baby on our hip.  Being "on your game all the time" is something we haven't had to deal with lately.  But there is something very satisfying about watching her peacefully sleeping...

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We never made it to church this morning, there was some confusion as the to time and place.  We trust God will forgive us.  Today was a day for hitting the town.  Jolene and Julan are natural born shoppers.  I must admit it's a bit frightening how well they do.  There's just something "safe" about spending foreign money.  It's like being in Vegas, the money just doesn't count as real.  Actually, prices are very reasonable here.  You can bargain with shop owners, but really that is reserved for locals, we Americans are just too lazy.  The main rule is "buy more, we'll give you a bigger discount."  We also had a road trip to McDonalds.  It was just like at home. Should I be worried about that?  Finally a sunset cruise up and down the Pearl River.  Tomorrow we start up with the US requirements and we'll be heading home soon!!!

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Today we finished everything we need to do but leave!  We received all the paperwork from the US consulate then did the swearing in. (It sounds like a very auspicious occasion, but basically they look at your passports, then look at the baby's passport – then the whole room lifts their right hand, they ask if the information you provided is true and you all say "Yes" and that's it...  all that work for a simple "Yes"!?!?!?)  The rest of the day was spent taking a few photos of the group and pre-packing.  All that's left is hanging out for most of tomorrow, then heading to the airport and starting the long journey home.  The only thing to stress about now is getting sick.  If your temperature is above 100.4 degrees, then you have to stay in China another day.  A lot of us will be popping a lot of asprin between now and then!  I should be able to upload a few pictures before we take off tomorrow, then we fly to the good ol' USA!!!

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Sorry it took so long for me to post the homecoming pictures.  I've been so good up to this point, but hey, I was exhausted!  It's about 5am Saturday morning as I write this entry.  The trip home was exhausting, the homecoming at the airport was totally awesome, and just being in my own home is such a welcome relief.  The 12 hour flight from China to LA was grueling.  We expected it to be easy because it was Julan's normal sleeping time, and she loves to be held. But she tossed and turned and fought us all night long.  We finally made it to the good ol' USA!  She is now officially a US citizen! Hooray! Unfortunately that reality was followed by another, crueler one – service in the states.  Getting thru customs was a long, arduous task, then we fought lines and people at the airport, then we sat for almost 45 minutes waiting for the hotel shuttle.  But the next morning we had a perfect flight to Atlanta, Julan fell asleep during takeoff and woke up as we touched down. The flight home wasn't so enjoyable.  Julan filled her diaper as soon as we pulled away from the gate.  With ugly stares from those around us, we had to wait forever before the captain turned off the seatbelt sign and I could change her diaper at 30,000 feet.

*** Welcome Home Video ***

The reunion at the airport was awesome.  At least 50 people – friends, family, church family – met us there to welcome us home with banners and applause!  How humbling to think of all the people who have been a part of this journey, from family and friends who have counseled and prayed, to friends who have helped financially, to those of you who have faithfully followed along on this web page.  Thank you all!  Now we have the task of getting back to daily life.  Julan is doing well in her new surroundings.  Our toughest challenge so far is getting into a routine (especially one that is 12 hours off from our recent schedule)  We've got a nice holiday weekend to work all that out, though.  Then Sunday we go to church with our little blessing from God.  I'm not sure what to do with the website after this.  Like our new life with Julan – we'll just play it by ear and take it one day at time!

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