Gianna's and Immaculée's Baptism June 26, 2011

What could possibly be better than having a child baptized?  Having TWO children baptized!  On June 26, 2011, Gianna Francesca JiYing and Immaculée Elisabeth Esther were baptized at St. Damien Catholic Church by Father Carlos Casavantes.  We are amazed at how God had prepared their hearts to be His children.  We had made that a matter of much prayer and are so thankful for answered prayer.  Jesus, we trust in You.

Children of God - Immaculée and Gianna



Baptized in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost

Baptized in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost

Immaculée, Father Casavantes, Gianna, and Patrick



Brycie, Father Casavantes, Jim, Immaculée, and Gianna



Immaculée's godparents, Wally and Theresa, Brycie, Jim, Gianna's godmother, Lisa, Allesan, Gianna's godfather, Terry, Clare, Immaculée, Gianna, and Hutson

Immaculée's godmother painted this beautiful picture of Our Blessed Mother and baby Jesus.

What a glorious day!  Thank you, Jesus!!

Water Fun on Father's Day (June 19, 2011)

It has been H-O-T in Oklahoma!!  On Father's Day, Jim and the kiddos had a great time playing in the water in our front yard.  Jim had the powerful sprayer, and the kids had their water guns.  It was so amazing to watch Gianna run around like she has full vision!!

Better watch out for Clare!

Immaculée and Gianna are really tight, and Immaculée loves to help Gianna.

Look at that smile!!

Clare had the best time of all!

Handsome Hutson

"Whatcha looking at?!"

Precious Gianna - she is an amazing little girl!

What a great sport!

Immaculée got a little tired of the whole thing.

Why Adopt??? This Is Why!!!

Please watch this little video of Gianna praying.  Remember, she's only been home four days and she has already learned the mealtime prayer.  It is absolutely wonderful.  So, why adopt?  Gianna now has a mama, a daddy, a family, but most importantly  .   .   .  she gets to have Jesus in her life.  Yes!

Pals Already

Gianna and Immaculée are already buddies.  They seemed to connect when Gianna was still in China and we were "skyping."  They always enjoyed visiting with each other.

Made It To Newark

Brycie called around 4:30 p.m. and told Jim that she and Gianna were in Newark.  They have already made it through Customs and are waiting for their plane headed for OKC.  Stand by friends and family . . . they'll be home at 10:15 p.m.  Brycie said they are absolutely exhausted.  Coming home from China just wipes you out.  Sandra, Angelo, and Daniela, our dear neighbors and friends, will be with Jim, Hutson, Clare, and Immaculée at the airport to welcome home mama and sister.  They have been at every one of our homecomings, and we thank them.  In fact, they kept Hutson, Clare, and Immaculée on Thursday and Friday while Jim was in Dallas at a two-day seminar.  Priceless friends!  Welcome home, Brycie and Gianna.  We love you.

Here They Come - Beijing Airport

Brycie and Gianna are on their way home - at last!  It is about 11:30 p.m. on Friday night, May 20, here in Oklahoma.  They are about to board their plane from Beijing to Newark, N.J.  Remember, it is 13 hours later in China than Oklahoma, which means it is noontime on Saturday in Beijing.  They will arrive in Newark around 5:00 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) evening, and then arrive in OKC at 10:14 p.m.  Our dream has come true .  .  .  Gianna's almost home, something we've prayed about for months and months.  These pictures are Apple's Facetime, not Skype.  The Skype connection in Beijing was bad so we tried Facetime, and it seems to be considerably better. 

A little Angel coming home.

Jim's Angel.



Red Couch Photos

It is a tradition for adoptive families to take pictures on "The Red Couch" at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou.  Actually, there are many red couches!!  The White Swan will soon remodel, and I hear they are getting rid of the red couches!  What now?!?!  ; )  On Tuesday, May 17, we took our red couch photos.

Beautiful Gianna reads a book while wearing her new traditional Chinese outfit

Gianna and Mama

Mui calls this little one "Thumbelina"!!

The chaos that is the taking of the red couch photo!!

Our group

Brycie and Gianna with Veronica, who was our guide when we adopted Clare in November 2008.  It was wonderful to see her again!

Videos - Visit from Mui's Students

Last Two Days in Shantou - May 14 & 15

May 14, 2011

Traditional Shantou breakfast

Gianna enjoying her multi-grain porridge or congee

Portia

In addition to her job teaching English, Mui also tutors students in English on Saturdays.  Four of her students stopped by and had a great time with Gianna and Portia.

Mui, Marina, ?, Edna, ?, Gianna & Portia

Edna & Gianna

Li Ying and Brycie with the girls

Mui and Brycie with the girls

We saw two of the girls later on our way to the bookstore.  They were excited to see us again!!

Market close to Mui's apartment

Mui, Portia, Li Ying, and Gianna walking to the bookstore

This is the school where Mui teaches and where Li Ying used to attend.

Portia and Confucius

Gianna reading the numbers on her new clock.  She can do it!!  : )

Gianna and Portia with some pretty plants

Saturday afternoon we visited Li Ying's apartment.  She is such a wonderful hostess and keeps an immaculate apartment.  We are so proud for her!!

Li Ying unlocking her door

Living room

Looking from the living room into the kitchen and bathroom

Bedroom

Bathroom

Brycie and sweet Li Ying

Gianna - before she spilled tea on her dress!

Li Ying showing us her photo album.  She even had some pictures of Clare in there, and she gave me one!

Two sweeties!

Okay, so this one's a little ornery!  She put the creme from the middle of a cookie on her face.

Li Ying made tea.

Gianna in Li Ying's t-shirt - after she spilled tea on her dress!

Next, we went to the beach.  It was a little cool and windy, but we still had a great time!!

These people are digging for something to eat.  Ewww!!

May 15, 2011

Our plane left a 1:40 pm on Sunday, so we just hung out Sunday morning and went to the market to buy noodles, which Mui's mom used to prepare a meal for us.

Walking to the market

Fresh noodles!!

Mui's mom welcoming us for lunch.  She and Mui's dad love Gianna so much!!

Mui's precious dad

Mui's dad making  - what else? - tea!!!  ; )

Some of Mui's parents' friends.  They are "overseas Chinese" who live in Singapore.

Noodles - Yum!!!