More on Isabella

Isabella continues to show us more of her personality each day. On Tuesday, Isabella ran fever all day from her 2nd round of vacations on Monday. She felt horrible and slept most of the morning. We did venture out later that evening when her fever went down and bought some great "squeaky shoes". Four pairs to be exact! On Monday before her vacinations, we went shopping at the Pearl Market. We bought Isabella a pearl necklace, braclet and earrings for her wedding day. Mommy got a pair of pearl earrings too! Overall we had a good time. Last night, we went on a dinner cruise on the Pearl River with friends. It was beautiful! The city was magnificent with the bridges and buildings glowing in the night. Isabella was pooped afterwards! Today, we took pictures on the "Red Couch" at the White Swan. We went to the U.S. Consulate to take our oath for Isabella and get her citizenship documents. We hope to go to the pool afterwards. Isabella loves her frog floatie. Thank you everyone for your prayers and the next time you will hear from us will be when we are back in the states. God bless, Frank, Dawn and Isabella.

***note***Frank is having problems sending pics, so this post did not have pictures.  They will be home soon so we will all see tons of pictures then!

Isabella day 5, 6 and 7

We are now at Shamian Island in Guangzhou. Our flight was long! She cried for about 3 minutes, and then she wiggled the other 2 1/2 hours. Oh yes, and we made the mistake of letting her feed herself rice. Dawn was covered in it! But, the island and White Swan Hotel are Beautiful!! The hotel is very clean and nice! Isabella has a bigger crib and is sleeping all night! The food is delicious! Yesterday we went to a medical clinic for immunizations and a medical check-up for Isabella. She weighs 18.2 pounds. She received four shots. Two in each leg. Mommy and baby both cried. Afterwards, we strolled around the island and did some shopping. Shamain Island is like Savannah in many ways. It's very artsy and has squares with local shops. Today we took Isabella swimming! The pool had a waterfall and was very pretty. A few more highlights...The White Swan Hotel had a special Barbie doll with a blonde Barbie holding a Chinese baby and a very nice letter expressing the hotel's gratitude about adopting Isabella. The hotel had a play room designed by Mattel just for babies and younger children. Isabella loved playing in there. Tonight we are going to Lucy's, an American theme restaurant and then more shopping. Did I mention they have great squeaky shoes? Thank you everyone for all of your prayers and we can't wait for Isabella to meet everyone when we return from China.

Day #3 and #4 with Isabella!!

Day three and four with Isabella is wonderful! She is such a sweet, beautiful blessing! She has a cold so please pray that she will get well before we fly home. A few things we have learned, she loves bananas, playing with her toys, and bath time. She has the best little laugh. When she does laugh she crinkles up her nose. It is too cute!! During our stay in Zhengzhou, we have been to the park and a Museum. Isabella is really good in a high chair. Mommy and daddy are happy about that. I have a few thank you's I need to give. Thank you Kim for updating our blog! Thanks Sharon for making Isabella this precious dress! Thanks Lori for this fabulous hat! She is too cute in this outfit! I hope you enjoy the pictures! Lori - I hope you are feeling better. We are praying for a speedy recovery! A few more thank you's. Amy, thanks for the "Sleep Sheep" and baby food! They both are a huge hit with Isabella. Geraldine, thank you for taking us to the airport at 3:30 am! The leggings you gave Isabella fit perfect! Thank you friends and family for your prayers! Please continue to pray! It's working!!

Cutie Patootie!

ZhengZhou Museum

Things are going well with Isabella

She is so sweet! The first day was unbelievable! She played, ate, took a bath great, slept all night 9-7. Both mommy and daddy were happy about that. Day #2 went well also. We finished our paperwork and she is officially a FEGEL! We have taken a lot of pictures of Isabella and we will share them with everyone when we return from China! Please continue to keep us in your prayers and we are looking forward to returning home.
Love Frank and Dawn.

We are about to meet Isabella!!!!

Today is Sunday, we have been busy over the past few days. We went to the Great Wall, the Olympic Bird's Nest and Water Cube. We went to a Jade Factory and Silk Factory. Last night we saw a Chinese Acrobat Show that was AMAZING! I am so proud of Frank! He has been so at ease in China! We flew to Zhengzhou today and are at the Crown Plaza. This hotel is nice! We went to dinner tonight with a big group of friends and we all went to walmart to get things for our babies and little ones. While we were at dinner, they brought in the baby crib............we are reallly doing this! Tomorrow is the big day!!! We will meet Isabella at 9:30 am!!! Keep us in your prayers! We pray that she will attach easily! I had more paper work on her today. They said she LOVES PUPPIES!!! Imagine that! She is going to fit in with Oscar, Hannah, and Gracie! I will try to get picture down loaded soon. It has been hard with computer issues! Thank you for your support & prayers! Keep them coming! God is listening and holding us in his hand! We feel very realxed and at ease........Let's hope we feel that way at lunch time!

Love~

Dawn

We're here in China!

We are enjoying Beijing! The flight over was long but smooth and we had GREAT seats! We slept as much as possible on the plane but we were still wiped out when we got here. We are staying at the Holiday Inn in Beijing and the room is nice and large. Today we went to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and went for a ride on a Rickshaw Bicycle. We toured a silk factory and bought some awesome silk pillows and sheets. We also bought some beautiful dresses for Isabella and Carson (our newest niece). At lunch we went to a Tai Restaurant and watched traditional Chinese dancers. We have met several families traveling in the group and are getting to know more about each of them as the days pass. We are counting down the days until we meet Isabella. We have taken lots of pictures and will upload them the next time we get on the computer. Tomorrow, we have plans to see the Great Wall and a Chinese Acrobat Show.

Please continue to send lots of prayers! We have received them! They are working! Frank has not been anxious and I have been really relaxed! Thank you Lord for your protection and Safety! Please continue to look after our family! Also, thank you for baby Carson! I hear she is beautiful! and I can't wait to meet her! I have a beautiful dress for you baby girl! THANK YOU LORD FOR ALL OF THE BLESSINGS YOU HAVE GIVEN US AND ALL THE WONDERFUL ONES WE ARE YET TO RECEIVE WITH THE BIGGEST BEING ISABELLA!

Love,

Dawn & Frank

We're Packing Our Bags!!!! Isabella is 13 Months Old!

Our bags are packed and we are ready to go and get our “BABY GIRL!” We will be leaving for China on Wednesday, July 14th. We will spend a few days touring in Beijing and then on the 18th, we will be traveling to Zhengzhou to get Isabella. We will get her on the 18th. This will be her "GOTCHA DAY!" She will officially be our daughter on July 20th. We will then travel to Guangzhou for her medical exam. We will be there a few days and then we will travel to Hong Kong. We will arrive back in the states on July 31st in Jacksonville, Florida at 11:15 PM. Please remember to keep us in your prayers as we travel and begin parenting Isabella. These weeks will be very busy and very exciting! Diane, my sister, will also begin motherhood this week. She should deliver her daughter Carson the day before we leave. I am so happy she will have Josh, Memaw, Aunt Debbie and Sharon to help her as she transitions into these new and exciting days! Thank you for being there for Diane and Josh as we travel! I would love to see Carson before we travel, but unless she gets her show on the road soon; we will have to meet in August!

Heavenly Father, please let this transition into motherhood be happy and as painless as possible for both Diane and me. I pray for guidance and patience for me, Frank, Josh, and Diane! I pray that you will provide us with everything we will need to provide the love, support and respect these beautiful little girls will need their entire life. I pray that you nurture and protect Diane as she is bringing Carson into the world! I pray that she will be ready and running when she begins her new life with this precious baby girl! I love you Diane! I am so thrilled and happy for you! I might not be here for the delivery, but I can assure you I will be here for the rest of Carson’s life! I am so happy I have my two best friends (you and Frank) to share this new chapter of our lives! I can’t wait for this new adventure to begin!

Getting Ready For China and Baby Carson!

WOW! I can't believe that we are finally packing to go get Isabella!!!! This journey has been long and emotional but we are almost at the end. WE look forward to the beginning of our new life with our beautiful daughter Isabella. She will be 13 months old when we meet her. We will fly out of Jacksonville, FL on July 14th. We will be back on July 31st. Please pray for us as we travel, start the newness of being parents, and as we come together as a family. We pray that Isabella will adjust to her new life with us, attach with ease, and that she will be HAPPY. We will be in the following cities in China as we travel. Beijing, Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. Please keep us in your prayers! Please pray for Diane, Josh and baby Carson as they experience the newness of their family and parenthood. I am praying that Diane will have the baby before the 12th so that I can meet Carson before we travel. Carson~ Hurry up and get here! Your Auntie D. wants to meet you! Diane and I will finally experience the joys of motherhood! I wish Mama was here to meet both of these little ladies. But knowing how WONDERFUL our God is, I'm sure she has already met and loved them before we knew they were ours! Thank you Lord for Carson and Isabella. I pray that you give us everything we need to be Great Godly parents! I pray that these girls will have long and happy lives!

God Bless~

Dawn