Day Two...We are a Family!!

We slept all night and woke up to big hugs this morning!!

Some brotherly bonding before breakfast.

Not sure about this jelly stuff, but Daddy likes it...

It's a winner!! He ate 2 pieces!

Everybody enjoying their breakfast!

Showing Daddy the way back to our room.

So I didn't get any of the cool pictures of us signing the papers and all that jazz, but as of today at about 10am, China time, Chen QiLong is officially our son. We are so happy!! 

After we left the Civil Affairs office, our guide told us that we could go visit the place where QiLong was found, if we wanted to. He had become a little distant since we left the office and we were a little worried that it might be too much for one morning. But then, we pulled up to a hospital and we were there. So we decided to go ahead and do it. We feel like it's important for his future to have as many pieces of the puzzle as possible. 

 

6 years ago a baby boy was found on these stairs.
Today, we have a picture of this same boy with his family.
Forever.

 A very emotional part of our day, but a part that is a piece of his story. It's something that he might want to know about when he gets older. It's not something that we will every be able to understand. For one thing, how is it possible that someone could leave a baby in this place without someone noticing? Did someone notice? Would they have said anything if they had? For whatever reason, and however she may have done it, I spent some time on my knees for a certain mama out there who probably has no idea what became of her little boy. I pray that she knows within her heart that he is well and that he is so loved. I pray that if she doesn't already know that she will meet someone who will tell her about a Savior who loves her, no matter what. And I pray that I will always teach her son that true love doesn't always look pretty. There is no doubt in my mind that she loved him. 

She chose to give him life.

That is a gift I will forever be grateful for.

On the way home from there, QiLong was even more quiet and eventually he began to cry. It could have been for any one of a hundred reasons why, but it was almost as if he knew what this day meant. He was finally able to begin to grieve. And thankfully he let us comfort him, and seemed to want that. Oh, it broke our hearts, that he has so much to grieve for. But we have hope. Because we know the promises given. We know what we have to look forward to. And we know the One who makes it all possible. 

We came back and had some noodles for lunch! Aren't they cute?!

Then we all snuggled up for some cuddles and a nap.

I'm taking the picture, but just imagine me there on the right.

My amazing boys!!

QiLong woke up first and we had a good long talk and we looked at pictures of friends and family on the computer. He also so lots of pictures of himself and watched all his own videos. He even told me the names of all his friends that were in some of his pictures.

 We were told yesterday that he really liked it when a guy came in and gave a performance with this instrument. We went into a little shop today and he pointed right at it and wanted to see it. He's a smart boy!

He wanted his picture taken with these little characters.

I would say Day Two was a little harder. In some aspects. Bedtime was still a bit of a struggle tonight and Silas took cues from Sean and started crying as well. We just have to figure out what routine works best for everybody and get used to it.

But we had some big things happen today and some great acheivements happened, so we are thankful. And we know that each day will get easier.

Tomorrow will probably be our busiest day while we are here. Jusitn and I will have to split up, which I'm not too excited about. Justin will go get some documents notarized at the Consulate while I take QiLong to his medical appointment. The medical is often pretty hard for the kiddos. We are hoping for the best though and will be thankful for how Father gets us through. After medical, we have a Chinese notary appointment, and then we will apply for his passports.

It will be a long day for such a little guy, so prayers are still appreciated!! Thank you!!

Day One

Our first day as a family of five was truly abundantly more than we could ask or imagine! The Lord totally came through for us today. There were no tears, there was only joy. I feel a little guilty saying that it feels almost like a fairytale. Words can't even begin to describe how surreal this day was. He has tested a few boundaries, and keeping up with 3 boys is a little bit harder than we realized, especially with one that is so curious about everything, so we are tired. But he has responded very well to our redirection and seems to be so happy to be here. He was prepared very well and he has been taken such good care of. We are so thankful. I will keep my words few, because I for once don't have many. Just so much gratefulness and awe at my loving Father who is faithful to His promises. All of the glory and honor are His.

We received this picture from
the orphanage director
while they were on the way.
He is looking at our pictures.

Last family of 4 picture

So nervous!!

A little nervous at first

But then we made our way to the couch and he
realized Daddy had a phone.

And the rest of the time he was all smiles.

                       

This moment, on the way to dinner, was our first meltdown.
Silas was tired and so Justin picked him up and that broke
poor little Sean's heart. It was a hard moment for all of us.
We made sure Sean got to sit beside Daddy at dinner and all was
well from then on. We will make sure we have naptime tomorrow too!
But on the bright side, Silas was showering Daddy with hugs during our walk
and even gave him a big kiss!!

 As we walked, Silas watched everything. He was quiet as a mouse and you could see on his face the look of deeply taking in all the sights and sounds. His world became a lot bigger today.

He likes pizza!

So in love with this!

Ready for bed!

Bedtime was a little tough in the beginning. But we made it through. Sean was so tired and so I rocked him to sleep to give him a little extra loves. A couple of times while I was rocking Sean, Silas sat up and watched us. So when I laid Sean down, I told Justin to bring Silas over to me and he let me rock him too for a good while. He eventually wanted to go lay back down, but it was a sweet time. I pray that he will fully embrace our love and someday know the Father's love that reaches far deeper than mine ever will.

We couldn't be more blessed. Goodnight!!

THANK YOU to all of you who were lifting us up on this day! We couldn't have made it without our cloud of witnesses surrounding us. We literally felt the armies of angels around us several times today. The gift of your prayers is PRICELESS!!

Here is to a restful night of sleep. Tomorrow is a new day with new challenges I'm sure.

We will be returning to the same place we went to today to sign our paperwork. 

Today we are only his guardians. Tomorrow, he becomes our son.