7 years ago Today

7 Years ago today we meet Jasmine Qing Shan for the first time, in Jiangxi China.  After 2 years of waiting, it was an amazing feeling to finally have our baby.  It seems strange that it has been that long, she is the age now my oldest was when we traveled to pick her up.   

"Well Jazz, you have enriched our lives more than we ever imagined.  It was a hard road some times, but one that was worth every step traveling it with you.  We love you more than you understand and know, you are our daughter in every way.  We thank your birth parents for the parts they gave you that we couldn't.   Our lives have become a quite an adventure.  You are such an amazing little girl, and we are so proud to be your parents."  Happy adoption Day xxxx

 

Home Land Visit

Shangrao

Nanchang

I can't believe how fast this year has gone, and that it is a week and a half till we leave for China.  We are taking Jasmine back to see her country for the first time since she was 16mths, which she is so excited about.  We are leaving on the 29th July and flying in to Shanghai, where we will spend a few nights.  We are then taking the train (yes a chinese train) from Shanghai to Shangrao (Jiangxi province) where Jasmine Qing Shan was born.  This will be REAL China for sure, well for 4 nights it will be.
When we adopted her we were not allowed to travel there to meet her, they bought her to the capital Nanchang where we were staying, so this will be the first time we actually see her home town as well.  We will get to visit the Orphanage there (which they charge for!) and she will meet the nannies who looked after her.   We are also going back to Nanchang to stay in the hotel where they handed Jasmine to us, so that she can see all these 'landmark' places that make up her story.  After Nanchang we are flying to Hong Kong for two nights before coming home, and having some fun.  Hopefully Ocean park of Disney Land, and of course Markets!
I am not sure what this will all be like traveling with our youngest Chanel, hopefully she will be a trooper, but she is so fussy with food.

Ocean Park

Shanghai

7 Years ago today

It was 7 years ago today that we got to see the face of our daughter.  We received her referral and a few photos, and then the  long 8 week wait began before we could pick her up.   

Her name was Rao Qing Shan, and she was born in Jiangxi Province, Shangrao.  She was 13mths at the time of her referral and 15mths when we got to hold her for the first time.

Such happy memories, and such an amazing journey, and exciting way to build a family.  

We love you Jasmine