In Hohhot

Well, it's late here and all three kids are sleeping, so I will fit in as much as I can to update people.  We arrived in Beijing on Friday night and went right to the hotel.  I'm not going to lie, our flight was long.  I thought the girls would sleep more on the plane, but I think the unlimited movie screen in front of them was a heavy temptation, as well as the thought of sleeping in an airplane seat.  We all got around 3 hours sleep, which was actually a blessing because when we got to Beijing we were all exhausted and were able to go right to sleep which has helped us immensely.

We were very busy in Beijing and we got to meet some other families that we will see again in Guangzhou.  The first day we went to The Summer Palace, a silk factory, The Temple of Heaven and we saw an amazing acrobatic show that night.  Again, we all fell into bed exhausted after.  On Sunday, we saw the Great Wall which was so surreal and amazing.  I will post some pictures as soon as we take the time to load some onto this computer.  We flew to Hohhot last night, went to bed and got up early this morning to eat breakfast, exchange money and MEET OUR NEW SON!

I cannot even describe seeing him sitting in the chair in the lobby, like the pictures I have been seeing for a year come to life.  He was so happy and let Chris hold him right away.  We had to go to a meeting room and sign a bunch of papers and we could ask questions about his life from the orphanage workers.  We also found out that we are not allowed to visit the orphanage, so that was very disappointing because we were hoping to have some pictures to show him in the future.  He had a few tears, but for the most part he is just a joyously happy little boy.  So amazing!  He loves playing with his sisters and he has been carrying the cars we got him around everywhere.  He is so gorgeous!
Tomorrow we get up early to do the notary appointment which will begin the process for his passport.  Then we wait until Friday to receive it.  He is so good about playing in the hotel room, which is good because it is very cold here!  We just can't even describe the immense feeling of God's blessings that we were able to adopt him and make him a part of our family.  It's beautiful and we are so grateful for the part everyone reading this has played, through prayers and help in numerous other ways.  Please continue to pray for his heart, because he will continue grieving and missing everything he has lost, but for now we are so grateful for how the first day has gone.  I will update whenever I can and add some pictures too.  :)

 However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10