Photo on Gotcha Day and home 1 month

Thank you Maria's!

We've been home almost one month now! Things are great. The first week home was the toughest. Luke just froze when we got here. He was terrified of the dog and cat, and I guess the whole house. For the first 3 days he wouldn't get off the couch. Now he is happiest when Drake and Lila are home. When they are at school he asks all day when we can go get them. His favorite things to do are jumping on the trampoline and riding the (John Deere) Gator.

We got his medical records from Maria's Big House Of Hope (founded by Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman), and they were very eye opening! We do not think our sweet little boy would be alive  had it not been for Maria's. He was taken there at almost 2 months weighing only 4.4 lbs, and suffering from pneumonia. Yes, 4.4 lbs. at 2 months. 2 months later he was hospitalized for 14 days with pneumonia again, and was treated in NICU. Had he not been at Maria's, I'm not sure he would have been sent to the hospital at all. He received so much love and care at Maria's,  and they beefed him up to 18 lbs by the time he was 18 months. Unfortunately, he had to go back to the orphanage at this time. Then, for the next 18 months, he only gained 4 more lbs. so sad. He seems to be doing well now, and has gained 4 more lbs since he has been home. He has not visited the pediatrician yet, so I'll post again after that.

Traveling!

So ready to be home. We left our hotel room in China 30 hours ago. Waiting now at LAX for our last flight. We will land in Nashville at 5 am Saturday. He's worth it though! Jason and I didn't sleep on the plane ride, but all 3 kids slept most of  the big flight. Our plans are to stay up all day Saturday to get back on TN sleep schedule.
Lila is not feeling well...hopefully that will blow over soon!

Almost time to go!

Right now it's 2:00 pm on Thurs. We leave tomorrow morning to come home! Jason is the most ready!
Our time in Guangzhou has been nice. Luke has adapted really well to our family. We've gone to some neat places, and seen neat things. But now I am excited to get Luke home and start normal life.

pics

Gotcha + 7

Luke had to go today for his physical in order to get his Visa. He only weighs 22 lbs! The report the orphanage sent had 33 lbs. Everything checked out fine. He and I went while the others stayed at hotel.
Lila, Luke, and I went swimming. He loves the water,and likes to jump in off the side. Unfortunately he's not afraid of it at all, so we will need to teach him how to swim soon.
We went on a river cruise tonight. Dinner was interesting, but we had eaten a late lunch so we didn't eat much on the boat. All I know is I saw shrimp with the eyes still in, and I heard something about chicken heads.... I had a roll. The view was beautiful. The country has very interesting and beautiful architecture.
Tomorrow we go to the zoo and see pandas! We will have our official appointment with the US Consulate on Wed,and will get Luke's Visa on Thurs. then home!!!

Gotcha Day + 6

Good day today. We went on a sightseeing tour this morning with part of our group. Came back and went swimming. Jason taught Luke to jump in off the side, so he loves doing that! Then  Jason worked on Visa papers, then to a Mexican restaurant with most of our group.
Jason is feeling better. Thanks for the prayers.