ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!

A year ago today, Scott and I were sitting on the tarmac of the Beijing International Airport on a Chinese airplane watching a very detailed safety video about how we were to take off our glasses and high healed shoes if the plane was to crash! I remember feeling very apprehensive about the fact that we may indeed crash because we were experiencing the first snowstorm of the year in that huge city. We ended up being stuck on that plane for hours anxiously waiting to get our wings de-iced so we could FINALLY go meet our son! The seats are smaller on a Chinese airplane, and I remember starting to feel a little claustrophobic. I remember almost having a panic attack thinking that the flight would get cancelled and we would not be able to pick up Jonathan. The China-doll flight attendants (they did look like dolls - just beautiful) started serving our breakfast while we sat on the runway watching the snow rapidly accumulate outside. We had the choice between a "Chinese" breakfast or a "Western" breakfast. Scott couldn't really understand what the flight attendant was saying when she said "Western", so he ordered us the "Chinese" meal. I was starving.....stress does that to me. We received a hot-foiled disposable tray and a cold one. I ripped open the hot one and was presented with a pasty-textured white substance. I carefully took my spoon out and had a wee taste. GROSS!! It kind of tasted like a cardboard box (don't ask me why I know what that tastes likes). I desperately started searching for a packet of sugar (the fix-all), but found only salt. The Chinese don't care for sweet things very much, so I was really feeling out of my element. I think what made it worse was the couple we were traveling with was sitting behind us. They ordered the "Western" meal which consisted of scrambled eggs, toast, sausage, and all that is beautiful and wonderful. I do have to admit the sausage looked like a pale human index finger, but I'm sure it tasted wonderful!! We finally took off (4 hours late) for Nanjing where we would pick up our long-awaited son at the adoption agency.

When we landed, there was about a 45 minute van ride to the city. We were already late for our appointment, and our guide, Lilly, called them and told them we were on our way. We were all considerably nervous, excited, terrified, and overjoyed - all at once. Having those mixtures of emotions go through your body on an empty stomach is a real rush - I recommend it :).

The driver of the van got lost! Marcella (the other adopting Mom) and I were almost jumping out of our skins. Finally, we pulled up to this two story building that looked like it might fall down at any minute. We had no idea what to expect. We thought that maybe we would be brought into a room and have our children brought to us. This is what I read on many blogs of people who have adopted from China - but every city does it a little differently. We grabbed our cameras and gifts (it is a custom to bring gifts for the orphanage director and nannies). We anxiously stumbled through the front door of the building. Now, I can remember this like it happened yesterday - I looked to the left of me at these big, glass double doors. Standing there with his face pressed against the glass looking out at us was Jonathan! I couldn't believe it!! Marcella pointed and said, "There's Jonathan!" (She'd seen pictures). I think I was in a little bit of shock. I wish Scott had videotaped my face, but he was trying to turn the thing on thinking we would have plenty of time to get our cameras ready before we saw him! I remember running to the door, but Lilly, our translator, got there first. She scooped Johnnie up and hugged him. I waited about 10 seconds then pried him out of her arms (I've never been known for my patience)! Johnnie was all smiles. He didn't know us at all, but he let me hug and kiss on him. He played with Scott and I, and we had big fun. Scott and I were shocked at how big he was. The latest picture we had of him was months old, and we just assumed he would be a little guy. I think we only had one outfit with us that was big enough for him. Johnnie was dressed in several layers which consisted of mostly Hello Dolly and pink girl clothes (there were probably not many boys in the orphanage). All the other kids being adopted had already left with their parents because we were late getting to the adoption agency. The only ones left were Jonathan and Marcella's son, CJ. We stayed in that room for a while, signed some papers, went upstairs to have our pictures taken, then we climbed into a cab and left. Jonathan sat on my lap (no car seats and usually no seat belts in the taxis). Jonathan never cried. He went willingly with us and enjoyed the ride. We spent the day in our hotel room getting to know this little fella.

Like I said before, I can't believe a year has gone by. He's now potty-trained, speaking English, and having a BLAST with us. God is an amazing God. I can't shout out praises for His awesomeness enough!!

We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a New Year filled with the blessings and hope only our Father can give. We love you!!!