Last Days

Ella has a American Visa and Jim and I wore sworn in yesterday July 5th. When she arrives in San Francisco on July 7th she will offically be an American citizen! We went up to the Yuntai Gardens on July 5th. They were the most beautiful gardens we have ever seen. Ella and I ahd our picture taken in the rose garden. Today we are packing for the flight to Beijing. Then on July 7th, we leave Beijing at 12 o'clock noon on flight 888 for San Fran.

July Fourth!!

On the Fourth of July we had Ella's travel physical and everything went well. I filled out 10 more pages for her visa in which we will go to the consulate to say the oath on behalf of Ella saying we will provide and support her in the good old U.S.A.

Ella at her travel physical.

Ella in a pretty dress.

Ella ready for a swim!

Visiting the Country Side

On Thursday we went to the country to see how the average Chinese people live... we aren't in Kansas  anymore. There were cement houses with cement floors with all kinds of animals roaming around. But, the kids were playing some Justin Bieber music in the radio. Later we went to lunch at a resturant with a lazy susan. Here are some pictures...

In the car on the way to the country side.

An average home.

Back at the hotel!

Touring With Isabella!

Today we went to the people's park in down town Nanchang. It was a nice park where people were exercising and dancing. We then went to a Buddhist temple and saw the giant bronze Buddha with the four kings that protect him.Also, we lit incense for all five of our family members to bring prosperity and good luck! Tomorrow we are going to drive to the country side and see how the average Chinese actually live.

Ella sleeping alongside a Buddhist monk at the temple!

Ella asleep in the people's park!

Ella in the car with a cute hat!

Introducing Isabella Faith Fu Chang Bono!

Little baby Ella is offcially ours! She is a happy and hungry baby. In the first hour she didn't cry at all. But, when we went back to our hotel room she bumped her ear on the high chair and cried a little. Oh and yeah we surrvived the plane ride to Nanchung!Here are some more pictures...

More Pictures...

More touring...

Touring!

Here are the first of many pictures of our trip. We have toured the Forbidden City, walked Tiananmen Square, and have climbed the Great Wall of China.We will fly to Nanchung Sunday night for Gotcha Ya Day on Monday. Do you notice the Bruin's Stanley Cup shirt?

MADE IT TO BEIJING!

We just want everyone to know that we made it to Beijing. We will be touring the Great Wall and Tienanmen Square tomorrow and we hope to be able to blog during our trip So far we are having a hard time blogging. Please keep checking back.

Melanie and Jim

The Wait is Almost over!

Erik, Emma and I, Wanted to let you both know that we are thinking about you as you fly to China tonight to get Ella. We can't wait to meet her and follow your journey.

You left today and I thought that you might read this when you get to Beijing. Have a nice sleep tonight.

Twas the Night before China adoption Trip/
The Night Before Adoption.

Twas the night before leaving
when all through the house
not a creature was stirring,
including my spouse.
The luggage was packed
and replaced with care
in hopes that our Isabella
would soon find us there.
No child was nestled
or sung in our bed,
she slept that night
on her orphanage bed.

And Mama in her Jammie's
with luggage in sight
had just settled our brains
for a long sleepless night.

When out on the lawn
there arouse such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed
to see what was the matter.

Away to the window
I flew like a flash
tore open the shutter,
and threw up the sash.

The sun on the grass
and the new formed dew
gave promise of morning
time to bid our adieu.

When, what to my wondering
eyes should appear,
but a yellow taxi
and our friends we hold dear.

With a little old driver,
so lively and pip,
I new in a moment
we started out trip.

More rapid than eagles,
to our cities we came,
an we whistled and shouted
and called them by name:

to Dulles, to Beijing, to Nanchang,
and Guangzhou, then back to Beijing
Words that make my heart sing!

From the Great Wall of China
To the Province of Nanchang
Now Dash Away! Dash Away! Dash Away ALL!

Like treasure from heaven
in our arms they did place
our precious new daughter
tears fell from my face.

So up to the hotel room
with our child we flew
our new bundle of joy
"We have presents for you."

And then, in a twinkling,
I heard from the door
"Paperwork to do!"
I heard myself "MORE?"

Like rain from the heavens
when hurricanes fly
Tears just like raindrops
fell from our eyes.

We bathed her and dressed her
from her head to her toe.
With ribbons and dresses
and a giant hair bow.

A bundle of clothes we had
that were to big or to small
We sent to the orphanage
to be shared by them all.

Her eyes-how they twinkled!
Her dimples, how merry!
Her checks were like roses,
my nose red as a cherry!

Her beautiful smile
was drawn up like a bow,
and both her parents
seemed to give off a glow.

A stamp of her foot
and a print from our thumb
made a family of us
the adoption was done!

Passport! and Visa!
then Consulate Visit.
Our paperwork was done?
Afraid that it isn't.

A wink of an eye
and a twist of a head
soon gave me to know
We had nothing to dread.

He spoke a few words,
went straight through our work
double checked our documents
then turned with a jerk.
He wanted to know
"was this the daughter we chose"
and giving a nod,
up from his desk he arose.

They gave the approval
and we gave a loud whistle,
And away we all flew,
like the down of a thistle.

They heard us exclaim,
both me and my wife:
"Blessings to all and to all a good life!"
(by Jack Hilton)

Lot of hugs and have a safe trip
Kathy

FINALLY !

We are finally going to China to pick up our beautiful daughter Isabella Faith Bono! We have been so busy getting ready for this long awaited day. Melanie has almost finished Isabella's nusery, its amazing!. We will be leaving on June 22, flying Boston to San Fancisco on United Airlines and spending the night there. We will get up early and go back to airport and board United flight 889 at 11:14 am to Bejing and arrive the next day at 2:20pm . We will visit:
June 25       The Great Wall and the the Summer Palace
June 26        The Forbidden City
                    Fly to Nanchang
June 27        "Adoption Day"  We finally get to see Isabella after 5 years!
June 27 - July 1...We will become acquanted with our daughter. We will visit Tengwang Tower, the People's Park and The Zoo
July 2            We fly to Guangzhou and stay at The White Swan
July 3             The Yuntai Garden
July 4             We have Isabella's medical check and go to the Pearl Market
July 5              Apply for Isabella's Visa
July 6              Pick up Isabella's Visa and  fly back to Bejing
July 7              Fly to San Francisco on United flight 888 ...We will be either flying to Boston or Manchester through Chicago...not sure yet.....
July 8              Home!!!!!!!!


We will keep updating this blog hopefully every day in China with pictures and stories of our journey...Thanks for tuning in and wish us luck. We will miss evryone back home especially our 2 daughters Emily and Abbey.

Updated Photos!

Here are some updated photos of our little Isabella!

Introducing Gan Fu Chang!

HERE SHE IS!

We are very proud to introduce our beautiful daughter Fu Chang! I haven't been able to stop smiling when I look at her picture She is just perfect. We love those chubby little cheeks and can't wait to make her smile. Oh my, what should we do with all of her hair?  

EXCITING News!

After 4 years, 9 months, and 16 days we finally got the referral call!!! We recieved the call on the 1st of April at 4:04 P.M. I was ecstatic to learn that we had been matched with a beautiful little girl, Gan Fu Chang. She was born on September 21, 2010. She is from the Jaingxi province in the SWI. We have yet to see the referral picture, but we were told that she has lots of hair and chubby cheeks! My family can't wait to see her sweet little face!

The Stork Is In The Air!