Lilly Update

The Bryants did make their flight and returned safely home on time. Here is an update that I received from one of their friends:

I just talked to Jan and she asked that I give you an update on Lilly.Lilly has had many tests and seen many different specialists. Her VSD(hole in the heart) is moderate and will need surgery to correct. They feel her cough, "pneumonia" is viral and is not responding to treatment because of it being viral. She has some other things going on but nothing that the doctors feel can't be managed or get better once she is better. She has been tested for a multitude of things to rule out other reasons for her cough. They have r/o the flu and RSV so far. She is getting to come home right now!! The treatments she needs can be done at home. Jan is exhausted. Pray for her to get rest and for Lilly to adjust to the time difference from China so that she sleeps in US time and not China. Pray for Lilly to get well and then for the right timing for her surgery and that she would stay well enough for it to be done.

We Are Home!!!

I just wanted to quickly let everyone know that we made it home last night about 11:40. Much later than the 6:40 we were expecting - due to many plane delays. It was a very, very, long trip home.
Lainie is doing great. She did really well with the large crowd at the airport. Thanks to all of you who came, made signs, left phone messages, put balloons on mailboxes, cleaned my house, brought my family food and so, so, much more.
We haven't heard from the Bryants today. Lilly did well on the trip home. They were scrambling to meet their connecting flight in Chicago when we last saw them. I'm hoping that they made it and were able to get home quickly. If not they were on stand-by for another flight. So, they actually could just be leaving Chicago today. I pray that is not the case. I will post here when I hear something. I know that many of you prayed for Lilly and are anxious to hear how she is doing.
I'll post some pictures of our homecoming in the next day or so.
Thanks again for all who have followed our journey and covered us with your prayers. Now we can't wait for all of you to see her in person!
"We have shared together the blessing of God." Philippians 1:7

Last Post From China!

This picture is of Lainie taking her nap today. She is covered by the baby prayer shawl made for her by the ladies in our church who have the shawl ministry. I've covered her in it every night. She is not just covered in a blanket, but covered with the prayers of many.

Today is our LAST DAY! We've finished our shopping this morning and this afternoon we have the big swearing in at the US Consulate. Before that we have a group photo. I can't wait for you to see the precious faces of the children in our group. Tonight we are free for packing and getting ready to leave. We have to leave the hotel at 4am. (This will be 4pm for you on the 23rd) We fly to Hong Kong, then Chicago, then to CHARLOTTE, NC. We hope to land around 6:30pm on Thursday the 24th. We really have enjoyed our time here, seeing a different culture has been very interesting. But, we must say we are spoiled Americans and ready to be back in our own culture. I wish there were words to adequately thank you for all the many things you have done for us, large and small. We hope that through our journey, you have seen the hand of God at work. As we enter this final day of traveling, I leave you with some precious words that someone reminded me of a few days ago...."Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home."

All of our love.....

Bobby, Jennifer, Lainie and Mamaw

Just Pictures

Is she cute or what? Lainie has done a great job adjusting to her new surroundings. She is very happy and doesn't have any sad and scared moments like she had the first day or two. Yet another answer to prayer.

Answered Prayers

Many prayers have been answered. Today Lainie seems better. Although we are still having trouble communicating with the clinic, we found another pediatric nurse who is here adopting who listened had her stethoscope and listened to Lainie's lungs. She didn't think it was serious at all. She did say that her murmur is still pronounced, but we already knew that. I also got to talk to Pam Martin from home. Just hearing her calming voice made me rest easier. So, we are much more relaxed now. She will still have one more shot tomorrow morning. She passed the physical exam that is required for us to leave. PRAISE THE LORD. Lilly also left the hospital to go to the exam and she was also given permission to leave with documented noncontagious illness. The Bryants are very relieved that they are going to be back to a US hospital on time. Thank you for your prayers. God has been so good to put the right people in our path who could ease our mind and give us good direction. Although I would have chosen to make this trip without Lainie getting sick, I would do it a million times over for this sweet precious child. We are in the White Swan Hotel. This is the last stop for all families who are adopting children from anywhere in the country of China. The breakfast room was full this morning with at least 100 American families and their newly adopted Chinese babies. I could hardly eat because of the golf ball size lump in my throat. I know what a leap of faith this journey was for us and as I looked at all those families who also answered God's call and took that same leap, I was overwhelmed by his goodness. He calls these families so that he can use them to rescue his children who have been cast aside by our mixed up world. I just thought about how He must be looking down on that breakfast room and smiling at His precious children. This morning during my quiet time I turned to Psalm 139 - my favorite verse. It was so appropriate for the past few days.

Lord, You have searched me and you know me.

You know when I sit down and when I rise.

You perceive me thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down.

You are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely.

You hem me in - behind and before .

You have laid your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your spirit ?

Where can I flee from your presence ?

If I go up to the heavens you are there;

If I make my bed in the depths you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the FAR SIDE OF THE SEA,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold fast. (and man oh man have I been squeezing His hand these last few days )

Thank you for those who have prayed for strength and peace for us. He has sent it to us in so many ways. So from now until Thursday morning we just wait for the Visa and then WE ARE OUT OF HERE!!!

Waiting on the Medical Exam

Just for Sherry F and Wendy Lucas.......

Drawing a crowd every where we go. These teenagers were really taken by her. They took a million pictures with their camera phones.

Being a big girl at the medical exam. They said she weighs 20 pounds.

I love my mamaw because she takes me wherever I want to go...... spoiled already !!!

4 fllights down, 3 to go....

On the airplane ride from Changsha to G-Zhou.Typical Chinese apartment living. These are EVERYWHERE. Some are over 40 stories high, but this is a small complex.

Saying Good-bye to our Changsha Guide, Peter. He was simply extraordinary. Please note that I am almost as tall as him. I'm feeling really tall around here.

Today we made our fourth airplane ride from Changsha to G-zhou. It was only about an hour flight and Lainie didn't like it one bit....... a big thanks to Aunt JuJu for sending the M&Ms. They are what got us through. We picked up Lilly on the way to the airport. As soon as we landed here David and Jan were off to find another hospital. I haven't heard from them yet. (It is 11:03pm here). Bobby is hanging out in their room while their girls sleep until one of them gets back in.

It was great to be back with all of the CWA group again. We greeted each other like we were long lost friends. Tonight we all also had dinner together... it was CHAOS. There are two two year old boys who have been adopted by famlies in our group. Two year old boys..... need I say more. Lainie just sat perfectly still and took it all in. I think that was the most action she had seen in her little life. I wish you could see these boys. They are ADORABLE.

We are a little more concerned about Lainie's health today. Her cough just seems to get a little worse each day. This morning I noticed a rattle in her chest. If this were one of my three healthy kids at home, I would have given it a few days to clear up on its on, but in light of her VSD and Lilly's situation, we really felt like she needed some medical attention. Now here is where the stress comes in. There are no medical "clinics" here. Just hospitals. We didn't really feel like we needed to go that route, so our CWA rep suggested we see the Dr. at the hotel Clinic. This is a very nice 5 star hotel - so we figured the medical office was probably up to par. Thing is, the doctor didn't speak English. Her assistant spoke a little english. So there we are, trying to explain to these people that Lainie has VSD and we are concerned about the rattle in her lungs. They thought we were saying something about a high fever.... (Which she doesn't have). Finally, our CWA rep who speaks English and Chinese showed up to help. The doctor said that Lainie had a moderate case of broncitis (sp). She wanted to give her four injections of antibiotic and some other meds. At this point I really thought I was just going to lose it. How were we supposed to make this decision? No one can tell us what kind of medicine it is or if it will be okay for her heart. I just had to walk out of the room and get myself together for a minute. Finally, Bobby and I decided that we would do it. We really felt like her "lung issues" needed to be treated. So, Lainie got a shot today and will get three more before we leave here. I did have enough wits about me to have them give me the names of the meds. So, when we got back to the room we called our good friend, Cecil Davis who is a pharmacist, and woke him up to find out if this was what she needed. While these are not meds commonly used in the US, he said it should treat what she has. All that to say, please pray for Lainie too. Our worry is just compounded by how sick Lilly is. Lainie really seems fine. She is laughing and playing and she isn't running a temp. But I still have concerns about how her lungs effect her heart, etc. Praise the Lord we will be home on Thursday and we can go to our regular doctor. I will never, ever, ever complain about how long I have to wait in the doctor's office, or how much it cost, we are so blessed with good healthcare in the US. I'll end with some pictures from the day. Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments. You have NO IDEA how much they mean to us. And Katie, especially for you, what a blessing you have been. If our kids turn out like you we will consider ourselves blessed beyond measure.

Jennifer

Playing with bubbles in the room before we left Changsha.

Trey, Jillian and Will - only 4 more sleeps until we are all together again. I miss you like crazy! Jillian - I can't wait to see those new crocs!

Signing Off From Changsha

It is Sunday morning here around 11:00am. We will be leaving shortly to head to the airport. We will be stopping by the hospital to pick up Lilly and her Dad. Then we are headed to G-zhou. We are so glad to be leaving here. I would ask each of you to have your churches say special prayers for Lilly when you go to church tomorrow. She is very, very, sick. She will go straight to the hospital in G-zhou when we land there. Please pray that they can get her well enough to be approved for a visa to leave on Thursday. When she lands in the US she will go straight to the hospital there as well. Please tell everyone you know to lift up the Bryant family.

Lainie continues to do well. She is very, very happy. She does continue to have a cough that concerns me somewhat. No fever, but just a loose cough. Jan, who is a nurse and brought her stethoscope, said that she can hear some "crackling" in her lungs but she didn't think it was anything to worry about yet. We may still check in with the hospital in G-zhou just for our peace of mind. She took the last of her Zithromax today.

We love you all and are so thankful for the prayers that you have said on our behalf. Today we do feel a little sad about leaving the province where Lainie was born. It makes me sad to think that not only her family, but also her country abandoned her. Praise the Lord though, that God does not abandon his children. As I've said before, there are no orphans of God.

Trey, Jillian, Will and all of the BIG Barbee/Russell bunch.... You have no idea how we long to see your faces at the airport. You better bring the Kleenex. You just can't imagine how this little girl will take your breath away. She is very outgoing so be ready to give her all of the hugs and kisses that you want!!!!!!

To our dear friends who have left such encouraging and touching comments, you will never know how much they have meant to us. In the US when we don't see you everyday, we know that you are just a phone call away if we need to talk. It has been difficult here to be so "friendless". We can't wait to see all of you too!!!

Signing off from Changsha.... more aware of God's grace and goodness than ever before.....

Bobby, Jen, Lainie and Mamaw

Cuties

The Embroidery Factory

Lainie with her Mommy and Daddy.... at last.

Ladies at the embroidery factory...

Embroidered TigerWatching one of the ladies at the embroidery factory. The small piece of paper is a photograph that she is using as a guide. The large piece is all stiches. Incredible.McDonald's..... She's loving it !!!
(Remember that you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.)

This morning we had breakfast in the hotel and then we went to the embroidery factory. Hunan Province is well-known for its remarkable embroidery. I was expecting to see something like advanced cross-stitch, but wow, it was so much more than that. When these pieces are framed on the wall they look like a framed photograph. The pictures probably won't do them justice.

Lainie continues to do well. She still has a cough, but no fever and she is feeling great. Lilly, however, was admitted to another hospital today. She will be there for the remainder of the time that we are in Changsha and then she will go the another hospital immediately when we arrive in G-Zhou. Please pray for she and her family. Their other two daughters, ages 10 and 7 have had to stay with us while their parents are in the hospital with Lilly. Please, please, pray for Lilly Bryant and pray also that Lainie has not, and will not pick up what she has.

Today we also went to McDonald's for lunch. Lainie LOVED the cheeseburger and fries. That's my girl !!!!

Please pray also that God will grant us peace during these next days. We are all very anxious about Lilly's condition and every time Lainie's coughs I feel like I am going to have a panic attack. We are also very stir crazy in this hotel. We are ready to move on to the next destination. From what we understand there will be many more shops/restaurants, etc. in walking distance from our hotel. We are so diappointed that the Bryants are spending their time in the hospital. We were really looking forward to having fun together. It is also hard for their girls because there just isn't much to do here unless you are willing to venture out in a taxi- NOT!!!

I hope that didn't sound too whiny. I know you can all understand what it is like to be ready to go home! We really, really miss our kids too.

On a happier note, today as we were walking with Lainie, I was just thinking to myself that a week ago, she was a forgotten child of this country. A nobody. Now she has two parents here and a army of family and friends who would give their lives for her. Now that is God, and that is amazing.

Keep the comments coming..... they are keeping us going. You can also leave a comment for the Bryants if you wish. There is a link to their website to the right of this page.

For My Students ( I think everyone else will enjoy them too)

I tried this morning to walk over to the school and get some good photos for you, but they have a very large gate with an alarm and they wouldn't even let me get close, so I had to come back to my hotel room and take them from the window. We are on the 11th floor so they are a little far away. The children at this school begin their day at 8am. They all walk to school. They go home for a two hour lunch break from about 12:30 until 2 and then they stay at school on most days until 6 or 7 o'clock. There isn't a set dismissal time, they just leave when their teacher finishes with them for the day. So, if you are the last one finished, you just stay there as long as it takes for you to complete your work.
You can't tell in this photo very well (above) but these boys were fighting. Reminded me of home.

Every little while music plays and they all line up to go back inside for more lessons.
Each morning the entire school comes out and they raise three flags. I think they are the flag of China, the flag for the Hunan Province and their school flag.
I will post more pictures in another post. I can only post five at a time. Right now it is 2:00 and I haven't eaten lunch yet, so I will post them later. Our guide found Subway for us today. I am SOOOO excited ! I know many of you are praying for Lainie. Here's what I would like for you to pray for: We are having a difficult time finding something that she likes to eat. Even the things that our guide orders for her that she should be used to eating she doesn't like it either. Right now she is just basically eating cheerios and rice. Thank you guys for caring so much about Lainie. She loves kids so she will love it when she comes to school to visit you. I will post more interesting China pictures soon. I love you !!!!!!! Mrs. Barbee

Daddy's Day!

Everyone wants to know why Bobby isn't in any of the pictures. So far, Lainie has not been very fond of being held by him, so we haven't had very many good photo opportunities. Today was different. We took a walk around the block and she let him carry her as long as I was in sight so I was snapping away.......

Please continue to pray for Lilly. She will go back to the hospital for the next four days to have IV antibiotics. This takes about 4 hours. Jan has talked to her pediatrician in the US and they think that the treatment she is receiving is correct. The concern is that when we get to the American Consulate if she is running a high fever they will not issue her visa until she is better. Lainie doesn't seem to be running as much fever today. Maybe just a low grade. This is common among babies from orphanages when they are adopted. I think it is just a combination of the adjustment in their environmental temperature change. Who knows. She is also teething, so maybe that is it. Just like any other baby, we are trying to figure it out by process of elimination.

Last night Peter came by and translated our documents from Half The Sky. This is an organization provided by the US for orphanages in China. They provide extra nannies for the orphanages and give them extra training about child development. Lainie was lucky enough to be in one of the orphanages that they serve. We were given a month by month report on her health and development. There is also a picture from each month. For months I have prayed that God would touch the heart of one nannie who would have a special love for Lainie. As Peter read the words written by this nannie last night, I knew that God had answered my prayer. There is even a picture of this nanny holding Lainie on her birthday with a small cake and one candle. Her words were, "Today we celebrated Xiang Yi's birthday. I had a small cake and one candle for her. We sang Happy Birthday. It was happy day." Thank you Lord for answering my prayer and providing Lainie with someone who had a special place in their heart for her.

3rd and 4th graders - I took some pictures of the school children today. I wasn't able to get very close because they have a very large gate around their school and it has an alarm that goes off if you get to close. We are going to eat lunch now, but I will try to post those pictures later this afternoon while Lainie is napping. Thanks again to all of my sweet students who have posted comments. I love reading them. It won't be long before we are home and you can see her in person.

Jennifer

Touring Changsha

The Xiang River

Bonzai Tree

First Bath

Sleeping Beauty
Mamaw and Sweet Grandchild #13.

This morning we toured a few of the sights of Changsha. These are the most interesting places to us since this is Lainie's province. We walked along the Xiang River which Lainie was named after. They have recently revitalized the waterfront area and it is beautiful. We saw a group of men and women doing their Chinese exercises with fans. After the river we went to Wal-Mart. It wasn't quite the same as the US, but we were able to find some of the food we had been longing for. Then we went to KFC. Those mashed potatoes were the best thing I've had since May 11. Lainie really liked them too. After lunch we FINALLY had some free time and we all took a nap. When we woke up we found out that Lilly had gotten sicker. Her fever was 103 so they arranged for her to see the doctor. She has pneumonia. Lainie has been running a low grade fever and our guide thought it was a good idea for her to be checked out too, but she was fine. Just please pray that we didn't pick up any other illness in the doctor's office. It was very, very, very different from the United States. Iwill never again complain about going to the doctor in the US. It is a luxury.

Tomorrow we aren't sure what our plans are. Hopefully Lilly will be home from the Dr. about 1am. She had to stay for an IV. I think we are going to tour an embroidery factory at some time. The Hunan province is known for their beautiful embroidery. Here are some pictures from the day. Sorry that most of them have me holding Lainie. The good thing is that she has become very attached to me and doesn't like to be held much by anyone else. She did warm up to Mamaw today and I'm sure that she will continue to do so more and more.

To my Locust School Students: I've been working on some special pictures for you. Our hotel is near an Elementary School and I can watch them on the playground out my window. I'm trying to get some picture of them for you tomorrow. Thank you for all of you who are leaving comments. Today as I read the over 100 comments I was in tears. Just praising God for all of the people who love this child before they've even met her.

Trey, Jillian and Will, We miss you like crazy and we can't wait to see your sweet faces at the airport. Almost just one week away. Hugs and kisses to you. You are going to absolutely love your new little sister!!!!

Love, Jennifer

Smiling Girl

Today we had an early appointment to return to the Civil Affairs Office to complete our paperwork there. We had to answer a few basic questions assuring them that we would never abandon her and that we would offer her all of the opportunities of other children in the United States. Afterwards we gave them our fingerprints and Lainie's footprints and we were all done. Lainie is officially a Barbee now.

Official footprint

Official Family Photo with adoption official


Lainie is happy to be finally ours !!! Isn't she adorable !??



Thank you to all of you who are leaving your comments. They make us feel not so far away from home! We are printing them off so that Lainie will one day know how many people were waiting and watching as she came home.
A special thanks to Trey's homeroom class. Outside our hotel window we can see the playground of an elementary school. I'll try to take some photos of that tomorrow just for you.
We are counting down the days until we are home on the 24th!!!!
Keep up the praying. God has been so good to answer them !!!
Jennifer

We have our girl !!!

I know you are only interested in the pictures, so here they are.........

Now for the details...

We arrived at our hotel at 3pm. We were told to be ready to go to the Civil Affairs office at 3:40 for our 4:00 appointment. When we got there we walked into a large room filled with lots of babies who were already sitting with their parents. We didn't see Lainie and Lilly. Then, Bobby looked through another doorway and saw two Chinese nannies holding two babies. I recognized Lilly right away, and assumed the other baby was Lainie, but she looked different because she has more hair. So, Jane our CWA representative, and Peter our guide, went into that room and within 5 minutes Lainie was handed she was a little more unsure although we did get a few smiles. However, about 15 minutes into to me by Jane. She came to us fine although she was most interested in her toy. We were in and out of there in 15 minutes. It was all so fast that none of us even had a chance to take it all in. During the bus ride back to the hotel (about 10 minutes) Lainie sat on Jen's lap and just looked at the photo album that we had sent her in February. We think that she has looked at it before because she points to the pictures and turns the pages. Back at the hotel we did manage to get a few smiles and a laugh or two. However, after about 15 minutes she realized she didn't recognize anything or anyone and the crying began. It is really sad, but it was what we expected. She cried on and off, but just for a few minutes at a time. Tonight at dinner she sat on Jen's lap and ate steamed eggs that our guide "fixed up" for her. Back in the room we changed her clothes and wiped her down. We knew a bath would be way too traumatic. We'll try that in the morning. She took part of a bottle and went to sleep after just a few minutes of crying. She's been sleeping about an hour now. Lainie can stand on her own and walk if we hold her hand. She doesn't like to be put down very much though and that is fine with us. This all seems like such a dream. It all just happened so fast. We are looking forward to the next few days when we can just spend some down time with her. She is very alert and very interested in the toys that we brought. She can pick up Cheerios with her finger and thumb and put them in her mouth. She knows how to push the buttons on the toys to make them make noise. She seems to be on target developmentally. Thank you for all of your prayers for us. God has supplied our every need. We can't wait to tell everyone all about the details of the experience.

Tomorrow morning we will leave the hotel at 8:30 to go back to the Civil Affairs office for more paperwork. The orphanage director and doctor will also be there to answer our questions. Today they did tell us that Lainie has been a healthy baby. They called her Yi Yi in the orphanage (pronounced Ee Ee). So we've been calling her Lainie Yi Yi and we will eventually drop the Yi Yi. She does turn to us when we call her name.

Please continue to pray that God would quiet her anxious heart with His love and that our bonding would go smoothly and she would feel attached to us quickly.

Thank you to all of you for all you have done for our family. Words just aren't adequate to express our gratitude.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

The Barbee Bunch (now complete)

We are tourist indeed!!

Our day began early with breakfast in the hotel. I was able to have somewhat American-ized hashbrowns and bacon. At 8:30 our group left the hotel together and traveled first to Tian An Men Square. Our guide, Tom, is very knowledgeable and his English is excellent, so we learned much about the Chinese history. We left there and moved onto the Forbidden City. I want explain now why it has that name, I am much too tired. It was beautiful. Then we went to a Jade Factory where we learned about the process of carving Jade and how to tell if Jade is authentic. Of course, we bought a few keepsake pieces. The Great Wall was our final sightseeing experience for the day. Pictures and words just don't do it justice. The walk was much steeper than I imagined and it is much more massive than you can tell in the photos. I just kept thinking in my head, " I can't believe I am standing on The Great Wall of China." We stopped on the way home and had dinner. The entree was duck, which I passed on. We ended our night with a time of prayer in the Bryants' room. We each prayed for our own children and for each other's children.... that tomorrow would go smoothly, that the children's hearts would be prepared for our families and that we would know how best to comfort them during their grief. We leave here at 7am for the airport. Our flight to Changsha doesn't leave until 11:10 but some others in the group who are going to different provinces have earlier flights. We arrive in Changsha at 1:35. We think we will go to the hotel first and then meet Lainie at the Civil Affairs Office around 3 or so. Below are some pictures from the day.....

Tian An Men Square - Olympic Countdown


The Great Wall






I'll try to post more pictures later. We should have more free days once we get to Changsha. Of course, then we will have a toddler, so we'll see how it goes. We do have some great photos that I can't wait for you to see. Eventhough, I know all everyone is really interested in is seeing the photos of Lainie.
Our travel group is great. We have laughed alot together. I'm sure that we will all be lifelong friends. God has really blessed us with some great traveling partners in this journey.
Trey, Jillian and Will.... We love you very much and we are glad to hear that things are going great. You are having so much fun with aunts, uncles and friends. Can you at least pretend you missed us when we get back ? Haha. We love you and we think of you every single minute. Tomorrow we will give your new sister lots of love and kissed for you. She should be with us by the time you wake up on Monday morning. Tell Michelle to check the blog right after school and maybe I will have had a chance to post some pictures. Good night from the other side of the world.
Mom