A Quiet One....

It may very well backfire, but we have a quiet Barbee!!!!!  It all may change, but she is very quiet and has not even whimpered a cry.  I think she is still in shock over me but that is totally understandable. 

Mary is very little.  You can see that in the pictures.  She does eat anything I give her so I think we can get her beefed up for the summer.

I wish I could convey the emotions that is running through me these days.  Knowing that I am all she has for the next 11 days is quiet overwhelming.  Knowing that she is ours has not really sunk in.

The prayers all around the world are wonderful!!!  I cannot thank everyone enough for keeping up with us and praying daily.  My pictures and videos are going to be hit and miss.  I hope Jennifer can find them on Google Plus and post some.  Take care all.  Mary has been asleep for 9 hours straight and I think I hear some rustling in the other room.  O yea, up every hour last night like a new father putting my finger uder her nose making sure she was breathing.  A couple of times I had to laugh at myself!!!!!  

Love you all! Bobby

PS. The Mullins are doing great!! Ethan is quiet the handsome man and very funny.  He loves to give his mama kisses!!!  Eating lunch with them today.

 

Cute pigtails that that someone at the orphanage had done.

After spending time skyping with Jen and kids, we changed clothes and headed to dinner.

Then it was time for PJs and bed.  She loves her yellow cup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update from Jen:

I have spoken with Bobby since this post.  Mary did wake up after nine hours and reached for him from her crib.  Many prayers have been answered.  She is comfortable with her daddy!  She has a yellow cup that she loves.  She only chews on the top.  The only time she cries is when she has to put the cup down.  Amazing.  

This morning we got dressed and headed to breakfast.  Mary loves the hotel breakfast.  It is great.

Today we are headed to sign papers at the civil affairs office.  Didn't push my luck trying a new hairdo.  We just repeated the one from yesterday.

In her daddy's arms at last!

Jen here.  Just skyped with Bobby.  He has our girl!  He said she came to him without crying and hasn't cried at all, but is very timid and unsure.  We will have to wait and see how the day unfolds......  Thankful for now that she isn't screaming and kicking.  Prayers answered once again.

I'm Here!

I have taken this trip two other times but always forget how tough it really is.  I estimate traveling time was about 28 hours.  When I stepped off the plane in China it was 5:00 am China time.  Met my guide, Miko (she is great).  She took me to The Garden Hotel, we had breakfast, went over paper work and sent me to my room, finally!!!

The Garden Hotel - pretty nice place to live for the next 2 weeks!

I was able to Skype with Jennifer and the kids around 6 pm, US time and told her that I would take a quick nap and Skype her again around 9ish.  Did not happen!!!!!!  Six hours later I woke up!!!!!  I think that is called "Hitting the wall!!"

I was able to talk to our friends from Church today, Jeremy and Candice Mullins. They are finishing up their adoption trip here in Guangzhou.  I get to meet their little boy in the morning.  Going to go and have breakfast with them at their hotel.  What a small, small world.

I have been getting ready for the big day tomorrow, Gotcha Day!!  Mary's clothes are laid out, the crib is ready with her new blanket.  Her toys are ready.  I keep looking at her hair brush with hair bands and clips and am just a little worried about how my daughter will look for 12 days!!!!  Don't worry.  Jennifer paired all of the outfits and hairbows together for me ahead of time. Please don't judge Jen on the way Mary may look while I have her.  Her mama will get her hands on her and make her look presentable soon enough.  Although, I have had lots of practice with Jillian, Mia, Lainie and Pearl, so I can't mess up too terribly bad!!!!
Ok, no more blogging until we have Mary!!!!!!!  2:00 tomorrow for me.  2am on Sunday night for you!!!   Praying she has a happy heart and warms up to me quickly!

Mary's clothes and toys are ready for her!

BTW, I have been able to log into facebook.  It is great to know that so many people and friends are praying for me, Mary and my family back home.  Love you all!!!!

Please see the update below for yesterday's blog:

When I touched down in Atlanta and who comes up to me but the same lady that told me that I could not save everyone.  She was sitting behind me on the airplane.  With tears in her eyes as we were about to exit the plane she told me that Jennifer and I had touched her heart. She just couldn't imagine people being so selfless.   I smiled at her and said that it was God's plan and we were just happy to be a small part of it.  I told her that I would continue to pray for her in her "quest" for something spiritual.  In our talk she told me that she was meeting a friend in Peru where they would be "one with nature."  Please pray for Lisa that the one true and only God will be what she finds. 

And the Journey Begins!

No more goatee.  Trying to look as "normal" as possible for Mary.

When Jennifer and I traveled to bring home Lainie, Mia and Pearl, you had the privilege of reading Jennifer do our blog and post great pictures of our beautiful children and the places where  they were born and grew.  On the trip for Mary, you get me!!!  I am not the greatest writer, not the greatest photographer and not the greatest planner of our duo, but I am all you have this time.

As our family grew and grew and grew, we knew that when God placed Mary into our home, our other children needed a parent home during the trip to China.  We drew straws and I lost, or did I win?  I did win.  I am loving the idea of seeing Mary for the first time.  My prayer is that she sees my big, bald head and clean shaven face and falls madly in love with her Daddy.  I know she will.

27 years ago today, my wife, at 17 years of age, won a familiar pageant in Oakboro, NC.  After the pageant, I was hoping to see her and ask her on a date.  After looking for her for what seemed like forever, I saw her getting into her families car.  Thinking this would be my one and only shot at a date, I ran as fast as I could through the parking lot and thankfully tracked her down.  I asked her to go out that night and she said YES!!!  Twenty seven years,  and 6+1 children later, I am so thankful she said yes!!!!

We laugh sometimes about where God has taken our journey but know we are exactly where he wants us to be. Ironicaly I just talked with a lady about my journey to get Mary and I got the traditional, "you can't save them all" comment.  I looked her in the eye with a smile and said '"I'm saving this one and that is all that matters to her!!"

I am one hour away from flying to Atlanta.  Please pray now that everything that I do in this journey to get Mary will glorify God!!! 

When I arrive in China it will be around 5pm on Saturday for you.  I will meet Mary sometime the next day (Sunday for you).  I will be 12 hours ahead of US time.  Can't wait to post from China!

Bobby

My plane for the first leg of my journey.

Packing up.....

Yes you can pack for 2 weeks for a grown man and a toddler in a carry on !!!  We did it with a wee bit of room to spare. 

and we wait....

All of our paperwork is in China and we are officially logged into the system.  Now we wait........  

Better Than One Designs

Usually I have more time to post our happenings during the summer.  Not so this year.  My friend and I started a custom wooden sign making business in June to raise $$$ for Mary's adoption and has taken off!  We are beyond amazed and blessed, but crazy busy!  This is our newest creation.  Check out more of our items on our business blog.

www.betterthanonedesigns.blogspot.com

Post and Welcome sign $50

Leave a comment if you are interested in making a purchase.  All of our items can be personalized and customized with words and colors of your choosing.  100% of our profits go to bring our sweet Mary home!