Brave, happy, independent, beautiful, smart, OURS!

Our family will never be the same!  I can’t count the number of times Bella June has told me ‘thank you Mamma’.  She showers me with hugs and kisses constantly. She told our guide David, that she got a beautiful new dress and she loved it.  She is simply amazing!

On our first morning together she woke up crying.  It broke my heart.  She only cried for about a minute, then another minute of sniffles and the rest of the day was back to that beautiful smile of hers.  When we go to breakfast I ask her what she wants, she points to everything!!  She is a good eater!
Yesterday it was official.  We swore to never abuse or abandon “twice”, signed a bunch of papers and that’s it here in Nanning.  We still have to wait to get her passport on Friday, then it’s on to Guangzhou for medical test and the oath.

Today was a free day.  We went to a children’s amusement park and spent a couple hours.  Bella June rode a few things, but she wasn’t super excited about it.  Yesterday and today we went to the hotel pool.  She loved it!!!  She did her best to swim, but sank straight to the bottom.  She doesn’t have an ounce of fat on her to help her float.  After just a couple days, I can already tell she will be a swimming fish and she will need to take gymnastics to work off some of that energy of hers!!!

JD bought Bella June a DSi before we left and boy has it come in handy!  The girl has taken about 200 pictures with it.  She turned JD into Mario and Baba into a daisy!

I may seriously have to rethink the Kindergarten thing.  This girl is as smart as can be!  I know, y’all think I’m just being a mom, but she is so smart.  The only thing that may hold her back from 1st grade would be her language.  We will just have to see…
Ok, I’ll quit bragging and just let y’all enjoy some pics. 

Oh, before I let you go….our guide, David, challenged me to eat something very cultural (and I mean cultural!!!)  So I did it!  I ate CHICKEN FEET!!!




Nanning Civil Affairs office



Waiting for our appointment



Both families with Orphanage nanny, teacher & Director




Our new family with the Orphanage nanny, teacher & Director




Ge-Ge and Mei-Mei (brother & sister)



At the amusement park



On the merry-go-round




80yr old woman tried to teach JD how to use
a Kung Fu sword



Bella June's first Happy Meal



Ba Ba and Bella June swimming



More swimming

 AND NOW FOR THE CHICKEN FEET!



Chicken feet



It doesn't taste like chicken

Family of FOUR

Dear Everyone,

I’m writing with the biggest smile on my face. You won’t believe how blessed we are. Bella June ran into my arms today hollering Mama, Mama!!! She had a great big smile on her face and hasn’t stopped smiling and giggling yet. It was an absolutely perfect Gotcha Day!!!

When we met Bella June it was wonderful. She called us all by name and even brought JD some Chinese pj’s. We walked into our hotel room and she gasped an excited sound and then did the same thing when we opened her suitcase. I gave her a choice of dresses and yes…she is definitely my daughter….she picked the zebra stripped!!!! Of course I had to paint her toe nails next. It was time for dinner, so I popped her new pink cowboy hat on and off we went!! Look out Texas here we come!!!

JD couldn’t wait to put his pj’s on and when Bella June saw him she ran and put her Chinese pj’s on as well. I’ll just let you enjoy the pics…

2 days til Gotcha Day

Good Sunday Morning for us, Good Saturday Evening for y'all,

Yesterday we went to a mall.  It was fun and interesting.  JD got a few action figures to keep him occupied and some goggles for the pool.  We had such a big breakfast at the buffet that we were not hungry for lunch while at the mall.  Our plan was to try to stay awake all day so we could sleep all night.  When we got back to from the mall we went swimming at the pool.  After that we went back to the room and lost the battle about 3:30pm!  JD hadn't slept at all the night before so he was the first to go.  We slept through dinner and woke about 2am.  Just when we get this time change down, it will be time to come home!

For any followers planning this trip, we have been at the Sky City Marriott in Hong Kong and it has been a very pleasant stay.

I've been wondering how my daughter is feeling as she waits for us to arrive.  I know this will be hard for her.  Please pray for her during this transition from everything she has ever known to living with this wacky, loving, goofy, caring Nichols family!!!!

at breakfast

 shopping trip

 hotel pool

3 Days Until Gotcha Day!!!

Ni Hao Everyone,

We have made it to Hong Kong!  Wow what an adventure getting here!  While our airplane and attendents were extraordinary, 15 hours is a lonnnggggg time in a seat.  JD had a blast playing games and watching movies and then finally sprawled out across Todd and I to sleep.  After being awake for more than 36 hours, Todd and I didn't have any problems sleeping last night.  JD however, was awake most of the night.  Still this morning he is up and raring to explore.  I'm sure later this afternoon it will all catch up with him.

We met our new family members, the Sharps.  They are Bellajune's foster sister Kate's new parents.  We are bringing our girls back together and will have a life long relationship.

I hope our weekend here goes fast.  Monday we meet our special girl!!!

More of our jouney to come!!!

Were leaving on a jet plane....

Dear friends and family,

It is just a few days until we take off to China to follow God's plan to make us a family of four!  One week from today we will meet our beautiful Isabella June Nichols.  From here on out known as and called Bellajune.  She just turned 6 last June.  I was sad we couldn't be there for her birthday, but it will be the last one she has without a family to celebrate her life with. 

She seems like a happy girl.  We are so blessed and thankful that she has been cared for by loving people in the orphanage and in her foster home.  She has a darling little foster sister who is being adopted at the same time. 

I am so thankful to so many of y'all for the kindness, generosity and prayers that we have received.  We couldn't have done it without all of y'all!  We will try to blog everyday so you can share in this part as well.