Even more pics

Brandi is tired of posing.

This is the rest of the group with AWAA. We are split up in 2 groups. With 37 families traveling this month, it's the biggest group AWAA has sent to China this year.

Sherry barking orders again. She's not shy. With all these people on both buses, there still are people with AWAA coming in today AND tomorrow, all part of the 37 family group this month.

We went to Beijing's version of "Wal-mart", called "Barrefore." Really interesting in there. I'll bring my camera next time, words don't do it justice. I did find me some $8 tennis shoes! I was happy with my $24 Reeboks from Sam's, these are great!

Then, we went to the gym and swam some laps in the pool. The pool was freezing! It was an indoor pool, but obviously not heated. Then, we went up to the room and ordered room service for lunch. (Note to self: don't order Greek & Lebanese food from a Chinese hotel...)

I guess we'll take a nap now. We need alot of rest for tomorrow. Long day of touring and all of it is on our feet.

See ya'll tomorrow!

More Chicago to Beijing Travel Pics

Little plane to Chicago

Big Plane to Beijing!

Full Flaps!!

Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Beautiful!!

Brandi & Gered in Chicago O'Hare

Big empty plane to Beijing

Just got off the plane in Beijing!

Customs in Beijing.

Beijing Continued

Here's the gang on the way to Beijing!!

China from way up there, just before touchdown!

We're in Beijing going through customs. It's been a long trip, I don't know where we found those smiles.

This is Sherry, our China tour guide from AWAA. Look at that smile, this girl is a TRIP! She let us know it's not rude to push back in China when you get pushed walking through the crowds. She's hilarious, we're gonna have fun with her.

These 2 pics are shots from our hotel window. Beijing is hosting the 2008 Olympics! So, there is HUGE amounts of construction going on. I think Louisiana let them borrow some of our ORANGE BARRELS!!

I'm gonna CRASH now, we're beat. Brandi has been out. We're off tomorrow, we have nothing planned since we came up a day early. So, maybe I'll just post the rest of the pics for ya'll.

We really appreciate the emails and comments so far! We love each and everyone of you guys & gals! Thanks for the prayers and support! Keep em' comin'!!!

We're in Beijing!!

It is now 5:55pm in Beijing and 4:55am in Louisiana. We've been up 25 hours on airplanes with a few hours of winks in between. So, before I CRASH, I wanted to make a quick post with some pics.

OK, all this started at 4am in New Orleans (Kenner). We got to the airport in plenty of time and we breezed through the security checkpoints in 20 mins. No problems.

This is a smaller plane with one aisle and 2 seats on each side of the aisle.

Both Mother In Laws across the aisle.

Just before touchdown in Chicago.

Far right is Elizabeth Aaron. Her and her hubby are from Baton Rouge and they are traveling with us to got adopt a little girl. Far left is Suzanne/Susan (sorry), she adopted Hanna in the middle 7 years ago and they are going back to China for the first time since the adoption. Hanna's adoption anniversary will be while we're in China!! She's a CUTIE!!

First Stop: New Orleans!! (OK...Kenner...)

LaQuinta, this will be home for the night!

Jazz Seafood & Steak House. Our place of fine dining for the night. Appetizer was Fried Eggplant with Marina Sauce. Entrees included Seared Ahi Tuna with zucchini and mashed potatoes. Roast Beef Poboy & Fried Shrimp Poboy. Above is Brandi, Tut (my mom) & Brenda (Brandi's mom).

Parents to be. Brandi's on the left, I'm on the right...

Just my luck... Brandi's gettin' fresh and BOTH OUR MOTHERS ARE IN THE ROOM!!!

Off to bed! We gettin' up at 4am to eat at 4:45am and leave for 5:15am. We'll be landing in Chicago then off to Beijing!!

Thanks for the many replies to the email! It's good to hear from everyone! Please don't hesitate to leave comments. It helps so much to know people are "with us."

More later!!

34 Hours!!

We are flying out of New Orleans in 34 hours! Brandi and I went run some last minute errands today and we'd just look at each other and smile, knowing this is some of the last days we have together by ourselves. We'd see moms pushing babies in the mall and just smile. Thinking how our baby would look in our stroller.

One problem we had that was solved today was money! The orphanage wants $4500.00 in clean crisp one hundred dollar bills, no creases, no smudges or marks. Well, we had ordered one hundred dollar bills from a bank and 70% of them was unusable.

So, I went to Regions Bank to make a deposit for Gateway International for Brandi and just asked them if they had clean, crisp Benjamins. Of course, they just recieved some new, clean, crisp $100 bills last Wednesday, unused in number order.

Also, Brandi has been wanting a pedicure before we left and while we were running around town, we stopped to get her a pedicure. Well, I wasn't just gonna sit around waiting for her, so I had them fill up the foot bucket for me too! It was pretty neat, they soaked my feet for a while in a chair that massaged my back while my feet soaked. Then, they pulled out a set of utensils that looked like it came from the movie SAW III! She started hacking away at my digits and I think I lost 5 lbs. during the process. It was cool, my feet really felt better.

I'm pretty sure the next post should be from somewhere other than Louisiana! We're just not sure when and where we'll have internet access. So, stay tuned!!

China Travel Itinerary Final!!

We have confirmed in country travel itinerary from AWAA!! We make final payment today and we are set!! We did some more packing last night. Brandi and I are sharing one suitcase and Jada gets a suitcase all to herself. How come nobody commented on how much STUFF a little baby needs?!?!

We also had our last consulation with Dr. Ashli West, our good friend and pediatrician. She hooked us up with last bits of advice and the plan for when we get home. Thanks Ashli, we love having you and Samantha taking care of Jada!!

August 31st – September 14th

Thursday, Aug. 31st - Arrive in Beijing

Friday, Sept. 1st - Free Day

Saturday, Sept. 2nd - Beijing Sight-Seeing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden
City, & Summer Palace (Lunch & Dinner Included)

Sunday, Sept. 3rd - Church service & Great Wall (Lunch & Beijing Duck
Dinner Included)

Monday, Sept. 4th - Morning Flight to Guangxi
Afternoon - Meet Jada Liu Xin Lambert!!

Tuesday, Sept. 5th - Civil Affairs Appointment (Jada is OFFICIALLY OURS!!)

September 6th – 8th - Paperwork, Sight-seeing, & Shopping

Saturday, Sept. 9th - Morning - Pick Up Child’s Passport
Morning flight to Guangzhou.

Sunday, Sept. 10th - Fill out Consulate Forms

Monday, Sept. 11th - Child’s Medical Exam.

Tuesday, Sept. 12th - Consulate Appointment 9:00am

Wednesday, Sept. 13th - Pick up Child’s Visa at 4:00pm

Thursday, Sept.14th - Depart from Guangzhou
Depart from Hong Kong
Arrive in New Orleans 10pm!! Visitors Welcome!!

Travel Phone Conference with AWAA Today

Today we had the Conference call with AWAA and all the families traveling with us next Wednesday. We didn't hear anything new, which only speaks of how great of a job AWAA has done with keeping us up to date and providing us the information we need.





The one thing we learned that was interesting was at the Beijing airport, we pass through a machine that reads our body temperature. If we have high temperature, they pull us aside and interview us. Its a precaution they are taking every since the SARS epidemic. So, we were advised to take fever reducer before we land in Beijing.

We should be getting our final travel packet this weekend. It'll have the detailed daily schedule of everything we'll be doing when we get to China. We're getting pretty nervous. Brandi does a great job of making lists and making sure we are fully prepared to leave. Thank God for her!

Keep checkin in. We're leaving Wednesday morning. We'll be updating the BLOG.

More Baby Shower Photos

Bayli Moran, Holly & Jason's little girl.

My niece, McKenzi on the left and some little Diva with a beautiful smile on the right.

The Haul.

Great toys, great clothes and more.

Sortin' stuff at the house.

More stuff.

A gift bomb exploded in the living room.

"There was alot of LOVE there"

My dad came over Saturday as we were sorting out and unwrapping all the gifts and that's what he said about Saturday, "There was alot of love there." That about sums it up for us.

Now that the baby shower has come and gone, we have had a couple of days to reflect on this weekend. Once again, we were reminded of how BLESSED we are. The family and friend who came out and celebrated this season in our lives was just another example of how God continues to provide exactly what we need at the time we need it. Then on Sunday at the Annex, Pastor Lance Leblanc had some people come pray for me and Brandi for a safe trip. People who we had never met, came up to us after service and encouraged us and blessed us. Our cup is overflowing with God's grace!

That was the love of God we experienced Saturday. That love is what has sustained us through the good times and the not so good times. That love is what revealed to us the lessons to be learned throughout this season of our lives. We will not be shaken by the temporary situations that we experience. We know that the sun will rise come morning time.

I know that Pastor Dino and all the staff at HPC believe that there are many great churches in and around Baton Rouge, the U.S. and around the world. That is why we partner with many of these great churches to make an impact on the community, the country and the world. The reason I say that is because I want to encourage everyone reading this to draw closer to God. It doesn't have to be at Healing Place Church because of the many great churches that are in the world.

This isn't a recruiting message for HPC, this is encouragement to find God, find all that He has for you. He is the provider of the good times and the strength and grace to get you through the bad times. He is the wonderful Counselor that teaches you what you need to know and give you that which enables you to grow during the valleys. Whoever you are, where ever you are, whatever you are, it doesn't matter. He did His part 2,000 years ago and He did it for everyone of us.

So, although we are excited, stressed out, nervous, anxious and maybe even a little scared about what will happen after August 30th, we know that all will work out. He has never let us down, He has been faithful.

Champions!!

2006 Shell Chemical Geismar Summer Softball Tournament Champions:

"HFE Heavy Ends!!"

(HFE stands for Hydro.... never mind....)

For the first time in a long time, we had a company softball league at Shell Chemical. It was a blast. We got to go outside of work hours and hang out with our co-workers families. The turnout was amazing, lot's of wives, kids and friends. We were the regular season champs and made it to the final playoff with the second best team. We played a best of 3, they won the first game 11-2, but we came back two days later and swept a double header, 9-2, then 3-2! The last game was scoreless for 5 innings and we scored 3 in the 6th and held them to 2 in the bottom of the 6th. It was pretty neat.

Jada will be able to come watch daddy pull muscles and turn ankles in the Fall! So above is the picture of the

Baby Shower!!

Invitations were mailed. Handmade, personally designed by Holly Moran.

Location was reserved and decorated. Thanks to HPC, Mark & Kim Ammons, Chantell & Patrick Matherne, Glen & Brenda White, Sharon Lobell, Jerri Lalonde, Holly Moran & Tammy Landry.

Punch. Can't have a shower without Punch!

This is the Chocolate Spread.

Slammin' Cake. Top layer was white cake with Rasberry filling, bottom was chocolate with cream cheese filling.

Strawberry Cake from Ambrosia. This cake is illegal in 47 states.

2 Weeks!! (Revision 2)

We leave 2 weeks from yesterday! Now the pressure is building and the tension is getting thick. Just a quick update on some issues that have us on the edge of our seats:

Being debt free and having no credit cards produced some tense moments this week. Although we have a debit card and a good supply of funds for Adoption expenses in our checking account, we do have a daily limit on our debit card. The cost of the airline tickets slightly surpass our daily limit, so we had some charges denied! Not good. We are calling the bank to increase our daily limit, but that's only temporary and of course the travel agent ran the card mere moments after the temporary increase had expired! But, I called United Airlines this morning and they assured me the tickets are paid for and issued!

The Baby Shower is 2 days away! We picked up some last minute food items last night for the shower. It's gonna be a great time! We're really excited about seeing everyone.

The recent changes about what's allowed on planes had slightly changed out packing strategy. Well, only Brandi's strategy, I haven't started packing yet....

We're still waiting for AWAA to send us out Passports back and the travel packet. This packet will give us more detailed information about the trip.

So, we're just trying to stay calm as we imagine all the things we could possibly forget or overlook. AWAA had done a fabulous job so far keeping us informed and making sure we have everything we need.

Jada's Babyshower

Welcome Home Jada!!

Open House Couples Baby Shower - Come and Go as you please!!

Date: Saturday, August 19, 2006

Time: 1pm-4pm
Place: HPC Annex

We are registered at Babies R Us & Target. There will be LOTS of food, no silly games, just hanging out & visiting. We really want to thank everyone who's helped out. We appreciate the hard work and sacrifice.

This serves notice to everyone who didn't get an invitation. We worked for 2 weeks on the list and when it got to 180, we just waved the white flag! Didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings, but we are just so busy trying to tie up loose ends with paperwork and travel plans for the adoption and Brandi is really working hard at work wrapping some things up.

So, if you read this and want to stop by, please do. You really don't even have to bring anything, we certainly don't want to be a financial burden on anyone. We are blessed and well taken care of. We don't have any wants. We'd just love to see everyone's face and be able to share this special moment with family and friends.

We love each and everyone of you!

Gered & Brandi

Flights booked!!!

Travel arrangements are set! August 30th we leave from New Orleans Airport, stop in Chicago, then to Beijing! We'll be coming back September 14th from Honk Kong to Chicago and back in New Orleans at 9:56pm that night.

So, if you want to get a sneak peak at Jada, see you at the airport!

We celebrated today at lunch by stopping at Gymboree to get Jada some outfits. We still haven't decided on her coming home outfit. I wanted her to be in Oriental clothing, but I changed my mind (Brandi didn't want to). We are leaning toward a Red, White & Blue U.S.A. motif.

Details on the Baby Shower coming soon!!

Did I say 2 weeks?

We recieved out concrete travel dates. Since AWAA couldn't get an appointment with the U.S. Consulate until Tuesday Sept. 12th, we'll be leaving on Wed. Aug. 30th. We're leaving on Wed. because they couldn't find us a flight leaving Thursday. So, we get an extra day to recover from the jet lag.

The GOOD NEWS!?!?!? That put "GOTCHA DAY" on September 4th, which is our 13 year anniversary!! Not bad, I guess. Our anniversary will never be the same. What a memory!

2 WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!!

Two weeks from today we'll be leaving!! We were expecting to get concrete travel arrangements this week, and we still have all of today and tomorrow to get those. But again, 14 days!! Holy Smoke! I'm nervous just writing this entry! 2 weeks! Ironically, as nervous and excited as I am, I haven't really done nothing about it:

See all this? This is what BRANDI has done so far. All the stuff on the floor next to the suitcase is hers. The left half of the suitcase is hers. The right side of the suitcase is mine, which is empty. This is two days old, by the way.

This is the supply suitcase. Ziplock bags, travel size soap deoderant, toothpaste, soap, baby wipes, shaving cream, suntan lotion, etc. Also in the picture is Lucy. She was following me around and obviously wanted to be in the picture. But, I think she has some insecurity issues, because when I called her name to look at the camera, her perky ears fold back and she looks away. She needs help...

So, we're still keeping an eye on the Yahoo Chat Group to hear from the families that have been there already and what they have to advise. We have learned that not many families are going to Guangxi with us. We haven't found anyone who is getting a child from Beihai like we are. It would be nice to travel with a big group, but them I thought about Gotcha Day. If we have a small group, it won't be so hectic. Usually, they bring out all the children and start calling out names. Then, the babies start crying when their nannies hand them off to these excited round eyed people they have never seen in their lives. If we have a small group, it won't be so bad.

So, we're excited!

Typhoon Kaemi rains down on Beihai July 27-28

THIS ARTICLE talks about the damage. 25 dead & 53 missing as of writing of this article.

THIS ARTICLE show some pictures in Beihai. The typhoon hit the Eastern side of China and Beihai is more to the West. No reported casualties in Beihai, mostly heavy rain and flooding. It's possible there was flooding at the orphanage where Jada is, but we've heard no specifics as of yet. It's been over a week, so looks like lots of flooding and rain is the worst that has happened in Beihai.

More Adoption Workshop Pics

The workshop is held in the HPC Annex. We are believing to fill this facility in workshops in the future and hopefully have to move to the Main Sanctuary on Highland Road!

This is the poster board used in the workshop.