Rainy Day Fun in Changsha

Another day in Changsha and we get to see more and more of Clara Beth's personality. Here she is with Land first thing this morning. She is quite the wake up call. She has done so well but she does cry out on and off during the night. I pray that she will be able to rest peacefully soon.

Here we are on the bus ready for our tour of Mao Zetong's school. It was a soggy day in Changsha. We woke up to pouring down rain. It didn't stop us, some of our group decided to stay at the hotel and rest while the adventureous ones headed out into the rain, babies and all. After another exciting ride swerving past cars and umbrella topped motorcycles we arrived at the school safe and sound. This girl loves to travel in her carrier.

Here's a picture of us in the hallway with a view of the school yard in the background. Clara Beth took her a little snooze in the carrier and woke up bright eyed and ready to go again!!!! Just look at that little sleeping angel!!!!! Gotta love that sweet face!!!

After our morning outing we came back to the hotel for some lunch and a short nap. Myself included. Then Land and Paul went down for a bowling match on the sixth floor. They had so much fun, Land challenged me to a match. I couldn't resist, we had a great time wih Clara Beth and Paul cheering us on. By the time we were finished, it was time to meet the group for dinner downstairs.


Here I am at dinner feeding Clara Beth and holding onto Geordyn while Houston visited the buffet. It is quite a sight to see us all together at meal time with all five of our little ones. We leave quite a mess in our wake. Thank goodness the hotel staff is so kind and they don't seem to mind at all. It's getting late here so I better be off to bed, keep the comments coming. We love hearing from you. Remember, God is sooooooooo good and he is sooooooooo faithful. Until next tme........... Robin

College Bound...........

Today we set off on another adventure to the Hunan University. Part of the campus is the oldest university in China. The buildings are very beautiful and were built using no nails. This is a picture of Clara Beth in her favorite ride. I love having her like this. She just stares up into my eyes and smiles as we walk along and take in the sights of China. So far she's been the best thing I've seen!!

As we walked around the university we were the only Americans there. We are getting so used to being the center of attention. Here is a picture of us getting mobbed by the curious locals. They are just drawn to Clara Beth. It has to be because she is just so cute!! This time we almost didn't get away in time to catch up with our group. They left and Paul was ahead of me calling back for me to come on. Most all of the people are very friendly and very curious. They come up and just talk and talk, and I just smile and nod my head because I don't understand a thing they are saying. I could be agreeing to anythng and not even know it!!

Here we are in front of the Hunan University sign. Our facillitator, Richard said that maybe our girls could be exchange students here one day. I have a feeling Clara Beth's daddy will not let her venture this far away from us!!

This is a picture of a pineapple stand. They are everywhere. The pineapples are carved into various shapes. They look delicious but Richard warned us that our western tummies may not be ready for one of these. So we have to pass and just eat the pineapple off of the buffet at our hotel.

This is a picture of us across fom the entrance to the university. We are standing near the banks of a branch of the Yangtze River. I had hoped to see a least part of it. For those of you who love children's literature, the book "The Story of Ping" takes place here. I read it to my class every year. It's one of my favorites. After our outing we returned to the hotel and went to lunch with the King's at another 5 star hotel. The restaurant was very fancy with quite an assortment of interesting food. Land will have to tell you all the things he tried when he gets back home. That boy must have an iron stomach. After lunch, Kirby and I did a little shopping. I love the Chinese people, they are just my size. I can walk into a store and find pants that actually fit me!! Of course I had to make a few purchases. When we returned, Paul went to do paper work while we hung out in the room. Later we had dinner in the hotel with the whole group. Now it's time to turn in, because another night in Changsha has come to an end. By the way, did I say that I really love it here. Our whole experience so far has been great. I continue to be amazed by God's awesome power. Thanks for all the prayers for Anna Kayla, she arrived home safe and sound but says she really misses China. Who wouldn't. Until tomorrow.......Robin

Sisters and a Very Old Mummy (not me of course)

Hello all........This is going to be a quick post tonight because we are all so tired. Paul, Land and Clara Beth are already asleep. Anna Kayla is inflight on her way home. Please continue to pray for her and safe tavel. This picture is yet another cute face! Clara Beth is just full of personality, today Land had her laughing out loud! She's just too cute!! Paul said seeing her may cause an epidemic. He is completely smitten!! God is soooooooooo good. It's been amazing to see His hand in all of this. He continues to watch over and bless all of us on this incredible jouney.

This is a picture of Anna Kayla and Clara Beth right before she left this morning. We all miss her so much.

Another great shot of my two girls!!!!

One last time in Changsha waiting for the taxi.

This is Land outside the museum in Changsha where we saw the 2000 year old lady. Believe me she was not a pretty sight!!! But we had fun. Eveywhere this group goes we have a good time. Believe it or not, we are all getting used to being stared at! People just stop what they are doing to watch us go by. Keep prayingand keep the comments coming. We love them, it makes us feel so connected to you all. Until tomorrow............... Good night from Changsha!!!

Baby Faces and Shopping

Hello all, today I am going to post just a few of the many faces of Clara Beth that we get to see. This is the one she makes when she is sleepy. I saw this one at two thirty this morning right after she finished her bottle. It kind of reminds me of some of the little old Chinese men I've seen on the streets outside our hotel!

This cutie is the one we refer to as her Popeye face! Couldn't you just eat her up! She does this when she's playing with us.

This is a personal favorite of mine, where she's Daddy's girl. She loves putting her face right up next to his.

I think we caught this one in the middle of a rollover. We snapped and then she was off again!!

Here's the picture you been waiting for at Ninety Six Primary....Our girls...Clara Beth(minus her pink hairbow), Rebekah Grace, and Geordyn. Aren't they precious!!!


Today was very interesting, taxis whisked us away to a store very similar to Walmart. We ate at McDonalds first, very much like ours at home. Clara Beth had quite the stinky while we were there so we asked where we could change her and they led us to the back of the restaurant where a Chinese lady pulled out two chairs and motioned for us to sit down and change her. We were right at the back where people were eating!!! They didn't mind so we sat down and I went to work with her spread across both of our laps!!!! Mind you it was a very messy one indeed!! Then we proceeed to shop as crowds gathered around us to watch. It was like being in a
parade. People would come up smile and grab our babies by the hands and feet. Thank goodness Anna Kayla could translate some of what they were saying. I don't know what we will do without her, she leaves tomorrow. Please pray for safe travel for her. She has been great helping us with the language. The Chinese people love to hear her speak.
Tonight we ate some of the spicy Hunan food and I'll have you to know I can multitask quite well. I feed Clara Beth and ate with chopsticks at the same time!!! Sheila I will be sending you that picture for you to share!! I must run, I need my rest tomorrow we are off to see a mummy!!!!

Oh Happy Day

After we got Clara Beth we went back to the room to get aquainted. She didn't cry a single time and was very happy. We have nicknamed her the steam roller because when you put her on the floor she rolls from one side of the room to the other. She's like one of those toys that you wind up and when it bumps the wall it turns around, she does too! This is us headed to the Civil Affairs office to do the final adoption decree.

This is our doorman and Land's new friend! They make quite a pair.

This is Clara Beth getting her first bottle. She didn't take her eyes off of me.

This is us @ 8:30 after her bath. As you can see I am very tired, she is not. She has the biggest eyes. She is very active! She is stong and well developed. She rolls, as you know, and puts weight on her legs and loves to stand up. I am developing that upper body strength now!!

By the way Anna Kayla also has a new friend! Please keep sending the comments. We love to read them! We miss you all and we'll see you soon!!!!

She's here............................

This is the Care Taker as she brought Clara Beth in.

Clara Beth and her Dad for the very first time. She's a Daddy's girl.

Clara Beth with Mom for the very first time.

Her first smile with her new family.

Big Sister, Big Brother & Clara Beth having some fun.

We will post later tody, we have just returned from the Civil Affairs office and have to back later today to fill out the paperwork. All of the babies appear to be healthy and are happy.

Finally Changsha

This is going to be quick tonight because I am very tired and excited all at the same time. This is us leaving Beijing. We had only been up since 3:30 this morning. That expalins the look on our faces. We were very sad to leave our guide, Mark, he was great. But we were excited to head to Changsha because that put us closer to Clara Beth.

Once we arrived in Changsha, after a bumpy plane ride, we met Richard and he took us to a local store for water and other supplies. We had to have a whole case of water each for formula!!! Yes, we will need that tomorrow!!! I saw potato chip flavors you can not even imagine.

After our trip to the store we headed to KFC, yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken. My friends know how I feel about fried food, but after our visit to the second floor food court where our choices were: bullfrog, duck lips, steamed chicken feet, seared pork mouth or crab ovums the chicken from KFC was looking pretty good! But we had to cross this busy street to get there. The picture does not do it justice. You literally take your life into your hands when you step into traffic. You could be struck by a car, bike, bus or moped at any given moment!!!

This is us after our meal at KFC. Then it was back to the hotel(which is maginificant by the way) to get ready for tomorrow!!!!! Clara Beth's clothes and toys are laid out and ready for her and we are too!!! Pray for good rest for us all, it may be the last we have for a long time. Next time I post she'll be with us and yes, I am crying as I write this.............Until then
Robin

Day Three Adventure

Well today was another EXCITING day. We started the morning with a delicious breakfast and then we headed over to what looked like rickshaw alley. There must have been 50 rickshaws lined up and ready to go. We climbed aboard (as you can see in the first picture) and then our eight rickshaws caravanned down through Hutong lane. This was like stepping back in time. It was one of my most favorite parts of the trip. Everyone coming to Beijing should do this. We careened around corners and down alleys and got glimpses into the everyday life of the Chinese people. The streets were close, children were being pulled in wagons hooked onto the backs of bicycles, people were sweeping with brooms made from straw tied together by hand and there were little holes in the walls that were markets with fresh produce for sale. Many old people gathered in groups to play cards or dominoes. We stopped and had tea with a local family. They were very impressed when Anna Kayla spoke with them in Chinese. I wish she didn’t have to leave on Friday we need her for the whole trip. Her recognition of the Chinese characters and parts of the language has been very helpful. In the second picture you can see the common courtyard area that was shared by four families. It’s so hard to believe that people really live like this. Everything about their lifestyle is so basic and simple. I was sad when our rickshaw rounded the last corner ad we had to leave Hutong lane behind. I know that the things that I saw will stay with me forever.
When we boarded the bus, Mark our guide said we had the choice of going to a jade factory or a pearl factory. We all decided to go see how jade was carved. I was especially happy about this since Clara Beth’s Chinese name means a virtuous person, beautiful like jade. While there Anna Kayla and I found two beautiful jade bracelets that you can see in picture three. Mine will be given to Clara Beth on her sixteenth birthday. I also bought her a little dog carved from jade since she was born in the year of the dog. Paul has been so good about standing behind me and figuring out the exchange rate (my friends that know I am math impaired understand my need for this very well) and kindly reaching into his wallet and paying with a smile.
After jade shopping and another traditional lunch (by the way I want everyone to know that I have eaten with chopsticks every meal, and I am quite good at it.) we were off to the Great Wall where yet another adventure with a squatty potty began. I am getting quite good at that also. Just ask Nancy next time you see her. Then we began the trek up the wall. Did I mention that at times there was such an incline I do believe that my toes touched my forehead. But we pressed onward and upward. We would have made it to the top if it had not been for that wrong turn we took somewhere along the way. In picture four you can see the fearless foursome some where during our climb. We had plenty of opportunities to stop and rest during the many photo ops that Land and Anna Kayla had. Chinese people of all ages would grab them and giggle and ask for pictures. Land truly felt like the celebrity after about 20 different poses with people. Then lo’ and behold they started grabbing me. One lady nearly squeezed my arm off turning me around throwing her arm around me for pictures. Poor movie stars, I know exactly how they feel now. They grabbed Paul for pictures too. Picture five is just one shot of Land, the American movie star, with some of his adoring fans. Well I better run now, I’m off to bed, we have a 4:00 wake up call and we fly to Changsha then just ONE more day until we hold Clara Beth. We can hardly wait. Pray for safe travel.

To my friends at school I know you are soooooooo excited to be back after spring break. I miss you all. Tell my class I miss them too. Until next time………Robin

Pictures of Touring Day 1

Here are some pictures - we'll write more tomorrow!






What a day!!The first picture is of Kirby and I doing a high five after our first visit (and mastery) of a squatty potty!! Doing that will develop strong leg muscles for sure! Notice the very bad hair day I am having.......Our adaptor for the straight iron we brought won't work. So I just had to go with that look. The next picture is of Land playing Taiji Ball with a local. He was actually very good at it. It was so interesting to watch them in the park, playing games, exercising and dancing. The people here are so expressive. After all this time of reading about these things it's amazing to finally see it in person. The third picture is of Anna Kayla taking a popcicle break on the bus after we left the Temple of Heaven. It was pure sugar water. Just what she needed to energize her for our next adventure to the Summer Palace. The last picture is of the four of us in front of some very old trees near the Forbidden City. After our last stop we headed to a Kung Fu show much like the acrobatic shows. It was great, even though most of us kept dozing off because we were so tired! No offense to the performers, we were just beat!!! So now I'm off to bed to rest up for more adventures tomorrow!!!!!!!!! And just think the best is yet to come.....on Wednesday when we see Clara Beth for the first time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Until next time...
Robin

Finally here!

We finally arrived in China today after a total of 24 hours of travel!! After riding on the plane from Washington, D.C. for 13 hours, we stepped out of the airport to a crowd and a video camera that made us feel like we were on the red carpet. We found our tour guide, and took the bus to our beautiful hotel! We can't believe we're actually here. It's unreal. We went out to dinner tonight and had so much food. After dinner, we went to the Night Market and had fun making some purchases.
Tomorrow is a really busy day - touring the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. So, now we're off to bed after a loonnng day. Here's a picture of us at dinner tonight. =)

AND WE'RE OFF................................

After almost two years of waiting we're leaving home in 45 minutes.
We're off to Beijing for 3 days then fly to Changsha to get Clara Beth
for "Gotcha Day" next Wednesday. We go to Ghangzhou around the 24 and
get her Visa on the 27. Home on the 28, hopefully we'll be able to
update as much as possible.
Thanks to all who played a part in our journey please continue to pray
for us. The next post will be from CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul & Robin

The Countdown's On................

What a frenzy of activity we’ve had in this house since last Thursday. We found out on Tuesday, April 4th we had our travel approval. We had our paper work meeting on Wednesday night and found out Thursday morning that our consulate appointment was on April 26th!!!!!!!!! That means we leave next FRIDAY morning at 6 a.m. Paul spent all day Thursday making travel arrangements for our group of fourteen!! Now that the plans are set we have to start a “Packing Palooza”! Thanks so much to my many cyber friends who have given great advice about what to pack. It has helped so much in our shopping adventures. We are flying to Beijing first for a few days of touring. Then we’re off to Changsha, where we will get Clara Beth on Wednesday, April 18th!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are so excited, we can hardly wait! Since we are traveling during the Trade Fair we won’t be able to stay at the White Swan. We told our agency we didn’t care, to just get us there before May. After much prayer, we found out it was possible. We’ll be home on April 28th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, there’s so much to do! You would think after two years we would be ready!!!!! Here’s a picture of our happy travel group holding pictures of our sweet babies. In just TEN days we’ll be holding the real thing in our arms. It’s still so hard to believe that it is so close. Please pray for safe travel for all of us. You can follow along on this blog after we arrive. Until next time…..

Robin

Worth the Wait

Finally there is a reason for me to post on this blog!!!!!!!!!!! Since last Wednesday my family and I have been on cloud nine! The day we received Clara Beth’s picture (after 16 long months) was like everyone always describes………..surreal. It is so true what people say about the wait just disappearing once you see that little face. Suddenly, without a doubt, I knew and saw exactly whom we had been praying and waiting so long for. When referral time rolled around each month I would cruise the blog sites and look at all the precious little faces and wonder what our little one would look like. I joked with my husband through the wait time that when our picture came, Clara Beth would have his hairline. We have those first moments on video as we opened up her envelope and through the joyous tears you can hear me say……..Paul, she does have your hair! She’s definitely her daddy’s girl! I looked at her face and immediately knew that God had chosen her especially for our family. We haven’t come down since!!!
I keep a daily prayer journal that was very helpful to me during the long wait. After we received Clara Beth’s information I couldn’t wait to go back and see what I had written on the day she was born and the day she was found. Her birthday is August 23,2006 and she was found at the entrance of a building on August 24,2006. In my journal on the 23rd I wrote: Tomorrow is our 10-month LID anniversary and still no news, we are still waiting. Then on August 24th, Clara Beth’s finding day, I wrote:

Well, we are officially LID 10 months today and still no idea when a referral might come! Who would have ever thought that it would take this long. PTL we are closer than we were. I pray that the CCAA speeds things up and we hear something soon. I just have to keep reminding myself that God’s timing is PERFECT!!!!


When I went back and read what I had written on the very day that she was found, once again I was in awe of God’s power. This little angel was meant for us, we just had to wait for her to be born and then for her paper work to be processed. That’s why we had to wait 16 months, because that’s how long it took for it to happen!! Otherwise it would not have been her…………….and I knew as soon as I looked at that little face and those sweet little lips that she was my daughter. So to those of you out there still waiting, I know it is long and often times painful but it is soooooooooooo worth every single second once you get that call and see your child’s face for the first time. God’s timing and His plan for our lives is always PERFECT!! Now hurry up and bring on those TA’s and CA’s so I can get my hands on her and kiss those sweet little cheeks and lips. We just can’t get to her soon enough! Better run now, I’ll keep posting on our progress.

Until next time…………………Robin

More Photos

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the heights above. Praise Him, all His angels, praise Him all His heavenly hosts. Psalm 148:1-2

We are praising the Lord for our precious little Clara Beth! Her information says that she is a pretty, lovely little angel and we couldn't agree more!!!!!!!!! She's perfect and we can't wait to go and get her.

Referral

Clara Elizabeth De Min Cobb

DOB 8/23/06

LID 10/24/2005

Referral Date 3/7/06

Hunan Province

Walt Disney World

We had hoped to be in China around this time but our wait seems to keep getting longer. We decided to take a trip to Walt Disney World and this is a picture of our family in front of China at Epcot.

Counting The Days

We've made the turn into a New Year and we're looking forward to the summer now so we'll be closer to our Little Clara Beth.