Family Pictures at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens or so I thought...

Saturday following Thanksgiving we decided to go to Cheekwood because the weather was perfect to take some family photos before the cold settled in.  It was a picture perfect day with a bright blue sky, warm sun shing bright with just a twinge of briskness in the air so wearing a sweater was perfect.  Cheekwood is so beautiful with the trees, floweing bushes and various natural backdrops.  But now I know why people hire photographers...  2 four year olds posing for natural looking pictures just before lunch was not one of my more brillant ideas for sure.  We laughed, we cried, we stomped our feet.  It makes for a great memory. 

This is one of my favorites of Jin and Jon Campbell. The seem to pose best with their arms swung around each other and smiles then follow.

Introducing.....drum roll please...

The Holloway Boys

Jin was mezmorized as he observed the ducks floating in the pond.  I couldn't get the camera fast enough to catch his wonder and amazement.  It is magical to watch him take in a new experience for the first time.  The last time Jin saw ducks they were stuffed in a cage watching to be chosen for dinner.

Well, as little boys will do Jon Campbell runs around to the other side of the pond closest to the ducks and bellows out these loud honks and you guessed it... the ducks flew away :(  It was sad and very comical.  Clint and I had to stifle the laughter.

US FOUR

Baba... stop laughing so much!

Papa and his boys in a picture perfect moment no one could've planned

Are we fininshed yet!!!!!!!! comes a squawk from the birdcage

What we love to do the most

Please note...visitors are not supposed to take pictures of Cheekwood furniture, but one had already done so before one was made aware of this rule :)

Chinese dress

Journal Entry- Monday, November 23, 2009 plus What a Thanksgiving!

Hello from the Holloways,
We have been home for 10 days now and doing very well. Jon Campbell is under the weather, but enjoying his new brother! I have updated our blog with pictures since our return. If you have time please take a look. Jin is adjusting quite well. Communication is progressing and everyday we know he is understanding more and with that will come actual phrases and sentences. If you tell him to wash his hands, go to the bathroom etc he understands and takes action. Today he asked for milk on his own and he is doing well with "thank you" and "please." His smile is contagious and he is interested in everything.

In days we will gather around a beautiful table full of fantastic food, that won't smile or wave back to you :), in utter joy and wonder as our family is now complete. The past 3 years have been long and unexpected, but so worth the wait. Who knew what the Lord had in store for us?!

Thank you for support, hugs, shoulders to cry on, advise, concern, love, joy and the list goes on and on.......

Love,
The Holloways (Clint, Adele, Jon Campbell and Jin)

Creating a gingerbread house together

THANKSGIVING MORNING

We had to have Krispie Kreme donunts- the HOT light was on!

Come on Mama!  We want some donuts :)

We stopped at the park to play and eat our donuts.  It was very cold so we didn't play that long, but we did play in the beautiful fall leaves.  We took a bucket full home to decorate the house later. YIPEE!!!

Story time with Baba

Look at the muscles on this turkey :)

Dear Lord, we thank you for smiles, giggles, and ...

blessing our family, near and far, with your faithful love and promises. 

Our cups run over with gladness!

We are blessed beyond measure and thank you with our grateful hearts.

Journal Entry- Friday, November 13, 2009 home in Nashville, TN

In short as it us midnight, we did make it back to Nashville safely and landed at 9:50 pm. We are all tired, but doing well. The boys are having a blast! We will update you more later.

Good night

Journal Entry- Friday, November 13, 2009 from Shanghai

Hello All,

You did not hear from us yesterday as it was a very busy day and included the first leg of our travel home. We finished up in Guangzho, did some final shopping, packed, cleared up our rooms, had lunch and so forth. By 3 pm we were at the American Consulate in Guangzhou along with about 50 American families to finalize paperwork and take the oath for the children to become US Citizens, which actually happens the moment we hit customs in the US. It was an interesting process where paperwork was finalized and such. Though we waited some time, over an hour, it took only a few minutes. Technically, you are not allowed to get the child's visa until the next day but as we were to fly to Shanghai our guide, Susan, had worked it out ahead of time to get our visa for Jin and the others in the travel group. How she accomplished this, as it is not standard government procedure, is beyond us. It was certainly a God thing! Praise God from whom all blessings flow !

It was very sad saying goodbye to Susan.

Afterwards Susan had pizzas waiting in the van and so to celebrate our visas our travel group had a pizza party in the van on the way to the airport. We got checked in fine, but our flight was delayed a few minutes. After arriving in Shanghai we found that there were a few problems but we had a driver and a guide who took us to our hotel, the Holiday Inn in the Pudong district of Shanghai. It was 11:30 pm when we arrived at the hotel only to find that for the three families there was only one room. After a lot of fussing and calls back to Susan they finally found us rooms in the hotel. Tired, but triumphant, we crashed into bed about 12:30 or 1 a.m.

"Say Cheese!"

Our adoring Chinese onlookers- I just had to get a picture of them

"Look Leila, that is our plane."

Jin and Leila shared one final conversation before boarding the plane.

We're leav'n on a jet plane. Don't know when we'll be back again

Oh, babe I hate to go

Pandas heading to America

We do not have a guide today, that was part of our troubles of yesterday. That means seeing the sites of Shaghai is out of the question. So we will wait it out in the hotel until our driver, Mr.Li, comes to pick us up at 1. The international airport is 45 minutes away. Then we leave on Continential flight 86, at 4:55 pm for Newark. we arrive in Newark at 6:30 pm ....only a 2 hour flight!!!! (we wish! .....Plus 12, as we fly north, over the Artic, rather than around the world). We are scheduled to leave Newark 6:30 and arrive in Nashville at 10:37 pm. We are so looking forward to being home.

It has been an amazing trip, so full of new experiences, foods, people and sights. But it has also been stressful, exhausting and stretched us in what we thought we could do. It seems as though it has been two months since we left home, not two weeks. But it has also been a time of growth and amazing opportunities to see God at work. We thank you who have helped us along the way and those who have prayed and encourages us, and those who have helped keep an eye on Jon Campbell, in our absence, especially his beloved grandmothers, Karin and Kathy.

We need your prayer for several things:
*Safety in travel and timely flights without delays or glitches
*Jin (and all of us!) as he has to sit on the plane for 14 hours. Hopefully he will sleep some.
*Adele (and me so a slighter extent) is still badly congested with a head cold

Much love, The Holloways

Journal Entry- Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Hello Friends!

Today was our fifth day in Guangzhou and our last full day. Being that today is Veteran's day in the US and the the US consulate has the day off we had no official paperwork duties today. Our adventures for the day included a visit to the pearl market and the purse market.

Bags and bags of pearls lined the store walls

An endless possibility of pearls

She can knot pearls in her sleep.  It looks so easy.

This morning we went to the wholesale pearl market which is in a six story building loaded with hundreds of tiny shops filled to the brim with all sorts of semi-precious stones and pearls. We saw shops filled just with amber, turqouise, malachite, jade and pearls. It was unbelievable to see so many thousands of stones. In the pearl shop we visited, on the sixth floor, we saw bag after bag of pearls....we mean garbage bage after garbage bag of pearls. Every color in the rainbow. There were so many pearls that there were even loose pearls laying on the floors like debris. We bought a particulalrly lovely strand of pearls that we intend to put away for Jin to someday give to his bride, should there ever be a day. You just cannot imagine the millions of pearls in this store! It actually made you think that pearls are not really as valuable as the price we invest in them!

The pearl market was followed by a trip to the grocery store where we stocked up on tea, candy and other sweets to bring home to make our sweet boys sweeter! The grocery was two stories underground and was quite a cultural experience, much larger than the market we frequented in Lanzhou. The meat market was fascinating with several varieties of cured sausages openly on display as well as dried, cured ducks! See photo.

Dried duck- don't they make your mouth water?!

A post shopping treat from Susan, our guide

A lichee we think?

After lunch in the hotel deli, Adele, the guide - Susan, Melissa Coy and Amy Kellam went to the wholesale purse market in search of Burberry bags. For two and a half hours they rummaged through a wholesale market (equally large as the pearl market) in search of the perfect bag! It was a little glimpse of heaven for this quartet! Bags, bags, bags! And yes, Adele did come home with a pretty high quality knock-off!

While Mama was shopping, Jin and I went swimming in the pool on the roof of the fourth floor. It was his first swim and though the water was a little cold he enjoyed it quite a lot!

Dinner tonight was at a Cantonese restaurant; yet another variation on the Chinese cuisine! It was delicious, so delicious we had the guide order more food, which was a first for us!

Today we had an amazing downpour, after which there was a lovely breeze. A good way to end our last evening in Guangzhou. Tomorrow we will check out of the hotel, go to the Consulate where at 3:30 pm (1:30 am in Nashville) we will take the oath for Jin and he will become a United States citizen! The dream of so many countless millions around the world. So before you go to bed tonight please remember us in your prayers as we take this monumental step in his life -and ours!

After the ceremony we will go to the airport where we will board a flight for Shanghai, where we will spend the night. From there we will make our last post, we beleive, and then, we will board the long, long flight to Newark, then Nashville, then home to Briarwood Drive!

Journal Entry- Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Hello Friends, Happy Tuesday!

It is hard to believe, but we are already counting down the days in China, the trip is quickly coming to a close in just a few more days. Today our Guide, Susan, had our appointments at the Consulate and all went well. We signed the visa application and it started to be processed today. As tomorrow is Veteran's Day in the US the American Consulate also has the day off thereby delaying us a day! On Thursday, we will take the oath for Jin and then be on our way home, via Shanghai, on Friday!

We are not quite sure about this Mom?!

Walking across a swinging bridge is cool!

I just wish it were cooler outside :)

"It's not fair.  Lily has longer legs."

Today was another slow day due to the need to be available for paperwork. This morning we took the children to a nearby park that covered a couple of hundred acres. It was large and lush with semi-tropical foliage. Here fichus trees grow as large as maples at home! There were many things to see in the park and things for the children to do. However, the heat was stifling and hung around us like a wet wool blanket. Pictured above is Jin with his friend, Lily, on their first little kiddie roller coaster ride. They had fun, despite the heat. By 12:30 we retreated to the comforts of our hotel room to cool off in the luxurious air conditioning. A person could easily get used to 5 stars....but you know, as nice as it is, there is no place like home.

We had lunch at McDonalds and somehow managed to order 3 Big Mac meals instead of the #3 Big Mac meal...oh well, something to laugh about! Also, above is a picture of our Papa John's pizza from last night just as proof.... Tonight we were treated to a Manchurian meal, the distinctive feature was lots of red peppers! At the center of the photo you will see a large HOT pot of fish.

Eggplant- Chinese style

Another dish was of mushrooms which one menu described as black fungus. Appetizing! The tea tonight was very distinctive, made of barley. It tasted rather like diluted soy sauce. It has been interesting to try the various regional Chinese specialties and the subtle nuances of the different areas. Every one of them does rice and noodles differently, for example.

As we walked to the restaurant tonight we passed a "fish mongers" which displayed the various fish, turtles, eels, bugs, and ducks on the stoop in large tanks and cages all very much alive and breathing! I just don't like to have to apologize to my dinner before eating it....

If only a duck could squeeze thru one of these holes.

Face it guys, there is no way out.

Ahoy mates!

Our big adventure today was a night time boat trip along the Pearl River in a wooden boat, a replica of a traditional Junk. It was really beautiful to see the city lit up in all its multicolored splendor; many of the buildings have beautiful lights and light shows on them; many, many colors of "neon." Jin loved the boat ride too as he sat still and memorized for one hour. We traveled only a few miles of the 2,100 KM distance of the Pearl but enjoyed the coolness of the water and the fantastic architecture of the city. By the way, Guangzhou is a city of 16 plus million people. Just as we got off it started to rain and rain pretty good. This was the first rain we have seen in China and is a welcome break from the heat.

We had an interesting incident in Starbucks the other day that we forgot to relate. While waiting Adele and Jin struck up a conversation with a young Chinese woman who spoke remarkably good English (having learned it from TV!) She asked Jin where he was from, which province. When it was answered Gansu she then asked him if he was of the Gansu people, to which he replied, "No, I'm American!" So they taught him something in the orphanage! Actually, there are 56 minority groups in China, but Jin is from the majority people group, the Han. His province, having once been important on the Silk Road, had a number of Romans 2000 years ago, that interbred with the locals. So some have said they see Roman in his face. I guess that is all speculation. But I do know that on Thursday he really is American!

Blessings to you all,
The Holloways

Journal Entry- Monday, November 9, 2009

Hello Friends!

This morning we were back on Shamain Island. If anyone wants to read more about the place where we have spent much of the last three days there is an interesting article on Shamain Island on wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamian_Island

The reason we had to go back today was to have the children's TB tests checked. The good news is all three children were negative after two days. This mean, one, that they do not have TB, but second, that we are cleared, medically, to return to the US on Friday! Praise the Lord!

Of course, a return to Shamain Island also meant more eating and shopping. Each of the three familes also bought extra suitcases to bring home our plunder! Picture above is a shot of us with "Jack," a store keep with whom Adele had two particularly vigorous bartering sessions. She drives a hard bargain!

Our friend Jack.  He gave us a great deal!

One interesting site on the Island each day has been the presence of numerous brides and grooms decked out in their full regalia having their photographs taken. With its parks, trees, tropical foliage and cetury old architecture there are many places for unique photographs. On one particular stairwell leading to an ancient verandah we have seen brides all three days. The wedding dresses and "tuxedoes" are sometimes quite over the top!

Lily and Jin chatting away in the van

"So what do you think of your Mom and Dad?"

We have mentioned numerous times the other two families in our travel group. The Kellams are from Indiana, and adopted 6 year old Lily and the Coys, from Ohio, adopted 2 year old Leila. One of the pictures shows Jin and Lily today having a discussion, in Chinese of course, about who knows what. though several times we did hear the words "Ultra Man," which is a Chinese action figure. It was the first time they had seemed to communicate with one another. It was very sweet. Jin has also seems to be smitten with Leila, age 2. She is a sweet little girl.                                                                        

We don't have any gastronomical food tales today...save one.... But first, each morning we eat breakfast at the buffet in the hotel dining room. Quite a change from our usual fare of cold cereal at home. It always includes American, British and Chinese choices. The hotel dining room also has a small play area for children. Now there is a hotel that knows it's clientele! Lunch was another splendid Thai meal. One dish was a fish, yes, with the head still on! For dinner, we couldn't seem to find anything that was appealing, despite the fact that we walked a couple of blocks and checked three hotel dining rooms! In the end of the day we ordered a pizza from Papa John's! The funny thing was we had it delivered and it was late because the delivery bike was broken and so they had to bring it on the metro, or subway! Ok, so for the interesting food we noted today...on our walk we passed a few street vendors and one offered us a dried bat on a stick....sort of like jerky! I guess it goes without saying we refused it! Our guide Sally had said that in Guangzhou we would encounter all sorts of food, and she was right. The saying is "they will eat anything that flies, except an airplane and anything with legs, except a table!"

Yummy, yummy pizza!  Mama, you can have the garlic butter.

Well, that about cover it for today. May the Lord bless you in many ways today!
The Holloways

Journal Entry- Sunday, November 8, 2009

Good Sunday Morning to the Western Hemisphere! The sun has set here in the east and at the close of the day we give thanks for this day that the Lord has made!

This morning we gathered in worship at Christ Church on Shamain Island, built by the British in 1865 when Canton was an important port in the British Empire. The church service was in both Mandarin and English. What a blessing it was to share in fellowship with these believers who are able to openly worship the Lord despite restrictions on worship in other parts of this country. For example, our guide is part of a house church which has several branches, no house being big enough to hold them all. Though they too worship rather freely they are pretty sure there is a spy in their midst. How blessed we are in America to worship with no fear of whom might be watching.

Inside God's big house in China

Shamian Christ Church

After Church our group had a nice lunch of 'normal Chinese' food then we went to the famous White Swan Hotel, a landmark on the island, where we had group photos taken of our travel group and of our three little china dolls all dressed in their red silks. This is the famous 'red couch' picture that is a symbol to many adoptive families that their dreams have come true! The gorgeous waterfall is also inside the hotel...Nashvillians, does it remind you of the Opryland Hotel?

But I want to go down there!

Forever Friends

Leila, Jin and Lily

                 2 yrs., 4 yrs. and 6 yrs. old                 

1, 2, 3 SMILE!

Look at me!

With the photo shoot under our belt we set off for a couple of hours of shopping around the island. We ordered a few things to be made which we will pick up tomorrow. Adele even tried her hand at bargaining and nearly came away with the whole store for under $50!

We treated ourselves to a Starbucks visit in the afternoon! Yes, there is a Starbucks on the island and one in our hotel. We had green tea lattes. Not sure they will make it in the American market? Returning to the hotel we spent Sunday afternoon at rest, for dinner I (Clint) walked across the street to McDonalds and got us Big Macs and a Happy Meal?!? Ah, the Golden Arches! What do you think about all this American influence on the east?

The next few days will be slow as we await the official paperwork to be completed and wait for the consulate appointments, etc. Thank you for your continued prayers; the pollution is getting to us again, as well as the drastic change in tempreatures (Snow last Sunday in Beijing, near 90 and high humidity this week in Guagzhou!). May you have a blessed Sunday!

And Happy 64th birthday, Mom!

Clint for the Holloways