(Josie) Guo Ling

2nd "Forever Family" day video - in Hotel in Langhzou

2011-12-07T09:19:00.001-08:00

We Made it Home!

2011-11-29T21:22:00.001-08:00

Well, the trip home WAS hilacious as predicted - very long. The kiddos did well, just a long (friggin) time to be in the air and on the road. I was dileriously tired when we got home; we were pooped and happy. Thanks to our great neighbor friends and family that decked out our place with decorations. Ling Ling giggled when she first saw our overly rambunctious pups jumping all over us. They made fast friends and she is already feeding them and seeking them out from across the room - amazing.

We woke to Thanksgiving and a delicious meal from Oliver's that Cash's babysitter put in the fridge the day before. Cash made a China adventure themed centerpiece on the table, Ling Ling fed the dogs crackers, and we enjoyed the day, as groggy as we were, together.

Goodbye China, Hello Family and Friends

2011-11-23T17:44:00.001-08:00

Departure time is tomorrow! We arrive at SFO Wednesday night, just in time for Thanksgiving. We ARE very thankful. What a great experience we've all had. Thanks to China and our wonderful facilitators and hosts. See you soon...xoxoxox

Evening Boat Ride Down the Pearl River

2011-11-23T17:41:00.001-08:00

Mrs. Liang took us on a ferry ride down the Pearl River where we seriously tripped the lights fantastic! What a party of lights! We all loved it and Cash was an instant celeb again. I will do a photo essay entry later of the photos of some of the girls he has posed with, but this was a special night for him. The Canton TV tower, the tallest TV tower in the world, is spectacular.

Throughout trip people have tried to hold Ling Ling but she'll have nothing to do with them, except for our facilitator, Mrs. Liang. She loves her!

Lions and Tigers and Panda Bears

2011-11-23T17:36:00.001-08:00

We applied for Ling Ling's travel visa today with a group of about 12 other families with newly adopted children waiting to get their children and families back to the States. It was interesting and heartfelt to meet the other families and children. We swapped contact info with a family from Sacramento. The families were mostly from Mid-Western areas like Nebraska, Ohio, Chicago, and Kansas. There were two young boys and a few children overall with special needs or medical related issues. No cameras were allowed in the building. We had to swear an oath for something very important and official but neither Joel or I can remember for what exactly. Not to minimize the importance of the process but seems like more fanfare and regalia at this point; we are ready to get home!

After, Mrs. Liang took us to the Guangzhou Zoo and we had a fun time there. Ling Ling was asleep when we arrived at the tigers, her Chinese astrological sign. It was really cool too because an attendant was chucking huge slabs of meat from the railing to the tigers, six of them, and they were enjoying a feast right in front of us. I really wanted to see the pandas and was shocked to see how slumming it they were. Looks like some renovations are due for the panda digs.

p.s. Ling Ling's buzz cut is growing out a little...

Leaving Lanzhou and Dinos, Gansu China

2011-11-19T07:37:00.001-08:00

Note from editor: This post should have been up yesterday, 11/18, before the two that precede it on the blog.

After five nights we depart today and fly to Guangzhao where we'll meetMrs. Liang, our facilitator and get Ling Ling's medical exam and travel visa.Lanzhou, the capital of the Gansu Provence in North Western China, is anancient, smoggier than you can imagine, megalopolis of 5 million or more. It isa city with a vivid history of dynasties, ancient artifacts, battles,ethnicities, and religion (birthplace of Buddhism in China)as it is a geographically strategic location with the Yellow River, a major hubof the silk road, and the oldest parts of China's Great Wall. The pollutionhere is almost unbearable and I have not wanted to take the kids (or myself)outdoors. We took a few jaunts about and found some serious Dinosaurs at the Lanzhou Museum. There is also an exhibit ongorgeous excavated bronze and pottery artifacts from the region and a beautifulexhibit on the Buddha. It was a great time and Cash was in heaven! He made ustake tons of pictures of every exhibit.

Poolside in Guangzhou

2011-11-19T07:35:00.001-08:00

We made it to our hotel in Guangzhou; what a beautiful place! Ling Lingslowly got acclimated to the pool and she loved it. Cash hit the water withenthusiasm; super fun.

THINGS YOU MIGHT WONDER

2011-11-19T07:32:00.001-08:00

THINGS YOUMIGHT WONDER

So, the triphas been very smooth so far considering the major changes we all have beengoing through and being so far from what we know- all of us....Ling Ling hasbeen a spark. She is easy going as well as having a ton of personality. Here isa photo Joel took with his iphone on our first morning together. It captures somuch for me.

Thanks forall the emails and being a part of our adventure! We are thrilled to share andlove all the support we are getting from our friends and family. Our dearfriend Jenni has been posting the excerpts I've been writing for the blog asGoogle is banned in Chinaand we are blocked out of it. There may be comments or questions you have thatwe have not seen because of this. Here are a few questions you might wonder.

Is Ling Lingas cute in real life as in the pictures? YES! AND WE THINK SHE IS MORE ADORABLEEVERYDAY.

Have therebeen challenging times with Ling Ling as this is such a big adjustment for herand us? YES. OVERALL NOT NEARLY AS CHALLENGING AS WE EXPECTED. WE'VE HAD SOMEWAKEFUL NIGHTS AND TOUGH TIMES PUTTING HER DOWN FOR SLEEP. WE WALK HER UP ANDDOWN THE HOTEL HALLWAYS AT NIGHT AND SHE FALLS ASLEEP IN OUR ARMS.SHE EATS LIKE CRAZY. SHE INSISTS ON FEEDING HERSELF. SHE GETS MAD/FRUSTRATEDAND DOES THE CLASSIC BODY FLAIL OCCASIONALLY. SHE LOVES STEAMED ROLLS AND FRIEDRICE. SHE GIGGLES AND GAZES IN OUR EYES. IT SEEMS LIKE SHE IS CONNECTED TO USALREADY. SHE DOESN'T WANT ME TO LEAVE THE ROOM. SHE REACHES FOR ME TO PICK HERUP. SHE IS FALLING IN LOVE WITH JOEL WITH EACH PASSING MOMENT. WHEN SHE WANTSSOMETHING SHE BLURTS OUT "GOHHH!" OR "AAAAAA!" AND WE TRYTO FIGURE IT OUT. WE THINK SHE WAS REALLY LOVED AND GOT A TON OF ATTENTION INHER FOSTER HOME.

How is Cashcoping with everything? HE IS A CHAMP AND A LOVE. HE HAS SAID THE TYPICAL 4ALMOST 5 YEAR OLD STUFF YOU'D EXPECT LIKE, "MOM, I WISH WE JUST GOT APUPPY INSTEAD OF A SISTER". HE GETS CABIN FEVER IN THE ROOM AND WANTS TOTOUCH EVERYTHING OUT IN THE WORLD WHICH WE ARE CONSTANTLY ASKING HIM TO STOP.CASH TAUGHT LING LING HOW TO KISS (CRAZY CUTE) AND THEN SHE BIT HIM REALLYREALLY HARD IN THE LIP AND LATER ON THE NOSE. SURPRISINGLY, HE BRUSHED IT OFFAND STILL TRIES TO KISS HER. HE LOVES CHINA AND IS IN LOVE WITH ALL THEGIRLS. THEY LOVE HIM TOO AND COME UP TO HIM AND TALK TO HIM, TOUCH HIS HAIR ANDTAKE HIS PICTURE. THE FOOD IS TOUGH FOR HIM BECAUSE HE IS A GRAZER AND THEREARE NOT ENOUGH SNACKS AROUND THAT SOUND GOOD. HE'S BEEN LIVING ONSHRIMP, GRANOLA BARS (WE BROUGHT), FRENCH FRIES AND YOGURT FOR THE MOSTPART.

How are youand Joel doing? WE ARE EXHAUSTED. WE ARE HAPPY. WE FEEL VERY LUCKY. WE AREGETTING HOMESICK. WE HAVE GOTTEN INTO ONE PRETTY GOOD TIFF, BUT HAVE RISEN TOTHE OCCASION OF OUR CHINAADVENTURE TO GET OUR SWEET DAUGHTER. WE HAVE FOUND SO MUCH JOY IN THE PROCESSIT HAS BEEN EASY TO TOUGH OUT THE RUNNING AROUND, THE LACK OF SLEEP ANDDOWNTIME.

What Words Cannot Say

2011-11-16T20:05:00.001-08:00

Let's Make It Official!

2011-11-16T20:02:00.001-08:00

We were told that there would be a lot of waiting and lines and rig-a ma-roll with the China Adoption Affairs and some potential delays and problems. Well, this was not the case! It all went soooo smoothly and we were the only family. I need to get the stats right, but I think there are only a few adoptions in Gansu Provence a year, so we were pretty unusual. The lady holding Ling Ling in the first photo is the doctor for the orphanage. The Judge is the man is blue jacket. He had the coolest thing to say as we were leaving. He said that politicians think they are so important for relations between China and the US. Above the table they are posturing and acting like they are getting so much done, but under the table, they are kicking themselves. He said, in the 70's it was PINGPONG that brought the two Nations together. And today, it is adoptions. He was delighted with us. As we waited 16 stories up for the elevator, what was in the foyer?... A pingpong table. Cash and the judge hit a few balls together- sweet!

Tom & Jim

2011-11-16T20:00:00.001-08:00

Tom and Jim have been planning our trip with us for weeks and weeks. Considering all Ling Ling's needs, ours, and the ins and out of China's Adoption Affairs bureaucracy. They are retired professionals and traveled overnight by train from Shanghai (a 24 hour trip) and met us at our hotel to help us every step of the way from buying diapers to meeting with high ranking officials. They have been fantastic. They have taken a very compassionate view of the China/US adoption relationship; it is quite touching and powerful.

One of my highlights with them was grocery shopping looking for the right size diapers and wipes without perfume- a riot. The three of us make an interesting group and got some curious stares of course; we are getting used to them! We are so grateful for Tom and Jim. When we depart to Guangzhou we will leave them and hook up with Ms Liang, our new facilitator for the rest of the trip. We will need to keep Tom and Jim updated of Ling Ling's process as she grows.

These pictures were taken on Gotcha Day in the lobby of our hotel. Tom is on the left.

Our First Morning Together

2011-11-14T17:44:00.001-08:00

Cash, Joel and I woke up around 5 or 6 am. Cash kept wanting to know if we could wake Ling Ling. It was very tempting; she is so darn adorable and we were so darn curious and excited. Ling Ling woke up at 7am on the dime; just like her updated bio says. She woke up happy and ready to go. She was hungry and had a very healthy appetite. We made her bottles at the mini bar and ordered her room service of congee (rice porridge). We put her in the outfit I bought her months ago when we got our referral. We were about to have a very big day of making the adoption official - being interviewed by a judge at the China Adoption Affairs and applying for her expedited passport. We were grateful we have our two facilitators making everything happen since we arrived in Lanzhao, Tom and Jim, as we would not be able to begin to do this on our own.

Gotcha Day!

2011-11-13T15:33:00.001-08:00

We are great; really great. What an incredible experience getting to know our little dynamo. Her foster family has been calling her Ling Ling. She has a distinct personality - she is curious, funny, and has a little sassy. She slept through the night except when she woke up in the middle of the night wanting to play. So much to share, more to follow... Getting some help with the Blog; should help a bit. We are totally in love. Cash is going to be an incredible big bro.

xoxo

Michelle, Joel, Cash, and Josie Ling Ling

BEIJING

2011-11-12T17:37:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we walked around Tianamin Square and the Forbidden City. Cash was a bit of a celeb- blond haired child. People asked to take his/our picture all day. We were stopped and asked questions and got many many curious stares - all friendly. Cash loved it and hammed it up pretty nicely. The Forbidden City was beautiful-ancient structures, trees and beautiful gardens. My highlight was a ginko grove where lots of kids were making piles of fallen leaves and throwing them in the air. It was a riot!

It is 3 am and we are getting ready to hop on a plane to Lanzhao in Gansu. We will meet our daughter today! I am overcome with emothion; it isj ust so amazing to me- we will be together today!

xoxo,
Michelle, Joel, and Cash

Shower!

2011-11-07T22:24:00.000-08:00

My close girlfriends Threw Josie an amazing shower full of thoughtful gifts, rituals, fabulous food and company. Everyone there wrote a wish for Josie on a red card, put it in an envelop and tied it to a Mandarin tree. They told me to open the notes after we bring her home.

China Visas

2011-11-06T08:03:00.000-08:00

I stood in line at the Chinese Consulate in SF and got our visas with same day service. It was an intense experience going to pick them up as there was a large "Free Tibet"protest with blockade in from of the Consulate doors. I couldn't figure out how to get in or out and was guided by police. The maybe two hundred people all in black clad garb with Tibetan flags chanted, "Free Tibet, Free Tibet" over and over and the leader woman yelled over a loudspeaker. Her voice was so passionate and angry, it mad me cry and I could barely hold it together. Inside in line I met a delightful pair of young men going to Shanghai to teach English. We compared personal stories and empathy for the situation over the chanting.

Travel Plans!

2011-10-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I posted. It has been super challenging: the waiting. Thank God we got our travel approval! We leave November 10th and return the night before Thanksgiving. Actually, we arrive on 11-11-2011; auspicious, no?! We have MUCH to be thankful for. We are going as a family: Myself, Joel, Cash (the pups will have to stay home ;( ). We fly into Beijing and two days later fly to Lanzhao, the capital of Gansu Provence. Usually, "Gotcha Day" is a Monday, but we just received word it will be Sunday afternoon. We are jamming to get ready. We welcome any "tips" to make our travel go more smoothly.

Health Report Checks Out!

2011-08-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

So little Josie Guo Ling's health report looks good the doctor found nothing to be concerned about! We are relieved and delighted. It has been one of the craziest weeks of our lives with finishing our I800 paperwork and acceptance and completing our required classes in accordance with the Hague Convention. Could take a lot longer than we had hoped for (8 weeks) and now they are saying maybe 12 weeks to travel. I wrote a letter to our Congressperson, Lynn Woolsey, to see if her office could help in getting the Immigration piece moving forward more quickly. Fingers crossed.

Everything Translated

2011-07-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

We got all the documents translated Friday night and it contained more pages of information that I had imagined. The biography was hard to read as it first described the street and clothing she was wearing when found. She was wrapped in a white quilt and found by a man who has her first name "Guo". Must be how she got it.

I'll be taking the documents and photos to the dr tomorrow am. I am anxious to see what he will say. There is a potential medical issue and hopefully it is nothing of concern.

Here is the photo that was attached to the health report. Same clothing as the others.

2011-07-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Guo Ling Wu was born on September 1st 2010; year of the Tiger. She is from the Gansu Provence.

Got Referral!

2011-07-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

July 28th, 2011.