Christmas 2008

Christmas was magical! Grace just loved the season. We did the 12 days of Christmas with her and she received a gift each day. She liked that idea! Carl made her a kitchen for Christmas and she is so enjoying it! The look on her face Christmas morning was so neat. She looked down and saw all her presents from Santa and I will always cherish that moment!
We look forward to the New Year with Grace! Have a Great New Year! Cheers! The Beckner's

Winter 2008

I once again apologize that I have not been good about updating the post. Lots has happened since the last entry....We went to San Antonio and had a blast. We went with Carl's parent's. Grace loved being with her Grandparents everyday. We even had the chance to meet up with The Tsang who we met at The White Swan in the playgroup.We also met up with the Benson's. (That is the picture at the bottom with our girls!) When we got home we had the bad news that our little Charlie (our dog) had passed away the morning we were coming home. So sad. Grace really misses "Arlie" but we do plan to get a new dog after the holidays. Then on October 23rd the Lord took my Mother home with Him. We sure do miss her. Grace and I were going up every Wednesday and spending the whole day with her. She dearly misses her "Nana."
Grace loved Halloween and she was Snow White or as she says " Whites." She loved to play in the leaves. Thanksgiving she enjoyed too with her Aunt Carolyn and her boys and her Grandparents. Now Christmas she really loves. We are doing the 12 days of Christmas with her and she opens a prize each day. She is enjoying the advent calendars we have around the house. And she really loves the Big Guy Santa....Carl is busy building her a wooden kitchen for Christmas. It is just darling...
As my sister said to me this morning..."Grace is truly the Grace of our family right now." I believe she was sent to heal the wounds in our family. My Mother sure did enjoy her when she was here and her Daddy and Mommy love her so much!
I wish peace and love to all of you in this Christmas season. We have found our present in the Gift of Grace. God Bless All of You! Anita, Carl, and Grace

Falling Into Grace

Just can't wait for Fall with Grace. She just loves the pumpkins, witches, and ghosts she sees.
We had fun the rest of summer with her. We went to the zoo with the Newell's from Logansport and had a blast! We went to several concerts at Ravania this summer and she loved to dance and watch all the people.
We are going ncxt week to San Antonio with our in-laws for a week. We plan on meeting up with friends we met in China and their girls too. Those pictures to follow.
Have a great Fall! The Beckner's

Summer 08

Okay I am so sorry I haven't posted sooner. This summer is flying by. Grace is really doing great. She loves her home, family, and visting new friends and family all the time.
We had her baptized on June 20th and that was fun. We had family coming in from all directions. My cousin who is a pastor performed the ceremony in our backyard.
She has now met all my family and Carl's. They all love her dearly and have spoiled her rotten.
We visited the Newell family in Logansport who we were with in China. I think Lilly and Grace remembered each other. We are planning a trip to the zoo in September with them. My brother also lives in Logansport.
Grace still isn't talking alot but understands everything which amazes us. She is feeding herself. And the speech is coming. New words are coming each week.
We will watch the Olympics tomorrow and be amazed that we got to visit China and even have a piece of it forever with us in Grace.
I will write soon. Sure looking forward to fall with Grace.
Here are some new pictures!

Home At Last

It's June 5th and we are home and loving it...Grace has been wonderful. She is sleeping thru the night and taking nice 2 hour naps! A bonus for Mom.
She really likes playing in her room and downstairs we made a nice kitchen play area. She really likes cook and play with her food and plates. One of her favorite areas is our pots and pans. Big fun.
She also likes to play outside and help her Mom in the garden. She is such a joy and changing everyday.
Will post more pictures soon!
The pictures are of Grace in th backyard and running at my old workplace...

Final Days in Guangzhou

Well tomorrow will be our last day here.. Then off to Hong Kong after our consulate appointment at 2:30. We board the train around 7:00 tomorrow night. Then we will visit one last time with my nephew and his family.

It has been so much fun here. Alot of love and memories shared here..

Thank you for sharing the journey. I will post more once we get home so you can see how she adjusts there...

Will chat with you all soonn!!! Love Anita, Carl, & Grace

Wednesday here in China

Well one more day down and 3 more days here till that bird flies us home. I love China but miss our home...Please pray for the souls here who have lost their homes..There lives..Bless their hearts...

We went to a temple today..Very peaceful and neat to experience...Grace was blessed which was really neat...

She continues to do well...She loves the pool.

Here is somemore pics...Enjoy..Love, Anita & Carl

Red Couch Picture Day

Sunday

From The Botanic Gardens

And More Pics

New Pictures

New Greetings From Guangzhou

Sorry that we have not posted anything new...A toddler keeps you busy and she has hit the road running!!! She is so adorable...she loves to run and sing...and kiss...just so good. She takes a 2 hour nap in the afternoon and goes to bed at 8:30 and sleeps thru the night...Just amazing...
We are having fun here on the island in Guangzhou. It is so pretty here...lots of neat buildings...and walking thru the courtyards and watching the guards marching and the ladies doing there movements..Just so neat...
My little cherub is waking up must go..We are all fine here..We did not feel the earthquake...My heart goes out to all those families..So sad...Will write again soon... Anita & Carl

Pictures from Official Adoption Day

Here are a couple of pictures from Wednesday (Official Adoption Day)

Adoption is official

Yesterday was another big day. We went back to the government building with Grace, had meetings with 2 officials, signed some papers and then the adoption became official! Today we will go to the police station to start the processing of getting her passport.

We went shopping at a store that is something like our Walmart - very big with just about everything. Notably the store did not have air conditioning. Probably should have bought a beach towel just to wipe off the sweat.

Grace had a tough afternoon and only wanted to be held by Anita. If we put her down and if I held her, she would cry until Anita took her. After a nice bath and a long nap, she was much happier. She even played and laughed a little. Today we will try to get her back on her schedule to keep things smoother.
Carl

We have our daughter!

Greetings from Guangzhou!!!!
Grace has landed! She is absolutely beautiful...She is just so perfect..
It was too funny as soon as we got there she was peeking behind the curtain at us all...at one point she threw a ball across the floor..
She is doing just great with us...She has eaten and even took a bath and let me wash her hair with no tears! She does not like getting her teeth brushed.
The next few days will be very busy and not sure when I can post again. But will soon. Thanks for sharing the journey with us and finally our daughter is here save and sound. Now tomorrow to make it all official.
Love, Anita & Carl

Greetings From Hong Kong

We landed on May 2nd and Hong Kong is amazing! We are having so much fun with my nephew Randy and his wife Sabine and their three adorable children...Nikki has been keeping us entertained with many subjects, Tasha is a Princess, and baby Ella is just so precious.
Today May 5th we are touring Hong Kong with Sabine and Randy. Going to see some antique markets. What fun. Only 2 more days till Grace Time...Cannot wait...More to come.....

Our Journey To Grace

May 28th 2005 we started our journey with a phone call to Harrah's our adoption agency.
July 25th 2005 our social worker came for her first visit with us.
Sept 25th 2005 our home study finished.
Oct 8th 2005 we were fingerprinted for the 1st time. That is our last piece of paperwork to complete all the other papers to China.
Nov 15th 2005 our I-171 arrived! Now we can send out our paperwork to Harrah's for China!
Nov 16th 2005 paperwork is off to Harrah's.
Dec 16th 2005 your paperwork is off to China!!!!
Jan 21st 2006 Our paperwork was logged in China on 1-4-06. This is a date we will follow till the end for your referral!
And then we waited.....and waited....the referral times kept slowing from 2 weeks to 2 days....
Sept 3rd 2006 we started painting her room. Completed Nov 5th.
March 12th 2007 the social worker came again to renew the home study since the wait is so long we had to get refingerprinted.
Oct 22nd 2007 Organized your room. Her furniture is all painted and ready.
Jan 16th 2008 Grace's crib from the Ya's Ya's arrived!
Jan 29th 2008 rumor has it that the 1-4-06 babies are being matched!
Jan 31st 2008 Harrah's contacted us for all our contact information for the "referral call."
Feb 12th 2008 Carl put up her crib while I was out shopping for baby things...like lotions, powder's ect. Went to Border's and bought her some books.
March 3rd 2008 they day we all were waiting for...we got the call from Harrah's. Our girl Song Jai Bin is here!
March 13th 2008 daily we have notes and gifts for Grace. Amazing...
March 14th 2008 received the shower invite for her that my friend Colleen and Nancy are planinng. It will be on April 6th...

First information on Grace

We received our first look at Grace last week. Of course, all babies look cute. But most important to me is that she looks healthy. The translated medical reports indicate that everything is normal. After waiting for over 2 years, it appears that the time when this will all be "real" is getting close!