Hi everyone,So sorry we have not been able to update for the last few days. We could not sign into my blog for our last couple of days in China. Our final two days in China were great. We absolutely love the Chinese people--they are so hospitable and so friendly. They all tried to speak to Hannah-Claire and Haven in Chinese. Too funny--they got no response from either. Hannah-Claire was very … [Read more...]

Okay Dawn....mmmmmm, the fanny word. Well, let's just say that where I am from it is used to refer to a certain anatomical body part on a woman :) Tooooooo funny. You just CANNOT name a store that! LOLWell, we're learning through trial and error with Haven. Since arriving in Guangzhou (GZ), she has been absolutely terrified to go to bed, yet in Nanjing we had no problems. Every time we put her to … [Read more...]

Today was a sweet day of "firsts." Some good, some bad. First the good...Haven finally SAT on the toilet to wee. Up to this point, she was so afraid of it that she would stand over the toilet and wee all over the place. She was in such a hurry to get out of there, usually, that she would run out in midstream with her pants still down! But today, she sat down. HA-llelujah!Now for the bad, it … [Read more...]

Hi, everyone, Hope this video works. It's little "missy" dancing in a shoe store. She's obviously used to the paparazzi. Anthony … [Read more...]

Hi, loved ones,Phew, the last two days have been crazy. As we expected, our flight to Guangzhou last night was terrifying for Haven. She had no idea what was happening or where she was. She did eventually settle down, but it was so hard for her. We think drugs are going to be in order for the flight home. :) When we got to the hotel late last night Haven was so disoriented--poor little thing was … [Read more...]

Good morning, everyoneToday we leave Nanjing and fly to Guangzhou in Southern China where we will process the USA part of Haven's adoption. Praying that Haven does okay on the flight.Yesterday was good. Anthony told you that Haven had a major breakthrough with him, it was wonderful. We know that it will just get better and better every day. It is very common for the Chinese orphans to bond with … [Read more...]

Hi, all, Anthony here. First I want to thank all of you for your prayers and genuine support during my bout with shingles. It was the strangest thing; it didn't show up until I was on the plane. Blisters started forming on my right arm. Then it started--the pain throughout my arm, but even more, on my back and neck. It feels like I fell off of a ten-story building and landed on my back. Now my … [Read more...]

Good morning, precious friends and family, It is Thursday morning here in China. Thank you all for your amazing support and encouragement, it has been such a huge blessing. We are almost 48 hours into having Haven. What a incredible journey it has been. Yesterday Haven officially became Haven Maylin Salem! Praise the Lord. We went and did all the necessary paperwork and she walked out of the … [Read more...]