Welcome to Mei-Lin

It's finally happened! Mei-Lin is now a Putney. Thanks to all of our wonderfull family and friends who have supported us and encouraged us.

Greg, Dottie and Mimi

2 am in Nanchang

In contrast to the Dim Sum. Here is 2 am (jet lag) snack in Guangzhou.

Fwd: Dim Sum in Guangzhou

Welcome lunch in Guangzhou.

Greg

AND THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COM'IN

This whole process has been one big pain in the tuckus. First the pat down because we have a exploding thermos and now the airlines has put our luggage on the wrong cart. So it didn't arrive when we did. We have been waiting in the baggage claim for the past hour and a half. I could sure use one of Allyn's Mai Tai right about now.

Sent from my iPhone

HAVE BABY JAGUAR.....

Will travel. Here we sit at our favorite place in every airport.....the sports bar.

The highlight of my day so far? The security pat down of course. Who knew
that Mimi's empty thermos, the same exact one we used for her back in 2004 and everyday since then is an explosive?!

GIRL TALK

Yesterday afternoon we received a surprise phone call from another dear China family friend Erica. This is a picture of Mimi and Naomi discussing plans for when we get to California. Hopefully we get a chance to meet with them sometime during our stay.

Long story short, we met the Alvarados at Allyn's Disneyland way back when all our girls were 3 and have remained great friends ever since. Naomi's family was on the list to go again and we were to be in the same group. As you already know our wait was sooo %^$#@ Long! So in the meantime they went ahead a adopted a little boy Rueben from Korea and he came to them quite quickly. However they still had their paperwork active with USAA.

Then in November of last year they let their paperwork expire as Erica had thoroughly convinced herself that these two were the only children they needed. But then there still was the feeling that she has given up on the daughter in China. When she talked with Norman about letting their paperwork expire, Norman mentioned to her that they had already been matched with a child. Wow! So both she an Miguel mulled it over deep within in their minds and hearts and talked it over with Naomi. Naomi as it turns out was the one to tip the scale. Both Miguel and Erica were leaning toward getting a mei mei for Naomi and when Naomi mentioned how much she really wanted a mei mei they both said that' it. We are going to China. So now they are active again and in the next group to go. Woo Hoo! They too are getting a "Tonginator".

This is an old picture of the Alvarado's back in 2009 when they were here for a visit. Rueben was not here then so therefore not in the picture so to speak.

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

Krista shared this following story with me today. According to Xander, he is definitely going to China with us. Krista says to Xander "you need a passport" to which the boy replies "That's ok, Mimi's mom has the password to get into China"

Then there is Ms Naomi who told me this afternoon that I need to make a chart of rules and regulations for our house. Really? The girl is such a little rebel. So I asked her who is the chart for? The answer? Her friends for when they come over to our house. Uh, huh, right.