Pics from Maeve's Finding Place & Orphanage

Maeve was found by the Wanhe Clothing Store in Zhong Gong, a smaller town of 40,000 west of Jinan City. Zhong Gong is located in a mountainous region along the Yu Dai He River where the people of Jinan like to visit on the weekends for fishing and relaxation. There were fruit stands along the road and many paddle boats along the river. It was a beautiful area. 

The Wanhe Clothing Store was located on a busy street with many shops and people. I wanted to buy Maeve something from this street and we were able to find a tea set from the store next door.

I was so thankful that we could visit this spot, but it was also very difficult as well. 

Maeve slept through the whole thing.

Our next stop was Maeve's orphanage. It was a beautiful place, but I am so happy that she is one of the few that will be able to have a home and a family who loves her. We were told that of the 400 children who live at the orphanage, only 30 are allowed to be adopted each year. What a miracle that we have been chosen to be Maeve's family. God is good.

 The lobby in the orphanage was very bright and warm- it smelled like a greenhouse!

Maeve's crib. 

This is where our little girl slept and these were the little stuffed animals that kept her company at night. The nannies are pointing to Maeve's name, Zhao LongBing, which shows which crib was hers. Maeve's crib was in a room with about 25 other children. She slept closest to the window.

 This is one of Maeve's primary care givers, one of her Mamas at the orphanage.

 Maeve was given a special treat by one of the nannies! I think they know what she likes!

 The lady in the pink shirt is a physical therapist and the other lady is one of the directors.

 This woman is the principal, the head director of the orphanage.

She wrote a special message to Maeve in the journal that we're keeping.

 Our Jinan Bethany group!

Two of the little ones stayed back at the hotel because they had been

 in foster care and it would have been too difficult for them to see their foster parents.

After we visited the orphanage we went back to the Civil Affairs Office to finalize Maeve's adoption. The rest of our group did that a few days prior, but we were asked to return and meet the governor of Shandong province and have our certificate presented to us by him. As it turned out, the governor was held up in a meeting on the floor above, so he sent a replacement. We were told that this man is higher ranking than a mayor, but lower than the governor. He helped put Maeve's footprint on the certificate and presented this very important document to us. She's officially our daughter!

Guangzhou!

We made it to Guangzhou yesterday! We left Jinan around 4:00 and arrived in Guangzhou at 7:30. This was good practice for the 15 hour flight yet to come- Maeve wasn't exactly a happy traveler. She was only quiet if we kept the food coming! We are definitely planning on being well stocked when we fly home! The photo below is a good picture of her personality- she's pretty easy going most of the time! We will post more pictures later tonight of today's activities! 

Finding Maeve

Today was a hard day. We went to vistit Maeve's finding place and also her orphanage. Maeve was left as an infant  near a clothing store in a smaller town outside of Jinan. She was most likely left in the early morning hours and found before the store even opened. Our hearts broke when we took this all in.  Of course, we have been aware that Maeve was abandoned, but when you are standing in the exact spot, seeing the people, hearing and smelling what her birth mom did- it's all so much more real. We are thankful that her birthmom left her in a place where she would be found quickly and we are thankful to her for giving Maeve life. I believe that the decision she made was not easy or made in an attempt to "get rid of a problem." I believe that she knew her little girl who not have a full life in China and she made the ultimate sacrifice.  Love.  We are broken by and grateful for her sacrifice and know that our lives and Maeve's have been intricately woven together by a loving and merciful God.

After visiting her finding spot, we continued on to the orphanage. Talk about an emotional roller coaster of a day. The orphanage is beautiful- clean, colorful, and the staff- oh, what amazing people! Their dedication and love for the kids was apparent. It was so wonderful to speak directly with Maeve's care givers and ask them questions about her. They knew her like she was their own little girl- her likes/ dislikes, her fears, and her favorite friend, who happens to be a little 2 year old boy named Chen Chen! These women are my heroes and I am completely indebted to them. They have showed Maeve what love is; what a gift. I am so sad that I missed out on the first 17 months of Maeve's life, but I know that she was in very capable hands with people who loved her dearly.

* I'm having trouble getting pics from this morning uploaded to my computer. I'll try again- these were the pictures that I really wanted everyone to see.



This evening we went on a tour of the springs in Jinan. They were really beautiful and we wish we could've spent more time there! We have just a few pictures before it turned too dark to see anymore!

 We've seen a lot of cute little popos in China!

 These little kids taking a roller blading class were amazing!

Maeve loves her Daddy!

Love this little girl!

 This is a fountain near the springs in Jinan.

 This group of dancers performed for us- it was something like River Dance!

John joined in and they all got a kick out of him!

This is the river where the spring flow into.

Day 2 with Maeve

Today was our last day of paperwork in Jinan- we spent a few hours having documents notorized. Maeve did great- no fussing or crying! She is a pretty happy, easy going little girl! We spent the afternoon relaxing in the hotel- a much needed break from the busy schedule of the past few days. Tomorrow we will visit the orphanage and Maeve's finding place.

We went out for lunch today and this lady brought her gandson over

to meet Maeve! This little boy is 7 months old and twice the size of Maeve!

Many people have been very curious about Maeve and either come 

over to see her or just point at us and whisper as we walk by.

A lunch special- french fries with sprinkles!

Starbucks in Jinan! 

 Maeve was a little angel today!

She is fun and loves to interact with us!

Suckers are always a hit!

Maeve!!!!!!

I don't think this post needs too many words, just pictures! Today was a dream come true, a moment we've been waiting for and anticipating a long time. It could not have gone more perfect than it did. We are amazed at how quickly Maeve went to all three of us (no tears all day long) and how quickly she began to babble, giggle, and interact with us. She is beautiful, always hungry (I think she ate snacks all day long!), and very interested in playing with us- Wow! God is good and has blessed us with more than we could ever have asked for. This was just day 1- who knows how tomorrow, or the next few months, for that matter, will go- but we are rejoicing in today and know that this has been a gift from God to our family.

Now, on to the good stuff!

 Waiting....it's almost time!!!

 Here she is!!!!! Our little girl has arrived!!!

 Charlie Chin, aka Charlie Sheen, is the man from the orphanage who brought 

Maeve to us.  He seemed to know Maeve well and made sure she was doing well.

 Maeve and Daddy!

 A smile for big brother, Tristan!

 Jennifer and Anna, along with Maeve and me!

Anna and Maeve were in the same room at the orphanage 

and know each other well. It is awesome that Anna's family lives

in Milwaukee and we will be able to stay in touch. We are so thankful

that we can share this experience with Jennifer and Preston and that our

daughters will grow up knowing each other- what a blessing.

Making it official!

 While we signed papers, Tristan was Chief of Entertainment.

He has been a wonderful help and we are so thankful he is here with us.

I think Maeve ate almost a whole container of Puffs today!!

I have about a million more pictures, but this is all I'll post for today! There will be plenty more to come!

Hello, Jinan!

We are here in Maeve's city!!!! And tomorrow is the BIG day!!! We are so excited and nervous all at the same time. It is a miracle that we are here and we know that it is only through God's faithfulness and mercy to us that this is possible.

This morning we left Beijing around 9:00 and took the bullet train to Jinan. It was a short 1.5 hour ride at 187 mph! When we arrived we met our new guide, John who took us to our hotel. It is HOT here, about 100 degrees. We are doing lots of laundry in the sink so we have fresh clothes each day!

After we arrived we went to the bank to change our US dollars into RMB. Our small stack of dollars turned into quite a large stack of Yuan!

Next we went to a huge mall which is very close to our hotel. It is huge and fun to look around! We went with another family, Jennifer and Preston, who are adopting Anna, a little girl who is just a month older than Maeve! We were so happy to learn that they live in Milwaukee-  there will definitely be get togethers when we get home!

At the mall we ate lunch together at a little joint that sold fried dough balls with stuff inside (not sure what else to call them!) They were very good and the people who worked there were happy to help us figure out what to order :)

The next stop was back to our hotel and John and Tristan went to the pool (which is amazing!) for a swim. Mama took a nap :) I'll try to get pics of the pool next time we go.

Tonight our whole group went for dinner at Papa John's! Pizza never tasted so good :)

 It's time to get on the train!

Jennifer and I enjoyed the ride together!

John met a man who used to be a prof at Cornell- they chatted the entire ride!

 NOT our lunch today, but it was an option!

 Lunch at the mall!

Dough balls filled with yummy stuff!