We are home!

The Stricklands have arrived back in Amarillo! We are extremely tired, but overjoyed to be with our family again. Mason had a rough trip home because of the time difference and exhaustion. He sobbed nearly all the way from Los Angeles to Dallas. He is doing much better since we got off the plane, let him meet his brothers, sisters and grandparents, fed him breakfast, and showed him his wonderful new room. He and the little girls are so precious together.

Thanks again to all of you who prayed for our trip to go smoothly. God answered above and beyond what we asked for. Mason continues to do incredibly well, and he and our other children have bonded with one another so quickly. I will post some pictures later today of our first minutes together as a family. We love you all!!

Our last post from China

We have survived our last night in a hotel, the bags are almost packed, and we are even excited about the 24 hour trip home! We have a busy day ahead of us as we do some last minute group shopping, go to the consulate, check out of the hotel, and head to the airport. Please pray that Mason does much better on this flight. I know the last one was difficult because of the grieving, but he also does not like to sit still for 5 minutes - much less 24 hours.

Thank you for all of your sweet comments on this blog, your prayers, meals for our children, and just being our sweet family and friends. We love you and will be home in 36 hours!!!!

Samson's family!

What a small world!

On both of our previous adoption trips, we made great friendships with our precious facilitators. Samson, our helper on Molly's adoption trip, is one of the best facilitators in China. We have kept in touch with him and got to meet his new wife and baby last night! We found Ann, our 2nd facilitator, on the streets of Guangzhou our first night here. She is a doll, and has a sweet little 3 year old boy. When we adopted Madelyn in the Jiangxi province, our facilitator in Nanchang was a wonderful woman named Guilan. She is probably in her 50s and was quite the "little general." She was able to keep our large adoption group in line :) She and Madelyn also share the same birthday which made for an even deeper friendship. Last night after Samson and his family left our hotel room, I thought that this trip would be perfect if we could see Guilan again. We got on the hotel elevator this morning, and there she was!!! We will be able to spend time with her tonight after our cruise. It is a very small world.

All of our consulate paperwork has gone through inspection. and everything was filled out correctly - way to go Randy!!! We will pick up Mason's Chinese passport and visa later today, and leave for home tomorrow! For all of you Texans. our flight here leaves about the time you will wake up on Friday morning. We arrive in Amarillo at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday!!!!!! We can't wait to hold all of our children.

Looks like an American to me!

Macho Mason

3 days and counting!

We love China, but we miss all of you! Today was adoption paperwork day for Randy and shopping day for Mason and Mom. All adopted children are required to have a physical before they can leave this country, and so we took Mason to the clinic this afternoon. Mason passed his physical with flying colors! Tomorrow night we will take another boat cruise (different river than the last one), and spend quality time with our adoption group. Friday morning is the long anticipated trip to the DVD store :) and our adoption ceremony at the consulate. Then the Stricklands leave for the airport and home!