Sunday, January 31, 2010

China Travel Group Reunion

A couple of weeks ago, our China Travel Group had a little reunion right here in Nashville.  (I haven't had a chance to post the pictures yet, because that was the weekend that my grandmother died).  Anyway, it was so good to see everybody again and to just marvel at how these six little Jiangxi-girls have blossomed over the past 18 months from all the love they've received from their forever families!  The entire travel-group wasn't able to come, but we did have families come from Denver, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Birmingham and Greenville, S.C.

While they were here, we had an early Chinese New Year celebration here at our house and the girls wore their Chinese silks and we all enjoyed a Chinese dinner and watched a video from our China trip.





Macy Li was all about these "Dorothy's" (Elmo) in the flowers...





This is Gracelyn with her sweet daddy and they live in Indianapolis.  
She was One Sick Baby when we were in China...but look at the power of love and family.

My little "Li Ming" from Jiangxi!

This little noodle-lover is Rachel, who lives in Greenville, S.C.
She was a prune-eatin'-machine when we were in China.

This is Pam, with her daughters Miah and Sydney, and they live in Denver.
I kidded her, saying Miah got Macy Li's share of hair!  
When we were in China, Sydney would say to Phillip,
"I love you Beef!"  (long story...a nickname of his :))

This is Sweet Sue with her daughter Rachel and Macy Li...
Sue saved the day in China b/c she's a pediatrician!  Great to
have in a third-world country when several of these girls were so sick.

Here is Bryan with his daughter, Mia-Kate, and they live outside of Birmingham.
His son Mason is the same age as Peyton, so they became fast friends in China.
Funny thing was that Mason's nickname is "Mater,"
while Peyton's nickname is "Tater!"

Here are the Asian Angels serving up tea...Chinese-style!





Okay, China adoptive families, y'all know what this is!
Our attempt at a re-make of the famous Red Couch Photo from The White Swan in Guangzhou!

I'm gonna go back and find our originals from China and post them here for
you to see the changes.  They were all screaming their heads off in Guangzhou!



Pey-toven offered a little musical entertainment, while
Macy Li danced for us!

Presh!

While here, all the families stayed out at the Opryland Hotel...
I included this because it looks JUST LIKE US in
all our hotels in China...although there, we probably looked like
"deer in the headlights!!"  LOL!


Here's little Li Ming running down to the hotel pool!

Mia-Kate and Macy Li







Of course we took 'em to Loveless Cafe 
b/c it wouldn't be Nashville without it! ;)

Miah tearing into her biscuit!  

This is sweet little Hope, who lives in Cincinnati now.

    Some of the group...

19 comments:

Musings from Kim K. said...

Oh my goodness! How cute are they!!! Jiangxi girls will always hold a special place in my heart too. How fun that you could get everyone together again.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

It looks like you had a fantastic reunion weekend:) What adorable little girls..... I will be checking back to see the flashback Red Couch photo.....I bet they were screaming!!

Your house is absolutely beautiful.....makes me want to redeocrate everything in mine.

Have a wonderful week!

xo,

Lisa

Andrea said...

LOVE it! Looks like fun had by all. What a precious gift for those beautiful girls getting to have the continued connection.
Blessings

Kim said...

AMAZING photos.. and what an amazing time to be able to get together with the families..
You are a wonderful hostess..
Love ya girly..
Have a great week..

Jboo said...

How wonderful that so many from your group were able to get together! Looks like a fabulous time was had by all! Cute, cute girls!

Janet

Anonymous said...

i LOVED seeing these pictures and being reminded once again of God's plan for our lives. we're about to have our second child and at times i worry if my heart is "big enough" but then i'm reminded of the saying that a parent's heart is like a candle. it can light many candles without ever diminishing the flame. seeing these pictures are a reminder of how many candles need lighting in this world! i'm so thankful that He put these precious girls right where they needed to be - with their forever families.

jill said...

how incredible!!!!! i can't believe the sparkle each of these girlies have in their sweet little eyes these days! can't believe it's been a year and a half since they've been home ... i remember stalking your blog 24-7 while you were overseas and crying when i saw all the girls for the first time.

LOVE the pictures ... looks like a total blast!!!!

Missy said...

Beautiful pics, but even more beautiful girls! Reunion pics always bring the biggest smile to my face! Paige has the same dress as Macy Li, she wore it three years ago at CNY. Isn't it beautiful? Will you guys be at the CNY this year? Hope to see you!

emily said...

How I love my some Loveless bisquits. Make Corinne take me every trip. Precious pictures and sweet memories for you guys I'm sure.

Courtney said...

What a bunch of cuties. Looks like a great reunion!

Jodee said...

What a fun reunion! It looks like you had a blast! Cute pictures!

Les said...

Oh, I've been waiting for these pics!! So sad to have missed it all! Rhonda, you are the hostess with the mostess!! I knew you'd do it up right! We miss you guys!!
Love,
Lesli

Suzie said...

How awesome to be able to get together and see all the girls and their families! Love all the photos - it looks like you had a blast!

Nancy Malone Waynick, M.O.M. said...

What beautiful children and families. You are all so blessed. God is good!

fleur de lis cottage said...

What a great reunion. Are any of the girls from Fuzhou Social Welfare Institute? That's where my little one is from in Jiangxi.
Great pics and what a blessing to be able to reunite.

The Byrd's Nest said...

Oh I loved it when we had our reunion with our group. What a very special time. All such beautiful families!!!!!!!!1

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I have never seen more precious children and so happy! God bless each and every one of you for embracing these dear little girls into your lives. And I know that the reward is having these precious ones to love and love you back.

What a testimony!

XO,

Sheila... who is so teary-eyed that she can barely type!

Bobbie said...

aww how cute are they?..how wonderful to be able to get together.

Kim said...

How did I miss this post? OH MY GOODNESS! Those are indeed some Asian Angels. What a special reunion and early CNY celebration!
Love & Blessing from Hong Kong,
Kim