Great Wall

We made the big trip to the Great Wall on Sunday and it was a long steep climb to only the first level that we made. Roger and Mercy were troopers and Roger had Mercy on the front and the knapsack on his back.
Quite a few of the members of our group made up to the first level. There were about 3000 other people making the trek too it seemed. It was a great day temperature wise and we were glad to not have too much heat so we could all make the climb. It was an amazing sight as you can see.

Tomorrow we go to the Summer Palace and the silk road to do more shopping. We went to the Pearl Factory and the Jade Factory after the Great Wall and it was quite a shopping day.


We head to Tianamen Sq. on Wed. - another historic and symbolic site. We are enjoying seeing all the sights and sounds of China on our last few days here. Mercy
is doing well and has even slept through the night. She had her first baby food today and enjoyed it thoroughly.

We'll be home real soon and look forward to seeing everyone and Mercy meeting you all.

Gotcha Mercy!!

Well the moment finally came for Gotcha Day. We took a two hour drive from Chongqing to Fuling and arrived at the Fuling Social Welfare Institute with the staff awaiting our arrival.

Within 5 minutes of our arrival they started to bring the babies in to present to us. We were thrilled to finally meet our little daughter Mercy. As you can see she was studying us to see who we were. She was a very contented little girl and we were thrilled to see her play with the little rattle we gave her. Mercy seemed to be fine with both of us and did not cry at all. She even gave us a few smiles. We had a great tour of the orphanage and were able to visit where the children play and sleep. The staff at Fuling SWI were very caring and loving people as we could sense. We had a good first night and Mercy pretty well slept through the night. What a blessings. We are off to the Civic Affairs office today to finalize paperwork and then off to shop at Walmart. Mercy was a little bigger than we thought.

I will be posting some more pics real soon. Thanks to our friends Gord and Shannon who let us use their computer. Enjoy the photos!!

Safely in Beijing!

We are finally here in Beijing. We had a great trip. Flight was delayed a few hours but it was all good. Our wonderful guide Sara met us at the airport. We have already been on a couple tours to the Lama Temple and seen a show with the Acrobats. We are experiencing the many sites and sounds of Beijing which tickle your senses. There are many bicycles in the streets and they are very crowded. The whole travel group will be with us by tomorrow and we will be meeting our daughter Mercy on Sunday when we fly to Chongqing.

We have eaten some good meals at various restaurants - all good. We are taking another tour of a temple tomorrow. The pics will say it all.

Almost There!!!

Well we are almost there. Just about time to leave soon. We've been busy packing and getting things organized. Still have to childproof our home a bit!!!

I've been sharing with people about our journey we will be on to get our lovely daughter and it is amazing how many people know someone who has actually adopted either from China or from somewhere else in the world. It is so common now!!! Most people are excited for us and happy for us to receive our little daughter from across the world.
We just can't wait to hug her and daddy just wants to kiss her face off!!!!
She is so precious to us already and we just want to bring her home to be safe with us and enjoy all the things we have for her. I can't wait for all her "firsts". Her first step, her first bath, her first pair of fancy shoes, her first taste of winter and snow. All the things she has yet to experience that she doesn't know about yet. Her life as she knows it is about to change!!! We will truly love and bless her and let her enjoy all that life has for her!!!

I keep thinking of the "gotcha" moment and I wonder if she will smile, study us or just look at us funny. We'll try not to scare you little one!! Time goes on and we wait just a short while longer!!!!

We Love You Already!!!

As each day passes I realize how much we already love our little daughter Mercy. She is so far away, yet very near to our hearts. We just can't wait to hug and kiss her and play with her and make her laugh. My mother's heart will just burst the first time I hear her laugh, I just know it.

Nanny and Grandpa Allen visited us this weekend and we can tell they already love her too. They are anxious to meet her. Nana Toman has been showing her new granddaughter's picture to everyone and anyone. She is a pround Nana too.

I can't wait till cousins Liam and Katie meet our daughter. It will be interesting to see how the children all take to one another. Liam is already very good with his little cousins and his sister, so I am sure he will make a great big cousin for Mercy to follow around!!!

We have just a few weeks or so to go and we will be up in the air going to get our litte China Pearl!!! I do hope she is still little and hasn't grown too fast since we've been apart. She doesn't even know we are on our way to get her. She doesn't even know that Canada exists right now!!! We are coming soon little Mercy!!! Be ready for us!!! We have a big hug and kiss with your name on it!!!

By the way, the chinese symbol above I believe signifies "Love", which is what we feel right now from our head to our toes for our little Mercy!!!! :O)

Travel Group

Nanny framed Mercy!!!!

Got an email from Nanny Allen and she told us that she had Mercy "framed". She found this cute little frame and put her in it. I think Nanny is excited about meeting her new little granddaughter. The only one in the Allen family. Mercy will be a great new addition to the grandsons already!!!! Big cousin Jason and Ben will have to get used to having a little girl cousin in Canada!!!!

Got a great pile of clothes from Auntie Kathleen from Mercy's little cousin Katie. Thanks Katie. Mercy will be sure to show them all off!!! Auntie Kathleen has great taste in clothes!!!! Mercy is getting quite a wardrobe already!!! Just like her mom!!!!