USCIS Office—Fourth time. Cameron, our five-year-old, is now pointing out the landmarks as we pass the oh-so-familiar-territory of downtown Cleveland. It reminds me ...

It’s taken a while for the Princess to feel like “mine”, and I’m sure if she could say something besides “bbbffffffftttt” and “da-da-da-da”, she’d say the same ...

Eliana had her first ride on a swing last night. She loved it. Loved it!!! I was so delighted to experience this first with ...

It’s a shock to the system to celebrate a one year birthday when Sister Susie Sittin’ on a Thist ...

Some days—like Mother’s Day—where the King of the House goes to the trouble of reheating leftovers for lunch, I actually have a minute to kick back and see my c ...

Three months ago today, we met our little girl. Already it feels as if she’s always been here. Was it only three months ago?

There’s something about having three kids that makes journal writing fly right out the window. So much to say, ...

(Nathan) It’s 8:00 PM.  The grumblies in my tummy are ravaging even though I’ve eaten a huge dinner.  But these grumblies are the silk-hatted ...

I have been looking for this picture for a few weeks now, and I found it! I found it! In our large travel group, there was a nice, witty, attra ...

A month has passed. One month since we walked into that cold, cold civil affairs office and stayed there for the whole afternoon (four hours) filling out paperw ...

(Nathan) We had two years to pick out Eliana’s name, so there was a good bit of discussion during the deciding phase.  We chose Eliana’s name partly becau ...

Anyone who has Nerves of Steel and has been around me long enough to listen to the incessant rambling knows that for each of my children, I have a necklace. Jus ...

By some miracle, I was able to get all three kids dressed and fed (Cheerios in the van DOES count as breakfast) and off to Eliana’s first checkup with our family ...

One month ago, when all of my travel mates were calmly and assuredly getting on their planes, I was freaking out in the airport of my own cho ...

I gotta wear shades…

A week after stepping foot on land, glorious land, we are beginning to recover from jet lag, sleeping when we’re supposed to and waking up when it’s time. Like, ...

(Nathan) Eliana has made several public appearances during her first week here, much to the delight of her adoring fans.  Last night was her official “c ...

Well, I now know what it feels like to raise from the dead, as I have done it several times now. There is not enough coffee in Columbia to fight off the Powers o ...

(Nathan) Okay, you international travelers out there.  I’m sure you have some home remedies for jetlag.  I’m ready to hear them.  Elia ...

(Nathan) For those who are dying to know, we have survived Day 1 of jetlag.  Had to get up with Eliana a few times last night, but she took only one na ...

It's Friday afternoon and we are getting ...

(Nathan) I can't believe that our time i ...

• Number of days abroad: 17

(Nathan) We have so much to be thankful ...

One of our purposes for journaling our tri ...

(Nathan) On the home stretch now, we're ce ...

(Nathan) After nearly a week, we've exhaus ...

(Nathan) While we were out this afternoon, ...

We have uploaded more photos to the Yunnan Families album (remember to hit “next screen” to get to that album). This morning, the entire group from our agency (Ame ...

Well as always, I have more words than Nathan in regards to our recent seafood dining adventure. So we arrive at the restaurant, and the hostess seats us at a tabl ...

Yesterday's “babysitting” incident at the restaurant brought to my mind some things that need to be shared with the 'group at large'.

It has yet to hit home that we are parents of three, family of five. I am certain the reality will come, say, around Saturday afternoon sometime when our plane l ...

I have yet to call your attention to the MAJOR holiday that is coming up around here – the New Year. On your calendar, the “Chinese New Year” is listed as Februa ...

(Nathan) Made it to Shamian Island via tax ...

(Nathan) There's no end to the quirky th ...

I must have switched to 'home mode' as I started barking orders to Nathan today about how the suitcases should be packed. Elli Belly and I went for a change-of-sce ...

(Nathan) Had a good time on our 2-hour d ...

(Nathan) Enjoyed the Tea House this mornin ...

While we were shopping on Shamian Island yesterday (in Guangzhou), I heard one of the dads who is adopting through our agency say that he just ran into Jim Cavie ...

Been meaning to tell you that there is another family in our travel group who has a website as well. We appear in a picture now and then...and I just took the time ...