Where does the time go?

Wonderful quote I heard while hubby and I were taking the spiritual parenting class at church -

"When it comes to parenting, the days are long but the years are short."

How true it is! It is hard to believe that we have had Eme home with us for over a year now. She is currently "yelling" in her crib, not wanting to go to sleep. Maybe it's because daddy is her favorite and wasn't able to tuck her in because he is working late. She really is a feisty little duck. And tricky, too. Oh, but do we love her. Jack started singing her a song in the bath tub tonight...something about her being his sister, he was her brother...and she was from China. He still loves to refer to her as a baby.

Dare I say I've been reading adoption blogs? John may gasp if he reads that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not feeling led to start any paperwork...after all it is tax season. I have so much work I can't see straight! Which means I don't have time to be here!

I have no idea what 2012 will hold for us, but I am immensely excited. I love the phrase "Tree Free Tax Prep"...may just have to trademark that one! Yes, I'd love to start sticking my toes in the water for going green! Did that make sense?

Now for the only thing people really want...pictures of my babies! Hey, I'm not judgin' - I know how stinking cute they are (and at this moment they are both actually clean and good smellin'!)

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

One of THOSE People

Yes, it is true. I am officially one of those people! Not that many (if any?!) follow this blog...but I am one of those people who return from China....and then never blog!!! Maybe I'll get back into it, maybe I won't. But, I thought I would just put a quick post on here..maybe a pic or two to say that all is well at the Johnstone house.

Life has settled down for the most part....and tonight I have stayed up a bit late surfing adoption blogs...oh how they can suck you in! What is crazy is seeing how some people are going through the process again. John and I said we are done. Hmmmmmm...only time will tell.

Eme loves the eat. Yesterday John went to get a washcloth to wipe Jack's face up since he was done with dinner....and Eme lost it! Crying like crazy because she thought it was for her, and she wasn't done eating yet. Silly girl.

God is so good.

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

Normal....almost

It has been a tough week, but we are so glad to be home. My parents left last Friday morning. It was too soon as far as I'm concerned! But, they had already been away from home for three weeks and were homesick like we were so we grudgingly let them leave. I miss them so much! I felt like we didn't get to see them enough....because we didn't! Of course, they were here to take care of Jack, which they did wonderfully.

Eme seems to be doing better every day - too bad we are going to mess that up when we start the doctor's appointments this Friday. Poor girl! We are meeting with the International Adoption Clinic on Friday followed by the Cleft Team next Tuesday. I'm anxious to hear what they say about Eme's cleft palate - whether they suggest having surgery soon or waiting a couple of months. I really want her to have every opportunity for her speech to develop, but I also hate to put her through surgery so soon.

For those of you who might be wondering, Eme likes her momma just fine now. I do believe she has whined/whimpered when I have left the room several times in the past couple of days. John and I are continuing to share the duties of taking care of her, even the horrible, screaming bath times. She screams from the moment her toes touch the water until her jammies are on and you are holding her. Of course, when it is Jack's turn for a bath he throws his arms up yelling "Yay" and runs for the tub.

Having two kiddos is so strange, it really is. Didn't someone mention that having two is much harder than one, but when you have three, it is easier? I'm not sure I believe the part about three being easier....unless your first born is old enough to practically be a live-in nanny. :)

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

Home Sweet Home

Our travel day home seemed to last forever. But, we are so thankful that we had no flight delays or issues with our flights. Eme did really good on the 15+ hour flight from Hong Kong - there were some seriously crying babies and we were glad to not be holding one of them! Our wonderful friends, John and Darren, were nice enough to brave the weather and icky roads to pick us up at the airport AND lug our heavy bags up our snowy/ice covered sidewalk so we could get our hands on Jack! (thanks guys! we are SOOOOO lucky to call you friends!)

Jack loves his baby sister! He was so excited to see all of us. I think he has grown several inches and his eyes seem so much bigger and greener! :)

Praise the Lord we are home! Jet lag is kicking our butts today, but we are hoping tomorrow we'll be feeling better!

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

Pictures

Busy street by the Pearl Market...too many people for me!
Lining the kids up for the red couch photo!
Cute baby!
Our last family picture in GZ!

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

Hello Hong Kong!

Okay....so we are not much closer to home, but we are on our way! PRAISE GOD! Yesterday was such a tough day....all four families were given the all clear from the doctors that we were chicken pox free (enough) to travel. Of course right after that, Eme started getting some dots, lol! She doesn't seem to have any more today, so maybe it is nothing. If she has them, we'll be sure to invite everyone to a pox party at our house...do people even still do that? I just can't believe that chicken pox was a big deal....it never occurred to us that it could cause a problem. Anyway, we took the oath at the consulate and waited a very long time for Eme's visa but finally were able to get back to the hotel to pack. One of the other families flying through Chicago today was told their flight was cancelled so they have to spend an additional TWO days in Beijing waiting for another flight. Pray for them.....everyone is soooo ready to go home!

So, yesterday I had the biggest headache that just wouldn't quit! It made traveling a bear....but John was a trooper, and we were able to get packed and to the airport. Our wonderful CCAI rep, Grace, stayed with us forever at the airport to make sure we were checked in correctly with our bags checked all the way home (yes, that was scary....we might have been saying goodbye to those forever!).

Eme slept the entire way from GZ to Hong Kong with few meeps or peeps. Right now she is just making lots of noises while sitting on the bed. It's so funny because the first day she was with us she barely made any sounds at all. Now she talks all time - just like us!

I talked John into NOT posting pics so I could post them! Isn't he sweet? Of course he'll probably figure out some way to do it from the plane...illegally....ha ha....as long as it doesn't keep us from getting home!

Please pray we can get home with little trouble because of the snow storm....and that Eme is done with stinky, blow out diapers!

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin

Our last night in GZ

I wish I could say that we have been having SOOOO much fun here that I've been unable to post. I could say it.....but it wouldn't be true. We are both sick. I felt horrible yesterday so we stayed in the hotel room almost the entire day. Eme and I both went to the clinic in the hotel and got some meds from the doctor there. I was feeling better today, but now John is worse! He has a horrible hacking cough that will just not go away. He also made a trip to the clinic for meds today. Mainly because he found out at the departure meeting that there will be temperature scanners in the airport and if you are running a fever it could keep you from traveling! Crazy.

We did venture out today. The big shopping trip to the Pearl Market was a bust! I bought Eme a jade necklace, but almost all of the stores were closed because they are wholesalers and everyone has left to go home for Spring Festival/Chinese New Year. We were walking through a multi-floor mall with tons of stores and only 3 or 4 of them were open. John said he was just waiting for the zombies to show up!

So, we are in the home stretch and trying not to worry too much about getting out of here. We should have taken our oath at the Consulate today, but they are having all the kids in our group go back to the doctor tomorrow to check for chicken pox. If we are clear, then we can take the oath and plan on leaving. Ugh. Very stressful! Eme doesn't show any signs of the pox.....please pray all of us can get out of here! All of the families are ready to go home!

Thank you for the prayers! Oh, and if you are wondering, Eme seems to be liking me just fine now! She still prefers John, but doesn't boo hoo if I'm holding her or carrying her. Yay God! I just can't wait to get her home and show her off. She is the sweetest, littlest, cutest thing ever! We are indeed very blessed. Now if only the snow and ice back in the states will stay away from the airports we'll be traveling through.... :)

Beyond Blessed! ~ Erin