The last post.......

This is one of my FAVORITE sister pictures!!!

Our precious little one - Romy!!

The time has come to say goodbye to our "going back for Romy" blog. Since we are home and have 2 kids with 2 blogs - we are trimming down.........the blogs..........not the children!

Please follow along our adventures other known as "life"............

http://mychinesedumplings.blogspot.com

We want to thank all of you that helped us with prayers, emails, gifts, financially, the list goes on and on.............we will never be able to thank you enough for all it meant to us!

Romy is truly Keegan's sister..........from moment one. They love each other so much. We know God send Romy to us...........she was meant to ours from the moment she was conceived. We have been blessed to two precious babies..........God is awesome! He continues to bless us and amaze us everyday. We can only try our best to raise these babies to love Him and honor Him in all they do.

Please continue to pray for our family! We thank you again for being apart of our journey!

Much love and appreciation,

Cynthia, Adam, Keegan and Romy Farley

Do nothing..........

We met with our pediatrician yesterday (who is fabulous!). He had a different view point than the surgeon...he made some statements that made the decision quite easy. Since all of Romy's colon looked "good" on the Barium test, and since she is doing well in the "pooping" category, we are holding off on the surgery at this time. The doctor said if Romy needed to have the surgery - we would KNOW it - there would be no question. And if she needed surgery down the road being older would help by providing more "tissue" to work with. She is so tiny......so for now we do nothing.

We want to thank everyone for their prayers for Romy and our family! We have truly appreciated all of them. We are so thankful that our littlest one won't be going through any traumatic surgery at this time and hopefully won't in the future!

As mentioned earlier in a post, we have and are continuing to make changes in our lives to help the girls..........please pray that we make the right decisions and that God will provide all that is needed for our family! Thank you again...........you all mean the world to us!

Still waiting to figure it all out......

We did finally get the results of Romy's Barium test.....everything on the inside seems fine. YEAH! We still don't know about the "surgery" thing... we have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, so we hope to know more then........enjoy a few recent photos!

Number 2 is two!!! (a 3-fer celebration)

What a fun day....we celebrated Romy's second birthday, Cherri's 48th birthday - or is it 49? or have we went that far yet????? I suppose when you get THAT old it really doesn't matter anyway, AND Valentine's day....whew, what a day!!

We went out to dinner - party of 10 at PF Changs!!!!!! Then back to the house for cake and gifts. Grandma and Grandpa rock - they even brought Miss Keegan a gift so she wouldn't feel left out! Romy wore more of her cake than she ate - but she enjoyed it! ReRe (Cherri) got the girls the cutest "skirts" to play dress-up in! Mom made Cherri's favorite cake for her birthday, blueberry icebox cake, well mom actually made 2. We all managed to kill off one blueberry icebox cake and almost all of Romy's cake! Man, they were fabulous!! I am hoping that next year the girls will have a better understanding about this "birthday" thing and we will have parties for them! Of course, there is the obvious - Keegan's date of birth is 10/30 - so Hello, Halloween party......Romy's 2/9 Valentine's party.......fun times ahead!!!

I am so blessed to be the mommy of 2 beautiful, precious and amazing little girls! Thank you Father God!!!

Chinese Dumplings.......that's what they are! They crack me up!! I snapped a couple of pictures before I took them to school. It's pretty cold and icy outside, but they had their little Valentine parties today.....they took cards for their friends, snacks, chocolate!!!! So they HAD to go - I will be picking them up early today (just after nap time) and I can't wait!! I love being with them - even though they make me crazy sometimes! They are just amazing. Romy continues to have bonding issues, we know that the time NOW is crucial to her future. We are praying about making some changes in our lives to benefit the girls development!!

Romy's next test is on Monday the 19th. I will update you then!

My sister is getting ready to have a coclear implant....not sure if that's spelled correctly - anyway, she has FINALLY agreed to start a blog to follow her journey to hearing!!!! Please follow along!!!! www.bionicfruit.blogspot.com

I hope this fines everyone well - stay in and stay warm.

What can I say?

I know it's been a while. What can I say? It's nuts around here! No real new news....Romy is scheduled for another test on the 19th of this month and once we get those results, I suppose surgery will be scheduled. Please continue to pray that we do the right thing for her. Keegan is doing pretty well.....she has had a few issues (expected) and so she is sleeping in a portable crib in our bedroom right now. I think there have been just too many things change for her: new sister, her bedroom is different, all her toys are no longer just hers, she changed rooms at school, she has to share EVERYTHING with her new sister....whom is LOVES!! She absolutely LOVES Romy! I am so thankful for that - so many times once the new baby comes home the older child wants new baby to "go back home"....not the case here! They are just so much fun - my mom got the spend most of the day with us yesterday and mom had a blast! (I am sure she slept well last night) The girls are just adorable........and we are just blessed!

Have answer - need feedback

After much soul searching, praying, polling, etc - we are going forward with the BIG surgery for Romy. We have not scheduled it yet, but it will probably be some time in March. (too much happening in February) I will advise as I know more. Anyhow, now for the feedback part.........I think it's time to discontinue "Romy's" blog and "Keegan's" blog and have just ONE blog!! I can't keep up with one, let alone two. So, I am open for suggestions for the name of it. I have one suggestion so far AND IT'S GOOD! So, put your thinking caps on and let's have some fun!!! Let the creative juices flow!!!!!!!!!!!! Come on people, make me proud!

I'm in a quandry..........

Well, we went to the doctor yesterday for Romy's rear end problem. Without going into too much detail - it comes down to this. Romy definitely needs surgery. We can either do a "quick fix" type surgery or a full blown "relocation" surgery. We are currently leaning towards the big one. We feel like that is what will help her have a more normal life. We would appreciate your prayers that we make the right decision for HER.

Enjoy some photos!!!

Warning.......matching outfits to follow

Yes, I did that. They wore matching outfits yesterday and they were SO CUTE!! We were all home together (2 adults and 4 kids) so what else should we do??? Of course, Walmart!!! It was a big day. I will post soon after the surgeon appointment on Monday........until then!

News!!!!!

I know it's been forever! So sorry for the delay in postings. I have started a new job and between: 2-2 yr olds, a full time job, a house, a husband, 2 teenage stepkids, and life - it's been nuts!

Romy had her cardio appointment yesterday. Nutshell version: the hole in her heart is not 100% gone, but supposedly it is closing......the doctor even said that we didn't need to follow up with him until Romy was a teenager - or we could come back before then if we wanted! Needless to say, we want to have her checked every couple of years or so until the hole is closed! Thank you God!!!! What great news! No surgery needed!!!!!!!!!!

Monday.......the "rear-end" surgeon appointment...........will advise!

Love to all - I will post pictures very soon - I just wanted to get the news out about Romy's heart!!!

Haircut AND A fever

In the year plus that we have had Keegan - she has NEVER, not once had a fever. Well, today was the day. Bless her little heart - she was burning up! But, after some ibuprofen she was good as new! So, haircuts it was - all around! The girls mainly had the back of their hair cut and Romy had her bangs trimmed! Thanks Ms. Renae for the new do's!!! The girls are continuing to do great - Keegan LOVES Romy! They are just so cute and yet so bad!!!!!!!

Oreos and doctor appointments

The girls like oreos........anyway, Romy's doctor appointment was Friday. The verdict is that she is relatively healthy BUT. We are being referred to a pediactric cardiologist and to a pediactric surgeon (butt related). We don't know anything other than that right now........we don't know how severe either problem is and we don't know if either will or will not require surgery at this time. We will keep you posted on those issues. Romy did get her share of shots! We are going to get blood drawn tomorrow and will hopefully be taking a stool sample with us!!!! YEAH!! Keep Romy in your prayers please! She is doing quite well considering and she is bonding more with me each day! Today was Romy's first day at church (nursery) she did really well - we were so proud!!! Keegan really enjoyed being back at church, I think she is truly missing being in a set routine....we will be introducing Romy to Toyota's child development center this coming week - I know Keegan is VERY ready to get back to school. Ms Sylvia - here we come!!!

The Farley Family Christmas - family of 6

The day was pretty much a blur. None of us were feeling all that great and no one was sleeping.......but we decided presents would make everything better! The girls FAVORITE gifts were from Nannie.....doll strollers!!! Man, does life get any better than that????? Nope! They received many toys, but the strollers were by far the winners!!! The girls are so cute together........Romy is not much on sharing. You can tell that Romy was never told "no" by her foster parents. Fun for us!! We are hoping that this aspect gets better QUICKLY!!

Hope Santa was good to everyone! We sure received a wonderful gift this year....it weighs 23.5 lbs and sometimes answers to the name of Romy!

Since we've been home.

It's been a whirlwind since we've been home. Between: 2-2yr olds, Christmas, jet-lag, being old.......whoops - that's just me.....anyway - it's been a tough few days. I didn't want everyone to think we had fallen off the face of the earth! It's been a tough adjustment for Romy. We had to make some changes around the house and how some people were "bonding" too much with Romy and that has helped some...but we know we have a long way to go!! God has blessed us with two amazing little girls and we hope we can raise them in a way that pleases Him. We hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas!!!

P.S. Our luggage finished it's Chicago tour and came home.

We are home........but our luggage is not!

Just a short note - gotta get busy - just wanted to let everyone know that we are home safe and sound. I can't begin to tell you how we felt every single prayer that was prayed for us! God is so good!!!

Romy and Keegan did amazingly well on the flights.......NO ONE GOT SICK!!! We were welcomed home with some balloons, a giant banner, a cookie cake and pictures all over the place of our China journey!!! Very cool!!!!

We will keep updating with more cute pictures of the girls!!!!!!!! Thank you again for following along our journey to Romy!!!!!!!!!!!

With much love and gratitude,
The Farley's

Coming Home

This is probably the last post from us in China. We leave tomorrow morning at 11:30 for Hong Kong and then to Chicago and then finally Louisville. Say a little prayer that the flight goes well. I'm sure that it will. Just a quick thank you for all of our guides: Ali in Beijing, Mary in Nanchang, and David and Lilly here in Guangzhou- you guys were amazing thanks for keeping us where we needed to be. We met so many great families in the three cities we visited. I'm horrible with names but thanks to you all, we all needed help along the journey and everyone was so eager to help out, THANKS!!! A special shout out to the Browder clan, all 25 of you, and Bert, Tina and Sophie Pierce-you guys made this hard trip alot of fun. Thank you to my beautiful wife Cynthia who made this and all of the trips in my life unbelievable. God was with us this whole trip and we felt your prayers too-Thanks to all.
I can't wait to get home, have some Taco Bell, and drive my truck!!!

Red Couch pictures

Here is the reason for our journey, Romy Addison!



Kee Kee and RoRo

Keegan, Sophie (Tina and Bert's), and Romy

Our hotel, The White Swan. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend it!

More pics

The Lindon's love Lucy's too.
Keegan and Romy showing off their new lady bug dresses and sweaters. A couple of more pictures from the zoo.

Wild Animals

Here are pictures from our trip to the zoo. Lots of wild, ferocious animals, especially the two black-haired Farleys. We paid 310 Yuan for the two strollers and that translates to the best $40 we've spent since we've been here. Keegan and Romy did not seem impressed with the animals but liked touching and laughing with each other more. They are definitely sisters, one second they are hugging on each other and the next, 'she's touching me'!
After all of the pictures I took from the zoo, the batteries were dead during the evening dinner cruise. I did however get this one of the Camry sign. I was told that 300 cars are registered in Guangzhou each day. That's well over 100,000 per year. Today we go to the U.S. Consulate to take our oath and then start coming home tomorrow. Our friends the Lindon's came in to town last night with their new one, Sydney. So we'll be getting together with them later on too.

Ok I get it.......less words......more pictures

Shopping

Today began with the breakfast buffet with Bert, Tina and Sophie. At 10 we all loaded a very nice bus for the mall. We started on the bottom floor where we ran in to the same sales lady from the Pearl Market we had last year when we were here for Keegan. After walking around the mall for a couple of hours we ate at KFC. It was extremely busy but it tasted soooo good. We asked why it was so busy and it hit us that it is the last full Sunday of shopping before Christmas. There are 10 million people in Guangzhou and all were out shopping today. Here are some pictures of the the hotel and pool area. Tonight it's Lucy's for dinner again!!! Tomorrow is a busy day with the zoo in the morning and a dinner cruise tomorrow evening.

The medical exam and sights along the way

Romy's medical exam was today to get her Visa. It all went fine. I took some photos along the way there and back. Some are just cool sights, a wedding party, police station (that one's for Ed) and just neat buildings - oh, and our hotel! We are having a good time in Guangzhou - it's a busy place! Tonight we are going to eat at the Cow and Bridge Restuarant (Thai food) and then tomorrow it's shopping and lunch at the mall. Monday - the zoo and a dinner cruise. Tuesday - sight seeing and our Consulate appointment and then WEDNESDAY the journey home! Please start the prayers now! It should prove to be an interesting 24 or so hours!!!

Daddy time

Mommy went to finish up some paperwork with Lilly today so I spent some quality time with the girls. It was a shame they fell asleep so fast. haha
SOMEBODY LET ME KNOW HOW THE KENTUCKY-LOUIVILLE GAME GOES!!!

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

How can a 1 hour and 15 minute flight take all day? It seems that today's travel took 4 days......but we are here in Guangzhou and I just couldn't be happier!! I giggled and laughed the entire van ride to the hotel from the airport! I think all the people traveling with us thought I was nuts! (of course they have been with us for a few days!!)

The hotel is just as wonderful as we remember it - but this time we have a river view room - I hope you can see just how gorgeous it is from the pictures!

Here are a few updates: Romy looked at me yesterday and said "MaMa" and hugged me! She has kissed me unsolicited a few times today - so I believe we are making some serious progress! She seems to be getting more comfortable with us each day! We are so blessed to have these amazing babies in our lives! God is so good to us! Keegan continues to amaze us and those around her - she has made many new friends and EVERYONE loves having her around!

Tomorrow is Romy's medical exam for her Visa back to the states! We meet in the lobby of the hotel at 10:30 am and then after the exam - who knows? I don't care because I am in Guangzhou!!!! We can walk around freely!!!!! As soon as we got here tonight we walked down to Lucy's and had dinner - my usual at Lucy's is grilled cheese and french fries - and both girls loved it!!

I know there is so much more to write about - but I am tired!!! I need to hop off here and try and track down our luggage...........much love to all!

Mom, tell all the family we miss them and love them! So sorry to be missing the family christmas..........but you know you do what you gotta do to get your babies home!!! You guys are gonna love Romy!!! She is just gorgeous and so sweet!!!

Sending happiness from Guangzhou!!!!!!!!!!!

"Poop - there it is"

There will be no pictures with this post! But after another poop saga last night - today we have made progress!!! Romy pooped normal all by herself without the screaming and nashing of teeth!!!!!!!!!!!!! So everyone SING IT WITH ME - "poop, there it is.........poop, there it is!!!!!!!!!"

Just for ReRe

I asked Keegan "do you miss ReRe???" her response was "Rick?" I said "yes Rick too". (you may need to enlarge the pictures to be able to read the notes on the pages - just click on the picture itself)

The village/countryside......

Today we toured a local village. Mary, our guide, said that 75% of all people in China live in the countryside. In the countryside area they are VERY "old thinking" they still believe that having boys is better. Mary said that most all babies that are abandoned in China are from the countryside. We were able to go into on the resident's house......the floors are dirt and the front of the house is just open - OPEN no door - if you can see - in one of the pictures you can see the open area - then on either side of the door area there is a bedroom and in the back - a kitchen. The people were very nice there and were curious about us.....it was just so sad to think that people still live like this........

More things I have learned - school for the most part is paid for - up until high school - then you have to pay........so in the countryside IF they are able to send a child to school - it's the boys that get to go to school- the girls stay home to help take care of the boys. Isn't that nice?

Pavillion

We toured a pavillion here in Nanchang today. It was very impressive and there was so much to learn and see and take pictures of.........but it's too much to type and I am WAY tired! So, it was a good day. Romy actually hugged me today - unprompted. Keegan is still doing amazingly well. Keegan had several families in the hallway of the hotel entertaining them - they were eating her up and she was loving every minute of it! It's going to be a long road with Romy - but we are patient (well, I am sometimes) and God has the road all planned out for us so we will be just fine! We appreciate all the prayers for us and for her - please keep them coming! Tomorrow we tour a local village - proverty area. After we return to the hotel, I am going to do some preliminary packing and then on Friday morning we get Romy's passport and fly out to Guangzhou in the afternoon!!!! We have met some wonderful people on this trip - it's funny how God puts all these families together. We all lean and support one another - it's a great bunch!

Some sister pictures

Aren't they cute???? Keegan LOVES Romy! I ask her all the time if she is glad that we came to China to get Romy? Every time it's YES! I ask her - Do you love RoRo? YES!!! KiKi is AWESOME!!!!!!

Ok.......last nights adventure.

I will delicately try (keep in mind this is Cynthia typing) to tell you about last night. Well, we were told that Romy was potty trained - to me potty trained means that the child tells you when they need to go potty. Here that means that if you set the child on the toilet long enough and frequent enough and they "go" then they are potty trained.......whatever. Every time we change her diaper she SQUALLS - I mean squalls. I noticed that something just didn't look quite right. I didn't know if she was upset about having diapers on......upset strangers were changing her...etc. and by the way she is WAY SMALL....way small. Well, last night Romy was constipated....she kept trying to poop....we tried everything...no luck....she would get very upset if you tried to look in her diaper to see if she went THEN IT HIT ME MAYBE IS HOLDING IT BECAUSE SHE IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE POTTY!!!!!! Adam (because Romy won't let me touch her) jerked her diaper off and ran her to the toilet. Fast forward 45 minutes to an hour.....she is still on the toilet still pushing....in pain..dad trying to do anything humanly possible to make it better (I'll just let your imagination take care of that one) we had brought infant Fleet things (liquid) so we used 2 of those......basically the "poopage" was MUCH TOO LARGE for the exit door...and it was HARD AS A BRICK!!!!! This entire time I am thinking "things don't look quite right" I asked Adam if he thought things were normal - he thought maybe because she is so under-weight that things were askew. NOW during this entire 1 1/2 hour poop/constipation saga, we had been informed that the foster family was in the lobby with our picture showing it to American's wanting to know if they knew us! We called our guide she said only go down if we wanted to and felt comfortable! Needless to say, this was NOT the time......and we weren't sure how the whole thing would turn out..........after approximately 5-7 phone calls between our guide, hotel manager, foster family - we arranged a meeting for the next day (today). Fast forward another 15-20 minutes..........the Fleet liquid worked and the BOULDER passed. It was half the size of Romy's leg.........now it's today......we are to meet the foster family around 1:00pm with our guide.......they are the NICEST SWEETEST people........we ALL went to meet with them.....the reason they were SO INSISTENT on meeting with us was to inform us that Romy's private area "wasn't quite right" and they REALLY wanted us to be aware of it!!!! I KNEW IT!!!!!! Something isn't right!!!!!!!!!!!! And let me just say......it doesn't matter - we love Romy with or without issues.......we will have her evaluated and if needed.....surgery. Romy is OUR daughter and God had it all planned from the beginning. We wonder if that is why she cries when you change her diaper and if that is why she has a hard time going to the bathroom!!!!!!!!!! (basically the rear-end area is too close to the "girl" parts.)

Some things I've learned.........

These are scenes from the local park.........we stopped by for a quick walk-thru on the way to Wal-mart. There were tons of people there - I asked our guide why so many people in the middle of the day......here are some facts I have learned just recently!

-Women retire in China at the age of 45
-Men retire at the age of 50
-Average income for this area of China is 2000 RMB per month = less than $300/mo in american money
-Chinese feed their little children - FEED THEIR LITTLE children until the children reach the ages of 3 to 5........needless to say Romy CAN NOT feed herself - simply does not have the capacity to do it!
-Chinese definition of "potty trained" and our definition of "potty trained" is different
-For this area of China the average work day is from 8:30am til noon and then 2:30pm until 6:00pm.
-That chicken feet look even nastier raw in the deli section of Wal-mart than deep fried on a stick

more things to come.............

1 ball pit + 2 black heads =

We went exploring around the hotel this afternoon and discovered a sort of playroom! The girls really enjoyed themselves! They are so cute together....and they have the best looking dad ever!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for being such an incredible daddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She's all ours now!

How cute are those sisters? The family sitting with Keegan are our new friends - Tim and Jennifer Browder from Harrison, TN and their new little one! We met our rep. Mary, downstairs at 9:00 am and headed out to the "officials" office to finalize the adoption. It's a done deal! We then had to go to a couple of different offices to be interviewed and sign for the adoption - all "legal" stuff. Then back to the hotel - poor little Romy was out like a light before the whole thing started - but she had to be awake in 2 pictures - she threw a FIT!!!!!!!!! Complete with throwing her head back several times into the wall..........daddy was getting quite upset.....the "officials" person would not give us time to calm her down - he just kept insisting that she face forward and open her eyes.........nice. So her adoption picture is horrific! She eventually fell back asleep.

The rest of the day is free time - there is NOTHING to do here - I REALLY don't want to venture very far - it doesn't seem all that safe around here so we just hang in the hotel. We are very anxious to get to Guangzhou!!! We are waiting on Friday when we get Romy's passport and then we are on our way!!!

Tomorrow.............10:00 am.......Walmart............

Cynthia photos

I know that everyone out there wants to see pics with Romy and Cynthia, and since she wouldn't post any, I'll do it myself.

Today is "Sophie" day!!

Our friends that we have met along the Romy way - receive their baby girl today! Please remember them in your prayers!! Go get Sophie - Bert and Tina!!!! Check out their preicous little bundle!! http://pierceadoption.blogspot.com/

Tina and Bert - please keep us posted!!! Much love flowing your way!!!

Cynthia and Adam

She's here!

Wow, where to start....well we were late getting to the government offices to pick up the babies (another couple - Tim and Jennifer!! flights were delayed so they had JUST ARRIVED FROM THE STATES!!) so once they arrived we took off for the office. The babies (just 2 of them) had been waiting......we arrive at this place that looks like it's an abandoned warehouse type building....odd....anyhow, Romy was just inside the door.....standing there looking up at us....strangers.....and once we even thought about getting close to her - she screamed!!! There was the nicest little fella there to help ease the transition - or so we thought - found out he was just passing through and somehow managed to get roped into helping calm down a screaming 2 year old!!! He wasn't even anyone associated with the adoption, orphanage or anything!!!! God sent him.....it had to be. He was great!!! Finally, dad picked her up and she continued to scream - Keegan would not have me anywhere near holding Romy and I think Romy felt the same way. She finally stopped screaming and then BAM we were back on the bus and headed back to the hotel - we were in the offices/building approximately 5-10 minutes. She didn't cry much on the way back to the hotel and bless little Keegan's heart - she kept saying "Hi RoRo....RoRo sad...Hi RoRo...." Keegan played Peek-a-boo with Romy and her blanket.....Romy smiled! Already progress!!! Once we arrived in our room - Adam peeled off the 18,000 layers of clothing........it was NUTS!!! Poor child! She is SO SMALL! She has poor motor skills (gross motor skills) I am sure that comes from being bundled up so tight that she could not move.....literally! We gave her a bath pretty such right off the bat......she needed to be cleaned up a bit. She is just so beautiful - that's obvious. She is ACTIVE NO HYPER NO OUT OF CONTROL - yep that's it! She is a maniac!!! I think she is just so happy to be out of the bondage of clothing! OK - to make a long story short - Romy is asleep on Adam's chest right now and Keegan is snoozing in her crib (we have 2 cribs in the room). Adam is snoring. We are pretty tired! It's been a BIG day for everyone. Please continue to pray for all of us - Romy has a long way to go but I know God has big plans in store for this tiny little one that he has placed in our hearts! I will keep you posted - but for now I am tired!

Much love to all - stay tuned!!

Cynthia, Adam, Keegan and Romy

Some pictures while we wait

We are in the room waiting for 4:15 when we meet in the lobby to go and get Romy. So here are some more pictures from our jouney so far.

Here are Keegan and I after getting off of our flight from Beijing to Nanchang. One of the best flights I've even been on. Way to go China Eastern airlines.

Here are the girls relaxing in the room, comtemplating their next move.

This is one of the stadiums under construction for the Olympic games in 2008. They'd better get moving on this one.

Not sure what this is, but here it is.

Pre-Romy Sunday

Miss Keegan is still out of schedule with her sleeping. So the day started about 2am with Keegan awake for the day wanting M&M's. So we all had a few and some water and laid back down and watched Monster's Inc. We woke up again around 8 and went down for our breakfast buffet. Yeah, French Toast!!! Our guide Mary came to our hotel around 1pm and took us to eat some chinese food. We had some kind of eggplant-pork-eggroll thing and some fried rice along with our cokes. Interesting food but nothing that we'd order again. Then Mary took us up to the department store for some snack food and diapers for Keegan. Before getting to the store, Mary had a hold of Cynthia and Keegan prompting her when to run across the street in front of moving traffic. For a few seconds we were stuck in the middle of the street waiting for an opening, all the while being honked at. We bought some formula in case Romy is still using it. Also we bought the much needed Pringles and Coke Light, some cup-of-noodles, and Lay's potato chips. There were lots of stares and people begging for money on the way back to the hotel. So it wasn't the best time to stop and take pictures. We'll do that soon enough. Now, Miss Keegan is taking a nap and Cynthia and I are nervous getting ready to get Romy. How is she going to act? Will she like us or throw a fit? It's just a little scary. Her world is going to be turned upside down in a couple of hours. We will put pictures up of her as soon as we can so hang on for a few more hours. Here is a view from our hotel window.

Deja Vu anyone?

So sorry it's been a while since we posted! Well, the flights were good! We hit the bed the second we got into our hotel room in Beijing on night one! The second day started bright and early - we went to a jade factory (different one than last time) and then headed to the Great Wall. We went to a different section this time - it was STRAIGHT UP STEEP!!!! No way. I only went so far up - it was insane! Our friends the Pierce's toured with us! Keegan LOVES Bert (Bert Pierce) I think he reminds her of Rick - she slipped once and called him Rick! (we love them) Anyhow, after the Great Wall we went to a cloisonne factory - amazing to watch that being made - I will explain later - I had no idea! And then on to a chinese lunch of which Keegan ate her weight in food! She has been amazing on this trip - she has done better than Adam and I put together! Then we went to a silk factory - who knew? Anyhow, we then went to a chinese acrobat show - pretty cool....of course it's no Mystere!!!! (Vegas fans - know what I am talking about) Just before the chinese acrobat show I started feeling VERY SICK!!! nice. After praying for a straight 3 hours - I was back in the room with my phenegran, pillow and toilet! Thank you Father in heaven for sparing me from throwing up in the van! I think it just was too much motion - WAY TOO MUCH TOURING for me in one day.

We flew out today from Beijing to Nanchang. Bumpy flight.......nice. We found out that we get Romy tomorrow at 4:30 pm!!!!!!!!! Please continue all your prayers - we can truly feel them and will continue to need them!!! Pray for good health for all of us, for patience for all of us and for Romy's little heart (both physically and emotionally)!!! We are safely snuggled in our hotel, Gloria Plaza Hotel - nice. We are unpacked and just relaxing. Tomorrow we meet another family that is here adopting, going with them to the store for supplies, grabbing a lunch at KFC and then getting our baby girl at 4:30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

Much love to everyone and thanks so much for following along!!!! We love you!!!
P.S. forgot to add in there somewhere we toured the Ming Tombs again - but this time there was NO ONE THERE!!!!!!!!! Quite different this year - too cold for anyone else to be touring! It is quite cold here - but they really take it to the extreme - everyone comes up to us and tries to cover Keegan up - I have her layered up, coat hat gloves, and then a blanket over her...........oh well.

WE ARE HERE!!!

We made it here safe and sound! Keegan did fabulous and I did not have to use the puke bag this time!!! We start our day tomorrow at 8:30 am our guide will meet us in the lobby and then on to the Great Wall, Ming Tombs, a chinese luncheon, and then an evening acrobat show!! I will have more and a clearer head then! Until then, please continue the prayers! Thank you so much for following along with us to Romy!

Reference

Here is the map of China to give an idea of where we'll be. We start in Beijing. Romy is in Nanchang. To the north of Nanchang is Hefei, where we met Keegan. We end up in Guangzhou. Here we come Romy!!!

Let the packing begin...

Today we packed. It took approximately 7 1/2 hours!! But it's done, except for the things that can't go in until the morning of departure! We are ready! Please continue to keep us in your prayers! I am getting over an upper respiratory infection....which I hope is all gone by Wednesday morning! I can't wait to post pictures of us from China!! It won't be long now..............

Much love to all of you!
Cynthia, Adam and Keegan

The flights are booked!

We are officially leaving to get Romy on December 6th!!! As with Keegan, we will post everyday (as long as we are able) and will hopefully have pictures of the big moment!! Please continue to keep us and Romy in your prayers! Please pray that I don't get sick on this trip - I need to be able to function to take care of my babies AND myself!! Poor Adam could have to deal with two 2 year olds and a travel-sick wife!!! But I have drugs and with your prayers I will be GOOD TO GO this time!!!

Depart
12/6 UA6820 (10:28AM/10:59AM) Louisville to Chicago
12/6 UA851 (12:38PM/4:05PM) Chicago to Beijing (it will be 12/7 when we arrive)

12/8 full day coach tour of the Great Wall and Ming Tombs, breakfast & lunch, AND in the evening we will be going to an Acrobatic Show!!!

12/9 MC5174 (11:35AM/1:55PM) Beijing to Nanchang
12/10 or 12/11 receive Romy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12/14 visit Romy's orphanage (Romy is in foster care but based out of an orphanage)

12/15 travel to Guangzhou - EAT AT LUCY'S!!

12/18 our very close friends arrive in Guangzhou with their newest addition!! Hey there Chad and Sandy!!!! Dinner with the Lindon's!!!!

12/19 go to Consulate - take oath - we can leave to come home now!!!

12/20 CZ307 (2:25PM/3:20PM) Guangzhou to Hong Kong
12/20 UA828 (6:35PM/6:43PM) Hong Kong to Chicago
12/20 UA7802 (9:10PM/11:31PM) Chicago to Louisville

Needless to say, with the late flight coming into Louisville - we will not expect ONE LIVING SOUL to be at the airport - which will probably be best with bringing Romy home. This homecoming could be quite different than with Keegan. Keegan was right at one year of age, but Romy being almost 2 years old - she could be very overwhelmed. So, please do not even attempt to come to the airport-GO TO BED! Once we are home and are able to sleep, breathe and eat on a normal time schedule - we will all get together!!!!!!!!!!

Again, please keep us in your prayers! We will need every single one of them!!

Much love and gratitude!
Cynthia

Praise God!!!

We got the call today!!! Our TA had arrived at Lifeline!!! Karla had already faxed it to Guangzhou to book a consulate appointment! The original TA will be FedEx'd to me - I should receive it tomorrow! We should have "official" travel dates either tomorrow or Wednesday!! Please keep those prayers coming for all of us!

It's really been an amazing few days! There have been alot of specific prayers that Adam and I have been praying. ALL our prayers are being answered!!! God has PERFECT timing!!! It's amazing to look back and see how the hand of God brings everything together!! Thank you Father for all Your blessings!!!!

OK - nobody breathe........

I received word from Karla (social worker at Lifeline) that TA's were mailed out from China last night. We are containing our excitement until TA's actually arrive at Lifeline (hopefully Tuesday)!!! Please pray they arrive on time! If all goes the way it could - we would be leaving for China on Wednesday, December 6th and returning home Wednesday, December 20th!!!!!!!!!

Hang on Romy, mommy's coming to bring you home!!!!

Ready for "RoRo"

We finally got the girls room as done as it can be for now! I finally moved the pictures and chinese lanterns around, shifted the beds, etc. It really turned out pretty cute! And to think that there REALLY WILL BE another precious chinese baby in there before too long makes Mommy VERY HAPPY!!!

REALLY want the TA's now!

I spoke with Karla this morning and it appears TA's will NOT be mailed out from China this week. We are hopeful for next week! Please keep us and Romy in your prayers! My patience are wearing thin!!!! In God's time......not mine.....in God's time......not mine.......in God's time......not mine....

"no news is good news"??????

Well, I am not so sure if that saying is appropriate today or not! I heard from Lifeline that TA's have not been mailed out from China yet. Once they are mailed, it takes 3 business days to arrive at Lifeline. Then they fax the TA's back to China to obtain a consulate appointment and then plan our trip in reverse! The consulate appointment is the very last thing you do in China - so once we have that date, they just plan the front part of the trip around it! (am I making sense?) I know God is just giving us more time to get prepared emotionally, physically and financially for Miss Romy!! Keegan is about to die - ALL she talks about is RoRo! RoRo sit here, RoRo's cup, RoRo's slide, RoRo's bed, RoRo's piece of a fruit rollup! Keegan is going to be a great big sister!!! She will tell you that she has to get on an "a-pane" to go get RoRo in "ina".........yep an airplane headed to China! Please keep us and Romy in your prayers! Thank you for sharing our journey with us!!!

THANK YOU LORD!!!

Karla called me today and said we should expect "TA" (travel approval) by the end of the month!! That means our baby will be home for Christmas! As Karla said, it's not a "sure thing" until we have the TA in our hands! But it sure sounds good to me! We should be traveling in November if all goes well!! I remember telling Karla very early on in this process that I would be traveling to China in November so the Chinese government might as well just go ahead and let me bring Romy home at that time!! God is SO GOOD!!!!!!!!! If I could please ask for your prayers for: Romy, Keegan, Adam and myself, finances, adjustments, travel, etc. The list would go on and on.......we are putting all of our trust and faith in God - He is in control! Let the adventure begin.....

Still waiting........

I spoke with our social worker, Karla, from Lifeline yesterday. I didn't get any NEW news except that she has requested updated photos of our baby!!! Karla thinks we should have them by the end of the month! Yeah!!! Karla also said that the next batch of "TA's" should be in at the end of the month and that should give us a good idea as to when to expect OUR "TA" - so please pray they move this paperwork process along! I want my baby home for Christmas!

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers!
Cynthia

Care package #3

Here is a picture of the items in Romy's care package going out (hopefully) this Saturday. We have enclosed a pair of pj's, disposable camera, Dora the Explorer wondermarker set, little toy jam-box, stacking cups, toothbrush/toothpaste set, hand drawn art from Zac, Jill and Keegan, candy for foster mother, baby washclothes, family pictures and a little love note!

BIG step today!

I received an email that informed us that we are "officially logged in" in China. Now we wait for our TA (travel approval) from China. This is taking 2-3 months (more on the 3 month side)to receive. Please pray that we receive a speedy TA so we can get to Romy as soon as possible. I know and want all of this in God's time! It's His timeline. We are just so grateful to be able to be apart of this little girl's life! I wanna hold her!!!!!!!!!

Answers to questions....

I had forwarded Karla, our social worker through Lifeline, a list of questions for Romy's foster mother or orphanage worker. I was unsure how many, if any, of these questions would get answered and when.........well I emailed the list to Karla monday night of this week and I received answers YESTERDAY!! Wow!!! I will cut and paste the information - I love the way some of it translates!! I don't want to alter the content!!!! You will see what I mean...enjoy!

Hong xin yi was sent to Tian jin children orphanage by DUN ZI Tang police station. She was abandoned at the gate of Provincial Broadcast and TV Center. She did have a note with her which tells her birth date, but we can give you the copy of it only .Xin Yi usually has her breakfast at 8am, drinks milk at 9am, and has her lunch around 12am. She eats supper at 6am; she will have some milk and rice-cake before sleeping. She mainly has rice, porridge and noodles .she has milk, rice-cake, egg, meat soup, vegetables and juice as well. She likes bananas and watermelon very much. Xin yi’s foster mother trained her potty and always tells her to do so. If she wants to go to stool, she will give a signal by standing there unmoving. Xin yi likes the cat sent by her adopt-parents, she likes attractive toys and playing with other kids. She will take 2~3 bathes during hot summers; in winter, she will take a bath twice a week; she takes her bath by sitting in tub. She hobnobs with her foster parents most .she likes lying on her back or on her sides on her crib. She doesn’t have any diseases except heart problem .She doesn’t have a nickname; we all call her “xin yi”. She likes playing with children outside and watching TV. She is extrovert and lively little girl.

I love my Romy so much......I cried when I read that she likes the cat we sent her! Romy, mommy wants you home!

Update.....

We received a little bit of news on Monday! Here are the latest numbers on Romy:

Height - 30.7"
Weight - 23.14 lbs
Head - 17.72"
Chest - 18.11"
Foot - 5.12"

We are still waiting to get our log-in-date! Please pray that God gives me patience. I have not been doing well in this area. I am just so ready to have Romy home!

To send or Not to send?

We sent Romy's first care package a while back. It contained: Winnie the Pooh stitched blanket, disposable camera, toy cell phone, stuffed Tigger holding a blanket, Hello Kitty bubblebath, ladybug barretts, hard candy for her foster mother, and some family pictures.

Second care package (sent 7/31/06) contained: Cool cat stuff animal/toy thing, disposable camera, Teddy Grahams, jogging outfit, 3 pr. socks, hard candy for foster mother, and more family pictures.

The question being - do I send another care package? I think the answer is YES! Ok - lets!!!!!!!!! That means I get to go shopping for Romy again! Don't you just hate that! I think I will buy her carseat this week also!!!! It's a big shopping week at the Farley's!! (especially considering there is no money left after the back to school shopping for the big kids and our TN weekend!!!)

Timeline to Romy

Well, while we wait I thought I would journal our journey so far to Romy: Before we ever left for China the first time, we already knew we would most likely adopt again, that being said:

Dec/Jan - decided for sure to adopt again! Yeah!

Feb/Mar - decided to adopt a waiting child/special needs - very excited!

March 20, 2006 - decided on the name "Romy Addison Farley"
March 21, 2006 - first phone call with Karla at Lifeline
March 28, 2006 - faxed "first step" paperwork to Karla at Lifeline

April 24, 2006 - received phone call from Karla (on my cell phone at work) she had a child for us! I just about had a heart attack - Karla even asked me if I was OK? (Lifeline calls her Dianna)
April 27, 2006 - received the medical translation for Romy's medical condition - ACCEPTED HER REFERRAL!!!!!! (bought a mini-van same day!!!)
April 28, 2006 - Jill actually said she wanted another chinese baby sister (we had not told them yet - God was already working) We told the kids about Romy!

May 1, 2006 - overnighted application to Lifeline
May 2, 2006 - overnighted LOI (letter of intent) to Lifeline
May 11, 2006 - Adam and I got fingerprinted / Adam had his physical / received our background checks

June 2, 2006 - received call from Karla - verbal pre-approval from China (PA)!!!
June 6, 2006 - Homestudy update with Julie / received an update on Romy!!!
June 20, 2006 - Adam had liver ultrasound / applied for Keegan's passport
June 26, 2006 - picked up Adam's physical form - faxed it to Julie and Karla
June 30, 2006 - Homestudy sent to immigration

July 22, 2006 - RECEIVED OUR I-171H!!!!!!!!!!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!
July 24, 2006 - overnighted dossier to Caring Hands in Washington, DC

August 2, 2006 - rec'd dossier back from Caring Hands, overnighted out to Lifeline!
August 3, 2006 - Lifeline received dossier and sent it on out to China!!!!!!

Which brings us up to date - just waiting for our LID (log in date) and TA!!! I am getting so anxious/antsy - I am so ready to go back to China to bring Romy home! I can not concentrate on anything!!

Thank you Father in Heaven!

YYYEEEAAAHHH!!!! Our dossier is at Lifeline in Alabama and per Karla (at Lifeline) should go out to China today! This is a HUGE step closer to being able to get to Romy! We now wait for our "log in date" and then wait on our travel approval - basically China saying it's ok to come into the country!!! We are still hoping and praying for November travel. Please pray for speedy travel notices!!! Thanks for starting another journey with us!!! Love to all! Cynthia
Romy, mommy's coming!!!

And the winning numbers are.........

I received Romy's measurements today! She is considerably smaller than Keegan! (not a big surprise there........) Romy is 16 months old TODAY!!!!!
Weight: 23 lbs
Height: 29.5 inches
Head: 17.3 inches
Chest: 18.1 inches
Foot: 4.92 inches
Keegan was 23 lbs when we got her in China! My girls are going to be SO CUTE together!!!!! Hurry paperchase, hurry!!!!!!!

HERE SHE IS!!!!!!!!!! Romy Addison Farley!!!!!

No photos but I do have news!

I received a phone call today from Lifeline and Karla told me that we had received our Pre-Approval from China!!! Yeah! That means China has approved us for Romy! She is ours!!! We (I) have been feverishly working on paperwork and should have the bulk of it done very soon! We are hoping to have a July LID!!! I really think it's possible! AND depending on our LID (log in date) we could/should travel about 3 months after our LID!!! That means there is the potential for October or November travel!!!! I can't wait to see her little face - Keegan is going to have so much fun with a little sister!!!! I've been looking on line at double strollers!!!! Can't you just picture it??? Two Chinese cuties side by side!!!!!! Thank you Lord above for these blessings!!!!!!!!!!

Soon to be a Farley! We are beyond blessed! God has shown us yet another miracle to add to the other miracles we have! We have accepted the referral of a waiting child who is currently waiting for us in Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. Her chinese name is Hong, Xinyi - "Xin" means pleasant and "yi" means comfortable. We will name her Romy Addison Farley. She was born on February 9, 2005....so she is currently 15 months old! (Keegan is 18 months old) Oh my, it's going to be like having twins! The holidays are going to be a blast!!! I can't wait to see my baby girls asleep in their room - those little black haired babies!!!!!!!!!! Romy has a small hole in her heart (ASD) of which we will have her evaluated the second we get home with her!!! We are expecting an update soon and will be able to post more photos (hopefully) at that time. We hope to travel to get her late this year or early 2007! We are early on in the "paperchase" so I will keep everyone informed!! Prayers are welcomed and encouraged for our newest little one!!

And so the journey begins.................