Loving Every Second....

We've had Linli home for a couple months now and it is pure heaven.   She is an amazing little girl and we are so in love.   This whole process has been a dream come true and we feel so overwhelmingly blessed to have her home.  I am humbled everyday to look at my 6 beautiful and amazing children and know that the Lord has entrusted me with their care.   I'm so proud to be their mommy and hope and pray everyday that I can become better and stronger and be exactly what each of them needs.  I love them with all my heart and even though we are in chaos most of the time and things are absolutely crazy and insane and I feel like I'm losing my mind and pulling my hair out, this is what I've always wanted.   This is my kind of perfect.   I'm so thankful for my Father in Heaven who has given me the greatest honor of all.....Motherhood.   

This will also be the last post on this blog (if anyone is still checking it).  Everything will be posted on the family blog now which is rtmckennafamily.blogspot.com    Thanks for sharing in this amazing journey with us.  Your love and support has meant so much.   We felt your prayers and were so grateful for them.   We are truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people.  Love you all.

Welcome Home Sweet Girl....

We are FINALLY home and it is awesome!  Sure makes us appreciate home and all that we have.  The flight was long but Linli really did pretty good.

She had her moments of crying fits and then moments of giggling and hysteria where a steward shushed her but they don't understand what they've been through and how fragile they are and all the adjustments they are going through.  I was so happy when we reached Seattle because I knew the worst of it was behind us.  She slept about an hour from Hong Kong to Seattle....then we had a layover for a couple hours which put her way past her bedtime once we got on the plane.  I figured she would sleep and she did for about another hour.....just in time to be dragged off the plane kicking and screaming to meet her new brothers and sisters.  Just kidding it wasn't that bad but she was tired and ornery and just wanted to be in bed.   She was so cute with the kids.  She was very clingy and shy but I could tell she was liking them because they were giving her little hugs and touching her hair and face and I heard no grunting....so I knew she was very excited to meet them (you just couldn't see it on her face).

We arrived at Grandma Linda's and they had made a darling sign to welcome her home.  It was adorable and we had our first official family photo.

We then went inside and still she was super shy and wouldn't let go of me.  I took her outside and told the kids to start playing on the grass.   I put her feet on the grass (probably first time feeling grass) and it was so fun to see her reaction of pleasant surprise but also apprehension.   The boys were acting silly and crazy and pretty soon she was laughing and giggling.  Of course Abi and Meili were right there too just trying to get a little affection in with their new little sis.  After a little while, I handed her over to Abi and after a little reluctance and wimpering she staying with her.  And now she loves Abi more than me and thinks she's her new mama.  I guess I'm chump change now.....no mind the hours I carried her all over the country or the hundreds of trips to disgusting bathrooms, or the entertaining for hours on the airplane, train, and van rides. ;).....and I LOVE that she's in love with all her sisters and brothers.  It couldn't be more perfect and she fits in absolutely seamlessly.  These three girls are going to be the best of friends and these three boys are going to protect them at all costs.

By the time we ate at Grandma's and headed for Logan, she had been up for well over 24 hours with only two hours of sleep.  I was feeling it....can't imagine what she was feeling.  We also came home to beautiful pink balloons floating from the mailbox (still not sure what dear friend was so thoughtful) and Grandma and Gina had also made a sign for our garage door.  It's nice to feel so loved and welcomed back.

Today was a lot for take in for Linli and she did AMAZINGLY well.  Things were a little crazy at Grandma's with cousins and new siblings.  But after she warmed up she did so much better than I thought.  And it was so fun to have Christian (her cousin who is in Chinese school) talk to her in Chinese.  She thought it was great.....smiles from ear to ear.

She had a little bit harder time going to bed tonight in a new environment and so much stimulation with meeting all the kids but the amazing thing about today was to watch her feel comfortable enough to separate herself from me a little (not sure I neede quite that much separation haha) and play with the kids outside, downstairs, wherever.....without me.   I could just feel that she knew she was finally right where she belongs.  She could sense that this was home....the final destination....not just another stop on our trip.   She truly knew she was at home and you could see the peace just wash over her.

We feel so very blessed to be united and once again feel complete.   It is an amazing feeling to be at home with our 6 greatest treasures.   Every single one of them is so perfect in our imperfect family and adds something special and unique.  So happy and content for all the blessings the Lord has given us.

Hong Kong....

Yesterday was a busy day of getting everything packed and running a few last errands (after my sister remembered she would really like some Chinese dresses for her daughter.....after I'd been there 3 times already but how could I not go back....how many times are we in China??).   Anyway, we flew in Hong Kong last night and got to our hotel just in time to eat a late dinner and put Linli to bed.   I didn't blog because I don't even think we have pictures from yesterday.

Anyway, we are happy to being one step closer to home.  Hong Kong is absolutely beautiful!  One of favorite places in China.  We decided to stay at Discovery Bay.....a nice little quiet "oasis" as they call it on the Lantau Island.  It is close to everything we wanted and needed and it sounded perfect.   Surrounded by gorgeous plush mountains and the South China Sea.  Spectacular views from all sides.

We got up this morning and headed to Ngong Ping 360 cable car.  We made a quick stop at 7-Eleven to grab a quick doughnut and juice (obviously not so much for me but I found some hot chocolate....ya I know it's hot and muggy but I can always drink cocoa).   Anyway as we were sitting outside in this little plaza area eating our breakfast, the rain started pouring.   I was a little afraid it would rain and then I would be wishing we had just caught a flight home......but after about 30 mins it let up just enough that we thought we would head for the cable car and take our chances that it would still be open and that hopefully the weather would clear.   It did and wow was it gorgeous.  The Ngong Ping cable car takes you to the top of the highest peak in Hong Kong.  You can see for miles and today was beautiful. Also at the top is the largest Buddha statue in the world.  The Po Lin Monastery also has its home in these hills.  It was breathtaking.  We were a tad bit nervous after reading last night about an accident in 2007 where a cable car fell off.....ya we were just a little nervous to say the least.....but we decided it was probably all fine and we went for it.....well worth it.....well it wouldn't have been if we would've fallen off and died but since we didn't, it was.  The lines were pretty long and it was hot but the ride up was very cool with the wind coming through the cabin and it was so beautiful.  Once at the top we walked around a little and bought a few snacks.   We have found a new love of Linli's......Lay's BBQ potato chips.  We had to buy two bags because she wouldn't share.  

 Not sure why but they had a mockup of a red carpet as you got off the cable car so this is our official "red carpet" showing.   Linli was thrilled about the picture.

This is Linli (with a big grin) during her first bag of Lay's BBQ chips.

We decided we didn't want to stay too late for fear of another thunderstorm striking leaving us stranded up there or having to take the 4-hour option of walking down.  So we headed back and there was NO line so we got our OWN cable car.  It was awesome and Linli had a blast being just us 3 (and her second bag of Lay's BBQ chips....not sharing this time).

Can you guess where we headed next?  Hong Kong Disneyland!  We actually weren't sure if Linli was going to like it but decided since we had taken Meili it was tradition and would be worth the price even if we just went in and got some treats and walked around a bit.  She was a little nervous at first.....always needs a little time to warmup to a new place.  And these kids have no concept of Disneyland, Mickey Mouse, etc., so they have no reference to get excited about it or even know what it's all about.

Could kiss that face all day long!  We got our tickets, took a few photos, rented a stroller, and were off to find the Cinderella castle......when she promptly fell asleep.....totally sacked out.

hmmm, well what to do.....we decided to walk around a bit while she got a nap in.   After about an hour of that Russel got nervous that she might be getting too hot and needed some water so she wouldn't get dehydrated.   Well his idea and mine idea of water were very different.   He took he into this little play area where some boys were shooting water guns and I thought "oh that will feel good to her" and then just as I turned, I caught him taking her under a waterfall.  Yes folks a huge bucket of water dumping waterfall.....if I could've had it on video it would've been priceless to catch everyone's reaction.  I wouldn't have been surprised if someone decided they should call the CCCWA and tell them to come pick up this child.....that they had clearly made a mistake in letting us take her home.  She was absolutely soaked which in turn meant I was going to be soaked from carrying her.   I should probably mention she did wake up at that point....but I don't think she even knew what happened because she didn't cry at all....her head was protected so it probably wasn't as shocking as it could've been.   Good thing we arrived at Toy Story Land right then which has lots of fun things to look at.

Since she was awake we started heading back to Fantasyland but honestly even the thought of standing in those lines for hours in the hot moist heat had me wanting to lay down and bawl....especially because I didn't think she would really like them anyway.   BUT my one requirement was "It's A Small World."  It's may fav ride at Disney so set off.  As soon as we got there we realized we had made an excellent choice....first because the line was INSIDE the building the building was VERY air conditioned.  Secondly, the line was short......and thirdly she LOVED it.  We rode it 4 times in a row.   She was giddy.  It was seriously the coolest thing to watch her be so excited and amused.  It was so precious and it was hard not to want to ride it all day.....but she got a little too crazy so we decided after the fourth time to head for some popcorn and drinks.  

What a great time we had.  Perfect way to spend our last day.  

Next stop.....USA!!!  Cannot wait to get home to see my other babies and have them meet their new little sis!   They have been so patient but they are DYING to get her home.   Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Gina have been truly amazing watching our kids the ENTIRE time.  Couldn't have done any of this without them.  There are so many that we owe the honor and privilege of bringing this little angel home.....our family here in China.... Meilin, Sara, Jin Jin, Misha, Jean, nannies, and of course our dear friends and family back home who have been there for us every step of the way.....prayed for us, cried with us, rejoiced with us.....and most importantly to our loving Heavenly Father who sent us on this journey.  We feel truly blessed and are so grateful for His plan.   Everything we have, we owe to Him.   

Can't wait to see you kiddos!   And a big Happy Birthday to Josh!  It is his 18th birthday today!  It was SO hard to not be there but we know he is well taken care of by grandma and grandpa and friends in Bear Lake (wishing I was there).  We will see you soon!  Love u all!