Good - Bye China... and HELLO USA!!!

Good Morning for you, Good Night for us!

Well, It is 100% offically over.........can't believe it! Can you??? I am kinda emotionally about it since it has consumed me for the last 2 years and especially the last 5 months. It's been by far the hardest thing I have ever done but the most rewarding experience of my life. I love my son and I am grateful to the Lord for such a sweet and perfect gift. His little giggle brings joy to my heart. You will all quickly fall in love with him and I am excited for you to meet him. A huge thank you goes out to all of you who encouraged, prayed and loved us through this journey.... it would have been so much tougher without your support. We love you and we are grateful for each one of you. I am giving you all a great big hug right now!

Yesterday we went to the swearing in at the US Consulate. There were about 100 american families there adopting. It was so heartwarming to see. We all stood, raised our right had and swore to take care of our little ones.. took about 2 sec but it sure felt good when it was done. Then we had dinner at a great Thai resturant called Cow and Bridge. We ate with the Debraals ( hope I spelled their last name right) it is the family we've been with since we got here. They are great!! We are going to miss them.. we've been through a lot together!

Well Robert is getting antsy with me on the computer.. we need to finish packing =) so I must say goodbye. Thank you everyone who followed us, I hope you enjoyed our story! We will be leaving at 5:45 am for the airport, flying to Hong Kong. Layover in Chicago and then finally home ( Columbus, Ohio). We will be up again for 30 hours... basically leaving your time at 5:45 pm ( Friday) and getting to Columbus at 4:20 pm Saturday. Please pray for us....... its a long time for a baby to be confined and for Ma Ma and Da Da to be confined as well.

Again Thank you!! Lots of Love, Robert, Kelly, and Joseph Barger

( see in Columbus)

Flash and Rascal

Just had to share this picture with everyone.. This a picture of our basset hound Flash. He and our other dog, Rascal are staying at a local "Dog Resort" if you will.. We had drama earlier this week. We rec'd an email from the Kennel saying the boyz were not getting along and Rascal had suffered a puncture on his paw. They "think" Flash may have bit him but aren't sure.... so Rascal was taken to our vet who had to stitch up the wound. They also separated them so they would have their "own" space. Our wonderful friend Marilyn has been our voice since we can't be there. She has been wonderful and we are so thankful!!! WE LOVE YOU Marilyn! She has been out to visit them a couple of times and sent us this picture today.. Isn't it cute. There was another one with Rascal but it is taking forever to download the pics. The Kennel has also been emailing us to give us regular updates and pictures.. they say Flash is finally warming up and being friendly since he has his own run.. Can't wait to see the bill when we get home. !!!!Yikes .. okay well just had to share this picture.. I love it!!

We are off this afternoon to do our swearing in at the US Consulate.. last government thing in this whole process!!! What an unbelievable feeling after 2 plus years of bureaucracy. Joseph will get his passport and Visa today!! Hurray!!!

We will post more later...

see ya!

Part II of the trip

Hi All,
Well we left Xi'an yesterday.. it was bittersweet. The city is so dirty and very polluted. We could hardly see the sky even when it was sunny out. But it was where we spent our first week with Joey so we will never forget it and it is special to us. I am glad to have experienced his culture so we will be able to share with him someday. On our way to the airport we visited a foster home. A woman named Amanda fosters children from different orphanages. She is from South Africa. We took many pictures and will post a lot more about it at a later time. It made me sad and I wanted to take home all of the babies. But I am so happy the babies have her home to go to. She is an amazing woman with the biggest heart I have ever seen. Please pray for her!
After the visit we went to Pizza Hut and then flew last night to Guangzhou. Joseph did great on the air plane. He didn't cry at all. I hope and pray we have the same experience on our way home. We are staying at a very nice hotel ( thanks for the tip jane!). We upgraded to a suite so we have a computer in our room now. Unfortunately I can't get onto the blogger so Kateri is helping me out. Kateri and Tricia if you stay at the Victory make sure you get the suite! It is very very nice.. and the beds are super soft! We are actually on an island that is surrounded by the Pearl River. It is beautiful here. Reminds of us of Charleston, SC. We haven't had a chance to get out and walk too much... but we made it to the Starbucks!
Joseph had his medical check this morning. Boy was that interesting.. lets just say I hope none of us need medical attention. Honestly my perspective on things has changed so much. We are so blessed to be in the US! Joseph is sleeping now, he had a late night and only got about 8 hours of sleep.. once he is done napping we will take a walk around the island. It takes about 25 minutes to walk around the whole thing. The air is clean here, and there are leaves on the trees and lots of palm trees. I think it will get to be about 65 degrees today. Being here is such a welcomed change.

We finally got out today and went shopping and got some great deals! We are having a king size quilt made. We picked out the silk fabric and the girl said it would be done by Friday, oh and we got 2 matching pillow cases to match. It was very cheap.. trust me. We also bought Joseph his little Chinese outfit and a dress for Devynn. I can't wait to get their pictures taken. Tonight we ordered Papa Johns pizza, it was good lets just hope it stays good if you know what I mean. Joseph stood at coffee table and ate his pizza..we were so amazed. The first couple of days we had him he just sat where we put him, he didn't move at all. Now we can't keep up with him he scoots everywhere and he is pulling himself up a lot more. He will be walking in no time. You can tell he just loves every ounce of attention he gets.. and we LOVE giving it to him. When I put him to bed I sing softly to him, my voice is horrible but he seems to really like it. It is a special time for us. I just look at him in awe and praise God for this gift of life.. it has changed me forever.

Love and Hugs,
Kelly and Robert

Good Day!

Ni Hao,

Today was a good day... Robert is feeling much better ( Thank you for praying). He decided to stay home again today to be close to a bathroom. I on the other hand did some more sightseeing. We went to the City wall and walked to the top of it. It is 9 miles all the way around...but we didn't walk the whole thing. It was so cool! We also went to the Muslim Market.. and believe you me we experienced China first hand. It is a huge market in the alleys of of the city. It was a great time. We did a lot of bargaining. =) Debbie helped me with that. Joseph is doing really well. Everyday he just does more and more. I took him to the pool and he LOVED that! He looked so darn cute in his swimming trunks.. Tomorrow we fly to Guangzhou where we will finish up our stay... I can't believe it is almost over. Oh.. and I also enjoyed a manicure and a pedicure today it cost 24 bucks for both, can you believe that! I will surely miss being waited on hand and foot. The staff here is excellent and they do everything for you. That has been a huge perk! Okay it might be a day or two before I Blog b/c we will be traveling. Here are some pics of the sights and of course Joey =)

Snowing!

Today we woke up to snow. 2 days ago it was about 65 degrees.. hmmm sounds like Ohio weather don't you think! Well Robert is sick! Got home from the show last night and was sick all night.. I mean he threw up about every 30 minutes. Please pray for him. I think he is okay now b/c its been about 4 hours since he got sick. He is sleeping. We are stuck inside b/c of the weather so I am bit stir crazy... Got to talk to my parents today and that made me feel a whole lot better. I appreciate your encouragement everyone!! It helped me a lot... I needed to hear your perspective. I wish I could email everyone back but it is a bit pricey to be on the Internet.

So 5 1/2 days to go.. I can do it!! Thanks Jane for letting me know I will access to Starbucks in about 3 days...

Oh.. so let me tell you about our lunch the other day. We were all eating at the restaurant where the Terra Cotta Warriors are. The waitress pulled up her cart behind me and asked if we wanted some more to drink. Well................guess what was on that cart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Snake wine. Do you guys know what that is. It is a clear bottle with a snake at the bottom of it and it was right behind me.. It took everything in me to not freak out. Robert kept saying " don't look, don't look it's almost gone.." It was so freaky!!! I had heard about it but certainly never thought I'd lay eyes on it. Hopefully we won't have any more opportunities to see that!

Well, I better get back up to the room. Joseph and Robert are both sound asleep so I am going to take advantage of the quiet and read my book=) Love and Miss Everyone!! And I can't wait to get home and have some good Italian food and of course Aladdins!!! I miss my hummus.

Kelly and Robert

Some more cuteness!

Hello,

So we didn't go to the city wall today but we did visit a jade factory and Pagonda/Buddist Temple. It was interesting to see the temple, we took lots of pictures so you can all see them when we get back. I am getting a little homesick... I am ready to get on a normal schedule with Joey. It is true that the women here don't mind giving you their opinion on your baby. It has gotten to me a bit being a new mom is overwhelming enough and then to think you are doing everything wrong. At breakfast today an older lady came to the table, sat down and proceeded to feed Joey breakfast. It was a bit strange not to mention we had no idea what she was saying. Her husband finally came over with her coat and made her leave. Robert kept say things under his breath which of course was cracking me up! Tonight the group went to dinner and a show, I stayed back. I ate McDonalds today and lets just say it didn't agree with me. It is also giving me good time with Joey. It feels like we've been on the go so much and there hasn't been enough time to just be with him. So he and I are hanging out.. He is such a good baby!! I am telling you were are so blessed. Of course he has his episodes but all in all so good.. he is also a good sleeper. Right now he is keeping himself occupied with a plastic bowl. We brought a few toys for him but he doesnt' like them.. he likes the plastic bowl, Oh.. and he does like the little cars. Well, I guess enough for today.. Here are some more pictures! And again thanks for your comments.. I can't tell you how much they help!

Hey Dad, they have a Home Depot here. Robert was ready to take our guide there to help her get started on some projects..=)

Love,

The Bargers

P.S. Tricia and Kateri, I have lots of advice to give you!!! Get ready for the ride of your life =) I only wish we were on this ride together.

Too cute not to share

Good Morning!
Just a quick post to tell you some cute stuff... last night we were playing with Joseph and he was loving it. We were putting his jammies on and real softly he started saying "Da Da" ( I think that's how you spell it) then he got louder and louder.. too cute!! Joseph loves his Daddy that is for sure!! Then I picked him up and was giving him kisses and he put his hands on my checks, pulled my head in and gave me a kiss on lips. Robert and I almost just about exploded with emotion. We couldn't believe it.... this whole mom thing is just amazing so much more than I thought.. to be honest I am glad I didn't know what I was missing. Well today we are off to see the city. It has a wall around it with a moat. It is very cool. I will also get some Starbucks today!! Whoo HOO!!!!!!!!!! Xi'an is a very interesting city, rich in history. We definitely know we are in China.... but it is so cool to be apart of another culture. The staff at the Sheraton are so good with Joseph, you should see how they are with him. We are doing okay here, much better than I thought. Okay.. well talk to you later with more pics. Oh.. and Thank you everyone for praying.... it is so apparent that we are covered by His goodness and grace.
Love,
Kelly and Robert

Here are the Pics....

b

Hi! Well today we went to the Terra Cotta Warriors.. it was amazing. Can't really put it into words. We also went to the Walmart to pick up a few things. Joseph is starting to bond with us. He is laughing and giving us lots of smiles. Today he enjoyed some dumplings and fried rice which he enjoyed very much. He is a great eater!!!!! We are with a wonderful family which is such a blessing. They adopted a littel girl who is five. She is so cute... and so happy. They are kind enough to let us use their computer. Joseph has stared to crawl around today. He is coming out of his shell.. I can't wait for all of you to meet him. Thanks for your comments it helps to hear from you guys... I am looking forwarding to coming home =) Okay so here are the pics.

PS. Mom do you notice the outfit with the red jacket?? Imiss talking to you =) and Shad can't wait to see you, Monica, and Jack at the airport. Tell Jack his cousin is looking forward to playing trucks with him!

Talk to you soon!!! Kelly and Robert

I'm a Mama!!!

Hi Everyone. Sorry it has taken so long to post but we couldn't get through... Anyhow on to the stuff you want to hear about. We have Joseph!!! Oh my gosh....can't explain what an amazing feeling it is to be a Mommy.. it feels so good!! He is such a sweet boy. He is a cuddler, and likes for us to hold him. He loves Cheerios!!

We left Chicago at 12:30 Monday I was so sick to my stomach, nerves. The flight over was rough.. we had horrible seats, middle section, middle seats. Robert was ready to lose his mind. I actually did better than I thought. Anyhow, we got to Beijing at 3:30 pm which was the middle of the night for us. It was a long 3 hour layover, I was pretty misreable. We then got on an airplane to Xi'an. All we could think about was getting to the hotel and going to sleep. At that point we'd been up for 30 hours!!!!!!! We arrived in Xi'an and our guide met us. Her name is JoJo. When we were walking to the van she said, "tonight okay to get your baby".. Robert and I just looked at each other. All of sudden I had the biggest rush.. Robert on the other hand really wanted a good night sleep. I thought to myself.. well this is jut like labor you really don't have a say when the baby comes. We got to the hotel quickly freshened up and then our we heard the knock on the door. I felt excited, nervous, overwhelmed, you name it I felt it! I opened up the door and there he was. I was so overwhelmed with emotion, ( I can't help to be crying as Iam writing this) My sweet son was right in front of me. Robert and I just held him close and gave him lots and lots of Kisses. The nanny and director of the orphange were there too. After about 15 minutes they left and we were alone with Joseph.. He looked around and gave us a few smiles. We changed him into his pjs and layed him in bed with us.. Icouldn't take my eyes of him. There just arent' words to explain what we were feeling. Joseph is 22lbs, a lot smaller than we thought. He isn't walking.... so I am grateful we will be able to witness his first steps.. he likes to give kisses.. and he loves it when Robert and I give each other a kiss and then we each kiss one of his checks. He is a precious little boy with a lot of love to give. He is so laid back.. and he is thinker. He does this cute thing with us eyes..kinda looks at us from a side view. Hard to explain but very cute.

We got up the next morning very early b/c we had to go to the government offices and have our adoption completed. After about 3 hours of paperwork it was official. So now we are just resting, trying to catch up on some much needed sleep.


Okay..well I will most some more later. Robert will need to figure out the picture thing.. so hopefully we can post some tomorrow.. Just know we are doing well... and we feel so blessed..



Oh.. ladies at Checkfree! Hat is on!!=)



Miss you and love,

Kelly

Good - Bye from the Bargers!!!

So this is it!!!!! In 12 hours we will be on our way to the airport. The house is so clean... no way I could home to a dirty house. The bags are packed, they each weigh about 44lbs.. Just a few more things to get done before bed and then February 18th will FINALLY be here!!! We love you guys! WE are so excited you will be able to follow our trip. Please leave us comments. We will need to hear from you... Okay so the next time we post we will be in China and most importantly we will have Joseph!!!!

See ya!

Lots of Love from the Bargers!

Travel Itinerary

I thought I'd post our Itinerary so you could follow us. Only 4 days until we hold Joseph.. we can't believe it!! It is all becoming so real. We are almost done packing. I've been dealing we some kind of virus yesterday and today. I hope and pray it goes away before I get on the plane. Now remember we will be 13 hours ahead of you.
Itinerary:
2/18/08 - Fly to Chicago and then to Beijing.
2/19/08 - Arrive in Xi'an ( Joseph's province)
2/20/08 - Gotcha Day ( Get Joseph)
2/21/08 - tours, rest and love on Joseph
2/22/08 - tours, rest and love on Joseph
2/23/08 - tours, rest and love on Joseph
2/24/08 - tours, rest and love on Joseph
2/25/08 - tours, rest and love on Joseph
2/26/08 - Fly to Guangzhou at 7:30 pm
2/27/08 - Medical check and visa photo
2/28/08 - US consulate appointment 9:00 am
2/29/08 - Recite Oath
3/1/08 - Fly home from Hong Kong =)

A Big Thank you to my Friends at CheckFree

You guys are AWESOME! You have been so supportive of me during the last 2 years.. When I tell family and friends (outside of work) how you guys encouraged me during the wait they are in awe. This is a huge Thank you for all of the many many wonderful gifts you gave to Joseph, the encouraging emails, phone calls, and visits I have received. You were there for me when I received all my good news and thought I 'd burst with excitement and you were there for me when I was having a hard time with the long long wait! You all have blessed me so much and I am very very Thankful for each one of you! See you all in May!!!
Lots of Love,
Kelly