Dani and Brighton cutting cloth to make a quiver for Brighton's toy bow

Brighton with his sisters

Listening to the announcement that Charly made first vice president of the 4-H clubBrighton's first time to pull a bow back!

We arrived home from China on Thursday night right at dark. It was a long, miserable trip, but I was so happy to be home. I think Brighton was more excited than I was. He was exhausted from me dragging him, running at top speed, through the San Francisco airport to make our connecting flight to Houston. It was, of course, on the opposite side of the airport.

Brighton has been just amazed by everything here. He was really scared of the dogs, but he's already used to them. His first night was unbelievable. He didn't want me to sleep in the bottom bunk, he wanted to sleep in his room by himself. The smile on his face and look of contentment when he first snuggled into his cozy bed with his memory foam pillow was priceless. He slept all night long and woke up smiling. He folded all of his sheets and blankets and put them at the bottom of the bed in the morning. At breakfast, he ate a bowl of cereal, fresh fruit, orange juice and a container of Wonton soup.

At 8:30 we went for his physical and blood work. He was a trooper and just smiled the entire time. Then we went to have his eyes examined. The optometrist told us that he has Retinitis Pigmentosa, which is a hereditary eye disease. He is losing his peripheral vision and could be blind when he's an adult. Most people with this disorder retain a small bit of tunnel vision throughout their lives. This discovery prompted us to start talking about the possibility of a cochlear implant. If he is going to be deaf and possibly blind, he will have to have some way to communicate as an adult.

Later, we headed to pick up his glasses, and he was in shock at how good he could see! He looks so handsome in them too. That night, when I told him it was time for bed, he went to bed with no problems. I went in to tuck him in and he held my hand and put it to his cheek. He snuggled in and fell asleep right away.

In the morning, his dad asked him if he wanted to go to archery practice with him and he was so excited that I thought he would bounce all the way there! He loved every minute of it and did really well. Everyone was so happy to see him. His sisters have been really enjoying him and love to help him.

Signing papers at the civil affairs office!

Eating lunch afterwards at the famous Fungus Factory in Shenyang

First ever visit to a zoo!

Looking at the swans at the zoo
The Forbidden Tomb in Shenyang

Brighton in front of the Forbidden Tomb entrance in Shenyang

My little Anshan warrior
His first plane ride...from Shenyang to Guangzhou

The top of the waterfall at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou Bottom of waterfall with a good looking boy next to it!

Brighton and Sam waiting for medical exams in Guangzhou

Brighton and the Piper children in Guangzhou

STARBUCKS!!!!

Brighton with the Bruins family waiting to fly from Guangzhou to Hong Kong

Hello from Guangzhou! It's a balmy 94 with a heat index of 104. After 5 minutes outside we are soaking wet. It's very tropical here. We are on Shamian Island. It's beautiful! Palm trees, beautiful lights and buildings, and our hotel (White Swan) is right on the Pearl River, which is the third largest river in China.

Things here have gone wonderfully!!! Brighton is having the time of his life. It is exciting to see him experience all of this. It's a bit hard to get on the internet because he gets so impatient and wanders.

Yesterday, he tried me a bit, which was exhausting, but it is a wonderful feeling to know that he is comfortable enough with me that he's acting like a normal 9 year-old boy! He has picked up quite a bit of sign language already. His orphanage director said he doesn't like meat, but he's been eating EVERYTHING!

Yesterday was the medical exam. Everything went great, but he needs glasses. A family was sitting right next to us with big open sores everywhere and they told the doctor that it was spreading fast. We tried to scootch over without seeming disrespectful, then took a shower and changed clothes when we returned to the hotel.

Brighton is really helpful. He wanted to iron my shirts, but I was afraid he would burn them so I got out his pj's and he had a blast ironing them. He really loves french fries and noodles. He LOVES the pool!

We are going to go on a riverboat cruise today, then shop for Chinese silks and pearls. We will be going to the US Consulate tomorrow for the swearing-in ceremony, then flying home on Thursday. (Wednesday in the US)

Love you all!!!!
Tina

Hi, everybody- my mom wanted for me to post this for her that she sent in an email, because it won't let her post anything on her blog from where she is right now in China.

~Charly



Brighton is just the most amazing little boy! He is so smart and learns things the first time you tell him. He is polite and holds doors for others, offers his gum to others and loves to help with everything. I had to tell him it was ok for him not to clean the hotel room. The second day here he was thoroughly amazed when we got back to the room and it was clean and the beds were made. He ran to the bathroom to see if it was clean too.

He is finally starting to not be nervous around me and hugged me this morning. It was really hard not to cry. He is so sweet. Every time I answer the phone, he wants to know if it's his dad. When I say yes, he waves hi.

We went to the mall the day before yesterday and bought many clothes, shoes, and a few games. He was so excited! When we went to Walmart Supercenter, he was throwing everything in the cart and I had to establish boundaries really fast and teach him to ask and what yes and no means. He had a lot of fun teaching me the games. We played a mean game of volleyball in the hotel room with a beach ball I took. It was so fun that we both fell on the bed laughing.

We are having trouble getting Brighton's passport. Can't elaborate, but please pray that we can get it today. We are supposed to fly to Guangzhou tomorrow.

Miss everyone!
Tina

Hello from Beijing, China! It is 7am here and I thought I'd get everyone caught up on what's happening. Our flight was delayed in Chicago for 7 hours due to mecahnical problems. (6 hours in the airport and nearly an hour of waiting on the plane with no airconditioning and waiting to take off on the runway) It was a very uncomfortable feeling sitting on a plane that was having engine trouble. The flight over was long and uncomfortable, but the food was excellent and the company was even better. I sat next to a gentleman who has adopted from China and said a prayer for us as we took off for safe travel! While at the airport, a Chinese gentleman gave me Chinese language lessons. He was very kind, as was his wife.

Beijing reminds me of Houston. Everyone smokes here, so it's hard to get used to smelling the smoke all of the time. The weather is nice. The other families I'm traveling with have been wonderful. They let me borrow their Panda Phone because mine was not delivered. Please pray that I will get that today so I can call David and the girls.

We are getting ready to go to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden Palace. I'm so excited that tomorrow I will get to meet our son!!!!!

Love,
Tina