We made it home!

So sorry it has taken so long to post this blog!! We got home and life got crazy😝

It took 3 flights and 22 hours but we made it home!! Praise the Lord!! Annie  Kate did awesome!! She didn't sleep a lot but was a happy girl! 

Arriving in Dayton was very emotional. We were so excited to be home and couldn't wait to see our boys! We knew some friends and family would be at the airport but were blown away by how many people were truly there! We felt so loved and blessed! 

Annie Kate is adjusting well besides the fact that she has her days and nights mixed up. She's been such an answer to prayer and we are so thankful to God for blessing us with her. We would like to thank all the people who have  brought meals, helped with her room, traveled 100 of miles to see her, and those who have prayed constantly during this journey. We are so incredibly blessed to have the support that we have had!! 

Day 13 & 14

Just a quick update from our 12th night. We went on the Pearl River cruise. The Pearl river is the 4th largest river in China.  We enjoyed eating Papa Johns pizza and seeing the city of Guangzhou from the river.

Day 13

One year ago our sweet baby girl was born! We are grateful to Annie Kate's biological mother for giving her life and thankful to God for choosing us to be her earthly parents. We are truly blessed!!  We spent her birthday shopping at the Pearl Market and going out to dinner with our group. 

Birthday cakes in China are not quite the same as in the U.S. 

Day 14

Finally U.S. Consulate Day!! 

When we got there we where so excited until we found out that our Chinese  adoption certificate was not fully complete for all of the nineteen families in our group!! Needless to say there were some upset people! The State Department advised us not to leave the country without this completed document. But thank the Lord the documents are on there way to us as of tonight. Our guide has never seen this issue in over twenty years!  

When we got back to our hotel we took a group picture. What a blessing to see all the forever families!!

Tonight we went to a eat with some of our new friends and Annie Kate made a friend too.

One more day!!! Can't wait to fly home! 

Day 11&12

Day 11

Sunday was a tough day! Annie Kate was having some separation anxiety and cried a lot of the day. Coming to a new hotel and new bed most likely confused her. We were both very homesick yesterday and felt like we couldn't take one more day in China! This is a long journey but it is all worth the hard days to have our precious baby girl! God doesn't promise easy but he does give us the strength to get through anything! We are so thankful to our Father for holding our hand through this process.

Day 12

We are happy to report that everyone woke up joyful and refreshed today! Praise God! Today we went to get her visa photo and have her medical exam. Annie Kate did fantastic. Our entire group did great. They have been such a blessing and great support. She past all 3 medical stations,Thankfully Annie Kate is under 2 no TB blood test.  Here are a few good pictures. One of the doctors looks like he is ready for surgery, he's actually just checking her ears and throat.

Tonight we are going on Pearl River Cruise with our group to celebrate no more paperwork. Should be fun!!

Day 9 & 10

Sorry for the delay in posting. Friday was  uneventful. We took Annie Kate on her first shopping experience at the mall across the street from the hotel. Later her Chinese passport arrived at our hotel. 

The rest of the day we used to pack up getting ready to travel on Saturday. 

Saturday was pretty chaotic! We left our hotel at 11:30 to go to the airport for our flight to Gaungzhou. Our flight was delayed but we had no clue because of the language barrier. We just kept standing around waiting to board.Lol

Annie Kate did fantastic on the airplane!! 

The rest of the week is going to hopefully fly by fast. We will be busy doing paperwork, going to her medical check, visiting the US consulate, and sightseeing! Thanks for your continued prayers.

Day 8

Today was considered our first day off. We visited the local aquarium. We really didn't know what to expect but it was pretty nice. The highlight was seeing a trained sea lion dancing to the song "Gangnam Style". 

Not sure if Annie Kate enjoyed the sea lion show as much as us but she did great on the trip.

We are both pretty tired of our hotel room. We are blessed to be in such a nice hotel but eating the same food and seeing the same scenery is starting to get to us. We really miss home.

We are looking forward to flying to Guangzhou on Saturday. This will be our last stop before heading home. Thanks for the continued prayers.

Day 7

Today we went on high speed train to Zhumadian City. This is Annie Kate's hometown. We started the journey applying for her Chinese passport at the Public Security Bureau. This is where all Chinese citizens apply for their passports.

Next we traveled to the spot where Annie Kate was abandon. On the way, our cab driver asked our guide why we were going to this intersection. She explained to him that Annie Kate had been abandon there because she was premature. He told our guide that his son was born premature also. He said he and his wife had to borrow from family and friends just to pay for his healthcare. The 5 day stay was close to 60,000 RMB ($ 10,000) just for him to survive. They wished to have more children but could not afford. He said our daughter was very lucky to have been adopted.  It was really touching hearing his story.

Here's a picture of her finding place.

Standing in her finding spot was very emotional. Just knowing that almost a year ago she was abandon because her family most likely couldn't afford health care is heart breaking. We are truly blessed in America that we don't have to make that kind of decision. We are so very thankful that God had a different plan for her life. 

On a side note, the countryside is beautiful. It's amazing to see all the construction taking place all over the country.

Annie Kate did great on the trip!! She didn't cry once! She's a little trooper!

Tomorrow looks like a free day. No paperwork!! 

Day 6

Last night was such a blessing and answer to prayer. Annie Kate let Mommy hold her!! She slept great also!!

Today we visited the the registration building to receive our official adoption certificate from the registration officer. So Annie Kate is officially a Culpepper!!

Tomorrow we travel on a high speed train to Zhumadian to complete her passport application. Should be an adventure!!

Day 5- continued

"Gotcha Day"

This is outside of the registration building where we received Annie Kate.

The morning was very emotional for both parents and children. But a blessing to see eighteen kids adopted into their forever families!!!

Annie Kate came in all wrapped up in a blanket like it was freezing cold outside and it is only 75 degrees. She a sweetheart for sure!! She's definitely more comfortable with Daddy. She's not sure about Mommy just yet. We got back to the hotel and she drank a little bit of her bottle and is now taking a nap.

Day 5

A little over two years ago the Lord spoke to us that we should adopt. We are amazed at how God has held our hand through this process. It hasn't always been easy and there have been lots of tears. But God is so faithful!! We prayed for a miracle and God answered! Oh how blessed we feel to have two amazing boys and now a precious little girl. Thanks to all of you for walking through this journey with us. We are beyond grateful!! Here is a picture of Annie Kate on the train coming to Zhengzhou. We will leave to pick her up around 9:30.

Day 3 & 4

Yesterday was a fun but exhausting day. We started the day touring the Great Wall. It was fascinating to see just how large it is in person.

We hiked to the third level!! It was a blast!! Something special we did was purchase a lock that goes on the railing. This lock represents "lock your love forever."

We also toured a Jade factory and had a traditional Chinese lunch. Afterward we went to a incredible acrobatic show. Needless to say by the end of the day we were exhausted! We didn't even eat dinner!!

Today we flew out to Zhengzhou. This is Annie Kate's home province. The hotel is nice, but the pollution in the city is horrible, reminds us of the movie Interstellar. The highlight of the day was our trip to Wal-mart. 

Tomorrow is the Gotcha Day!! 

Her bed is ready!! Please pray for her as she will be experiencing a lot of emotions. 

Day 2.5

Today was filled with lots of sightseeing. Riding a Rickshaw and eating local food in a families bedroom were two of the more interesting. We knew China was going to be crowded but never imagined until we saw the line to visit Chaiman Mao's tomb. Crazy! 

The best part of the day was meeting our sweet baby girl!! She was a little frightened but that's to be expected. We are so thankful to God for giving us the opportunity to spend time with her before  "Gotcha Day." Please pray for her as she mourns her nannies.

She definitely likes daddy the best!! She's a little scared of mommy. Thanks for your continued prayers.