The Edwards Family Journey: Day 5 As A Family

Day 5 back in America! We are doing very well! Adjusting...getting used to America's time again (jetlag has been so hard!)...Sophie is meeting all of these new people....we are doing well! We need lots of prayer though, we have a long journey ahead and will need all the prayer we can get. Sophia has come so far in these 3 weeks since we've had her in our arms, already though! But, settling in with three little kids is hard, as you would imagine. Samuel, Isaac, and Sophia all get along, but like I said, we have a long road ahead. We'll get there, though!

I have lots of pictures to share! We had an incredible time in China, definitely a once in a lifetime experience! I am so happy that my parents got to experience China, but, we were all very happy to be back in America! So happy to have our WHOLE family together....I've been saying that over and over this week! So happy.
With 3 ornery children, family pictures are definitely a struggle...haha, so though we haven't had complete family picture yet, that will come!

Rob and Rachel waiting in Newark to leave for China!

China!

In Beijing

Wal-Mart was insane! haha

"There she is! There she is! That's her, there she is!!"

There she is :)

Sophia Grace!!

Momma's first time holding her baby girl!

Sophia and her Daddy :)

Hearts so full....

Such a sweet reunion! So happy to have her in my arms again. I have found myself in finding my sister.

Together!!

She loves mirrors!

Rob, Rachel, with their adoption ceritificate!

Rob and Sophie at the Luoyang orphanage - where she stayed from February-June.

Sophie's "EMPTY" crib!

Maria's Big House of Hope!

Emily, Sophie, and Rachel in the Jungle Book Room!

Sophie with a very sweet and special Nanny!
When I (Emily) left MBHOH last year, I said goodbye to Sophie and I started crying.
This Nanny started speaking to me in Chinese, and though I couldn't understand what she was saying,
I knew by the look on her face that she was wondering why I was so sad.
We didn't speak each other's language, so I tried acting out the reason why I was sad. haha.
I told her, "I will miss her....I....will....miss...her....I WILL MISS HER..." and I finally said, "Wo Ai Ni," (which means I Love You) and I patted Sophie's back. And I contiued with, "I am going to miss her."
She understood so clearly then.
It was wonderful to go back and right as I walked into their room, she gave me a big hug and started saying something in Chinese. A translator then came up and told me, "She's saying she remembers you!"

It is so evident that the Nannies there are in love with the babies at MBHOH
and care so much for them. So thankful for their hearts!

This is on MBHOH's roof. AKA: my favorite place on earth.
This is the exact spot where I heard God's voice so clearly...
This is where God confirmed to me that Sophie is my sister. This place takes my breath away!

So thankful for our visit to MBHOH!

Me, with friends, Abby and Dan, whom I met last year in China! Wonderful people!

Mom and Sophie doing laundry!

Miss Hollywood!!

China requires that you wear swimming caps......

Hahahahaha.

Mom and Sophie playing with stickers!

Sophie loves her shoes! In all sizes!

First doctor's check up

We went on a river cruise in Guangzhou - it was amazing!!

So happy :)

Canton Tower, (the Rainbow Tower) - the second largest building in the world!
In Guangzhou, China

We had a great time at the Guangzhou Zoo!

"Little Sister" :)

so sweet....

This is the "Sophie look." She's so rotten! Haha

"Goodbye, China..."

Sophie enjoying the airplanes :)

Leaving Hong Kong for HOME!

Momma's Girl!

First look at America!

Our amazing friends with their tshirts made up waiting at the airport!
Sad news - our flights got messed up from Chicago to Indianapolis, so we didn't get to see these guys in person.
But they all wore their shirts the following Sunday as we welcomed Sophie home :)