March 31st in China

I am sorry I didn't get to post anything earlier. Our day started out early with Hudson getting up at 5. That meant in 48 hours I had 5 hours of sleep!!! We went down to breakfast and then headed to get our family photo taken. Abby smiled like a sweetheart but not Hudson. Oh boy...round two of the night before EXCEPT this time he was screaming for ME!! They needed to get a passport photo of just him which they eventually got 20 minutes later after Mark and I went outside. That was hard to leave him when he was so upset. It will be interesting to see what that turns out like. Then, off to Civil Affairs office. All went well, money accepted, papers signed and a little more info on Hudson. Mrs. Yang, the director came running over to him when she saw him yelling "Yue, Yue", his name at the orphaange. He saw her, smiled and gave the now all too familiar nod of his head with a grunt. When I asked her what that means she said "Look at me, pay attention to me". She also told me he was the "naughty one" at the orphanage. We laughed as we can see that....He is such a character and we saw that spunk in his eyes of our updated pictures of him. He has this real sweet side but I think a bit of a "Little Emperor" syndrome going on. He attracts attention from all, such personality in his face and very expressive with his eyes. He is so sweet with Abby, who has a very quiet personality. Mrs. Yang was telling the officials at the Civil Affairs office how they are very close. Their cribs were next to each other and they would walk out holding hands (we were given such sweet pictures of this from the orphanage). He seems to kind of watch out for her, feeding her cheerios and handing her things. Jenn and I both got teary watching them and hearing that, knowing they will live far apart, BUT we will be friends forever. Victoria, Madi and Kailee already have them married one day.......
Anyway, Hudson was very ornery at the office. He kind of wandered around in a daze, so many families, lots of English and Chinese. He has definetly attached to me but didn't even really want me there. The one picture above was when he did want me to hold him and laid his head against mine.....He seems to get nervous in large, close groups of people, like the elevator.
We finished ALL our paperwork today. They pushed all the famlies hard Sunday night to complete it all and brought it all to us last night. So, the next few days here we will just be hanging out, hopefully getting some good sight seeing in.
Once we got back to the hotel and he saw the kids and a now familiar room and hallway he was back to his goofy, happy self. He did get a short nap in and we ALL feel into bed at 8 O'clock. Woke up at 4 but I feel refreshed.
We are going to the zoo later today and a park. The weather is cold here and dreary. We need some sunshine and the kids need to get outside and some good American food....all they have here is KFC so we walked there yesterday and induldged on french fries and coke. All but my dad are burnt out on Chinese, he loves it!!
It is interesting to watch our three 2 year olds interact. Very different from American kids. I guess the result of being in an orphanage. They share very well, never say mine or pull away like our 2 year olds do when another child holds out their hand for their toy,,,they give it. Both Abby and Hudson pick up things off the floor, small pieces of paper, etc. and hand it to us. Hudson can play for HOURS with his stacking blocks. I watched him a long while yesterday while Jordan slept and everyone else was at the store. He seems to be so smart, I know, all parents say that but it is amazing how he knows how to stack them upside down from largest to smallest and place them in one another. He has incredible fine motor skills but really doesn't say anything. I asked Mrs. Yang if he did speak at the orphanage and she said "not much, he has a very hard time with words." We have started some simple signs with him....speech therapy is certianly around the corner.
I will try to post again tonight with less words and more pictures...LOL!!

Officially a Teague!!! This is one very tired boy!!!

GOTCHA DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well...........We have him!!!!!!! I don't even know where to begin. I guess at the beginning. Because China is having a national holiday this week and all offices will be closed some orphanages chose to bring the kids on Sunday. This meant a very long and a very late night. We spent the morning in Beijing touring the Summer Palace. It was sunny today and much more pleasant. We had a boat ride, went to the pearl factory (great pearls Kim!!) and ate lunch. We were ALL so anxious to just get going. We arrived at the airport around 2:30, checked in, said our goodbyes to our travel group and the three famlies heading to Gansu went off to our gate. We were delayed at the gate about 40 minutes and didn't take off until after 4:30. We had a two and a half hour flight and arrived in Lanzhou about 7:00. Megan meet us and off we drove for an hour to our hotel. I have to stop here and say than Lanzhou is so very different from Beijing. I have been told it is the poorest province in China and it showed. No fancy airport like in Beijing ( we flew into the new one on Fri which had just opened on wed). It is so barren, nothing green and so dusty. It is very hilly and they are all terraced to prevent errosion. It became a sullen ride as the magnitude of where are children would have grown up sunk in. BUT
we did arrive at our hotel and were told to be back in 20 min. (8:40 pm). OH MY GOODNESS!! Gifts to pack, toys to gather up, paperwork to find....it was madness!!! My family was actually five minutes late and the other two families were already doing paperwork. They were in an adjoining room from the kids and there was no table space so we were told to sit by the kids. I saw Andrew first, then Abby then HUDSON!!! He was all smiles with his nanny. I sat down close to him and he gave us a now all to familiar look, smiled and turned away. Mark sat down to do paperwork while the rest of us tried to interact with him. His personality was showing thru in the familiar arms of his Nanny. Soon, they pulled me away to sign papers and then all of the sudden I turned around and he was being placed in my arms. WELL.........as you can see below, he wanted no part of us!! It was beyond description. Such joy and such saddness all mixed together. To see everyone in the room crying and his nanny running out (that is here in the purple) was when I lost it. Steed told me to just take him up to the room so Jordan and I did while the girls stayed to help video Abby and Andrews famlies. Hudson fought me all the way.....my arms are sore tonight. Once we got to the room and I realized he was not going to let me comfort him I just set him down. He did calm down but continued to wimper and walk around dazed. One by one the girls and my parents came in. We pulled out cheerios and bubbles and got our first smile and laughs. He was fine till I went to take his coat off. I did manage to get it off and along with his pink shoes with flowers and black leather pants he had on a pink sweatshirt that said Princess.....(Kari, that was for you)...... Oh my...,.He loved a toy car we had and soon was happy. UNTIL,,,Major blowout!!! WOW!! He cleared the room. It was so bad my mom had to change him while I was gathering my wits in the hallway (new I would need mom around). SO....a bath was not even a question anymore. In he went and he was VERY upset. It was a quick bath and seemed to bond us a little as he held on to me for dear life. We snuggled for a few minutes in a towel and he let me really cuddle him. I thought he was going to go to sleep but he needed pj's on so that kind of woke him up. He now was mama's boy. He doesn't really want anyone to touch him and really pulls away. We went in the hallyway where soon he took Kailee's hand and off they walked, then Madi. We began to see his personality kick in. I think he is quite silly and made us all laugh. Aside from his head,,,he is rather tiny. MUCH smaller than I expected. My 3t's will be way to big which is mostly what I brought. His feet are also tiny. He is top heavy as his head is so round but we think he will grow into that...LOL!! His schedule said bedtime was 8:00 but this guy was up until 11:30, finally, falling asleep next to me on the bed. He is very interactive with everyone but doesn't really want anyone to hold him except me. He makes a lot of grunting noises but no words as of yet. He is such a character and exactly like we thought he would be. Wow!!! I can't believe I have a little snoring 2 year old behind me. Tomorrow we are up early to do more paperwork and hopefully while we are gone Jordan can figure out the video. We now have internet in our room and a bit more time so we should figure it out.
This has been an incredible, exhausting, exhilirating, LONG day. Every heartache along the way was worth it as this boy who was meant to be ours sleeps behind me. I can hardly wait till tomorrow!!! I am dying to talk with Jenn and Lisa to see how their nights went and get to know their kids tomorrow. Jenn and I were given SWEET pictures of Hudson and Abby together, holding hands and playing. It will be fun to see him see her tomorrow.
Hey girls meeting your little ones tomorrow....nothing can prepare you!!! Thinking of you and can't wait to meet back up at the end of the week!!
Thanks to all who have commented. It means more than you know to know how you are watching and praying. I have followed so many myself and I know how exciting updates are. We will keep them coming!!!!!
(Can't see what i am doing so hopefully the pictures worked and show a little of our evening).

Jenn and Lisa with Abby and Andrew. The first
parents, (Lisa and Kevin, on the right) got their
little guy to sleep right away while Jenn and I had screaming babies, maybe the Lord had mercy on them. My dad took these pictures and many of all of us when we were all to busy to think about it....See travel group,,,,,he does come in handy, even though he wanders off a lot.....LOL!!

How sad is this??? Oh my, he was so sad for about an hour.......finally, with the help of some cherrios and lots of toys he came out form behind the bed. Right after this he had a HUGE blow out and my mom had to change his diaper...I mean, it was powerful!! After a bath he clung on to me. Eventually he warmed up to everyone enough to play with them. He took the girls hand and they walked down the hallway (on video). He really doesn't want anyone to touch him other than me but how and where I do is definetly on his terms.

Day 2 in China

Today was a full day with Tienaman Square, The Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. It is so cold here so although it was a fun day it was very uncomfortable. Our family was the only family to take the "hard" way up the Great wall. It was full of snow so we slid down most of it. I have a great video...I was filming the kids when I slipped and went down on my butt, took out Jordan along the way and was finally stopped when I ran into Mark.... we laughed so hard. I will try to post it but having trouble getting internet in our room and are blogging from the lobby.
After a busy morning tomorrow we fly out to Gansu in the afternoon. We meet Hudson, Abby and Andrew at the hotel.
We are still catching up on sleep.........Hopefully I will post pictures tomorrow of all we have done and most importantly HUDSON!!!! We can't believe we will have him in less then 24 hours.
Thanks for all your prayers!!!! Love you all!!!

Ni Hao From China!!!

We made it!!! We arrived safely in Beijing at 2:30 pm China time and got to the hotel at about 6:00 pm after a long, cold bus ride. It is raining and so traffic was horrible. The flight was uneventful but soooo long. Already praying for travel mercies when we come home with Hudson in tow. My parents sat by a very nice Chinese man who gave them quite the education so they enjoyed that. Two of our families missed their flights, the Mitchells and Feagans. We aren't sure why but Rosa our guide said they will be getting in, in the morning. We are so exhausted and heading to bed.
Tomorrow will be a full day of sight seeing. It is cool here (about 50 degrees) and rain is predicted for tomorrow but we intend to have a great day.
We traveled with four other families from our agency. It was so fun to finally be able to talk in person.
More updates tomorrow!!

My AWESOME Girls!!!

For two years I have had the awesome priviledge of working with the same group of girls. They have been with me through most of our adoption journey and during spring break last week suprised me with this cookie cake and a gift. Most of my girls were gone but to Kaelyn, Carla, Shelby, Emily, Haley, Mary, Bea, and Krista..THANK YOU. I love each one of you dearly and will miss you. You guys are so beautiful, inside and out!!! See you in a couple weeks!!

Final countdown!!

Today we received our itinerary and also found out we will be getting Hudson on Sunday, not Monday!! We will have a busy weekend in Beijing but that is good as it will keep us busy. It is hard to believe that in less then a week we will be a family of six!! My head is sort of spinning as I can count the hours I have to do final packing and pulling it all together. I still have to work all day tomorrow and the day will also include a 2 hour conference call with the other families we are traveling with. It will be so good to hear their voices after weeks of conversing via email.
We will head to Dallas late Wednesday afternoon to spend the night as we need to be at the airport between 4-5 am. The following is our itinerary that we received today:


Thursday, March 27th Depart for Beijing


Friday, March 28th Arrive in Beijing


Saturday, March 29th Beijing Tour (Lunch and Dinner included)

Gotcha Day!

Sunday, March 30th Summer Palace (Lunch included)
Afternoon flight to Gansu
Meet Hudson Xiao Teague

Monday, March 31st Civil Affairs Appointment

April 1st -3rd Paperwork, Sight-seeing, & Shopping

Friday, April 4th Flight to Guangzhou

Saturday, April 5th Medical Exam and Paperwork Party

Sunday, April 6th Church service and Shopping

April 7th-8th Sightseeing and Shopping

Wednesday, April 9th Consulate Appointment

Thursday, April 10th Pick up Child’s Visa

Friday, April 11th Depart from Guangzhou

Depart from Beijing

Thankful Thursday

This was the very first picture I saw of Liang Xiao Yue...Hudson, on October 9. It has been a long 2 1/2 years and an even longer 5 1/2 months since we first saw the sweet face of our son. Next Thursday our family will be on a plane to China, a land that will forever hold a special place in our hearts and so I wanted to take this time to post my last Thankful Thursday, pre-Hudson.
THE LORD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR US!!
-Granting me one of the greatest desires of my heart when after many, many years of praying for Mark's heart he told me he knew we were called to adopt.
-Working in the heart of Jordan who I know will be Hudson's greatest hero.
-For teaching Jordan, Madalyn and Kailee about sacrifice, giving and waiting. They have been troopers through it all and make us proud!!
-Keeping us here in Sherman when we thought a move south would be a better plan.
-The many ways the Lord provided finances for what has turned into a $30,000 investment. We were overwhelmed as the costs at first but took one thing at a time and every penny has been there when we needed it.
-The GIFT of Jordan, Madalyn and Kailee being able to come to China with us. It wouldn't be the same without them.
-My parents being able to come along. I am thrilled after many years of living on opposite sides of the US that we can share this together. It will make it all that much more special.
-The many trials along the way. This has been the hardest thing I have ever done but the Lord has increased my faith, worked out a lot of "stuff" in each one of us, and taught me many things along the way. One of those being His father heart for us as He pursues us to adopt us as His own. The last few months and especially weeks have at times been agonizing but a small glimpse of what the Lord must feel while He waits for us. Loving us so immensly, waiting for us to recognize His place in our life as our Father.
-For Kay and Sammie, Mark's parents who CHOSE Mark and David to be a part of their family and showed them what love was.. You raised an incredible man, one of integrity and humility, who fears God and loves his family! (And the other Teague women who loved them as their own).
-For our families from TX to Alaska and everywhere in between. You have each been so supportive and encouraging and we can't wait to bring Hudson home to meet each one of you! He is SO loved!
-For our many, many friends. Some life long and some new. You have prayed for us so faithfully and each one of you are part of bringing Hudson home!!
-For the posse.....through the joy and tears, you have been with me every step of the way. Thanks for bearing my burdens with me!
-For both of our work families. You are all truly family to us. We have incredible work environments and you have all been so gracious to us in so many ways.
-For our incredible agency (AWAA) who's heart for adoption won me over quickly.
-For my incredible blogger friends and co-adopters. Those that have gone before us, with us and after us. This is a community unlike no other and your encouragement, support and prayers are priceless.
-The "gabby girls", you know who you are! ONE DAY CLOSER!! I love you each dearly!!!!
-For Hudson's birth parents. That you chose life for Hudson. We will never know your story but we pray that you will know THE story so we can thank you for him one day in heaven and you will know this precious boy that we share.

...........And for Liang Xiao Yue, Hudson Xiao Teague.......we love you baby......WE CANT WAIT TO MEET YOU!!!

...what a difference a week makes...

A week ago we were covered in snow (see pictures below) and were so uncertian about our China plans. Now, a week later spring is blooming in my front yard and we have travel plans finalized!!! Yesterday was a whirlwind. We received an email first thing Friday morning saying we had received our consulate appt for April 9th (Kailee's b'day). We didn't expect this till next week!! Then we received an email with tentative flights and by 2:00 yesterday afternoon we had bought tickets!!! We prayed for specific prices for our tickets and those were answered!! We were still uncertian if all the kids would be able to go depending on prices but they are all booked. We would have been heartbroken if they were not able to meet Hudson with us. They have been so awesome through this 2 1/2 year journey and we wouldn't have wanted to do it without them. Another prayer was we would be able to connect with my parents before we left the US and that was answered also. We will meet up with them in Chicago where we will head to Beijing together. Jenn, Denise and Lisa (and maybe more) are also on this flight which is so fun!!! It will be such a hoot (I hope) for all of us to fly home together with our little ones.

Our travel dates are March 27th-April 11th. We leave at 6:55 am and return at 10:40pm.

The next 11 days will be a whirlwind, we have so much to do!! I was disapointed to not travel over the kids spring break (which is this next week) but now I think it is so much better as I can spend the time getting ready without studying and homework!! HE always knows what is best when things don't make sense to us. THANK YOU LORD!!

thankful TA thursday!!!!!

We are OVERJOYED that we received our TA today. I talked to Lauren, our family coordinator late today about other paperwork and she said this round of phones calls was as exciting as referral calls. There are 6 of us (see astericked blogs on left) that have been waiting together and we all received our TA's. Some of us have waited over 5 weeks and some over 6. We leave two weeks from today, the 27th of March!!! Wow....I have so much to do but can't wait to do it. Thank you for all that have been praying for us the last few weeks!!
Hang on Hudson...we are coming!!!

Sowing tears...reaping joy!!

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, The LORD has done great things for them; The LORD has done great things for US, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes O LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves with him. Psalms 126

I have sowed many tears but am going to finish this out with JOY........
waiting expectantly for TA........

TA this week..??..

Tomorrow will be week 5 since we received our RA. We fully expect to be leaving March 27th for China which is less then three weeks!! Although we would have loved to travel with the group leaving this week (yeah guys!!!) we know that the Lord knows the dates and times and we rest in that.
Thanks to all of you who encourage and pray for us!! We look forward to posting our TA announcement soon............hopefully in just a day or two.

Thankful Thursday

It has been a very trying last couple of weeks as several of us have waited for TA with no word yet. The Lord has been my constant Hope and the encouragment of my dear blogging friends
have gotten me to the point of being thankful that despite the wait, we WILL go to China this month. In fact we expect to be flying three weeks from today. I tried to post a new favorite song by David Crowder on my blog but couldn't find it so I will type the words on this THANKFUL THURSDAY!! This entire journey has been one miracle after another of what He has done for us.......

Come and listen, come to the waters edge all you who know and fear the Lord
Come and listen, come to the waters edge all you who are thirsty, come.
Let me tell you what He has done for me, Let me tell you what
He has done for you, what He has done for us.
Come and listen, come and listen to what He has done

And praise our God for He is good, praise our God for He is good , praise our God for He is good, praise our God for He is good.

He has done for me..... He has done for you......He has done for us.

Come and listen, come and listen to what He has done....
AND PRAISE OUR GOD FOR HE IS GOOD!!!

A Minnesota snow in Texas

I have lived in the south for almost 17 years and have seen many snowfalls that Texans get excited over (it is usually ice). Growing up in MN I know what a real snow is like and last night we had one. It was beautiful and we woke up this morning to a sunny day and about four inches of snow. It was a winter wonderland for a few hours (and school was two hours late, my fellow Minnesotans would laugh). As I drove to work I was homesick. I forget how fresh and clean it makes everything look and how a blanket of snow over everything feels very comforting. It quickly warmed up to 50 degrees but not before the kids ate their fill of snow in cups....just like at Christmas time mom!! The picture above is our front yard and below is looking out across the street.........