Howard Family Journey

Another day

2011-09-19T10:17:00.001-04:00

Ready for another exciting day of Kindergarten!

First Day of Kindergarten - August 2, 2011

2011-09-19T10:11:00.001-04:00

Sarah is excited to begin Kindergarten. "She says, "I am a big girl now".

Some of my favorite pictures

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Sarah on the merry-go-round in TN

Go Cats! Daddy and Douglas are going to the game.

"I sure love strawberry ice cream"!

(No, she did not eat all that ice cream.)

Sarah loves playing outside.

On vacation in Gatlinburg, TN

Easter Sunday

2010-04-07T16:16:00.003-04:00

Sarah and her daddy.

Sarah sweeping the twigs from the deck.

Sarah's Easter dress. She loves pink.

Sarah with a full basket of eggs.

Sarah Fishing

2010-04-07T15:58:00.002-04:00

Sarah loves to pretend fish.

Egg Hunt At Park

2010-04-07T15:12:00.004-04:00

Sarah with the Easter bunny.
Picture of the winners in the under 5 age group.

Sarah and her friend from preschool after the egg hunt.

Sarah and her friend hunting eggs together.

Sarah hunted eggs at the county wide egg hunt. At first she just wanted to pick up the pink color plastic eggs. Her favorite color is pink. She found a "Lucky Egg" and won a prize.

Egg Hunt at Preschool

2010-04-07T13:53:00.001-04:00

More Pictures

2010-04-05T16:52:00.005-04:00

We attended the Dis*ney on Ice show.
Sarah loved watching the princess.

Pictures taken while we waited for the show to begin.

Sarah loves her wands.
I think she is getting ready to click her heels and make a wish.

Winter Photo

2010-03-24T16:53:00.002-04:00

Sarah loves ballons!

Sarah after spending time in the snow.

Sarah's first snowman.

Sarah ready for a sled ride.

Summer Reading Finale Fun

2009-11-16T20:50:00.003-05:00

The summer reading finale Sarah attended had an air slide. "No fear" Sarah climbed up the slide with the other children and down she went. She loved it. She thought climbing up was just as much fun as sliding down. She didn't want to stop.

Gotcha Day - July 21

2009-11-16T18:37:00.004-05:00

More June vacation pictures

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June Pictures

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Beach view from our room -

Andrea and Sarah under the green umbrella

Sarah after a day at the beach.

Sarah ready for a day at the pool.

Sarah playing dress up -- Our princess.

March Update

2009-03-13T20:00:00.005-04:00

Sarah was seen at the International Adoption Clinic for her six months checkup.
Our girl is 36 inches tall and 29 lbs.

March Update:

Sarah is on solid foods again.
Sarah returned to Preschool Monday, March 2.

Her teacher said she has two girlfriends she holds hand with during rug time.

Sarah missed school three days this week. Monday, Sarah didn't want her dad to leave her at school. He stayed about an hour with her until she was okay for him to leave. She had congestion and bad cough so I kept her home Tuesday. She hardly slept Tuesday night, so we took her to the doctor Wednesday. When my little girl doesn't want to run and play, I know she is sick. She fevered up Wednesday night, but by Thursday evening, she was playing again.

Our cheerleader

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Love the glasses

Play time

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Our little Sarah has an imagination!
She wanted her Daddy to make the mask for her.
We call her "Miss Freeze"

Who is that masked hero?

Sarah in February

2009-03-13T18:50:00.005-04:00

Sarah thinks shaving like Daddy is cool.

Okay a couple of pictures before church.

Home from the hospital - February 4, 2009

2009-03-13T18:34:00.006-04:00

We just got home from the hospital. While Stephen and Sarah worked new puzzles, Mom searched for the camera. While we couldn't find it at the hospital, it wasn't at home either. I found the camera in the back of the car trunk where it fell out of my bag.

Pictures of Sarah in August & September 2008

2009-02-08T21:46:00.006-05:00

I really like driving this car.

Anyone want a hug?

How does this work?

This is fun.

Thank you Aunt Dee for this beautiful dress.

Sarah's Surgery Update

2009-02-07T23:38:00.002-05:00

Sarah's palate surgery was Monday, February 2. She slept all the way to the hospital, so we didn't have to worry about her asking for something to eat. As soon as we registered, they took Sarah back to prepare for surgery. We had told Sarah she is having surgery on her mouth, so her mouth looks like Mom and Dad's. The nurse put a name band on Sarah, Stephen and I. We told Sarah this tells the doctor and nurse that she is Sarah and that Stephen is Sarah's Dad and I am Sarah's Mom. She likes to repeat "Sarah's Mom or Sarah's Dad. Stephen and I told her we would be waiting for her to return after her surgery. Sarah was setting up in the bed, no tears as the nurses wheeled her away to surgery at 10 am.

Dr. Stewart said her palate is wide, but he was able to do the palate repair procedure he wanted to close her palate. The surgery was about 4 hour and ear tubes was also placed in her ears.

We want to say, THANK YOU to Pastor George and his wife, Joretta and a dear friend, Helen as well as Susan, Andrea and Douglas for being with us; AND to all our family and friends that prayed for Sarah and us.

Sarah was in arm restraints in recovery, but it wasn't long after they allowed me to hold her, they she slipped out of them and her gown. She couldn't stand to be confined. I wrapped her in her own blanket and held her. After she was in a room and the anesthesia wore off some, she let me put her own pj's on. She wanted her own blanket and pj's not the hospitals. I explained that if she touched her mouth, she would have to wear the arm restraints again. She never put her hands close to her mouth.

We thought Sarah would be in the hospital until Friday. The packing in her mouth was removed Wednesday and she ate broth, jello and milk at lunch time. She was discharged from the hospital about 2 pm.

Sarah is on a liquid diet. This is hard for her to understand. She thinks eating is chewing food, not drinking broth, ice cream or jello. I am straining soup for her so she is doing better each day. I had cleaned out the food cabinets before we went to the hospital, but I missed some crackers. She found them. It breaks our heart when we have to tell her "no, not until her mouth heals". We explain when the stitches heal, she can chew food again. Today, when she woke from her nap, I asked what she wanted to eat. Sarah went to the refrigerator and opened the meat bin and removed a package of bacon. Ugh! something else, I forgot to hide.

We do not have any pictures of Sarah's hospital stay. The camera fell out of my purse in the trunk of the car on the way to the hospital. It was dark in the hospital parking garage and Stephen didn't see the camera. We found it when we returned home and emptied the car.

More Ice Storm Pictures

2009-02-01T18:37:00.004-05:00

A tree fell on Douglas' car. Stephen took the chain saw over to cut the tree down. Since Douglas has electric, Sarah and I went too. Sarah was missing her KET cartoons and I needed to see the news. The warm house was a great treat.

Sarah did great without electric. She loves playing with flashlights. In fact, we were unable to find some that she hid or she took apart.

Ice Storm January 2009

2009-02-01T17:07:00.007-05:00

Does Sarah look warm?

Our House and back woods

Front of Andrea's

Our Pink - UK Fan

I wanted to get Sarah's blog updated before today, but time got away from me with the Internet problems, snow and ice storm. Our electric went off 8:30 pm Tuesday, January 27, and back on Friday, January 30 at 1 pm. Living in the city, we were never without electric longer than 24 hours before. A whole new experience for us. We were thankful to gave gas logs in the basement and running water. My brother-in-law gave us a propane camping stove Thursday. Andrea, my sister-in-law stayed with us since her home is total electric. She fixed manwhich for dinner and we had hot chocolate afterward. Friday morning Stephen fixed pancakes, eggs and bacon on the camp stove. The hot meals helped our moral, but getting the electric back really made our day! Some of our church family only got their electric back today and other are still out.

We were the most concerned because Sarah is having her cleft palate surgery Monday, February 2, 2009. The surgery date was made early December 2008, and if she is sick we will have to wait longer. Thankfully, we kept her warm and surgery is still on. We are to be at the UK Hospital at 8:45am. Ear tubes will be placed in her ears first, then the cleft plate surgery. We hope to be home with her by Friday. The doctor said to plan on a week, but hopefully sooner. Then two weeks liquid diet for her. Please keep Sarah in your prayers.

Pictures of Sarah

2009-01-21T23:55:00.005-05:00

Thank you Kathryn and Lauryn for this outfiit.

Take a picture of the dogs, not me.

Sarah on the move again

Thank you Scarlet for this outfit.

A few of my favorite pictures of Sarah. She does not like to stay still for pictures.

Sarah and Smokey

2009-01-21T23:34:00.004-05:00

Sarah was terrified of our cats Smokey and Patches when she first arrived. It took a week of talking about the cats, she calls meow-meow, petting a cat in her story book and watching the cats from a distance to finally touching Smokey. (I talk of Smokey because he was the most persistence. Patches still hides from Sarah.) Finally, you can see from these pictures, Sarah is down in the floor petting Smokey. Sarah still feel it is her duty to chase the cats to the basement.

Ready for Church

2009-01-19T21:38:00.003-05:00

The jet lag still has a hold on us. I love the pictures of brother and sister, even though they look tired. The pictures were taken Sarah's first day to church, August 3, 2008.

Friends from VA passing thru KY

2009-01-19T20:40:00.003-05:00

Our friends, Rick and Tracy and their three children, Lauryn, Kathryn and Samuel were visiting family in Ky and on their way home to VA. We met them at Shoney's for a visit. Sarah took to Lauryn and Kathryn and liked the dog purse they gave her.

Welcome Home Sarah

2009-01-12T22:39:00.002-05:00

Long Overdue Updates -

2009-01-12T21:47:00.004-05:00

On August 1, 2008, we arrived home tired. Glad to be back home again. We were met at the airport by Aunt Andrea and Aunt Susan. The last plane ride from Detroit to Lexington was the best for Sarah. ( No crying) She had a window seat and loved putting the shade up and down. At home, Uncle William joined us in partying with cake and ice cream. Sarah loved the cake and balloons.

More Pictures

2008-07-30T09:20:00.003-04:00

Sarah at the Hotel.
Sarah and Mommy at the Shaolin Temple.
Sarah with our guide, Rita.
Sarah waiting for her physical in Guangzhou.
Sarah and Douglas (big brother, little sister).

Pictures of Sarah

2008-07-30T08:53:00.002-04:00

Sarah and orphanage worker.
Sarah feeding Daddy Cheerio's. Sarah and Mommy.
Sarah, Douglas, and Mommy.

Random Pictures

2008-07-30T08:23:00.002-04:00

Above picture of UPS in China.
Church on Sunday in China.
Sarah investigates tomb of a King Yue.
Shopping in Guangzhou.
Yuntai Botanical Garden.

Pictures at Yellow River

2008-07-29T08:07:00.001-04:00

Pictures at Yellow River

2008-07-29T07:40:00.001-04:00

Monday

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Saturday

2008-07-28T09:12:00.002-04:00

Today four of the children in our travel group of six had their physicals. Sarah did really good through everything. We were told she has wax in her ears, so that may be why she is crying more now. After the physical we took our laundry to be washed and found her a Chinese dress to wear Monday for the "red couch" photo at the White Swan.
Our travel group met at 6PM for dinner at Lucy's. Sarah didn't eat. She cried the whole time we were there. She had fell asleep on the way and I woke her to eat. Back in the room she ate a can of chicken and drank orange juice. She whimpered in her sleep so I think her ears are hurting her.

Friday

2008-07-28T03:23:00.002-04:00

Friday we checked out of our hotel the Sofitel at noon (We like the Sofitel Hotel), but our flight to Guangzhou didn't leave until 7:30 pm. Our guide took us to the Yellow River. We rode a hoover craft on the Yellow River. It was nice.

Our guide, Rita helped us get checked in at the airport and we left her at security check-in. Our flight was delayed about 30 minutes. We aren't sure why, no one spoke English. But from what we could see, they were waiting for someone. He was in the crowd, but I don' t think he spoke Chinese either.

Sarah did not enjoy the flight. We were not sure if the pressure hurt her ears, or she just didn't like the seat belt. Maybe both. The pressure hurt my ears.

We made it to Guangzhou at 1o pm and met out guide, Susan. We are at the Victory in Guangzhou.
Will post pictures later.

Thursday at the Shaolin Temple

2008-07-28T03:05:00.004-04:00

We visited the Shaolin Temple on Thursday.

Day at the Museum

2008-07-24T23:05:00.000-04:00

For Info

2008-07-24T23:04:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone,
It is 7:15 am Tuesday morning here and pouring the rain. Sarah Jiu Hong as we are calling her now, to get her use to the name Sarah, is still asleep but we will have to wake her soon for breakfast. She loves to eat so she will fit in with our family. Wish we had brought more Cheerios. She had a few tears upon first meeting us. So many people in a small room and the orphanage people keep telling her we were her Mom and Dad. She had a picture of the three of us and she did recongize us and would repeat Momma and Babba (Dad). While Stephen filled out the paperwork, Sarah, Douglas and I played with the toys we brought and she ate Cheerios and juice. She was fine to leave with us.
Back in the room we gave her Hello Kitty backpack and her toys. She put all her toys in and zipped it up herself then proceeded to put the pack on her back! She played zipping and taking out toys then putting back in again.
Later in the afternoon we had to go back and forth to different office finalizing the paperwork. We really didn't know what was going on or what to expect as we moved from room to room, then it is legal and she is ours! She fell asleep as soon as we got in the van. After a bath, reading a book and prayers, she was ready for bed at 8:30 pm. We turned out the lights and layed down and she was asleep.

Sarah woke up at around 7:30 this morning, so I didn't get this finished. After I got her dressed and put her shoes on, she packed her back pack and was ready to go. Of course, I wasn't ready. She is normally a happy girl and loves to eat and push buttons.

Friday, it is the first time I am able to finish this letter. Our girl isn't feeling very well today. We are leaving the room at 12pm and spending day at the Yellow River and our flight is at 7:30pm. We should be in Guanghzou at 9:35pm. Keep us in your prayers, and see you all soon.

Love,
Stephen, Vicki, Douglas, Sarah

Day at the Orphanage

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Tuesday, July 22, picture with director of Zhengzhou SWI.

GOTCHA Day! July 21, 2008

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Back in the hotel, playing contently with her stacking cups.

It's official! She is ours!!

Pictures

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In Zhengzhou

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Our flight was delayed about 20 minutes due to the plane waiting for late arriving passengers. Our guide met us at the airport. We are staying at the Sofitel Hotel in Zhengzhou about 50 minute ride for the airport. The driver was great! The traffic and people everywhere was amazing. We walked around a little with our guide after check in, then we napped. We are not adventurous so Americans among many,many, Chinese, we feel out of place.

We are anxious to meet Jiu Hong (Sarah) tomorrow!!

Our son was able to get our blog going today, thankfully. He doesn't know what he did, but it works! He is asleep now, so maybe tomorrow I can get some pictures posted.

To our family and friends back home.....Thank you for your prayers!!

In Beijing

2008-07-20T10:04:00.003-04:00

We arrived in Beijing as scheduled at 9:35 pm China time on Friday, July 18, 2008, very tired after 27 hours and short naps on the planes. We also lost 12 hours do to the difference in time zones. Three of the six families in our travel group met up in Detroit Airport, Another family joined us in Toyoko, and we met the six family Saturday morning. We slept about five hours before touring all day Saturday, July 19. We visited Tian An Men Square, Forbidden City and Great Wall.

Sunday morning at 7:30 am we met our van for ride to airport. Our flight left 10:35 am for Zhengzhou.

Sarah at Swallow's Nest Foster Care in July

2008-07-17T01:57:00.002-04:00

Our most recent picture of Sarah.

2008-07-16T23:26:00.001-04:00

This is a photo of Sarah (Jiu Hong) at the Orphanage 6/24/08

Preparing to Leave

2008-07-16T23:12:00.002-04:00

We are packing and doing last minute things getting ready for our journery to Sarah. Andrea and Susan my sister-in-laws are driving us to Lexington Airport early in the morning.
On 7/17/08 our flight leaves Lexington at 11:15 am arrives in Detroit at 12:309 pm.
Leave Detroit at 2:25 pm, arrive Tokyo at 4:20 pm on 7/18/08.
Leave Tokyo at 6:45 pm, arrive Beijing at 9:35 pm
Check into hotel for some sleep.
Saturday, 7/19 at 7:30 am we begin touring
Sunday, 7/20 fly to Zhengzhou 10:35 am - 12:00 pm
Monday, 7/21 Gotcha Day!! We meet Sarah for the first time.
Tuesday, 7/22 Visit Zhengzhou Orphanage 9:30 am
Wednesday 7/23 Bus to Shaolin Temple
Thursday, 7/24 Visit Henan Provincial Museum
Friday, 7/25 Fly to Guanghzou 7:30 pm - 9:25 pm
Saturday, 7:26 Meet in lobby for Sarah's visa photo and have medical checkup
Sunday, 7/27 Morning Walk to Church afternoon tour
Monday, 7/28 Visit pearl & jade market; take red couch group photo
Tuesday, 7/29 Visit Yuntai Botanical Garden
Wednesday, 7/30 US consulate appointment
Thursday, 7/31 Oath c
Friday, 8/1 Fly fro Guanghzou to Tokyo, Detroit, Lexington Arrive in Lexington 4:20 pm
HOME!! Arrive home with Sarah

Our TIme Line

2008-06-01T23:47:00.000-04:00

Referral Picture

2008-06-01T23:36:00.000-04:00

Our referral pictures of Sarah Elizabeth (Zheng Jiu Hong) 3/12/08.

2008-05-24T18:35:00.001-04:00

We begin our adoption process March 2006 be attending an adoption information seminar with CCAI. We came away more convinced this is what we should do. After watching a video from A Helping Hand Adoption Agency located in Lexington, KY, and attending their adoption seminar in August 2006, we mailed our application. AHH accepted our application and the adoption paperwork began. We had scheduled meetings with our social work, physicals, and sent off for copies of our birth certificates and marriage license.

2008-05-16T00:57:00.000-04:00