This is the 21st installment in a series of columns I am devoting to the adoption journey my wife, Claudette, and I started in 2005. Hank Bond, publisher and editor of the Greenup Beacon, asked that we share our story with you. Maybe you have an interest in adoption or know someone who does. If so, I hope this information is helpful. We adopted our daughter, Josie Claire Siyan, from China in 2007.

While in China, we communicated with our friends and family members via a website we set up prior to leaving for our two-week journey throughout China.

In a post titled “Sunday afternoon and evening in Guangzhou!,” dated Feb. 4, 2007:

“We shopped right through lunch!  Claudette bought Josie some beautiful Chinese outfits, squeaky shoes, and a Chinese blanket.  I bought Josie, Brock, and Blake a wooden puzzle of China, so they will all know the province in which Josie was born and where she lived before we adopted her.  I was also going to purchase a very nice green jade ring, but the woman who ran the shop--Jennifer's--said she would give that to me because we bought so much!  We dropped our laundry off at Jennifer's as well.  When we had laundry done in Nanjing, we got it back washed, starched and pressed, folded, and packaged in plastic!  And all of that was dirt cheap!  AMAZING!  Jennifer's loaned us a stroller for the week.  Josie has enjoyed riding around in it.  Claudette also shopped at Susan's and bought Josie some nice things there.”

“We then came back to the hotel and had a short nap.  I joined three other fathers and one mother for a meeting with our guide--Susan--who walked us through the remaining paperwork for Josie.  That took about two hours.  Claudette, Josie, and I then went back out for more walking and browsing.  It was a beautiful day here in Guangzhou.  We enjoyed not having to wear a jacket or coat!  We visited a nice park close to our hotel.”

“We met our friends--Rick, Antinette, and Hadley--for dinner at Lucy's.  We had a great meal and great time.  After that, we stopped by a small shop and had Josie's visa photo taken.”

“I'm now watching Duke and Virginia battle it out on ESPN.  It's a seven-point Duke lead at half-time.  While I am in no way, shape, or form a University of Virginia fan, I'd root for anyone playing against Duke!  March 28, 1992, will be forever ingrained in my memory as Christian Laettner's shot allowed Duke to beat UK in the south regional final that year.  People call that the best college basketball game of all time.  I'd agree if we'd won!”

“Josie Siyan is running around the room smelling great after her bath!  Mommy has her all ready for bed, wearing lotion and all!  She's such a precious baby girl.  We love her very much.  Brock and Blake know first-hand that Daddy likes to tickle bellies.  I've been tickling Josie's belly and she just laughs and laughs!”

“We have a fairly busy day tomorrow.  We will have Josie's medical check-up, take a group photo (parents and children in our A Helping Hand group), enjoy pizza in our room, and take a river cruise tomorrow evening.  Tuesday is wide open, so I venture to say we'll be looking for more bargains (Claudette's passion)!”



Terry L. Hapney, Jr., Ph.D., is a professor in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University, and an eastern Greenup County native. He may be reached at hapney@marshall.edu.



Josie (Siyan) Hapney and Hadley Johnson enjoyed themselves during an afternoon of sightseeing and shopping in Guangzhou, China.