We have successfully managed to fill our days this week with fun and relaxing ways to pass the time in Guangzhou--sometimes on our own and sometimes with friends from our group. We have had several group dinners by the playground at the hotel--once ordering in Papa Johns (the night after the goose intestines we were all longing for something more, ahem, familiar) and last night we brought back delicious Chinese carryout from a local "to-go" type restaurant. Those evenings are fun times with our friends--who have become like family--watching the kids run and play together. The hotel is filled with so many adoptive families from all over the world--no matter where we go there are people who seem like friends almost instantly because of our common adoptive experiences.
We have spent quite a lot of time simply walking through the beautiful Yuexiu Park, just across the busy street from our hotel. The park is enormous and filled with lush green foliage, fragrant blossoms, scenic lakes, paddle boats, and people of every age. You can easily forget that just outside the park gates is a busy metropolis, as birdsong fills the air and the sight of people simply strolling and relaxing brings on a very carefree feel. Today as we walked around we saw many groups of older adults exercising together, playing in musical groups, holding choir rehearsals, dancing, and doing Tai Ji Quan. Young couples strolled hand-in-hand or sat snuggling on benches. Young parents and some grandparents chased young children over the sidewalks. Everywhere we went we got smiles--and some stares--and many people attempted to speak English to Ya Ya, which made me laugh inside.
Our resolve to enjoy our time in China--even while our divided hearts longed to be home with our other 3 kids--was indeed fruitful this week. Now that we find ourselves homeward bound tomorrow, I find myself experiencing myriad emotions, some bitter, some sweet. I find myself mourning the losses Ya Ya has already experienced in her short life--abandonment at a young age, life in an institution, "abandonment"/relinquishment by those familiar caregivers to our care.
At the same time I find myself in many ways anticipating the new lossees that Ya Ya is about to experience as we depart her birthland and the familiarity of her language and culture. Even though she has made an enormous transition just staying with Tom and me for the past 10+ days and living in 5-star luxury, she has still been surrounded by Chinese speakers and familiar faces, not to mention wonderful new little friends in our travel group, especially Yuan Yuan. Many in our group depart this afternoon for Hong Kong, and we are going too make sure to see them off when they leave the hotel today. Thank God for skype, facebook and e-mail technology so that these girls can stay in touch.
Even though an adoption trip is physically and emotionally exhausting, I know that our harder work lies ahead once we get home and begin the process of cultivating a new family dynamic and grafting Bella into our midst. She has been amazingly resilient so far, but I know she harbors some fear about the changes yet to come. Yesterday, as I was scrolling through photos on my phone, I came across a few shots of her new bedroom at home that she had not yet seen. I showed her the bedroom she will share with Lilly and the two little beds and cute little toys and books. As I explained that this is where she will sleep she began to shake her head and said, very seriously "I'm not going there." I explained that this really was where we were going and this IS our home--soon to be her new home--and that Jared, Anna, and Lilly (who we see everyday on Skype) are waiting for us there and can't wait for her to come home. Still, she shook her head, and, with tears in her eyes, said "I don't want to go there." When I asked her where she does want to go she said "I want to go home. I'm scared." I am truly not sure what "home" means to her, and she doesn't seem to really know either. She cried for a little while as I hugged her and reassured her that she had already grown to trust baba and me, and that she would soon feel at home in this new place.
We didn't mention it again until this morning at breakfast, when I was talking to Yuan Yuan about everyone's various itineraries home and asked her if she'd like to see Ya Ya's room and siblings. So we shared our photos and Ya Ya got to seem them again, too. I told Ya Ya that Yuan Yuan would be leaving today and we'd be leaving tomorrow...she didn't say much in response, but didn't look sad either. When we skyped home after breakfast, Jared took her on a tour of the house with his laptop webcam, so she got to see many of the rooms (and meet Nana and Pap Pap as well!)
My prayer is that she will manage this transition just as well as her transition to our care last week. And I know that the transitions for each of us will continue for many months to come. My prayer for each of us is that we will truly reflect God's crazy, sacrificial love both within and without our new family dynamic.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
When You Have to Ask, You Usually Don't Want to Know...
OK, so I may be able to communicate fairly well in this country, even here in Guangzhou where Cantonese is more commonly spoken. I am pretty comfortable asking for directions (and understanding the answer), negotiating prices, talking about my family, and even helping travel-group friends find their missing wallet and passport at the local amusement park (another story in and of itself...to be a part of a potential mini-series entitled "The Adventures of Lisa and Stan)...
I am NOT, however, very good at ordering food. Nope. I may know how to say the words for the major types of meats and the major types of vegetables. I may know how to ask for dumplings and noodles with no problem. But ordering a meal for a group in China is truly an art form. Put my adventuresome self with a table full of American adoptive parent friends and put me in charge of ordering for the group--let's just say you never know what might show up on the table for dinner.
And we didn't even know what some of it really was until 48 hours later.
So, backing up to Monday evening, after a full day of shopping at the pearl market, getting carsick after McDonald's, chilling in the hotel room, and walking around the local park, we decided to try a local Cantonese restaurant our guides had recommended. When we found the place, we were faced with tanks full of sea creatures and reptiles which we decided not to spend very much time looking over in favor of looking at the finished product on the menu photos instead. Our friends' 12-year-old daughter helped me navigate the menu, but oftentimes the photos were not very clear exactly what the dish contained, and the written descriptions (when I could read the characters) don't always tell you much about the actual contents either as the Chinese names are often more like literature or poetry ("fragrant freshnesses" and such).
Yuan Yuan and I actually eventually did head outside to choose a fish from the tanks at the strong urging of the wait staff (which didn't speak much Mandarin, mostly Cantonese). How to choose fish? I am not a fisherman...and generally buy fish from a case in a supermarket with labels that are very clear. I don't usually see my dinner swimming around just moments before it appears on my table. But, choose I did. I think it was a flounder (a flat fish with an eye on the upper side?) My dad would know what it was. I just knew it was not an eel or a turtle or an alligator tail or any other bizarre delicacy that none of us was eager to taste.
So, as the food came, we enjoyed it all, still not entirely sure what most of it was and finding that the noodles seemed a little rubbery but enjoying it nonetheless. Ya Ya ate it all with relish...the rest of us ate it all and felt mostly satisfied. But by the end of the meal, most everyone was making comments like "I could sure go for a Snickers bar." or "I'm in the mood for some ice cream" and what not. It made me feel bad that we had not ordered enough food and it was also not delicious enough that we wanted to order another dish or two to really fill us up. Instead we stopped for McDonald's ice cream cones on the way back to the hotel,laughing at the adventure of ordering food with a very large communication gap.
So, fast forward two days to tonight. I invited our CCAI guides to join our family and a few others for dinner so I could learn about ordering Cantonese food. Maggie and Grace are awesome, and happily agreed to come when they heard about my epic fail in ordering for our group. As they perused the menu, they invited me to look at it with them to tell me more about what the dishes are. When I saw on the menu one of the dishes we had ordered just 2 days prior, I asked them what it was (as the noodles had been so rubbery...we had thought maybe they were seaweed or something). Imagine the shock when they told me that what we had consumed was...GOOSE INTESTINES. Oh my word. Did we ever laugh. And I am pretty certain my friends will never EVER allow me to order food for them again.
They ordered an amazing array of delicious foods and every last bite was sumptious. We practically licked the plates clean. Food is important--it felt so good to be free of the responsibility of ordering for others. But we still do need to eat for a few more nights here...Grace and Maggie recommended another restaurant for another night--a Mongolian place--and assured me there is nothing weird on that menu. We shall see!
I am NOT, however, very good at ordering food. Nope. I may know how to say the words for the major types of meats and the major types of vegetables. I may know how to ask for dumplings and noodles with no problem. But ordering a meal for a group in China is truly an art form. Put my adventuresome self with a table full of American adoptive parent friends and put me in charge of ordering for the group--let's just say you never know what might show up on the table for dinner.
And we didn't even know what some of it really was until 48 hours later.
So, backing up to Monday evening, after a full day of shopping at the pearl market, getting carsick after McDonald's, chilling in the hotel room, and walking around the local park, we decided to try a local Cantonese restaurant our guides had recommended. When we found the place, we were faced with tanks full of sea creatures and reptiles which we decided not to spend very much time looking over in favor of looking at the finished product on the menu photos instead. Our friends' 12-year-old daughter helped me navigate the menu, but oftentimes the photos were not very clear exactly what the dish contained, and the written descriptions (when I could read the characters) don't always tell you much about the actual contents either as the Chinese names are often more like literature or poetry ("fragrant freshnesses" and such).
Yuan Yuan and I actually eventually did head outside to choose a fish from the tanks at the strong urging of the wait staff (which didn't speak much Mandarin, mostly Cantonese). How to choose fish? I am not a fisherman...and generally buy fish from a case in a supermarket with labels that are very clear. I don't usually see my dinner swimming around just moments before it appears on my table. But, choose I did. I think it was a flounder (a flat fish with an eye on the upper side?) My dad would know what it was. I just knew it was not an eel or a turtle or an alligator tail or any other bizarre delicacy that none of us was eager to taste.
So, as the food came, we enjoyed it all, still not entirely sure what most of it was and finding that the noodles seemed a little rubbery but enjoying it nonetheless. Ya Ya ate it all with relish...the rest of us ate it all and felt mostly satisfied. But by the end of the meal, most everyone was making comments like "I could sure go for a Snickers bar." or "I'm in the mood for some ice cream" and what not. It made me feel bad that we had not ordered enough food and it was also not delicious enough that we wanted to order another dish or two to really fill us up. Instead we stopped for McDonald's ice cream cones on the way back to the hotel,laughing at the adventure of ordering food with a very large communication gap.
So, fast forward two days to tonight. I invited our CCAI guides to join our family and a few others for dinner so I could learn about ordering Cantonese food. Maggie and Grace are awesome, and happily agreed to come when they heard about my epic fail in ordering for our group. As they perused the menu, they invited me to look at it with them to tell me more about what the dishes are. When I saw on the menu one of the dishes we had ordered just 2 days prior, I asked them what it was (as the noodles had been so rubbery...we had thought maybe they were seaweed or something). Imagine the shock when they told me that what we had consumed was...GOOSE INTESTINES. Oh my word. Did we ever laugh. And I am pretty certain my friends will never EVER allow me to order food for them again.
They ordered an amazing array of delicious foods and every last bite was sumptious. We practically licked the plates clean. Food is important--it felt so good to be free of the responsibility of ordering for others. But we still do need to eat for a few more nights here...Grace and Maggie recommended another restaurant for another night--a Mongolian place--and assured me there is nothing weird on that menu. We shall see!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Is it Time to Go Home Yet?
OK, we are trying so VERY VERY hard to just kick back, relax, and enjoy the luxurious life we are living here. Really trying hard. I mean, what is there to complain about when we have plush beds we don't have to make, a gorgeous bathroom we don't have to scrub, delicious array of foods for breakfast day and nary a dish to wash. We really don't have to think very much if we don't want to, either, since our wonderful CCAI guides take care of that for us. (though speaking Mandarin all day long does require some thinking on my part). We are simply passing the time, trying to fill these free days while we wait for Bella's visa to be processed, so we can take our oath at the US Consulate and get on an airplane bound for Dulles.
Let me list the main reasons, however, that I find it REALLY hard to just simply take it all in and enjoy: Jared. Anna. Lilly. (oh yeah, and Tad). I know Tom could add to that list the feeling of achievement being at work each day too.
So, will somone pleaes remind me a few months from now--when I'm up to my eyeballs in laundry and scrubbing dirty toilets--how much I should have enjoyed this last week in Bella and Lilly's birthland?
OK,now that I've said it, I'm more determined than ever to soak it in. I'll have to settle for pretend Skype hugs and kisses (and what Tom and I are calling Skype parenting) for 5 more sleeps.
Enough about that. Let me tell you more about Guangzhou.
Yesterday we spent the morning with the group visiting the same temple and Chen House that we visited with Lilly's adoption group. We also went back to the same Arts and Crafts store to buy some jade items. In the afternoon, I took a few friends with me back to the photo shop to pick up the prints from my disposable cameras and drop theirs off. On the way back we stopped in at a tea shop, which reminded me of Teavana in Tyson's Corner (though not nearly as ritzy!) where we got to sample some green teas and check out their supply of all sorts of other teas. We briefly stopped at a Chinese pharmace to get some saline for one of the babies with a stuffy nose, and--when asking about the dried seahorses they had in the Chinese medicine section--got to learn more than we wish we had known about the benefits for men.
In the evening we headed over to Shamian Island with a few families for some more shopping and dinner at Lucy's. We only at there once last time, and I don't really feel any need to go back this time--they serve a wide variety of foods including burgers and fries, Mexican, as well as Chinese. Bella ate half of the kung pao chicken I had ordered as well as her own order of a mini burger and fries (she claims she has eaten burgers before and loves them). It was a fun night with friends, for sure. Just like last time, I'm really going to miss our travel group and look forward to staying in touch back home and seeing our children grow up.
Today, after skyping with the kiddos and Grammy and Pop Pop, we headed with the group to have the TB results read (she was fine) and then moved on as a group to the Pearl Market. We got Bella some pearl earrings to match the ones we got Lilly and Anna when we were here last time. Then we headed to McD's since we were all hungry and it was right there. Bella seemed to enjoy every bite of her chicken nuggets and french fries...but the cab ride home was too much for her poor stomach and her lunch ended up in the zip loc bag that I now carry with me anytime we're in a car. Poor thing. And for the first time, she cried (not like the wailing from gotcha day or the orphanage, which was almost an animal-like cry for help, but the kind of cry that comes from a child who doesn't feel well and knows that mama and daddy care). We came up to the room and laid right down for a little nap. She is still snoozing now--I think all this shopping and activity is really wearing her out. I'm sure it's much more action than she's used to.
So, the challenge before us for the next few days is to find enough interesting things to do to help the time pass (and let us enjoy China), but not so much that Bella is exhausted.
Let me list the main reasons, however, that I find it REALLY hard to just simply take it all in and enjoy: Jared. Anna. Lilly. (oh yeah, and Tad). I know Tom could add to that list the feeling of achievement being at work each day too.
So, will somone pleaes remind me a few months from now--when I'm up to my eyeballs in laundry and scrubbing dirty toilets--how much I should have enjoyed this last week in Bella and Lilly's birthland?
OK,now that I've said it, I'm more determined than ever to soak it in. I'll have to settle for pretend Skype hugs and kisses (and what Tom and I are calling Skype parenting) for 5 more sleeps.
Enough about that. Let me tell you more about Guangzhou.
Yesterday we spent the morning with the group visiting the same temple and Chen House that we visited with Lilly's adoption group. We also went back to the same Arts and Crafts store to buy some jade items. In the afternoon, I took a few friends with me back to the photo shop to pick up the prints from my disposable cameras and drop theirs off. On the way back we stopped in at a tea shop, which reminded me of Teavana in Tyson's Corner (though not nearly as ritzy!) where we got to sample some green teas and check out their supply of all sorts of other teas. We briefly stopped at a Chinese pharmace to get some saline for one of the babies with a stuffy nose, and--when asking about the dried seahorses they had in the Chinese medicine section--got to learn more than we wish we had known about the benefits for men.
In the evening we headed over to Shamian Island with a few families for some more shopping and dinner at Lucy's. We only at there once last time, and I don't really feel any need to go back this time--they serve a wide variety of foods including burgers and fries, Mexican, as well as Chinese. Bella ate half of the kung pao chicken I had ordered as well as her own order of a mini burger and fries (she claims she has eaten burgers before and loves them). It was a fun night with friends, for sure. Just like last time, I'm really going to miss our travel group and look forward to staying in touch back home and seeing our children grow up.
Today, after skyping with the kiddos and Grammy and Pop Pop, we headed with the group to have the TB results read (she was fine) and then moved on as a group to the Pearl Market. We got Bella some pearl earrings to match the ones we got Lilly and Anna when we were here last time. Then we headed to McD's since we were all hungry and it was right there. Bella seemed to enjoy every bite of her chicken nuggets and french fries...but the cab ride home was too much for her poor stomach and her lunch ended up in the zip loc bag that I now carry with me anytime we're in a car. Poor thing. And for the first time, she cried (not like the wailing from gotcha day or the orphanage, which was almost an animal-like cry for help, but the kind of cry that comes from a child who doesn't feel well and knows that mama and daddy care). We came up to the room and laid right down for a little nap. She is still snoozing now--I think all this shopping and activity is really wearing her out. I'm sure it's much more action than she's used to.
So, the challenge before us for the next few days is to find enough interesting things to do to help the time pass (and let us enjoy China), but not so much that Bella is exhausted.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Guangzhou--A Whole Different Kind of China
After a low key day in Zhengzhou yesterday--which we spent hunting (successfully) for dramamine for our carsick-prone girl and walking around the local park with our friends--we said our goodbyes to our awesome CCAI guides Yisha (who we also had when we adopted Lilly) and Vivien and boarded our flight to Guangzhou.
Our arrival was late and it was hard to keep my eyes open to listen to our guides explain the schedule for the next few days. Ya Ya didn't even try to stay awake and had a nice snooze as our bus made its way through Guangzhou traffic from the airport to the China Hotel.
We arrived so late we took no time whatsoever to familiarize ourselves with the hotel, so this morning when we got to see the loveliness of the hotel where we're staying for the next week, we were struck by the luxuriousness of it all. The breakfast buffet has no trouble whatsoever holding a candle to the buffet at the White Swan--the hotel on Shamian Island where adoptive families traditionally stay in Guangzhou but which is currently under renovation. Every kind of cuisine you can imagine is available, all freshly prepared before your eyes. And cappuccino. Mmmmm. OK, enough about the food. We are so roughing it.
This morning we headed on the bus to the medical exam--a very cursory exam for all adoptees. Ya Ya did great--not showing any signs of fear even when faced with a TB test prick. The doctor who examined her, when looking over her paperwork and seeing her identified special need as "low intelligence/delayed development" asked us if we felt like she was delayed at all. We told him from our observationns she really appears pretty normal; he seemed to agree though he didn't really use words to express it. He genuinely seemed to wish us the best, however, as he finished up her file and sent us on our way.
We got to spend about an hour on the island visiting the shops and buying some items--and some of the shopkeepers remembered us from 2009. We headed back to the hotel for some noodles for lunch and some down time.
The three of us then walked around the area around the hotel, found a place to drop off the disposable cameras I had sent to have the photos developed, and just took in the Guangzhou scenery. Ya Ya seems content to just hold our hands and walk with us; she also enjoys our hallway or play room playdates with other families, so she and I went to the playroom while Baba hit the treadmill this afternnoon. This place is filled with adoptive families from all over the world--even some Mennonite families are here adopting.
Ya Ya (she is still learning to say Bella) is truly coming alive before our eyes, showing more personality each day. When we are driving on the bus, it is fun to watch her face as she gazes out the window at passing scenery. She is most quiet on the bus, making me wonder what might be going through her mind as the sights whiz by her eyes. Maybe she is just mesmerized; maybe she is remembering where she came from and wondering about her life ahead. Only God knows. But I am pondering up all of these moments in my heart for now. I look forward to someday hearing what she remembers from her past life.
In this hotel, I feel more disconnected form the other families in our travel group because we are scattered throughout the hotel, but we have many fun group activities planned so we can still be connected.
I know all of us are VERY readyy to be home and reunited with our families at home. I simply cannot wait to see Bella with Jared, Anna, and Lilly and let them meet their sister. I am praying for a harmonious integration for Bella into the family and family rhythms; and for open hearts from her siblings as she begins to be grafted in.
OK, enough words for now, off to dinner with the group for us.
Our arrival was late and it was hard to keep my eyes open to listen to our guides explain the schedule for the next few days. Ya Ya didn't even try to stay awake and had a nice snooze as our bus made its way through Guangzhou traffic from the airport to the China Hotel.
We arrived so late we took no time whatsoever to familiarize ourselves with the hotel, so this morning when we got to see the loveliness of the hotel where we're staying for the next week, we were struck by the luxuriousness of it all. The breakfast buffet has no trouble whatsoever holding a candle to the buffet at the White Swan--the hotel on Shamian Island where adoptive families traditionally stay in Guangzhou but which is currently under renovation. Every kind of cuisine you can imagine is available, all freshly prepared before your eyes. And cappuccino. Mmmmm. OK, enough about the food. We are so roughing it.
This morning we headed on the bus to the medical exam--a very cursory exam for all adoptees. Ya Ya did great--not showing any signs of fear even when faced with a TB test prick. The doctor who examined her, when looking over her paperwork and seeing her identified special need as "low intelligence/delayed development" asked us if we felt like she was delayed at all. We told him from our observationns she really appears pretty normal; he seemed to agree though he didn't really use words to express it. He genuinely seemed to wish us the best, however, as he finished up her file and sent us on our way.
We got to spend about an hour on the island visiting the shops and buying some items--and some of the shopkeepers remembered us from 2009. We headed back to the hotel for some noodles for lunch and some down time.
The three of us then walked around the area around the hotel, found a place to drop off the disposable cameras I had sent to have the photos developed, and just took in the Guangzhou scenery. Ya Ya seems content to just hold our hands and walk with us; she also enjoys our hallway or play room playdates with other families, so she and I went to the playroom while Baba hit the treadmill this afternnoon. This place is filled with adoptive families from all over the world--even some Mennonite families are here adopting.
Ya Ya (she is still learning to say Bella) is truly coming alive before our eyes, showing more personality each day. When we are driving on the bus, it is fun to watch her face as she gazes out the window at passing scenery. She is most quiet on the bus, making me wonder what might be going through her mind as the sights whiz by her eyes. Maybe she is just mesmerized; maybe she is remembering where she came from and wondering about her life ahead. Only God knows. But I am pondering up all of these moments in my heart for now. I look forward to someday hearing what she remembers from her past life.
In this hotel, I feel more disconnected form the other families in our travel group because we are scattered throughout the hotel, but we have many fun group activities planned so we can still be connected.
I know all of us are VERY readyy to be home and reunited with our families at home. I simply cannot wait to see Bella with Jared, Anna, and Lilly and let them meet their sister. I am praying for a harmonious integration for Bella into the family and family rhythms; and for open hearts from her siblings as she begins to be grafted in.
OK, enough words for now, off to dinner with the group for us.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
My Husband is a Genius!
Tom made a way to get photos from here to there and there to here...here are some of the better ones, most of which you have already seen if you are on Facebook...
Have I Mentioned that She's Ours?
Today made that even more evident than any adoption decree could.
After a quick skype to the kids and Grammy at home (I sure miss those guys!! Sorry I wasn't there to help with your Chinese homework, Jared!), we packed up some donations and headed to the van to take us to the Luoyang CHildren's Welfare Center, about a 2-hour drive from here. One other adoptive mom from our travel opted to come since her son was also from Luoyang; the other two Luoyang families opted not to come (just as we opted not to go to Lilly's orphanage because of the distance and possible emotional trauma for Lilly).
The ride itself was mostly uneventful--it was nice to talk to the other adoptive mom, who has also adopted from the Ukraine--except for Ya Ya getting carsick about two thirds of the way there. (of course I hadn't brought extra clothes).
We had explained where we were going and that it would only be a quick visit, but that she would come back with Mama and Baba. WHen I asked her if she wanted to go see her friends and ayis, she actually slightly shook her head "no." I made sure she thoroughly understhood she would not be staying there again by having our guide reiterate it in case I wasn't making it clear enough in my Mandarin, and she still didn't seem thrileld by the idea of going. We still carried through with our plan to go, figuring she would still do ok and we really wanted to see where she had lived and have the chance to get some photos of the children there for waiting and prospective adoptive parents in the States, just as we had benefitted from others sending us photos of Isabel while we waited.
When we pulled up, her face brightened when she first saw the outside of the building. She very clearly recognized it. She managed to say hello to the director who met us at the entrance. THen we went in. The smell was the same smell that was on her clothes when we received her--not a good stench. It was pretty grim and dark in the hallways. They led us down the hallway to see her "school room" and her little classmates were SO excited to see her! They came running over calling out her name and smiling. The teachers/ayis were also happy to see her and smiled and said "look! Huanya has come to see us!" Isabel responded by closing her eyes and wailing a wail quite similar to the one she had cried the day we received her. Please don't leave me here with these people! Only *this* time we were the GOOD people.
I immediately scooped her up and held her close, remining her quietly that we were only visiting and would soon leave to go back to the hotel with Mama and Baba. The ayis gave me a piece of artwork she had done at some point, and then we moved on to see the sleeping rooms. I continued to carry her (she is quite heavy!) throughout the orphanage after that, just to reassure her and prevent any ayis from attempting to pick her up. One of them actually attempted to take her from my arms but I held tight and leaned back and Isabel made no motion toward the ayi at all. By the time we got to see her bedroom, she was secure enough to set down and she immediately pointed out her bed to me when we walked in. She willingly Stood by the bed for a photo, but the look on her face is clearly not the same joyful look she has had for the past few days...much more subdued. Once we got outside again, she was willing to smile and pose for some pictures in front of the orphanage.
I had hoped to talk with some 12 year old twin boys, but they were still in class. So we said we would come back after visiting the train station where the other adoptive mom's child had been found abandoned. She took lots of photos there, then back to the orphanage we went so I could meet the boys. That meeting went well and I have some photos and some video footage to share with a prospective adoptive family. Isabel and Tom stayed in the van while I did that to further solidify to her that she is absolutelty DONE at that place and when we got back to the van Tom told me she hadn't stopped babbling happily to him (in Chinese) since I had left. She has been more animated and happy now more than ever. She seems to have even more life rather than just a pleasant attitude, showing more personality and talking more. I think it is sinking in her for as well as for us that she is, indeed, ours and nothing can change that now.
We were supposed to stay and have lunch with the orphanage director and some workers after that, but Isabel had starting throwing up in the van after the train station, so we had a good reason to bow out of lunch.
Once we got back and had a nice bath and did lots of laundry, we have been having hallway playtime with the other kiddos and their parents. We have opted not to take part in any tours tomorrow so she doesn't have to ride in the car again (since the next day we fly to Guangzhou).
An update on our friends adopting the 12-year-old, praiase the Lord she has given her consent and has even become friends with an American 11-year-old in our group who is here adopting her little brother with her family. They are even having a slumber party in the hotel tonight after a girls' shopping afternoon with one of the guides and the 12-year-old's new adoptive mom. Praise the Lord! They definitely will have work ahead of them, but a huge hurdle is now over and it is so good to see smiles on their daughter's beautiful face now that she has a friend.
We are praying for better rest tonight than we have had for the past few nights...Tomorrow will be a low-key day--we may try to hit the pool with Bella and see how she likes it.
And, yes, I am still technologically inept. Because I am updating the blog on my iPad, and my photos are on my iPhone, I cannot seem to find a way to get the photos from there to here. Even when the photos are on my iPad, I cannot seem to find a way to get them onto the blog. I kjnow a way must exist, but someone more technologically savvy than me (and less droid-centric than Tom!) will have to show me someday. For now, I will continue to put most of my (many) words here, and some of my photos on Facebook (*not all of them as upload speeds are so slow...)
Thanks for reading!
After a quick skype to the kids and Grammy at home (I sure miss those guys!! Sorry I wasn't there to help with your Chinese homework, Jared!), we packed up some donations and headed to the van to take us to the Luoyang CHildren's Welfare Center, about a 2-hour drive from here. One other adoptive mom from our travel opted to come since her son was also from Luoyang; the other two Luoyang families opted not to come (just as we opted not to go to Lilly's orphanage because of the distance and possible emotional trauma for Lilly).
The ride itself was mostly uneventful--it was nice to talk to the other adoptive mom, who has also adopted from the Ukraine--except for Ya Ya getting carsick about two thirds of the way there. (of course I hadn't brought extra clothes).
We had explained where we were going and that it would only be a quick visit, but that she would come back with Mama and Baba. WHen I asked her if she wanted to go see her friends and ayis, she actually slightly shook her head "no." I made sure she thoroughly understhood she would not be staying there again by having our guide reiterate it in case I wasn't making it clear enough in my Mandarin, and she still didn't seem thrileld by the idea of going. We still carried through with our plan to go, figuring she would still do ok and we really wanted to see where she had lived and have the chance to get some photos of the children there for waiting and prospective adoptive parents in the States, just as we had benefitted from others sending us photos of Isabel while we waited.
When we pulled up, her face brightened when she first saw the outside of the building. She very clearly recognized it. She managed to say hello to the director who met us at the entrance. THen we went in. The smell was the same smell that was on her clothes when we received her--not a good stench. It was pretty grim and dark in the hallways. They led us down the hallway to see her "school room" and her little classmates were SO excited to see her! They came running over calling out her name and smiling. The teachers/ayis were also happy to see her and smiled and said "look! Huanya has come to see us!" Isabel responded by closing her eyes and wailing a wail quite similar to the one she had cried the day we received her. Please don't leave me here with these people! Only *this* time we were the GOOD people.
I immediately scooped her up and held her close, remining her quietly that we were only visiting and would soon leave to go back to the hotel with Mama and Baba. The ayis gave me a piece of artwork she had done at some point, and then we moved on to see the sleeping rooms. I continued to carry her (she is quite heavy!) throughout the orphanage after that, just to reassure her and prevent any ayis from attempting to pick her up. One of them actually attempted to take her from my arms but I held tight and leaned back and Isabel made no motion toward the ayi at all. By the time we got to see her bedroom, she was secure enough to set down and she immediately pointed out her bed to me when we walked in. She willingly Stood by the bed for a photo, but the look on her face is clearly not the same joyful look she has had for the past few days...much more subdued. Once we got outside again, she was willing to smile and pose for some pictures in front of the orphanage.
I had hoped to talk with some 12 year old twin boys, but they were still in class. So we said we would come back after visiting the train station where the other adoptive mom's child had been found abandoned. She took lots of photos there, then back to the orphanage we went so I could meet the boys. That meeting went well and I have some photos and some video footage to share with a prospective adoptive family. Isabel and Tom stayed in the van while I did that to further solidify to her that she is absolutelty DONE at that place and when we got back to the van Tom told me she hadn't stopped babbling happily to him (in Chinese) since I had left. She has been more animated and happy now more than ever. She seems to have even more life rather than just a pleasant attitude, showing more personality and talking more. I think it is sinking in her for as well as for us that she is, indeed, ours and nothing can change that now.
We were supposed to stay and have lunch with the orphanage director and some workers after that, but Isabel had starting throwing up in the van after the train station, so we had a good reason to bow out of lunch.
Once we got back and had a nice bath and did lots of laundry, we have been having hallway playtime with the other kiddos and their parents. We have opted not to take part in any tours tomorrow so she doesn't have to ride in the car again (since the next day we fly to Guangzhou).
An update on our friends adopting the 12-year-old, praiase the Lord she has given her consent and has even become friends with an American 11-year-old in our group who is here adopting her little brother with her family. They are even having a slumber party in the hotel tonight after a girls' shopping afternoon with one of the guides and the 12-year-old's new adoptive mom. Praise the Lord! They definitely will have work ahead of them, but a huge hurdle is now over and it is so good to see smiles on their daughter's beautiful face now that she has a friend.
We are praying for better rest tonight than we have had for the past few nights...Tomorrow will be a low-key day--we may try to hit the pool with Bella and see how she likes it.
And, yes, I am still technologically inept. Because I am updating the blog on my iPad, and my photos are on my iPhone, I cannot seem to find a way to get the photos from there to here. Even when the photos are on my iPad, I cannot seem to find a way to get them onto the blog. I kjnow a way must exist, but someone more technologically savvy than me (and less droid-centric than Tom!) will have to show me someday. For now, I will continue to put most of my (many) words here, and some of my photos on Facebook (*not all of them as upload speeds are so slow...)
Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
She is Ours!
Yesterday was official adoption day. Huanya is now legally our daughter...even though she has been our daughter in our hearts for 10 months. It was almost breathtaking as I stared at the adoption decree and realized that--yikes! I am Mama to 4 kiddos now!
She continues to simply be happy, cooperative, smiley, and sweet. She was easily entertained with crayons at the notary's office, and simply stood by my side as we waited for the adoption paperwork to be finalized at the registraion office--the very room where just 24 hours prior she had grieved the removal from her ayi and her placement into our arms. We had more ramen noodles for lunch in the room, and headed to the Lotus Center for soome shopping this afternoon.
This experience has been so different from our trip to bring home Lilly. Different ages and different personalities has made this almost too easy this time...we were ready for a much more difficult trip.
We continue to spend time with a couple here, who are here adopting a 12 year old girl. They are an amazing couple--losing a son 2 yuears ago and now attempting to welcome home a little girl who has experienced so many losses of her own. They are now facing the prospect of this little girl possibly turning her back on this opportunity for a new life, as she is struggling to give her verbal consent for the adoption. Lisa and Stan are amazing to me and I find myslef praying for them constantly and helping them to communicate as much as I can.
Last night we all had somewhat fitful sleep...even Ya Ya, though you would hardly know except that she lies quietly and whispers to herself.
Tom and I each were not feeling well yesterday but some zithromycin and some motrin hasa done wonders for me.
Today we visit Luoyang Orphanage. Hoping to visit some 12 year old boys who have a family considering their file. Praying that Ya Ya will not be in any way traumatized by going back to this place, but will understand this is just a visit and mama and baba are forever.
Time for breakfast! Then on with the day. Photos to come on Facebook!
She continues to simply be happy, cooperative, smiley, and sweet. She was easily entertained with crayons at the notary's office, and simply stood by my side as we waited for the adoption paperwork to be finalized at the registraion office--the very room where just 24 hours prior she had grieved the removal from her ayi and her placement into our arms. We had more ramen noodles for lunch in the room, and headed to the Lotus Center for soome shopping this afternoon.
This experience has been so different from our trip to bring home Lilly. Different ages and different personalities has made this almost too easy this time...we were ready for a much more difficult trip.
We continue to spend time with a couple here, who are here adopting a 12 year old girl. They are an amazing couple--losing a son 2 yuears ago and now attempting to welcome home a little girl who has experienced so many losses of her own. They are now facing the prospect of this little girl possibly turning her back on this opportunity for a new life, as she is struggling to give her verbal consent for the adoption. Lisa and Stan are amazing to me and I find myslef praying for them constantly and helping them to communicate as much as I can.
Last night we all had somewhat fitful sleep...even Ya Ya, though you would hardly know except that she lies quietly and whispers to herself.
Tom and I each were not feeling well yesterday but some zithromycin and some motrin hasa done wonders for me.
Today we visit Luoyang Orphanage. Hoping to visit some 12 year old boys who have a family considering their file. Praying that Ya Ya will not be in any way traumatized by going back to this place, but will understand this is just a visit and mama and baba are forever.
Time for breakfast! Then on with the day. Photos to come on Facebook!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Official Adoption Day in Zhengzhou
Morning, February 13 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God." 1 John 3:1 , 2 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us. Consider who we were, and what we feel ourselves to be even now when corruption is powerful in us, and you will wonder at our adoption. Yet we are called "the sons of God." What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it brings! What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels towards the son! But all that, and more than that, we now have through Christ. ~Charles Spurgeon
The paragraph above was in my devotional yesterday morning, the day we received Isabel. How appropriate and how gracious of God to give us this reminder on the very day that we adopt her as our daughter.
I stand amazed at what a smooth first 24 hours we have had with Ya Ya. I know we are likely to have some rough moments--especially as she feels more comfortable and safe with us and make be less inclined to be compliant all the time--but she has been so pleasant and easy so far.
Last night it was so fun to watch her smile at the screen when we skyped with Anna and Lilly (Jared was already out the door to school), and she happily played with her new little doll in Baba's lap as he dozed. She has no problem letting me brush (and brush and brush) her teeth (which surprised me--when I saw how bad her teeth looked I suspected she had never seen a toothbrush before or had always put up a fight when brushing). When I told her it was time for bed, she smiled and said "ok!" and happpily cllimbed up into what is probably to softest, plushest bed in which she has ever slept, wearing new soft fuzzy footy PJs, and laid right down. I prayed over her and kissed each of her hands and her forehead just as I do with Lilly and she just smiled. I told her daddy and I were tired too and would be going to bed soon in the other bed and she said "ok!" By the time we were done brushing our teeth and getting ready for bed, she was asleep without a whimper.
It is now 6:40am and she is still sleeping soundly--barely a peep through the night (just sleeping noises and squeaks now and then). I am curious to see how she'll feel when she wakes up and sees that this is all not just a dream.
Today is the official adoption day--after breakfast we will head to the registration office and the notary office to have all of the paperwork sealed, notarized, then sent for translation.
Tomorrow we may get to visit the orphanage at Luoyang--today we will continue to evaluate her to decide if a visit will cause her any anxiety or renewed grieving. I suspect she will do just fine.
The paragraph above was in my devotional yesterday morning, the day we received Isabel. How appropriate and how gracious of God to give us this reminder on the very day that we adopt her as our daughter.
I stand amazed at what a smooth first 24 hours we have had with Ya Ya. I know we are likely to have some rough moments--especially as she feels more comfortable and safe with us and make be less inclined to be compliant all the time--but she has been so pleasant and easy so far.
Last night it was so fun to watch her smile at the screen when we skyped with Anna and Lilly (Jared was already out the door to school), and she happily played with her new little doll in Baba's lap as he dozed. She has no problem letting me brush (and brush and brush) her teeth (which surprised me--when I saw how bad her teeth looked I suspected she had never seen a toothbrush before or had always put up a fight when brushing). When I told her it was time for bed, she smiled and said "ok!" and happpily cllimbed up into what is probably to softest, plushest bed in which she has ever slept, wearing new soft fuzzy footy PJs, and laid right down. I prayed over her and kissed each of her hands and her forehead just as I do with Lilly and she just smiled. I told her daddy and I were tired too and would be going to bed soon in the other bed and she said "ok!" By the time we were done brushing our teeth and getting ready for bed, she was asleep without a whimper.
It is now 6:40am and she is still sleeping soundly--barely a peep through the night (just sleeping noises and squeaks now and then). I am curious to see how she'll feel when she wakes up and sees that this is all not just a dream.
Today is the official adoption day--after breakfast we will head to the registration office and the notary office to have all of the paperwork sealed, notarized, then sent for translation.
Tomorrow we may get to visit the orphanage at Luoyang--today we will continue to evaluate her to decide if a visit will cause her any anxiety or renewed grieving. I suspect she will do just fine.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
I think she likes us!
Day 1 with with Isabel (they call her "Ya Ya") has been amazing.
She is so very easy going!
When i suggested changing her clothes since the room was so very hot, she was thrilled to see her new clothes to put on. When I tried to put some of her many layers back on later to walk to the nearby Walmart in search of shoes for her, she took one look at the old clothes and said "I'm not cold...I don't need to wear those." SHe didn't mind, however, wearing an extra layer of *new* clothes to stay warm outside!
She is eating well--and eating normally without hoarding food--and played most of the afternoon with us,coloring, playing with a ball, going for walks (counting stairs), and beginning to talk and relax quite a bit.
She seems to us to be cognitively and developmentally normal...counting into the 20s, copying shapes tom drew for her, interacting appropriately, displaying normal gross and fine motor skills. Not really knowing what to expect, we were prepared for much less.
She played happily in the bath tonight and read through her photo album with Tom before we skyped with the girls and Grammy at home. Fun to see her smiling at her big sisters...we hope to catch Jared Monday evening EST...
Now we are settling in for sleep...we'll see hhow the night goes. Hoping it is a smooth and easy as the day has been!
I promise tomorrow I'll figure out a way to post some pics here...too tired now.
She is so very easy going!
When i suggested changing her clothes since the room was so very hot, she was thrilled to see her new clothes to put on. When I tried to put some of her many layers back on later to walk to the nearby Walmart in search of shoes for her, she took one look at the old clothes and said "I'm not cold...I don't need to wear those." SHe didn't mind, however, wearing an extra layer of *new* clothes to stay warm outside!
She is eating well--and eating normally without hoarding food--and played most of the afternoon with us,coloring, playing with a ball, going for walks (counting stairs), and beginning to talk and relax quite a bit.
She seems to us to be cognitively and developmentally normal...counting into the 20s, copying shapes tom drew for her, interacting appropriately, displaying normal gross and fine motor skills. Not really knowing what to expect, we were prepared for much less.
She played happily in the bath tonight and read through her photo album with Tom before we skyped with the girls and Grammy at home. Fun to see her smiling at her big sisters...we hope to catch Jared Monday evening EST...
Now we are settling in for sleep...we'll see hhow the night goes. Hoping it is a smooth and easy as the day has been!
I promise tomorrow I'll figure out a way to post some pics here...too tired now.
"Ya Ya" Has Arrived!
It has been quite a morning here!
Let me start by saying I am technologically inept and cannot seem to post photos to the blog for some reason, so for now the pics are all up on facebook. I WILL figure this out soon,though, and get some pics up here.
Isabel's group from Luoyang was the first group to arrive to the registration office, and she was all smiles as we watched her walk in from the van with her ayi.
She continued to be smiley as the ayi pointed us out to her and we smiled and waved. I offered her a lollipop which she happily grabbed, but did not want me to open it for her. She continued to look over her shoulder to make sure her ayi was still nearby as Tom and I talked to her and attempted to coax her a little closer. The minute I made a move to touch her or pick her up, however, the wailing began. Oh. My. Word. She has healthy lungs, to be sure. And stamina. She may have triathlons or marathons in her future becuase it was a work out just watching her scream for about 30-45 minutes straight. No amount of food offered, words in Chinese or English, smiles, or touching made a lick of difference. So we waited. I pulled out the photo album we had mailed to her awhile ago with photos of our family, and began to turn the pages and point people out.
Slowly, so she could hear me, the wails stopped and became whimpers. Then stopped altogether. Then she began to even answer me when I would ask her "who is this?" in Chinese when pointing to photos of the kids and Tom and me. She began to relax in Tom's lap. She began to look around the room with curiosity at all the families and Chinese children.
Then it happened. The smile. I don't remember now even what it was that made her smile. But once they started, they stayed. She has been smiling and talking ever since.
She answers my questions in Mandarin and seems to understand everything I'm saying. She laughs when I say somthing silly (for instance, as I was asking her what her favorite foods were and I threw in a silly question "do you like to eat shoes?" at first she smiled and said "yes" but when I said "really? You eat shoes?" she looked at me and laughed.)
She has a pretty nasty case of tooth decay...I think the dentist will be our friend for awhile when we get home. She came with very little--they returned the photo album and the disposable cameras I had sent, but she was only wearing her clothes and a pair of slippers. No coat, no shoes. Wow. They ayis answered all of my supplemental questions for which I was thankful.
I cannot wait to skype Jared, Anna, and Lilly tonight (morning their time zone) and let her see her siblings!
So it begins. A new little life, being grafted into ours. Praise the Lord, Glory to God.
Let me start by saying I am technologically inept and cannot seem to post photos to the blog for some reason, so for now the pics are all up on facebook. I WILL figure this out soon,though, and get some pics up here.
Isabel's group from Luoyang was the first group to arrive to the registration office, and she was all smiles as we watched her walk in from the van with her ayi.
She continued to be smiley as the ayi pointed us out to her and we smiled and waved. I offered her a lollipop which she happily grabbed, but did not want me to open it for her. She continued to look over her shoulder to make sure her ayi was still nearby as Tom and I talked to her and attempted to coax her a little closer. The minute I made a move to touch her or pick her up, however, the wailing began. Oh. My. Word. She has healthy lungs, to be sure. And stamina. She may have triathlons or marathons in her future becuase it was a work out just watching her scream for about 30-45 minutes straight. No amount of food offered, words in Chinese or English, smiles, or touching made a lick of difference. So we waited. I pulled out the photo album we had mailed to her awhile ago with photos of our family, and began to turn the pages and point people out.
Slowly, so she could hear me, the wails stopped and became whimpers. Then stopped altogether. Then she began to even answer me when I would ask her "who is this?" in Chinese when pointing to photos of the kids and Tom and me. She began to relax in Tom's lap. She began to look around the room with curiosity at all the families and Chinese children.
Then it happened. The smile. I don't remember now even what it was that made her smile. But once they started, they stayed. She has been smiling and talking ever since.
She answers my questions in Mandarin and seems to understand everything I'm saying. She laughs when I say somthing silly (for instance, as I was asking her what her favorite foods were and I threw in a silly question "do you like to eat shoes?" at first she smiled and said "yes" but when I said "really? You eat shoes?" she looked at me and laughed.)
She has a pretty nasty case of tooth decay...I think the dentist will be our friend for awhile when we get home. She came with very little--they returned the photo album and the disposable cameras I had sent, but she was only wearing her clothes and a pair of slippers. No coat, no shoes. Wow. They ayis answered all of my supplemental questions for which I was thankful.
I cannot wait to skype Jared, Anna, and Lilly tonight (morning their time zone) and let her see her siblings!
So it begins. A new little life, being grafted into ours. Praise the Lord, Glory to God.
Getting fueled up and ready!
This is it.
We slept decently last night but by 3:45 I was pretty much just lying there with thoughts of the day ahead racing through my mind. By 5:30am, we gave up trying to sleep any longer and headed down for a quick workout and swim.
We are now enjoying our last "date" breakfast--just the two of us--and will be headed out in just under 2 hours to go meet the children.
In our travel group, many of the couples are receiving their first child ever--how exciting to see them make the transition from 2 to 3! And a few of us are back for another adoption, one of the children being adopted is as old as 12! How exciting for her to finally be received into the loving arms of a mama and baba.
Oh, I do not feel worthy for this journey, this joy, this privilege. How blessed we are to receive a precious child to love and nurture. Even though we still have a sense of trepidation, we also have the joy of knowing that, no matter what challenges lie ahead through this process, it will all work together for our good (for each of us in our family) and God's glory.
May He be glorified today in our hearts, minds, words, and actions.
We slept decently last night but by 3:45 I was pretty much just lying there with thoughts of the day ahead racing through my mind. By 5:30am, we gave up trying to sleep any longer and headed down for a quick workout and swim.
We are now enjoying our last "date" breakfast--just the two of us--and will be headed out in just under 2 hours to go meet the children.
In our travel group, many of the couples are receiving their first child ever--how exciting to see them make the transition from 2 to 3! And a few of us are back for another adoption, one of the children being adopted is as old as 12! How exciting for her to finally be received into the loving arms of a mama and baba.
Oh, I do not feel worthy for this journey, this joy, this privilege. How blessed we are to receive a precious child to love and nurture. Even though we still have a sense of trepidation, we also have the joy of knowing that, no matter what challenges lie ahead through this process, it will all work together for our good (for each of us in our family) and God's glory.
May He be glorified today in our hearts, minds, words, and actions.
Only One More Sleep in Her Orphan Bed
I am sitting here in Zhengzhou, sipping green tea, and reflecting on the fact that tomorrow we will have a new family member--so very surreal.
Our flight Friday from Dulles to Beijing was uneventful--so nice to have a direct flight! Arriving in Beijing in the mid-afternoon presents the challenge of forcing yourself to stay awake until a decent bedtime so as to try to sleep though the night. Tom and I did a pretty good job, getting out of the hotel and wandering through Wangfujin Shopping Street and food market, hitting Starbucks to use some free wi-fi, and finding dinner at a dumpling restaurant at a nearby ritzy mall. We made it till about 9pm and then crashed.
I was up at 5:30am and hit the hotel pool to work the kinks out of my stiff body from the flight. Breakfast in the hotel was delicious and when we realized there was free wi-fi in the hotel restaurant, we skyped with Wen and the kids at home. It was SO good to see their faces and (sort of) hear their voices...the distance and lack of instantaeous communication at will has been tough for me! They are doing great and it sounds like Aunt Wen is spoiling them!
We got to meet the rest of our travel group this morning--they spent the previous two days touring in Beijing (we skipped it this time to keep the trip as quick as possible) and it was fun to meet them and hear a bit about them! What special friends we are privileged to make on these trips!
After arriving in Zhengzhou, we went to exchange our $ for Renminbi for the various fees we will pay tomorrow and the next day as we take care of the official adoption. While I was out changing money, Tom was able to meet with Clay Williams, an American man who--with his wife Pam--runs several foster homes here in Zhengzhou and works with the orphanages to make sure the children are well cared for.
So the rest of tonight we simply prepare for the momentous day tomorrow! We leave the hotel at 9:30am to head as a group to the registration office--not sure what time each group of kids from the various orphanages will arrive. Posting to the blog and posting photos is very difficult here so I hope to have pics up asap, but please be patient if they are not up right away! It may be early Monday morning US time before there is any update from us.
Being here in Zhengzhou has brought floods of memories to both of us. Memories made with our amazing travel group from 2009 are popping into our heads at every turn. The excitement and anticipation of finally receiving Isabel tomorrow is well-tempered this time with a sense of trepidation, knowing how difficult this transition could be for her.
Being here without Jared, Anna, or Lilly seems very quiet--though how nice for Tom and me to have an extended "weekend getaway!" (far away!)
We are thankful for God's gracious and sovereign hand on all of this--both here and at home. We are grateful for your prayers and support as well.
Stay tuned...
Our flight Friday from Dulles to Beijing was uneventful--so nice to have a direct flight! Arriving in Beijing in the mid-afternoon presents the challenge of forcing yourself to stay awake until a decent bedtime so as to try to sleep though the night. Tom and I did a pretty good job, getting out of the hotel and wandering through Wangfujin Shopping Street and food market, hitting Starbucks to use some free wi-fi, and finding dinner at a dumpling restaurant at a nearby ritzy mall. We made it till about 9pm and then crashed.
I was up at 5:30am and hit the hotel pool to work the kinks out of my stiff body from the flight. Breakfast in the hotel was delicious and when we realized there was free wi-fi in the hotel restaurant, we skyped with Wen and the kids at home. It was SO good to see their faces and (sort of) hear their voices...the distance and lack of instantaeous communication at will has been tough for me! They are doing great and it sounds like Aunt Wen is spoiling them!
We got to meet the rest of our travel group this morning--they spent the previous two days touring in Beijing (we skipped it this time to keep the trip as quick as possible) and it was fun to meet them and hear a bit about them! What special friends we are privileged to make on these trips!
After arriving in Zhengzhou, we went to exchange our $ for Renminbi for the various fees we will pay tomorrow and the next day as we take care of the official adoption. While I was out changing money, Tom was able to meet with Clay Williams, an American man who--with his wife Pam--runs several foster homes here in Zhengzhou and works with the orphanages to make sure the children are well cared for.
So the rest of tonight we simply prepare for the momentous day tomorrow! We leave the hotel at 9:30am to head as a group to the registration office--not sure what time each group of kids from the various orphanages will arrive. Posting to the blog and posting photos is very difficult here so I hope to have pics up asap, but please be patient if they are not up right away! It may be early Monday morning US time before there is any update from us.
Being here in Zhengzhou has brought floods of memories to both of us. Memories made with our amazing travel group from 2009 are popping into our heads at every turn. The excitement and anticipation of finally receiving Isabel tomorrow is well-tempered this time with a sense of trepidation, knowing how difficult this transition could be for her.
Being here without Jared, Anna, or Lilly seems very quiet--though how nice for Tom and me to have an extended "weekend getaway!" (far away!)
We are thankful for God's gracious and sovereign hand on all of this--both here and at home. We are grateful for your prayers and support as well.
Stay tuned...
Friday, February 10, 2012
Suitcases Zipped Shut...
...and each of the kids is off to school.
It was not nearly as traumatic as I had anticipated saying goodbye to the girls--especially Lilly--at the bus stop this morning. She had some tears and a sad look, but there was no gnashing of teeth or wailing. God has graciously answered the many prayers that she would have peace and comfot as we depart for 2 weeks.
Aunt Wen arrived last night after the kids were in bed, and has completed her "briefings" and her review of what I am calling the "Unabridged Encyclopedia of Cantilina Chaos," which is the 30+ pages of important phone numbers, schedules, routines, calendar items, medical information, tips on places to shop and dine, etc.
If those coming to take care of the kids never read it, that's ok (don't tell them that!)...at least I feel better having put it all on paper. Indeed, it represents my life, my roles, all in black and white on paper. That's what is. And now I can mentally let it all go and focus on the challenges ahead for Tom and me over the next 2 weeks.
The girls were excited to see Aunt Wen this morning (Jared was out the door before she was up) and she accompanied us to the bus stop.
I know the kids are in great hands, and the fact that different folks are coming every 3-4 days makes it more interesting and gives them something to break up the time apart.
In a few minutes, we'll be on our way to Dulles. One suitcase for Tom, one suitcase for Isabel and me, and one suitcase filled with donations for the Isabel's orphanage and for Swallows Nest, a foster home in Zhengzhou run by an American couple.
I will do my best to update the blog and post to facebook as time and internet access allow... We covet your prayers for each of us:
It was not nearly as traumatic as I had anticipated saying goodbye to the girls--especially Lilly--at the bus stop this morning. She had some tears and a sad look, but there was no gnashing of teeth or wailing. God has graciously answered the many prayers that she would have peace and comfot as we depart for 2 weeks.
Aunt Wen arrived last night after the kids were in bed, and has completed her "briefings" and her review of what I am calling the "Unabridged Encyclopedia of Cantilina Chaos," which is the 30+ pages of important phone numbers, schedules, routines, calendar items, medical information, tips on places to shop and dine, etc.
If those coming to take care of the kids never read it, that's ok (don't tell them that!)...at least I feel better having put it all on paper. Indeed, it represents my life, my roles, all in black and white on paper. That's what is. And now I can mentally let it all go and focus on the challenges ahead for Tom and me over the next 2 weeks.
The girls were excited to see Aunt Wen this morning (Jared was out the door before she was up) and she accompanied us to the bus stop.
I know the kids are in great hands, and the fact that different folks are coming every 3-4 days makes it more interesting and gives them something to break up the time apart.
In a few minutes, we'll be on our way to Dulles. One suitcase for Tom, one suitcase for Isabel and me, and one suitcase filled with donations for the Isabel's orphanage and for Swallows Nest, a foster home in Zhengzhou run by an American couple.
I will do my best to update the blog and post to facebook as time and internet access allow... We covet your prayers for each of us:
- Good health for all.
- Safe travels for Tom and me, for family members traveling back and forth between New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
- Good sleep at night for Lilly (and for Anna, who is having some insomnia issues lately)
- Wisdom for the saints coming to care for the kids,
- A spirit of graciousness, kindness, respect, and love among our kiddos while we're away
- Isabel's heart to be prepared for the enormous changes that lie ahead--we meet her Monday morning in Zhengzhou (Sunday late night for those of you here)...
- Wisdom, grace, and unconditional love for Tom and me as we welcome Isabel and attempt to show her how much we love her and will nurture her.
- A special time of bonding for Tom and me as we enjoy a 14-hour date on an aircraft today!
- A special time of bonding for Isabel with Tom and me during the rest of the trip--nearly a week in Zhengzhou and another week in Guangzhou.
- The relationships and friendships that will be built among our travel group.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Isaiah 43:5
"5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
These are my words of comfort for today.
Do not be afraid. I am with you.
Many changes lie ahead.
Many transitions for young hearts.
Many transitions for old hearts too.
In the midst of these amazing, miraculous transitions...
...may my attitude and that of the people in my home be the same as that of Jesus.
...let us love one another with a pure, sacrificial, selfless love.
...let us each be helpful, kind, respectful, gracious, and considerate.
48 hours till Beijing-bound.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Free at last, Free at last! Fever Free at last!
Praise the Lord! Lilly has been off of her antibiotics since last Wednesday morning, and had some labs drawn yesterday to check for any signs of remaining infection. Labs were CLEAR. We are so happy, elated, thankful, relieved!
We are praising the Lord that our long ordeal with Staph aeurous is, it seems, over, after a long 8 months. As Dr. Campbell said, it has been a "bump in the road" of her regular scoliosis VEPTR expansion surgeries, and now that we are through this, we can resume her treatments for straightening her spine and expanding her thoracic cavity. She is scheduled for re-implanting her hardware on 10 April--so we are now working hard on getting her to gain some weight prior to her next surgery--and will continue regular expansions thereafter, Lord willing.
On a side note, she is still sporting 3 "steri-strips" from her last surgery in December. These are the little strips of tape that cover the stiches where she has incisions, and we are instructed to let them stay on until they fall off on their own. Lilly does NOT like anyone to mess with her steristrips, and she dreads bathtime because (like a bandaid in water), they tend to come a little bit loose and flap around when we're rinsing her hair. Mommy does not like to let the steristrips just kind of hang out indefinitely when they are barely hanging on (like a tooth hanging on by its last little thread) and just wants them off. Solution? The "Steri-Strip Fairy" has begun to make some nighttime calls to Lilly's bedroom, leaving a penny for each steri strip that comes off (two pennies if Lilly allowed someone to peel it off, which, apparently, is NOT incentive enough). Only 3 steri strips to go!!
We are so thankful that she is healthy prior to our trip to China--our worst fear had been that she would continue to be feverish and fighting infection while we were away. Now we are just dealing with anxiety over the prospect of Mommy and Daddy being away for so long...praying that she will have peace in her heart and will feel completely safe and comfortable with everyone who is lined up to stay with the kids while we're away.
Here, by the way, is the little girls' room now that we have unbunked the bunk beds in preparation for Isabel's arrival. When they're both older we will re-bunk them, but for now this seemed safer and they can see one another at night. Lilly is so happy that she will soon have someone sleeping in the same room.
We are praising the Lord that our long ordeal with Staph aeurous is, it seems, over, after a long 8 months. As Dr. Campbell said, it has been a "bump in the road" of her regular scoliosis VEPTR expansion surgeries, and now that we are through this, we can resume her treatments for straightening her spine and expanding her thoracic cavity. She is scheduled for re-implanting her hardware on 10 April--so we are now working hard on getting her to gain some weight prior to her next surgery--and will continue regular expansions thereafter, Lord willing.
On a side note, she is still sporting 3 "steri-strips" from her last surgery in December. These are the little strips of tape that cover the stiches where she has incisions, and we are instructed to let them stay on until they fall off on their own. Lilly does NOT like anyone to mess with her steristrips, and she dreads bathtime because (like a bandaid in water), they tend to come a little bit loose and flap around when we're rinsing her hair. Mommy does not like to let the steristrips just kind of hang out indefinitely when they are barely hanging on (like a tooth hanging on by its last little thread) and just wants them off. Solution? The "Steri-Strip Fairy" has begun to make some nighttime calls to Lilly's bedroom, leaving a penny for each steri strip that comes off (two pennies if Lilly allowed someone to peel it off, which, apparently, is NOT incentive enough). Only 3 steri strips to go!!
We are so thankful that she is healthy prior to our trip to China--our worst fear had been that she would continue to be feverish and fighting infection while we were away. Now we are just dealing with anxiety over the prospect of Mommy and Daddy being away for so long...praying that she will have peace in her heart and will feel completely safe and comfortable with everyone who is lined up to stay with the kids while we're away.
Here, by the way, is the little girls' room now that we have unbunked the bunk beds in preparation for Isabel's arrival. When they're both older we will re-bunk them, but for now this seemed safer and they can see one another at night. Lilly is so happy that she will soon have someone sleeping in the same room.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)