This post will be somewhat scattered as my thoughts are everywhere.
It's the afternoon of our last day here. It's bitter-sweet for sure. On the one hand, it's time for Ai Li to have some stability in a routine. On the other hand, we're about to thrust her into the abyss of a huge unknown where she is even more the odd one out. There will be no more familiar language being spoken around her. No more familiar smells, customs, people. We are sad to be leaving, yet today, now anxious to get home. It helps that it's a cruddy day outside.
We've gotten quite friendly with one of the store owners, and enjoy sharing tea with him and the staff. Cody has taught two of the young men in there how to play chess, and they've taught him hackysack.
Going back a bit, the minute we arrived at the Beijing airport and stuck out like sore thumbs, Molly looked at me and said, "Welcome to my world, people. It feels awesome to see that everyone's little like me and looks like me. I could get used to this!" Everywhere we've been, we have experienced life from 'her world', where we are the different ones, where everyone stares at us. I'll never take her perspective for granted again.
OK - back to the present. We went to a grocery store - Carrefour - the other day. It was fun and we brought all these things back to the hotel to try out. Some were winners, some absolutely NOT. While we were there - and anywhere we go, actually, Steve and I have the girls between us. Steve's usually in front blocking and then I'm herding and sheltering. Cody floats - usually up front. So, we're in line at the checkout (and I will never complain about waiting in line at Walmart again - this line was s-l-o-w) and I had the good fortune to be standing in front of the local village drunk - who was buying another bottle of the good stuff - a bottle he most certainly didn't need. His breath was on my neck he was in close for a better look. I could have passed out from the fumage that eminated from behind and that I was apparently now wearing (drunk people spit when they speak - old queen of scorn here got a direct hit). Try as he might, he could not figure out these big folk with the 2 little Chinese girls. He poked me to start a little chat (like I needed to get face to neck now - uh NOT). I pulled out our handy-dandy electronic translator and thought I'd explained it enough to satisfy him. Drunk man wanted my magic tablet that entered his world. I can tell you that every button has been pressed now (sorry - banged) - several times. Apparently the magic tablet only works for the big people so it got handed back to me - smears and all - with much mutterings. Well, since he couldn't get the magic thing to work, he took a pen and started to write all over his hand to ask me more. You know how when some people cannot understand, others tend to just speak louder, as if that'd help? I found out only too quickly that when one cannot read Chinese, drunk man shoves it closer and closer to your eyes. By now, we have paid our bill and decide to skedaddle away.
We've just said some goodbyes to another shop keeper who's as sweet as can be. She's the one who has taken the time to talk with Ai Li - rather than just talk at her - and she's the one who told us that our daughter was terribly homesick for her friends and was very sad. She hugged Ai Li and asked her privately if she was happy now - the reaction was our well-known little impish smile with a busy tongue licking her lips. She's OK!!!!!!!!!!!! She's comfortable with our love. Thank you Ada for being so sweet to our child and really understanding what she needed.
We found a great little restaurant last night - sort of just stuck in the wall and very basic. Delicious! The menu was bigger than some books. We stuck to things we knew more or less. We are all quite proficient with chopsticks and find ourselves using them over the other utensils. How's that for cool? We may celebrate our last dinner there tonight, but we spotted another place that we may just try out too. Decisions, decisions.
Steve and the kids are all on the third floor playing ping pong right now. There's a huge international tournament going on now in Guangdong province and we've been catching some of it on TV. Speaking of TV, a TV reporter and camera guy stopped me in the street yesterday while I was on my own running an errand. I thought they were going to ask me about adoption, so I said 'sure' when they asked for an interview. So - what were the questions?
1. What number do I call in case of emergency.
2. What number do I call in case of fire.
3. What number do I call in case someone steals my purse and I need the police.
I didn't know the answer to any of them. I could tell them that if I needed the police I would merely stand there and scream and let all the shop keepers come out and help me. As there are guards everywhere, I'm sure the police would hear me, and besides, what would I call with? I don't have a cell phone.
We met other 'dumb American families' who'd been interviewed as well, and none of them did any better. I thought I'd prepared for everything. Wrong - I didn't study my phone numbers. Take heed, future China visitors - learn your numbers!
Going to find the ping pongers. Here's to hoping for a distinct lack of turbulence as we fly home.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Update
Guangzhou is chilly!! Today, though, the sun was out and we strolled up and down the various Shamien streets popping in and out of little (and are they ever little) stores which are crammed with things to buy. Sales people are desperate for the sale and try every trick in the book to keep you in their store. They're really delightful people.
We saw Mei Lian and her family today and Ai Li just lit up with joy to see her friend. They jabbered on and we agreed to meet later for dinner. We ate at Lucy's tonight - the kids were at one table and adults at another. Sweeeeeeeet. Hotel rooms are close quarters.
I have advice for anyone travelling with adolescents. Bring odor eater foot or shoe powder!!! This is my favorite thing that I remembered to pack. A roll of packing tape has helped on more than one occasion also.
We met a storekeeper who remembered the Wees family - isn't that lovely? Kirsten, it was Dong and I told him I'd say hello to you all.
Ai Li is more and more comfortable in her role as a family member here. She's spunky, fun and came to remind me this morning to put her ear drops in. She's messed with me a few times (teasing and playing with mom, which has made my day!). Another thing she'll do is imitate one of us in a playing way and then have a fit of giggles. I can't wait to post some of the photos that show her face in full Ai Li mode!!
We played alphabet bingo this morning and she's quite the little game shark. Colors/shapes bingo not as much fun as 'yellow octagon' just isn't quite as easy to grasp. I thought it was either color or shape but it's not. We still had fun. She catches on quickly.
I forgot to mention that when we were in Guilin, we were offered special bottles of wine (look like giant versions of the old apothecary glass bottles with the glass cork thing). We could choose from the in-your-face delivery of each type. There was snake wine, lizard wine and another critter wine - each bottle with an assortment of it's species in it. REVOLTING. I cannot tell you how much I hated that moment!
Also, at the restaurant there where Steve got to choose our live, fresh fish, there was also some pheasant, some ducks, a chicken and 4 wild rats which were the size of beavers, I kid you not. My animal loving Molly was ready to start a riot and we told her that if they weren't eaten by a certain time they were set free. Yes, we lied to her, and yes, she was able to go in and eat. We did, however, ask our guide which was her favorite animal and she said she does not like the taste of wild animals. Phew!
We have two full days left here and hope to maximize both of them. We have a van arranged to take us to the airport, with a pick up time on Saturday morning of 5:30. Breakfast will be served on the flight between here and Tokyo. I probably won't post again before we leave, but look forward to getting settled in at home, sorting through photos and posting again.
This has been a most amazing journey with lots of growing and learning moments for each and every one of us. How cool is that!
We saw Mei Lian and her family today and Ai Li just lit up with joy to see her friend. They jabbered on and we agreed to meet later for dinner. We ate at Lucy's tonight - the kids were at one table and adults at another. Sweeeeeeeet. Hotel rooms are close quarters.
I have advice for anyone travelling with adolescents. Bring odor eater foot or shoe powder!!! This is my favorite thing that I remembered to pack. A roll of packing tape has helped on more than one occasion also.
We met a storekeeper who remembered the Wees family - isn't that lovely? Kirsten, it was Dong and I told him I'd say hello to you all.
Ai Li is more and more comfortable in her role as a family member here. She's spunky, fun and came to remind me this morning to put her ear drops in. She's messed with me a few times (teasing and playing with mom, which has made my day!). Another thing she'll do is imitate one of us in a playing way and then have a fit of giggles. I can't wait to post some of the photos that show her face in full Ai Li mode!!
We played alphabet bingo this morning and she's quite the little game shark. Colors/shapes bingo not as much fun as 'yellow octagon' just isn't quite as easy to grasp. I thought it was either color or shape but it's not. We still had fun. She catches on quickly.
I forgot to mention that when we were in Guilin, we were offered special bottles of wine (look like giant versions of the old apothecary glass bottles with the glass cork thing). We could choose from the in-your-face delivery of each type. There was snake wine, lizard wine and another critter wine - each bottle with an assortment of it's species in it. REVOLTING. I cannot tell you how much I hated that moment!
Also, at the restaurant there where Steve got to choose our live, fresh fish, there was also some pheasant, some ducks, a chicken and 4 wild rats which were the size of beavers, I kid you not. My animal loving Molly was ready to start a riot and we told her that if they weren't eaten by a certain time they were set free. Yes, we lied to her, and yes, she was able to go in and eat. We did, however, ask our guide which was her favorite animal and she said she does not like the taste of wild animals. Phew!
We have two full days left here and hope to maximize both of them. We have a van arranged to take us to the airport, with a pick up time on Saturday morning of 5:30. Breakfast will be served on the flight between here and Tokyo. I probably won't post again before we leave, but look forward to getting settled in at home, sorting through photos and posting again.
This has been a most amazing journey with lots of growing and learning moments for each and every one of us. How cool is that!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Catching Up
We visited Ai Li's city, Zhuhai on Thursday. A most tropical, gorgeous place. The weather was perfect and we had about 20 minutes on the beach. The kids thought it was so cool to be touching the South China Sea. The orphanage director came with us and we took her out to lunch. It is so obvious that Ai Li has left family and friends, and it's no small wander that she's pining for them. After a long drive back to the hotel, we had a very early night.
Got to the airport on Friday morning for our trip to Guilin (gway leeng). Flight cancelled. No reason - just cancelled. Next one out at 8:00 pm. The airline put us in a bus and sent us off to a hotel in Baiyun to hang out. They also provided us a meal of roasted duck and rice. Not bad for a flight problem!! The transportation collected us and drove us back for the flight. We were very thankful for such wonderful treatment.
I truly think that if Mother Nature could apologise to the people of China for the squallor, filth, poverty etc. by giving them a spot to find one day, She did it by providing Guilin. It is beautiful, cleaner than any other city we've seen and just different. Our boat cruise on the Li River was a gift that if anyone can ever enjoy, they should. It was a four hour lunch cruise through mountains and small villages. The weather was wonderful. I have tons of photos, but cannot find my gadget right now, so words will have to do. Our next day was spent touring caves and climbing and being served the most delicious meal I personally can remember having enjoyed. We visited the night market and then crashed. Flew back to Guangzhou this morning and here we are.
Ai Li is doing much better. She's really developed a monkey-ish relationship with our kids and has just discovered how much fun a big brother is. Store keepers everywhere keep telling her how lucky she is that Mama took her out and brought her into the family and she's less than impressed with Mama. I am to blame for everything that is wrong with her life right now it seems. She will let me take her to the bathroom and give her medicine. That's it. At least she has someone or something to take it out on, and tag! I'm it. Sure wish those store keepers would shut up or at least drag Dad into it too!! Time will help, I know. We had an episode with car sickness today and she did let me help and then hold her. Finally got checked back into this hotel and she let me help her into the shower. 30 minutes later, and the water still going, I went in. She'd plugged the drain and was having the swim of a lifetime in there. Her impish smile can move mountains, I assure you and she and I shared a private giggle before she remembered who she was giggling with. Ha! Mom got one in!
Like Molly was for ages, Ai Li is either totally happy or totally blank-faced. She's picking up words we think. Although she's not saying them, she knows full well what we're talking about sometimes, which is wonderful, because Mom acting out the potty manoeuver in public is not the prettiest sight!! Now she understands 'bathroom'.
Cody's had one night of being sick and sleeping next to the trashcan followed by one low-keyed day. That appetite is back and in full swing now! Steve's having his turn with the tummy grumbles today. So far KNOCK ON WOOD the girls are holding strong! As we've all had the same food, we're wondering if the men's room may be the culprit.
Zhuhai families - I have other photos for each of you, but posted the best. It takes a long time for me to load them (this is dial-up). We ask that everyone still pray for our little one who struggles with her place in her new family. Thanks.
Got to the airport on Friday morning for our trip to Guilin (gway leeng). Flight cancelled. No reason - just cancelled. Next one out at 8:00 pm. The airline put us in a bus and sent us off to a hotel in Baiyun to hang out. They also provided us a meal of roasted duck and rice. Not bad for a flight problem!! The transportation collected us and drove us back for the flight. We were very thankful for such wonderful treatment.
I truly think that if Mother Nature could apologise to the people of China for the squallor, filth, poverty etc. by giving them a spot to find one day, She did it by providing Guilin. It is beautiful, cleaner than any other city we've seen and just different. Our boat cruise on the Li River was a gift that if anyone can ever enjoy, they should. It was a four hour lunch cruise through mountains and small villages. The weather was wonderful. I have tons of photos, but cannot find my gadget right now, so words will have to do. Our next day was spent touring caves and climbing and being served the most delicious meal I personally can remember having enjoyed. We visited the night market and then crashed. Flew back to Guangzhou this morning and here we are.
Ai Li is doing much better. She's really developed a monkey-ish relationship with our kids and has just discovered how much fun a big brother is. Store keepers everywhere keep telling her how lucky she is that Mama took her out and brought her into the family and she's less than impressed with Mama. I am to blame for everything that is wrong with her life right now it seems. She will let me take her to the bathroom and give her medicine. That's it. At least she has someone or something to take it out on, and tag! I'm it. Sure wish those store keepers would shut up or at least drag Dad into it too!! Time will help, I know. We had an episode with car sickness today and she did let me help and then hold her. Finally got checked back into this hotel and she let me help her into the shower. 30 minutes later, and the water still going, I went in. She'd plugged the drain and was having the swim of a lifetime in there. Her impish smile can move mountains, I assure you and she and I shared a private giggle before she remembered who she was giggling with. Ha! Mom got one in!
Like Molly was for ages, Ai Li is either totally happy or totally blank-faced. She's picking up words we think. Although she's not saying them, she knows full well what we're talking about sometimes, which is wonderful, because Mom acting out the potty manoeuver in public is not the prettiest sight!! Now she understands 'bathroom'.
Cody's had one night of being sick and sleeping next to the trashcan followed by one low-keyed day. That appetite is back and in full swing now! Steve's having his turn with the tummy grumbles today. So far KNOCK ON WOOD the girls are holding strong! As we've all had the same food, we're wondering if the men's room may be the culprit.
Zhuhai families - I have other photos for each of you, but posted the best. It takes a long time for me to load them (this is dial-up). We ask that everyone still pray for our little one who struggles with her place in her new family. Thanks.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
We found Mei Nian
Today was our trip to the police station to apply for Ai Li's passport. In and out in less than 15 minutes. We went for a walk on the other side of the bridge and ended up in the antique district. Not a good place to be. Both girls were scared. Both parents were very nervous and we really felt we'd ended up in the bad side of town. Won't do that again.
We visited the 6 Banyan Tree Temple and had the children blessed - quite moving for Mom and Dad. We climbed the 9-story Pagoda and enjoyed the view as well.
We went to Lucy's for dinner in hopes of bumping into the family who was getting another of our Zhuhai sweeties the day after we did. We saw them arrive just moments after we did - how's that for great luck! Ai Li didn't see them as quickly as Molly did, but she didn't know we were looking for them either. When she saw her friend, her little face lit up and we went straight over to have a hug. They chatted and we sat next to each other, and then the comparisons began - you could see the pointing and the babbling on about each other's families. Sure wish we could tell what was being said! Mei Nian Kirchhoff, the friend, will live in Deshler, Nebraska. Brenda - she too gets very green in the car apparently, so they won't visit the SWI. She has a sister from China who's just about 6 months older than she is. We shared our e-list with them and hope they'll join.
We're really excited to be visiting Zhuhai tomorrow. The sun came out today and brightened everything up, in addition to bringing some warmth. Molly's beside herself with all these cute little dogs running around. China has Pekenese and Pomeranians as stray dogs - while we, in the USA, pay a small fortune for them!
Ai Li's picking up a few things. Every time we hand her something, she now says,"chank yoo" in her husky little voice - much like Jen's!
Here are some photos from today that are of something other than a close-up nostril or some other goody that our budding photographer has managed to capture. These are mom's photos!
Goodnight, and thanks for sharing this journey with us.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Report on Today
Well, our room is amazing - corner suite with 2 windows, one overlooking a school and there's a giant cage on the roof with peacocks, other birds, a sheep and an emu. We hear the kids taking band.
We have a computer in the room. With this privilege of a "business suite" we get one king size bed. Figure that one out for 5.
Cody's on the couch and probably doing the best on this deal. In the one bed are Sue, Ai Li, Molly and Dad - in that order. At least we fit!
So, you remember I said that everyone was settled last night? Yeah - that was when Mom was on duty. In comes Dad who stirs the whole thing up and there's this massive play fest and wound up girls. It was the best thing to happen - Ai Li giggled and laughed and kept pushing Molly to tickle Dad. It was hysterical. One hour later, all is calm again. A good night's sleep.
Ai Li is not using chopsticks. She's jumped right in and only using knife and fork - and very willing to be taught. I know I would not be that brave at 9. We did see her with the chopsticks at lunch today (dim sum restaurant) and she's not that good with them either. Has probably used a spoon for much of the time.
We noticed that her left ear has had some obvious surgery and that it was sort of leaky. It really leaked a lot in the night and she tried to hide her pillow this morning. She's snuffly too. Her skin is dry like cardboard and about as soft. Her fingers are all sort of raw or blistered - but not quite as bad as that sounds. So after our appointment at the adoption agency where we were interviewed and formally finalized the adoption, we decided a trip to the clinic was in order and opted to pay for the American Clinic. We will have to have that ear looked at properly in time, but for now we have antibiotics for the infection and nose drops for the stuffiness. The fingers will heal on their own - too much roughhousing on the playground is what we're told. She was a champion, and responded well to the docs questions. There was a scale in the room. Molly got on it and we discover that she and Ai Li are both 54 pounds, with Molly being 2 inches taller.
This was followed by the restaurant lunch and the zoo. My 2 kids have cameras. Miss Shutterfinger has discovered mine. I have no photos to post today. She walked around pressing that thing repeatedly at everything in site. No aim then shoot. No good photos either. I'll have to wait until she's asleep and do some serious deleting.
Right now, there are 2 little girls in the shower - Molly's teaching that too, God love her. Ai Li's hair needs a wash and some conditioner. I've popped in to help and she's fine with that and found it quite funny that Mom's hand poked in through the shower curtain.
We will visit Zhuhai orphanage on Thursday and I will have the camera, not Ai Li! Jim - I asked Mr. Li to ask for those photos for you yesterday. Today I asked him if he did that and he said that there should be pictures for me to get for you!! I asked if we could go at a time when the children were not in school so that I could take photos of all the you-know-who's we love on this board. I also asked if I could take photos of any babies coming to America. He will ask for the AAI kids to be brought out!!!!!! Let's hope they do so that I can get up-to-date photos for everyone. I will do my best, I promise.
Oh - yesterday, with Ai Li, was one of the other girls - the one who was in the denim jacket on Lynn's lap. She's getting her family today. I have our information and hope to bump into them here so connect the girls.
Lynn - I know you told us how to read our comments, but what I remember isn't working - would you shoot me an email to the group list with that info please?
I hear the water off now, so will close. Blessings to all from the hotel room of double happiness!
After
We have a computer in the room. With this privilege of a "business suite" we get one king size bed. Figure that one out for 5.
Cody's on the couch and probably doing the best on this deal. In the one bed are Sue, Ai Li, Molly and Dad - in that order. At least we fit!
So, you remember I said that everyone was settled last night? Yeah - that was when Mom was on duty. In comes Dad who stirs the whole thing up and there's this massive play fest and wound up girls. It was the best thing to happen - Ai Li giggled and laughed and kept pushing Molly to tickle Dad. It was hysterical. One hour later, all is calm again. A good night's sleep.
Ai Li is not using chopsticks. She's jumped right in and only using knife and fork - and very willing to be taught. I know I would not be that brave at 9. We did see her with the chopsticks at lunch today (dim sum restaurant) and she's not that good with them either. Has probably used a spoon for much of the time.
We noticed that her left ear has had some obvious surgery and that it was sort of leaky. It really leaked a lot in the night and she tried to hide her pillow this morning. She's snuffly too. Her skin is dry like cardboard and about as soft. Her fingers are all sort of raw or blistered - but not quite as bad as that sounds. So after our appointment at the adoption agency where we were interviewed and formally finalized the adoption, we decided a trip to the clinic was in order and opted to pay for the American Clinic. We will have to have that ear looked at properly in time, but for now we have antibiotics for the infection and nose drops for the stuffiness. The fingers will heal on their own - too much roughhousing on the playground is what we're told. She was a champion, and responded well to the docs questions. There was a scale in the room. Molly got on it and we discover that she and Ai Li are both 54 pounds, with Molly being 2 inches taller.
This was followed by the restaurant lunch and the zoo. My 2 kids have cameras. Miss Shutterfinger has discovered mine. I have no photos to post today. She walked around pressing that thing repeatedly at everything in site. No aim then shoot. No good photos either. I'll have to wait until she's asleep and do some serious deleting.
Right now, there are 2 little girls in the shower - Molly's teaching that too, God love her. Ai Li's hair needs a wash and some conditioner. I've popped in to help and she's fine with that and found it quite funny that Mom's hand poked in through the shower curtain.
We will visit Zhuhai orphanage on Thursday and I will have the camera, not Ai Li! Jim - I asked Mr. Li to ask for those photos for you yesterday. Today I asked him if he did that and he said that there should be pictures for me to get for you!! I asked if we could go at a time when the children were not in school so that I could take photos of all the you-know-who's we love on this board. I also asked if I could take photos of any babies coming to America. He will ask for the AAI kids to be brought out!!!!!! Let's hope they do so that I can get up-to-date photos for everyone. I will do my best, I promise.
Oh - yesterday, with Ai Li, was one of the other girls - the one who was in the denim jacket on Lynn's lap. She's getting her family today. I have our information and hope to bump into them here so connect the girls.
Lynn - I know you told us how to read our comments, but what I remember isn't working - would you shoot me an email to the group list with that info please?
I hear the water off now, so will close. Blessings to all from the hotel room of double happiness!
After
Monday, February 18, 2008
Our Hearts Are Full Tonight
No battery left to send pictures. I PROMISE some tomorrow after it's charged up. Sorry!!!
We have her and she has us!!! Ai Li is preciously perfect.
We arrived at the Adoption Center with Mr. Li at 2:30 today. Ai Li arrived just after 3:00. 30 minutes has never taken that long - ever.
Everything went very smoothly. She made eye-contact and recognized us immediately from the photo album we'd sent. She was very shy and answered questions with much prodding. When it came time to part with her care taker, they kissed and one slow, silent tear slid down her cheek - then another. She tried so hard to hold it in. I wasn't so brave. Then her caretaker put Ai Li's hand in mine and gave her a gentle shove and said goodbye. One rigid little girl walked out with us. There were about 15 babies all meeting new parents in there too - most were very upset and it was total bedlam. Ai Li must have been so totally overwhelmed.
There is, so far, one immediate way to make her smile, and that is to be near to her sister. Ai Li is very attached to Molly and holds hands with her, copies everything she does and keeps sneaking smiles to her. Smiles that would melt iceburgs. Molly is tickled pink and doing an amazing job in her new role as big sister. Speaking of big sister, Molly's dream has come true - she is finally taller than someone else her age!! Ai Li is so petite.
We came back to the hotel, dropped things off and went to eat. After dinner we went to some stores to spoil her with a few shiny trinket things. Nothing doing! What did the trick was a pair of sneakers. She was in shoes that were obviously way too small for her and made her feet hurt. She just loves her new shoes and we had her run in the store to see how they fit. Lots of smiles.
We went to a park and the kids played and played and we got smiles, heard laughter and felt on top of the world as we saw our little girls sparkle. Cody is being an amazing help - getting near but not overwhelming, patiently waiting his turn for her recognition. It'll come. How could it not - she'll soon follow her sister's footsteps there too.
We came back, had some tea and got the 2 teddy bears ready for bed. She is so tickled at being able to change teddy's clothes.
Tina - I saw Mr. Li hand Teddi's care package to the staff today, so please feel some comfort in knowing that Teddi will have her snuggly bear to cuddle tonight.
I'm going to keep this short because everyone's in bed and 2 new eyes are peeping over the covers as I do this. I wish the camera battery wasn't so drained, because I'm longing to share her with you all.
Going to snug with my girls and see if I can do something with this permanent grin I'm wearing - but then, why should I? I look over my shoulder and see Steve still grinning too.
We have her and she has us!!! Ai Li is preciously perfect.
We arrived at the Adoption Center with Mr. Li at 2:30 today. Ai Li arrived just after 3:00. 30 minutes has never taken that long - ever.
Everything went very smoothly. She made eye-contact and recognized us immediately from the photo album we'd sent. She was very shy and answered questions with much prodding. When it came time to part with her care taker, they kissed and one slow, silent tear slid down her cheek - then another. She tried so hard to hold it in. I wasn't so brave. Then her caretaker put Ai Li's hand in mine and gave her a gentle shove and said goodbye. One rigid little girl walked out with us. There were about 15 babies all meeting new parents in there too - most were very upset and it was total bedlam. Ai Li must have been so totally overwhelmed.
There is, so far, one immediate way to make her smile, and that is to be near to her sister. Ai Li is very attached to Molly and holds hands with her, copies everything she does and keeps sneaking smiles to her. Smiles that would melt iceburgs. Molly is tickled pink and doing an amazing job in her new role as big sister. Speaking of big sister, Molly's dream has come true - she is finally taller than someone else her age!! Ai Li is so petite.
We came back to the hotel, dropped things off and went to eat. After dinner we went to some stores to spoil her with a few shiny trinket things. Nothing doing! What did the trick was a pair of sneakers. She was in shoes that were obviously way too small for her and made her feet hurt. She just loves her new shoes and we had her run in the store to see how they fit. Lots of smiles.
We went to a park and the kids played and played and we got smiles, heard laughter and felt on top of the world as we saw our little girls sparkle. Cody is being an amazing help - getting near but not overwhelming, patiently waiting his turn for her recognition. It'll come. How could it not - she'll soon follow her sister's footsteps there too.
We came back, had some tea and got the 2 teddy bears ready for bed. She is so tickled at being able to change teddy's clothes.
Tina - I saw Mr. Li hand Teddi's care package to the staff today, so please feel some comfort in knowing that Teddi will have her snuggly bear to cuddle tonight.
I'm going to keep this short because everyone's in bed and 2 new eyes are peeping over the covers as I do this. I wish the camera battery wasn't so drained, because I'm longing to share her with you all.
Going to snug with my girls and see if I can do something with this permanent grin I'm wearing - but then, why should I? I look over my shoulder and see Steve still grinning too.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
In Guangzhou and ready to GO!!
We've had such an amazing week in Beijing, Chengdu, Changsha and Xiangtan. We've even made some friends who we'll keep in contact via email. For some reason, these photos are in reverse order. This is my second time creating this (first one disappeared when I tried to move photos around, so won't try that trick again).
We arrived in Guangzhou early this afternoon and went strolling around. When we got back, there was a message for us at the front desk from Mr. Li. Steve had a wonderful chat with him on the phone and he'll pick us up tomorrow at 1:30. We'll meet Ai Li between 2:30 and later, depending on their traffic. He has had a chat with Ai Li to prepare her and according to him, she is ready!! Sweeeeeeeeeeet. We are too!
Thanks to everyone for your prayers. It means so much.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
We're having a BLAST!!
We are having so much fun. We are filling every day and are just crashing at night. Our trip to the Great Wall was FREEZING!! We had on everything we owned and looked like wandering piles of laundry and we just couldn't keep those frigid winds out. But we did it!! Then we visited the Cloisonee (and I just know I haven't spelled that one right) factory - what an amazing and tedious process that is. There was a "special" restaurant upstairs of that which we ate at. We are so proud of our children - they have tried everything and we're all using chopsticks much to the amusement of all who watch. Some dishes don't get a second serving, but that's OK - everybody's having more fun doing this than not. After this, we drove to the Temple of Heaven, passing the site of the Olympics. Beijing is doing much to improve the look around there. Temple of Heaven was lovely, but by that time we'd had enough of the cold outdoors. Our guide mentioned that there were some shows in town, so we got tickets for the acrobats and loved that. Then we were dropped off at our hotel and collapsed in bed!!
Off to Chengdu the next morning bright and early. Had we not got a guide, there is no way we could have found ourselves around that airport. I have to say that this is the phlegmyist place I've ever been - throaty noises producing offerings every time you turn around!!!
Arrived in Chengdu just after lunch and wandered around with free-time. Went for hotpot for dinner - something we won't do again. A picture would explain it better, but can't do that right now. More details when we get back - I think we laughed more than we ate and the staff eventually had to come to our rescue and help us out.
We had the biggest treat at the Panda Research center the following morning. You just feel the specialness of the panda when you're there. We all got a chance to have our photo taken with one, and the one who responded to the keeper's call was JingJing - the one that the olympics mascot is named after!!
On to another 'special' lunch. They are not used to young men being as large as Cody is and assumed he was an adult and gave him a beer. Luckily we were able to stop that one before the pouring started!
Free time in the afternoon - Molls napped - and then we went to a traditional tea house with a show of many talents. It was wonderful. Cold, and outdoors, but wonderful.
Today we head out to Wenshu park and then fly to Changsha.
This is just so, so cool. The kids are totally into the whole experience and we couldn't be more proud of them.
More from Guangzhou. 4 days to go till we get our girl!!!!
Off to Chengdu the next morning bright and early. Had we not got a guide, there is no way we could have found ourselves around that airport. I have to say that this is the phlegmyist place I've ever been - throaty noises producing offerings every time you turn around!!!
Arrived in Chengdu just after lunch and wandered around with free-time. Went for hotpot for dinner - something we won't do again. A picture would explain it better, but can't do that right now. More details when we get back - I think we laughed more than we ate and the staff eventually had to come to our rescue and help us out.
We had the biggest treat at the Panda Research center the following morning. You just feel the specialness of the panda when you're there. We all got a chance to have our photo taken with one, and the one who responded to the keeper's call was JingJing - the one that the olympics mascot is named after!!
On to another 'special' lunch. They are not used to young men being as large as Cody is and assumed he was an adult and gave him a beer. Luckily we were able to stop that one before the pouring started!
Free time in the afternoon - Molls napped - and then we went to a traditional tea house with a show of many talents. It was wonderful. Cold, and outdoors, but wonderful.
Today we head out to Wenshu park and then fly to Changsha.
This is just so, so cool. The kids are totally into the whole experience and we couldn't be more proud of them.
More from Guangzhou. 4 days to go till we get our girl!!!!
Friday, February 8, 2008
This is it - we leave TOMORROW
So much to do, so little time left. What a huge experience we will have. As and when we can blog, we will. Thank you so much to all those who have prayed with us and for us, those who have sent well-wishes, those who have sent gifts for the children who have nothing, those who have cared every step of the way. You are all wing-sharers and make our worlds a brighter place.
Here we gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Here we gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Three Quotes Keep Me Going
We've reached the stage now where sleep is not coming easily. So much to do in order to be gone for so long. Customers and clients to not feel one worry about their files being handled. Animals to behave themselves for our amazing volunteers. Getting all the laundry done. Making sure the house is clean (I love coming home to a clean house and since there'll be others coming in, I'd just as soon not have them see this mess!), making sure we have all the appropriate schoolwork to take along so the kids aren't overwhelmed when we return, bills to pay now and in advance. It's just a LOT all of a sudden. In my mailbox in the last 2 days have come 3 quotes. I love them:
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Lao-Tzu
The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.
William Wordsworth
God gave us a distinct fingerprint to make a distinct imprint.
Keith A. Craft
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Lao-Tzu
The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.
William Wordsworth
God gave us a distinct fingerprint to make a distinct imprint.
Keith A. Craft
Monday, February 4, 2008
Keeping Up With The Big Kids
The Bouncing Bulldogs were again invited to perform at a Chinese New Year celebration as everyone welcomed the year of the Rat. This one, 2008, was less formal and a lot more fun than last year's. Here's Molly keeping up with the big kids. Our church families have donated money for jumpropes for the children and Molly's coach has given us 56 T-shirts and some double dutch ropes to take for them too. What a wonderful thing to do. Thank you so much everyone! We hope we can share the fun of the sport in the orphanage courtyard so that the kids can shine in their own way, just like Molly did when she learned how to jump. Coach gave Molly the high-five and told her to 'go change lives' and wear your Bulldog shirt with pride. She'll do just that.
Can You Train A Fish? You Can in China.
I am truly impressed with this man from China. He has trained fish. What fun!
Music For Our Eyes
One of Ai Li's friends just got her Mom and Dad - empty nesters with 11 grandchildren. They, like so many of us, have been 'called' to walk this wonderful path where the gift we receive is so much bigger than the gift we give. Well, they got to visit the orphanage. Their daughter, Alison, is the child in the fuschia pink jacket next to her mom.
Some of the kids who are waiting for families came to the office to check out her new family and of course, to see and touch their friend that they are missing so much. What a treat for all. We got a treat too!! A photo was taken and our little one is in it. She's wearing the red jacket with black dots on the collar. Talk about a gift!! An up-todate photo. Music for our eyes and hearts. If you click on the photo, it'll enlarge.
How brave these children are. How brave they will have to be, and they don't even know the huge turnaround that's about to happen to them. Looking at our daughter's face here, we can only imagine what's going through her mind.
Let's take a look at some of it:
In December 2006 she's lined up for some photos, has a medical and is apparently told she's now eligible for adoption. I think she understands partially what that might mean.
It's December 2007 and she's heard nothing. Did they forget all about me? My friend Jen got to be adopted - she left this month. They told me I was going to have a family too. Where are they? Is it today?
January 2008 - somebody does want me!! They sent me a care package! This is what they look like! OK - now I sort of understand. They wrote me a letter that says they're coming as soon as they can. Is it today? I have 4 friends that just left the orphanage last week. Not many of us big kids left. What is happening??? I'm scared. I miss my group.
Brenda made sure that the girls in this picture know that families are coming - just as quickly as we are allowed to. Thank you Brenda and Lynn for comforting our children and for this photo. What a treasure.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Two Wings Are Better Than One
I've heard it said that each of us are angels with just one wing ... and we can only fly by embracing one another ...
By now, we should be flapping on enough shared wing power to take us anywhere if we were to measure this journey by the people who have embraced us, embraced our waiting daughter, embraced the magic of adoption.
We have found that the majority of people who hear about our life journey step in with warm wishes, offers of help, excitement and genuine curiosity from a good place. Most of them. OK - we've had some of the curiosity factor coming from people who are just downright nosy and don't care a flip about any of it - they just want to poke themselves in where they don't belong so that they can spout their opinion, because it's obviously 'not something they'd ever consider'. We also have had people ask us "have you really thought about this?" Duh?? Who ARE you? (oftentimes this question comes from someone we have not met before). Do you think we have struggled with paper mountains, protocol quagmires and endless waiting WITHOUT a thought? This is not a process for the faint-hearted, let me assure you.
So - as most families who grow through adoption have learned - we don't pre-judge, but ask one simple question to figure out where a particular line of questioning is coming from. I practice my standard response to people: "why do you ask?" This is usually an opportunity for someone to stop and think - sometimes they realize that they are touched enough to perhaps consider this for themselves and we take the conversation to a new level, as they genuinely feel connected; sometimes they realize that they are being something less than an in-your-face pest and that allows them to leave the conversation gracefully, while they still can.
The Cox family, recently home with Ai Li's friend Jen, call the people who touched their journey in a positive light Joy Sowers. Isn't that beautiful? So, we have Joy Sowers and Wing Sharers.
Our Wing Sharers are endless. God, His Angels, each other here at home, our families, the big, burly guards and folks at the Department of Homeland Security who have been simply delightful to us when we've met, the Social Workers, the teachers and moms at school - the kids at school (they're so in to this), our friends, our church families, the amazing group of yahoo families who wait or share joys of their new children from Zhuhai (talk about sharing an incredible bond). We now know that 10 of Ai Li's friends will be scattered across the U.S. and we can keep our girls connected, just like we stay connected with our Xiangtan girls. How do you begin to thank everyone for sharing a wing?? I cannot find the words, but the feeling is very, very real.
In June 2007, we started telling people that we'd be travelling to China "next year".
Now we say "next week".
It's truly happening. Finally. We're so wired, so happy, so tired, so nervous, so hopeful, so excited, so thankful, so lucky, so incredibly honored.
By now, we should be flapping on enough shared wing power to take us anywhere if we were to measure this journey by the people who have embraced us, embraced our waiting daughter, embraced the magic of adoption.
We have found that the majority of people who hear about our life journey step in with warm wishes, offers of help, excitement and genuine curiosity from a good place. Most of them. OK - we've had some of the curiosity factor coming from people who are just downright nosy and don't care a flip about any of it - they just want to poke themselves in where they don't belong so that they can spout their opinion, because it's obviously 'not something they'd ever consider'. We also have had people ask us "have you really thought about this?" Duh?? Who ARE you? (oftentimes this question comes from someone we have not met before). Do you think we have struggled with paper mountains, protocol quagmires and endless waiting WITHOUT a thought? This is not a process for the faint-hearted, let me assure you.
So - as most families who grow through adoption have learned - we don't pre-judge, but ask one simple question to figure out where a particular line of questioning is coming from. I practice my standard response to people: "why do you ask?" This is usually an opportunity for someone to stop and think - sometimes they realize that they are touched enough to perhaps consider this for themselves and we take the conversation to a new level, as they genuinely feel connected; sometimes they realize that they are being something less than an in-your-face pest and that allows them to leave the conversation gracefully, while they still can.
The Cox family, recently home with Ai Li's friend Jen, call the people who touched their journey in a positive light Joy Sowers. Isn't that beautiful? So, we have Joy Sowers and Wing Sharers.
Our Wing Sharers are endless. God, His Angels, each other here at home, our families, the big, burly guards and folks at the Department of Homeland Security who have been simply delightful to us when we've met, the Social Workers, the teachers and moms at school - the kids at school (they're so in to this), our friends, our church families, the amazing group of yahoo families who wait or share joys of their new children from Zhuhai (talk about sharing an incredible bond). We now know that 10 of Ai Li's friends will be scattered across the U.S. and we can keep our girls connected, just like we stay connected with our Xiangtan girls. How do you begin to thank everyone for sharing a wing?? I cannot find the words, but the feeling is very, very real.
In June 2007, we started telling people that we'd be travelling to China "next year".
Now we say "next week".
It's truly happening. Finally. We're so wired, so happy, so tired, so nervous, so hopeful, so excited, so thankful, so lucky, so incredibly honored.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
It's a done deal now!
I'm talking about our flights. We have an itinerary that's confirmed in writing.
Feb. 9th: Leave Raleigh at 9:00 a.m. to Detroit to Beijing, arriving the evening of the 10th
We'll visit the Great Wall and anything else along the way on the 11th. Can't imagine we'll be dealing with any crowds on this excursion!
Fly to Chengdu on the 12th. Visit the Panda reservation and anything else we hear of. Right now the city is iced-in and dealing with lots of problems as a result. The road has been badly damaged and it's unclear as to how we're pulling this one off. By rickshaw, foot or bicycle, we will do what we can (what a sight!), but I truly hope a taxi or a bus will do the trick.
We have decided not to take the train between Chengdu and Changsha due to the weather, but more due to the mountains. Well, I have decided this. I don't do small, windey roads well at all, and certainly not on the precipice of some mountain or cliffside track. All I would be able to think about is plunging down, down, down, unceremoniously wearing the contents from the 'facilities buckets' as we spiralled to the nether regions below. Too gross. I cannot do this. Travel agent strongly recommends against it as well. We'll listen to her. We'll fly.
Fly to Changsha on the 14th. Do some stuff here, spend a day in Xiangtan where Molly is from and anything else we can discover along the way. Molls, darling, we've wanted this for a while, haven't we? It'll be so special and so amazing to revisit the day we found each other and became attached through our hearts, always and forever. Weather-wise, they're having similar problems due to ravages from winter storms, but they're not as remote and jungle filled, so not as worried.
Fly to Guangzhou on the 17th
Forever Day is on the 18th - oh my stars, it's really happening - we open our arms to our new daughter - we've been waiting and waiting for just this moment. 'Scuse me - I've got a lump the size of a sock in my throat right now - can't even type it without choking up.
We leave Guangzhou on March 1st so there's lots of time for exploration and discovery. One side trip we're working on is the Li River in Guilin. Not sure if we'll fly in and out or take a train ride to show Ai Li how beautiful things are outside of the walls. She's seen some sights already, because Zhuhai is a coastal city and very beautiful I'm told. The link on this page to the sights can confirm that.
Are we crazy to be trying to stuff 6 weeks of travel experiences into this time frame? Of course we are, but we're going to have such fun doing it!!
Steve, sweetie - we get to have sunrises (Sue's joys) and sunsets (Steve's joys) on the other side of the World!!!!! I have such excited and happy jeebers again. I know you do too!
Feb. 9th: Leave Raleigh at 9:00 a.m. to Detroit to Beijing, arriving the evening of the 10th
We'll visit the Great Wall and anything else along the way on the 11th. Can't imagine we'll be dealing with any crowds on this excursion!
Fly to Chengdu on the 12th. Visit the Panda reservation and anything else we hear of. Right now the city is iced-in and dealing with lots of problems as a result. The road has been badly damaged and it's unclear as to how we're pulling this one off. By rickshaw, foot or bicycle, we will do what we can (what a sight!), but I truly hope a taxi or a bus will do the trick.
We have decided not to take the train between Chengdu and Changsha due to the weather, but more due to the mountains. Well, I have decided this. I don't do small, windey roads well at all, and certainly not on the precipice of some mountain or cliffside track. All I would be able to think about is plunging down, down, down, unceremoniously wearing the contents from the 'facilities buckets' as we spiralled to the nether regions below. Too gross. I cannot do this. Travel agent strongly recommends against it as well. We'll listen to her. We'll fly.
Fly to Changsha on the 14th. Do some stuff here, spend a day in Xiangtan where Molly is from and anything else we can discover along the way. Molls, darling, we've wanted this for a while, haven't we? It'll be so special and so amazing to revisit the day we found each other and became attached through our hearts, always and forever. Weather-wise, they're having similar problems due to ravages from winter storms, but they're not as remote and jungle filled, so not as worried.
Fly to Guangzhou on the 17th
Forever Day is on the 18th - oh my stars, it's really happening - we open our arms to our new daughter - we've been waiting and waiting for just this moment. 'Scuse me - I've got a lump the size of a sock in my throat right now - can't even type it without choking up.
We leave Guangzhou on March 1st so there's lots of time for exploration and discovery. One side trip we're working on is the Li River in Guilin. Not sure if we'll fly in and out or take a train ride to show Ai Li how beautiful things are outside of the walls. She's seen some sights already, because Zhuhai is a coastal city and very beautiful I'm told. The link on this page to the sights can confirm that.
Are we crazy to be trying to stuff 6 weeks of travel experiences into this time frame? Of course we are, but we're going to have such fun doing it!!
Steve, sweetie - we get to have sunrises (Sue's joys) and sunsets (Steve's joys) on the other side of the World!!!!! I have such excited and happy jeebers again. I know you do too!
This is SO cool
I tried to put the actual video right here ...................... but I'm not that good. Please click on this amazing link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N1j-MwDxRs to see something I am in awe of. Sure they're Chinese dancers, and I'm very partial to that which is Chinese, but what makes this more special - other than the obvious talent these beautiful women have, is that they are all deaf. This is just very, very wowish.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
It's all in a name
Emma. We've used this name for our child in several instances - like telling everyone we know.
We love the name Ai Li. That's who, to us, this twinkly, smiley kid is. We remind ourselves that statistically, when foreign adoptees are aware of their new surroundings, they want to belong. Especially the older kids. To them, an American name helps. Some switch back and forth - one minute not wanting to give up their identity, the other minute wanting to have a new identity that helps them to forget their past. So - it is a necessity for paperwork ahead of time in preparing passport and visa for her to have both names. We will be honoring her choice of what name she wants to be called and when, and we secretly hope she chooses to keep her beautiful Chinese name.
Emma is also a name we love. From the more recent pictures we have of her she is simply not an Emma to us. She is our sparkling child, full of a personality that shines through and Emma no longer feels right. I've been struggling with this. Steve's been in 'his box' giving it no thought at all because he thought the matter was settled and everyone had been told.
Out of left field, in church 2 Sundays ago a name came to me and we absolutely love it.
Ours is a church where we feel free to have urgent private discussions of this importance while Rod is preaching. He'd understand completely - we got a message in his church - how great is that?? Thanks Angels! Actually we think we need to rub his arm before we leave - every time we involve him in our adoption process and tell him our feelings, he has his pow-wow with his other preacher friends and voila! things start happening again. He's a good-luck charm of sorts, albeit a rather tall one, but he is "connected".
We are seated - he's talking and we are whispering - sort of. Ever tried a word with the letter 's' in it when you're not supposed to be saying anything at all? Comes out like a ginormous hiss, like it or not. So there we were, hissing and struggling with do we? don't we? let's; nawww - we've already told everyone. So what? Tell them again - it's our decision - no big wup - nothing's etched in stone yet.
Decision made. Two smiling faces get back into the Sunday sermon. Didn't we feel chuffed with ourselves!
This name that 'appeared' is Layne - or Laney. Not heard it before. Love it. Actually, we're working on the spelling right now. Love Laney, but it might be too cutsey later on? We try it on for size, picturing her as a successful adult woman on the phone .... "Yes, good morning, this is Layne Huber calling" - hey, not bad. It's a keeper.
Something similar happened to me when I was wrestling with a name for Molly, but I wasn't in church - I was in the shower. Both times I have looked the name up and both times it just felt right.
Molly = wished-for child (in the book I checked)
Layne = bright shining light (on the site I checked)
How could we not listen to these insights? It's a God thing. Bright shining light - seems perfect for such a sparkling personality.
We love the name Ai Li. That's who, to us, this twinkly, smiley kid is. We remind ourselves that statistically, when foreign adoptees are aware of their new surroundings, they want to belong. Especially the older kids. To them, an American name helps. Some switch back and forth - one minute not wanting to give up their identity, the other minute wanting to have a new identity that helps them to forget their past. So - it is a necessity for paperwork ahead of time in preparing passport and visa for her to have both names. We will be honoring her choice of what name she wants to be called and when, and we secretly hope she chooses to keep her beautiful Chinese name.
Emma is also a name we love. From the more recent pictures we have of her she is simply not an Emma to us. She is our sparkling child, full of a personality that shines through and Emma no longer feels right. I've been struggling with this. Steve's been in 'his box' giving it no thought at all because he thought the matter was settled and everyone had been told.
Out of left field, in church 2 Sundays ago a name came to me and we absolutely love it.
Ours is a church where we feel free to have urgent private discussions of this importance while Rod is preaching. He'd understand completely - we got a message in his church - how great is that?? Thanks Angels! Actually we think we need to rub his arm before we leave - every time we involve him in our adoption process and tell him our feelings, he has his pow-wow with his other preacher friends and voila! things start happening again. He's a good-luck charm of sorts, albeit a rather tall one, but he is "connected".
We are seated - he's talking and we are whispering - sort of. Ever tried a word with the letter 's' in it when you're not supposed to be saying anything at all? Comes out like a ginormous hiss, like it or not. So there we were, hissing and struggling with do we? don't we? let's; nawww - we've already told everyone. So what? Tell them again - it's our decision - no big wup - nothing's etched in stone yet.
Decision made. Two smiling faces get back into the Sunday sermon. Didn't we feel chuffed with ourselves!
This name that 'appeared' is Layne - or Laney. Not heard it before. Love it. Actually, we're working on the spelling right now. Love Laney, but it might be too cutsey later on? We try it on for size, picturing her as a successful adult woman on the phone .... "Yes, good morning, this is Layne Huber calling" - hey, not bad. It's a keeper.
Something similar happened to me when I was wrestling with a name for Molly, but I wasn't in church - I was in the shower. Both times I have looked the name up and both times it just felt right.
Molly = wished-for child (in the book I checked)
Layne = bright shining light (on the site I checked)
How could we not listen to these insights? It's a God thing. Bright shining light - seems perfect for such a sparkling personality.
Just Sparkling
Couldn't resist. This is who we smile back at on the computer. We just can't wait to see this precious little person we get to call 'our daughter'.
Monday, January 28, 2008
We have dates!
Well, after much confusion and frustrations with time differences between our home, our agency and China, we have an official confirmation from the U.S. Consulate of February 27th. This allowed us an official adoption date of February 18th. Whew. That's that. The arrows on the map to the left indicate our journey. More details to come when we have them - I have a trip to plan!
Friday, January 25, 2008
The Empty Box
Not much mention of my husband, Steve in these posts. How's he handling all of the stress, the angst of not knowing, the waiting that seems to never end .........? Well, it's like this: if you ask him he'll tell you that his wife worries so much about it all that he doesn't need to - I'm doing enough for both of us. So, that part's taken care of.
Let him see a new photo of his little waiting girl, or have him read or hear anything about her city and every ounce of Daddy comes right to the top. He can choke-up with just the thought of the day we meet her and he is very, very proud to be on this journey. Humbled too. That's my Steve. My special, special Steve.
He does worry though. And he worries about his daughter Melissa who is in Iraq serving the likes of you and me. She is an Apache Helicopter pilot - one of the brave ones out front in the gunships. He is on constant news alert from afar. His prayers are stretched thin, and we'd appreciate yours for her safety. For the safety of all soldiers. For peace.
Why isn't he coming unglued too I often wonder and to be perfectly honest it irritates me somewhat on occasion because I'm jealous that he can compartmentalize (is that a word?) the whole process. He is the level one, the voice of reason, the calmer-downer - a mutant if you will.
Someone on one of the adoption lists we're on sent this video to the group because he found it very funny. I think it explains the whole thing perfectly. Here it is:
http://marriageresourcecenter.org/videogallery/4/med/VideoWidget8.htm
So as my wires are zapping and zzzz-ing all over the place, he just opens his empty box and has a visit with it. I WANT A BOX TOO!!
Let him see a new photo of his little waiting girl, or have him read or hear anything about her city and every ounce of Daddy comes right to the top. He can choke-up with just the thought of the day we meet her and he is very, very proud to be on this journey. Humbled too. That's my Steve. My special, special Steve.
He does worry though. And he worries about his daughter Melissa who is in Iraq serving the likes of you and me. She is an Apache Helicopter pilot - one of the brave ones out front in the gunships. He is on constant news alert from afar. His prayers are stretched thin, and we'd appreciate yours for her safety. For the safety of all soldiers. For peace.
Why isn't he coming unglued too I often wonder and to be perfectly honest it irritates me somewhat on occasion because I'm jealous that he can compartmentalize (is that a word?) the whole process. He is the level one, the voice of reason, the calmer-downer - a mutant if you will.
Someone on one of the adoption lists we're on sent this video to the group because he found it very funny. I think it explains the whole thing perfectly. Here it is:
http://marriageresourcecenter.org/videogallery/4/med/VideoWidget8.htm
So as my wires are zapping and zzzz-ing all over the place, he just opens his empty box and has a visit with it. I WANT A BOX TOO!!
Love Grows
We invite you to watch a little montage we put together.
Each photograph is a treasure to us and allows us a tiny glimpse into her life to date. Be sure to have your speakers on - the song is just lovely. The children in the chorus are all kids who have found love and families through adoption. In the song, there is reference to a package. Our daughter got her package last week. She now knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt that a family wants HER, specially HER, and that her almost 10 year wait for love is over. WooHoo!!!!!
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=4366f9d09a04e3f2300b19&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url
When Molly was much younger, she learned a song at school. We'd sing it all the time. It goes like this:
Love grows one by one, two by two and four by four
Love grows round like a circle and comes back knocking on your front door
Before starting this process I wondered how on earth could I love another daughter as much as I love Molly? Would there enough room in my mom-heart? Better check with an expert. Someone who exudes the word love. Someone who, if I did just half of what she's done, would make me feel like I've done well as a parent. Someone who brings sunshine to those she meets. Someone who's a mother with a lot of children - good children. Someone who radiates that 'silver-lining' I sometimes have to force myself to see when things aren't going that well. She's so positive. If anyone would know, she would. This person has 7 children. This person is my beautiful mother. (Hi Mum. Made you cry here, didn't I? I love you.) Her answer was so simple, "Your heart stretches. You love each one just as intensely for the incredible human being that they are."
Yup. It's already started to happen. We all love our new daughter / sister already in a strange far away sort of way. I find myself singing the "Love Grows" song a lot lately. Molly no longer thinks I'm being corny - she's singing it too.
Each photograph is a treasure to us and allows us a tiny glimpse into her life to date. Be sure to have your speakers on - the song is just lovely. The children in the chorus are all kids who have found love and families through adoption. In the song, there is reference to a package. Our daughter got her package last week. She now knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt that a family wants HER, specially HER, and that her almost 10 year wait for love is over. WooHoo!!!!!
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=4366f9d09a04e3f2300b19&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url
When Molly was much younger, she learned a song at school. We'd sing it all the time. It goes like this:
Love grows one by one, two by two and four by four
Love grows round like a circle and comes back knocking on your front door
Before starting this process I wondered how on earth could I love another daughter as much as I love Molly? Would there enough room in my mom-heart? Better check with an expert. Someone who exudes the word love. Someone who, if I did just half of what she's done, would make me feel like I've done well as a parent. Someone who brings sunshine to those she meets. Someone who's a mother with a lot of children - good children. Someone who radiates that 'silver-lining' I sometimes have to force myself to see when things aren't going that well. She's so positive. If anyone would know, she would. This person has 7 children. This person is my beautiful mother. (Hi Mum. Made you cry here, didn't I? I love you.) Her answer was so simple, "Your heart stretches. You love each one just as intensely for the incredible human being that they are."
Yup. It's already started to happen. We all love our new daughter / sister already in a strange far away sort of way. I find myself singing the "Love Grows" song a lot lately. Molly no longer thinks I'm being corny - she's singing it too.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Travel Approval Just In
Hubers have their official travel approval - that's our TA in adoption lingo. Yay Hubers!! It left China on January 18th and got here on the 22nd.
Momma's gone into an information overload in the travel arena resulting in paralysis of all coherent thought processes. I cannot think. I cannot really even function. It's embarrassing. All you have to do is book the flight and press on - right?
Uh, no. Wrong. We don't have an official Consulate Appointment yet, which means that we don't know when we'll meet Ai Li, which means that we can't back-track events to get tickets. We wait. Again. Perhaps we'll know tomorrow, perhaps Monday. Perhaps I'll lose my mind. I need to have my thoughts wrapped around a schedule - that's who I am. Uncertainty of this kind creates all kinds of havoc in my brain and I sit in a tizzy trying to fix it, but it can't be fixed because it's not broken. It's just an unknown. Blechhhhh.
30 minutes and a cup of tea later life's actually going to be fine, I reckon. I have had a good working conversation with a travel agency who DO have a handle on these things (someone clonk me on the head for not just going straight to them in the first place, instead of trying to find out all sorts of options and deals on my own). They'll work on some options and let me know. How simple was that? By the way, the Cox family who have recently returned from China with adorable daughter Jen did tell me that it was easier to deal with an agency. I just had to busy myself doing something in case it replaced the ache - which it didn't. People - listen to those who have been there, done that. OK? Learn from this.
I've posted a link to some on-line photos of Zhuhai City from another site. Hope I haven't broken some internet protocol by doing this. Someone let me know, please, if I have.
Momma's gone into an information overload in the travel arena resulting in paralysis of all coherent thought processes. I cannot think. I cannot really even function. It's embarrassing. All you have to do is book the flight and press on - right?
Uh, no. Wrong. We don't have an official Consulate Appointment yet, which means that we don't know when we'll meet Ai Li, which means that we can't back-track events to get tickets. We wait. Again. Perhaps we'll know tomorrow, perhaps Monday. Perhaps I'll lose my mind. I need to have my thoughts wrapped around a schedule - that's who I am. Uncertainty of this kind creates all kinds of havoc in my brain and I sit in a tizzy trying to fix it, but it can't be fixed because it's not broken. It's just an unknown. Blechhhhh.
30 minutes and a cup of tea later life's actually going to be fine, I reckon. I have had a good working conversation with a travel agency who DO have a handle on these things (someone clonk me on the head for not just going straight to them in the first place, instead of trying to find out all sorts of options and deals on my own). They'll work on some options and let me know. How simple was that? By the way, the Cox family who have recently returned from China with adorable daughter Jen did tell me that it was easier to deal with an agency. I just had to busy myself doing something in case it replaced the ache - which it didn't. People - listen to those who have been there, done that. OK? Learn from this.
I've posted a link to some on-line photos of Zhuhai City from another site. Hope I haven't broken some internet protocol by doing this. Someone let me know, please, if I have.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Hurry Up and Wait
Our dossier was completed and sent to China on September 27th - that's our DTC - date to China. Then we waited We waited as it got translated. We waited as it was delivered to the correct department in China and we waited to be told of our official Log In Date - LID. We got a wonderful call in November to say that our Log In Date was October 31st. Yay!!
Now what? Well, wait of course! Wait for the coveted Letter of Acceptance - LOA. Wait, drive myself nuts wondering this, wondering that. Drive the family nuts too! Hello Thanksgiving! Goodbye Thanksgiving. Hello Christmas. Goodbye Christmas. Hello New Year. New Year - won't you please just bring us some news???
We've been remodeling a space upstairs to make room for another. Tired of painting and scrubbing and wallowing in dust, Molly and I head off for Target to get some new towels for the upstairs bathroom. Perhaps new towels will ease the pain of waiting. Doesn't the world know the ache in a mother's heart when a piece of it sits in another country, firmly attached to a child she's been loving without ever having met that child? It's like a jigsaw puzzle with a piece missing, and until you find the piece, the puzzle's not finished and it's not whole.
January 3rd, 2008. Bought towels. Pain still there. Crud. Can't we just hear something?? Ringgggggggg Ringgggggggg. Cell phone's ringing - where is it? I know it's in my purse. Hello?
our darling Ky at AAI is on the other end to tell us that IT'S here!! We got our LOA. What a joyful call to get!! "This is so awesome Ky, what do we do now?"
Ky tells me, "We get you to sign the LOA and we return it to China and then we wait for Travel Approval - TA".
Did she just say 'wait'? Again?????
Now what? Well, wait of course! Wait for the coveted Letter of Acceptance - LOA. Wait, drive myself nuts wondering this, wondering that. Drive the family nuts too! Hello Thanksgiving! Goodbye Thanksgiving. Hello Christmas. Goodbye Christmas. Hello New Year. New Year - won't you please just bring us some news???
We've been remodeling a space upstairs to make room for another. Tired of painting and scrubbing and wallowing in dust, Molly and I head off for Target to get some new towels for the upstairs bathroom. Perhaps new towels will ease the pain of waiting. Doesn't the world know the ache in a mother's heart when a piece of it sits in another country, firmly attached to a child she's been loving without ever having met that child? It's like a jigsaw puzzle with a piece missing, and until you find the piece, the puzzle's not finished and it's not whole.
January 3rd, 2008. Bought towels. Pain still there. Crud. Can't we just hear something?? Ringgggggggg Ringgggggggg. Cell phone's ringing - where is it? I know it's in my purse. Hello?
our darling Ky at AAI is on the other end to tell us that IT'S here!! We got our LOA. What a joyful call to get!! "This is so awesome Ky, what do we do now?"
Ky tells me, "We get you to sign the LOA and we return it to China and then we wait for Travel Approval - TA".
Did she just say 'wait'? Again?????
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
