Safari Park Day

We started off this morning by going back to the medical clinic so they could check Ian's arm for TB.  He was negative-yeah.  Then we were off to the Safari Park with the other CAWLI family here.

We all sweated our behinds off, but we still had a fantabulous time at the park.  The boys had a great time seeing all the animals, and even getting to feed the giraffes.  We saw lots of pandas of course as well.  After the park, we came back to the hotel and tried out their swimming pool which is on the roof of our hotel.  Nice swimming hole for sure ;)

Pee Pee

I hear these words ALL THE TIME from Ian. This boy has to pee more times a
day than I thought humanly possible! Good thing we are in China and he just
has to stop at a tree any and everywhere-LOL. Now me on the other hand, I
have to luxury of using one of these lovely toilets all the time ;)

Mother's Day in GZ

Sorry brain is tired, so you get it bullet style today:

• Ian gave me my first unsolicited hug this morning.  So sweet and just out of the blue as we were walking down to breakfast this morning.
• Missing my kiddos at home like crazy
• Still going without makeup, kinda enjoying it
• We went out shopping or at least the guide's version of shopping (big mall, high prices) this morning with our guide.  I wasn't impressed and look forward to shopping with Ann from www.redthreadchina.com on Wednesday.
• After the shopping trip, I took the wife of the other CAWLI family to Shamian Island.  She is Chinese, but was born in America.  She is very much American now, married to caucasian
• This is her first adoption (5th child), so she wanted to visit the island
• We did a lot of looking and chatting with what felt like old friends (shop keepers) on the island
• Enjoyed some tea with our old Wuchuan (Faith's birth city) friend in one of the shops
• Had lunch at Lucy's (remember it was Lisa's first trip to the island)
• Then we stopped off at Starbucks for a little break from shopping.  Travis and I split a yummy piece of cheesecake :)  Hey, it is Mother's Day ya know!
• We left the island and headed over to the Garden where Lisa is staying
• I took Lisa and her husband down to the massage parlor (CJ's favorite place in China)
• We all enjoyed our Mother's Day massages (Ian didn't want one)
• Afterwards we went to dinner at a local Chinese food restaurant, it was very good
• The boys and I then hailed a taxi and headed back here to the Shifu
• We are turning in finally since we are heading out to the Safari Park tomorrow morning

Wanted to wish my moma a very Happy Mother's Day today!!  Pretty sure I got the best moma around.  I am certain that my kiddos are blessed with the best Nana in the world.  She can't wait to rottenize Ian as soon as she can ;) 

Saturday in GZ

After the medical, the boys and I ventured out on our own.  Our guide pointed us in the direction of a children's park and we were off!  Crazy yes I know, but I did have the name of the park written down and just kept stopping and asking people which direction to go.  We made it safe and sound and even managed to find a short cut back to the hotel. 

Only food we found convenient was McDs.  At least this is the first time we have eaten real food there this trip.  And hey, I had a coupon!!  Happy to have my adventurous eater Travis with me on this trip so we haven't had to eat here often.

We walked through the pet market this afternoon as well.  All kinds of animals, even ducks and squirrels and chipmunks in cages.  Sure hoping they are really being used as pets and not dinner-LOL.

For dinner, we walked to the island.  Yes, even though it was getting dark.  Had dinner at Lucy's upon Travis' request and then the boys played some at the park.  No more little shops on the island really, so we just walked around and then headed back across the bridge to our hotel.  In the dark and through all the little alleyways.  I think I have completely lost my mind ;)

First Stop In GZ

We are here at the Holiday Inn Shifu in Guangzhou.  This hotel is awesome!  They actually have mattresses instead of plywood to sleep on.  They even have real air conditioning :)  And free food all day too, so let's just say I love it here already.

I started the day off as usual skyping with my family back home.  Really starting to miss my kiddos left behind.  So glad I do get to talk to them everyday though. 

Next we were off to the medical appointment.  The medical is in a new nicer facility now.  Crazy that they make everyone come at the same time, but it wasn't too bad.  Ian had to get a TB test which requires a shot in his arm.  As you can see, he wasn't too happy about that.

My Kind of Town

Check it out, I even use coupons in China-LOL

Muslim Market in Xi'an

Our last night in Xi'an we hit the streets and had our guide drop just me and the boys off at the open air Muslim markets.  This place is like a flea market on steroids!  Shops and vendors all selling and bargaining to your hearts desire.  Food vendors line the streets selling ALL kinds of foods (well I think it was all food???). 

Travis had a lot of fun bargaining for some of the fake Nike shirts and small souvenir type stuff.  I thought that my sister would have been in heaven here, but my husband would have said it was hell on earth-LOL.  The boys and I had a great time just having fun and taking it all in.

City Wall in Xian

 I wanted to post about going to the city wall in Xi'an.  The boys rented bikes and rode half way around the entire inner city on top of the wall.  Travis really enjoyed it, as well as Ian and Kobe.  Pretty neat part of the city to visit.  Too hot for mama though :)

Sound of Mama

Best Mother's Day present ever...

MAMA

Yes, Ian is now calling me Mama and often :)

Legend of Kobe

A few have asked who is this mystery man named Kobe and where did he come from.  I believe he was sent straight out of heaven to my son.  He really has been an angel here on earth during the entire adoption. 

I "met" Kobe through Rob (Ian's amazing advocate).  I had asked Rob if there was anyone he knew that could possibly tutor Ian in English while I waiting on the paperwork process.  Rob sent me to Kobe, and well the rest is history!

Kobe started seeing Ian every weekend for me since October of last year.  Kobe at first would go and visit Ian in the orphanage and do some simple English lessons.  Around Decemberish, Kobe was able to start taking Ian out of the orphanage on the weekends to do some things around town like eating out and just being a kid outside the orphanage.  In February Kobe was even able to take Ian to his hometown for an entire week during Chinese New Year.  Needless to say, this arrangement has been a.m.a.z.i.n.g!!

I have been getting updates and pictures every single weekend for the past 7 months of my waiting son.  This is not "normal" for a China adoption.  I have been SO very blessed to have Kobe taking care of Ian and preparing him for my arrival and the adoption.  It has made a world of difference for Ian.  He was very well aware of who I was and what is currently happening to him.  Kobe is truly a miracle.

Yes, I have been paying Kobe; however, please know that Kobe has not been doing this for the money.  He has been doing this for the "orphan", and doing this because he feels like it is part of God's work.  I don't know if Kobe realized how much he would truly fall in love with my son, but he did.  And it was oh so very hard to let him go today knowing how much he loves Ian.

The good thing is that Ian will be able to "see" Kobe on the computer via Skype.  I pray that I am able to keep in touch with this angel named Kobe.  I pray for his heart to heal from the loss of being physically together with Ian.  Kobe will always be a very special part of Ian, and for that I am so very grateful.

It was very very hard to say goodbye at the airport.  Knowing that I am taking Ian away from his homeland and from his best friend Kobe all at the same time.  We all cried the big ugly cry at the airport.  Even Travis had tears as he has really enjoyed Kobe this past week.  And to watch Kobe say goodbye to Ian for the last time...well just imagine it yourself.  I know it is for the best, but it didn't make the separation any easier.  We love you Kobe, please know that you will never be forgotten.

Made it To Guangzhou

We are here at the Holiday Inn Shifu.  It is very late and I can’t get my VPN to work, so I am emailing here to the blog.  Hope to get it working soon so I can post some pics and other things about our day.  Stay tuned…

Orphanage Visit

We went to visit Ian's orphanage the Xi'an Children's Welfare Institute.  It was only about a 30 minute drive from the hotel.  I made it clear to my guide that I wanted to be told the truth about whatever would be said during the visit.  I know that the guides sometimes pick and choose what is translated back to me, so I told Kobe in front of our guide that I only wanted the truth. 

We started out by seeing Ian's room and where he has been living for about a year now.  Ian was fine going inside and letting me take the pictures.  Then we went into a room for me to ask some questions about his history.  I started getting confirmation on what I was thinking since I have known Ian. My thoughts are that there is no way I could get such a good boy that had only been raised in an orphanage, I believe he has been in a foster home at some point in his life.  Finally, after me asking a lot of questions, my guide called the director and indeed she confirmed my suspicions. We think he spent about 4 years of his life in a foster home.  Unfortunately, no one wanted to tell me any details about that fact.  Anyhow, I plan to have Kobe ask around and maybe find out the truth for Ian to have in the future.

Ian was fine in his building, but when we walked to the other building where he supposedly spent the first 7 years of his life, Ian refused to enter the building.  He opted to stay in the van outside while we went in to see the babies and younger children.  No pics were allowed inside, but I had Travis use his iPod to snap some photos.  I will download those later.

Finally the children that Ian lived with arrived back from school.  Ian passed out some candies and said his goodbyes.  At one point Ian started crying and was sad.  The guide said that she thought maybe he was realizing it was his last goodbye, but I thought different.  So they asked him if he wanted to go or was he sad about leaving.  He immediately said let's go, and perked right back up.  So sad to me that he is ready to walk away from his prior life just like that.  I am happy though that he likes me and wants to be with us now.

I can say that yes once again I have walked the halls of an orphanage.  Once you have done this, your life will never be the same.  SO many children need to have real homes.  I am so thankful that I get to share life with 4 of them.

Thursday Morning

We all slept very well last night.  Ian was dreaming and calling out Travis' name in his sleep-LOL.  Guess he likes his new brother :)  I even was able to sleep until 7am myself.  We then went to breakfast as usual. 

Travis really wanted to go back to a park that Kobe had taken us the other day.  Problem...no Kobe.  So what's a mom to do?!?  Go at it alone!  Yes, we ventured out and were able to find the park after having my guide call the hotel person to write the name of the park down on a card for me.  We made it!

The boys enjoyed all the rides once again.  We had a lot of fun together.  Once back at the hotel, the boys went swimming again, then we went to lunch at the same restaurant...again.  Then we were back at the hotel in time to meet our guide/driver to take us to the orphanage (will do another post).  Today has been so busy I will have to break up into 3 posts-haha.

Clay Pot People

New clever name for the ancient Terra Cotta Warriors, courtesy of my sister-LOL.  Yes, we ventured out bright and early this morning to see the clay pot people!  I asked Kobe and his girlfriend to join us since they had never been.  Yes, they have lived in Xi'an their whole lives but never been to see the warriors.  Anyhow we all went together and it was another great day in Xi'an.

After the warriors, we ate at KFC, then went to see the old city wall that surrounds the inner city of Xi'an.  The boys rented bikes and sweated their bootys off riding around the top of the city.  Us gals enjoyed some nice cold water under an umbrella-haha.

After everyone left this afternoon, I took the boys swimming again.  Then we visited the same Chinese restaurant for dinner again since Travis is in love with their sweet and sour chicken.  Afterwards the boys wanted to do nightlife again at the park, so....we did :)

Another fantabulous day watching Ian come out of his shell.  We are going to the orphanage tomorrow for him to say his last goodbyes :(.  I had Kobe tell him this afternoon that we were going tomorrow, and before Kobe good even finish Ian stopped him with a question.  "But I will come back here after, right?"  Wow, after only 4 days with us Ian wants to make sure that we don't leave him at the orphanage. How sad my heart is that Ian's home for 8 years has been so bad that he would want to stay with strangers after only 4 days.  (I know people hope their child would prefer to stay with them, but I know that it must not be a good place for him to have lived if he is ready to just walk away without a fuss.)  None of this is new to me, but it is very different to "know" something, than it is to live it.

So please send up some special prayers for us tomorrow as we spend time in the orphanage.  Thanks so much for all the comments, as I read each and every one.

Picture Problems

Unfortunately my computer is not letting me upload my pics of the warrior visit today.  Hoping after a reboot later I can.  Stay tuned...

The Little Things

Slowly I can see the little things that show me Ian is getting more comfortable with us.  He started finally speaking to us today!  First word=TRAVIS :)  And then it was Travis Travis over and over again.  He also has said OK, no, oh yeah.

He comes to me now to tie the string in his shorts, open his drinks, and he asks for things by pointing to them.  He enjoys Curious George on the iPad, and I have no idea why Caleb only downloaded one cartoon-ohya.

Oh and also before when we would enter the elevator, he would move to the other side than I was on.  Now he immediately comes to stand beside me when others enter the elevator. 

For now, we will celebrate all the little things!  One step at a time, one day at a time. 

The Nightlife is Amazing

I took the boys swimming again, this time I even got in.  Pretty sure Ian did some trust and bonding with me in the pool since he can't swim.  I finally was able to hold him!  He is oh SO skinny.  He laughed and giggled the whole time. 

For dinner, Travis wanted to go back to a Chinese restaurant that we had before.  Problem: no Kobe or guide to get us there.  SO....I had the guide call the hotel lobby and she asked them to right down the name of the restaurant for me on a card.  I went down and asked them to just point me in the right direction-haha-and we were off!  I just stopped every other block or so and showed my card to people, they would point me in the next direction to take. (I know my mom is having a fit right now-LOL)  Anyhow, we made it!!

After dinner, we walked back to the hotel and stopped at the park (same one we play at every morning) for a bit.  Now of course everyone knows not to stay out after dark without a guide.  Well....

WE DID, and were oh so blessed by doing it!!

After dark the park turned into an amazing treat for me.  The atmosphere was just like being on the boardwalk in Disney World.  Everyone was out with their families having just a wonderful time.  I watched all the kids playing, the people dancing, the overall sense of just being happy surrounded by others.  It was really a.m.a.z.i.n.g. 

My what a way to end a perfect day.  Someone needs to pinch me here, I think I have won the lottery of all adoption trips!

Tuesday Adventures...so far

We woke up this morning and had breakfast at the hotel as usual.  Ian is not a picky eater, he doesn't over eat, or hoard food.  His favorite is watermelon (like my Shelby's in China).

After breakfast Kobe arrived and we went to the park to try out the new whip that Kobe made for Travis.  He made the whip for the spinning top game called “monkey” here in China.  The boys love it.  Next we fed the birds in the park.  Ian will share the bird food freely and even offers to give everyone some.  He is a sweet boy.

Next we met our driver to go to the police station where we had to do the paperwork for Ian’s passport to be issued.  It was crazy there in the station with all the adoption families.  We left there and had the driver to drop us at a restaurant for lunch. We had a great Chinese lunch again (forgot to take picture).  Travis is getting really good using only chop sticks.  I am the only one who asks for a fork!

We left to meet Kobe’s mom at another park.  I had requested to meet her since I knew she must be an incredible lady to have raised such a kind son.  She was just as I suspected, and very nice person.  We chatted in the park since she knows English, and the boys played.  It was very neat to talk to her.  She is a foster mom now and loves the orphan.  She wanted to make sure that I was a Christian woman so that I would promise to teach Ian about Jesus.  I assured her that I would.  I really enjoyed our visit.

When we left the park, Kobe could not find us a taxi.  So….we went adventurous!!  Started out on the bus, then moved on to a motorcycle taxi-haha.  I know my husband is having a coronary now reading this.  I took a few pics to show just how crazy the motorcycle driver was and how close they get to other moving cars.  Needless to say, we are officially crazy here in China.  Hey when in Rome…

Great day so far for sure.  Kobe just left and I am going to take the boys to the swimming pool again.  Who knows what the evening might bring?!?!?

Monday Night in Xi'an

After the paperwork was completed we came back to the hotel for a while.  Kobe left and then I took the boys swimming here at the hotel.  Kobe leaves every afternoon around 3pm.  Ian has no problem telling him goodbye.  No crying, no sadness at all.  It is truly amazing as I expected it to be difficult everyday, but it is no big deal to Ian. 

After swimming, we ventured out on our own again to a mall this time.  We had Subway for dinner, and of course I found McDs for dessert :)  We walked back to the hotel and were all fast asleep by 9pm.  Everyone slept all night this time except for me of course (but no worries as I don't sleep all night at home either-lol).

Everything is going incredibly well.  Travis and I are enjoying China like crazy!!  Miss my family back home, but I know they are in good hands.  Trying to soak up all we can since my husband says it will be the last trip here ;)

Officially One Less

What a true miracle I get to be a part of here today.  My son is orphan no more!  We completed the paperwork and he is officially a Straight forever.  We wrapped up the day with a Skype video call with Rob, Ian's advocate and warrior for Christ.  How amazing that my son has found his way home to us, all because of one young man, Rob a volunteer for Bring Me Hope, who cared so much for him after just one week of knowing Ian.  And yes, now I know just how special Ian is thanks to Rob...what a modern day miracle!! 

Thanks be to God for His guidance and blessings throughout Ian's story :)

Good, Bad, and Ugly

Well you all know that I don't sugarcoat on the blog.  I lay it all out there "straight talk" and to the point.  So here goes...

Good:  Ian is doing great.  He isn't clinging to Kobe, he freely goes with me and Travis.  He is a very shy kid, but his trust is building with us.  No crying at all and we had a fantastic day so far.  Amazing it is only 3PM and it feels like we have been out all day playing.  The boys are wonderful together.  It has brought out the "kid" in Travis again which is great to see.  I think Ian is going to be a good medium for Travis not having to be mature as Caleb.  I sometimes forget that Travis is just 9 years old when he is with just Caleb.  Ian and Travis seem to fit together like peas and carrots :)

Bad: Ugly:

Oh wait a minute, I don't have any material yet for those other categories!! LOL  I know you only came for the pictures anyhow, so here you go.  I really really did try to find some bad sad faces, but  none to be found.  God is good!!

Monday in Xi'an

Well the night went nothing like I expected.  Ian played happily on his iPod until it was time for bed.  I gave him his night clothes and he changed right away.  I typed in google translate that we were going to go to bed and that he needed to go potty first.  All was well. 

We only have 1 king bed in the room (oh and it feels like plywood with just a sheet over it).  So we all shared the bed with Ian in the middle.  He laid down, closed his eyes, and he was out-and actually still is now.  No crying or anything all night.

I can already see that "spark" that Rob (Ian's advocate) saw in him.  Ian is still quite shy and reserved with us, but I know he will get comfortable soon.  Ian doesn't talk to us yet; however, he did say hello to CJ last night on Skype.  Pretty sure that was the first time he spoke for me all day.  Hoping today we get to hear more from him.

Kobe did say that Ian can read pretty well, happy to hear that.  He also is very smart as I can see already.  After just one visit to our room, he already knew which buttons to push on the elevator and remembered our room number.  He is just as smart as Rob said he was :)

We are waking up now and going to get ready for another adventurous day here in Xi'an.  We will go to breakfast first, then Kobe will come around 10am.  Kobe will only be with us for about 4 hours today, as I know I need to start weaning Ian from him.  We go make Ian an official Straight at 2PM this afternoon!

Great Day All Around

I will post a bunch of pictures on the blog (remember that I print the blog for the kids' lifebooks).  Today was a great day here in China.  Having Kobe here has been a HUGE blessing for us and for Ian.  I told CJ that I believe we have seen more of China in one day than I have in the past trips to China-LOL. 

We have walked about 100 miles, ridden in about 6 taxis, and even took the subway today too.  We ate breakfast at hotel, then had Burger King, then noodles, then once we got Ian, we went to the mall food court for dinner. 

Let me see if I can remember where all we went today...first stop was to the store for supplies, then to other shops, next rode subway to see Juanni (a foster mom), then we had lunch with her, then went to her home for a rest.  Next we went to the market for some Ultraman toys for Ian, then back to hotel to meet our "real" guide.  Of course then we received Ian! 

Next we left hotel and went to meet Juanni again, this time at a park where we fed some fish and ducks. We walked around the park and crossed the water over some rocks.  Ian started jumping over the rocks, then next thing you know he was in the water!!  Kobe quickly stripped him down right there and squeezed the water from his shorts-too funny.  We left park and then went to the mall for dinner in the food court.  It was one big pot that you pick what goes in it, then they cook it all together and you share at the table.  Eventually we made it back here to the hotel...WHEW

Ian is doing really well.  I thought he would cry once Kobe left the hotel, but he has not.  He loves his new iPod I brought for him, and has been playing it with Travis.  We are going to go to bed soon, so I expect some tears then.  Thank you for all the prayers as they are obviously working :)

Gotcha!

We walked to the government building for our 4PM appointment this afternoon.  There were many other families there, so of course alot of craziness and crying from the kids.  Ian was already there so we walked right into the room and there he was.  He is perfect!

"For this child I have prayed ...and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him"

1 Samuel 1:27

It is Hot

Our hotel room did not have any airconditioning so here was our portable air machine.  Yes, you have to manually add ice to the bottom and it blows cold warm air.  Oh my! 

Needless to say I think I sweated away about 10 pounds last night.  Anyhow, we have changed rooms today and this one is on the other side of hotel and a little bit cooler.  Takes some getting used to for sure.

We Made It

OK mom you can go to bed now.  We made it here safe and sound.  All is well.  Kobe is meeting us at 4 to show us the town!

Updated:  We met Kobe and he walked us around the town for about 2 hours today.  Amazingly we are still awake and it is 7:30pm here. We get Ian tomorrow at 4pm!!

Hungry Boy

Travis was so hungry he ate 15,800 dollars worth of sandwiches in Korea!

We are In Korea

Made it to Seoul! Pretty easy flight as far as 14 hour flights go. Not a whole lot to do if you don't have any littles flying with you. Travis slept about 5-6 hours, I slept about 2-3. We will be her in Seoul for 4 hours, then on to Xi'an where my boy is!!!

Here we Go

My sister brought me and Travis to the airport quickly and safely. We are at the gate ready to roll. Flight scheduled to depart at 12:30am.

China...ready or not here we come!

Packed Up

Ready to roll!

Only My Child

Yes, the one who is going with me to China woke up with pink eye today!

(and yes, this is the same child who received a black eye while our social worker was visiting)

Wish us luck in China.  Travis certainly knows how to keep things interesting for me ;)

Traveling Blogs

I have been compiling a list of other blogs who are traveling at the same time I will be.  Wanted to post here so I can easily find them when I am in China, and thought some of you might enjoy them as well.

http://joyfromtheeast.blogspot.com/
http://berryadventuresome.blogspot.com/
http://www.from-this-moment.com/
http://www.expectingsomethingsobigfromgod.blogspot.com/
http://www.woodalls6.blogspot.com/  (oh and she has a little Wuchuan girl like Faith already home)
http://joyfulmamagivesin.blogspot.com/
http://www.thethreadendshere.blogspot.com/

Two More Sleeps

Only 2 more sleeps in my cozy bed at home with my entire current family.  I am so NOT looking forward to saying goodbye to them.  However, I am excited to be boarding a plane for my NEW son!!

I chatted with Kobe this morning.  Strange to be getting his "local" phone number to call him when I get to the hotel.

This is really happening...