http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1120859135
Friday, November 30, 2007
~WE GOT ELFED!~
Click on the link to see the kids Christmas message.
Hey, I just made a total elf of myself. Check it out by clicking the link below.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1120859135
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1120859135
Thursday, November 29, 2007
~UPDATE~
Thought I would take a minute and try and fill in the blanks from the last time I posted. It has been a bit nuts around here, but we are starting to find our way back to a new sort of normal!
JM has been to 4 doctors in the past week and it has resulted in his surgeries being scheduled. I wont go into all the details... just say it has been tossed around a bit, but the final result is he will have a "pinning" done and tubes placed in his ears on the 4th of December. We will see the Pediatric Dentist for 2 1/2 weeks and then he will have his lip repaired on the 20th of December. The thought is that he will then have his palate surgery about 6 weeks after that. I will keep you posted. It will be a crazy time for us, but JM will have his lip repaired before Christmas and that simply amazes me. I need to get taking photos and video of all the cute things that he does and all the things that I will miss once his face "changes" but we are thrilled that we live in an area that has such a wealth of medical expertise and it is all located within 3 miles of my house! Sure helps with those frequent trips!
The colds are improving and we are all starting to find more energy. We were so blessed that my parents were able to stay for a few extra days and see us through the worst of the jetlag and colds that followed. All for now~
JM has been to 4 doctors in the past week and it has resulted in his surgeries being scheduled. I wont go into all the details... just say it has been tossed around a bit, but the final result is he will have a "pinning" done and tubes placed in his ears on the 4th of December. We will see the Pediatric Dentist for 2 1/2 weeks and then he will have his lip repaired on the 20th of December. The thought is that he will then have his palate surgery about 6 weeks after that. I will keep you posted. It will be a crazy time for us, but JM will have his lip repaired before Christmas and that simply amazes me. I need to get taking photos and video of all the cute things that he does and all the things that I will miss once his face "changes" but we are thrilled that we live in an area that has such a wealth of medical expertise and it is all located within 3 miles of my house! Sure helps with those frequent trips!
The colds are improving and we are all starting to find more energy. We were so blessed that my parents were able to stay for a few extra days and see us through the worst of the jetlag and colds that followed. All for now~
~~BOYS CUT THEIR HAIR TOO~~
I noticed that EM's hair looked a bit odd. Upon further investigation it became obvious that it had been cut! Not in any regular fashion but a real interesting job. He finally admitted that he had cut it. I'm not sure if he thought it was getting too long...or if he just wanted to use the scisors...but the end result was that he got a haircut! Much like how his hair was cut when we got him in June of 2006! Actually he looks more like himself to me. I wasn't sure I liked this new longer look. It had gotten so long while we were in China and he was in Ohio. Check out his new look!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
~~ALL I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS~~
This is a video another adoptive mom put together! Guess is says a lot.
Hope you enjoy it.
I think you have to copy and paste it in order to get it to work. I can not seem to get it to be a direct link...I am a bit computer challenged after all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWZct-wjZzQ
Hope you enjoy it.
I think you have to copy and paste it in order to get it to work. I can not seem to get it to be a direct link...I am a bit computer challenged after all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWZct-wjZzQ
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
~~BATTLE PAY~~
I just posted a couple photos of SJ, EM and JM with Grandma and Grandpa R before they left to head back to Ohio. I wanted to say that yes Grandma has a black eye! She woke up with it. We think JM knocked her in the glasses and that gave her the black eye. Anyway it is a real shiner!
I think I am heading in the right direction now! I still have a sinus infection, but didn't wake up with a headache that I thought I couldn's move this morning! In fact Mom and I took JM to the pediatrican, the ENT and then go get his labs drawn! What a morning. It all went well and the ENT plans to place tubes when they do the first surgery to start on his palate issues. It is looking like that will be the 8th of Jan. or so. We had hoped it would be yet this year...but the MD's need to be available in case of complications and with the Holidays coming it might be easier to wait!
JM is 22lbs. that is 2# up from his check up in China, so it looks like he is doing will.
Well just wanted to check in. Need to try and get something started for dinner as MR has dance class tonight and we need to go to parent-teacher conference as well.
Thanks for the prayers! They are appreciated!
I think I am heading in the right direction now! I still have a sinus infection, but didn't wake up with a headache that I thought I couldn's move this morning! In fact Mom and I took JM to the pediatrican, the ENT and then go get his labs drawn! What a morning. It all went well and the ENT plans to place tubes when they do the first surgery to start on his palate issues. It is looking like that will be the 8th of Jan. or so. We had hoped it would be yet this year...but the MD's need to be available in case of complications and with the Holidays coming it might be easier to wait!
JM is 22lbs. that is 2# up from his check up in China, so it looks like he is doing will.
Well just wanted to check in. Need to try and get something started for dinner as MR has dance class tonight and we need to go to parent-teacher conference as well.
Thanks for the prayers! They are appreciated!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
~~KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED~~
As I wrote the last time we have been struggling with jet lag. Well yesterday we were finally able to try and keep JM awake in order to get days and nights switched back. Everything else we had tried had not been very effective.
Yesterday SF got him up at 9 AM and gave him a bath which he didn't like much. We would have much rather been asleep. But he stayed up till noon. Then he took a short nap. We kept him going till about 9:30 PM and thankfully he slept till about 6:45 this morning! I think we might be winning. I hate to speek to soon, but we all hope and will try and do the same thing today.
I am fighting a nasty cold and thankfully my parents are still here to help out. I don't know what we would be doing without them.
MR, EM and SJ are finding ways to "play" with JM. They want to play with him so badly, but he is still not himself and they are not sure what to do.
We saw the cleft palate team last Tuesday. Hopefully we will hear when his first surgery will be on Monday. I will keep you posted.
Need to rest. I need to get over this cold.
Yesterday SF got him up at 9 AM and gave him a bath which he didn't like much. We would have much rather been asleep. But he stayed up till noon. Then he took a short nap. We kept him going till about 9:30 PM and thankfully he slept till about 6:45 this morning! I think we might be winning. I hate to speek to soon, but we all hope and will try and do the same thing today.
I am fighting a nasty cold and thankfully my parents are still here to help out. I don't know what we would be doing without them.
MR, EM and SJ are finding ways to "play" with JM. They want to play with him so badly, but he is still not himself and they are not sure what to do.
We saw the cleft palate team last Tuesday. Hopefully we will hear when his first surgery will be on Monday. I will keep you posted.
Need to rest. I need to get over this cold.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
~~Jet lag is NO FUN~~
Just checking in to let you all know that we are all surviving but having a bit of a time adjusting with the jetlag. I think I would have done fine except for the fact that JM was awake at 2am each of the first 2 nights thinking it was time to play. The third night it was 4am and last night 3:45...so we will see what tonight holds. We are doing our best and hoping he will get back to his "normal" sleep pattern soon. I have a bit of a cold and most of the family seem to be fighting some cold syptoms.
My parents are here and I don't know what we would have done without them.
Mom and I took JM to the cleft palate clinic yesterday and will be hearing from them within the next week to when the first of his needed procedures will be done.
Thankfully he slept yesterday morning and was in pretty good humor for the appointment.
We are very fortunate to have such good treatment options so close to us. We live less than 3 miles from the clinic and hospital.
OK this is it for now. Just wanted all to know we are hanging in there.
My parents are here and I don't know what we would have done without them.
Mom and I took JM to the cleft palate clinic yesterday and will be hearing from them within the next week to when the first of his needed procedures will be done.
Thankfully he slept yesterday morning and was in pretty good humor for the appointment.
We are very fortunate to have such good treatment options so close to us. We live less than 3 miles from the clinic and hospital.
OK this is it for now. Just wanted all to know we are hanging in there.
Monday, November 19, 2007
~~I THINK the Blog was a SUCCESS~~
We are home and now I can see the blog again. I am very pleased with the amount of posts I was able to do from China. We were so lucky to have a computer in our room and I could mess with it while JM was sleeping. Talking of sleep. He is still on China time. We have tried to keep him up, but he has woke up both nights at 2am and is ready to go. Hopefully he will be able to get adjusted fairly soon!!
If you could do me a favor I would love to know who all followed along on our journey. The comments didn't seem to work real well. But if you could send us an email I would appreciate it.
Scottandbarb1989@ msn. com (take out the spaces)
Ok all for now.
Enjoy the new photos!
If you could do me a favor I would love to know who all followed along on our journey. The comments didn't seem to work real well. But if you could send us an email I would appreciate it.
Scottandbarb1989@ msn. com (take out the spaces)
Ok all for now.
Enjoy the new photos!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Family allowed to come home to Lansing
I forwarded a news article about the family that lost the husband while traveling to adopt their first child. THankfully she is now home in Lansing, MI with her daughter Hannah. Without realizing it we were on the same flight with them from Guangzhou to Tokyo. He daughter is just precious. I'm sure they will continue to need prayers during this difficult time.
So glad that she is now home with supportive family.
Update on the Sheldon Family
Lansing Woman OK'd to Return Home with Adopted Chinese Daughter
By JAMES PRICHARD Associated Press Writer
A woman whose husband unexpectedly died in China while they were there to pick up their newly adopted daughter is expected to return home Saturday with the child, a spokeswoman for a Michigan congressman says.Sylvia Warner said Friday that Sandi and Dennis Sheldon of Lansing, Mich., left for China on Oct. 30 to get the 17-month-old girl, whom they named Hannah. They originally had planned to return home this Saturday.But only days after the adoption process was completed, Dennis Sheldon suddenly died. The family was told that he apparently suffered heart failure, said Darlene Hill, Sandi Sheldon's mother.
Because the family's status had changed and Sandi Sheldon had become a single mother, the U.S. consulate in China told her that she could not leave that country with the toddler until new family-status paperwork had been filed. The process normally takes weeks.U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers and his staff learned of the situation on Thursday, when they were inundated with e-mails and more than 500 telephone calls from an online adoption community that knew what was happening.
The authors of several adoption Web logs that were following the situation posted telephone numbers for the offices of Rogers, other elected officials and various government agencies, encouraging readers to ask them for help.Rogers, a Brighton Republican, called the consulate late that evening -- first thing in the morning in China -- and worked out a resolution that involved fast-tracking the filing of the proper paperwork."Through the congressman's call to them and that ensuing discussion, they were able to move the process along," said Warner, his spokeswoman.Rogers' office was notified around 4 a.m. Friday that Sheldon, who had been staying in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, was cleared to return home with her daughter, Warner said.
Dennis and Sandi Sheldon were married for 19 years and Hannah is their first child, said Hill, who lives in Lansing with her husband, Herbert, and is now the grandmother of 13 children. Sandi, 42, works part time at a Wal-Mart store and Dennis, 46, was a custodian for Lansing Public Schools. Hill said family members, while still grieving their loss, were excited to learn that Hannah will accompany her new mother home."We got that news about 12:30 last night," Hill said Friday. "It's the best telephone call we've had in two weeks."
The Sheldons applied to adopt a child from China through Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Bethany Christian Services, one of the nation's largest adoption agencies. The process usually takes two to two-and-a-half years, said John Van Valkenburg, a Bethany spokesman. He called the pending homecoming a "bittersweet time" for the Sheldon family."We are very ecstatic that both mother and daughter are able to return home and join the rest of the family," Van Valkenburg said. "At the same time, our hearts and prayers go out to them for the loss of a father, husband and son."Dennis Sheldon's body was cremated in China and his ashes were returning home with his widow, Hill said. A memorial service for him will take place Nov. 30 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Lansing.
Labels: China adoption
So glad that she is now home with supportive family.
Update on the Sheldon Family
Lansing Woman OK'd to Return Home with Adopted Chinese Daughter
By JAMES PRICHARD Associated Press Writer
A woman whose husband unexpectedly died in China while they were there to pick up their newly adopted daughter is expected to return home Saturday with the child, a spokeswoman for a Michigan congressman says.Sylvia Warner said Friday that Sandi and Dennis Sheldon of Lansing, Mich., left for China on Oct. 30 to get the 17-month-old girl, whom they named Hannah. They originally had planned to return home this Saturday.But only days after the adoption process was completed, Dennis Sheldon suddenly died. The family was told that he apparently suffered heart failure, said Darlene Hill, Sandi Sheldon's mother.
Because the family's status had changed and Sandi Sheldon had become a single mother, the U.S. consulate in China told her that she could not leave that country with the toddler until new family-status paperwork had been filed. The process normally takes weeks.U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers and his staff learned of the situation on Thursday, when they were inundated with e-mails and more than 500 telephone calls from an online adoption community that knew what was happening.
The authors of several adoption Web logs that were following the situation posted telephone numbers for the offices of Rogers, other elected officials and various government agencies, encouraging readers to ask them for help.Rogers, a Brighton Republican, called the consulate late that evening -- first thing in the morning in China -- and worked out a resolution that involved fast-tracking the filing of the proper paperwork."Through the congressman's call to them and that ensuing discussion, they were able to move the process along," said Warner, his spokeswoman.Rogers' office was notified around 4 a.m. Friday that Sheldon, who had been staying in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, was cleared to return home with her daughter, Warner said.
Dennis and Sandi Sheldon were married for 19 years and Hannah is their first child, said Hill, who lives in Lansing with her husband, Herbert, and is now the grandmother of 13 children. Sandi, 42, works part time at a Wal-Mart store and Dennis, 46, was a custodian for Lansing Public Schools. Hill said family members, while still grieving their loss, were excited to learn that Hannah will accompany her new mother home."We got that news about 12:30 last night," Hill said Friday. "It's the best telephone call we've had in two weeks."
The Sheldons applied to adopt a child from China through Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Bethany Christian Services, one of the nation's largest adoption agencies. The process usually takes two to two-and-a-half years, said John Van Valkenburg, a Bethany spokesman. He called the pending homecoming a "bittersweet time" for the Sheldon family."We are very ecstatic that both mother and daughter are able to return home and join the rest of the family," Van Valkenburg said. "At the same time, our hearts and prayers go out to them for the loss of a father, husband and son."Dennis Sheldon's body was cremated in China and his ashes were returning home with his widow, Hill said. A memorial service for him will take place Nov. 30 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Lansing.
Labels: China adoption
Click the link to see the new report
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Saturday, November 17, 2007
~~HOME!!!~~
Just walked in the door and thought I would let you know we are now the Pent6 for real!! We are all together!
Sure feels good to get home. The flights were long. CA was such a blessing. I could not have done it without her!
The kids are all excited.
I will try and post soon. But this is it for now!
Sure feels good to get home. The flights were long. CA was such a blessing. I could not have done it without her!
The kids are all excited.
I will try and post soon. But this is it for now!
Friday, November 16, 2007
~~HEADING HOME~~
WE have all the needed paperwork and are nearly packed! So tomorrow at 5:30
am we need to have the bags out and we will be headed home!!
We are excited to see everyone!
MR hope you are having a great Birthday! We will celebrate again once I am
home
We get into DTW at 12:10 and then I get into MSP at 4:14 PM on a domestic
flight. Our DTW flight will be from Tokyo.
Well need to feed JM and get him to bed.
Hugs to all
am we need to have the bags out and we will be headed home!!
We are excited to see everyone!
MR hope you are having a great Birthday! We will celebrate again once I am
home
We get into DTW at 12:10 and then I get into MSP at 4:14 PM on a domestic
flight. Our DTW flight will be from Tokyo.
Well need to feed JM and get him to bed.
Hugs to all
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
~~PAPERWORK IS ALL OK~~
I just got a phone call from Helen our guide that all is OK with our
paperwork. We will have the Oath taking ceremony tomorrow and our flight out
will be Saturday morning as planned!
We will take our Oath on MR's 8th birthday. I wish I could be home for her
birthday, but I will bring her a new brother for a present!
She is the only one of my children that I got to be with for her 1st
birthday...so maybe this is "fair" that I miss one of her birthdays too!!
When I was talking with our guide she confirmed what we had heard a day or
so ago. A father of a newly adopted daughter suffered a diabetic Coma and
died here in Guangzhou only days after meeting his new daughter. That Mother
and daughter are still here and trying to go on and complete the adoption
process. Since they had not completed all the paperwork before he died the
circumstances are now changed so she will probably need to stay longer to
complete the needed paperwork. Please pray for this family in a time of
unimaginable grief. I will be content in knowing I will be home with my
family in just a couple of days.
Hugs to you all. Hold your families close.
paperwork. We will have the Oath taking ceremony tomorrow and our flight out
will be Saturday morning as planned!
We will take our Oath on MR's 8th birthday. I wish I could be home for her
birthday, but I will bring her a new brother for a present!
She is the only one of my children that I got to be with for her 1st
birthday...so maybe this is "fair" that I miss one of her birthdays too!!
When I was talking with our guide she confirmed what we had heard a day or
so ago. A father of a newly adopted daughter suffered a diabetic Coma and
died here in Guangzhou only days after meeting his new daughter. That Mother
and daughter are still here and trying to go on and complete the adoption
process. Since they had not completed all the paperwork before he died the
circumstances are now changed so she will probably need to stay longer to
complete the needed paperwork. Please pray for this family in a time of
unimaginable grief. I will be content in knowing I will be home with my
family in just a couple of days.
Hugs to you all. Hold your families close.
~~A Day Closer to coming home~~
I am at the point that I think most adoptive parents reach and that is
"ready to come HOME". I love being in China and have enjoyed my trips here
but at this point having all 4 our my children home in MN and seeing them
with their new brother is starting to sound GOOD!
The weather has been fabulous the entire trip. We are so spoiled. I don't
look forward to winter coats and boots and all that go along with Winter in
the midwest...but even with that in mind coming home sounds where I want to
be. Maybe if my family was all here I would feel differently, but since they
are not we will hope all goes smoothly these last 2 days and we will see
everyone soon!
My friend Marian had another glitch in her travel, but all seems to be
worked out. She got her new Passport in record time, but the visa turned out
to be another story! First they told her that it would take 5 working days
.... no exceptions...but finally after several calls to the US consulate and
way too much $$ later she is getting the Visas in time to fly home as
planned.
Her daughter is having a difficult adjustment, but they do seem to be making
progress. We had dinner with them last night at the Cow and Bridge and then
did a bit of shopping. Sera got her first pair of squeeky shoes and she
seemed to enjoy them!
We plan to do some shopping today and then meet with the other IAAP families
for dinner. It will be fun to see the other children.
This is our CA day. Hopefully it will all go smoothly. We don't actually go
to the Consulate. The guides take the paperwork and then let us know if
their are any problems. Hopefully it will go as it has for the other kids.
Smoothly!
JM was up at 6:45 this am and had his bottles and then a bath. He really
enjoys the bath! I'm sure MR, EM and SJ will think that is fun! He loves to
crawl and explore. He has a problem with sitting still for long...could make
the 13 hours on the plane very interesting...but we will make it!
Guess I need to get ready for Breakfast. Just wanted to catch you up!
I will try and get some photos added at some point today.
"ready to come HOME". I love being in China and have enjoyed my trips here
but at this point having all 4 our my children home in MN and seeing them
with their new brother is starting to sound GOOD!
The weather has been fabulous the entire trip. We are so spoiled. I don't
look forward to winter coats and boots and all that go along with Winter in
the midwest...but even with that in mind coming home sounds where I want to
be. Maybe if my family was all here I would feel differently, but since they
are not we will hope all goes smoothly these last 2 days and we will see
everyone soon!
My friend Marian had another glitch in her travel, but all seems to be
worked out. She got her new Passport in record time, but the visa turned out
to be another story! First they told her that it would take 5 working days
.... no exceptions...but finally after several calls to the US consulate and
way too much $$ later she is getting the Visas in time to fly home as
planned.
Her daughter is having a difficult adjustment, but they do seem to be making
progress. We had dinner with them last night at the Cow and Bridge and then
did a bit of shopping. Sera got her first pair of squeeky shoes and she
seemed to enjoy them!
We plan to do some shopping today and then meet with the other IAAP families
for dinner. It will be fun to see the other children.
This is our CA day. Hopefully it will all go smoothly. We don't actually go
to the Consulate. The guides take the paperwork and then let us know if
their are any problems. Hopefully it will go as it has for the other kids.
Smoothly!
JM was up at 6:45 this am and had his bottles and then a bath. He really
enjoys the bath! I'm sure MR, EM and SJ will think that is fun! He loves to
crawl and explore. He has a problem with sitting still for long...could make
the 13 hours on the plane very interesting...but we will make it!
Guess I need to get ready for Breakfast. Just wanted to catch you up!
I will try and get some photos added at some point today.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
~Marian is in Guangzhou~
I'm glad to report that my friend Marian and her 2 daughters arrived in
Guangzhou late yesterday afternoon. They seem to be hanging in there. They
have had a trip that I'm sure they would just as leave not repeat. But the
good thing is they are here and they have Sera. It has been really difficult
on their bonding time as Marian has spent so much time in Police stations
filling out reports and taking care of getting new passports. She thought
they had it all taken care of on Tuesday, but then Marian realized they
didn't have any photo ID. She called the airline and was told yes they did
need a photo ID. So they had to spend the morning getting that taken care of
before they could fly yesterday afternoon. Sera is not happy with Caucasian
faces at this point. The guide took care of Sera while Marian did the
papework, so she was getting used to that. She will try and get any one that
is Asian to help her. It will be a long process for them. Keep them in your
prayers.
CA and I went to the Cow and Bridge last night. We had sweet and sour
Chicken. It was good. JM sat and played in the high chair. That was a first.
He still doesn't have any interest in any food except his bottle. This will
take time. After we ate we stopped to see Marian and her girls. It got late
before we got JM to bed. (about 9:15PM) He slept in until 7:15 this am. He
is napping again now.
We are getting anxious to get back to the USA. It will be nice to see all 4
of the kids together. I talked to EM and SJ this morning. They were watching
101 Dalmations before bed. They were more interested in the movie than me!!
That is fine. I don't want them to miss us and they love spending time with
their cousins and grandparents.
We will do some shopping today and then have the Consulate appointment
tomorrow. Hopefully that goes smoothly and we will be heading home on the
17th.
All for now
Guangzhou late yesterday afternoon. They seem to be hanging in there. They
have had a trip that I'm sure they would just as leave not repeat. But the
good thing is they are here and they have Sera. It has been really difficult
on their bonding time as Marian has spent so much time in Police stations
filling out reports and taking care of getting new passports. She thought
they had it all taken care of on Tuesday, but then Marian realized they
didn't have any photo ID. She called the airline and was told yes they did
need a photo ID. So they had to spend the morning getting that taken care of
before they could fly yesterday afternoon. Sera is not happy with Caucasian
faces at this point. The guide took care of Sera while Marian did the
papework, so she was getting used to that. She will try and get any one that
is Asian to help her. It will be a long process for them. Keep them in your
prayers.
CA and I went to the Cow and Bridge last night. We had sweet and sour
Chicken. It was good. JM sat and played in the high chair. That was a first.
He still doesn't have any interest in any food except his bottle. This will
take time. After we ate we stopped to see Marian and her girls. It got late
before we got JM to bed. (about 9:15PM) He slept in until 7:15 this am. He
is napping again now.
We are getting anxious to get back to the USA. It will be nice to see all 4
of the kids together. I talked to EM and SJ this morning. They were watching
101 Dalmations before bed. They were more interested in the movie than me!!
That is fine. I don't want them to miss us and they love spending time with
their cousins and grandparents.
We will do some shopping today and then have the Consulate appointment
tomorrow. Hopefully that goes smoothly and we will be heading home on the
17th.
All for now
~~A DAY AT THE ZOO~~
We met with our guide and the other family the Taylor's this am at 9 to go
to the zoo. The weather has been gorgeous the entire trip. Highs around 80
degrees and lows around 60. If weather could be like that for most of the
year it would be OK with me. I'm really not going to be ready for the cold
weather when I get back to the USA.
JM didn't really pay much attention to the animals, but it was a nice
morning non-the-less. He likes riding in the stroller, so he enjoyed that.
Then about half the way around the zoo he took a bottle and the fell asleep
for the next hour or so. We saw many animals. It was interesting because we
have a section at our zoo at home that has an Asian exhibit...so I had seen
some of the animals that I otherwise would not have known. The Takin were
one that I remember and several different elk.
I talked to our guide and our friend Marian is to get her this evening. I
think I may have posted that she lost her passport. They have gotten
temporary Visas and should be able to get things taken care of. It will be
good to see them. Marian adopted her son Andy last year when we got EM. Her
daughter Aubri will be with her. I am excited to meet her new daughter Sera.
I got a phone call last night from another friend. Charlotte is in China now
with her new daughter Rachael. She met her for the first time on Monday. It
was funny to have a phone call in China. I think that is a first for me!
CA and I orderd pizza last night. It was from Pappa Johns and lasted pretty
much like at home. Today on the way back from the zoo we stopped at a
McDonald's. We didn't get anything, but it was funny as it was by the China
Marriot. Which was the hotel we stayed at when we adopted MR and SJ. It was
a feeling of DeJaVous. Many good memories there.
Our trips to China have all been memorable and have brought our children
into our lives. For that I am truly thankful.
All for now
to the zoo. The weather has been gorgeous the entire trip. Highs around 80
degrees and lows around 60. If weather could be like that for most of the
year it would be OK with me. I'm really not going to be ready for the cold
weather when I get back to the USA.
JM didn't really pay much attention to the animals, but it was a nice
morning non-the-less. He likes riding in the stroller, so he enjoyed that.
Then about half the way around the zoo he took a bottle and the fell asleep
for the next hour or so. We saw many animals. It was interesting because we
have a section at our zoo at home that has an Asian exhibit...so I had seen
some of the animals that I otherwise would not have known. The Takin were
one that I remember and several different elk.
I talked to our guide and our friend Marian is to get her this evening. I
think I may have posted that she lost her passport. They have gotten
temporary Visas and should be able to get things taken care of. It will be
good to see them. Marian adopted her son Andy last year when we got EM. Her
daughter Aubri will be with her. I am excited to meet her new daughter Sera.
I got a phone call last night from another friend. Charlotte is in China now
with her new daughter Rachael. She met her for the first time on Monday. It
was funny to have a phone call in China. I think that is a first for me!
CA and I orderd pizza last night. It was from Pappa Johns and lasted pretty
much like at home. Today on the way back from the zoo we stopped at a
McDonald's. We didn't get anything, but it was funny as it was by the China
Marriot. Which was the hotel we stayed at when we adopted MR and SJ. It was
a feeling of DeJaVous. Many good memories there.
Our trips to China have all been memorable and have brought our children
into our lives. For that I am truly thankful.
All for now
Monday, November 12, 2007
~CATCHING UP~
I need to take some time and catch you all up. Things are going well.
Yesterday we went to church at the Shaimen Island Christian Church. I had
gone there in August of 2000 when we adopted Michaela. Scott had gone home
by that time. It has changed some in those 7+ years. Last time I remember
having hymnals. They had Chinese and English versions. This time they had a
overhead projector. They had a group that sang up front with mikes. Very
much like the church in Beijing and like many Protestant Churches in the
USA. They called the service the Chinese-English Bible Study. They sany
songs in English and then in Chinese. I would have hated to have someone
actually hear my attempts to sing in Chinese...but they had it spelled out,
so I did try on one song! Then one was in Chinese Characters only so I just
listened to that! They had a minister that gave a lesson on Numbers. He
would say it in Chinese and then a young man translated to English. It was
interesting.After that a young woman gave her testimony and that was about
it. The service lasted about 1 1/2 hours. Thankfully I had taken a bottle of
JM and after he took that he layed down on CA and I and took a good nap. So
we were able to listen and enjoy ourselves. I doubt I will get that lucky
the next time we are in church in the US!
After church we headed back to the room and grabbed something to eat and had
a lazy afternoon. About 5:30PM we headed out for the Pearl River cruise. We
went with the Taylors. Our guide had made reservations but when we got there
they didn't seem to have them. They offered to allow us a table outside on
the deck. It was a nice evening so Chuck and I went with Helen to check it
out and decide. We thought it would work. I think it ended up being a
blessing! Last year when we went it was full of many adoptive families. This
year mainly Asian locals. The food was not as good this year and boy do they
flock to the buffet. I would have to say it reminded me of a swarm. When
they would bring out cookies they would fill a plate with a dozen or so till
they were all gone. We had a good time on the deck, but it was nice to have
our own location. It gets a bit tiring to have so many people staring at JM
and Grace. Many don't understand that Cleft lip/palate is a condition that
can be corrected. They see it as a curse. Some on the family and others on
the child. The kids had a bit of a rough time. I think they were getting
tired. But overall it was a nice evening.
Yesterday we went to church at the Shaimen Island Christian Church. I had
gone there in August of 2000 when we adopted Michaela. Scott had gone home
by that time. It has changed some in those 7+ years. Last time I remember
having hymnals. They had Chinese and English versions. This time they had a
overhead projector. They had a group that sang up front with mikes. Very
much like the church in Beijing and like many Protestant Churches in the
USA. They called the service the Chinese-English Bible Study. They sany
songs in English and then in Chinese. I would have hated to have someone
actually hear my attempts to sing in Chinese...but they had it spelled out,
so I did try on one song! Then one was in Chinese Characters only so I just
listened to that! They had a minister that gave a lesson on Numbers. He
would say it in Chinese and then a young man translated to English. It was
interesting.After that a young woman gave her testimony and that was about
it. The service lasted about 1 1/2 hours. Thankfully I had taken a bottle of
JM and after he took that he layed down on CA and I and took a good nap. So
we were able to listen and enjoy ourselves. I doubt I will get that lucky
the next time we are in church in the US!
After church we headed back to the room and grabbed something to eat and had
a lazy afternoon. About 5:30PM we headed out for the Pearl River cruise. We
went with the Taylors. Our guide had made reservations but when we got there
they didn't seem to have them. They offered to allow us a table outside on
the deck. It was a nice evening so Chuck and I went with Helen to check it
out and decide. We thought it would work. I think it ended up being a
blessing! Last year when we went it was full of many adoptive families. This
year mainly Asian locals. The food was not as good this year and boy do they
flock to the buffet. I would have to say it reminded me of a swarm. When
they would bring out cookies they would fill a plate with a dozen or so till
they were all gone. We had a good time on the deck, but it was nice to have
our own location. It gets a bit tiring to have so many people staring at JM
and Grace. Many don't understand that Cleft lip/palate is a condition that
can be corrected. They see it as a curse. Some on the family and others on
the child. The kids had a bit of a rough time. I think they were getting
tired. But overall it was a nice evening.
This morning we slept in. We didn't have any special plans for today. JM
woke up at 6:45 and I fed him and gave him a bath. It was nice that CA could
sleep in a bit till about 8:15. We have been up at 6 or before each day till
now. JM still loves his bath. Is getting better and better at crawling.
Loves to make noise...singing. dropping things on the ground and just
chattering. I will try and download a couple more short videos.
Keep my friend Marian and her family in your prayers. They lost their
passports yesterday and have to work that all out! Travel is tricky without
a passport. Your can follow their journey on the blog Sera's blog.
Cait and the Taylor family with to a Department store and the pearl market
this afternoon, but JM and I are just hanging out!
All for now.
Please forgive my typo's. I'm bad with spellcheck and I don't have that here
;-)
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
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