Finally, we begin the journey home in a few hours. We are so glad to leave China. We belong in Alabama and we are excited to get Bella acquainted with the family and friends. Rachel was just talking about how God spoke that we would adopt a child to Dale then to me and Rachel on a youth trip in 2009. It's pretty amazing to think back on all that has transpired to make it happen. There were times when we weren't sure it ever would. A few times we wondered if we heard Him right. No questions today. We definitely were meant to be family with Bella. Now, we just can't believe we've all been so blessed. God's love is indescribable and he truly does want us to care for the widows and orphans. He is Father to the fatherless just like He is to all of us who know and love Him. Praising His Name as we pack and prepare to leave China and journey back to America.
God bless you all and we will see you quickly!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
We are officially a four member family!
Today was our consulate appointment. It went very smoothly. We, along with 12 other American families had 8:30am appointments. We all swore an oath then each family went to a window when called. There they looked to make sure your child matched their pictures, reviewed your paperwork then smiled and said, "All is good. Congratulations on your adoption." What a great feeling to realize the journey to make Bella officially ours had ended. tomorrow they give us her Chinese passport which is good for only one trip, the one where we leave China. She will become an American citizen in the Chicago O'Hare Airport when we go through immigration. It feel unbelieveable to be at the end and so close to home. Two more nights and we land in Sweet Home Alabama with our two beautiful daughters.
We can't wait to let you all meet and soon get to know Bella. She's a lot of fun and energy! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement throughout this journey. We could never had made it without prayers. God constantly reassured us, and He continues today. We still have a long way to go to teach Bella how to understand what we are saying, our expectations and what values we treasure. We look forward most to sharing with her the joys of knowing Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. Please continue to pray for us when you think of us in the upcoming days, weeks and months.
For our friends who have just begun the adoption process...We are so excited for you. The journey is not easy but it is so very worth it. We will be your cheerleaders and supporters in all that you do to raise funds and support for your new child. We love you!
We can't wait to let you all meet and soon get to know Bella. She's a lot of fun and energy! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement throughout this journey. We could never had made it without prayers. God constantly reassured us, and He continues today. We still have a long way to go to teach Bella how to understand what we are saying, our expectations and what values we treasure. We look forward most to sharing with her the joys of knowing Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. Please continue to pray for us when you think of us in the upcoming days, weeks and months.
For our friends who have just begun the adoption process...We are so excited for you. The journey is not easy but it is so very worth it. We will be your cheerleaders and supporters in all that you do to raise funds and support for your new child. We love you!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Free days
Today is another free day. Lily has two other families who are a week behind us and in the really busy days. She felt bad she couldn't do nothing with us these few days. We were glad at first because we had been anything with us but we didn't mind because we had been running for nine full days with appointments and adventures. However, this island is really small and we've seen and done it all several times. We would welcome another adventure but we'll manage.
It has been an interesting couple of days. Shamain Island is like a big city park surrounded by 200 year old buildings. The architecture has a strong French influence and a most opulent use of marble. The huge trees casting a canopy over the whole place make it seem even older. The island was alive with activity yesterday due to the holiday. People were walking, exercising, taking pictures, playing badminton, riding bicycles and advent napping, really just about anything to be outside.
Bella is actually still when there is a lot of activity going on around her. She can be very content watching people. That's interesting considering her brain is always moving as she tries to come up with new ways to play and do when we are in our hotel room. We wonder what she will be like when we get home and she has a room of her own and multiple rooms to explore.
We have made a list of things we notice about Bella's personality. Some of the things we've noted are that she is feisty and independent to the point it has to be impossible for her to submit and ask for help. Even then she may decide to give it another try once you get her over the current obstacle. Although independent she easily capable of dressing herself and putting her shoes on she would prefer the opportunity to play and let you do it for her. She may just choose to make getting dressed a game.
Bella has the face of an angel but the willpower of a tiger. Her personality is larger than life and she smiles easily and giggles all the time. Bella is also as sneaky as a spy and requires a close eye if she gets quiet while exploring. If we cant find something electronic or a bottle of coke the best place to start looking is under her pillow. She doesn't often enjoy sharing, although that is improving. She is tough as nails and shows no fear of anything as of yet. Again, that means keeping a close eye on her.
Trusting us seems to have come easily for her while we also notice she is trusting us more each day. We believe that trust we see is the answer to so manly prayers that her heart would be soft toward us. We don't know what to expect her to be like around our friends and family but we don't think it will take her long to transition and bond with others.
One thing we recognize is that Bella is everything you expect from a four year old. That is a tremendous blessing. Another little girl we've met named Chloe is only eight months younger than Bella. She was in an orphanage since birth and just united with her forever family a couple of days before Bella. In size and physical ability we would have guessed her to be around two years old. She doesn't speak at all yet but she does respond when you call her name. When we spoke and waved to her she would turn her head away if she began to smile. So shy. It was easy to see that, with some time and attention, there was a typical four year old inside her waiting to bloom. Bella was an encouragement to her parents who waited eight years to get her. We talked with them a good while about parenting and promised to be praying for them all.
This morning we went to the playroom after breakfast so Dale could get some much needed sleep. While there another four year old Chinese girl and her mama came in. The mom spoke a little English. Bella was shy at first but the other little girl made her feel comfortable and they played together for about an hour. She shared, took turns and played well. They talked together as they played. I'm sure that was some much needed Chinese communication for her just like Americans are for us. It was fun to watch them together.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
A rest day and a day at the Guangzhou Safari Zoo
We had a day off on Saturday. After breakfast Rachel and I worked in our room. It had become a mess with four open suitcases toys, and a pile of dirty clothes. We sorted through the clothes and decided what we would take to the laundry. Laundry services are provided by almost every store on the island and they all advertise 40% off. We chose Jessica's because it had been recommended to us by former adoption travelers. We stopped at Subway for lunch on the way back. You don't get exactly what you ask for but it's really a traditional shop just like at home, except for the warm soft drink.
Bella played all day and watched a video we bought at the mall for her. It's called something like "Happy Sheep" and she laughs at it and talks back through the whole thing. She will say something then turn to look at us and laugh. She's so stinking cute! She also watches the movie trailer for "Despicable Me" on the iPad and loves it. She has watched it over and over and over again.
Bella is very smart. She loves electronics and is very quick to figure out games. She's a pro at fruit ninja and has some sweet moves for a 4 year old. I also had downloaded some matching games and she's great at memorizing where each match is located. She likes to win! One of her favorite songs on her "so gee" is "All I Do Is Win." She certainly loves music. She has four songs that she plays over and over. Repeatedly we hear Lil Wayne, Adele, Taylor Swift and Colbie Caillat. By far, "Fallin for You" is her favorite and we will never hear it without thinking of China. It has been the background music to so many of our experiences here.
On Sunday we went with two other families to the Safari Zoo. One family was from Ohio and they adopted a 17 month old boy named Benjamin. His Chinese name was Fen Fen so they were calling him Fen Ben, then Ben Ben. He looked tough and had a stocky build. He was very serious but when he smiled his while face squeezed into a smile. So cute!
The other family was from Indianopolis. Dad, Pat and 9 year old son, Evan made the trip to get their new 9 year old son from China. He was with them for 44 hours. Pat said he had some emotional problems that made it impossible for him to bond. He said this was somethingnthey should have been told about in advance. Pat said those 44 hours were terrible. As much as they wanted to love and provide a family for him, they knew it was best for him to go back to the orphanage. So they sent him back. He said as foster parents they were taught first to protect your current family. He said one broken child can break another and he knew that would be the case if they didn't let go. Pat is a strong Christian and is handling it well although it was visibly hard for him to talk about. Evan talked a lot but said nothing when his dad explained that experience. It was obvious he was trying to process what to do with that kind of disappointment.
It made me sick at my stomach to think about what Pat and Evan and his wife and daughter (adopted from Russia last year) were sorting through. I was reminded of our scare that we were going to run out of time and lose Bella as our match. We all tried to be strong but our hearts were already so attached and in love with her. It was too heavy to process at that time. Today, I stopped and said yet another prayer to God of thanksgiving and His deliverance to bella in this journey.
On a lighter note, the safari zoo was awesome! If captured animals could choose where to be held they would pick here. Every exhibit was like the animals natural habitat. They boast over 20,000 animals in the zoo side plus several hundred others in the safari side. They even had eleven pandas spread out over a large habitat several hundred yards long. In a koala exhibit you could go on a stage and pet a koala while it sat on a branch and ate leaves. Only one volunteered and she had pictures taken by her mom for 10 minutes while st petted and caresses the koala. We tried to get Rachel to do it but she wasn't very trusting of a wild animal. I cannot imagine Bella enjoying that either. She would have been a little intimidated I'm sure!
In China, even on Saturday and Sunday kids are in school. There were large groups of elementary kids at the safari zoo in uniform. They would yell "Hello!" to us and wave then laugh when you greeted them back. Several older Chinese school girls wanted their picture made with little blond headed Evan but he would have no part of it. We did notice we were the exhibit being photographed on many occasions. That feels very strange and esoecially when the photographer turns around from right ahead of you to snap a shot. We just tried to ignore it. One man did walk right up to Rachel to see her blue eyes. He made a gesture with his hands like "bright." Just a little awkward.
We ended our day with dinner...at Lucy's again. Bela was loud and giggly. We videoed her eating spaghetti which is something to see. She can attack a plate of noodles. She and Dale ended with a milkshake. She sucked it down and ended with a smack and an "Ahhhhhh!" She and Dale sing an ice cream song too. They are so funny together.
Our bonds are growing closer. She plays and wanrs to receive and give love to each of us. Working through the language barrier is not easy. We have all had our moments of disciplining her. We habe seen her cry over discipline twice now. Rachel got on to Bella at the safari zoo while we waited to see a white tiger show. Bella tried hard to win but she was no match for big sister's commands. It was evident Bella knew full well she was not obeying when sissy told her not to stand on the seats to dance, but she wanted to be in charge. Rachel won and sat Bella down in the seat between us. Bella's mouth turned into a frown and tears rolled down her cheeks. Her feelings were hurt. She sat in my lap and I consoled her until the show started. Later at dinner she was banging her phone on the bar of the stroller. It's an old phone and after being dropped a couple of times it already had a crack and won't make it much longer. We are just praying it lasts from Hong Kong to Chicago! Rachel told her "no" which is universal for "no" and Bella did it over again. Rachel gave her a couple more tries and she finally took Bella's so gee away. Again, the sad face and tears. They made up a few ,unites later.
Overall, Bella's adapting very well. God has richly blessed us with her. We are anxious to get home and into our normal routines with her. We miss you all!
Bella played all day and watched a video we bought at the mall for her. It's called something like "Happy Sheep" and she laughs at it and talks back through the whole thing. She will say something then turn to look at us and laugh. She's so stinking cute! She also watches the movie trailer for "Despicable Me" on the iPad and loves it. She has watched it over and over and over again.
Bella is very smart. She loves electronics and is very quick to figure out games. She's a pro at fruit ninja and has some sweet moves for a 4 year old. I also had downloaded some matching games and she's great at memorizing where each match is located. She likes to win! One of her favorite songs on her "so gee" is "All I Do Is Win." She certainly loves music. She has four songs that she plays over and over. Repeatedly we hear Lil Wayne, Adele, Taylor Swift and Colbie Caillat. By far, "Fallin for You" is her favorite and we will never hear it without thinking of China. It has been the background music to so many of our experiences here.
On Sunday we went with two other families to the Safari Zoo. One family was from Ohio and they adopted a 17 month old boy named Benjamin. His Chinese name was Fen Fen so they were calling him Fen Ben, then Ben Ben. He looked tough and had a stocky build. He was very serious but when he smiled his while face squeezed into a smile. So cute!
The other family was from Indianopolis. Dad, Pat and 9 year old son, Evan made the trip to get their new 9 year old son from China. He was with them for 44 hours. Pat said he had some emotional problems that made it impossible for him to bond. He said this was somethingnthey should have been told about in advance. Pat said those 44 hours were terrible. As much as they wanted to love and provide a family for him, they knew it was best for him to go back to the orphanage. So they sent him back. He said as foster parents they were taught first to protect your current family. He said one broken child can break another and he knew that would be the case if they didn't let go. Pat is a strong Christian and is handling it well although it was visibly hard for him to talk about. Evan talked a lot but said nothing when his dad explained that experience. It was obvious he was trying to process what to do with that kind of disappointment.
It made me sick at my stomach to think about what Pat and Evan and his wife and daughter (adopted from Russia last year) were sorting through. I was reminded of our scare that we were going to run out of time and lose Bella as our match. We all tried to be strong but our hearts were already so attached and in love with her. It was too heavy to process at that time. Today, I stopped and said yet another prayer to God of thanksgiving and His deliverance to bella in this journey.
On a lighter note, the safari zoo was awesome! If captured animals could choose where to be held they would pick here. Every exhibit was like the animals natural habitat. They boast over 20,000 animals in the zoo side plus several hundred others in the safari side. They even had eleven pandas spread out over a large habitat several hundred yards long. In a koala exhibit you could go on a stage and pet a koala while it sat on a branch and ate leaves. Only one volunteered and she had pictures taken by her mom for 10 minutes while st petted and caresses the koala. We tried to get Rachel to do it but she wasn't very trusting of a wild animal. I cannot imagine Bella enjoying that either. She would have been a little intimidated I'm sure!
In China, even on Saturday and Sunday kids are in school. There were large groups of elementary kids at the safari zoo in uniform. They would yell "Hello!" to us and wave then laugh when you greeted them back. Several older Chinese school girls wanted their picture made with little blond headed Evan but he would have no part of it. We did notice we were the exhibit being photographed on many occasions. That feels very strange and esoecially when the photographer turns around from right ahead of you to snap a shot. We just tried to ignore it. One man did walk right up to Rachel to see her blue eyes. He made a gesture with his hands like "bright." Just a little awkward.
We ended our day with dinner...at Lucy's again. Bela was loud and giggly. We videoed her eating spaghetti which is something to see. She can attack a plate of noodles. She and Dale ended with a milkshake. She sucked it down and ended with a smack and an "Ahhhhhh!" She and Dale sing an ice cream song too. They are so funny together.
Our bonds are growing closer. She plays and wanrs to receive and give love to each of us. Working through the language barrier is not easy. We have all had our moments of disciplining her. We habe seen her cry over discipline twice now. Rachel got on to Bella at the safari zoo while we waited to see a white tiger show. Bella tried hard to win but she was no match for big sister's commands. It was evident Bella knew full well she was not obeying when sissy told her not to stand on the seats to dance, but she wanted to be in charge. Rachel won and sat Bella down in the seat between us. Bella's mouth turned into a frown and tears rolled down her cheeks. Her feelings were hurt. She sat in my lap and I consoled her until the show started. Later at dinner she was banging her phone on the bar of the stroller. It's an old phone and after being dropped a couple of times it already had a crack and won't make it much longer. We are just praying it lasts from Hong Kong to Chicago! Rachel told her "no" which is universal for "no" and Bella did it over again. Rachel gave her a couple more tries and she finally took Bella's so gee away. Again, the sad face and tears. They made up a few ,unites later.
Overall, Bella's adapting very well. God has richly blessed us with her. We are anxious to get home and into our normal routines with her. We miss you all!
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