Miles and Miles to Mylei

Yea!! A new blog!

2008-11-18T10:52:00.004-05:00

It's not completely ready.... see new blog. BUT, I couldn't wait any longer. So, here it is!!

The address:

http://oneloadatatime.blogspot.com

The title of the blog:

Dirty Laundry.... airing it out... one load at a time

Do you like it??

When you visit the new one will you leave a comment? Even you lurkers! If you don't, I'll find you! And, when I do... you'll be sorry!

New blog.... COMING SOON!!

2008-11-17T11:18:00.003-05:00

It's coming REALLY soon! Check back for the new address!

Conversation between 5 year old boys

2008-11-12T21:49:00.004-05:00

I think my little Jackson is the coolest boy EVER!:-) And, he is ALL boy... as you will witness when you read the conversation in this post. The conversation took place on Tuesday when I was putting Emme to bed. Darja, the girl who lives with us, witnessed the conversation. I actually copied the conversation from her blog.

But first, a few pictures:

This picture is from his birthday last year. Only a boy, at least in this house, would purposefully smash a cupcake in his own face before eating it!
Jackson was in a wedding in May of this year. We knew he felt so cool all dressed up. But, it became all the more clear when just the other day he said,

"Mom, tomorrow when I go to school, I want to wear that wedding outfit."

"What wedding outfit?"

"You know, the black one?"

Me and my high self-monitoring skills..... busted into laughter. "You mean the tux?"

He ran to the coach buried his face and cried.

Chalk another one up for mom of the year!

What mom makes her son feel like a jerk for wanting to dress up? Oops! I gotta learn to control myself....geesh!

The following is from Darja's blog.

Jackson is very excited because he knows his friend Andrew's phone number. And what better way to celebrate learning a new phone number than to call the person! So this is what I listened to while eating breakfast this morning.

J: Can I talk to andrew?

J: Hey Andrew, what are you doing?

J: Cool! What TV show are you watching?

J: oh, i like that show!

J: well I just wanted to call and talk to you

J: was that a real fart?!?!

and then for the next 10 minutes, jackson made fart noises into the phone and laughed hysterically.

Behave.... so your children do too!

2008-11-10T13:47:00.009-05:00

My blogophobic child. And, no she is not 235. Her extremely organized mother didn't have a 1 and a 0. So, don't laugh! We made due! 2+3+5=10. I actually thought it was ingenious.

A long time ago, I read a book by Tony Campolo called Who Switched the Price Tags. In his book, he relays a story told by Gilda Radner. This story has always stuck with me.... and made me laugh

   When I was little, Dibby's cousin had a dog, just a mutt, and the dog was pregnant. She was due to have her puppies in about a week. She was out in the yard one day and got in the way of the lawn mower, and her two hind legs got cut off. They rushed her to the vet and he said, "I can sew her up, or you can put her to sleep if you want, but the puppies are okay. She'll be able to deliver the puppies."

   Dibby's cousin said, "Keep her alive."

   So the vet sewed up her backside and over the next week the dog learned to walk. She didn't spend any time worrying, she just learned to walk by taking two steps in the front and flipping up her backside, and then taking two steps in front and flipping up her backside again. She gave birth to six little puppies, all in perfect health. She nursed them and then weaned them. And when they learned to walk, they all walked like her.

I love that story!! Although, I confess that at times it has done little to change the way that I parent. Sometimes I hear my voice, complete with tone and all, screeching out of the mouths of one of my little ones. I cringe when that happens.

But, every once in awhile they pick up something I say that sounds really funny coming out of their mouths (all clean, don't worry!) Or sometimes they pick up something family said or a friend said and use it months later... it the right context and that's even funnier.

I was listening to Shelby the other day. She had written a story for one of her assignments. She wasn't reading it to anyone in particular, but she was reading it loud enough for the entire block to hear her. If you know Shelby, this is not a surprise. (Poor thing is being mentioned in the blog again.)

When I heard the name of the character in her book, I doubled over in laughter.

Her story went like this:

"And now, for the moment you've all been waiting for, I will announce the rules for the contest", said Mr. Lemonjello. (Please read the name quickly and it won't sound like it is spelled.)

Now the reason this is so funny is because this summer we went to visit Greenville, South Carolina. We were visiting friends. And, since we were also at the home of B*b Jones University, we decided to pay a visit and introduce the kids to Paul's alma mater.

If you are not familiar with B*b Jones University, allow me to explain. This well- intentioned university values uniformity at the expense of religious freedom and image over substance. They have many rules and are very strict about implementing them. Despite this, they are a university that strives for excellence and they provide an education of the highest quality. I was able to appreciate the school this summer having sat through a presentation about all the school has to offer.

Growing up, I had heard of this school. I heard they had pink and blue sidewalks all over campus in order to maintain a healthy distance between boys and girls. While this is not true, these rules are true:

-quiet hour in the dorms in strictly enforced between the 7-10 pm. Lights out at 11 pm.

- dating was to take place in the dating parlor

- dating off campus is only allowed in groups of 3 or 5 or 7 etc...

- drinking, smoking etc... is cause for expulsion

These rules are well- intentioned. As a matter of fact, every year I get under my belt makes them sound better and better as I think about my own going off to college one day. The downside- they make being a Christian sound like a bunch of rules.

Anyway, I think the students at this university enjoyed getting away with "things". It also seems they never grow out of it.

So, this summer when we wanted to enter the campus at night with our friends, we had to stop at a little guard station and give our last name before we were allowed in. (Why? Why ask the last name? What name could possibly be given to not allow one past that gate? Bin Laden!) (Can you see why students at the school would want to try to get by with things?)

When we pulled up to the guard, she asked our last name. Our friend who was driving said, "Lemonjello."

The girl said, "Excuse me."

Again, our friend said, "Lemonjello."

With a little smile on her face, she let us pass through the gate. Then, we (4 adults and 5 children) all burst into laughter.

To hear her use that name again... months later is a loud reminder that my children model what I do and they model things from people we hang out with.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

Blogophobia

2008-11-08T22:50:00.010-05:00

Some Halloween pictures... better late than never, huh? FYI.... My girls either look like they've gone to the dark side or they are gearing up for walking the streets (and not for candy). Neither is true. Shelby's a rocker girl and Gracie is a spider fairy. Jackson is a Power Ranger minus the mask. The skeleton from Pirates of the Caribbean is our friend, Justin.

I hate this picture of that skeleton standing in the background. Doesn't it give you the creeps?

Blogophobia will be added to the list of phobias.

I think it will read something like this:

Blogophobia- the fear of being mentioned in a blog post.

I read a long list of phobia's. I think there should also be a phobia about reading phobia list. Geesh! Who knew there were so many?? I was getting stressed out just reading them all. As I was reading all the phobias, I started wondering, "What if I get one of these phobias?" What if I start being afraid of the left side of my body or the color yellow or wooden objects?" And, then I read this one:

Phobophobia- the fear of phobias

I think I have this one! I hate that list.

There were some worth mentioning. I apologize in advance if you have one of these phobias:

Bolshephobia- Fear of Bolsheviks WHAT IN THE WORLD???!

Chorophobia- Fear of dancing- I may have this one! I am afraid I look like one of the Peanuts characters when I dance. I just feel really silly.

Cibophobia- Fear of food- I wish I had this one.

Dextrophobia- Fear of objects at the right side of the body- Does this poor person look like a dog chasing it's tail trying to get away from the right side of their own body?

That's horrible! Oh, Lord, don't strike me with a phobia for making fun of phobias. Forgive me!

Dishabiliophobia- Fear of undressing in front of someone- Who doesn't have this fear?

Dutchphobia- Fear of the Dutch - I think it's probably more like a fear of those ugly wooden shoes.

Ephebiphobia- Fear of teenagers- I think I'll have this one in a few years.

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia- Fear of long words- How fair is this one? The poor people who have the fear of long words goes to look up a word for this fear and then they get scared to death looking at the word!

Koniophobia- Fear of dust. (Amathophobia) I definitely do not have this fear. Dust is my friend. And, it's a good thing or I'd have to stay out of my own house!

Ommetaphobia or Ommatophobia- Fear of eyes- How do you ever talk to someone?

Eladophobia- Fear of bald people- What if I had this one? I'd have to get a divorce or make him get some hair plugs.

Pteronophobia- Fear of being tickled by feathers- COME ON!!

Walloonphobia- Fear of the Walloons- I looked it up. Too boring to even tell you about it.

Zemmiphobia- Fear of the great mole rat- What about just a regular mole rat? What is the great mole rat?

I was very perplexed that there could be a phobia about a great mole rat. So, I did a little research. I could not believe that I found an entire site dedicated to helping people overcome this fear. The good news is: immediate help is available.

But, let me ask you? Have you even ever seen at mole rat? I am pretty sure they are naked, blind and live underground. So, how on earth do you develop a fear that is so intense that there is a treatment program readily available for it?

Yes, I do think it's funny. But, coming from someone who has struggled with anxiety and many fears of her own, I am really sad for those so afraid of this harmless and very ugly creature.

Enough of that....

My daughter has blogophobia.

Poor thing! She lives in constant fear that something she says is going to make it onto this blog. She obviously doesn't know that the more she protests, the more I want to put things on. I am kinda mean like that.

We were reading some science the other day and it went something like this:

There are many different species.....

She read species as spices. So, when she said spices, I said, "Or species."

She laughed. Then she started reading again. She read about 2 more words and then she stopped and looked at me with fear in her eyes, "You're not gonna put that on your blog, are you?"

Then, when we were trick or treating, as we were walking she said, "When I get married, I want to have twins and name them Noreen and Doreen."

So, I started laughing. By the way, for better or for worse, I have a difficult time hiding my emotions.

She said, "What?"

Then, she stopped dead in her tracks and said, "You're not going to put that on your blog, are you?"

Tonight, the same daughter started her own blog... more on that later. I wanted to read it to Paul so she handed me the computer and then went up to get ready for bed. As she was walking up the stairs, she stopped and turned around and said, "Are you going to write about that on your blog?"

If she only knew, poor kid!

So while blogophobia may not be an official phobia, I am afraid my daughter may be the one to add it to the list.

**********Emme Update***********Emme Update***********Emme Update***************

Emme is doing better since implementing the new eating plan. We also switched her to soy formula. I can still hear the gurgling sometimes and she still coughs and gags occasionally. She has spit up two times, I think. She is also sleeping better, but still getting up to eat. I remembered when the other 3 were really little I was reading a book about getting kids to sleep. The book said sleep begats sleep. So, I have started giving her two naps a day and she sleeps much better on the nights she has two naps during the day. One would think the opposite to be true... keep them awake and wear them out and they'll sleep better. NOPE! With kids, logic does not always work.

One other note about the eating.... I think it's just going to take time. I have never seen anyone in my life choke and gag on a very soupy mixture of white rice, coconut milk and sugar. Even though she liked it, I quit feeding it to her. I was sure I was going to have to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on a single piece of rice! Good night!

2008-11-05T13:01:00.004-05:00

These (poor quality phone) pictures sum up why it has taken me a week to do a post. (Beautiful pictures of me, huh?) (I am looking HOT!!)

Yes, it's in my hair.

Yes, she is pitching a fit. She hates to throw up!

Poor little Emme has really been struggling. She has been up a lot at night. She has been spitting up lots of formula, coughing, gagging, strangling, etc... She seems miserable... at night. During the day, she is as happy as a little clam. (How do we know clams are happy?) (Who came up with these sayings anyway?)

After being up most of Monday night, wearing the contents of Emme's belly at 9 pm, 1:30am, and again at 7am, I wildly began waving the white flag. I surrendered and called the doctor. I had been playing doctor and it just wasn't workin' for me... or Emme.

Before you think this is another case of neglect from the mother of the year, let me set the record straight.

After my $5,000 appointment at International Adoption Clinic in the area, I decided going to the doctor was going to be a luxury. Don't get me wrong, I'd pay any amount of money to see a doc if my children needed it. I was just having a very difficult time going to the pediatrician, so the pediatrician could send me to a gastro doc sothe gastro doc would order every test under the sun all so they could tell me she had reflux and prescribe her some Zantac. I am a glass half-full kind of person, can you tell?

I spent all day Monday praying for things. One being the fate of this country... which I'd rather not talk about. One of the other things was that God would give me wisdom to know what to do with this little girl.

So, Tuesday morning, we took up an offer from a doctor in the area who has been helping with our ministry. He contacted a doctor friend of his and the friend said he would see Emme without charging us. I really wasn't looking for a hand out. I was looking to skip the pediatrician and go straight to the gastro guy. I thought that our doctor friend was going to get us into a specialist without having to wait the normal month or two. But, the doctor friend goes on missions trips and really has a heart for adoption. So, who was I to argue with a God's provision? So I went.

The doctor, who I will now refer to as Dr. H, took one look at her and said, "I am afraid this little girl is going to cost you some money. I think she is going to need a gastro doctor, an upper GI, and probably a scope."

For about 5 seconds, I wanted to rip his head off his neck.

See, why I try to play doctor? I think he was scared to death of seeing this 14 month old who looks like a 3 month old.

We began talking about Emme. Her behavior and her diet. I also told him that the $5000 doctor told me to give her formula only for the next 3 months. He is very familiar with Dr. $5000, had nice things to say about her, said she was a great doctor, yada, yada, yada but then concluded by saying, "I totally disagree with her on the feeding."

Dr. H went on to say that there is a window of time to teach a child how to eat. That window is from 9 months to 13 months. Of course, Emme is a month past the window. He said a belly, especially hers, can only hold so much liquid. In other words, maybe the formula only, was causing her problems.

So, he came up with a plan. The plan is that for the next 2 weeks to feed her first and give her lots less formula after the feeding. Dr. H went on to say that since she may not eat much, we were going to pack every bit full of calories.

For example, she likes oatmeal, so I am to make it with heavy cream and sugar. Make eggs with olive oil and heavy cream. Whatever healthy fat I can add to something, I need to add. I make smoothies all the time so today, when I made mine, I left some in the blender and I added cream and avocado. She ate it like a champ.

So, how's it working?

My first attempt at the food was after the late afternoon doctor appointment yesterday. But, last night before bed, we didn't have any coughing or gagging or spitting up. She did get up to eat twice in the middle of the night, but she went right back to sleep.

Today, we have had very minimal coughing and none of the other issues. She has eaten really well all day!

I feel really good about the plan. If makes perfect sense to me.

He told me to come back in two weeks and roll her in in a wheelbarrow. :-)

Hopefully, my posting hiatus is over. Hopefully soon, I will begin sleeping through the night, having sweet dreams about who is running this country.... not.

I'll settle for sleeping through the night:-)

P.S. I am done with the negative comments about the newly elected President of this country. I am not a bit happy about the outcome. However, I do not trust in horses or chariots or the leader of this country, I trust in the Lord, my God. Furthermore, I will be obedient to God's word and I will pray for him and our country... often.

Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

I Timothy 2:1-4

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Romans 13:1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

I'm it!!!

2008-10-29T22:47:00.010-04:00

I guess I have been tagged. And, while I normally do not participate in these type of things (sometimes, I just want to rebel) But, this one sounded fun, plus Sharla tagged me and I wouldn't say no to her.

Seven interesting or weird facts about me.... should be VERY easy.

1. I don't have an official diagnosis but Paul and most certainly a few other friends have labeled me obsessive.

I am not exactly sure why. Maybe it's because sometimes I start doing something, and I can't stop.

For example, when I was teaching, I started taking Raisins & Spice oatmeal for lunch, EVERYDAY. I was newly married and one day I said to Paul, "I am really tired of oatmeal for lunch." He looked at me like I was crazy and said, "You're the one who packs your lunch everyday."

That's when it dawned on me. I guess I could take something else. Duh!

My obsessions usually have to do with food. For those of you who followed me to China, I know this comes as a big surprise to you.

About a year ago, when Gina visited the last time, we started making this green stuff: cottage cheese, pineapple and pistachio pudding. I ate so much of it for a month that I can hardly stand to look at it now.

Lately, it is smoothies. Paul swears I puree all my food these days.

I have or am also obsessed with blogs, the internet in general, Chinese adoptions, an internet game called Poppit....

See, the list is long and that was just off the top of my head.

2. I was engaged before I married Paul and called it off 3 weeks before the wedding date.

Long story... maybe I'll share it sometime. It was either call it off or end up in jail or the looney bin. Hard, but one of the best decisions I have ever made.

As our (mine and Paul's) wedding date got closer and closer, I think Paul was a little nervous. Two weeks before the wedding, he let out a cheer, "Yes!! I made it farther than the other guy!"

Haha!

3. I love rainy days and snow days. Another thing I am or have been obsessed with... school closings. It made sense when I was teaching, but the desire to get up and look at the closings when I had nary a child in school?? I think I just like an excuse to slow down.

4. I am still upset that I don't have a sister. I desperately wanted girls when I began thinking about having children. I wanted 2 of them. (I remind myself of those prayers when I want to hurt them... bad.) Now, I have 3.

Somehow this is supposed to make up for the lack of a sister. We'll see how it plays out!

5. Food again. I bet you don't eat cheeseburgers the way I do. I eat my cheeseburger with mustard, ketchup and APPLESAUCE. Yes, applesauce. I love it on my cheeseburger. Actually, I just put a spoonful on the bite I am about to take.

I think it is because, when I was little, my family used to eat at a restaurant called Jeds on Tuesday nights- Kids eat free night. I think my applesauce used to run into my hamburger and I guess I liked it.

A lot!

Because, I am 37 years old and I still do it!!

Now, if that's not random!

6. I love to watch fishing shows. I don't know why. But, if I am channel surfing and I run across a show where someone is casting that pole... I will stop every time... and twice on Sunday.

7. I hate dogs. Really, I don't care for any animal. They all smell. They make messes and destroy things. They cost a lot of money. They have hair that ends up all over the place. They have things on their bodies that need squeezed.... like anal glands. I can't believe I even just wrote that!! Parts of their bodies show that I shouldn't have to see i.e. cats b---holes, monkeys' butts, the male parts of circus bears,etc...

I had a dog this past year.......... for about 4 months.

Her name was Lulu.

They named her at the pound. We thought it was cute so we kept it.

But, no one at the pound told me Lulu was short for LUCIFER!!

That dog was the biggest pain. She barked incessantly. She chewed everything in sight. If she wasn't chewing, she was digging. Sometimes, I would stay in bed a really long time so I didn't have to get up to deal with her. I NEVER got up before Paul.

Yep, we got rid of her.

Some other idiot... I mean person, agreed to take her. Never mind that Lulu was a Christmas present to the kids. I told them that it was ok to be mad at me, to be sad, or cry. I explained to them that I could not live the next 10 years or more, miserable. Shelby hated Lulu too. But, for Gracie and Jackson, who cried, I told them it was like making Gracie play ice hockey and Jackson take ballet... for as long as that forsaken mutt was alive. They'd be miserable doing either of those things.

So, go ahead, tell me I am worse than the Wicked Witch of the West. Leave nasty comments, throw eggs at my house... you can't make me bring another dog into this house or make me like animals.

8. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it said 7 things. I told you I like to rebel.

I adhere to Old Testament food laws. If it says not to eat it in the OT, I don't. On a rare, rare occasion, I will eat bacon... in a salad or something like that.

I know that in the NT all food was declared clean but I am sure we are misinterpreting that.

Because, let me ask you this, what has changed about the anatomy of the pig?

NOTHING! It has ONE stomach and it eats garbage or anything else you put in front of it.

Why do you think Jesus drove those demons into the pigs and sent those pigs flying over a cliff to their death?? Because they are nasty little creatures that should not be used for human consumption and that's how highly he thinks of pigs.

And, do you know that God calls anything from the sea w/o gills an abomination. That's a pretty harsh word. Why an abomination (now I feel like Grace, my guide from China)? Because they eat the poop that is on the bottom of the ocean. Did you know if you put shrimp in a filthy pond it would be cleaned up in no time?

Now, before you start cursing the day of my birth, I have some planks to get out of my own eye. I need a verse about eating sugar. Then maybe I could stop. I also eat too much. So there!

I was tagged and I was supposed to tell interesting or weird facts about myself.

Now, I am supposed to tag seven people, but I am not sure if I know 7 bloggers.

Oh, I read more than seven blogs, but most of those people don't know it.

I am a lurker. I hate lurkers on my blog but.... legalist never live by their own rules, ya know. I want comments ... lots of them!

And, there are a few people who leave me comments on my blog and then I go to look at their blogs, and they tell me I am not invited.

That hurts!

It takes me back to junior high when I didn't get invited to a party.

Anyway, I am tagging these people:

Darja-Morning by morning new mercies I see

Pam- Our Family News

Margie-Mississippizen

Sophie-Boomama

see comment for Pioneer Woman

Sharon-Chloe in China

Ree-Pioneer Woman

Because out of the 50,000 hits she gets on her blog everyday, she'll read my

comment and respond....LOL!

Cindi- Of Paths and Errands

Lots of Love to all my animal loving friends!:-)

Mom of the Year

2008-10-29T17:51:00.003-04:00

Just in case you were wondering, I won't be getting that award this year. It seems it doesn't matter if you birthed a child or adopted one, brain cells leave the body either way. This time a whole big load of them packed up and headed out.

I can't remember anything. I can't find things. I have missed appointments. I have not even started my post-placement adoption paperwork. I did print out the guide.... 30 pages!! The list of things to do is a mile long. All that on top of being responsible for the education of small homo sapiens. Plus, did you know I am a domestic engineer (laundry, laundry and more laundry)??? I am about to snap!!

Saturday, while I was just sitting back with a cup of coffee (like the world had stopped) talking with my my good friend, Gina, planning a trip to see High School Musical 3, Shelby's choir was practicing away. Missing choir practice may not seem like a big deal, but it is with this choir. It is a city Children's Choir and they are as serious as a heart attack. (And, they sing the most beautiful music, by the way.) Each child is allowed to miss three practices. Shelby missed 2 while we were on vacation, one so her soccer team didn't have to forfeit, and this one. That's four for those who are counting. I want to blame it on the fact that they only scheduled 2 Saturday practices for the whole year.... so that's what I'll do. It's their fault:-)

The worst was yesterday. I usually get up and get dressed pretty quickly. Not yesterday. Yesterday I stayed in my mismatched PJ outfit. At 12:10, I was sitting on the couch, reading (a leisure book and eating bonbons... not!) while the girls ate their lunch. I hadn't brushed my hair or my teeth and I am sure I looked like a raccoon with black eye liner lingering around my eyes from the previous day, when the phone rang.

"Hello."

"Hi, this is so and so from Dr. Wenzel's office. Did you know that you and Shelby and Gracie had dentist appointments today at noon.

"No. Did you do the reminder call?"

"Yes."

"Did you talk to someone or did you leave a message on our machine?" (I was desperate. I wanted to blame someone.)

"We left a message on your machine."

"Oh. I didn't listen to my messages."

"Well, since there are three of you, we are going to have to charge you for missing the appointment. Unless.... do you live close?"

"Yes, basically across the street."

"Can you come?"

"Yep! We'll be there in a minute."

We showed up looking like Cousin Eddie's family (Christmas vacation) minus Eddie and that slobbering mangey mutt. What I am saying is... I think we were a bit hard on the eyes.

What's worse? I knew the appointment was coming and I kept meaning to cancel it for Gracie.

Because.... about 6 months ago, at our last cleaning appointment, they told me Gracie had a cavity and they told me to take her to a pediatric dentist. And, I kept meaning to do just that, except... I kept forgetting.

I have had a lot going on the past 6 months... you're going to have to read the whole blog if you want details.

Gracie kept trying to remind me while we were on vacation at the beach. She kept telling me her tooth was hurting and that she had something stuck in it. I would use a toothpick and then tell her to rinse with salt water. Suck it up! You'll be fine!

I told her I'd take her to the dentist as soon as we go home.

Except, she wasn't complaining about it anymore, so I forgot.

But, yesterday, the dentist reminded me. After her cleaning, the hygienist said, "Did you remember that the last time she was here, we told you she had 4 cavities."

"Um, I didn't remember hearing the #4."

"Well, one of the cavities is too far gone, so we'll have to remove the tooth."

I went home, walked through the door like a dog with it's tail tucked between it's legs, and felt like a loser the rest of the day.

I am typing this as I watch Gracie get the first of her fillings this morning. Tomorrow morning, we'll come back at 7 am for 2 more. Saving the best for last, we'll get the rotten tooth the next day... or very soon.

Until then, nominations are being accepted for Mom of the Year. Goodluck!!

Numbing Grace's cheek before she got the silver squirt gun. (AKA the needle). Of course I didn't tell her to make that face. She was a little nervous, but got over it really quick. She's the one who wanted to go back at 7 am for the others. I am not kidding!

AND.... WHY ON EARTH IS THIS THING UNDERLINING??? I GAVE IT NO SUCH COMMAND AND CAN'T GET IT TO STOP!!

Now, if the next pictures don't warm your heart.
My friend Rachael can not stop buying things for her... more to come in later photos.

Yes, this too is from Rachael. I just want to put her on a plate and sop her up with a biscuit!

Double for your trouble

2008-10-23T20:46:00.004-04:00

Isaiah 61:7 Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs.

When Paul and I are lucky enough to have been given tickets to what he calls "the promised land", an OHIO STATE football game, we always walk through the maze of tailgaters who have been going at it since the wee hours of the morning, Whether or not he likes to admit it, he is as nosey as I am. So, we both enjoy finding out what those tailgaters are eating. Then we drool and head over to 711 and buy boring ol' regular hot dogs. We are not cool enough to have an RV and a OSU tent with a grill and make all that great food ourselves. And, Paul is too cheap to buy something from the street vendors... even if it means he could choose a hot Italian sausage smothered with hot onions and mustard.

However, above all the great smells of food, there is a smell that permeates the air and about knocks me down. The smell of beer. And, whenever I am engulfed by that smell, it takes me right back to my college days at the University of Dayton- the #4 beer drinking school in the nation.

There was a lot of partying that went on at that school. Lots of drinking, staying out late, sleeping places where people probably should not have sleeping and everything else that accompanies that college lifestyle. And, while I was in no way perfect, I really tried to live out what I believed God says in his word about how a believer should conduct themselves. I could go to the parties and leave with a very clear conscience, but it just was no fun for me... at all.

Because that was how I chose to live, even though I had a lot of friends, I was really lonely in college. I had trouble finding friends who were like-minded.

6 years later, I was able to do college all over again. Sort of. Paul was hired as a resident director at Cedarville University. That meant we lived in an apartment inside the dorm. We lived free, we ate free, but we didn't have to study. Well, I didn't have to study. Part of the reason for taking such a job was so Paul could get a Master's degree and we wouldn't have to go in debt.

We lived with 180 guys. And, while it may sound like a barbed-wire enema to some of you, it was 4 of the best years of my life. College guys are an interesting breed. Here are just some of the things I remember about living there:

1. Cedarville has a lake on campus. One night this group of guys pulled out this huge dead fish. They brought it to the door outside of our apartment to show us. (We told them we didn't want to know what they were planning.) They put it in a box, left it in the lobby of one of the girls' dorms, and let it fester. I forget how long it was there.

2. I remember someone bringing me a camera and having me look at a picture that I never in a million years would need or want to see. A guy had eliminated in such a manner that I think he was afraid no one would believe if he described it to them, so he took a picture. Use your imagination... enough said!

3. Paul kicked a mother possum and her babies to the curb because some guy was harboring them in his room. (I wonder why, when I was pregnant with Gracie and living in that dorm, I had a dream that she looked like a possum when she was born. A baby body but a possum face.)

4. Guys would eliminate in empty pizza boxes. Guys don't throw empty pizza boxes away so....

5. A guy put a container of milk in the heating duct in another guys' room and let it sit and sit and sit...........

6. Guys would take off their clothes, jump in another guys bed who was not there and roll around in their sheets. Later, they would tell the owner of the sheets what had been done.

7. They would have contest to see who, if anyone, could drink a gallon of milk in an hour. And, since no one can, they would all puke.

8. One guy, who was graduating the next day, put a bag of microwave popcorn in the microwave for 20 minutes. It set the fire alarm off in the middle of the night.

9. A guy peed in a SOBE bottle and put it in the refrigerator. Then, watched as his friend popped off the lid and starting drinking...... and then spewing!

I think you get the point. Although, I am going to be honest and say, I don't get why any normal human being would do any of those things. But, they did. And, while I thought most of it was really funny, I had to have some sanity. So, I hung out with college girls.

Many, many nights, our apartment would be full of them until curfew. And, because I had connections, sometimes they would even stay past curfew.

It dawned on me because I had established great friendships with these girls that I was getting to do college over again... only it was way more fun!

Not too long ago, I ran across Isaiah 61:7. I could be taking this verse a bit out of context. I don't mean to... it just seems to fit. I tried to live a life that would honor God in college and it wasn't much fun. So, 6 years later I seemed to have been given double for my former trouble. And, isn't that just like God?

I am still in contact with many of those girls. They are my really close friends.

They are now married and have children of their own. Abby and Gina came to visit and meet Emme yesterday. We had such a great time. They are two of the funniest people I know. We laughed and laughed and laughed. We made dinner- the best lasagna ever and pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing!

We ate and then marveled at the fact that we all have babies at the same time. Hopefully, Emme is my last and hopefully, Anthony and Nolan are their firsts.

   Emme and Nolan (Nolan's mom is Abby). Check out those feet on Nolan, they are like little fat sausages. (That's a direct quote from Nolan's mom...I told you she was funny.) Nolan was kind of a bully with Emme. Once, when they were both sitting so nicely, Nolan lunged at her and knocked her down. It broke her little heart. Now, he's trying to take the bow. I think he doesn't like it because it's as big as her head.
   What a little digging in the ear amongst friends?
   There's Anthony joining the group. Emme looks a bit paranoid. Don't you think?

Nolan is 8 months old, Emme is 14 months old (on the 30th) and Anthony is 18 months old.
Nolan and Emme trying to be helpful.
And, here we are in the midst of cooking. Me, Abby (middle), and Gina.

I love you girls!!

Got any fava beans??

2008-10-21T13:32:00.008-04:00

   The girls sat Emme at the piano bench the other day and when I took her away, one would have thought we were headed back to China. So, since I don't have time to hold her there all day, I moved her high chair in front of the piano. That problem solved! Next!
   What?? You put me here. I'm allowed!
   Flipping through her music. You laugh, but she may be my retirement. Child prodigy??
   Shelby took these pictures like these scarecrows were one of the family. The pictures were on my phone. I thought maybe they'd help you feel festive.

   I guess since this is supposed to be a blog about my adopted daughter I should write about her periodically. So, I am going to tell you how she's doing in just a second. Before that, I want to tell you that I am starting a new blog. I can't stand miles and miles to mylei!! I don't even have a child with that name. Besides, I don't want to write about Emme all the time. I love her so much I want to squeeze her to death, but she's not really doing anything all that exciting right now.

I just want to talk about life. Sometimes, I focus so hard on the destination, what's next in life, that I forget to enjoy the journey. Destinations are really short lived and sometimes not all they're cracked up to be. My journey through life has been anything but boring. The things that happen to me... if you didn't know me, you'd think I was lying sometimes. One of these days, I know the crew of Candid Camera is going to pop out and reveal themselves. Or, maybe it's just true, God does have a sense of humor. It's an adventure to travel with Him. I try really hard to allow God to be the pilot who flies me through life, sometimes I grab the wheel away from him. (Does an airplane have a steering wheel?) But, he's proven to be a much better pilot. He's has flown me over strange lands and he has taken me places I never in a million years thought I would go. (CHINA!! For crying out loud, it still cracks me up that I went to China!!) He has provided for my family in ways you only hear about in books or on tv. Life with God is never boring! Hopefully, you'll hang around with me. I think you'll be entertained.

Until then....

Just keeping checking back here. I'll tell you where to go when the new site is up and running!

Onto Emme....

She's doing great! She has gained 1 pound in a month. She now weighs 13.4 pounds. Whoo hoo!! I think that's pretty good! At least she's keeping some pants on now. Who cares if they are 3-6 month size. We'll take what we can get!

She is also getting around. She mostly rolls. Sometimes, she flops around like a fish out of water. I think I'll call her Nemo or Dori. It cracks me up. She throws up her little butt up and somehow turns as she does it. She gets where she want to go... let's just put it that way. She has made some progress in the crawling department too. It's mostly backwards but we have also seen her do the official crawl but then she face-plants and quits. Above all, she still prefers holding our hands and walking, but we all prefer NOT to go to the chiropractor!! It hurts all our backs, even the kids.

We can't afford the chiropractor. When we came home from China, we had to take her to the Cincinnati Hospital's International Adoption Clinic. When I hear the word clinic, I think cheap. We'll, let me tell you that is not a cheap clinic. $4100 is NOT cheap. I kid you not, that was the bill. $4100!!! The verdict is still out on how much we will have to pay. $4100 was for the labs only. The doctor, occupational therapist, social worker, nurse practitioner, secretary, janitor, etc.. is probably an additional $4000 Our insurance isn't the greatest, to put in nicely.

So, when the nurse practitioner called today to tell me they needed to do a little more blood work, I wanted to tell her a few things. I held my tongue.

They apparently, for $4100, performed every test know to man's blood on her blood. All came back clear except for one test. One test indicated she may be missing an enzyme that breaks down the fava bean. And, since I don't even know what the heck a fava bean is, I told her the test would not be necessary. Ok, not really. (It does have to do with the fava bean, but it has some mile long name that I can't say or spell.)

She also called it favism (I am certain that spelling in incorrect but don't really care enough to fix it right now.) The first test they ran indicated she was missing this particular enzyme. However, they performed a quantatative test and that test indicated she was NOT missing that enzyme. SO, LET'S JUST RUN THE TEST AGAIN BECAUSE MONEY GROWS ON TREES! NOT!!

I told her we'd do it in January when our insurance restores our health fund. She said that was fine. In the meantime, we are supposed to steer clear of all legumes including but not limited to (I have always wanted to say that... the including but not limited to part) peanuts, kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, navy beans.... I am sure you get the point. Also, any drugs that have sulfa-something in them.

Avoiding food is not a problem considering it takes her a couple of hours to eat a Cheerio. Will she ever get teeth???

Emme is still getting up to eat. She's lightened up on me and only wakes up twice instead of three times. She eats what she wants, rolls over and goes back to sleep. I wish I could do that sometime. Wake up, scream, have someone bring me a piece of pizza, roll over and go back to sleep. Oh, the life of a baby!

Emme is also a jealous little soul. She does not like the other kids sitting on my lap or Paul's lap. She screams at Jackson every time he comes near here. She's part terradactyl. I think she can't stand him. I tell him she loves him so much that she can't control herself when he's around. It's working for now! She thinks Gracie is her mom. If Emme is mad at me because, I did something horrible, like give her a bath. She looks for Gracie and reaches out her arms, begging for Gracie to get her to safety. Mean ol' mom!

The mean ol' mom should probably go get the computer cord out of Emme's mouth......

Please pray for our friends

2008-10-19T13:41:00.002-04:00

We have some good friends that are also on staff with the Navigators serving at Purdue University. They are working with international students in preparation to hopefully serve overseas in Thailand.

They had a baby a week or two ago. Her name is Cara. They knew Cara would be born with hydrocephalus and in preparation for the care she would need, Cara was born at a hospital in Indianapolis.

Her condition is much, much worse than they thought. Cara was only born with 1/3 of her brain. She will never walk or talk. She may smile and recognize a few people. Physically right now, she is having a difficult time swallowing and sucking. Between 4-8 months, the sucking reflex stops as another part of the brain takes over to aid in that process.

Hospice has already been called. They only become involved when a person is given less than 6 months.

Will you please pray for them? Pray that God will give them peace and wisdom. I don't know what else to say. I don't understand. Justin and Kristen are wonderful people faithfully serving the Lord. The seemingly trite answer is that God will use this dark time in their lives to grow them, etc... Those words don't help much as this moment when their hearts are breaking. This is their first child.

Justin and Kristen's blog is available by clicking here.

The Beacon

2008-10-18T00:24:00.005-04:00

This summer, I was telling my good friend Jennifer that I get really mad at Paul when he asks me things like, "How much do we pay for cable?" Or, if he asks something like, "How much do we pay for all of our utilities. Total. Gas, water, trash, light, etc...

I don't know why, but I get irate. I feel like I am going to start spitting green pea soup I get so mad.

It's not a hard question. I am the "accountant" in the family. He doesn't even know how much money he makes. I pay all the bills, etc... It would take me about 3 minutes to go add it up.

Instead, I get all irritated and act flustered and roll my eyes and huff and puff and I coldly say, "Oh, I'll figure it out later!!"

It's so stupid! I realize I am not painting a very pretty picture of myself. That's the funny part. It takes a lot to make me mad. We rarely argue, but this question and certain other similar type things always sets me off.

So, I was telling Jennifer about the really dumb things that make me mad. And, do you know what she said to me?? She said I was quirky. One would think this would make me mad. Instead, I thought about it for a minute and I said, like it was some deep revelation, "You're right!! I am quirky!" (I know those of you that know me well are out there laughing right now! You know it's true!)

I'll go somewhere in this story with my quirky self in just a moment.

About 8 months ago, I found this show on Food Network that I new Paul would love. It's called Diners, Drive-in and Dives. This guy with really bad bleached hair who wears his sunglasses on the back of his neck, named, Guy Fieri, travels the United States looking for establishments that would be considered and diner, a drive-in or a dive.

I knew right away Paul would love this show!

I knew because when we were first dating I introduced him to a dive on the campus of the University Of Dayton, Milanos Really, it was a hole in the wall.

The outside of the place had old wooden steps leading up to an old rickety porch. The paint was peeling. It was connected to another hole, a very popular UD bar, Tim's. I am sure if you looked really close or sniffed really hard, you could see or smell the stench of old beer mixed with some good ol' vomit. But walking into Milanos, the wonderful smell of Atlantic City Subs smacked you in the face.

It was very small with maybe 12 booths and 2 stools at the counter. It was a little dark and dingy inside. Just entering, I could tell Paul was excited . (He's so fun. It doesn't take much to make him happy.)

We took a paper menu, decided what we wanted and ordered. Then, Paul declared his need for a restroom. I had been in the restroom. It was made for one and it was definitely dark and dirty and dingy.

When he came back from the restroom he said, "I know this place is going to be really good because the bathroom smells really bad!!"

I didn't know how to take him back then. How on earth could a smelly restroom equal good food? As a matter of fact, in shady places, I steer clear of the restroom. I may not eat if I have a bad restroom experience.

But, his intuition lead him to agree it was a great little hole in the wall. If you visit the UD campus now, it is a huge beautiful restaurant. But, the food is exactly the same. I still crave it periodically!

Anyway, I was also right about the show. He loved it!

He was especially excited to see that a place that he visited while he was in college, a place he had told me about many times, made an appearance on the show. It's called The Beacon and it is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I don't think I saw that episode that featured The Beacon.

We started watching the show frequently and Paul decided that whenever we traveled, which I feel like is ALL the time, we would look at the list of places that had been on the show and try to hit one of them.

This past summer we decided we would check The Beacon off the list as we would be close by on our way to visit some friends in Greenville, South Carolina. Now, please keep in mind, I had heard about this place many times but I don't think anything could have prepared me for what I was about to encounter.

Getting to The Beacon during the trip was taking a bit longer than we had anticipated. We were all starving. It was almost 2 pm, way past lunch time. The kids were getting antsy and frustrated. They were arguing and saying things like, "If we don't eat soon, we are going to DIE! Please, can we just get Wendy's??" To which I replied, "NO!! YOU ARE GOING TO EAT AT THIS PLACE AND YOU ARE GOING TO ENJOY IT!

As we exit the highway, we enter a bit of a shady area of town. It's a little run down. We are getting deeper into the heart of the area, when rounding the corner I get my first glimpse of The Beacon. There's a huge lighthouse looking sign pointing the way to this famous little hole. We pull into the parking lot where I see the very unattractive building. I don't know what I was expecting, I knew it was a dive. It had these dirty Wendy's- looking sun windows in the front surrounded by flags. It was just... well, it was a dive.

So, we walk in and I see this old black gentlemen in a white uniform standing a the entrance to an ordering line. And, he is yelling! I mean YELLING!! And, I can't understand a word he is saying. It's not English, nor is it Spanish or any other recognizable language. It's some language that I am pretty sure this man made up.

Instantly, I am a nervous wreck. I have heard about this man. You better know what you want to order when you get to him. But, you can't get close to him until you are ready. Know why? Because he's blind and he can sense your presence. And, if you are near him and you don't know what you want you better move out of the way.

One should not have to be this nervous at a restaurant, for crying out loud!! My heart is beating fast and my stomach starts feeling like I might need to run... fast ... to the bathroom. See, I told you I was quirky. Who gets that worked up about placing an order.

I mean, I have whipped out a pen and a piece of paper and I am writing down what we want so this guy doesn't yell at me. I am writing in down exactly, word for word. I wasn't about to do the ordering, but I didn't want Paul to get yelled at either. I need to mention that it's not as simple as just saying, "I'll take a hamburger and french fries." The Beacon... to further complicate things, has it's own lingo.

A-Plenty... smother it with onion rings and french fries

All the Way... add onion

Called it.... place order

Centerfield.... fry station

Heavy Red....

Like a burger... with slaw, mustard and tomato

M&M.... mayo and mustard

Outside.... chopped pork

Walk & Talk.... place order and walk toward centerfield

With..... mayo, lettuce and tomato

So, when you walk up to the blind gentleman, and you have to say something like, "I'll have a Beacon Burger a-plenty.

As soon as the last word slips off your tongue, he starts yelling to the big open kitchen behind him. "woeindsknpodisjdja*@#!&**@@$#@'

Honest to goodness, it is completely incomprehensible. He could be calling me all kinds of names and I wouldn't have known. At the end on an order, he yells, "CAAAAAAALLLLLLEEEEEEDDDDDD IIIIIIIITTTTTTTTT!!!" And, somehow, that means to go ahead with your next order.

How in the world are you supposed to know any of this unless you are with a veteran?? It was the most intense place I had ever been.

After ordering, you are supposed to grab a tray and move down the line. Random people from that big open kitchen start walking up and putting things on your tray. Miraculously, the order is correct. At the end of the line, right before paying, you place your drink order.

We get to the paying part and Paul hands them our debit card. They don't take any cards.

Sheer panic again! But, you know what, it's their fault. If I hadn't been so nervous about ordering, I would have figured out it was cash only!

The nice southern gentlemen at the cash register told us to go eat and we could come back to pay. They had an ATM on site.

The food was amazing but then again, I was so hungry I could have eaten a skunk's butt! (Sorry, Paul always says that!)

Yet another quirk... I can't wait to go back!

One more thing.... the bathrooms were yucky!

Do you have any answers??

2008-10-13T22:47:00.009-04:00

This sign was in a restroom in an American restaurant. There would be no need for this sign in many public restrooms in China.

Please.... read on.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you.... The Squatty Potty!!!

There are a couple of things I have been wondering about lately... because I have nothing else to do! Seriously, as if I am ever going to be given a good answer.

First of all, why on earth are there squatty potties in China? I can't believe I never talked about this when I was actually IN China. I think it's because it was too embarrassing to talk about while I was there. Why? Because I didn't want anyone getting any visuals! So, if you are going to need a visual, visualize yourself.

Anyway, there is no way on God's green earth that this is a sanitary way to use the restroom. And, since there is no good way to really say it, I am just going to say it. IT splatters everywhere. Especially if you've waited and waited and waited to go, so as to avoid the squatty potty. The more you have to go the more it splatters. So, the restrooms really stink. And, it's bad enough when it's your own urine, but then to know you are walking through other people's urine...GAG!!

Why am I thinking about this? Because before I went to China, I bought these little single tiny rolls of toilet paper. Apparently, in China, if you squat, there is no need for toilet paper. I would strongly disagree. I was privy to the fact that there is no toilet paper in the restrooms that house squatty potties. So, I prepared myself and spent 3 dollars on about 75 squares of toilet paper (3 rolls- 25 squares per roll@ $1.00/roll). Actually, I really wasted $3 because I have seen these little rolls surface over the last couple of days. They serve to remind me that never one time did I have these squares of tissue with me when they were needed. BECAUSE WHO THINKS OF CARRYING TOILET PAPER WITH THEM WHEREVER THEY GO??

Yeah, I know you can put 2 and 2 together. Gross! So, see there is advantages to having bad plumbing problems on the other end. If someone would give me $1,000,000, I could never do a #2 in the squatties!!

NEXT...........

Why are Vera Bradley bags/purses, etc... a) popular b)popular among young people and c) so darn expensive??

I think Vera Bradley bags have been around for a long time. You know why I think that?? Because, when I was young, like Gracie or young like in High School or young like in college, I saw Vera Bradley bags. Guess who I thought they were for? 90 year old women!!! I mean don't old grannies like quilts that are made into bags?? And, for the love of Pete, who all a sudden decided these were cool??

I just can't believe it! And, I just can't believe that I let my 7 year old daughter walk into a store and spend $84, $89 including tax on a backpack. (For those of you who support our ministry, please know that your gracious monetary gifts to us were not used in the purchase of this product. It was all saved by her. It's pretty easy when Grandma pays big bucks for watering a few flowers when she goes on vacation. I have wanted to beat my children up for this job!) But, know this, she thinks she is all that and a bag of chips with that new backpack. She has been strutting around this neighborhood like a proud peacock. I'd hate to think what she'd need if she WENT to school!

Oh, also, "It was a really good deal mom because I did get a free ticket to see High School Musical 3."

In the store where her bag was purchased, they gave away one ticket to High School Musical 3 if $75 or more was spent . They've even roped me in there. I can't very well drop her off to see it by herself. Hasn't HS Musical hasn't made enough money? Did this really need to be in theaters? And, the biggest question of all, why am I so excited to see it???? I love HS Musical!! Don't tell my girls! How old am I???

Gracie's face upon hearing the news that there is an extra incentive to drop that much money. Look at Emme's face. I think if she could talk she would say, "What?? Do you have know how much my people could eat for that kind of money?? Look at me! I practically starved to death!!"

Decisions, decisions. decisions.

Gracie is the proud owner of the Granny Pack... I mean, backpack!

My final question is: Who created bumper stickers? I really hate bumper stickers because I don't understand them. Why are they necessary?? But, if you are going to have a bumper sticker, my goodness, can you not afford a real one?? I really did see this tonight in the parking lot of a store. Lord have mercy!! It is a piece of paper TAPED on the back of a car. Clearly, this person has serious issues with casinos.

Dates with dad

2008-10-11T00:43:00.006-04:00

Paul took both the girls on dates Friday. He had to be gone for the weekend, so he wanted to make sure they have some special time with him. SO Sweet!! I have no idea what he and Gracie talked about. I am sure it had something to do with Vera Bradley bags and the color and styles she prefers, when she might get one, how much money she has saved toward one, when she might get one, the Vera Bradley website, whether or not she should get a purse or a backpack, the store at The Greene that carries them and when she might be able to go there to get her Vera Bradley bag. Gracie is very deep.

Shelby on the other came home and started googling the Rosetta Stone. She wanted to know how to download it. I told her she could just access it through our library.

We had tried the Rosetta Stone last year but I needed a tutor. I tried to read the directions. I am a visual learner but I am also a kinestic learner. I needed a live human with a masters degree in the Rosetta Stone to sit with me and walk me through how to use it. Our third day online with it dragged on for 45 minutes repeating the same words over and over and over and over. I couldn't get it to stop. I don't deal well with anything repetitive. To this day, if I hear the word perro (dog in spanish). My head starts ticking and I start barking.

She told me that on her date, she and her dad had discussed her career (never did learn what that career was) and that she needed to learn Spanish. When she had mastered Spanish, because that will only take like 3 weeks, she's going to move onto Chinese... because that will be really good for her career.

With Shelby, sometimes it's better not to ask. She desperately needs to be in theater because right now, the world is her stage. She instantly and deeply dives into roles or ideas. And, if you entertain her words and thoughts, it just gets bigger. Paul plays along. I do not.

Shelby has great talks with her dad. He's the one who took her out to talk about the birds and the bees. Why didn't her mother do it?? Because 1) I didn't want to 2) I can't handle that kind of talk with a ten year old. It's way too much for me. and 3) I do all the other teaching around here. The principal, he gets to teach the tough stuff!

When they went out for "the talk", she got all dressed up like she was going out on a big date. They went to a restaurant, a bit of a pricey one at that. Of course, she had planned the whole thing. She even inititated the talk. She kept saying, "I really need to know what sex is." Of course, every time she said it, I cringed. I had a stomachache the whole time they were gone. I am so weird.

Thursday, Shelby was sitting in our dining room doing school work and she said, "Mom, when you guys came home from China, I cried a lot at night for about a week. And, I cried last night. I think it's just my hormones."

My ears perked up and I said, "How do you know about hormones?

She said, "Well, the other day when we were watching a movie this man said, 'It's probably just her hormones.' So, I asked dad, "what are hormones."

Dad said, "They make women cry or become emotional." He also said, "Sometimes after woman have babies, it makes them volatile . After mommy had you guys, sometimes I was afraid to come home because I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into.

Gasp

She thought that was funny.

" So, I don't know why I was crying, it was probably just my hormones."

Well then......

I had a great conversation with my Father yesterday too, not the one that lives on earth. This was my Father, who lives in heaven, God. The strange thing is.... his voice sounded an awful lot like my friend's, Cheryl.

I have a relationship with God. I spend a lot of time talking to him and he talks to me. I have never heard his voice audibly but when I am struggling with something I pray about it. Often times, I hear answers through reading His word. Sometimes I hear answers in my thoughts. When I have a thought that I know is not my own or I couldn't have come up with on my own, I know it's God. God also uses other people to deliver messages.

That's what happened yesterday.

See, I am really struggling with Emme's sleeping at night. She wakes up a lot. And, while I love her to pieces and this IS what I signed up for AND I wouldn't change having her for the world... it does not negates the fact that I AM TIRED!! Really tired! So tired I keep getting sick. I mean she is 13 months old and she is getting up 3 times during the night. She eats every time. I know she is severely malnourished, but can she still be THAT hungry? Am I just creating bad habits?

Thursday I thought I'm just going to let her cry it out. I mean all her needs are being met. She is fed A LOT. She gets so much love and attention she is practically mauled to death. Sometimes I have to yell "Put her down! " Isn't she learning to trust because all her needs are being met?

Now, before you call Children's Services on me. I only let her cry for about 5 minutes. Then, I'd go in and pick her up and tell her that we love her, that we are not going anywhere and that she is ok, that she's stuck with us for life, etc... For nap time, she cried about 20 minutes and then she went to sleep. During the night, after I fed her and loved her, I laid her down and let her cry.

In the morning, I was praying about it. I was asking God to give me wisdom. He has to give to me ya know. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

I mean, I let my other children cry. Shouldn't I treat her the same?

That's when the phone rang and God was on the other end. Only, like I said earlier, he sounded just like Cheryl.

Cheryl has 3 girls and 2 are from China. She called specifically because she reads my blog and she knew Emme was still having difficulty sleeping. We talked for awhile and she said that building that trust and bonding right now is really important. She said to wait for awhile to make her cry it out. She also wanted to tell me that she was bringing me two different things she thought she'd enjoy sleeping with- a silky blanket and a terry cloth towel. I guess in China a lot of the babies are given towels. Babies seem to enjoy tactile things.

Duh, that makes sense. My own children loved having something like that around their face when they slept. As a matter of fact, to this day if Jackson finds Mr. Bear, half bear, half blanket (scary), he will sleep with that raggedy looking thing. I think I have been to tired and too out of practice to think about anything but my sleep. Selfish!!

Last night, Emme went to sleep, with me laying beside her, clutching her pink Satin blanket. She still woke up twice during the night. But I had to wake her at 8:20 this morning because we had soccer games.

Thanks God..... Cheryl!!!!!!!!

A day in my life....

2008-10-07T19:46:00.004-04:00

This morning, when Emme woke at 7 am... before you are impressed by her sleeping, please know that from 9pm-12am , she screamed like she was in some sort of pain. I gave her gas drops, Tylenol and I greased up her gums with some Oragel- I wanted to make sure I covered a lot of bases. Then she was up to eat at 3:30am.

Anyway, I carried Emme, with my eyes barely open, down to the coffee pot. I didn't need the coffee to jolt me awake because that light in the picture above...
was hanging by that thread you see coming out of my ceiling. How does that even happen?

I regret not taking a picture of the light while it was hanging. But, I was too busy protecting the lives of the innocent, my children, to worry about taking a picture. Paul is out of town, so I had to wait until a neighbor, that had some electrical sense, could come over to help me.

Yes, I did say Paul is out of town. On our way back from the beach, we stopped in Charleston, WV to spend the night with his aunt and uncle. Then, Paul got up at 5am to catch a plane to CO for a meeting. So, I have been here by myself.

I woke up Monday morning with some sort of stomach, intestinal flu issues. I was sick when we went to the beach with a sore throat and cough. Now, I am sick again. I think I am a little run down. Did you know that in September I went to China and back? 8 days later I drove 12 hours to the beach. Who does these things?? No wonder I am sick. Plus, I am home doing everything by myself while Paul is in the busiest season of his ministry. He'll be gone the next two weekends too. Yeah (with much sarcasm)!!

Let's move onto lunch....

Do you want to know what I ate? The same thing I ate everyday in China for 12 days- noodles in a cup. I spent 12 days complaining about the food in China. I then come home and BUY the noodles in a cup. With all the choices of lunch items, I CHOSE the noodles in a cup. And, IT WAS NOT a good idea. When I bought them, I decided to go with the Spicy Chicken.

Why would I decide to eat spicy chicken noodles when I haven't ate anything for 2 days that has stayed in me?? And, when they said spicy, they were not kidding!! I couldn't even eat very much of it. I had to stop. Then, for the next 10 minutes, I rubbed my bottom lip with ice. IT was on FIRE!! I also forgot that those fire noodles... they have to come out!

NEXT.....................

There is a picture of the noodles- a bad picture.
Here's picture of Emme. For some reason, we have always called this thing Houston. With all three kids... It think it's because it looks like a spaceship. "Houston, come in! Do you read me, Houston?"

Now, with all the crazy things that happen to me... some of those crazy things are really cool. I went to Gymboree tonight to get my scrawny daughter some leggings. I thought that may be one of the only things she could keep up over her nearly non-existent butt and around her teeny waist. The Gymboree worker greeted me and asked about Emme. I then proceeded to the clearance section. After a few minutes of searching, another mom comes up to me and says, "Did you just say that you just adopted her from China?" I said, "yes." She then proceeds to tell me that she has a basement full of clothes that she needs to get rid of. She says, "I am not having anymore children. I am embarrassed by the amount of clothes I have, many that still the tags on them. My husband is going to kill me if I don't get rid of them." I look at her two little girls who are impeccably dressed and they are only 3 and 15 months. She gives me her name and number (we have the same name) and I left Gymboree without buying a thing. Guess where I am going tomorrow?? Yea God!

When Cyber space meets reality

2008-10-06T11:27:00.001-04:00

Ahhh.....there's no place like home! We made it back!!

Of course, we didn't make it back without a story. I have come to embrace the fact that I have crazy things happen to me (or to members of my family). It gives me something to write about.

If you have been following my story for any length of time, then you know that the title of this site in and of itself is a story. Miles and miles to Mylei resulted in a the long and winding road to Emme. The blessings of that winding road was worth all the detours. All you have to do it look at Emme's little face with those huge brown eyes and the heartaches and weeks and weeks of waiting melt away. And, because God is so good, that road marked with suffering resulted in more than just Emme.

For me, it resulted in a friend.

When I was first faced with the news that I didn't receive my travel approval for Mylei because her foster parents would not return her to the orphanage, I turned to the adoption community for encouragement. If you are adopting from China, then you know that the place to hang out is at the Rumor Queens' site. And, while I had encouragement from many, many people publicly, there were several who contacted me privately for encouragement. Out of those private encouragements, there was one that stood above the rest.

I had a tendency to confuse the poeple who were contacting me for a while. Everyone on the RQ site has a screen name and then also a real name. It's so easy to confuse everyone. However, the first time Sharla contacted me she gave me a verse that she was praying for me. That email and verse pierced my heart, in a good way. I cried. And, if you know me, then you know that I will do anything to fight crying. I am not sure why, I just will.

I also remember another early contact from her. She had apparently been out of town. The way her email sounded, it was as if she had walked in the door from her trip and ran to the computer to see what was happening with our story. That is someone who really cares.

Our contacts became more frequent. And, then, she went to China before me to adopt her precious daughter, Abby. I was glued to her story. Before my eyes were opened in the morning, I was on the computer. I have followed a lot of blogs and a lot of journeys to China, ask Paul. I drove him CRAZY!! But, there's never been a blog that touched me like hers. I am pretty sure I cried every day. If you want to be touched and if you want to see how God feels about his children, then you must read her travel logs and home updates. And, because that won't be enough, you need to follow her new blog.

Anyway, I fell in love with Sharla's heart and her love for the Lord. That may sound a bit weird. I don't mean it to be weird. But, we all know that there will always be people in life that we are more drawn to than others. That is what creates friendships.

She too followed my journey every step of the way. If she didn't, she sure made it look like she did. She commented on my blog every single day. Then, when I got home, after she couldn't stand the absence of my posts any longer, she emailed me. She knew a tree had fallen on my house, that we had returned home without any power, and all the other things that accompany international travel to adopt a child. She wanted to make sure we were doing ok.

Again, if you have been following along, you know that 8 days after returning home from China, I packed us back up again to drive A LONG WAY to the beach in North Carolina. CRAZY, I know.

Well, I can read a map (even if Paul thinks I can't) and I knew that we could pass through her city on the way home. I asked if she wanted to meet in person.

The whole vacation, I was so excited to meet her. But, there were times I was so nervous. I knew, even while in China, that there was a good chance that we could meet in person during the beach trip. So, my mind went into overdrive.

I had two dreams about her. In one dream, she came to my house. I didn't really like her so I loaded the family in the car and left without saying goodbye to her. In the second dream, when I was meeting her in person, she had these raised lines on her face and the lines criss-crossed. She looked like a waffle!

So, we met at Chick Fil-A on Saturday and ate waffle fries together. And, she did not look anything like one of those fries!!

I knew it would be one of two ways. 1) We would have nothing to say to each other. In which case my back up plan was to have some intestinal issues and hide out in the bathroom. Or, 2) We would talk like we have known each other our whole lives.

Turns out, the quick stop at Chick Fil-A was much too quick! I am already scheming about how we can meet, in person, again!

Without the heartache of losing Mylei, I would likely not have met Sharla. Sometimes struggles make us stronger and bring about beautiful things.... just ask me, or Emme or a pearl:)

My encourager and friend, Sharla.

And, because meeting Sharla would not be enough of a story.... Sharla bought along her two beautiful daughters. Our kids hit if off with one another and for some reason they had to go out to the parking lot to look at each other's ipods. Shelby, while in the parking lot, sat in a pile of fire ants.

When we left the parking lot of Chick Fil-A, we had to run into the bathroom at Target so I could shake out her pants. I also had to confirm, after a bit of searching, (way to much information) that her butt indeed had been bit by fire ants. I heard about those bites often on the way home.

Why???? Of all the things....

A few more of my favorite beach pictures from my real camera... not my phone!

Pictures

2008-10-02T22:16:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, words are not needed:-)

Behinds at the Beach

2008-10-01T21:12:00.000-04:00

There has not been a lot to report from the beach. We do the same thing everyday: eat, swim, play in the sand, repeat... about 3 times a day. Everyone is having a great time, especially the kids. They don't see each other a lot so this much time with each other is a real treat. Great memories! Emme loves the sand and the water too. But, I think if I gave Emme a string, she'd be content for a couple of hours. I am not kidding! She is so easy. Well, except in the middle of the night. I think she gets up 3 times to eat. Her poor teeny tiny stomach needs to be stretched out.

Yesterday was a cloudy day, so we didn't do the beach until the evening. We decided to go shopping. JUST our family!! The 6 of us. When there are 16 people in one house for a week, breaks from one another are needed. I don't want to end up on the news.

We are in a new place. There were several options. We could have driven a short little jaunt to North Myrtle Beach to go to the outlets. That sounds fun, huh? We could have driven about 15 minutes to another little town. That would have been too easy. See, I have this thing for Target. I don't know what it is, but the place makes me happy. So, that's where I wanted to go.

The only Target in Myrtle Beach would have taken at least an hour and a half to get to. I know because for 2 summers in a row in 2002 and 2003, I spent 10 weeks each summer- for a total of 20 weeks in Myrtle Beach. Guess what? I can't stand Myrtle Beach now. We have great memories from those summers. We do collegiate ministry and we did summer training programs those two summers. I am hoping 100+ kids were impacted for eternity those during those 20 weeks. I know many of those students are loving Jesus and serving him now. However, if I never see Myrtle Beach again, I won't be a bit sad.

Instead of the Myrtle Beach trip, we thought we'd just go about 45 minutes to Wilmington. It was not a 45 minute trip!! We should have turned around after only 10 minutes down the road. When you are driving down a road and you come to a fork, and both sides of the fork say DEAD END, that's a bad sign. We should have gone home.

Finally, when we found a place, we asked for directions. These good ol' boys in a white pickup truck told us to follow them. Yeah right!! If we could keep up with them. They were driving 75 miles an hour down these country roads. We would just catch glimpses of white flying around corners.

So, we get to the main drag. Now it should be easy. 1 1/2 hours later, we get to Target. We had to stop another time. Then, Paul stopped at some business. A lady gave him directions. A few minutes later, when he thinks we are still lost, he whips out this business card and calls her. Are you kidding me??

I am too embarrassed to tell you that the van we were driving in had a GPS system. I am usually so good at figuring things like that out, but it wasn't my day. I am also too embarrassed to tell you that I had an iphone in my possession. That iphone can access maps and give directions.

My mom often says that college educated people are some of the dumbest people. I am not sure how to take that!

4 hours later... we arrive back at the house with a bathing suit for Gracie (that was 1/2 price), flipflops for Gracie (the dog that Paul's sister brought TO THE BEACH- ON VACATION chewed up the only pair on sandals I brought for her), Motrin (Shelby had a stiff neck) and some sun tan lotion (self-explanatory... unless you are college educated.)

We also stopped at a beach store close to our house. We thought it was safe... we could make it back from there. We couldn't resist this shirt. We bought it for Paul's dad. He's not opinionated or anything!

In case you can't read it, it says, "I am afraid of 3 people 1. Osama 2. Obama and 3. Chelsea's mama. I guess I am kinda afraid of those 3 people too. I am just not going to wear it around on a t-shirt.

I have to tell you this funny story about Paul's dad.

   We have a girl living at our house this year. She is our friend from the ministry we do at UD. She graduated last year and is doing an internship in our home town. Her name is Darja. It is pronounced Dar e uh. She is from Slovenia originally- hence the name. Anyway, when we were in China and everyone else was dealing with the tree that fell on our house. Paul's dad was over and he called her Narnia. NARNIA!! When she told me that, I thought I was going to die! Bwah ha ha!!!!

   Look at all the sand on her. She is like the sand monster every time we bring her out!

   Little Sarah Grace. I love this suit because it is always going up her little butt.
   Paul's parents and Daniel.
   Emme decided she wasn't constipated anymore... on the beach. There's lots of other poop in the ocean, right?? And, that butt is so teeny, it's almost non-existent. She's not going to win any contest for the best butt. Then again, I hope she never enters a contest like that!
   Emme has a private hot tub.
   She's too little for the real bathtub! Don't you think her little cheeks are getting chubby?

   Emme all cleaned up. She's thinking about being an artist. Her feet look unusually long in this picture. In real life, they are so tiny I wonder if she will ever be able to wear shoes.
   She cleans up pretty well, huh? The hair is growing. It's thinking about laying down these days. The jeans look like they fit. But, I carried her into a store tonight, lifted her up for someone to see, and they fell right to the floor. They are size 3 months.
   Hello! She practices answering her phone all the time. She's gearing up for a cell.

Lessons from Emme

2008-09-29T13:14:00.000-04:00

Emme is starting to trust us more. Until a couple of days ago, she had this instinct that told her, "These people aren't just laying me down. They are laying me down for TO MAKE ME GO TO SLEEP! Waaahhhhh!!!!!!" The wailing would begin.

She has been with us for 3 weeks today. The last 2 days we have laid her down for a nap or for the night, she has peacefully laid beside us and drifted off to sleep. So sweet! I think she is starting to realize we aren't going anywhere.

Last night, our faithfulness was called into question. Paul, his mom, myself, Emme and Sarah Grace (one of the cousins) went 15 minutes into town to pick some things up at Walmart. Paul drove and I rode in the passengers seat. Emme, Sarah Grace and Grandma rode in the back. Emme was content for about 8 minutes of the trip. After the 8 minutes of contentment, we had seven minutes of heavy crying. She was inconsolable. When Paul or I would try to verbally calm her, it would only lead to louder outbursts OR holding of the breath and then a very loud outburst.

As soon as we arrived and she was out of the seat, she stopped crying. However, there were several minutes of sobbing and gasping for breath that followed that intense cry.

After the sobbing subsided, I noticed for the next 20 minutes or so, she wouldn't look at either one of us. None of the usual methods for getting eye contact worked. We yelled her name. We barked... yes, I said barked. She thinks that's funny. We tickled her, etc... She refused to look at us. She was looking all over but she would not look at us.

I have learned so many lessons about God's love for me through my children. After trying for so long to get her to look at me, I thought, "This is how I am with God. When I can see him and I can see him working and things are moving along smoothly, I am pretty content. But, when I can't see him or things seem to be spiraling out of my control, I have a hard time trusting him.

I really think Emme felt betrayed by us. We weren't meeting her needs. She cried and she wanted us to come running. When she could only hear us, she was hurt. Now, I don't think we have to run to meet the needs of our children every time they cry. But, she's different. She was abandoned, put into an orphanage, then moved from one foster home to another. I believe that even at such a young age, she knows how to put her guard up. Right now, she needs to know we are going to meet her needs, immediately. That's how she will learn to trust us.

I was thinking about myself and how if God seems absent, sometimes I feel betrayed. This happened in my adoption and it happened when I was engaged once and I called it off three weeks before it was to take place. I thought God had left me high and dry. However, both instances have taught me that God can be trusted. He didn't feel like he was there. I wasn't sure he was going to meet my needs. But, he was actually working ahead of me and causing all things to work for good. As a matter of fact, the plans he was working, they were better and more perfectly suited than my plans.

When we lost little Mylei, I remembered thinking, "If these people love this little girl that much, she must be awfully special and she must be a joy to be around. " That made me want her all the more. I wanted to fight for her. I feel really selfish about that now.

God gave me a little gift last week in regards to Mylei. A lady I met on line awhile back was adopting a child from the same orphanage with the same special need as Mylei. She was about a week ahead of me in China. When I returned home, she welcomed me back with an email. In the email, she also delivered some news. She heard Mylei was being adopted by her foster parents!! I was so happy to hear that! I had prayed that if she couldn't be ours, that those foster parents who loved her dearly would be allowed to adopt her.

When that adoption was completely disrupted, I was very sad. But deep down, because of calling off the engagement 14 years earlier, I knew God was working. As a matter of fact, after we chose Mylei, I was a little sad about 2 things. 1) I was sad that I had chose her. What I mean by that is... I always imagined receiving my referral and being surprised. Like child birth, I wouldn't see what she looked like until she given to me. After picking Mylei off the special needs lists, I always wondered if I had gone ahead of God. I mean, I had prayed about it and felt peace. I really did. But, I still couldn't shake the feeling that I had picked her. 2) I was also sad because I knew we probably would not be able to do this again. The rules about who can adopt in China had changed and because of some of Paul's health related issue, I knew we would not be allowed. Because of this, I was sad that we wouldn't be given a baby. Mylei will be 2 in October.

Even in my sadness about Mylei, I felt an excitement about what God was going to do. When I saw little Miss Emme for the first time, I cried. I knew she was supposed to be mine. She had on a hat and I ALWAYS put hats on my other 2 girls. A little detail like that is so God!!

Emme could not be more perfect for our family. She's a year old, but she is so teeny and so so far behind, I feel like I got my baby. She is spunky and funny. My other 3 are very outgoing and I always worried how this new child would keep up. I think she will give them a run for their money. She is also the BEST behaved baby I have ever had. She is so good and so content. She is so easy. She has transitioned into our family so easily it feels as if she's always been with us.

Emme will learn to trust us. I wonder though, will I ever learn to really trust God and his goodness??

Complete Randomness

2008-09-28T21:48:00.000-04:00

Today, when we were at the beach, riding waves, building sand castles and making memories, I whipped out my camera to capture the moments. When I turned the camera on, I saw a flashing exclamation point which resulted in that sick feeling... the sick feeling you get when you forget something (that seems to be happening to me a lot lately!). I knew that I forgot the memory card and the little doohickey that downloads the pictures. Grrr!! I remembered them. I remember grabbing them. They just didn't make it into the suitcases.

We couldn't go buy a new doohickey. Want to know why?? Because we forgot it when we went to China and had to buy a new one ($60) We had to go buy a new card just so I could take pictures.

We went to Walmart. Paul went to find the card and when he came back to put it in the cart, he said, "$33.00! That hurts."

I told him not to look when we went to pay for it!

ANYWAY.....

So, I walked around the beach taking pictures with my phone. I was a nervous wreck. I was so afraid I was going to drop it!

The pictures are not the greatest quality. You're going to have to wait until I get home to get the good pictures.

   However, when I downloaded the pictures from today, I found some pictures that I had forgotten I had taken... thus the randomness!
There's my girls!!:-)

   The Forbidden City in Beijing. It was forbidden a long time ago and I think they should reinstate the rule. It was so boring. If you can see the outside, you've seen about enough of it. We walked and walked and walked. It was like a city!! Oh, maybe that's why they name it The Forbidden CITY!   Sometimes, I am a bit slow.
   This is my little man at the Fire Department's Annual Ice Cream Social. My kids love to go because they make this huge foam field for the kids to play in. We never even get the ice cream. Sometime, it doesn't take much.

But, check out this dude's body. You'd think we made him work out every day!

This is my REALLY, REALLY good friend, Jennifer. Well, maybe not after she sees this picture. In which case, this wasn't really worth it. She doesn't deserve this! But, it was on my phone's camera. And, I didn't take it. Therefore, it qualifies as randomness. Right??

Who in the heck are these people? And, why in the heck did I take the picture??

I think it was because the building was cool. It was in Beijing. It was this big round ball sitting in a circle of water. It's the performing arts center, but it doesn't even look like there's a way in. After a little investigating. We found the entrance. There are 2 of them. They are underground. Pretty cool, huh??
This is how high we climbed on The Great Wall. Somewhere down there was the parking lot. In the parking lot sat Grace and our driver. We told her she didn't have to climb with us because she was wearing pumps. She wore these everyday. She even wore them through that forsaken city we walked through the day before. When she started climbing the wall with us, Paul told her to take a load off.

Ok, he didn't say it that way, but he wanted to. We both did. This was our second day with her and we were scared of her.

Her English was good, but it still took us a bit of time to piece the sentences together into something cohesive that made sense. Plus, she would always start on these long diatribes. We were so tired and sometimes it was interesting and we wanted to listen. But, sometimes she would ramble. Her explanations always went something like this:

"Forbidden City has 4 collars (translation- colors). Why 4 collars?

Let me stop her and say she asked these type questions ALL THE TIME! We were scared of her because sometimes we were supposed to answer and sometimes we weren't. Sometimes we weren't paying that close of attention so we didn't even know how to answer. And, sometimes, we wanted to say, "How the heck are we supposed to know? That's why you got paid to show us around!" AND, SOMETIMES she acted like she was mad at us when we didn't know. So, back to the tour...

" Red, green, blue and gold? Why gold?"

I wish we could have a video of us looking at each other. We'd make the ssssss noise and draw our mouths back and shrug our shoulders. Do you know the look I mean?

Sometimes, we would guess at the answers to her questions. Like the time we were on our way to The Great Wall.

We were finally out of the crowded congested part of the city. We were in the tree covered mountains and while there was still lots of smog, it was beautiful. We wanted to see China. Not the city and the buildings, but the landscape. Both of us were craning our necks looking all around to get a first glimpse of The Wall, when she started...

"I will tell you about Great Wall. Great Wall sometimes referred to as world's biggest cemetery. Cemetery. Why cemetery? ( I am not kidding about the repeating either and all 3 guides did it!)

We decided we'd answer this one.

" Because so many people died building it??"

"Yes!"

Shewwww!

"Now, I tell you fable about Great Wall."

She tells us about some woman who married a man and she was very much in love with him. He went to work on the wall. After much time passed, she was sent word that he had died. She was very upset and set out to find his body.

She found the body and and buried it in a tomb.

Time past and she found a new love. He wanted to marry her but she would not leave the location of her dead husbands body.

So, the new guy abides by her wishes. (very, very paraphased)

"You understand??"

We look at each other and Paul decides to answer. Now, keep in mind, we are in a car. She is in the front passenger seat and we are in the back seat. So, she is turned completely around talking to us.

With a look of great disgust, she says, "I did not say house, I said tomb." With the disgusted look still on her face, she closes her eyes and turns around. She was pissed!

   Another view of The Wall. I think I was trying to capture a train coming around the mountain. It was picturesque.

   Emme at the Walmart in Nanning, China.
   Emme on one of the first days home with the kids. You can tell she is thinking, "What in the world have I gotten myself into??
   Emme at the beach house. She is rolling all over the place now!
She's diggin the sand and surf!
Emme's little mama, Gracie.
   The men in the family. Jackson is handling losing his position of baby of the family like a real man. He loves her. Yesterday, after looking at her, he turned to me and said, "She has beautiful eyes." Awwww!

I wonder what they talk about?
   Paul's only sibling, Julie, has 6 kids. On this trip, Emme is the center of attention. They just met her.

Jackman flying a kite.
   Jackson is in the hole he dug.
Paul was holding Emme in this picture when he suddenly felt something very warm running down him.:-) Haha!

May the force be with you!

2008-09-25T12:20:00.000-04:00

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

If you could hear me say that, you'd think I sound just like Darth Vadar. I am stuffy and my throat is on fire and it hurts at the same time, if that makes any sense. I just want to hook up to a Slush Puppy machine and let that ice run down my throat. Either that or I want to eat a box of Shredded Wheat, no milk, because it scratches my throat on the way down and feels so good. But,then I'd look like an Oompa Loompa and I'd have a whole set of problems. I started writing this post of Wednesday. The good news is... it's Saturday, I am at the beach, and I feel so much better! But I do have some bad news.

We left yesterday at around noon and got to the Raleigh area around midnight. It should have only taken us 8 hours but you know how that goes.

I went to bed around 1am. I was up 2 times during the night to feed the little girl with the stomach the size of a pea. I was up for good by 7:30am because the same little girl has a bladder the size of a pea. She is soaking wet every single morning! (At least we know those pipes are working!)

We ate breakfast in the hotel. Then we packed up and got ready to leave.

I decided I didn't care what I looked like. I was tired and I still wasn't feeling great this morning. I didn't take a shower and I didn't take too much time with my hair. I mean, I am going to the beach 11 hours from my home, right?? I am never going to see these people again.

I should also mention that I have this growth on my face. One of those huge red zits that feels like there is certainly a medium sized pebble lodged in there. It's the kind of zit that bugs you to death and then it doesn't even give you the pleasure of popping it. (I know... so gross!) Well, I can't leave it alone. I have practically bruised the skin all around it.

I'll come back to that in a moment.

So, we get to a Costco 45 minutes from the beach. We stop there for food because there will be 16 of us at the beach, in one house, gotta buy the bulk food for that many people. Paul takes 3 of the kids around to sample food and I take Emme to help Paul's mom shop. She was asleep when we went in but there was a loose tile in Costco and my cart hit it just right and about catapulted her to the other side of the store. She woke up, scared half to death I might add. So, I took the poor little thing out of the cart. She is soaking wet. Seriously, I have never known a kid to pee as much as she does and soil every outfit!

I just kept shopping with Paul's mom. Paul's dad catches up with us. He tells me that my extroverted husband has found some people he went to college with and he wants me to bring Emme so we can meet them. I should have known. He knows someone EVERYWHERE we go!

You have got to be kidding!!
That witch from Bugs Bunny... that's what I looked like. The only difference is that I am pretty sure she had a mole on that chin with hair growing out of it. The only difference between me and her is that I don't have a mole, I have a glowing zit!

I have to go over and meet, not just one friend, but two. And, not just his friends but their wives and their 10 children. He hasn't seen these people since the day they graduated from college and today is the day he runs into them.

I was so embarrassed!

On top of that, they wanted to hold Emme. I had to tell them I was walking around, making the poor little girl who just 3 weeks ago was an orphan, wear a soaking wet diaper and wet clothes.

I bet they left saying, "Boy, Paul married a real winner!"

HOME SWEET HOME

2008-09-23T18:54:00.001-04:00

All 3 girls share this room. I spent 5 days painting this room. I brushed glaze over the walls with a broom handle for a washed out beach look. The letters say BEACH GIRLS. The saving grace of our beach trip (see end of post) is that I need pictures from the girls at the beach to put all over their room. That and on the way home I get to meet a friend in person that I met on the internet. I am a little nervous about this meeting.... the other day, I had a dream that her face looked like a waffle. Jet lag???

   The picture is out of focus but I wanted you to see how little she looks. She looks like a little doll.
   My good friend, Amber, who can't quit buying clothes for Emme, brought her these clothes (and more) yesterday. Her shirt says Little Peanut. Paul made up a 'little peanut song' which he sings so often I may just gouge my eyes out if I hear it again. BUT, I love the shirt!
Headband... courtesy of Kristen and Addison.
   Do you like their grass hut curtain? It's really a shower curtain but know one would ever know... except I tell everyone!
   That's Emme's friend Nina. She lives next door. She's 9 months old and a bit heavier.
   LOVE THE BACK of the shirt too!!

We made it home! Yippee! Praise the Lord for the United States of America!

And, I am back among the living for my first post from home!

The flights home were very uneventful. Emme is such a great little girl. Her personality is so pleasant and she is content and happy 95% of the time. She slept about 6 hours on the way home. And even with such little sleep, she was still so good.

We were greeted at the airport by 2 very excited sisters and one happy little brother along with both sets of grandparents and a really good friend. It was the perfect way to arrive home... to our city.

Our home home, now... that's another story. Since the tree landed on our house on Sunday 9/14, we along with one million others (literally) were without power. My bed was calling my name but I couldn't bare to go home with no electricity, no food, etc... Instead, we went to the inlaws. We were very thankful that they were willing to put up with us and feed us. Of course, I am sure that having a new baby made that easier.

Finally, on Saturday evening 9/20, about 8 pm, we were able to go to our home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home. I felt like Dorthy. I had been saying that for about 16 days. My wish was coming true!

Emme has not been so fond of her new home. I shouldn't say she is not fond of her home, she's not fond of her crib. There is no way is Hades she is going to fall asleep in that crib on her own. She has made that very clear. You'd think it's filled with fire ants. Man, she arches her back and holds her breath until she is purple. If she wasn't so soon out of orphanhood, I'd think it was funny. Instead, it's rather sad.

So, we take her in our bed and lay with her. She still cries and tries to fight it, but it's a short, lazy fight. The sandman beats her to death.

Then we carry her to her bed where she sleeps for about 3 hours. After 3 hours, she becomes the Tazmanian Devil seeking to devour a bottle, QUICKLY. Then, when we try to lay her back in her bed, those darn fire ants are back. So, back to our bed where she sleeps like a hound dog smack dab in the middle of her us.

This is not entirely true. It was true of last night. The other nights there was lots and lots of crying.... As a matter of fact, Sunday night I went to bed at 9:15 pm, Emme woke to eat at 11:30 and by midnight, she was ready to play. 4 HOURS LATER , I finally went to bed, again. She screamed for 2 hours. During those 2 hours of screaming, if I were honest, I'd have to say that I spent a lot of time questioning my decision to adopt. I was SOOO tired. My little man is 5 now and the youngest. It just started getting easy. Did I really mean to start over???

The answer, yes! When I see those huge brown eyes and that big toothless smile, yes, it's worth losing sleep and middle of the night feedings and whatever else it takes.

Until I wake up and I look at the carnage that is my house. Suitcases, dirty clothes, loads and loads of laundry.

Speaking of laundry... I have a huge laundry room. Whenever we get home from a trip, we put the suitcases in there and then I go through and separate the dirty from the clean. Then we run around put things away. This morning, that's what I had done. I had just finished making piles for each child, a pile of gifts for Emme to give her as she gets older, gifts for a few friends, etc... Piles, nice neat piles.

Jackson comes in and shows me two library books he got at school. He then said, "Mommy, will you read them to me?" OF COURSE! He's lost his birth order place so we are making sure he gets lots of extra attention.

As all the children look on and listen, Gracie screams, "Mom!! LOOK!!" Remember that FORSAKEN sink (see earlier post) that my washer dumps water into. YEP! It's pouring over the rim of the sink ALL OVER MY LAUNDRY ROOM FLOOR. Those clean piles... they're now dirty. I don't want to talk about it anymore.

I look like Hattie the Witch. I wouldn't dare take a picture of myself these last few days home. I am frazzled because if all of the above is not enough for you, let me tell you about my Monday. Monday, my 5th full day back!

Since we were without power, we had NO food. Before I left, I froze some meals. I also went to the store and bought lots of things that would make easy meals if I just added a vegetable and some fruit. Salmon, Talapia, Chicken breasts, etc... Bags of frozen fruit for smoothies, etc.. Thankfully, it was all cleaned out but the freezers remained bare.

So, after having very little sleep Sunday night, I got up, the girls went to piano and while they were at piano, I went to the grocery with Jackson and Emme. We came home and carried in the groceries. It was then that that sick feeling washed over me. You know, that sick feeling when you remember that you were supposed to have done something.

Emme had a doctors appointment at 1:30 at the International Adoption Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. I was supposed to have faxed papers over before the appointment and I forgot. I was also supposed to have shoveled 6 stool samples out of Emme's diapers into little cylinders to take along with me. MMmmmm boy! I only had 2 so I was making sure they weren't going to send me back home for only having 2 so I was on the phone with them. That's when I see Jackson's bus. He missed his bus.

That meant I had to take him to school. Well, Emme was starving and as soon as I returned from dropping him off at school, we needed to leave. So, I left her with the girls so they could give her her bottle. They are 7 and 10. Before you call Children's Services on me, my neighbors and really good friends were both home.

All was good when I came home. I changed Emme's diaper and threw her in the car. (She's already being thrown around, poor kid!)

I was cruising down I75 to the West Chester campus of the hospital when I see the dreaded orange barrels and the hospital in the distance but quickly approaching. As I get closer, I can not for the life of me decide if it is legal for me to actually use the exit. It looks completely closed off and of course there is not another soul brave enough to take the exit so I can follow their lead. I decide it's closed. As I am rubber necking past it, I realize it is, in fact, open. Darn it all to heck!! Well, that's ok. I was early so I decided I'd just turn around at the next exit and go back.

I get to the exit, take it and head back. That's when it occurs to me that I am not sure if I will know the exit when I get to it because I don't know the name of the blasted road it's on. So, I am coming up on a possible exit...."Is it this one? Oh no!! Should I take it??? NO!! It looks to far away from the hospital, BUT maybe, maybe... No, it must be the next one." I drive right past the exit and that's when I notice that the exit loops around and WOULD HAVE dropped me right at the hospital. DARN IT ALL TO HECK... AGAIN!! I have jet lag made worse by lack of sleep when I could be sleeping and I am driving back and forth in front of a hospital like I have nothing better to do.

That's when I realize, there are advantages to living in China. There are so many cars, bikes, scooters and people, one could not possibly drive fast enough to pass their exit!

Honest to goodness, the SECOND turn around exit was 10 miles away. Good thing gas is cheap!:-)

Emme's appointment lasted from 1:30-5:30 pm. I talked to a physical therapist, a nurse practitioner, social worker, a doctor, the janitor... Ok, I really didn't talk to the janitor, I just wanted to see if you were paying attention.

Their conclusion: Emme is severely malnourished along with failure to thrive. She weighed 12 pounds 4 ounces (yeah for 4 ounces!!) She is functioning in most areas at the 9 month mark except gross motor skills is around 6 months. She needs some physical therapy. We are to mostly feed her formula. They said this is where she will get the biggest bang for her buck! She is not having attachment issues as it was evident to the SW that she is bonding to me. Yeah me!! She was giving me lots of eye to eye, hugs and smiles. After hating me for 2 weeks, yeah me again!!:-) She then was strapped down for a TB test. She loved that as evidenced by her purple face and crocodile tears. So, after that, just for fun, we went downstairs where they jabbed her tiny toothpick arm with a needle and filled 8, yes 8 tubes of blood. Needless to say, she was worn out and slept all the way to the 6 pm soccer game that we were 10 minutes late for. After meeting a friend for ice cream on the way home from soccer, we arrived home at 9:15 pm. I fell into bed at 10:15 where I am quit sure I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Have I told you I am heading to the beach for a vacation on Friday? Why? Well, because it's not eventful enough around here!

Last post from Guangzhou... next stop USA!

2008-09-17T06:58:00.000-04:00

Last night our friends Vince, Mary and Malia stopped by the White Swan (our hotel) to see us. We ended up shopping with them for a bit and then we all ate dinner at an Italian restaurant on the "island". I meant to take a picture of it, but I never did. Oops! Anyway, it has the same feel as the rest of the island, European. The difference here is they act like Europeans. They are Chinese people, but I am pretty sure someone flew over from Italy or somewhere in Europe and taught them how to act.

I talk like I am a world traveler since I have made it half -way around the world to China. So, I have never been to Europe, but I read a lot and that counts for something.

Anyway, the servers at the restaurant act like dinner is supposed to take all evening to enjoy. Now, never mind that the island caters to adopting parents. A lot of these adoptions are for very small children who DO NOT like to sit very long in a restaurant. And, not only do they take their good ol' sweet time, they sit around and watch the people eating. I am not kidding, there were at least 8 people working and they all just stood and stared. And, the Italian restaurant has many pizza options on their menu, but they have ONE oven to cook them in. SO, Paul and I are completely finished eating and Vince and Mary don't even have their pizza.

Needless to say, by the time dessert came (check out the photo below), it was difficult to enjoy because even the adults were tired of being there.

Beautiful fruit plate though, huh?

Emme is thinking... "WHO CARES!!" You can see it in her eyes.
We are on the 18th floor of the White Swan hotel. This is what we saw outside of our window. If I had to do that job, I WOULD DIE! I was getting sick to my stomach watching them! He's just hanging there! It look very unsafe!

   Emme in the bathtub. She was getting clean and beautiful for her swearing in at the U.S. Consulate today.

   The appointment at the Consulate is the most anti-climatic thing! All this time to raise our hand and say that everything we've said for the last several years is true. At any rate, she is ours and when that plane hits Detroit on Thursday late afternoon, she is a United States citizen.
   This is the beautiful palm tree lined street on the way back to the hotel. The White Swan is the tall building at the end on the right.
   If you could see inside the windows, you would see aquariums filled with various foods that you could pick out for dinner. I'd like to this it's fresh catch, but I wouldn't put my money on it. And, I certainly didn't eat it to find out. I did get really adventurous tonight at Lucy's and order Sweet and Sour Chicken! The other two times I ate there I had a BLT. I like to live on the wild side.
   This is Emme back at the hotel after our appointment. She is thrilled to be a citizen of our great country. Adorable outfit thanks to my friend Amber. She is wearing this outfit home too!

   I think the White Swan is a beautiful hotel. That picture was taken in front of the waterfall- inside the hotel.
   Tonight, we we returned home from our consulate appointment, we thought we'd just ewat dinner at the restaurant we eat breakfast at in the morning. After all, the food is fabulous. It overlooks the water and just has an all around great atmosphere.

We asked if we could look to see what was in the buffet before we ate but before we had a chance to look around, we decided to ask the cost. Breakfast was included in our package, so we are clueless about the pricing at the restaurant.

   It is a darn good thing we asked. The price 348 RMB. That is $51.40 per person. We left and went to Lucy's for the 3rd time this week. Lucy's is ok, but it's not worth 3 visits in 5 days.
   Emme was nice to mom today! She just didn't want her hat on.
   Paul and Emme do this EVERY SINGLE time they get in the elevator.

So, this is it. Tomorrow we are being picked up at 5:45 am. U.S. time that is 5:45 on Wednesday evening. We arrive home 25 hours later. A quick little jaunt.

The bags are packed and we are ready to go home. As I look at little Emme peacefully sleeping in her crib, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness for the people who helped with the process of giving her such a home. We are far from perfect but we love each other and we love the Lord. I think that's a great start.

When I look at her skinny, frail arms and legs, I know she may not have been able to make it much longer. It is because of so many of you! Thank you so much to all who have prayed for us during this very challenging process. I am surprised some people still want to be my friend because of the emotional rollercoaster I let myself ride. And, there are many, many people who gave us money to make this possible. When we started the process, we knew we didn't have the money, but we also knew God told us to do it. Thanks for letting him use you! Thanks for letting him use you to change a life.

The next little section was written by Steven Curtis Chapman. He summed up so many things I wanted to say. If God has laid it on your heart to adopt, don't wait any longer to start the process. If you don't feel the call to adopt, find someone to help out financially who does want to adopt. You will be blessed for your obedience!

Can't wait for Emme to meet all of you!

In America alone, there are half a million children in foster care, and approximately 120,000 of these children are waiting to be adopted. In many countries, children are too often orphaned or abandoned because of poverty, disabilities and disease; every 15 seconds, a child loses a parent because of AIDS. These are staggering facts that can seem overwhelming and discouraging, but I believe that God has a loving plan for each child, and that plan is you and me.

Caring for these children is not the job of governments or institutions; instead, it is the job of families, people and communities. As Christians, our compassion is simply a response to the love that God has already shown us. Mother Teresa would constantly remind those who worked with her that the Bible clearly teaches that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Jesus. So in a very real sense, caring for orphans is a chance to meet the person of Jesus in "the guise of human suffering." This is an invitation from the heart of God to know him and to experience his love.

Nine years ago, my wife and my eldest daughter, Emily, traveled to Haiti on a mission trip. Having been exposed to extreme poverty for the first time, Emily returned home with a determined passion to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children.

Only 12 years old, Emily went on an all-out campaign to persuade us to adopt. She bought a book on international adoption with her Christmas money and would read it to us regularly. She began fervently praying and writing letters to Mary Beth and me, encouraging us to consider giving a waiting child a home. Emily knew God was leading us in the direction of adoption; however, Mary Beth and I were not yet convinced.

My wife and I had always supported the idea of adoption, and as Christians, we understood the importance of loving and caring for others. But what I had not yet grasped was that adoption is a physical picture of what Jesus has done for me. I did nothing to deserve God's love; in fact, I was living as an orphan, without hope. Yet God chose to pursue a relationship with me, and through the death of his son Jesus, I was adopted into God's family. Watch Chapman and his family discuss their tragic loss »

My wife and I began moving toward adoption with fear and trembling and asking all the questions people ask. I remember Mary Beth crying herself to sleep at night saying, "What are we doing? I can't do this." However, God kept reassuring us that this was the direction he was leading us. It was a huge journey of faith for us.

In May of 2000, we found ourselves in a hotel room in China's Hunan province, welcoming the newest member of our family, Shaohannah Hope. From that moment, we began our journey into the world of adoption, orphan care and Shaohannah's Hope. iReport.com: Send a video question for Chapman

We went on to adopt Stevey Joy and Maria. Recently, our youngest daughter, Maria, passed from life on this earth and is now safely in the arms of Jesus. We have been completely overwhelmed by the love and support of so many during this time of deep, deep sadness. Through all that we've experienced, one thing we still know is true: God's heart is for the orphan.

If only 7 percent of the 2 billion Christians in the world would care for a single orphan in distress, there would effectively be no more orphans. If everybody would be willing to simply do something to care for one of these precious treasures, I think we would be amazed by just how much we could change the world.

We can each do something, whether it is donating, adopting, fostering, mentoring, visiting orphans or supporting families that have taken in orphans. You can change the world for an orphan.

So.... um...there's a tree on my house.

2008-09-16T01:36:00.000-04:00

So... um... there's a tree on my house. Apparently, in Ohio, there are hurricanes.... without water. Within a very large radius of our house, I guess there is mass destruction from Ike! Schools are closed, stores are closed, etc.. It's great when your in CHINA and someone writes on your blog and tells you a tree fell on your house!:-)

The good news... no one was hurt. We'll deal with the carnage when we get home. That's something to look forward to after a 25 hour trip home! WELCOME HOME!

I forgot to mention that when we were driving onto the island on Saturday, I saw a glorious sight. STARBUCKS!! After the worst coffee ever to be had in Nanning, I was afraid the Starbucks was a mirage, but it's real and it is one of the most beautiful Starbucks I have ever seen. It looks like it should be sitting in Charleston, SC. It has a massive porch with comfortable seating... if comfortable is 90 degrees and 100% humidity. Anyway, the coffee is important thing. Guess how many cups I have had?? None.

The hotel coffee is great and I only drink about one cup anyway. But, Starbucks is there. It's like a security blanket.
Well, here's precious Emme! For some reason we always have taken our kids shirts off, left them on their head like that and then taken pictures. She's looking a little cross-eyed, but she's not.

Funny, funny story.

Once, a friend came to visit Paul. Paul hadn't seen this friend for a long time. For some reason, we all met at Paul's parents house. His friend, Jon, was dating a girl who had a child. They were there too.

This little girl was very obviously cross-eyed.

We are sitting in the family room for a long time talking, the little girl playing. All of a sudden Paul's dad says to the girlfriend, "Has anyone ever told you she might be cross-eyed??"

Our eyes about popped out of our head when he said this.

It's a running joke. I am dying laughing as I type this. Paul too!

Anyway....
Monday morning began with Emme getting her picture taken for her visa. Then it was a little jog down the road to the doctor.

Check out that sign. Keep quiet!! Haha! Picture many children taken away from everything they've ever know. Give them to people who talk different and look different. Then take them all to another stranger so he/she can poke at them. JUST MAKE SURE YOU'RE QUIET!!

See our doctor. Socks and sandals. And, does he have anything under that white coat?? We think he moonlights as a flasher.

The sign says EXAMINATION ROOM FOR ADOPTED CHILDREN.

Everybody, "QUIET!!!!!!!!!"

Our guide was smart. We were one of the first people there. That was the line minutes after we arrived.

Emme passed, I guess. I am not even really sure what they were checking for. They hit a key on a toy piano. I guess that was the hearing test?? The "flasher", he sat at the desk for a long time. He wrote for awhile, said who knows what to our guide, Helen, then, opened her diaper for a peek! Done! He told us she was small. Really!??

The final step was weighing and measuring. She weighs 12 pounds and is 25.5 inches long.

After the medical exam, we went to a Buddhist temple. I was not very excited about this. I was even less excited once there. I decided if I ever came back to China, I would never go back.

It was interesting, I guess. I was just uncomfortable. While Helen was buying the tickets, yes, buying the tickets to get into a church, I was very quietly, out loud worshipping and praising Jesus. I was so nervous.

When we first walked in, there were 3 different statues. I don't know who or what they all were, one was a happy buddha. The rest, I don't know. Anyway, the people had a whole bunch of incense in their hands and they would hold three up to there heads and bow. 3 are for their (the people's) 3 lives, the past, the present and the future.

   Next, there was the tall copper pagoda/urn. The people tried to throw money in the holes to make a wish.
   The next building was the temple that held 3 different Buddhas. They were all holding their hands different ways and the different ways represented the past, the present and the future. Outside the entrance to the 3 Buddhas, people would put 3 of their incense sticks in those silver cages. On the long granite table, the people would offer 3 pieces of fruit to Buddha. Buddha does not eat it though, the monks that live at the temple eat what is offered.
   If you look to the left of the Buddha, you can see a man kneeling down bowing.

It's one thing to read about it or hear about it. It's something else to see it. I was so sad.

When went in that actual area and our guide told us we could pray. We said, "Well, we will pray to God the Father of Jesus, but not to Buddha." She said that was fine. Then she told us to kneel down.

We said, "We will not bow to any other God other than our God." She said, "That's fine, just kneel and pray." We said, "We'll pray to our Father, but we will not kneel." So, that's what we did.

After that, I was ready to bolt! I hated being there. It was peaceful (quiet) and beautiful (the landscape, the buildings) and old (1,400 years old), but it was no place I wanted to be. And, to be honest, if I had to do over again, I wouldn't have gone.

Next, we went to a museum... now that's more my speed. Outside the entrance to the museum, which was a museum but also a palace, was a park. You all know how I love parks:-)!

These people were playing hacky sac with a badmittion birdie... very well I might add!
The women here were dancing but they were dancing with those paddles in their hands. Again, pretty, but not something we'd find in one of our parks.

They would whip the paddles around their heads and around their backs. As I was watching, all of a sudden I saw balls go flying in the air. (If you look closely, you can see the balls.) In other words, when the balls aren't flying, they are staying on the paddles,

   What in the world? That would be exercise for me! You know why?? Cuz every 5 seconds I'd be running and chasing that ball! Maybe I'll try it when I get home?!

  I have no idea!
   That's our guide, Helen. As she was explaining things about the Buddhists temple before our arrival, we were asking her if she was a Buddhists. She said she was not, but she did incorporate some of the Buddhists type things. She prays to her ancestors. She went on to say that 30% of China is Buddhists, 30 % Taoism and 40% other-Christian, Catholic, etc...
   This guy was painting pictures of mountains and waterfalls, the Great Wall, pandas and other Chinesey things- all with the side of his hand, his fingers and his fingernails. They are magnificent! We bought two for our house.
   We were trying so hard to keep Emme awake on the way home! Didn't work!

After the medical exam, the temple and the museum, Emme slept, but Paul and I thought we buy ourselves a little relaxation.

We had a 90 minute foot massage. In China, a foot massage also means that the neck, back, arms, hands, and legs AS WELL AS the feet. 90 MINUTES!! Guess how much it costs?? 68 RMB.... translation $10.04! I felt guilty when I left because this poor girl worked hard for 90 minutes and it cost me $10.
This morning after that amazing breakfast, we went shopping and sightseeing on the island. We stopped when we saw these school children because we thought we were going to see something amazing. I mean old men and old women have all kinds of hidden talents. These young kids were surely going to do something to knock our socks off.

They marched.

As we were watching this exciting production, we noticed that the children at our end were younger and as the lines progressed, the children were older. We also noticed that the ratio was 80% boys.

Oh, and there's Emme loving on her dad. So cute and peaceful!

Ah... there's me and Emme, so happy together!! If you could look closely at the picture, you could see some scratches filled with dried blood around my one eye. You would also see one of those marks on the other eye and one on my nose.

If you'd hung around until after this picture, you could have seen the scratches on both side of my neck, and on my chin.

She loves me so much!

EVERY STORE on this island offers laundry service! They are in cahoots with the airlines. In China domestic travel, one bag, 44 pounds max. So, people have to have their laundry done if they are coming to the tropical climates of China were you sweat of you bat an eyelash.

Thanks to all the competition, guess how much it cost to have our laundry washed and pressed and folded... even the underwear?? 107 RMB! That's $15 American dollars.

I am moving to Guangzhou!
The book that Emme is so intently looking at in Marley and Me. If you haven't read it, you should! It's so funny!! (Thanks Donna!)

We wanted to capture her intent look as she flips through the book. I can't even begin to tell you how long she will sit and do this AND how mad she will get when we take it away.
2 more sleeps in Guangzhou! Good night!

Would you eat them in a house? Would you eat them with a mouse?

2008-09-14T08:31:00.000-04:00

Praise the Lord for Guangzhou! When I saw breakfast this morning, I was sure I had died and gone to heaven. It was so beautiful that I may have to take pictures of it tomorrow morning! It was the best thing I have eaten since I have been here. It made me feel like I was on a cruise ship. There's a huge glass wall that overlooks the Pearl River. Now, the Pearl River is not the ocean, but TODAY, it was close enough!

After breakfast, our guide picked us up and we went to the pearl market. Yesterday, on the comments, Rett said they used the term rather lightly. Boy was she right!! It was a mall for crying out loud. People could tell me that this place has the best quality and on and on and on, but I wouldn't know the difference. I had to trust that Helen, our guide, was telling the truth. They still cost a bit more than I wanted to pay but I think I'd have been upset if I didn't buy some. Helen also told us that they double knot the string between every pearl. If there is a break, the whole strand doesn't fall apart. She told us it was $60 in the states just for the knotting. After spending that money, we walked around that mall for a long time but didn't buy anything else.

After this, we went to the French version of Walmart to get boring things like water, baby food and formula. That one store was like a mall; it was huge. I don't know how people do it without a guide. I wouldn't have been able to find anything.

We came back to the White Swan and feed Emme some lunch and we ate some noodles. (We are so boring!) Then, Helen came to help us fill out paperwork. Right before Helen arrived I was showing Emme how to take a Cheerio and put it in her mouth. Paul kept practicing with her and by the time Helen left, she was doing it by herself. Also, she was rolling all over the bed- front to back, back to front! It was a big day for Emme! She's doing GREAT!!

After Emme's nap, we went to dinner at an American-Chinese place called Lucy's. Paul ordered a chicken burrito. Getting Mexican food at a place like that is like getting biscuits and gravy at PF Changs! Yuck! Paul says if he doesn't get sick from that, he won't get sick!

Speaking of food, (anyone else think I spend half my time talking about the food here. I just can never get over it.) there is a 7-11 here. When is the last time you've seen a 7-11?? Poor Paul, all he wanted was have a fountain Mountain Dew and for the Buckeyes to beat USC. His world came crashing down:-) He said, "All 7-11's have Mountain Dew!" I don't think there is Mountain Dew anywhere in China. He's looked everywhere! And, at our convenience stores, we have hotdogs, right? There are other things, but you know what I mean. Well, at this place, I kept seeing this guy scoop out these steaming hot round things into a little plastic cup. The Chinese people were buying them like mad! They would then put ketchup all over them and pop them in their mouths. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to ask because it looked disgusting. Ready?? They're fish balls! Coming soon to a 7-11 near you!

Finally, we walked around "the island" and bought some squeaky shoes for Emme's first 3 years of life. We ended the night by getting her some ice cream. Ice cream makes her very happy!!:-)

Is this the most boring post you have ever read??? I'm tired!

Sharla, doesn't Abby have the same PJ's???

Last stop- Guangzhou

2008-09-13T09:10:00.000-04:00

GO BUCKS!!!

Go Bucks!! Beat USC!!

Amber, you are not going to believe this. We get to the hotel and check in. Got to the elevator to go up to our room. The doors open and I hear Paul yell, "O-H." Scared me to death!! Then, I hear a response "I-O". Then, I see a couple decked out in their Ohio State shirts. Can you believe that??? They are from Ohio!

This morning, at 9:45, we left our hotel headed for the Nanning airport. I never really understood when others who have gone before me said they were sad to leave their child's province. Today, I understood. I understood but with mixed emotions. She is leaving her people, those who look like her. In the U.S., she will be a minority and she will not be part of a country that is centuries old with more history than we can imagine.

And, somewhere in the Guangxi province are her parents. I wonder about them. I wonder if they think about her all the time. I wonder if they are sad. I wonder what they look like. And, no matter how much we love her, I think deep down, she may always feel a sense of loss. And, even though she is so young, there are things about her that we can't love and hug away. I know we have only had her for 5 days, but it makes me really sad to watch her fall asleep. She about scratches her eyes out. I can't help but think this is some self-soothing she's doing to put herself to sleep. And, the way she plays. She can sit and play with the smallest thing forever. Did you see the novels she was reading?? Ok, well, she's not really reading them, but those books are there because she loves to flip pages and she will do it for a long time. Somehow, the pages stay intact too.

Now that I have totally depressed myself..... There is another part of me that knows she is so blessed. I will get to introduce her to my Father who can heal and mend delicate, fragile hearts He can fill that sense of loss like no one else can. I am not sure how much I should say in this blog, so maybe I will talk more about this when I get home

Then, there is a small part of me that is just angry. We weighed her today (not her official medical exam, that will be Monday morning). I am pretty sure she weighs 11 pounds. Honestly, I don't know how much longer she could have held on. After 5 days of good nutrition, she is starting act a bit more her age. She is grabbing things. Now, she always grabbed her toys, but she never tried to grab things off the table while we were eating. She is squirmy now. She can roll from back to front and from front to back. She wants to get down. Although I am not sure where she thinks she is going. She can't crawl, but she is starting to pull herself to standing while we are laying on the bed with her. Then she thinks she can walk. But, she is much to weak for that with no muscle tone, but it will come And, it will be fun to watch all of that happen.

So, as you can see, my emotions are all over the map. One emotion that remains constant is that we love her. We are so thankful that God put us through the events that lead us to her. I think because of that... we cherish her all the more.

Enough of all that!

It was a one hour flight from Nanning to Guangzhou. Emme did great! It was her test flight to see if she could handle the one that is 19 hours! She can! One hour... 19, is there a difference?

We met our new guide, Helen. I tell you, when these people pick us up, they wear us out before we get to the hotel. Their mouths go a hundred miles and hour. So, we are trying to take it all. Factor in that some words take several minutes to decipher. For example, it took me days to realize that our first guide, Grace, was saying building and not beauty. She was pointing to the different buildings. I was so confused. So, finally, I said to Paul, " Does she really think all these buildings are that beautiful cuz some of them look like if a good stiff wind comes along, they are going down." He said, "She is saying BUILDING not beauty!" Oh, well that makes a lot more sense.

Anyway, so sometimes after you finally get a word deciphered, you have to go back and put the whole paragraph together. It's just a lot of work!

Around 1, we arrived at the famous White Swan. I didn't have very high expectations because of some different things that I have read, but I love it here. I wouldn't change my experiences in Beijing or Nanning, but I think the hotel and the area is beautiful. That's beautiful not building, but I also think the buildings are beautiful!:-)

They say the White Swan is on an island, but if you asked me, which no one did, it's not an island. Anyway, it is different than the cities we've been in- where high rises loom over everything. On the "island", I think the White Swan may be the only high rise. Otherwise, the buildings are very European looking. They are smaller, maybe only 6 stories, at the most. The sidewalks are cobblestone or brick. It feels very quaint here. The restaurants have more than ox shin and fish lips. It's just picturesque of something you would see in a smaller European town. And, you can walk around the island in about 25 minutes because the sea of people mostly reside off the "island". When I think about it that way, it should be called Paradise Island!

This afternoon, Emme needed a nap and I took one with her. The first nap I have taken. You'd think that flight was a day and not an hour. I was so tired!

When she woke up, after I pulled Paul off the computer as he was frantically looking at how he could watch the OSU USC game, we walked and decided to eat dinner at an Italian restaurant. It actually felt like I was in Italy and not China.

When we sat down, there were 4 younger Americans sitting across from us. They saw Paul's OSU shirt and said "hi" to us. Guess where they were from??? Well, one was from Cincinnati, but one was from Oakwood, his house being on Irving Ave right across from the University of Dayton. (For those of you who don't get this, it's 10 minutes from our house!) How funny is that??

They told us we should get the pizza, so we did. We also got lasagna so Emme could eat something. The pizza was fabulous. The lasagna.... I don't know. It was brown under the cheese. It looked like paste. I think it was cat. I took one bite and I was done. It was awful! We gave Emme a few bites. We think it's cat... so we give to our daughter. Aren't we great parents??

It takes her FOREVER to gum something! And, she is such a lady. She moves her little mouth like she is chewing and she WILL NOT take another bite until that bite has found it's way down the hatch. We were about to pull our hair out! We stopped on the way home and got baby food. That's what she needs until she can eat faster!

Tomorrow, we are going to the Pearl Market! Shopping! Yippee!!

The People's Park

2008-09-12T03:55:00.000-04:00

The Emme Fashion Show

I am not really too fond of this picture... gotta get rid of those 15 pounds. But, I want you to look down at the road. See all that activity? That's not even really crowded. And, again, you can see the love for me all over Emme's face. By the way, her outfit is a 6-12 months shirt, she wore it as a dress.

There's a park behind our hotel. You can't really see it because it is covered by buildings and trees. I kept thinking we should go visit it, but the mornings were full. By noon, we were pooped and then Emme took long naps and yada, yada, yada

Besides, a park is a park, right?? Nope, not in China. This park was more like a children's picture book. Page by page, or step by step, an outsider can learn beautiful things about the people of China at this park.

The park is called The People's Park and once inside I knew why. All through that park, the people and their culture came alive.
As we walked in through the gate of the park, we could hear music playing. These older woman, maybe around 60, were dancing a choreographed dance. It was very pretty. And, it's fascinating.

I mean really, can you see grandma's in the US, taking their boom box to the park, making up a dance and then performing it for everyone who walks by to see? I can't help but wonder what in the world they are going to do with this dance once it is perfected.
The next person we come to is an older gentleman. He is holding a long stick with a pointed sponge on the end. He pours water on the sponge and then draws Chinese characters. See what I mean? I don't get this either. In that heat, it doesn't take long to fade. Why spend all that time, for something that doesn't last??

So, Fronk (David) (I am not kidding, he acts exactly like Fronk from Father of the Bride.) So, he takes the writing utensil and draws Malia's name (Vince and Mary's little girl) in Chinese. When Fronk is done, he just laughs and laughs at himself. I told you he was funny. He even think he's funny.

   The older gentleman takes it and "one ups him." He writes Malia's name in characters that are more beautifully formed than Davids. When the gentleman is done, Cindy write Emme's name using the characters. So, of course, the gentleman rewrites Emme's name... in water.

   Emme in Chinese.
   Next, we pass this little guy. Yep, that's his butt check. I don't understand the split pants. It seems a bit unsanitary. Plus, wouldn't you just feel violated?? People,(ok... we) are staring and taking pictures of his butt. I guess this is supposed to help with potty training and when the child has to go, he/she squats. Hence, the squatty potty. I will take a picture the next time I have the unfortunate need of one.
   This nice woman comes over to chat with us. Note- when speaking to foreigners: It doesn't matter how many times you say something, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND YOU!!!! It doesn't matter how many times you repeat that phrase, I am not going to respond. And, even if I do, you are not going to understand me. We just smile and nod at each other. It's very uncomfortable. FINALLY, Cindy comes up to interpret. The nice lady asks: How old is she? Why is she so small?, etc... Then, she thanks us and tells us we are good people.

Impromptu bands spring up all over the place. I am not going to lie to you and tell you it was beautiful music. Sometimes it sounded like a cat screeching on a hot tin roof. But, these people seem to be having the time of their lives. They are as happy as larks.

How do we know larks are happy??? Seriously??

And, why no shirt?? I mean, I know it's hot but in some cases.... it's just never that hot!
These cement balls are called love balls. They are all over the place in Nanning. Yesterday Cindy gave us the story behind them.

Only in the Guangxi Province, they have a festival called the Folksong Festival. From what I understand, it's a big deal. Is is just me, or do they seem to have a lot of these type things that are a big deal??

Anyway, at the Folksong Festival, I know this is going to surprise you, but... they sing folk songs. At some point during the festival, boys stand on one side and girls stand on the other. The girl sings a song asking questions to a boy. Then, the boy sings answers back to the girl. (I am glad I don't live here, sounds like a lot of pressure to me! I thought festivals were supposed to be fun??!) If the girl likes the boy and likes his answers, she throws a ball at him. He has to catch it (more pressure). After the festival, they date to see if they want to get married. Married- geesh! (20 RMB to the first person to tell me what movie that line is from.)

So, as cute little Cindy is explaining this to us, she says, "Now, I am going to sing you a song and then, you sing a song back to me and then we can be friends." So, she sings this beautiful song to us; she had a very good voice. Paul then sang back to her. Now they are friends and I guess I am not... because I didn't sing.

Today, after the park, Cindy took us to a shop off the beaten path. Don't worry, it was safe. And, we bought gifts to give Emme from her province as she gets older. One of those things was a love ball. It was not made of cement. Emme's is colorful fabric with designs on it.
Now, the next picture, wow! Let me first say, before we could make our way into the park, we had to dodge the thousands of people around our hotel buying moon cakes. David, in his Fronk voice says, " I hate a the moon festival. I hate a the moon cakes. I hate a the traffic." Paul and I were dying laughing. I don't understand the moon festival. It's the second biggest holiday here. People travel hundreds of miles home to celebrate this festival with family, friends, etc... I can't understand someone in China hating it. I think it's like someone in the US hating Christmas.

So, he hates the moon festival, but in the park when he runs across a Cantonese Opera, he gets really serious and says, "I love a Cantonese Opera, oh, I love it." He was a serious as a heart attack. To us, it looks and sounds like old woman singing into a Mr. Microphone. Mr. Microphone... it's for kids. You know, when you speak into the microphone, it echos and reverberates. But, we have to sit with a straight face and watch this band, excuse me... opera. And, to not offend him, we act like we love it too!
Yes, the next picture is a giant rat. Why, because this is the Year of the Rat in China. Last year, in 2007, it was the Year of the Pig. That's when Emme was born- The Year of the Pig. So, last year, yep... they had a giant pig, made out of flowers no less.

Speaking of rats, earlier in the week, we asked Cindy some questions about the dietary habits of the Chinese. Paul says, "Is it true that Chinese people eat dog?" She says, "Yes."

And, as I sit here thinking about it, I have only seen one dog in all of China. We've been to two parks in Nanning and I have see nary a dog. I haven't seen a cat either. SCARY!!

So, then he asks, "How about cat?" She says, "Uhh, some people eat cat, but not all." She went onto say that the Chinese often says of themselves, "Chinese people eat anything with 4 legs, except a table."

So, at the park today, we are taking a rest as we are about to melt away, and we see a rat run by. So, of course, Paul says, "Cindy, how about a rat, do Chinese people eat rats?" She says, "Some people eat them. The ones in the rice paddies?" Of course we are looking at her with green faces about to heave. And, she goes on to say, they eat the ones that live out in the fields of rice.

Let me interpret... The ones that live among the rice paddies eat healthy things. SO, that makes a rat healthy to eat. The ones in the city, well, they eat crap! So, they avoid the city rats. Bunch of racists!

You know Paul's next question, "Cindy have you ever had rat?" In her very cute little giggle she says, "Yes." So, Paul says, "Was it good." She said, "Uhh, yes." keeps giggling..." But I not know it was rat. They tell me affer I taste it." giggle giggle giggle. I eat no more affer they tell me."

Well, that makes it better!
As I was walking through The People's Park, I had some thoughts. I never really understood why we had to come to China for 2 weeks to adopt a baby they don't want. Today, as I watched the people, I understood. How could I ever explain China or Nanning (her provincial capital) to Emme having not experienced it. I know China by what I hear about their government which naturally carries over to ALL Chinese people for me. The people of China are not the same as the government. They, for the most part, are kind, caring, patient, loving people. They love life, as evidenced by the park. The older people, they don't retire and sit at home. The go to the park and make up dances and have bands and sing. And, they don't care what others think. What a great way to live!

Green Mountain Park

2008-09-11T03:02:00.000-04:00

This is what we see out every window... all different views from out hotel room. (Pictures explained in post.)
Our guide Cindy and Fronk... I mean David (Vince and Mary's guide) Wendy might weigh 70 lbs. Maybe it's because of the concession stands in China (see later picture).
The fish... they need a one fish policy in China!

I forgot to add this picture the other day. This is all Emme came with. I love that little dress. 2 bottles that I am pretty sure were in a war and grapes the size of Emme's head. Are they kidding telling me she loved them. Honestly, it takes her 5 minutes to gum a Cheerio.

I hope you are all satisfied with the pictures of me (end of post). See what she does when I hold her. She pitches a fit! I hope you feel good about the pain and anguish you caused her so you could believe I was really in China. And, by the way, she doesn't hate getting her diaper changed, her clothes changed or getting a bath. She just hates it when I am the one doing those things. If Paul does it, she's fine. What is up with that??

So, today we went to Green Mountain Park. And, if I lived in Nanning, I'd build myself a hole in the side of the mountain in that beautiful park so I could get away from the 6.5 million people who live in this city. Before I go on, I absolutely love Chinese people! (Good thing...cuz one is my daughter, right?) They are kind and patient. When we walk into a restaurant, someone sweeps us off to the side (usually someone who speaks a bit of English). They give us a picture menu, take our order, allow us to pay apart from the others in line... even at McDonald's. I don't think we treat foreigners this way. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I really do love them. I am sure there is crime, but I feel really safe here too.

Anyway, back to living in Nanning. I am pretty sure that 3 million of those people live right around our hotel. There is a constant flow of bikes, motor scooters and cars. I have said it before and I will say it again and unless you see it for yourself, it's hard to believe, but traffic rules are just a suggestion. Please, let me give you an example. Today, when Cindy and our driver picked us up at our hotel, the area was engulfed in a sea of people. This in part is due to the fact that The Moon Festival is this weekend and apparently, the hot spot to buy these moon cakes is next to our hotel. So, we finally get out of the drive by our hotel that leads to the main road and there are cars and bikes everywhere. We are sitting in the middle of the road of oncoming traffic trying to get over to the three lanes that went North, the direction we needed to go. Our driver, John couldn't get to those lanes, so he just makes a new lane heading north which is in the direction of the oncoming traffic headed South. And, SOMEHOW, this is ok with everyone. No one honks. The cars coming South try to move over for him. Then, I guess John doesn't want to wait to turn left, so he turns right, going RIGHT IN FRONT of the other three lanes of traffic waiting to go North. Again, no one honks or anything. So, he goes down the road a bit, and decides to do a Uturn right in the middle of the road with traffic coming straight at us. Then there are 20 bikes/scooters trying to get across the road and John just goes at them like they are bowling pins. Somehow, by the grace of God almighty, people either veer or stop. And, this kind of behavior is going on all over this city. And, everyone just drives with a straight face acting like this is NORMAL! I guess to them it is. I have yet to see a car accident or any of the 5oo,ooo motor scooters get hit. This in and of itself should tell you how kind and patient the Chinese are. In our country, there would be road rage all over the place.

Whew... I am worn out!

So, we make it to this haven in Nanning where I only see like 100 people in this whole huge park. The first thing we do it feed these fish. If you ask me, by the size of these things, they don't need to be feed. But, what they do need is a one fish policy among this school of fish living in this lake.

Then we climb up the Great Wall of Nanning (it felt like it anyway!) to a 9 story pagoda. Once at the top, we are at the highest point in Nanning, so we can see the whole city. And, with all due respect and somberness, it is very easy to understand how so many people can die here in an earthquake. I have never seen a house in Nanning or Beijing. People live in massive high rises. Many of them should not be able to pass a building inspection let alone stand up through an earthquake. Very sad!

By the time we left the park, we were again covered in sweat. We came back ate a noodle lunch again and sat in this silly hotel room until 6. Emme took a long nap. I read and read. Paul did some work and then worked out.

I can't exercise here because the Fitness Center is behind our hotel in another building. It just looks shady to me. And, I think the pool outside the workout facility belongs to the hotel. But, every time I look down from my room I see lots of Chinese people doing the breast stroke. They all do the breast stroke. I haven't figured this exercise out for them yet. It's not like they are doing the Michael Phelps breast stroke. It is very leisurely. Then, the men, who have on these European bathing suits, hiked up to their chest, go into the workout room and workout in these same shorts with no shirts. It's just too much for me!

Dinner, again with our friends Vince, Mary and Malia: roasted crocodile steak, conger eel spaghetti, superior sharks fin with conpoy and crab cream, boiled fish lip with mustard and ginkgo, ox shin with edible fungus and satay, braised turtle with cereal in chicken sauce, stewed superior fish maw (what the heck?? Actually, I don't want to know) with french mushrooms, stewed turtle with mushrooms OR PIZZA HUT? HMMMMM we chose Pizza Hut. We got a little crazy and got some spicy chicken on our pizza. How about that for wild eating in China??

I'm going to wrap it all up with this final thought... I was looking at little Emme tonight and feeling sad for her thinking about all the time she must have gone hungry. When I thought, "Had she not had not gone through this horrible time, she would not be special needs. If she wasn't a special needs child, she would likely not be ours." What others meant for evil, GOD used for good. (See the story of Joseph in Genesis) And all God's people said..... AMEN!

Emme loves her mommy.... not!
Wow, all 12 pounds throws a temper tantrum! Check out those gums! No teeth! None. Nada. Zilch!
What dad?

Our friends- Vince, Mary and precious Malia. Thank God for them!!:-)
On the way up to the pagoda.....
The pagoda sideways... sorry, don't know how to turn it around.
I get a little excited every time I see I concession stand. Until I remember I am in CHINA! Cup of noodles, pickled who knows what in those jars. Have these people ever heard of soft pretzels, cotton candy or popcorn???
I gotta take some lessons. Here are older woman in 95 degree heat in 100% humidity in LONG pants and LONG sleeved shirts working away. I pull one weed when it's this hot at home and I have to go rest.

The Nanning Zoo

2008-09-10T03:15:00.000-04:00

Seriously... doesn't that look like a person with a costume on??
That picture revealed way more than we cared to see.
Who knew this could really happen? I just thought it was in books and on cartoons

The act that about gave me a heart attack.
What? I don't even know what's going on here.

Elaine Benice???

Sorry I was late posting today. I was trying to get more pictures for those saying, "More, more, more!" ALso, thanks a million for the comments and all the emails. I think I would die without them!

Things about Emme I forgot to mention.... She hates, hates, hates getting her clothes changed, her diaper changed and getting a bath. Sometimes she gets so mad and holds her breath for so long before lets out wail, that... I am pretty sure she is going to pass out one of these times. She does not in any way act like a child that is 1 year old. She is very low maintenance. She doesn't try to go anywhere. She doesn't put anything to her mouth. No question is she slow growth and development! Poor thing!

Today

Well, today we skipped the ol' breakfast buffet and had pb&j for breakfast. Never tasted so good!

Then, we met our guide in the lobby at 9:30 am so we could go to the zoo. We rented a stroller at our hotel first. It's $1 a day. Emme is so small that it's hard to hold her. Plus, she starts to break your back after awhile.

We met our friends from Texas, Mary and Vince and their guide David, at the zoo. David cracks me up! He is exactly like Franc (pronounced Fronk) from Father of the Bride. I'll have to post his picture tomorrow. I think you'll laugh just looking at him. Not because his physical looks look funny but because I think you can tell he is a funny guy just by looking at him!

So, the zoo in Nanning. Wow! This zoo is nothing like zoos in the US. And, I don't mean to sound like the Nanning zoo has one up on us- cuz... they don't! It is beautiful as far as the landscape goes. It's very green, big beautiful palm trees, lots of flowers, etc... But, the rest of the zoo looks very run down.

Before I tell you about our experience there, you should know that the heat today was oppressive.

We were all drenched in sweat. Emme was getting a heat rash. So, I was in no mood to take pictures.

The first performance started and I was waiting for that Candid Camera Crew to pop out. I thought, "These people can't be serious." It was the cheesiest thing I had ever seen. There were Russian performers and this lady was trying to dance all fancy, kinda like the gymnasts do, only without all the flipping. And, she kept moving her hands to make us think we should look at something only there was nothing to look at. Once she almost fell. The performance area was a ring and the red stuff the were dancing on was like a sheet. So, it'd get all bunched up in areas. Poor lady. She was all dressed up, dancing this horrible dance and about broke her neck for an audience of maybe 50. Then, they had cats running along these stilt looking things. Stilts with small plates on the top. It started low and would get high and then get low again and the cat would run along the length and then back again. Then, she takes this other poor cat and he starts walking down these parallel bars (like the male gymnasts) with his arms. CATS!! Common household cats.... AT THE ZOO!! Aren't we supposed to see things elephants standing on a beach ball or men sticking their heads in the mouths of lions. We are watching cats. One more time.... cats.

So, then I look over and see what I think is a person in a bear costume. Again, I thought how ridiculous... as if that's going to be funny. So, the bear comes walking- like a human- over to the ring. It was then that I realized- THAT'S A REAL BEAR! It was no question a male bear and because it was a real bear trying to walk like a human, he looked like a fairy. Fairy bear. The bear did some pretty impressive tricks (see pictures). Then, the monkeys came out to join him and they all started riding bikes. Real bikes! Not bikes with training wheels. We were dying laughing- a bear and 3 monkeys riding bikes.

The final act was the 3 Chinese men running on those wheels. I about had to take a nerve pill when it was over. At the end of their performance, two of the guys were running on the outside of the wheels with black bags over their heads. Then, they took the bags off and one guy stayed on. He kept jumping when the wheel would get to the top and EVERY time he looked like he was going to fall. I hated it!

So, you can tell we had a very entertaining morning! Really, it may not be the USA but it is great memories!

We arrived at 10 and left by noon. There were not many animals and it was too hot.

We came back and ate lunch in the hotel room. Noodles in a cup- just add hot water. We have a hot pot.

We stayed in the hotel again all afternoon. It's too hot and crowded. I feel like Beijing and Nanning make NYC look like the country. Plus Emme took a really long nap.

We met our friends for dinner tonight- KFC.... ummm boy. The highlight was getting a strawberry sundae for Emme. She could not get enough. Then we were walking around the city with Mary and Vince and the KFC did not agree with my system. We had to get a cab and get back to the hotel. (I know... too much info.)

Stay tuned for more exciting time in Nanning!:-)

Emme is officially ours!

2008-09-09T05:25:00.000-04:00

That's a funny face she likes to make... not a cry!
This picture was taken right after we got back to the hotel with her. Her little dress was actually cute.
The whale was giving her kisses.
We see lots of smiles!
This is what we did all day, laid in bed and talked and played with her!
Waiting for camera flash... she likes the camera.
Paul feeding Emme her bottle and having her listen to worship music.
We keep trying to show everyone how small she is, but in the pictures, she always looks normal. Paul's hand is bigger than her head.
Scrawny legs!
Listening to worship music.

Emme had a bit of a rough night last night. We had to wake her up because a family photo had to be taken by 8 pm. We had to put a cold rag on her eyes and everything to get her to open them. As if the poor thing hadn't been through enough already! After the trauma, she settled down and laid between the two of us. We all three drifted off to sleep.

She woke up sometime during the night and I feed her a bottle. I don't think she was really ever awake for the feeding, so putting her back down was not an issue. She woke at 6 am. So, she slept about 10 hours last night.

Weeks before we left for China, Paul kept telling me that Emme was going to like him more. He even claimed to have had a dream about it. Well, it's true. If he is out of her sight, she starts crying like there's no tomorrow! I am ok with it! We had a very wise woman, who has adopted 8 children, tell us that that would likely happen. She likes me... just not like she likes him.

This morning we went to breakfast at the hotel as it was included in our cost. When we walked in, there were 3 large areas of food set out. Very quickly, we learned that we would not be eating much off of that very large spread of food. When you come across, sauteed pigs feet bloody with leaks (yes, that was the exact wording!), it kinda ruins your appetite. We had fruit and a muffin. But, Emme girl ate like a champ. She had rice congee, lots of pineapple and some watermelon. Today, she has taken a couple of bottles and she has eaten everything we have given her. Gerber fruit puffs, banana, apple juice, and even a bit of pizza!

It is really sad, but honestly, I think she was starving. She needs newborn diapers. 3-6 month clothing does not even fit her. Even the adoption officials were blown away by how small she is.

We received lots of pictures of her when she was younger and she was really chubby... at least her face. We also found out that she had two different foster moms. I am not sure what happened nutritionally. Emotionally, she's very happy. Maybe the foster mom was too poor to feed her properly. Who knows??!! I am thankful for the care she received. I am really thankful that she's mine and I have her now. I am constantly trying to shove food down her:-)

Anyway, after breakfast, we went to do paperwork and appear before adoption officials. They asked us why we wanted to adopt from China. They asked if we were happy with her. They even mentioned her being really small and needing extra care. We had to promise we would never abandon her or harm her. As if we would go through all we have been through to abandon her or harm her! Guess they have to asked.

After the official stuff, we went to the Chinese Walmart Supercenter. Emme was so excited to go shopping that she slept the whole time. I had to get her some socks because her skin is transparent and I am afraid that at any moment she is going to freeze to death in 90+ degree weather. (That may be a little dramatic. I worry about her in the air conditioning.) We also bought her some rice cereal. Then we bought some food rations so we don't starve to death. Fruit, Pb&J, chinese noodles (that's our idea of Chinese food!)

Next stop- PIZZA HUT! After no dinner and a very small breakfast, we needed something that tasted like home. I normally hate Pizza Hut, but this was like manna from heaven.

Dinner tonight- McDonalds. I met a lady online (Mary) and we got our girls at the same time. Her little girl is Mahlia and she is beautiful. I think we both need to talk to another American around some American food. Mary's birthday was yesterday... great birthday gift, huh? So we are going to celebrate with some cake too. I am a bit leery about this cake eating. Here's why... The Chinese are having a big holiday Monday. It is the Moon Festival. So, everyone is buying these mooncakes. Our little guide, Cindy, said we needed to try some. So, she was helping us pick some out. I would hold up package and ask her what was inside (because there is something inside all of them). I held up the green one and she said, "Green beans.'' I held up the blue one and she said, "Seafood." SERIOUSLY, can you see why we would have trouble eating here??? I think I settled for one with red sugar and one with strawberries.

A few more things about Emme... She sits and plays and plays and plays- with ANYTHING. Toys, paper, books, the remote control. She laughs. We have been sitting by her all day in this hotel room playing with her. She finally got to the point where she let me cuddle her and love on her and she even reached for me. Yesterday, when I would go to reach for her, she would shake her head 'No'. She can sit very well by herself. However, she doesn't do well on her tummy and she is not the greatest turning over off her back (This may be because we have her on the bed. Who wants to lay her on the hotel room floor?) She most definitely can not crawl and I am not convinced that she can go from laying to sitting or from sitting to standing.

She is doing great though! We are in love with her. She is a very precious gift from God. We are certain he matched us with THIS little girl.

You know, we fought and screamed when we didn't get the other little girl. It was very difficult. Emme has fought and screamed (not much, but some) because she has been taken from the known into the unknown. However, in both cases, God was and is working. He knows us better than we know ourselves and he can see the big picture. I need to learn to trust him more.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.

Emme Day!!!

2008-09-08T06:22:00.000-04:00

Paul was up this morning at 2 am. I was up at 3. We left the hotel at 5:40. Our flight left at 7:40.

We arrived in Nanning at 11:09. We meet our guide Cindy... who is as cute as she can be, by the way. She told us we would to get our little girl at 3:30.

She and our driver dropped us off at the hotel. We exchanged some money and ate lunch. The hotel has 3 restaurants and told us one of them had Western food. So, of course we went there. Yea! They had a hamburger and french fries, so we both ordered that.

It was all I could do to choke down half of the hamburger. They may serve Western food but they have no idea how to cook it. The hamburger was mushy. I am pretty sure they boiled it! YUCK!

We still had an hour before we left so Paul read about OSU football and I started a new book.

Finally, it was time to go. We were to go to a hotel a bit down the road and the children would come there. (Even though we were not with a group, everyone adopting had the same appointment time.)

I met up with a girl and her husband who I had talked to online. Then, other families started arriving. I saw one baby but we had to wait to be called.

We didn't wait long because we were called first. The orphanage director brought her in. Neither Paul or I cried because when the director came walking in, I said, "Is that her???"

I can't even begin to describe how little she is. She's lucky if she weighs 12 lbs. Honestly, she looks like one of those babies you see on tv... like the Feed The Children program. I am not trying to be funny. Really, it's a bit stressful. I am afraid I am going to hurt her.

They told me to give her water before I give her a bottle. I am afraid that's the problem. Any advise? Don't you think she'd get filled up on the water and then not want to formula??

She won't take a bottle from us yet. This does not surprise me- part of the adjustment.

I should tell you the positive things... I am just completely in awe of how tiny she is.

She is beautiful! Just gorgeous! She didn't cry at all when they gave her to us. As a matter of fact, she laughed, smiled, talked and played. When we got back to the hotel, of course I tried to feed her first. But, then she just played and played and played.

Then, all of a sudden, she looked around. Her lip puckered and she wailed for the next 15 minutes. So sad!

SHe cried herself to sleep. She has had lots of changes. She had to go back to the orphanage (about 1 week ago) after leaving her foster mom. Then, she was in the car for 3 1/2 hours to get here.

She is still sleeping now. I am not sure how long I should let her sleep. We'll never get to bed tonight:-) This is what I asked for! I am ok with it! We have her!!!

O-H-I-O on the Great Wall

2008-09-07T07:15:00.000-04:00

10 HOURS LATER!

We left this morning at 9. It is now 7:20pm and we just returned.

We were woken this morning by very loud thunder and pouring rain. I was so sad because I didn't think we'd get to go to the Great Wall.

We ate breakfast in the hotel again. I did much better. I had a few bites of things I couldn't stomach. I had a bite of congee, a bite of fried rice and a bite of cereal. I can't even eat cereal in China because the milk tastes different and it is warm (or at least warmer). I did get down 2 whole egg whites and a piece of bread.

We met our guide in the lobby and we were off to the Great Wall. It took about an hour to get there. By the time we were close, the rain had cleared and the temperature was perfect.

The Great Wall is in a beautiful area with tree lined mountains. The Great Wall is just as magnificent as I had imagined. What I didn't imagine was how difficult it would be to climb. You'd think I'd have a clue because when I run from the basement to the bedrooms upstairs I am sucking wind. I was really sucking wind and my legs were on fire! At the beginning of the area we started climbing, it was about a 90 degree angle. The steps are not even... just to make it a bit more difficult. Some are as easy as taking a normal step while others were like taking giant step after giant step. I think we made it to about the 4th tower up. It got easier as it went up, it wasn't so steep. Coming down, especially the area that was at a 90 degree angle really jarred my knees. They hurt tonight.

After the Great Wall, I was about to eat my own shirt. I was so hungry. I have hardly had anything to eat and climbing that wall took everything out of me. Good thing we were on our way to lunch.

We stopped at some place for shopping and eating. We were able to learn about Cloisonne I have a lot of appreciation for that art now... never really liked them before today.

At lunch, we had a form of Kung Pao chicken again. But this time it was really good. They had also put lots of other things on the table but we didn't touch anything else. Grace, our guide, had also ordered Sweet and Sour Pork for us. I don't eat pork. The rest of the stuff was unrecognizable. I don't eat what I can't recognize. She didn't eat with us and wasn't there so we didn't feel bad not eating it.

After we left that place, we were on our way to the Summer Palace. Now, it's quite obvious that there are many cultural differences between us and the Chinese. The food- that's a big one. I forgot that one of the menu items from the day before was insect heads or something like that. Personal space among cars, bikes, people and buses is non-existent. The Chinese are very patient that way. No one ever seems to get really upset when everyone and everything is converging together. I really like that about them. But, the one thing I will never understand is what I saw when we were almost at the Summer Palace. There was a grassy area with some trees, but it was not an area that was dense with trees. I could see buildings through the trees, etc... But, I did not expect to see a grown man squatting down taking a poop. WHAT IN THE WORLD??? He had to have known people could see him. Have you no shame??? There's nothing else I can say about this so I am just going to move on.

When we got to the Summer Palace, I think I was going to have to resuscitate Paul when Grace said that the Summer Palace was 4 times as big as the Forbidden City. But, the Summer Palace was much better than the Forbidden City. The Summer Palace was beautiful. It was surrounding by beautiful gardens, flowers, a lake... We walked around for 2 hours.

After this, Grace and our driver Trevor (are we supposed to believe these are their real names?) drove us by the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube... very cool to see in person. It's even more impressive then it looks on TV.

Close to this Olympic area, Grace took us to learn how to drink tea properly. Who knew? It was educational. We bought some tea. But, we really only bought the tea because of the free gift that came with the purchase of tea. Let me explain. There is also a proper way to prepare tea. This tea was not made with bags. It's just the leaves. So, the water that needs to be poured over the tea should be about 95 degrees. So, the cute little Chinese girl teaching us about the tea, pulls this little toy boy out of a cup of water. She poured cold water on his head and nothing happened. Then she poured the hot water on his head and he peed it out all over the place. Can you imagine how much Jackson is going to love that? As if he needs anymore encouragement to pee in places he's not supposed to... but we couldn't resist.

Our final stop-Grace and Trevor dropped us off at the 'fake market'. You can buy any name brand you can think of there... I guess it's fake but you could fool me! But, I didn't buy anything because I was a nervous wreck. There were girls in pink shirts everywhere yelling at us to buy things. If they even thought you might be interested they would attack you. Paul kept saying, "Don't make eye contact, don't make eye contact!" So, what was the point of being there, we couldn't look. I had had it. I knew it was time to leave when I lost Paul for a minute. I turned around to see him holding a shoe.

He was carrying the camera bag and this girl puts a Nike shoe on the bag. He kept trying to give it back to her and she wouldn't take it. Then she says to him in her broken English, "Take it, it gift."

So he says, "What am I going to do with one shoe?"

To which she replies, "You have to buy the other one!"

I hear him bust a gut, put the shoe down and run for me. All the while she is yelling, "You can't do that!"

Seriously, can you see us in China??

We ate some pizza for dinner and walked back to the hotel. It is 8:12 pm and Paul is again sawing logs. Walking for 8 hours will do that to you!

WELL, TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY. We are getting up at 4am to be picked up by Grace and Trevor at 5:20 am. Our flight is at 7:40 am. I am not sure what time we get Emme, but I am sure by this time tomorrow night, our little angel will be in our room listening to her daddy snore. Until then......

P.S. We will post pictures. If you can believe it, we forgot our cord to download the pictures onto our computer. We bought a cord tonight. So look at this post again so you can see today's pictures of the Great Wall, etc... Don't worry... no pictures of the pooping man!

P.S.S. Today was a great day!! Thanks for praying!

Day #1 in China- done!

2008-09-06T07:31:00.000-04:00

I wish there were words to describe this day. There are none to suffice.

I will say that I always thought I wasn't made for foreign travel... and now I am certain of it. Don't get me wrong. I am going to enjoy every second I am here..... but....

A couple of things... First of all, I don't think that I am sick from the food or anything else in China. I had one of the worst headaches known to man. Paul thought I was dehydrated (Who made him the doctor??) So, he made me drink a lot of water. The water was the only thing I threw up. Then, I get all worked up about not feeling well and being in CHINA and my stomach goes crazy. Hence, the vast amount of time in the bathroom- that's what happens when I get nervous. Sorry for the detail, but I wanted to be clear that it was my nerves and not food.

Next, he thinks we should go eat. Before I go into detail about the eating, why didn't anyone warn me about the smell in China?? And, what in the world is the smell?? It's everywhere! It makes my stomach do flips... and not the good kind of flips. So, we go to eat breakfast in the hotel. I could barely look at the food. I got 2 tiny pieces of french toast and some cereal. I took ZERO bites of anything! The thoughts of the unrecognizable foods combined with the smell... no way I could eat! We were to meet our guide at 10 am in the lobby so I ate 1/2 of a poptart that we brought.

Then we were off to the Forbidden City. It lies to the north of Tiananmen Square and rectangular in shape, Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. 74 hectares is about 1000 miles... at least that's what it felt like. It was interesting and very big!

After the Forbidden City, we went to heaven. Our guide took us to some massage place. It was beautiful. Paul and I were taken into this room with really comfortable chairs and a tv. We had our feet washed and massaged for the next 70 minutes. It was amazing! Then, we left that room and had our neck and back massaged for 30 minutes. Yes, that is 100 minutes of massaging. And, guess how much it cost?? For both of us??? $60 US dollars! And, worth every penny.

It was about 3 pm by then and we hadn't eaten so our guide took us to this restaurant next door to the massage place. I left heaven because that smell smacked me in the face the minute I walked in the door of that restaurant. As were walking to our table we passed lots of things floating in jars. In one of the jars, there were sea horses, lots of them. So, I asked our guide, whose name is Grace, "WHAT IS THAT??"

I gotta tell you, she may speak English, but I don't know what the heck she is saying half of the time. I did get that it is some sort of alcohol... for men. I didn't ask anymore questions. And, those of you who have been here, I know there are things that I am going to see that are far worse than this, but I couldn't even look at the menu. Salted duck liver, duck blood soup... I was done.!! Paul ordered some form of Kung pao chicken and Grace ordered tofu. I ate about 3 bites of rice and one bite of the chicken, while gagging!! I am not sure if I believe anything is really chicken.

After this, we went to an acrobat show. That was amazing! I LOVED IT! I didn't know people could do things like that with there bodies. It was really one of the best live performances I have ever seen. But, the smell, yep! It was there too!

We were dropped off at our hotel for the evening. We decided to play frogger down the road to find McDonalds. Someone once said that the traffic rules in China were at best suggestions. Truer words have never been spoken.

We made it to the Golden Arches. The smell had followed us down the street and it too stopped when we stopped. I choked down a cheeseburger. Besides all the reasons listed above as being reasons why I would have to choke something down, I had another reason. Last week when I mentioned to my brother that McDonalds was in China and that would probably be all I could eat... he told me that it was made out of rat meat.

There really are reasons for everything. Now I know why I gained 15 pounds waiting for this little girl! (I am hoping to leave everyone of those pounds here.)

Speaking of little Emme girl, I honestly keep forgetting why I am here. That's why they send us to Beijing first. They have to give us time to get used to the culture shock.

So, we are going to bed. It's 8pm and we are dead. I am typing to the sound of Paul sawing logs while I watch the paraolympics opening ceremony on tv. Yep, there are just down the road. Seems like I shouldn't be watching them on tv.

Tomorrow Emme will spend her last day without a family. We are headed to the Summer Palace and The Great Wall. I wonder if the smell will be there??

P.S. Please don't feel left out if you don't have a day to pray. My friends had a shower for me and everyone signed up for a day. If you don't have a specific day, that means you have to pray everyday. And, as you can see, I need it!

Good Morning.... or maybe not

2008-09-05T19:29:00.001-04:00

I have this group of people who are supposed to be praying for us, hopefully everyone is praying everyday. However, I specifically have 14 people- one assigned to each day. And, my question is this, who has Friday?

Whoever it is.... can you pray harder?? I went to bed with a pounding headache. I woke up all through the night with a pounding headache. Paul made me drink a bunch of water this morning- thinking I was dehydrated. I ate a granola bar that I brought and took a sinus pill and some motrin. They I threw up. Yes, me with the cast iron stomach - not Paul, who throws up all the time. And, now, I can't quit going to the bathroom. I don't know how in the world I am supposed to eat anything this morning. So, please pray! This is not the way I was hoping this would start, but GOd is bigger than all of this! I know the enemy really wants to get at me!

I will post again later today after we move out and about and actually see some of Beijing- if I can stay out of the bathroom!!:-)

We are here!!

2008-09-05T10:59:00.000-04:00

Yea!! We made it! Wow! That's about the only nice thing I can say about that plane ride. (Gotta keep the testimony up! )

It could have been worse! There... that's another nice thing!

I have a splitting headache because my body thinks that it's 11 am and it needs it's coffee. But, my China clock says it 11 pm. So, I am going to get to bed!

However, I do have to mention that it is obvious people are praying for me! I felt it all day! I was so peaceful. Meet up with a family in Detroit that I had met on line. We traveled the rest of the way together. In Tokyo, we met an amazing older gentlemen and his wife. I heard her pray the sweetest prayer, out loud, with her eyes open about getting to her hotel and the Lord surrounding her. How can that not bring one peace?? They, along with some other family members and friends, were going to go play with kids in an orphanage for two weeks. We had a really fun conversation with them. We also meet an American family whose son is competing in the paraolympics in Beijing.

Tomorrow... Forbidden City and acrobat show! More then! Keep praying! Emme only has 2 more whole days without a mommy and daddy!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I Love You, Tomorrow

2008-09-03T08:19:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I Love You, Tomorrow!!!!!!!!! I feel like Annie today! Sing it with me!!

Tomorrow is the day we have been waiting for, planning for and preparing for. And I, have never been so glad. I am so tired of THINKING about going and TALKING about going. I get tired of hearing myself!! Just get me on that plane already!! 8 hours into that flight, I will be screaming to get me off, but.....

So, I plan on posting on this blog daily. Planning is a big word and we all know how our plans go. I am hoping that in China I won't have trouble getting onto this site, etc... AND, I would love, love, love for you to leave comments!! I have heard that sometimes the comments don't show up, so maybe you can copy and paste your comments in an email to me as well. My email is isaacspartyof6@yahoo.com.

Monday, September 8, 2008, we really will be a party of 6. That's when we get Emme!! While you are sleeping Sunday night, our hearts and minds will be racing wildly in anticipation of someone handing us that precious little girl. And, sometime while you are sleeping, when we hold her for the first time, all the work and the things we have fought against to get her, will be a distant memory.

Today, we will finish packing and doing all those last minute preparations. As time flies today, I am sure I will become more nervous. Traveling to China was one of the things that kept me from starting this process long ago. A huge part of me is doing this afraid, BUT I am trusting God.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you: He will not fail you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6-8

Please pray for us everyday. And, please pray for my children as I think they are dreading this!! Excited about the new sister, not so excited about mom and dad leaving!

Watch out China!! Here we come!!

2 days left

2008-09-02T07:47:00.000-04:00

We leave in 2 days!! Yippee!! It finally feels real. I am strangely calm.... which makes me nervous. It also confirms that what Paul say is true. I look for things to worry about. I think I am addicted to worry. I need to be more disciplined in my thinking. I am working on it!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Lil' Emme Girl

2008-08-30T12:33:00.000-04:00

Little Emme is one today!! We think she's getting a great birthday present too.. our family!! And, how fun is it that her birthay is the day after mine?? Or is it???

I'll admit it. I am not always the sharpest tool in the tool box. My brothers used to tell jokes or say things around their friends that I just didn't get. On more than one occassion, I'd see them lean in to their friends and whisper, "She's really blond."

My father-in-reminded me yesterday China is 12 hours ahead of us. There's a real possibility that, on USA time, she WAS born on my birthday. So, what would you do?? Give her her own birthday or should we have the same birthday? I know some of you have never left a comment... so now is your chance. I've asked your opinion.

I really, really wanted to have Emme before her first birthday. It didn't happen so I'll just keep trusting that God's timing is best. And, it is my prayer that she would never spend another birthday without her family.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY EMME!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Happy Birthday!!

2008-08-29T09:58:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday to me!!!

I know one shouldn't really wish themselves a happy birthday. But, hey... how many people do you know that get to go to China for their birthday?? And, then, in China, that same lucky person gets handed a beautiful baby girl all wrapped up on a pink bow. Well, alright... maybe not the pink bow. The Chinese aren't much into fashion. Have you seen the outfits those babies come in? Wow! is about all one can say about that!!

I'm gonna go have a great day!!

P. S. My husband and oldest daughter are on a government field trip. They are going to watch John McCain announce his running mate...live. And guess what... IT'S HIS BIRTHDAY TOO!!!!

The Battle

2008-08-26T21:08:00.000-04:00

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

Ephesians 6:12

I believe when God sets desires in peoples hearts and sets them on a mission, the army of the enemy prepares for battle. He doesn't wait long to attack.

If you know me, it is no secret that I have battled depression and anxiety attacks since I was about 19 years old. I am very open about it, it's not a secret. It's not an everyday issue. It usually rears it's ugly head in very stressful times. I have had terrible bouts about 5 times. I believe that I will have complete victory over this one day. I serve a living, powerful, healing God. And, he sent Jesus, so that I might live life and live it fully. To me, that means being victorious over weaknesses. However, I will always have an enemy. That enemy studies my weaknesses and strikes there every time.

It's like on the movie Karate Kid. (Don't act like you didn't love this movie!) Daniel LaRusso is fighting in the championship of a karate tournament. He's fighting against the bully who has beat him up and tormented him. Daniel's leg is hurt and the master of the other team knows this. He orders the boy to strike Daniel's leg.

That's what the enemy of this world does to us. To me specifically, he preys upon this weak area of my life.

In February of 2006, when we were in the paperchase part of the adoption, he hit me hard. I started having panic attacks which in turn makes me depressed. I wanted to concede defeat and forget the adoption. However, the Lord was faithful. He keeps teaching me how to fight.

This past spring, Satan took a different approach. I wish that I had written down the attacks that took place in the month of May. Although, I doubt many people would believe that all the things that happened could happen to one person in such a short amount of time. At one point, I WAS TOTALLY convinced that Candid Camera was lurking around every corner. I was just waiting for someone to jump out and say, "Smile! Your on Candid Camera!"

I thought for all of you who follow along with this story, I'd at least give you a play by play of the first weekend of May. Plus, Emme has to have a record of this. I want her to know that we were fighting... fighting for her!

May 1, looked like one of the happiest days on record. At approximately 12:30, we had an unsolicited, surprise call from Maury at FTIA announcing our LOA had arrived. And, it was only 6 days after receiving word we had received our PA. If you are adopting SN from China, then you know this is like a miracle. We were so excited! She gave us instructions that our LOA would be overnight Fedexed to us. We would receive it on Friday morning and we were to send it back, Fedex, overnight, on the same day.

It arrived on Friday morning, just like it was supposed to. I signed it, filled out the travel sheets, made some copies and prepared to send it back. While I was making copies, since my copier is in my laundry room, I threw in a load of laundry.

You should also know, that I had a garage sale going on outside and it was Jackson's 5th birthday. Hardly anything going on at the Isaascs' house! Ha!

At one point, I came back in to throw the wet clothes into the dryer. I walked into the laundry room to find water all over the floor. For some odd reason, our washer empties into a sink. Our washer doesn't dump the water into some magic hole in the wall, like most people's washers. It goes into a sink and the sink had decided not to accept any more water so it spewed it all over my floor. We had to call someone right away because there was so much laundry that it was going to start revolting if it didn't get washed. It was fix it fast or I was quitting!

So, a guy came over to fix the problem about 2 pm. About 3 pm, I left to run to Fedex to overnight the papers back. While I was there, I had a few color copies made that would only copy well by Fedex, etc... Of course, those trips always take longer than expected.

I flew home to grab Gracie to take her to gymnastics while a mighty wind was whipping up a storm. I helped Paul throw some of the garage sale stuff into the garage and somehow in that small amount of time, we got into an argument. It is important to note that, we are one of those odd couples who rarely fight. I don't even know what the fight was about. I threw Gracie in the car and drove in the driving rain to her class. When I arrived, I grabbed my copies of the paperwork to look over while I was inside. I am not sure why I did this, but I did.

While inside looking over the paperwork, I realize that Paul didn't even sign the LOA. I panicked, called Fedex and begged them to dig out my envelope. They fished it out but told me to get there by 6 pm so it could go out on time. I ran home to get Paul. And, guess what?? 3 hours later, the guy is STILL fixing the sink in our laundry room. It is now 5 pm . I had one hour to get to Fedex. At, 5:55 pm, 4 HOURS of fixing one pipe in our laundry sink, the guy finally finishes and we race to Fedex.

Please, keep in mind, it is Jackson's birthday. At this point, he has reminded us many times it has not been a good birthday. We do our business at Fedex. We went to dinner at a place Jackson made sure to tell us he didn't like. We went home, joyfully sang Happy Birthday, ate cake and sent the kids to bed.

I went down to throw in a load of laundry and went to bed... happy. NOT!!!!

In the morning, I went straight to the laundry room to put the clothes into dry because Shelby's uniform was in the wash and she had a soccer game at 11 am. I also had a baby shower for a very dear, wonderful friend at 10 am.

I walked into the Ohio River.... in my laundry room. That river that I walked into made the previous days flood look like a small rain puddle. The water had come out into the family room and it had gone under the wall into the bedroom next to it.

I ran upstairs. I announced to Paul that the idiot that fixed the sink for 4 HOURS the day before didn't really fix the sink at all! He very calmly looked at me. HE thought for a moment and then....he had the nerve to say to me, "Did you put the hose back in the tub?" I said, "WHAT???!!!"

"Did you put the hose back in the tub?"

"WHY WOULD I THINK TO PUT THE HOSE BACK IN THE TUB???????" "I DIDN'T WORK ON THE SINK??" "YOU WERE WITH THE PLUMBER FOR 4 HOURS!!" "I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE HOSE WAS OUT OF THE SINK!!!!!!!'

To clarify, the water didn't just BACK UP. The water from the washing and the RINSING, all 400 gallons, poured onto my floor.

You don't need to hear the rest of the conversation. And, my dear friend, who has done more for me than I could ever write....... I didn't make it to her shower.

Sunday, I went my laundry room to make some copies. I love, love, LOVED that copier. Yes, I said LOVED. The copier that I used everyday, because A) I am adopting and if you adopt, you need a copier and B) I homeschool. Everyday....EVERYDAT I used that copier. The great flood... it ruined the power pack.

So, on Monday morning, I got up and at 8:30 I called HP to order a new power pack cord. I had the part number ready.

Of course, you know the drill. It takes 10 minutes to get to a live person. After 10 minutes, I start to order the part.

The live person I was talking to.... I am pretty sure he lived in India.

Me: "Um, yes, I need to order a new cord for my printer. The part # is RW456 876 45TS. "

For the next 15 minutes, I read that guy every part # on the cord, the printer, the phone book. You name it!

Finally, I think we have the part.

At this point, it is 9:15 and I have to be at a Kindergarten screening at 9:30 am. My hair is not fixed, my teeth not brushed. I only have on the t-shirt I slept. And, I am violently motioning my children to get dressed.

The Indian Man (dot not feather) (please use the accent when you read): Could I have your name?

Me: April Isaacs. I-S-A-A-C-S

The Indian Man: your address

Me: ( I have to spell my street, 3 times!)

The Indian Man: Zip code

Me: 35359

Keyboard clicking

Indian man: That is not a valid zip code.

Me: 3 5 3 5 9

Keyboard clicking

Indian Man: That is not a valid zip code.

Me: Sir, I get mail here everyday. I have lived here for 5 years. That is my zip code.

Me Ok. Change it from (small town I live in) to (close big city)

Indian Man: That is not a valid zip code

Keyboard clicking

Me: I sit and breathe in and breath out and count to 10. I say nothing.

Indian Man: Miss, if you do not give me valid zip code, I can not order your part.

ME: ( I am normally calm, rarely raise my voice.) (My voice was very raised, very raised!) SIR, DO YOU THINK THAT I WOULD SIT HERE ON THE PHONE FOR ALMOST AN HOUR TO GET A PART SO THAT WHEN I FINALLY GET TO THE PART WHERE I CAN GET THE PART, I CAN GIVE YOU AN INVALID ZIP CODE?????????????

Indian man: I need a valid zip code.

I hung up... without ordering the part. I had no choice. I had to leave.

Candid camera did not reveal themselves.

I got dressed, went to the Kindergarten screening. A few days later, I got a new copier.

If you have made it this far, WOW, you should get an award!!

Sometimes, the enemy attacks and attacks and attacks. He can do it in multiple small ways like he did to me in May. Desperately trying to wear me down. Or, he can drop the nuclear bomb and go for my mind. I believe that over the last, almost 3 years, he has tried whatever it would take to keep a little girl out of this home. He knew, when we succeeded, that precious little girl would hear about Jesus everyday. He's going to lose. We leave in 7 days!

The Lord has taught me how to use his word to fight. He has also taught me that over and over and over again in the scriptures, praising and worshipping him brings defeat. Check it out for yourself. When the Israelites when out to fight, they sent the tribe that sang songs about the victory God would win, AHEAD of the people who would do the physical battle. In the New Testament, when someone wanted healing, they worshipped him first. When he was not worshipped first, he confronted the faith of the individual. (See Matthew 15:22-28) In that passage, the woman's miracle did not come until two things had been established: 1) that she had faith , and 2)that she was going to worship God.

2 Chronicles 20:21

When he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers to sing to the Lord and praise him in their holy garments as the WENT OUT BEFORE the army saying, Give thanks to the Lord, for his mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!!

Will you go before us and praise God and pray for our protection against the enemy???

People, Packing, Papers and Pandemonium

2008-08-20T21:58:00.000-04:00

The people are the children living in my home... right now. Have I mentioned that in 14 days I am going to pick up another child? In China!!! I think I mentioned it briefly on another post somewhere.

In the meantime, the other "people" have to get an education. I sent the smallest of the three off to his first day of Kindergarten. Of course when he got off the bus, I attacked the poor fellow. " How was your day? Was it fun? Did you eat your snack? Did you like your teacher? Did you get to play on the playground? Did you know anyone in your class besides Michael?" He walks by me one the driveway like he's so cool. He's got this little smirk on his face because he knows he has information I want.

Over the course of the next several HOURS, I get a few questions answered, but they make no sense to me. I have to piece the puzzle together. "Jackson, why didn't you eat all your cheese?

His reply, "Because the teacher clapped her hands."

Me: "Did you play outside?"

Jackson: "No."

Me: "Why?"

J: "Because we had a sheezhule." ( I translated this into schedule.)

Me: "Did you learn anything?"

J: "No."

Me: "Well, what did you do?"

J: "Nothing."

Me: "You really didn't play outside today?

J: "No."

Me: " Can I call your teacher and ask her?"

J: "Yeah."

Now, I'm not a rocket scientist but what kindergarten teacher wouldn't give a recess? Is she the Kindergarten Nazi??? I mean it's 87 degrees and beautiful. A letter was sent home saying they would go out if it was above 20 degrees, so dress for the weather. But, they don't go out when it's sunny and 87???

Please... read on.

I have been married 12 years in October. I am married to an extreme extrovert. And, if they (whoever 'they' are) say woman speak an average of 20,000 words per day, my husband (God love him) speaks 19,999. HOWEVER, if he walks in the door after some sort of big meeting or something really important. I'll barrage him with questions.

How was the meeting with Jim? What did he say? Why? How's the family? What did he say about...? When did he say he'd let you know?, etc, etc, etc....

Now, I get SOME answers. But, what I find is, over the coarse of the next MONTH, my dear husband saying periodically, "Did I tell you about Jim's dad's brother's wife's cousin?

Me: No

DH: (dear husband) (gasp) I can't BELIEVE I didn't tell you that?

A few days later...

DH: Did I tell you that when I met with Jim last week that Susie's expecting her 10th child???

Me: Thinking in my head.... No!! How in the world could you forget that!!!??? I never heard about 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9.

A week later. Comes in. Drops his bag on the floor. Opens eyes wide. Stares at me like he has something huge to tell me and he wants me to die in anticipation. (Which I do, but I act like I don't care.)

I CAN NOT BELIEVE I FORGOT TO TELL YOU THIS!! Jim and Susie are moving to the Rain

Forest to be missionaries!!! Can you believe that?

Me: I just stare at him. With my eyes open wide. A puzzled look on my face. I don't even know how to talk to him. How can he forget these things??

(BTW, that was a fictional story.)

I in no way want to make fun of my wonderful husband, because he really is wonderful. Men and woman just communicate differently.

Tomorrow morning, I'll ask Jackson if he went outside and he will probably look at me like I am an idiot and say, "Yes."

And then I will say something like, " Well, yesterday you said you didn't." To which he will reply, "Ohhhh... I just didn't go down the slide."

Meanwhile, the girls stay home with me for their education. I know. Scary! I spend a lot of the day listening to 40,000 + 40,000 words. (Hey, they said 20,000 was an average!) ISN'T THERE A HAPPY MEDIUM???

After the educational portion of our day, I spent from 3pm until 10pm doing paperwork for the adoption and for the Kindergartener. Throw in laundry, dinner, a clogged toilet, 5 neighborhood kids in my house working on a play (I don't ask) and there you have it... pandemonium.

Did I mention I am going to China?? In 14 days!!!

And, SOMEONE, tell me the adoption paperwork ends.

Just for fun... a picture of the packing... if that's what you want to call it. That's all for Emme. The mess drives Paul crazy! (It's in the basement. He doesn't have to look!) Plus, I gotta get him back for taking MONTHS to tell stories.

P.S The story about The Beacon... it's gonna have to wait.

Let the countdown begin

2008-08-14T22:25:00.001-04:00

T minus 19

Our plane tickets have been purchased, our hotels have been reserved, our guides have been scheduled and our Panda phone has been ordered.

We leave on Thursday, Sept 4- late morning. We will arrive in Beijing on FRIDAY NIGHT. Yes I said NIGHT!!! And, you did catch that we were leaving late THURSDAY MORNING. If you do the math, that's almost 24 hours of traveling. I'm not going to lie. I am afraid that I am going to gouge my eyes out on the flight from Detroit to Tokeyo. I can't imagine what one does on a plane for that amount of time. Then, they want me to get off the plane and get back on for a 4+ hour plane ride to Beijing. I think Paul is going to have to sedate me and call security to get me on that plane! Oh boy! This is going to be a long trip!

Sept 6-7 Tours are being arranged for us to tour the Great Wall, Summer Palace and the Forbidden City. We will also see an acrobatic show. (I know this is what Paul is looking forward to the most! HaHa!!!)

Sept 8 - Morning- Fly to Nanning

AFTERNOON- Go to the Civil Affairs Bureau of Guangxi Province TO GET EMME!!!!!

Sept 9- Civil affairs to complete adoption registration procedure. Go to Notary Office to complete notarization procedure.

Sept 10-11 Tour may be arranged and will be optional. Free time available if not touring. Pick up all notarized paperwork except the passport for Emme.

Sept 12- Pick up passport for Emme

Sept 13- Morning- Fly to Guangzhou

Sept 14- 8am- GO ON A MAD SEARCH TO FIND THE OSU vs. USC GAME (see previous post)

Tour may be arranged and will be optional. Free time available if not touring.

Sept 15- Have visa picture taken and medical exam performed for Emme.

Sept 16- Our guide submits the visa application document for us to the U.S. Consulate

Sept 17- Group oath taken at the U.S. Consulate. Receive Emme's visa.

Sept 18- Morning- fly home wrestling a baby for 24+ hours, touchdown in the good ol' USA!! Yeehaw!!

There you have it!

P.S. A Panda phone is a phone we rented so our kids could call us and we could call them. It's at the hotel when we arrive and we leave it at our last hotel.

P.S.S. The picture at the top- The Beacon will be my next post.

Poor Paul

2008-08-11T13:25:00.000-04:00

Well, if you know anything about our adoption and how it has gone, then it shouldn't surprise you (or me. But it still did.) that we didn't get our first or second choice for a consulate appointment. We are not traveling with the group leaving on the 27th of August. So, we thought we were leaving on Sept 3. HOWEVER, today we got to chose from 3 different flight options and the 3rd was not one of the choices. So, OFFICIALLY, because we have already paid for it, (Why is it that when "they" ask us to something WE have to do it immediately!!! But we have to wait and wait and wait for them to do something???) we are leaving Sept 4 and we will return on Sept 18.

I am not complaining! God has really been trying to teach me about how things are really out of my control. He has a plan. And, I believe He is always orchestrating things for my good! I am pretty sure that we couldn't travel with a group because.... I think God is going to bump us up to first class all the way to China and all the way back. What??? God has something good in store for us!! I can't begin to tell you how great it feels to have a plan! Yippee!!! Now, the final thing we will receive is our inside China itinerary. This will tell us the day we will receive Emme!

Now, I have entitled this post Poor Paul because he has been waiting for about 4 years for THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY to play the University of Southern California. It was hard for me to explain why, so I copied it from another site. It says it perfectly! I feel like I have heard these words verbatim MANY times.

Here we are, one month from the opening kickoff of the 2008-'09 College Football season. The preseason magazines are being released, camps are about to open, and everybody has their own opinion about the upcoming year. Heisman contenders, conference champs, and hypothetical BCS bids are being tossed around.

But through it all, there seems to be one consensus among all College Football fans: The Game of the Year (capitalized for extra effect) is Ohio State going out west to play USC on September 13.

In what will surely be a battle of two top five (possibly top three or top two, if the voters really get excited) teams, the big bad Buckeyes play longtime Pac-10 foe USC in a game of the two most prolific programs of the past decade.

Though these two teams haven't played each other in 18 years, they do have a nice little rivalry through the years, with USC leading the series 11-9-1. Both teams are loaded for the '08 season, and whoever wins will surely have the inside track to the National Championship.

Any way you look at it (and trust me, there are many different angles from which to digest this matchup), this is College Football's most important game of the year. As for the reigning Pac-10 champs, who have Oregon and Arizona State at home (though in back-to-back weeks), it can be said with confidence that this is the Trojans' most important game of the year.

So, technically, he has been waiting longer for this game than he has for our adoption No question about which he ranks in importance. But, I do understand and sympathize with him. I was having a fit when I thought I might have to miss the American Idol concert. I was going to see it SOMEWHERE if I missed it back in July. The game, yes, I know he can see it taped, but we all know that's not the same! Saturday night, September 13, at 8pm, we will probably be in Nanning or Guangzhou. In Nanning or in Guangzhou, 8pm USA time will be 8am, China time. Paul will get up early and hunt down a place to watch the game. It should be interesting!!! :-) But, even if he doesn't find it, we will have Emme. And, that's all that really matters!

P.S Brutus Buckeye's sister is a manager at our pool!!:-)

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

2008-08-07T19:44:00.001-04:00

Please sing the words Hallelujah as sung in the chorus of Handel's Messiah!!!

Because, guess what???

WE ARE GOING TO CHINA!!!!!!

2 years, 7 months, 7 days, trip after trip to FedEx,

lots of prayer, buckets of tears, and hundreds of phone calls later.... we finally got to hear the words we've have dreamed about... your travel approval is here!!!!!!! You can go get your daughter!

The dates still need to be confirmed but it looks like we will leave about August 27. Approximately 24 hours later, we will seeBeijing, China

We will tour there for a couple of days. Then we will fly very south to Nanning in the Guangxi province (it borders Vietnam).

It is there that a stranger will hand us one of the four most precious gifts we have ever been given!

Then, we will fly to Guangzhou where everything will culminate in an oath at the US Consulate on September 8. Bringing us back to the good ol' USA about September the 10th. When that plane touches US soil, Emme will be citizen of the United States of America!

I have very few other words at this point. I am overwhelmed with God's goodness. 3 years ago this was a dream that, to be honest, I thought it would always be a dream. God has so far provided every single penny we needed. When we started, we barely scraped together the application fee. And, although through some of the last few months God seemed absent, he really had me in the palm of His hand protecting me. From what, I don't know. I may never know this side of Heaven. But, as I watch things come together now, he was taking all my desires and putting them in a beautiful package. Sometime soon, I'll unwrap it for you.

Until then, I'll give you a sneak peak.

Adoption draws together people who are on the same journey. I have been blessed to have been given several friends to encourage me. Friends I have never met in person, just communicated with online. One of those dear people has been a lady named Sharla. I want Sharla to be my neighbor and my REALLY good friend. I'd settle for just having her in the same city. Or, heck, the same state would be okay too! Anyway, I just wanted to share the email she sent me tonight. She always makes me cry when she writes. I followed her on her journey to pick up her precious daughter, Abby just a couple of weeks ago. (Followed her online. I wasn't stalking her.) I cried for two weeks reading her posts! To me, she has been a glimpse of heaven on earth.

Hi E-mail, wish you were near, friend!

I was SO EXCITED to see your announcement on RQ! What wonderful news!! I can’t wait to follow your journey, I know it’s going to be amazing because the “enemy” has tried so hard to de-rail it. God must have something incredible in store for you and your family and this precious child.

I love Habakkuk 1:5, “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

I can’t wait to watch and be utterly amazed!

Hugs,
Sharla

New news

2008-08-04T11:38:00.000-04:00

This morning our agency said that our TA should be here this week or that they ARE sending it this week. They have to have it in hand before they can make our consulate appointment. They anticipate being able to get us in with the next group. That means we would travel Aug 27-Sept 10!!! Right when we were supposed to get a paid vacation with Paul's parents to the beach. I am not complaining. It is just crazy how this has gone. I feel like we are in a constant battle. Also, let's not forget that the TA actually has to show up this week!

No words

2008-08-01T11:58:00.000-04:00

There are no words to describe how we feel right now! Everyone else at our agency received their TA's today... except us...again. Crying!

The agony of waiting... a laugh in the midst

2008-07-26T12:20:00.000-04:00

Have you seen the SafeAuto Insurance commercial? The guy, Bob, doesn't believe they are really available 24 hours a day. So, he stays awake all night calling them to see if they are really there.

At the end of the commercial, they show the office with all the cubicles of people who answer the phone, and someone yells out, "Who's turn is to talk to Bob?"

Well, that's what they do at FTIA when Paul calls. Why? Because he calls EVERYDAY!!! Everyday I tell him, if they have something for us, they will call us. Seriously, as if they are going to harbor information. So, when he calls, he alternates between two different women who work there, Maury and Salome. Maury is the SN Senior Coordinator and Salome is the Director of Programs. I am not even sure how or why we began talking to Salome. She doesn't really even have anything to do with the SN program. I think it was to help Maury take some of the heat from our crazy case. Anyway, as if they don't know he switches back and forth between the two of them.

So, of course, yesterday he calls and talks to Salome. He says, "Salome, I know you've heard something, but you just haven't had a chance to call me, right?" She said, "Paul, when your TA comes, Maury and I are going to knock each other out to be the first to call you!!"

I have laughed about that since yesterday! I just had to share!

Can this PLEASE be the last long weekend??

2008-07-25T13:00:00.000-04:00

No news this week!!! I am praying that this is the last long weekend. I just want to know when we are leaving!!!!!!! That's the part that's killing me. I can't plan and there so many things coming up. I am trying really hard to trust that God is in control of the timing. It sure doesn't feel like it though!!

American Idol and Webkinz

2008-07-21T10:55:00.000-04:00

**************************** SPOILER ALERT*************************************

Just in case anyone is going to an American Idol concert, I didn't want to ruin anything for anyone. I was able to go to the American Idol concert last night in Columbus (thanks to birthday presents for the girls and myself from Grandma!!) Anyway, I was terrified I was going to be in China and miss the concert. Silly, huh? So, the good news about this whole long China process was the I got to go to the concert. My good friend Amber gave me tickets last year, even though I didn't even watch American Idol. I loved it so much, without evening knowing the people, that I decided to become a fan of this show this year. I LOVE LOVE LOVE David A's voice. He could sing me to sleep every night. I was however, a bit disappointed in this year's concert. It was really good, don't get me wrong. I just did not like the format at all. They started with #10, Chickezee (spelling very wrong) and went to #3 Seyesha, letting everyone sing three songs each. David A and David Cook sang 4 songs each. The 10 of them only sang one song together. Last year, two of them would sing together. Then 5 of them, 8 of them, 3 of them, etc.... I just really didn't want to hear Chickezee and Ramielle sing 3 songs in a row. So, if one wanted to go to 10 different concerts, it was fabulous. I just wanted them to sing together more.

Now, onto Webkinz... I feel like instead of a little girl from China, I feel like I have a Webkinz. I get on the computer periodically, look at her, and then close the computer. That's what I see my kids do with their Webkinz. Well, they do feed it and make it do jobs, and put it to bed. But, you get the idea. Sometimes, it just feels like she's not real.

Hoping against all odds to hear some great news this week!

WE"RE GOING TO CHINA!!!!

2008-07-15T22:24:00.000-04:00

WE'RE GOING TO CHINA!!!!!!!! Someday soon!:-) I just wanted to see how it felt to write that. I'm practicing. It felt really good by the way (or BTW as my girls say).

No new news. But, I was rereading my own blog and read that I was going to talk "tomorrow" about God's timing. I was just letting you all know how I feel about communicating about Chinese tomorrow's. What tomorrow really means is "whenever I get around to it.'

So, I am around to it now.

I was contacted by some people telling me about a ministry called Grace & Hope. They are an amazing ministry that gets sponsors to pay for children to get out of orphanages and get them into foster care. It works a little bit like Compassion International or World Vision. It takes about $40/month to get a child out of an institution and into a home. Our Emme happens to be one of their babies.

What that means for us is several things. First of all, a home is almost always better than institutional living. A child living in foster care often has less problems with attachment. Furthermore, they have been held and spoken to and played with. As good as the orphanages are, there is not enough staff to go around. In this case, it also means that Grace & Hope will provide us with reports about progress and milestones as well as pictures of Emme throughout her first year. G&H have social workers (for lack of another term) visit the foster families to get the reports and the pictures. It is then their goal to get it into the hands of the parents adopting the child. What a blessing and a gift!!! How great is it that we will have pictures we would have had no other way of having without this organization? Plus, our daughter has received quality childcare.

This brings me to God's timing. I am sure I will never understand all the reasons things didn't work out with Mylei. As time goes on and as I am still part of a yahoo group for Chinese children with spina bifida, I can only think that maybe part of God's plan was protecting me from some of the things that will be lifelong issues with these children. Sometimes it overwhelms me just to read the conversations going back and forth. I still believe God would have given us the grace and the resources to handle whatever was thrown our way with her. And, we would have loved her and given her a great home and made sure she got great care. But, I would lie if I said that sometimes I also feel a great sense of relief. Emme will have issues I am sure. But, she is the child God chose to give us and at least at this point, her needs seem much less severe. And, then the icing on the cake, is that God sent angels, Grace & Hope, to provide care for her and pictures of the time we missed with her. Why do I ever doubt his timing and goodness??

I wonder if he knows I can be ready to leave in a week??:-)

Documents on the way back

2008-07-13T23:02:00.000-04:00

We received our documents on Saturday morning. They were filled out and sent right back. We had to write her official name. So, now it is definitely Emme Mei Kathryn. The papers should arrive at FTIA tomorrow morning. From there, FTIA will send them off to China. Then, the really long wait begins. The wait for TA. We didn't make it that far last time. We'll be sitting on pins and needles until then.

On the way to church this morning, we said it already feels like it has been 3 months since Friday. We did the math and it only took 7 days to get a PA. 12 days after that we received an LOA. So, it really is moving fast, but every day feels like a year to us!

If you are praying for us, first and foremost, pray for God's timing. It is always the best (more on that tomorrow.) But, also pray that it might be his will for us to go really soon! The mid to end of August/ beginning of September seems like a horrible time for us to leave. It's the beginning of the school year for Paul and in college ministry, one really wants to be around. Also, with school starting, I feel like there will be real complications getting our other three scheduled while we are gone. I try to remind myself that God knows all this, but 5 minutes later I try to take charge again!

One step closer

2008-07-11T12:43:00.001-04:00

We received our LOA today!! Yippee! FTIA already has the paperwork in the mail so that we receive it in the morning. We sign it and overnight it back. In other words, hurry up and wait!! Next, we wait for travel approval! Don't ask me how long that will take- nothing has gone as it was "supposed" to go. We think the worst case scenario would be the first week of September. We are praying that we don't have to miss her 1st birthday- August 30.

It will be soon

2008-07-07T16:23:00.000-04:00

"It will be soon." Is it just me or do you feel like I have had to hear that a million times?? We called FTIA today and they said they have received a correspondence from China and that our LOA would be on it's way soon. What is soon? Soon to me would have been getting it all done in one week! Instead we are working our way through the steps all over again. We got a PA on the 26th of June. Are they telling me that now we are waiting on an LOA together with a TA or are we waiting on the TA separately?

I would have been fine if they would have just told me I would be working my way through all the steps again. But, instead, everyone kept saying soon. If you ask me, soon has come and gone.

I really need to keep this is perspective. At least they gave us a new referral and a relatively healthy one at that. And, if I really trust God like I say I do, then why am I having such a hard time trusting him with the timing?

I bet God gets so frustrated with me. He proves himself over and over and over again. Then, when things don't go as I want them to go, I want to throw myself down on my bed like a spoiled brat, cry and not function the rest of the day.

That's pathetic! Forgive me Lord!

On a happy note, I have some very good and gracious friends throwing me a shower tonight! So sweet!!

Praying for news

2008-07-06T13:06:00.000-04:00

You probably didn't need me to tell you this, but we have no news as to when we will travel! FTIA received 3 LOA's on Wednesday, but we did not have one in that batch. They said they weren't surprised by this. They think our LOA and our TA will come together and it will not be with any others. Thursday they were asking (China) for the status of our paperwork. That has made for another long weekend. The weekends are actually getting longer. Why?? Because the longer we go without LOA/TA, the closer we get to the Olympics. The closer we get to the Olympics the more expensive airfare and hotels. Also, it probably means we won't either A). make it to Beijing (how disappointing to go all the way to China and not get to see the Great Wall!) OR B.) travel at all. No one knows what is going to happen to adoptions during the Olympics because nothing is scheduled that far out.

And, even if we can go later in August, it still isn't the best timing for us. I wonder if God knows this? Paul's needs to be on campus when school starts. (For those of you who don't know, we do college campus ministry.) Also, Paul's parents have paid for us to go with them to the beach the very beginning of September. Plus, Emme's birthday is August 30. I can't miss her first birthday.

So, will you pray with us? Will you pray our papers come this week? Will you pray we can get in with the next travel group and get a consulate appointment for Aug 5.? The group from FTIA is scheduled to leave July 24 and return August 6. We would love to travel with this group.

We look forward to having great news to share with you this week!!

Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise

2008-06-28T23:05:00.000-04:00

There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled my the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mam's face goodnight
And holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

Running barefoot in the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way

So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more

I heard this song yesterday while working on the girls' room. It's a bit of an emotional song for me. It has a beautiful slow melody. And, it's a great reminder of the things that really bring happiness. Often I need to slow down and enjoy the journey on the way to the destination.

Another reason for the emotion- it's an older song. I used it in my wedding when showing pictures of our families. It gets me a little choked up every time I hear it. While listening to it, the last line really hit me. A month ago I was so distraught. It seemed liked the world was falling apart and God had forgotten that he told me to adopt a little girl from China. When I look at her little face now, how can I argue that heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise? Thank you Lord!

(Cindy Morgan is the artist who recorded this song. Ironically enough, when I taught school, I had her little cousin in my class! Small world!)

Emme's shaved head

2008-06-28T22:41:00.000-04:00

While I didn't get any information about travel yesterday, I did get something really good! Good enough so that I was not depressed the whole day about not receiving LOA or Ta! I got updated pictures of precious little Emme! I was a bit surprised. Remember that head full of hair?? It's gone! Shaved! Mylei had a mohawk. Emme has a reverse mohawk.

I have received various information about why they shave the heads of these beautiful little girls. 1) They want it to grow in thicker and fuller and even. 2.) It's cooler. Especially for her, she lives in a tropical climate. 3.) It's a sad fact of institutional life. Easier to keep clean from dirt, bugs, lice, etc...

One of my little internet friends casually told me, "Oh, yeah, I asked them not to shave our daughter's hair." That would have been a nice thing to know I could ask:-)

Oh well, she's beautiful... really... even with a shaved head!! I am going to wait until tomorrow night to post her new pictures. I need to have something to look forward to doing to get me through until Monday. Who would ever think I'd live for Monday's??

We also received updated measurements. I have a hard time believing they are correct. However, her SN is slow growth so maybe they are accurate. They said her weight is 12 pounds and her length is 24 inches. On Monday, she will be 10 months. That seems a bit small to me. I told you she was a peanut!

I have to go rest my weary bones now! I was cleaning and painting the girls' room today. I started at 10 am and finished at 6:15 pm. I shouldn't say finished. I should say, I got the first coat applied ( 2 more to go. I am doing a linen weave). Getting Emme has been a great reason to redo their room. Shelby and Gracie have had the same decor since Shelby was born (She's 10 now.) We are making their room a Hawaiian room. I think it's going to be really cute. We have bunk beds with a trundle on the way so that all 3 can share a room until one of them is brave enough to sleep in the bedroom downstairs. Emme will sleep in a crib for awhile. Of course, I'll post pictures when it's done!

Come back tomorrow to see new pictures of Emme!

Here she is GUO SI LIAN.... AKA Emme Mei Kathryn

2008-06-26T09:30:00.000-04:00

This morning we received a call that we received a Pre Approval (PA). I am happy to be able to show her picture, but we were told we would skip this step. I thought we would skip it and get LOA and TA at the same time. This is a very long difficult road! The waiting is driving me insane.

In the positive side, isn't she so cute???

Hopefully, this is the last long weekend

2008-06-20T14:16:00.000-04:00

I am optimistic that this will be our last long weekend. It will be much, much better than last weekend. And, for that I am so thankful. Now, I just want to know when we are leaving. I feel like I am one of the most impatient people in all the world. I thought for sure that once I KNEW they were REALLY going to give me a new referral, I would relax. That precious little referral came Tuesday. Now, I can't stand it. I have got to get my hands on her! I just want to know when I am leaving!!! I told you I was impatient! Wait until you see her, then you'll understand.

At least 10 times a day, Paul and I pull her picture up on the computer and just stare and smile. I could just eat her up!

Enough of that, here's what we do know. On Wednesday, I had to overnight money to FTIA (Families Through International Adoption). I highly recommend them, by the way!!! They were going to send over our paperwork and then wire the money. They keep telling us it's going to be quick. Now, that may not mean a lot to you. But, if you are with FTIA, then you know it means a great deal! I love FTIA and I would use them again! But, they are not going to hold your hand and console you or even give you a glimmer of hope. To be honest, at times, it's a bit depressing. However, they don't make false promises. And, when they tell you something, you know it's true. So, for FTIA to say something's going to be quick, I believe it!!

It also hit me Wednesday night that I never sent a dime for Mylei. I was working on adopting her for 3 months and never sent any more money than I had paid 2 years ago. I had been working on Emme for a day and I had to overnight money so they could wire it to China. So, Wednesday night, I panicked! I thought this is going to happen fast and I don't have one thing done to adopt this child. I don't have any clothes because Mylei was 18-24 months and Emme is only (almost) 10 months and she is a peanut! I have the wrong size diapers, no bottles, no baby toys. This is on top of ordering new money (the $3500 orphanage donation has to be in new money as well as the rest of the money for fees and spending.) At 4:30 in the morning, I found myself lying wide awake starring at the ceiling. Finally, at 6 am, I got up and began working!

Maybe.... it won't be a long weekend.... if I sleep!:-)