Faith is completely potty trained (YES God's plans are truly good!) ... though what she is having to learn is how to use a western style toilet. Here in China they have what I refer to as 'Squat Pots' its probably their official name lol but to me it just is the best description of these strange things! They are porcelain bowls in the floor of the stall, with 2 ridged landings for your feet, and yep you guessed it , you just SQUAT over it and do you business!! Attempting here to not cross the TMI line -- I have to say, most woman squat anyway, and I have to say not having a big cumbersome toilet in the way was kind of refreshing -- course I was only doing #1, I will explode before trying the other ... ok enough of that as that line may be blurring here!!
You rarely (ok pretty much never) find toilet paper - its a bring your own system (at least that's what I'm hoping -- cause the alterative is just icky!!! I am making an educating inference when our guide handed me a square for FengHua when the orphanage caretaker took her potty at the Adoption Center). They also don't have SOAP DISPENSERS at their sinks!! Thank goodness for hand sanitizer (aka magic soap!!).
Aside from navigating this big potty, she also now has to learn how to pull down her pants, its not that the caregivers did it for her,there was NO NEED, in China little children wear split pants!! And Yes that is exactly what it sounds like , there is a rather LARGE split right down the crotch of the pants- no velcro, no button, no zipper ... open, ALWAYS open!! and no wiping (seriously lol). How does that work in the winter?? Your guess is as good as ours, they had her BUNDLED in 2 layers of pants (so yes now we have 2 pairs of split pants for exhibition!) Kevin was concerned of their usefulness to say, go sledding!!
She's doing remarkably well with the potty, she hasn't yet learned to tell us when she needs to go , just dutifully holds it until we remember - or she holds on to her bottom when she has to do #2, which is cute -- well its only CUTE THAT its not split pants. I don't need to be handed any surprises :))) On that note - I'm off to get lunch!!
Love, Allison (ok how many of you thought it was KEVIN's post!!!)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Focusing on the Positive
First let me say I JUST love when someone catches me on love online and IM me, that is awesome! I have had some of the most amazing talks, and all of them PERFECTLY timed uplifts!! More signs that God is in control of this journey.
So Today I'm focusing not on the struggles and difficulties but what is going right!! Its all part of the rollercoaster, when I count my blessings, they far outweigh any of the trials we are facing here. That being said here's what we are Praising God for in thanksgiving for his loving province and protection:
We are here, safe and sound, we were able to get her early Monday morning with no problems -- and we didn't die in the car rides, we didn’t lose the stupid wad of cash they made us bring, we are veryu healthy and were NOT quarantined (oh there is no spell check on this so bare with me) coming into the country or upon arriving in Wuhan, we are not fighting - as we can be prone to do in HIGH STRESS situations (I guess we are growing up lol), we are really working well as a team. She lets me do just about all her caretaking so I am part of the picture not sitting on the outskits looking but truly serving an important and HUMBLING roll!! Another upside to her wanting more daddy time -- I get more computer time then Kevin, which everyone who knows my Facebook addiction can appreciate. Another thing I can not fail to mention and PRAISE God's holy name in is that... She could have rejected us both and be at the hotel door screaming the whole time, bagging and trying to escape, and we could both be staring at each other praying for a way to comfort here. Instead, she is safe and happy with daddy, and that is a miracle, and a blessing! She accepts all my offers for caretaking - food, toileting (OH I need to blog about toileting here its hysterical), doing her hair, giving her baths, and wiping her nose! My prayer was that she would somehow know we were here to care for, protect, and love her. IT is obvious that she does, through the GRACE of God, know that!!
So Today I'm focusing not on the struggles and difficulties but what is going right!! Its all part of the rollercoaster, when I count my blessings, they far outweigh any of the trials we are facing here. That being said here's what we are Praising God for in thanksgiving for his loving province and protection:
We are here, safe and sound, we were able to get her early Monday morning with no problems -- and we didn't die in the car rides, we didn’t lose the stupid wad of cash they made us bring, we are veryu healthy and were NOT quarantined (oh there is no spell check on this so bare with me) coming into the country or upon arriving in Wuhan, we are not fighting - as we can be prone to do in HIGH STRESS situations (I guess we are growing up lol), we are really working well as a team. She lets me do just about all her caretaking so I am part of the picture not sitting on the outskits looking but truly serving an important and HUMBLING roll!! Another upside to her wanting more daddy time -- I get more computer time then Kevin, which everyone who knows my Facebook addiction can appreciate. Another thing I can not fail to mention and PRAISE God's holy name in is that... She could have rejected us both and be at the hotel door screaming the whole time, bagging and trying to escape, and we could both be staring at each other praying for a way to comfort here. Instead, she is safe and happy with daddy, and that is a miracle, and a blessing! She accepts all my offers for caretaking - food, toileting (OH I need to blog about toileting here its hysterical), doing her hair, giving her baths, and wiping her nose! My prayer was that she would somehow know we were here to care for, protect, and love her. IT is obvious that she does, through the GRACE of God, know that!!
More pictures
http://picasaweb.google.com/kpgingras/WuhanII#
Ok we got more pictures up finally! Was a crazy few days there... You have to figure out what pictures Faith took when she got a hold of the camera and was playing flash in your face with us.... it was fun!
More pictures of Wuhan and the Yangtzee river coming today I hope if we trek over there!
Ok we got more pictures up finally! Was a crazy few days there... You have to figure out what pictures Faith took when she got a hold of the camera and was playing flash in your face with us.... it was fun!
More pictures of Wuhan and the Yangtzee river coming today I hope if we trek over there!
Every hour brings something new
I know I already blogged for today but... so much has happened since that blog, I have to send an addendum!! Ok, so when I last wrote hubby and daughter were fast asleep - she was laying on his chest/belly , cuddled up and out cold!! both were snoring, was actually quite cute. I love that she makes these little noises - squeaks, sighs, and apparently light snoring. That may be due to this little cold - which GOOD NEWS, no fever since this morning, no meds since 7 a..m.!! Yeah!!
So when she woke up, I tried to join the waking party - oh and that's when things fell apart -- but happily only temporarily it was the valley that has brought us to this next mountaintop! This is such a rollercoaster - and boy do I dislike rollercoasters! But there is much fun in the ride if you just sit back and let it move you where you are to go and not fight against it. Even though my rational mind knows - its not me, its all a big transition, she will grow to love me, yadda yadda, at the moment, when you are sleep deprived, and thousands miles away from your other children (esp. the one who can't let you out of HIS sight without crying lol) your heart breaks. Kevin at that moment had to go to the bathroom, she immediately collapsed into loud wails and lots of tears. Yesterday, I would put out my arms and in his absence she'd run to me - still crying but at least she'd allow me to calm her. NOT this time, which hurt even more , I picked her up anyway, determined that the body contact and my 'calm' manner would win her over. Yeah, NOT SO much!! It escalated (it was a loooong pee lol) ... and I eventually had to give in and put her down - still very upset. Kevin came out and she ran to him, and well, to be quite honest all those emotions I had struggling with for the last 24 hours came RUSHING out!! I left the room for a walk to pray, and bring myself back to reality - no one said this would be easy! The halls are super short, so walking it off wasn't really working. I came in, and collapsed at our desk - what if this never changes , what if whatever makes her so dislike woman I am never able to overcome (thank you so much Joanne for your words of wisdom -- they were ringing through my head as I prayed for guidance).
Kevin got a brainstorm and came over to comfort me, carrying her, he hugged me and rubbed my back. That very moment was the beginning of what became an absolutely REMARKABLE turn of events over the next 4+ hours!! Kevin said down on the bed, and called me over to them, he put his arm around me, and kissed my check. Faith tried to swat me off, but he gently but firmly told her no, and stroked my arm gently , so watched him and copied him. He suggested I get the colorworks, since we seem to share that common ground. I layed across the bed on my belly, like a little kid and began to color, I offered her a marker, and her tears lessened, and she joined in - and we sat quietly scribbling away sharing markers, she likes to put on and take off the covers. She also loves GRABBING all of them and hoarding them - a very common behavior of orphans.
We decided at that time to give her a bath together - that was another turning point. Kevin just sat, and I did all the playing with her, we filled a cup with toys and water, and then dumped them from way up high. She watched me carefully, then copied everything I did. She laughed and splashed, and slipped and slided lol and though that gave me mild heart failures, she thought it was the funniest thing ever!! We then filled the cup with clean water and she poured it over her head -- we had to repeat this several times. The early tension and fears were melting away with every pour we made together! I praised Jesus aloud for bringing us this light in our darkness - my heart leapt as I felt more hope then ever before!!
Our next breakthrough came just moments later, when we had dried her off, put pigtails in her hair (pictures to be posted it was what I had dreamt of doing to her hair since we started the adoption process of a little Chinese girl!!), and put on her ariel pjs. She got angry with me, not exactly sure what I was doing, for the last 2 days it was often just how I looked at her, and RAN to daddy -- another light went off, but this time it was an idea! I remembered the papers we received about Faith's foster life. There was a line that ran, whenever mother disciplines or if she does not like what mother wants, she cries and runs to daddy (foster daddy) and HE PICKS HER UP! oh my gosh... bells , whistles, sirens!! THAT'S IT!! She was just repeating the behavior pattern her foster parents had established!! well my dear friends (and family)... I AM over the moon to report that since this little discovery EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED!! IN fact... just a few moments ago I had to stop mid-blog because my daughter came to me to pull me to window, to pick her up , and then dragged me down to the ground to play!! YUP -- she likes me too now, she really does.
I will go into more detail in the next blog -- as I'm obviously going to take full advantage of her new found acceptance of me!! Plus we are going to skype with the boys in just 10 minutes. My lesson today - though to pinpoint one impossible, or to decipher God's plan ridiculous feels like the one He has given me all along -- TRUST IN THE LORD with all your heart, LEAN not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all your ways and HE will make straight your path (Prov. 3:5-6)... that goes really hand and hand with another scripture from Isaiah -- God's ways ARE NOT our ways!! amen to that ... OH wait... before I GO the other really big news was...
SHE SIGNED today!! Her first sign was the applause sign - when the deaf want to cheer or applaud the shake their hands in open palms on either side of their heads... then she signed kiss. YES Kevin and I both cried!! LOL :)))) We are working on Mom, Dad, and Faith, Potty (which I thought for sure would be her first sign!!), amongst others!! I was so positive after I saw how much she liked to mimic, that it would not take her any time to start signing. It's amazing as it appears she really has no word - meaning connections at all!! Although she is almost 4, after just 2 days with her, Kevin and I see her truly as a 2 year old -- size, behavior and development... oh JUST potty trained... God's plans are good , no doubt!!
So when she woke up, I tried to join the waking party - oh and that's when things fell apart -- but happily only temporarily it was the valley that has brought us to this next mountaintop! This is such a rollercoaster - and boy do I dislike rollercoasters! But there is much fun in the ride if you just sit back and let it move you where you are to go and not fight against it. Even though my rational mind knows - its not me, its all a big transition, she will grow to love me, yadda yadda, at the moment, when you are sleep deprived, and thousands miles away from your other children (esp. the one who can't let you out of HIS sight without crying lol) your heart breaks. Kevin at that moment had to go to the bathroom, she immediately collapsed into loud wails and lots of tears. Yesterday, I would put out my arms and in his absence she'd run to me - still crying but at least she'd allow me to calm her. NOT this time, which hurt even more , I picked her up anyway, determined that the body contact and my 'calm' manner would win her over. Yeah, NOT SO much!! It escalated (it was a loooong pee lol) ... and I eventually had to give in and put her down - still very upset. Kevin came out and she ran to him, and well, to be quite honest all those emotions I had struggling with for the last 24 hours came RUSHING out!! I left the room for a walk to pray, and bring myself back to reality - no one said this would be easy! The halls are super short, so walking it off wasn't really working. I came in, and collapsed at our desk - what if this never changes , what if whatever makes her so dislike woman I am never able to overcome (thank you so much Joanne for your words of wisdom -- they were ringing through my head as I prayed for guidance).
Kevin got a brainstorm and came over to comfort me, carrying her, he hugged me and rubbed my back. That very moment was the beginning of what became an absolutely REMARKABLE turn of events over the next 4+ hours!! Kevin said down on the bed, and called me over to them, he put his arm around me, and kissed my check. Faith tried to swat me off, but he gently but firmly told her no, and stroked my arm gently , so watched him and copied him. He suggested I get the colorworks, since we seem to share that common ground. I layed across the bed on my belly, like a little kid and began to color, I offered her a marker, and her tears lessened, and she joined in - and we sat quietly scribbling away sharing markers, she likes to put on and take off the covers. She also loves GRABBING all of them and hoarding them - a very common behavior of orphans.
We decided at that time to give her a bath together - that was another turning point. Kevin just sat, and I did all the playing with her, we filled a cup with toys and water, and then dumped them from way up high. She watched me carefully, then copied everything I did. She laughed and splashed, and slipped and slided lol and though that gave me mild heart failures, she thought it was the funniest thing ever!! We then filled the cup with clean water and she poured it over her head -- we had to repeat this several times. The early tension and fears were melting away with every pour we made together! I praised Jesus aloud for bringing us this light in our darkness - my heart leapt as I felt more hope then ever before!!
Our next breakthrough came just moments later, when we had dried her off, put pigtails in her hair (pictures to be posted it was what I had dreamt of doing to her hair since we started the adoption process of a little Chinese girl!!), and put on her ariel pjs. She got angry with me, not exactly sure what I was doing, for the last 2 days it was often just how I looked at her, and RAN to daddy -- another light went off, but this time it was an idea! I remembered the papers we received about Faith's foster life. There was a line that ran, whenever mother disciplines or if she does not like what mother wants, she cries and runs to daddy (foster daddy) and HE PICKS HER UP! oh my gosh... bells , whistles, sirens!! THAT'S IT!! She was just repeating the behavior pattern her foster parents had established!! well my dear friends (and family)... I AM over the moon to report that since this little discovery EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED!! IN fact... just a few moments ago I had to stop mid-blog because my daughter came to me to pull me to window, to pick her up , and then dragged me down to the ground to play!! YUP -- she likes me too now, she really does.
I will go into more detail in the next blog -- as I'm obviously going to take full advantage of her new found acceptance of me!! Plus we are going to skype with the boys in just 10 minutes. My lesson today - though to pinpoint one impossible, or to decipher God's plan ridiculous feels like the one He has given me all along -- TRUST IN THE LORD with all your heart, LEAN not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all your ways and HE will make straight your path (Prov. 3:5-6)... that goes really hand and hand with another scripture from Isaiah -- God's ways ARE NOT our ways!! amen to that ... OH wait... before I GO the other really big news was...
SHE SIGNED today!! Her first sign was the applause sign - when the deaf want to cheer or applaud the shake their hands in open palms on either side of their heads... then she signed kiss. YES Kevin and I both cried!! LOL :)))) We are working on Mom, Dad, and Faith, Potty (which I thought for sure would be her first sign!!), amongst others!! I was so positive after I saw how much she liked to mimic, that it would not take her any time to start signing. It's amazing as it appears she really has no word - meaning connections at all!! Although she is almost 4, after just 2 days with her, Kevin and I see her truly as a 2 year old -- size, behavior and development... oh JUST potty trained... God's plans are good , no doubt!!
Ok, I'm too much of a softy!
I have learned tonight I can't pick up Faith (AKA "Little One") ever time she cries. She's currently standing by my chair with her arm on it but she isn't screaming so it's good. Allison just gave her a bath and she had a blast! Now they are playing play-doh together. Faith needs to realize soon that it is her mother that knows to bring these things for her to do, it's her mother that brought us both her to get her, Dad's along for the ride.
On a totally different note if you ever want to do anything crazy and totally daring forget sky diving, forget bungee jumping, instead travel to China and hop in a cab for a ride around the city. All cars here have blinkers but they are more like that little tray that doesn't fit anything near the cup holders, nobody uses them. They have rear view mirrors too but those are more decoration as well. Lane markers, they are meant to be ignored as well. But what is amazing is everyone cuts everyone off, everyone drives crazy but nobody gets angry, it's an accepted part of the adventure. Surprisingly I feel very safe, Allison - not so much.
Will be Skyping with Ian Adam and my mom and dad soon! Looking forward to that. Hmm, Faith just came back to watch me type...Allison's still playing with Play-Doh. Never mind Faith just went back to play with her....does everyone like the play by play???
Faith and I took a nice nap today after lunch. We gotta get out of this swanky place, lunch isn't cheap but there isn't much else around here we trust. I've been eating pasta a lot, Faith eats congee a lot...apparently congee is some kind of watery rice dish.
Well, I think that's enough for now, I feel I'm rambling!
PEACE/LOVE!
Kevin
On a totally different note if you ever want to do anything crazy and totally daring forget sky diving, forget bungee jumping, instead travel to China and hop in a cab for a ride around the city. All cars here have blinkers but they are more like that little tray that doesn't fit anything near the cup holders, nobody uses them. They have rear view mirrors too but those are more decoration as well. Lane markers, they are meant to be ignored as well. But what is amazing is everyone cuts everyone off, everyone drives crazy but nobody gets angry, it's an accepted part of the adventure. Surprisingly I feel very safe, Allison - not so much.
Will be Skyping with Ian Adam and my mom and dad soon! Looking forward to that. Hmm, Faith just came back to watch me type...Allison's still playing with Play-Doh. Never mind Faith just went back to play with her....does everyone like the play by play???
Faith and I took a nice nap today after lunch. We gotta get out of this swanky place, lunch isn't cheap but there isn't much else around here we trust. I've been eating pasta a lot, Faith eats congee a lot...apparently congee is some kind of watery rice dish.
Well, I think that's enough for now, I feel I'm rambling!
PEACE/LOVE!
Kevin
Another day - another story
It is Tuesday, Nov. 3rd 1:06 p.m. (just barely Tuesday in the States - I'm still working on the time change!! good thing I splurged on the new watch with 2 time zones!! OR I'd be totally lost!!
so this morning we got up early (AGAIN) to take another harrowing ride to the Chinese Adoption bureau. I feel like its time to describe being a passenger in China -- frightening comes to mind. It's amazing the whole country isn't Christian by the amount of prayer I feel it takes to even step into a car here!! Staying with in the lines is optional, changing lines when you feel it apparently commonplace, they must go through 3 or 4 set of brakes a year! Everyone brakes and beeps, and goes about their business like they are the only one on the road - yet somehow remarkably get to their destinations!! The speeds aren't very high, since we are in big cities, the only saving grace -- plus did I mention the PRAYER!!
We have to go back out Thursday and Friday both times we've hired car services, as they use VANS, and you feel a wee bit safer! Boy do I long for the HUGE bus we enjoyed traveling in Beijing with the rest of our group!! Thursday we travel to the registration office to look over our adoption certificate... NO stress there, we were told, "IF there is anything wrong on it when you get to Guanzhou, you will bare the expense of returning to Wuhan to fix it" GULP - um just having to FLY back gives me the horrors -- so PLEASE EXTRA PRAYERS we don't miss anything!!!! Friday we return to the Adoption office for her Passport, then off to the airport and to the final leg of this amazing journey... but that is still a few days away...
So what was today like - we went to the adoption office to sign papers, including answering questions on why we wished to adopt from China -- I wish I could just gush to this woman that God called me to it, and that this has been a dream put on my heart since I was a young girl to not only adopt a Chinese daughter, but that I've always known she'd be deaf. The answers need to be carefully worded as to not trigger the official to revoke your right to adopt. I gushed instead on how much we've always wanted a daughter, that we admire the Chinese people and culture, and are honored to have a Chinese daughter. Though I sat across from her with my crucifix and miraculous medal around my neck - which I did contemplate not bringing. Although after I had the opportunity to bring the medals, Faith's picture and my rosary beads to pray on a relic of Saint Padre Pio -- I KNEW they all had to come with me!
Faith's little buddy from her orphanage (they were fostered next door to each other) was also being adopted today. His name is Yan yan, and he is going to a lovely family in Sweden, he will have a 5 year old sister, who was also adopted from China, and who ADORES her new brother already. We exchanged emails to help the kids stay connected! So cool! He has one deformed ear, but is not deaf. Yesterday they were brought together to the adoption office, and chased each other around on riding toys. Faith was quick to share everything she found, including 2 little basketballs. What she didn't wish to give back was his new remote to the remote control firetruck! Finally, mommy , a trained preschool professional, came to the rescue (sensing a BRAWL on the horizon) offering her the new Kai Lan doll in exchange for the remote. Phew, she was cool with the trade - emergency diverted!!
I'll end with the coolest thing that happened today - we were finally able to teach Faith 'kisses', for 2 days when we puckered up to her, she stared at us like we were crazy! The breakthrough went something like this... Mom: puckered up and sent a few air kisses. Dad: pointed to his cheek on the Mommy side. Mommy planted a kiss on his cheek. Faith: Miss Copycat (yeah sorta lol), followed suit and kissed Daddy's cheek. Then Mom: puckered up towards Faithy, who then puckered up too. Mom leaned forward, Faith leaned and planted my first KISS!! From my precious daughter on my lips!! and to be sure got it, I selfishly went back for second -- sweet!! she got it - 2 kisses, and a big smile!! And so the bonding baby steps continue!!
More later -- we finally get to Skype and introduce our newest child, to our preexisting children!! We can't wait!!
so this morning we got up early (AGAIN) to take another harrowing ride to the Chinese Adoption bureau. I feel like its time to describe being a passenger in China -- frightening comes to mind. It's amazing the whole country isn't Christian by the amount of prayer I feel it takes to even step into a car here!! Staying with in the lines is optional, changing lines when you feel it apparently commonplace, they must go through 3 or 4 set of brakes a year! Everyone brakes and beeps, and goes about their business like they are the only one on the road - yet somehow remarkably get to their destinations!! The speeds aren't very high, since we are in big cities, the only saving grace -- plus did I mention the PRAYER!!
We have to go back out Thursday and Friday both times we've hired car services, as they use VANS, and you feel a wee bit safer! Boy do I long for the HUGE bus we enjoyed traveling in Beijing with the rest of our group!! Thursday we travel to the registration office to look over our adoption certificate... NO stress there, we were told, "IF there is anything wrong on it when you get to Guanzhou, you will bare the expense of returning to Wuhan to fix it" GULP - um just having to FLY back gives me the horrors -- so PLEASE EXTRA PRAYERS we don't miss anything!!!! Friday we return to the Adoption office for her Passport, then off to the airport and to the final leg of this amazing journey... but that is still a few days away...
So what was today like - we went to the adoption office to sign papers, including answering questions on why we wished to adopt from China -- I wish I could just gush to this woman that God called me to it, and that this has been a dream put on my heart since I was a young girl to not only adopt a Chinese daughter, but that I've always known she'd be deaf. The answers need to be carefully worded as to not trigger the official to revoke your right to adopt. I gushed instead on how much we've always wanted a daughter, that we admire the Chinese people and culture, and are honored to have a Chinese daughter. Though I sat across from her with my crucifix and miraculous medal around my neck - which I did contemplate not bringing. Although after I had the opportunity to bring the medals, Faith's picture and my rosary beads to pray on a relic of Saint Padre Pio -- I KNEW they all had to come with me!
Faith's little buddy from her orphanage (they were fostered next door to each other) was also being adopted today. His name is Yan yan, and he is going to a lovely family in Sweden, he will have a 5 year old sister, who was also adopted from China, and who ADORES her new brother already. We exchanged emails to help the kids stay connected! So cool! He has one deformed ear, but is not deaf. Yesterday they were brought together to the adoption office, and chased each other around on riding toys. Faith was quick to share everything she found, including 2 little basketballs. What she didn't wish to give back was his new remote to the remote control firetruck! Finally, mommy , a trained preschool professional, came to the rescue (sensing a BRAWL on the horizon) offering her the new Kai Lan doll in exchange for the remote. Phew, she was cool with the trade - emergency diverted!!
I'll end with the coolest thing that happened today - we were finally able to teach Faith 'kisses', for 2 days when we puckered up to her, she stared at us like we were crazy! The breakthrough went something like this... Mom: puckered up and sent a few air kisses. Dad: pointed to his cheek on the Mommy side. Mommy planted a kiss on his cheek. Faith: Miss Copycat (yeah sorta lol), followed suit and kissed Daddy's cheek. Then Mom: puckered up towards Faithy, who then puckered up too. Mom leaned forward, Faith leaned and planted my first KISS!! From my precious daughter on my lips!! and to be sure got it, I selfishly went back for second -- sweet!! she got it - 2 kisses, and a big smile!! And so the bonding baby steps continue!!
More later -- we finally get to Skype and introduce our newest child, to our preexisting children!! We can't wait!!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday in a Nutshell
I wish I could just scan my journal into the computer !! It chalk full of the day's many adventures... guess you'll just have to read the book (ha ha). Let me try to wrap it into a nice readable - without having to use your whole lunch hour. If I repeat anything Kevin said sorry , I didn't read his post yet (shhhh don't tell him).
Our first day together was far better than any of my anxieties allowed me to believe! She did take right to us, and actually did not cry until Kevin had to leave with the guide to change our orphanage donation from US to Yuan, and visit Walmart for water and her milk. Her milk comes in a 'juice box' type container, very cute - but I have to be honest gives her the worse breath lol -- not that we might dragon breath when it comes from such an adorable package!!
So it is that 3 hours I will blog about because out of the whole day it was the most significant to me. It actually turned out to be a God directed time for us, as she is very attached to her Foster father, so naturally is gravitating more to Kevin. From the reports we recieved, I was prepared for it - but no one who has waited a lifetime for something can really be prepared for your daughter rejecting you when daddy is around ... but more on that later. It is this time that God allowed me, to give me strength to know in my heart that this is an enormous process for her - profound loss will accompany the gains. She must grieve, and in the process if she has comfort from any source, I would certainly never begrudge her that. God's plans are perfect, and I have great faith :) in them!!
So our 3 hours alone for bonding ... first she cried, so hard she threw up (may also have to do with her slight congestion and cough - very flemmy). So as I caught the vomit (sorry if that was graphic) and grabbed a towel to catch the next round, I realized, OH yeah I'm her mom -- cuz it didn't gross me out, I just did what needed to be. This lead to her first bath - which despite the bubbles and toys, and my antics only partically appeased her - but now she smelt great!! She was super cooperative getting her clothes on, even though a periodic wimper or out and out cry would come - she does make noise , OH my yes, she makes LOTS of noise!! She even cooperated putting her (first pair) of undies on the right way, after silly mommy put them on backwards!! The first outfit I choose was her little jeans (p.s. wondering minds she's a 3T - barely...she is sooooooo tiny!!), a rose short sleeve, white socks with fringe and rose barrets!! OH fun!! She loved me playing with her hair, and would turn side to side to admire the barretts, touching them, looking at me, and admiring them again.
After the bath the entertaining (aka distracting) show began!! Still distraught by daddy's leaving, pointing to the door and crying - I began searching for common ground on which to establish my own bond with her. I was not allowed peek a boo, which she had initated with kevin during our ride home, and belongs only to him. When she wants you to stop or doesn't want anything she waves her open hand side to side - its ADORABLE!! Even when she is breaking your heart!! So I moved on to toys we moved from playdoh, to figurines, to finally the colorwonder markers where we found our shared activity! She LOVES to 'color' -- yeah me too, and so we sat , her on my lap for a 1/2 hour covering and uncovering markers and scribbling together.
She drew tired, and began to fuss again. I moved to the only chair in the room,not a rocker or swivel, and she curled up close to my chest, arms wrapped around me - now back to hysterics... probably more out of exhaustion and confusion then anything, as she had stopped pointing and looking for Kevin. I rejoiced in her trust that whoever I was I would somehow keep her safe. I held her tight, and rocked, swayed, jossled her with my legs and body, until she feel asleep in my arms!! What a gift I realized this was - her, my daughter finally in my arms after 2 years of dreaming. I covered her in prayer - seeking comfort and courage for her journey ahead. For strength to battle her cold, and that someday she'd realize the miracle of God placing her live in ours, and that the world of language and real communication was at her fingerips !!
As soon as Kevin arrived back, she returned to pretty much solely seeking his comforting arms (heck who could blame her, they've been my rock and shelter for 25 years and it's not done me any harm!!) We have this glimmers that God allows me keeping me strong and confident that this light and momentary affliction has in it a spiritual growth necessary for my salvation, and like all from God I accept it with His Grace to bring me through.
Although this sounds probably all dramatic and sad, there are so many lights - so let me end bysharign those!! She allows me to brush her teeth, change her clothes, help her use the potty (I'll share why this is a funny adventure in another blog), will accept some food from me, will sit on my lap and scribble with me, and if Kevin is absent CLINGS TO me, she even runs into my arms when I put them out. And just before I got up to blog, she woke (she is sleeping between us) - kevin's back was to her and we were face to face. I have to scrunch my face at her instead of smile (don't ask - just know my smile invokes a wave on that magic open 5 hand!!) - I put out my hand, and she put hers in it, and drifted back to sleep!
God Bless you all for your amazing support - I have never myself been covered in prayer before this trip. I can not begin to describe how amazing that feels!! We long to be home, so that you can all experience this precious child in person... but we know that each moment has a blessing in it designed purposefully by God, and we don't wish to miss a single one. So, we wait on Him, and know we'll be home before we know it!!
Our first day together was far better than any of my anxieties allowed me to believe! She did take right to us, and actually did not cry until Kevin had to leave with the guide to change our orphanage donation from US to Yuan, and visit Walmart for water and her milk. Her milk comes in a 'juice box' type container, very cute - but I have to be honest gives her the worse breath lol -- not that we might dragon breath when it comes from such an adorable package!!
So it is that 3 hours I will blog about because out of the whole day it was the most significant to me. It actually turned out to be a God directed time for us, as she is very attached to her Foster father, so naturally is gravitating more to Kevin. From the reports we recieved, I was prepared for it - but no one who has waited a lifetime for something can really be prepared for your daughter rejecting you when daddy is around ... but more on that later. It is this time that God allowed me, to give me strength to know in my heart that this is an enormous process for her - profound loss will accompany the gains. She must grieve, and in the process if she has comfort from any source, I would certainly never begrudge her that. God's plans are perfect, and I have great faith :) in them!!
So our 3 hours alone for bonding ... first she cried, so hard she threw up (may also have to do with her slight congestion and cough - very flemmy). So as I caught the vomit (sorry if that was graphic) and grabbed a towel to catch the next round, I realized, OH yeah I'm her mom -- cuz it didn't gross me out, I just did what needed to be. This lead to her first bath - which despite the bubbles and toys, and my antics only partically appeased her - but now she smelt great!! She was super cooperative getting her clothes on, even though a periodic wimper or out and out cry would come - she does make noise , OH my yes, she makes LOTS of noise!! She even cooperated putting her (first pair) of undies on the right way, after silly mommy put them on backwards!! The first outfit I choose was her little jeans (p.s. wondering minds she's a 3T - barely...she is sooooooo tiny!!), a rose short sleeve, white socks with fringe and rose barrets!! OH fun!! She loved me playing with her hair, and would turn side to side to admire the barretts, touching them, looking at me, and admiring them again.
After the bath the entertaining (aka distracting) show began!! Still distraught by daddy's leaving, pointing to the door and crying - I began searching for common ground on which to establish my own bond with her. I was not allowed peek a boo, which she had initated with kevin during our ride home, and belongs only to him. When she wants you to stop or doesn't want anything she waves her open hand side to side - its ADORABLE!! Even when she is breaking your heart!! So I moved on to toys we moved from playdoh, to figurines, to finally the colorwonder markers where we found our shared activity! She LOVES to 'color' -- yeah me too, and so we sat , her on my lap for a 1/2 hour covering and uncovering markers and scribbling together.
She drew tired, and began to fuss again. I moved to the only chair in the room,not a rocker or swivel, and she curled up close to my chest, arms wrapped around me - now back to hysterics... probably more out of exhaustion and confusion then anything, as she had stopped pointing and looking for Kevin. I rejoiced in her trust that whoever I was I would somehow keep her safe. I held her tight, and rocked, swayed, jossled her with my legs and body, until she feel asleep in my arms!! What a gift I realized this was - her, my daughter finally in my arms after 2 years of dreaming. I covered her in prayer - seeking comfort and courage for her journey ahead. For strength to battle her cold, and that someday she'd realize the miracle of God placing her live in ours, and that the world of language and real communication was at her fingerips !!
As soon as Kevin arrived back, she returned to pretty much solely seeking his comforting arms (heck who could blame her, they've been my rock and shelter for 25 years and it's not done me any harm!!) We have this glimmers that God allows me keeping me strong and confident that this light and momentary affliction has in it a spiritual growth necessary for my salvation, and like all from God I accept it with His Grace to bring me through.
Although this sounds probably all dramatic and sad, there are so many lights - so let me end bysharign those!! She allows me to brush her teeth, change her clothes, help her use the potty (I'll share why this is a funny adventure in another blog), will accept some food from me, will sit on my lap and scribble with me, and if Kevin is absent CLINGS TO me, she even runs into my arms when I put them out. And just before I got up to blog, she woke (she is sleeping between us) - kevin's back was to her and we were face to face. I have to scrunch my face at her instead of smile (don't ask - just know my smile invokes a wave on that magic open 5 hand!!) - I put out my hand, and she put hers in it, and drifted back to sleep!
God Bless you all for your amazing support - I have never myself been covered in prayer before this trip. I can not begin to describe how amazing that feels!! We long to be home, so that you can all experience this precious child in person... but we know that each moment has a blessing in it designed purposefully by God, and we don't wish to miss a single one. So, we wait on Him, and know we'll be home before we know it!!
We are reading your comments
Just to let you all know we are reading all the comments! Allison and I get them via email and we LOVE THEM ALL, THANK YOU - A thousand times THANK YOU all for the comments, very encouraging.
Ok, I better go offline now, I'm getting too sappy.... Faith is coloring with Allison and Claire our guide.
Ok, I better go offline now, I'm getting too sappy.... Faith is coloring with Allison and Claire our guide.
Today those two years of long waiting were proven worth every single second!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1247072828004.2037368.1564947730&type=1&l=6de8f46058
Ok, nobody can wait to see the photos so the link is first. Today we went to The Center for Intercountry Adoption of Hubei Provence. We had to fill out some paperwork but soon after our arrival FengHua showed up with the representatives from the Agency. She was there with another boy who was fostered in the same neighborhood and went to school with her and he also was being adopted today but to Switzerland. The agency was AWESOME! They gave us a photo book and a coin they had made for her to remember where she came from.
She took right to us! She doesn't seem to want either of us to leave her already! Our guide Claire (American name) is also with us, she has been fantastic! We had to trade all the american money for Yuan at a couple of banks and without her wouldn't have gone so well. Interestingly enough for 15 minutes today I, Kevin Gingras, had a bank account in China. I had to open it to exchange the money. We did 2/3 of it at one bank and the rest at another. The second bank was much easier.
Faith FengHua is currently discovering how our camera works and flashing it in everyone's eyes! She is hilarious! We are loving every minute of it! When I went out on errands she got a bath from Allison and then took a two hour nap on her. We got congee for her for dinner, breakfast probably the same tomorrow. Apparently congee is just overwatered rice. It's not bad.
Another treat was I got to go to WalMart in Wuhan. Not too different from WalMart in America. It isn't open 24 hours like ours and I didn't get a smiley sticker!
Please keep praying for us because we aren't home yet but at least we have our reason for being here with us now! She's got a bit of a cold but seems very happy!
Love you all - thanks for all your prayers and help, without all of you behind us this NEVER would have happened! KG.
Ok, nobody can wait to see the photos so the link is first. Today we went to The Center for Intercountry Adoption of Hubei Provence. We had to fill out some paperwork but soon after our arrival FengHua showed up with the representatives from the Agency. She was there with another boy who was fostered in the same neighborhood and went to school with her and he also was being adopted today but to Switzerland. The agency was AWESOME! They gave us a photo book and a coin they had made for her to remember where she came from.
She took right to us! She doesn't seem to want either of us to leave her already! Our guide Claire (American name) is also with us, she has been fantastic! We had to trade all the american money for Yuan at a couple of banks and without her wouldn't have gone so well. Interestingly enough for 15 minutes today I, Kevin Gingras, had a bank account in China. I had to open it to exchange the money. We did 2/3 of it at one bank and the rest at another. The second bank was much easier.
Faith FengHua is currently discovering how our camera works and flashing it in everyone's eyes! She is hilarious! We are loving every minute of it! When I went out on errands she got a bath from Allison and then took a two hour nap on her. We got congee for her for dinner, breakfast probably the same tomorrow. Apparently congee is just overwatered rice. It's not bad.
Another treat was I got to go to WalMart in Wuhan. Not too different from WalMart in America. It isn't open 24 hours like ours and I didn't get a smiley sticker!
Please keep praying for us because we aren't home yet but at least we have our reason for being here with us now! She's got a bit of a cold but seems very happy!
Love you all - thanks for all your prayers and help, without all of you behind us this NEVER would have happened! KG.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Gotcha Day
So HERE we are - 1:21 a.m. on Monday Nov. 2nd - the day we will meet our daughter, what they sweetly review to as "gotcha day!" As you can imagine sleep is NOT easy to come by - I fell asleep last night at 7:30 p.m. after an exhausting day of travel. I am way too excited to get any more sleep today!! Two years of dreaming and praying, and waiting is about to be over - its quite surreal! I wish the office wasn't so far away - one hour by taxi, mostly because driving over here is absolutely INSANE!!! NO seatbelts and no sense of traffic laws... whatsoever!!! Extra prayers for safety please while we spend time in her province of Hubei... thanks!!
My comfort in the last few days , whenever my anxiety is great is that I serve a God that keeps His promises. I am confident that He has called us here to bring Faith home. The bible says, He will complete the good work He has begun. Knowing this entire adventure is a "divine appointment" as one person on our trip said to me, is what makes all the fears and worries disappear. He is a good and loving God, and one that only wants good for me. We continue to hang on your prayers - there are felt these many many miles away! God bless you all... and my next post, I PRAY is telling you all about what it was like MEETING FengHua for the first time!!!
My comfort in the last few days , whenever my anxiety is great is that I serve a God that keeps His promises. I am confident that He has called us here to bring Faith home. The bible says, He will complete the good work He has begun. Knowing this entire adventure is a "divine appointment" as one person on our trip said to me, is what makes all the fears and worries disappear. He is a good and loving God, and one that only wants good for me. We continue to hang on your prayers - there are felt these many many miles away! God bless you all... and my next post, I PRAY is telling you all about what it was like MEETING FengHua for the first time!!!
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