Saturday, November 13, 2010
30 Days of Giveaways!
Check out my favorite blog for 30 Days of Giveaways!! There is gonna be a lot of great stuff!! Now go and check it out!! If you don't win, there is sure to be a lot of great gift ideas!! Good luck!!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Six weeks
I cannot believe that Michael has been with me for 6 weeks and home with the entire family for 4 weeks!! I am sorry that I haven't posted many updates, I have just been busy with 4 kids under the age of 6!! I know, I asked for it, and I am glad that I did!! Michael is doing amazingly well. He seems to have attached well to me and is getting closer to his daddy every day. If given the choice, Michael still prefers me, but that is understandable considering I have been with him longer and I am home with him all day. Okay, some specifics...he still eats well. He will try anything that I make and I can't think of a single thing that he has rejected. He loves fruits and vegetables and really is a healthy eater. He is getting better with having his teeth brushed (dentist appt. is scheduled), but still doesn't like it (thus, the bad teeth). He loves baths and still likes to go swimming. He will play (aka steals toys) with his sisters. They really get along quite well - he even enjoys coloring with them. Oh, sometimes he has been known to put on one of his sisters' dresses, which stresses out Daddy!! I have been given permission to go shopping for boys' dress up clothes!! He still sleeps in our bedroom, but in his own bed. He does continue to have some night terrors occasionally, but is actually going to sleep without me in the room! If he wakes up and I am not there he will cry, but otherwise he is doing well. Every once in a while he will even crawl into bed with me to cuddle, which is totally sweet!!
We have spent most of our time bonding as a family so I haven't even started homeschooling yet. I am planning on starting "school" after Labor Day...or soon thereafter. Right now we are trying to get into some routines and get into somewhat of a schedule. I am able to take all 4 kids on errands - they are very well behaved and I have been able to keep track of them all. Stephanie, Liz and Danielle have started taking swimming lessons on Tuesday afternoons which they love, and Michael and I get some alone time (while watching the lessons). A friend of ours is a photographer and he took us out to a local park on Sunday and took our first family photos together - it was great!! I will post some pictures when I get them. Now, I must tell a funny story about our pictures...on Sat. night I trimmed all the girls' bangs and they looked good! After baths, Steve came out and asked how much hair I cut of Danielle. Well, it turned out that she crawled up onto the counter in my bathroom, grabbed my SHARP scissors and cut off her bangs!! All the way to the scalp!! UGH!! I about died!! After church on Sunday, I ran out and bought some hairbows to help to disguise the jagged edges. What a story that makes for our first family photo! Oh well, the pictures did turn out well!!
Since I have been home, Danielle had a birthday! On August 18 she turned 3!! We had a big party for her on the 15th with about 30 children!! It was crazy but fun. We used the pavillion at our church which has restrooms, a playground, and a sand volleyball pit (good for using sand toys). She was so encouraged. She still keeps talking about her party - I think that she is ready for another one!! She had a hard time deciding about her "theme". When I asked her what kind of cake she wanted, she kept changing her mind...Nemo, Mulan, Care Bear, Pony, Ariel, Monsters, Inc., Tinkerbell...she kept going back and forth! So, I decided just to make a sheet cake and add ALL of the characters that she wanted. She loved it and it was easy!! The only characters that I couldn't find were Monsters, Inc! Bummer! Oh well, the party was a success. I just can't believe that this sweet baby is now 3! She is having a hard week, though. I don't know if she is jumping into the troubled 3s with both feet, struggling with having a new sibling or if she is struggling because it is her birthday week (often times, adopted children struggle with loss around their birthday) or a combination of these. Anyway, I am trying to love up on her a lot and give her the love, security and attention that she needs. In fact, I am trying to do that with all of the kids - which is probably why my house is trashed!! I tell ya, I just can't keep up! The kids are doing well with cleaning up their toys most days, but it is constant! Not to mention the dishes and laundry! Unbelieveable!! THAT is why I can't blog very often!! I am busy, but I am truly loving the life, children and husband that God has given me!! Praise to Him!!
We have spent most of our time bonding as a family so I haven't even started homeschooling yet. I am planning on starting "school" after Labor Day...or soon thereafter. Right now we are trying to get into some routines and get into somewhat of a schedule. I am able to take all 4 kids on errands - they are very well behaved and I have been able to keep track of them all. Stephanie, Liz and Danielle have started taking swimming lessons on Tuesday afternoons which they love, and Michael and I get some alone time (while watching the lessons). A friend of ours is a photographer and he took us out to a local park on Sunday and took our first family photos together - it was great!! I will post some pictures when I get them. Now, I must tell a funny story about our pictures...on Sat. night I trimmed all the girls' bangs and they looked good! After baths, Steve came out and asked how much hair I cut of Danielle. Well, it turned out that she crawled up onto the counter in my bathroom, grabbed my SHARP scissors and cut off her bangs!! All the way to the scalp!! UGH!! I about died!! After church on Sunday, I ran out and bought some hairbows to help to disguise the jagged edges. What a story that makes for our first family photo! Oh well, the pictures did turn out well!!
Since I have been home, Danielle had a birthday! On August 18 she turned 3!! We had a big party for her on the 15th with about 30 children!! It was crazy but fun. We used the pavillion at our church which has restrooms, a playground, and a sand volleyball pit (good for using sand toys). She was so encouraged. She still keeps talking about her party - I think that she is ready for another one!! She had a hard time deciding about her "theme". When I asked her what kind of cake she wanted, she kept changing her mind...Nemo, Mulan, Care Bear, Pony, Ariel, Monsters, Inc., Tinkerbell...she kept going back and forth! So, I decided just to make a sheet cake and add ALL of the characters that she wanted. She loved it and it was easy!! The only characters that I couldn't find were Monsters, Inc! Bummer! Oh well, the party was a success. I just can't believe that this sweet baby is now 3! She is having a hard week, though. I don't know if she is jumping into the troubled 3s with both feet, struggling with having a new sibling or if she is struggling because it is her birthday week (often times, adopted children struggle with loss around their birthday) or a combination of these. Anyway, I am trying to love up on her a lot and give her the love, security and attention that she needs. In fact, I am trying to do that with all of the kids - which is probably why my house is trashed!! I tell ya, I just can't keep up! The kids are doing well with cleaning up their toys most days, but it is constant! Not to mention the dishes and laundry! Unbelieveable!! THAT is why I can't blog very often!! I am busy, but I am truly loving the life, children and husband that God has given me!! Praise to Him!!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Our Trip Home
Okay, now that we are home and getting into some sort of routine...oh, and now that jet lag is finished, I thought that I would post about our trip home. Friday night in Guangzhou, Jessica and Adam and Michael and I all went to La Dolce Vita for a wonderful Italian meal. Let's just say, it was great!! Nothing like authentic Italian food in China!! It was funny, they even were having a wedding reception at the restaurant. In the middle of our meal, a small wedding party came in...and guess what...they were Italian!! It was actually kind of weird. About 20 or so people came in (including the bride and groom), and all but 1 of them were not Chinese. In fact, a couple of the men looked like they were Mob - truly not trying to be stereotypical, I am telling the truth!!
So after our last dinner in China, I went back to our room to pack. Let's just say, I bought a little more than I was planning on. My suitcases started bulging and I was wondering if I needed to go and buy another suitcase before the shops closed!! But, I didn't. In the middle of the night I had a revelation as to how to re-organize my suitcases to try and keep them under weight. I know, I should have been sleeping, but stress won. I woke up at 5 am, showered and re-packed. According to my hotel room scale, the weight on both suitcases was going to be tight. I called the bellboy, woke up Michael and checked out of the White Swan. We ran into Adam and Jessica in the restaurant (we were the only 4 in there at 6 am), and grabbed our last breakfast buffet (sigh - they have been good). We left the hotel at about 6:30 am and drove to the airport. While I was waiting in line to check in, I prayed about my luggage - that they would not be over weight and that they would not bust apart in transit - both prayers were answered!! Each suitcase needed to be 23 kg or under...they were both 22+!! WHEW!! When we landed in Atlanta, they were both intact and nothing got broken - praise God!!
We had no trouble with any of our flights. Everything left on time and we even arrived early. We had a 4 hour layover in Tokyo, but it actually worked out fine. We had to take a bus from the terminal that we landed in to the main terminal. It wasn't hard, just kind of a pain. Keep in mind that I am carrying a heavy backpack, laptop, 2 year-old and stroller - alone. Ugh. And we have to go through security in Tokyo. Oh well, at least we don't have to take off our shoes. Well, we managed to get to the correct terminal and grabbed McDonalds. Luckily they take USD, but the change is in Yen. So, my bill was $10 and I received $10 in yen. What to do? Spend it!! We went into a gift shop and bought a water and some magnets (Steve collects a magnet at every place he has gone) for about 840 yen. I have no idea how much that equals, but I still had a little change left, so I was good.
Both flights were full, so we had someone else in our row with us - not ideal. On the way to Tokyo, I sat in the middle and Michael was in the window seat. This worked well, until he fell asleep so I did too. I think that I may have leaned against some poor Chinese man sitting next to me. So, on the flight from Tokyo to Atlanta, I put Michael in the middle. I thought that that would give me somewhere to lean and give the girl on the end a little more room. It worked great, until Michael fell asleep. He slept a good bit of this flight, but he was restless. He likes to roll over, and since his space was limited, he got frustrated and kicked his feet - right on the girl next to him. Sigh. I tried to minimize this, but I am sure that he nailed her a couple of times. I kept apologizing, and she was so sweet about it, but I bet she complained about us to her friends when she landed!! All in all, Michael did great. He complained briefly about his seat belt, but over all was resigned to wearing it. He ate great, and we went through a lot of stickers....there may even be some still stuck on his seat. We arrived in Atlanta 30 minutes early (YEA!), but ended up sitting on the tarmac for 45 minutes until a gate opened up for us to deplane. Sigh. We then had to go through immigration. Our first officer was great and I was glad to get done quickly...until he told me to take the paperwork into another office. Ugh. I get there and there are only 2 people in front of me and 3 officers working - good. Not good. When one officer finished his case, he decided to "go and check things out". The 2nd officer finished and decided to take a potty break. Meanwhile more and more people come in. It was killing me!! I know that people have to go potty, but I just wanted to get out of there!! They really were in no particular hurry. They finally looked over my paper work, stamped Michael's visa with his temporary"green card" and sent me on my way. I had to get my luggage and then get in line with my luggage cart and stroller (not an easy task). I went through customs without any trouble, and then had to "re-check" my bags so that I could pick them up at the main terminal. Okay, done. On my way out, we had to go through security again!! NO!!! This place is killing me!! Everytime we go through security, Michael has a tantrum. Apparently he doesn't like to be yanked out of his stroller in the chaos - who can blame him!! So, I take my laptop out (again), put my backpack through the scanner (again), take off our shoes (only in the US), fold down the stroller (again), pick up cranky 2 year old (again) and walk through another scanner. Oh, and have his water bottle tested. Little Man had been carrying his water bottle since Guangzhou and wasn't ready to part with it. The officer said that I would have to toss it. I guess that 29 hours of traveling was showing when I told him that he has to be kidding me. I told him that I just want to get home!! He had pity on me and told me that he would have to test it. Great - do it. We passed and he got to keep his bottle - another tantrum averted. We finally got on the train to go and see the rest of our family!
When we got off the elevator, I immediately saw Steve and the girls. They came running over and we were finally united - our family of 6. I cried when I held them all - it was SO good to see them!! Our friends Ellen and Frannie came out to welcome us home, too - that was so great!! They are next - hopefully they will be traveling in the next month to bring home Gracie. It is so good to be home!! Everyone is adjusting quite well. We are even sleeping at the right times! We were both tired on Sunday, but I have been fine since Monday morning - seriously, no jet lag!! Thank God!! Michael is smiling, laughing and trying to repeat English words. He has even begun to spontaneously hug and kiss me and Steve. He really seems to be happy here, and I can only hope that he continues to feel loved. He slept great his first night home (despite sleeping a lot on the plane) and we even made it to church together on Sunday morning. We may have been crazy, but I was craving fellowship with my church family. They were so vigiliant in their prayers (so were many others), that I just wanted to go and praise God with them!! It was awesome - singing and praising the Lord with my son in my arms - I had been envisioning this for months!! I am so grateful that God has completed our family.
Monday, July 27, 2009
WE ARE HOME!
Just wanted to let you know that we are indeed home!! After 30 hours of door to door travel, my family is finally united!! Michael is getting along well with his sisters and is already bonding to his daddy. I will post more about our trip later, now I need coffee!!! It sure is good to be home!! Thank God!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Shopping and visas!!
I am LOVING being back on Shamian Island - it feels like an old friend!! Originally my adoption agency wanted to put us in a hotel off the Island - and I fought that!! I don't care if the rates were better, by the time we reached Guangzhou, I was ready for some "westernized" culture!! I honestly don't know why my agency wanted to put us up elsewhere - this really is the best place to be!! I am just grateful that the other families in my group wanted to stay here as well - we are all united in this is the best place to stay. Especially after the last hotel our agency picked - again, nice hotel, terrible location!! I must say, that the other 2 families that have been with me have been great. It is going to be so weird not to see them everyday. We all got along great, and as far as I could tell, there were no disagreements!! In fact, everyone was great with helping me carry my stroller up and down stairs as needed. China is not very stroller accessible. Despite the fact that Steve couldn't come and that I missed my family terribly, this has been a great trip. There were so many potential problems that I was expecting when I left the States, but all in all, we made it through as scheduled!! I can only attribute that to God answering all of our prayers!! Praise to Him!!!
So, what have I been doing the last 2 days? SHOPPING!! I came here thinking that I didn't need to buy that much stuff, since I stocked up a year and a half ago, but guess what? I was wrong!! I am hoping to stuff everything into my 2 suitcases, or else I will have to buy another small one - YIKES!! I just returned from shopping with Ann from Red Thread - man, is she the best!! She gets us such great deals that it is so hard to pass up. She said that her shopping guide business has been slow...what are you people thinking??? If any of you are coming to China soon, you need to hook up with Ann!! She can get amazing prices on pearls, jade and traditional clothing, just to name a few! You can save at least 50% of what you would pay on the Island. Call her - she is awesome!!!
Oh, the good news. We had our consulate appt. scheduled for Thurs. the 23rd. Our guide, Helen, took all of our paperwork to the appt and said that she would call us by noon to tell us how it went. Well, Adam's phone rang at 10:30 (he was the contact person with the cell phone - we all shopped together while we waited for Helen's call). So Maria and I were nervous, thinking that there was a problem, but no!!! Everything was great!! In fact, since only 6 families had their appt on the 23rd, they decided to mover our oath ceremony to Thurs. afternoon (instead of Fri). This is huge!! So, at 2:45 we boarded the bus and went to the US Consulate for our swearing in ceremony and to receive our US immigration paperwork (including Michael's visa that had created such a problem before I left). It was great!! After our oath, Maria and I looked at each other and we both had been crying. Everything was done, we were free to go home - PRAISE GOD!! So we all celebrated by having dinner at Lucy's, and then we spent Friday shopping and packing. We are all ready to go home and start our lives with our family!! This afternoon I am going to take Michael to the pool, grab some Italian dinner, pack and go to bed...I leave early in the morning for the airport!! I will be arriving in Atlanta around 7 pm - I can't wait to see my wonderful husband and beautiful girls. This has been a long journey in so many ways, I am glad that it is coming to an end and we can begin our life as a family of 6!! Oh, and I guess that I have to start cooking and cleaning again - not looking forward to that!! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement, I couldn't have done it without any of you. Next post - from home!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!
So, what have I been doing the last 2 days? SHOPPING!! I came here thinking that I didn't need to buy that much stuff, since I stocked up a year and a half ago, but guess what? I was wrong!! I am hoping to stuff everything into my 2 suitcases, or else I will have to buy another small one - YIKES!! I just returned from shopping with Ann from Red Thread - man, is she the best!! She gets us such great deals that it is so hard to pass up. She said that her shopping guide business has been slow...what are you people thinking??? If any of you are coming to China soon, you need to hook up with Ann!! She can get amazing prices on pearls, jade and traditional clothing, just to name a few! You can save at least 50% of what you would pay on the Island. Call her - she is awesome!!!
Oh, the good news. We had our consulate appt. scheduled for Thurs. the 23rd. Our guide, Helen, took all of our paperwork to the appt and said that she would call us by noon to tell us how it went. Well, Adam's phone rang at 10:30 (he was the contact person with the cell phone - we all shopped together while we waited for Helen's call). So Maria and I were nervous, thinking that there was a problem, but no!!! Everything was great!! In fact, since only 6 families had their appt on the 23rd, they decided to mover our oath ceremony to Thurs. afternoon (instead of Fri). This is huge!! So, at 2:45 we boarded the bus and went to the US Consulate for our swearing in ceremony and to receive our US immigration paperwork (including Michael's visa that had created such a problem before I left). It was great!! After our oath, Maria and I looked at each other and we both had been crying. Everything was done, we were free to go home - PRAISE GOD!! So we all celebrated by having dinner at Lucy's, and then we spent Friday shopping and packing. We are all ready to go home and start our lives with our family!! This afternoon I am going to take Michael to the pool, grab some Italian dinner, pack and go to bed...I leave early in the morning for the airport!! I will be arriving in Atlanta around 7 pm - I can't wait to see my wonderful husband and beautiful girls. This has been a long journey in so many ways, I am glad that it is coming to an end and we can begin our life as a family of 6!! Oh, and I guess that I have to start cooking and cleaning again - not looking forward to that!! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement, I couldn't have done it without any of you. Next post - from home!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
We made it to Guangzhou!!! (6 pictures below)
Sorry that I dropped the ball a little - we have been busy!! Monday morning was a free day. Michael and I slept in, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and then strolled around the hotel to take pictures of the neighborhood. We are still not sure why our agency picked this hotel. It is nice and all and has a great breakfast buffet, but the neighborhood stinks!! I mean, there is absolutely nothing within walking distance for us to do. Very annoying. We are all a little frustrated with this choice of hotel. Anyway, we ate lunch with Maria, Patty and Brayden at our favorite restaurant around the corner. It is great food, but I was kind of glad that it was our last meal there - it's getting a little old. Michael took a great nap and then we went to the Summer Palace. This was one of my favorite spots! It was absolutely beautiful!! It was super hot, but at least there was a nice breeze coming off of the lake. We are so glad that we made it to this spot - it was great. While we were there, I gave Michael his first ice cream bar - see if you can tell from the picture if he liked it!! I was scolded by a couple of older Chinese women - they kept telling me that his face was dirty. Well, duh! Can't you see he is eating ice cream while it is 90+ degrees!! They wanted me to clean him up, well I just kept walking. What is the point of cleaning him after every bite, he is only going to get dirty again!? Don't worry, I cleaned him up after he finished!!
Oh, this is sad. When we got back to the bus to go back to our hotel, Michael told me (in his own way) that he had to go potty. I tried to tell him just to go in his pull-ups, but I guess he didn't understand me. He did okay for a while, and then he got really vocal about his need to go. I asked our guide to tell him that it was okay to go in his diaper, but my guide ignored me. Nice. So, a little while later he started crying and was REALLY upset. Our guide finally tried to tell him to go, but that didn't work. Our bus driver pulled over, I took the little guy in a grassy knoll and stripped his pants and pull ups off (we already tried to have him pee outside without taking the clothes off, and well, that didn't work). So I have a half naked kid in the middle of Beijing during rush hour - screaming...and not peeing. He refused to go. Well, I thought that maybe he had peed in his pull up - it seemed a little wet. So, I tried to put his clothes back on, but he just screamed louder. What now? Pick up half naked crying boy and put him on the bus!! Luckily he didn't pee on me!! I got him dressed and he was fine...for about 10 minutes. Then he said he had to go potty!!! UGH!!! Luckily we were close to the hotel. As soon as we got there, I ran into the lobby and to the public restrooms - he smiled when he saw the ladies room sign. He was very relieved to to be able to finally relieve himself!! What a nightmare!! I felt so sorry for him, but on a positive note - he does have great bladder control!!
After Michael was better, we walked to Pizza Hut - the first time I had pizza since I came to Beijing. Jessica (one of the 7 year-olds) picked a curry chicken pizza. Curry is not my favorite, but I was willing to try anything - and it tasted great!! Michael enjoyed a slice of veggie pizza - at least he will fit in with our family!!
So Tuesday morning was also free - our last day in Beijing!! Unfortunately, Michael didn't sleep in....he woke up at 6. And that was after a night of at least 2 nightmares or terrors - I don't know which. So needless to say I was tired. We ate and then worked on packing. It was nice getting rid of gifts so that cut down on the weight of each suitcase...I have LOTS of room to go shopping in Guangzou!! We finished up just as Meg arrived and the 3 of us went out to lunch at a french bistro...it was yummy!! We got back to the hotel and checked out. I said a tearful goodbye to Meg, and got on the bus for one last time. It was hard to say goodbye, Meg is just so awesome!! I am so grateful that she was there - I would not have been able to do as well as I did without her. She was a Godsend!!
We arrive at the south Beijing terminal. It is it's own separate airport, and let's just say, we were SCARED!!! It is this tiny hole in the wall building with planes sitting in a weed-infested lot. It was even smaller than the Rochester MN airport!! We really were nervous!! Our guide checked us in and we went through security (after thanking our guide, Michael - he really was great). So, then we were the only Americans in the airport and all of the messages were in Chinese. I was so glad to be here with a group - we had visions of missing our flight! It was an experience!! So we finally board the plane and then we sit - for an hour!!! UGH!! There are messages (in Chinese), so none of us could understand anything!! Well, we did okay, but my son HATED his seat belt. It wasn't even on tight!! It just stressed him out to no end!! He cried!!! I finally got him distracted and he forgot about it for a while, but whenever he remembered that it was on, he had a fit!! Not looking forward to 14 hours of this!!! Oh! And wait until he has to sit in his car seat!! NICE!! Other than 3 or 4 fits of rage over his seat belt, he did great. He even fell asleep - about 30 minutes out of Guangzhou! I thought for sure that he would have fallen asleep sooner since he didn't get a nap - which made him even crankier!! Well, we landed in Guangzhou and found our guide, Helen. She is very sweet and good with the kids. We got checked into the White Swan Hotel and I feel like I am almost home!! We stayed on Shamian Island when we were here with Danielle so this is familiar territory! I am so glad to be here!! On Wed morning, Helen took us to the Chen Clan something...can't remember it's name. It was pretty neat - but it is SUPER humid here - UGH!! I really feel like I am melting!! We did a little shopping, but I am waiting to hook up with Ann to get some better deals (you are welcome, Honey). We even ate lunch at McDonald's - first time on this trip. I am not a huge McDonald's fan, but it never tasted so good!!! We are back in our room and Michael is sleeping peacefully. I am waiting for Helen to come and work on my paperwork for our consulate appointment in the morning. If all goes well with that, I can come home!!! Please pray that there are no hiccups tomorrow morning - I want to come home!!
Oh, this is sad. When we got back to the bus to go back to our hotel, Michael told me (in his own way) that he had to go potty. I tried to tell him just to go in his pull-ups, but I guess he didn't understand me. He did okay for a while, and then he got really vocal about his need to go. I asked our guide to tell him that it was okay to go in his diaper, but my guide ignored me. Nice. So, a little while later he started crying and was REALLY upset. Our guide finally tried to tell him to go, but that didn't work. Our bus driver pulled over, I took the little guy in a grassy knoll and stripped his pants and pull ups off (we already tried to have him pee outside without taking the clothes off, and well, that didn't work). So I have a half naked kid in the middle of Beijing during rush hour - screaming...and not peeing. He refused to go. Well, I thought that maybe he had peed in his pull up - it seemed a little wet. So, I tried to put his clothes back on, but he just screamed louder. What now? Pick up half naked crying boy and put him on the bus!! Luckily he didn't pee on me!! I got him dressed and he was fine...for about 10 minutes. Then he said he had to go potty!!! UGH!!! Luckily we were close to the hotel. As soon as we got there, I ran into the lobby and to the public restrooms - he smiled when he saw the ladies room sign. He was very relieved to to be able to finally relieve himself!! What a nightmare!! I felt so sorry for him, but on a positive note - he does have great bladder control!!
After Michael was better, we walked to Pizza Hut - the first time I had pizza since I came to Beijing. Jessica (one of the 7 year-olds) picked a curry chicken pizza. Curry is not my favorite, but I was willing to try anything - and it tasted great!! Michael enjoyed a slice of veggie pizza - at least he will fit in with our family!!
So Tuesday morning was also free - our last day in Beijing!! Unfortunately, Michael didn't sleep in....he woke up at 6. And that was after a night of at least 2 nightmares or terrors - I don't know which. So needless to say I was tired. We ate and then worked on packing. It was nice getting rid of gifts so that cut down on the weight of each suitcase...I have LOTS of room to go shopping in Guangzou!! We finished up just as Meg arrived and the 3 of us went out to lunch at a french bistro...it was yummy!! We got back to the hotel and checked out. I said a tearful goodbye to Meg, and got on the bus for one last time. It was hard to say goodbye, Meg is just so awesome!! I am so grateful that she was there - I would not have been able to do as well as I did without her. She was a Godsend!!
We arrive at the south Beijing terminal. It is it's own separate airport, and let's just say, we were SCARED!!! It is this tiny hole in the wall building with planes sitting in a weed-infested lot. It was even smaller than the Rochester MN airport!! We really were nervous!! Our guide checked us in and we went through security (after thanking our guide, Michael - he really was great). So, then we were the only Americans in the airport and all of the messages were in Chinese. I was so glad to be here with a group - we had visions of missing our flight! It was an experience!! So we finally board the plane and then we sit - for an hour!!! UGH!! There are messages (in Chinese), so none of us could understand anything!! Well, we did okay, but my son HATED his seat belt. It wasn't even on tight!! It just stressed him out to no end!! He cried!!! I finally got him distracted and he forgot about it for a while, but whenever he remembered that it was on, he had a fit!! Not looking forward to 14 hours of this!!! Oh! And wait until he has to sit in his car seat!! NICE!! Other than 3 or 4 fits of rage over his seat belt, he did great. He even fell asleep - about 30 minutes out of Guangzhou! I thought for sure that he would have fallen asleep sooner since he didn't get a nap - which made him even crankier!! Well, we landed in Guangzhou and found our guide, Helen. She is very sweet and good with the kids. We got checked into the White Swan Hotel and I feel like I am almost home!! We stayed on Shamian Island when we were here with Danielle so this is familiar territory! I am so glad to be here!! On Wed morning, Helen took us to the Chen Clan something...can't remember it's name. It was pretty neat - but it is SUPER humid here - UGH!! I really feel like I am melting!! We did a little shopping, but I am waiting to hook up with Ann to get some better deals (you are welcome, Honey). We even ate lunch at McDonald's - first time on this trip. I am not a huge McDonald's fan, but it never tasted so good!!! We are back in our room and Michael is sleeping peacefully. I am waiting for Helen to come and work on my paperwork for our consulate appointment in the morning. If all goes well with that, I can come home!!! Please pray that there are no hiccups tomorrow morning - I want to come home!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Random Ramblings (see below for other post from today with more pictures)
The main purpose of this blog is to document my trip to China as I adopt my son, but I also want to share this journey with you!! This post is just going to be a bullet post of random things and thoughts that I may have forgotten to put in previous posts. Some may sound negative, but I want to remember the good, the bad and the ugly!!!
- Chinese dept stores are TOTALLY inefficient!! When you find what you want, the sales person in that dept. holds onto your item and writes up a receipt. You then take this paper to a cashier and pay for it, then you take your receipt BACK to the dept (after stamped paid) and pick up your item!!!
- I miss ice in my drinks
- I am tired of eating every meal in a restaurant - and I am tired of Chinese food!
- I don't miss cooking!
- I am tired of my hotel room....
- but I love having someone else clean my room!!!
- I do not miss doing laundry, but am tired of living out of a suitcase
- Taking a 2 year old to a breakfast buffet every morning alone is NOT relaxing
- Having a 2 year old have random fits is not amusing (can't wait to get home and work on fixing that)
- Chinese cartoons are not funny (at least I don't think they are)
- Pollution makes my throat hurt - every day! (I should have had a chest x-ray before and after my trip just to see!)
- squatty pottys at Tianamen Square are N-A-S-T-Y
- make sure potty door at above mentioned public restrooms is locked - or else above 2 year-old will open - mid stream!!!
- our guide refers to the orphanage as "the college" - huh
- adoption paperwork in Beijing is ANNOYING!!!
- if you ever come to Beijing for more than a weekend, don't stay at the Yuyang Hotel. It is very nice, but not in a nice area of town. There is absolutely nothing within walking distance so you will be stuck in your hotel room...and don't get a massage across the street, it is run by prostitutes (no, that is NOT where I had my massage)
- having a HUGE picture window (with metal blinds) between the shower and the bed is VERY weird, but functional when you are alone with a 2 year old and need to get clean!
- having a government censor your internet access and TV is maddening!!! I guess it does aid in reinforcing Chinese propaganda!!!
- bathing caps (which are required for all people to wear in swimming pools - even children) are NOT attractive!!
- sunscreen is not really necessary when pollution is so thick - at least I didn't need it!!
- I have never watched so much ESPN in all my life - at least THAT wasn't censored!!!
- the hotel maids play sick shower nozzle games...everyday it is pointing a different direction and hoses a new section of the bathroom!!
- never forget to take tissue into a bathroom with you - you never know when a stall isn't going to have any...say for instance the T. Square public one!
- Chinese dept stores are TOTALLY inefficient!! When you find what you want, the sales person in that dept. holds onto your item and writes up a receipt. You then take this paper to a cashier and pay for it, then you take your receipt BACK to the dept (after stamped paid) and pick up your item!!!
- I miss ice in my drinks
- I am tired of eating every meal in a restaurant - and I am tired of Chinese food!
- I don't miss cooking!
- I am tired of my hotel room....
- but I love having someone else clean my room!!!
- I do not miss doing laundry, but am tired of living out of a suitcase
- Taking a 2 year old to a breakfast buffet every morning alone is NOT relaxing
- Having a 2 year old have random fits is not amusing (can't wait to get home and work on fixing that)
- Chinese cartoons are not funny (at least I don't think they are)
- Pollution makes my throat hurt - every day! (I should have had a chest x-ray before and after my trip just to see!)
- squatty pottys at Tianamen Square are N-A-S-T-Y
- make sure potty door at above mentioned public restrooms is locked - or else above 2 year-old will open - mid stream!!!
- our guide refers to the orphanage as "the college" - huh
- adoption paperwork in Beijing is ANNOYING!!!
- if you ever come to Beijing for more than a weekend, don't stay at the Yuyang Hotel. It is very nice, but not in a nice area of town. There is absolutely nothing within walking distance so you will be stuck in your hotel room...and don't get a massage across the street, it is run by prostitutes (no, that is NOT where I had my massage)
- having a HUGE picture window (with metal blinds) between the shower and the bed is VERY weird, but functional when you are alone with a 2 year old and need to get clean!
- having a government censor your internet access and TV is maddening!!! I guess it does aid in reinforcing Chinese propaganda!!!
- bathing caps (which are required for all people to wear in swimming pools - even children) are NOT attractive!!
- sunscreen is not really necessary when pollution is so thick - at least I didn't need it!!
- I have never watched so much ESPN in all my life - at least THAT wasn't censored!!!
- the hotel maids play sick shower nozzle games...everyday it is pointing a different direction and hoses a new section of the bathroom!!
- never forget to take tissue into a bathroom with you - you never know when a stall isn't going to have any...say for instance the T. Square public one!
Temple, acrobats and hot pots - oh my!
After Michael's nap on Sunday, we met the gang for an afternoon outing. Our guide took us first to the Temple of Heaven. It was in a nice park and it really was beautiful. Not much to see other than a few "temple" buildings, but they were nice. After that we went to the Flying Acrobats show - it was amazing!!! Michael was not too thrilled to have to sit on my lap, but I wasn't going to pay for another ticket, and besides, he wouldn't have been able to see! Once I gave him some crackers, he was fine. He was a bit scared of the show at times - the music could be a little ominous, but I enjoyed it thoroughly!! It was INCREDIBLE!!! I was amazed at how the performers' bodies could contort and how strong they all were!! I better quit complaining about carrying around one toddler!! Whenever they performed a stunt I was blown away - and then they would one-up it....again and again!! I was amazed at all of the limits that they pushed!! I can't even imagine how their rehearsals go! And who thinks up these stunts? They are mind-blowing!! The strength that these perfomers possess is unreal!! Balancing 6 girls - all of them on one arm...even the anchor girl!! One stunt was done on a bike with a girl peddling and then they added a pyramid of 10 girls - all while the bike is in motion!! UNBELIEVEABLE!! I was very impressed!
We went out to dinner after that at a restaurant that specializes in hot pots. I didn't really like it. Neither did Michael, which was a first!! I was glad that I tried it but was doubly glad that I had half a PBJ back at the hotel!! We were able to talk to Baba (Daddy) and the girls for a while before bed. They made it home after 10 days with my folks. They were worn out but glad to be back at home - I think. I know that they are missing their grandparents, but it will be good for them to get back into a routine (hint! hint!! Baba).
After Michael went to sleep, I decided to try and see if I could get our church service on the web, and guess what? It worked!! It was great to see some familiar faces (even though they couldn't see me) and to hear the wonderful music!! It was very comforting but it also made me more homesick. Hopefully I will be back in the States for the next service. I really enjoyed watching it - I even caught a glimpse of Steve and his Mom as the camera panned the sanctuary...at least they made it!! I must admit though, I didn't make it all the way through the sermon. I am sorry Seth Wortman, but I really did go to sleep during it - at least I turned the computer off first! It was great, I was just too tired and it got too late (11:15 pm). Trust me when I say it wasn't you, it was me!! I am going to go back and listen to the sermon from the archives - it sounded great from what I heard!! Thank you to all of my friends and prayer warriors out there - they are working, keep up the great work!!! God is good!
We went out to dinner after that at a restaurant that specializes in hot pots. I didn't really like it. Neither did Michael, which was a first!! I was glad that I tried it but was doubly glad that I had half a PBJ back at the hotel!! We were able to talk to Baba (Daddy) and the girls for a while before bed. They made it home after 10 days with my folks. They were worn out but glad to be back at home - I think. I know that they are missing their grandparents, but it will be good for them to get back into a routine (hint! hint!! Baba).
After Michael went to sleep, I decided to try and see if I could get our church service on the web, and guess what? It worked!! It was great to see some familiar faces (even though they couldn't see me) and to hear the wonderful music!! It was very comforting but it also made me more homesick. Hopefully I will be back in the States for the next service. I really enjoyed watching it - I even caught a glimpse of Steve and his Mom as the camera panned the sanctuary...at least they made it!! I must admit though, I didn't make it all the way through the sermon. I am sorry Seth Wortman, but I really did go to sleep during it - at least I turned the computer off first! It was great, I was just too tired and it got too late (11:15 pm). Trust me when I say it wasn't you, it was me!! I am going to go back and listen to the sermon from the archives - it sounded great from what I heard!! Thank you to all of my friends and prayer warriors out there - they are working, keep up the great work!!! God is good!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Eating Spaghetti
The other 2 families in my group are great - we all get along really well. One of the dads is scheduled to leave on Sunday and then one of the moms is going to leave on Monday. So both families wanted to see if Meg could come to dinner with us and explain to the two 7 year-olds what was about to happen. Our guide (also named Michael) doesn't quite seem to understand some of these concepts - Meg's Chinese is better than Michael's English. So, since we were all a little tired of Chinese food, Meg took us to a nice Mediterranean (sp?) restaurant. I ordered a salad (with no repercussions - yea!) and spaghetti. I have included some photos of our boy - he thoroughly enjoyed it!! The waiters and waitresses from the restaurant all came to look at him - he was a mess! Luckily he cleaned up well! After dinner we walked around an outdoor mall and then I took Michael home and gave him a bath. He is doing much better at bedtime too - no fits for 2 nights in a row - PRAISE GOD!!
This morning since Rick was leaving, we are going to do our "tourist thing" this afternoon. We are going to see the Temple of Heaven and then go to a Chinese acrobatic show - should be fun! Meg came and met us for breakfast and then we went to a bookstore. I bought a couple of photo books - one about Beijing and the other about the Great Wall. Very cool pictures!! I also got a couple of children's books for Michael that he loves (and they were only $1). We then went to Meg's apartment to do a load of laundry...for free!! I did a load at the hotel and it was SO expensive. Oh well, I am set now until I get to Guangzhou where laundry will be much cheaper. So we hung out at Meg's studio apartment - it was really nice. Quite spacious and modern. It is located in an "artsy" area which was fun. A shopping center (located in the courtyard of her building) is scheduled to open in Aug. and I am sure that will be great. She seems very happy there. We ate lunch at her place, and guess what we had...PBJs!!!! She said we could order out, but I BEGGED her for the sandwich!! It was the best one EVER!! (and guess what Bompa? It was Skippy Super Chunk - your favorite!). Michael ate his all up and loved it!! He was actually quite messy about it, but oh well, he cleans up quite easily. I am just glad to know that he will eat anything when we get home - especially since my cooking is not great!! One more full day in Beijing, and then on Tuesday, we are off to Guangzhou - our last stop before coming home - yea!!! I am ready!!
This morning since Rick was leaving, we are going to do our "tourist thing" this afternoon. We are going to see the Temple of Heaven and then go to a Chinese acrobatic show - should be fun! Meg came and met us for breakfast and then we went to a bookstore. I bought a couple of photo books - one about Beijing and the other about the Great Wall. Very cool pictures!! I also got a couple of children's books for Michael that he loves (and they were only $1). We then went to Meg's apartment to do a load of laundry...for free!! I did a load at the hotel and it was SO expensive. Oh well, I am set now until I get to Guangzhou where laundry will be much cheaper. So we hung out at Meg's studio apartment - it was really nice. Quite spacious and modern. It is located in an "artsy" area which was fun. A shopping center (located in the courtyard of her building) is scheduled to open in Aug. and I am sure that will be great. She seems very happy there. We ate lunch at her place, and guess what we had...PBJs!!!! She said we could order out, but I BEGGED her for the sandwich!! It was the best one EVER!! (and guess what Bompa? It was Skippy Super Chunk - your favorite!). Michael ate his all up and loved it!! He was actually quite messy about it, but oh well, he cleans up quite easily. I am just glad to know that he will eat anything when we get home - especially since my cooking is not great!! One more full day in Beijing, and then on Tuesday, we are off to Guangzhou - our last stop before coming home - yea!!! I am ready!!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Great Wall
On Friday night, Michael and I went out to dinner with Meg. We were suppose to see her new apartment, but since it had been raining all day she didn't want us to take a chance of not getting a cab home. Apparently when it rains or snows in Beijing, cab drivers go home. So, instead we just went out to dinner. Michael was cranky again. Sigh. In his defense though, I put him down for a nap after our day at the Forbidden City, and had to wake him up about an hour and a half later. It was 5 pm, and I wanted him to sleep at night. So anyway, Meg took me to a nice fresh food restaurant - yum!! I tried to get Michael to eat a quesadilla, and he seemed to like it, until he decided to throw a mini-fit. Meg and I finished our dinner and then we left - with a cranky (and probably hungry) toddler. He did like the salsa though, and ate it all...with a fork, just like Danielle does!! They will get along well!!
I will give God praise though, Michael went to bed without throwing a fit!! That was huge!! I sure needed a break!! We woke up early on Sat, and ate a great breakfast and then met our group at 8 am to go to the Great Wall. On the way there we stopped at a jade store. Yes, it was just like the pearl store from yesterday! We were given a quick lesson in how to distinquish true jade from the fake stuff, were told about some special sales that are "just for us", and then allowed to shop. One sales lady followed me around for a while, hoping to make a sale, but she got the hint when I started to play "kick the can" with a paper cup that Michael had found. No, that probably wasn't proper "jade store" ettiquette, but it's what we did. And no, I didn't buy anything!
Next was the Great Wall. I was really excited to see this, and it did not disappoint!! We stopped at the first gate and decided to keep going. There were SO MANY people at this stop and it was REALLY steep. The next "entrance" was great - not too crowded at all. Since the stroller wasn't going to work here, I brought out the Ergo baby carrier that my friend, Donna loaned to me. It worked great!! Michael really seemed to enjoy riding in it and I had both hands free to steady myself up and down the stairs (I am afraid of heights). It really was amazing!! We walked up and down the wall for a bit and took some photos. Two different groups of school children swarmed me and Michael and wanted to take our pictures...I guess they weren't used to seeing an American woman carry a 2 year old in a baby carrier!! Anyway, I smiled for their photos. One of the women in my group joked that I must be a celebrity. To that I responded that if I was a celebrity, someone else would be carrying my child!!! UGH!! I enjoyed my time there, but was ready to get the carrier (and my son) off - I was SO hot!!!!
On the way back to the hotel, we drove by the Olypic Water Cube and Bird's Nest. They were really cool!! Apparently you can "sit" in the Bird's Nest for $7 USD and you can swim in the Water Cube for about $10. Thanks, but no thanks. It might be cool to swim, but I wonder if I could actually swim a whole lap? Maybe next time I come to Beijing!!!
I will give God praise though, Michael went to bed without throwing a fit!! That was huge!! I sure needed a break!! We woke up early on Sat, and ate a great breakfast and then met our group at 8 am to go to the Great Wall. On the way there we stopped at a jade store. Yes, it was just like the pearl store from yesterday! We were given a quick lesson in how to distinquish true jade from the fake stuff, were told about some special sales that are "just for us", and then allowed to shop. One sales lady followed me around for a while, hoping to make a sale, but she got the hint when I started to play "kick the can" with a paper cup that Michael had found. No, that probably wasn't proper "jade store" ettiquette, but it's what we did. And no, I didn't buy anything!
Next was the Great Wall. I was really excited to see this, and it did not disappoint!! We stopped at the first gate and decided to keep going. There were SO MANY people at this stop and it was REALLY steep. The next "entrance" was great - not too crowded at all. Since the stroller wasn't going to work here, I brought out the Ergo baby carrier that my friend, Donna loaned to me. It worked great!! Michael really seemed to enjoy riding in it and I had both hands free to steady myself up and down the stairs (I am afraid of heights). It really was amazing!! We walked up and down the wall for a bit and took some photos. Two different groups of school children swarmed me and Michael and wanted to take our pictures...I guess they weren't used to seeing an American woman carry a 2 year old in a baby carrier!! Anyway, I smiled for their photos. One of the women in my group joked that I must be a celebrity. To that I responded that if I was a celebrity, someone else would be carrying my child!!! UGH!! I enjoyed my time there, but was ready to get the carrier (and my son) off - I was SO hot!!!!
On the way back to the hotel, we drove by the Olypic Water Cube and Bird's Nest. They were really cool!! Apparently you can "sit" in the Bird's Nest for $7 USD and you can swim in the Water Cube for about $10. Thanks, but no thanks. It might be cool to swim, but I wonder if I could actually swim a whole lap? Maybe next time I come to Beijing!!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Rainy day
Michael took a good nap on Thursday afternoon and woke up in a much better mood - thank you, God!! We met the group for dinner at a nice (and cheap) restaurant around the corner of the hotel. Then we came home, bathed and went to bed. Michael LOVES taking a bath!!
We woke up on Friday morning expecting to meet our group at 8 am to go for a tour at the Forbidden City, but alas, it was raining!! So, instead our guide moved our departure time to 11 am so that we could go for lunch, the pearl gallery and then to the Forbidden City. I was glad that the time was changed so that I could spend some good quality time on Skype with Steve and the girls. I sure do miss them!! I wish I was going home tomorrow instead of NEXT Saturday!! UGH!! Will the 25th ever get here!!??? Anyway, lunch was great. Pearl gallery...not so much. I am not sure WHY we went to this place, it was really just a pearl jewelry store. They did have fresh water oysters there and they opened one up and showed us inside which was cool (and let us each pick out a pearl from inside the oyster), but then they just wanted to sell us stuff. I did buy a couple of things which were a good deal, but was actually kind of annoyed that we went here as a "tourist" spot - it was kind of tacky to schedule this if you ask me. According to our guide, famous athletes come here to buy pearls for their family - big deal. Well, we did go to the Forbidden City after that - in the rain. It was not pouring (as it was earlier in the morning), but it was still a steady drizzle. We felt like our guide didn't really want to take us...he said that the 2 older kids didn't want to go (but since none of us speak Chinese, we don't really know how he presented it). But we adults were dying to do anything outside of our tiny hotel rooms!! So, the adults won!! Now I had debated about going at all since it was in the afternoon and that is when Michael naps, but I had to get out!! We enjoyed ourselves and Michael seemed to enjoy riding around in his stroller. The 2 dads on this trip have been great in helping me carry the stroller up and down stairs. China is not very stroller-friendly!!
Meg is suppose to come to the hotel around dinner time and wants to take me and Michael to see her new apartment. She is so excited and happy to actually have her own place!!! Tomorrow - the Great Wall!! I am really looking forward to seeing that!!!
We woke up on Friday morning expecting to meet our group at 8 am to go for a tour at the Forbidden City, but alas, it was raining!! So, instead our guide moved our departure time to 11 am so that we could go for lunch, the pearl gallery and then to the Forbidden City. I was glad that the time was changed so that I could spend some good quality time on Skype with Steve and the girls. I sure do miss them!! I wish I was going home tomorrow instead of NEXT Saturday!! UGH!! Will the 25th ever get here!!??? Anyway, lunch was great. Pearl gallery...not so much. I am not sure WHY we went to this place, it was really just a pearl jewelry store. They did have fresh water oysters there and they opened one up and showed us inside which was cool (and let us each pick out a pearl from inside the oyster), but then they just wanted to sell us stuff. I did buy a couple of things which were a good deal, but was actually kind of annoyed that we went here as a "tourist" spot - it was kind of tacky to schedule this if you ask me. According to our guide, famous athletes come here to buy pearls for their family - big deal. Well, we did go to the Forbidden City after that - in the rain. It was not pouring (as it was earlier in the morning), but it was still a steady drizzle. We felt like our guide didn't really want to take us...he said that the 2 older kids didn't want to go (but since none of us speak Chinese, we don't really know how he presented it). But we adults were dying to do anything outside of our tiny hotel rooms!! So, the adults won!! Now I had debated about going at all since it was in the afternoon and that is when Michael naps, but I had to get out!! We enjoyed ourselves and Michael seemed to enjoy riding around in his stroller. The 2 dads on this trip have been great in helping me carry the stroller up and down stairs. China is not very stroller-friendly!!
Meg is suppose to come to the hotel around dinner time and wants to take me and Michael to see her new apartment. She is so excited and happy to actually have her own place!!! Tomorrow - the Great Wall!! I am really looking forward to seeing that!!!
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