Friday. Orphanage visit

We visited Sarah's orphanage on Friday. I've thought for months about that visit. I've thought for months about what I would and wouldn't write about it. Now that we have had the visit I'm still not sure. I still need time to process it all. I'm not going to talk about details here. If you are interested I will share some details privately. This is part of Sarah's story. And it is her story. She deserves some privacy. But let me say this. For a year I have been staring at a picture if a little girl. A little girl who is not just a picture. She is a living breathing beautiful creation of God. For months I have seen pictures of the other waiting children at her orphanage and as they ran up to the gate yesterday I recognized them. I knew their names. At least the names they have been assigned. And it is overwhelming. One day I will share more but not today. 

The highlight of the day for me was getting to see two beautiful children who are coming home soon. I was able to hold them and love them and pray over them. I'm so thankful they will be coming home soon. I'm thankful I was able to pass on pictures to their parents. It was so comforting to me when I was waiting to know someone had held her. 

Sarah did ok on our trip. She was a trooper while we drove there. It was a 5 hour one way trip. She was a champion travelers. Of course there are no car seats in china so she had the run of the back seat.

Once we got out of the city we saw lots of the Chinese country side. There were fields of crops and houses. There were beautiful mountains in the background. Every now and then I would see a lone person working in the field. It was such a reminder of what a huge world this is. I'm one small person living in Madison Mississippi and he is one small person working a rice fiels in rural china. And yet Jesus loves us all the same. And I wonder how he will know Jesus! 

 Once we got to the orphanage she held on to us . The director fed us a snack and of course Sarah loved that. She was completely silent though. We let the nannies hold her and she went to one willingly. They were very nice. We saw her bed which already had someone else I it. We saw the playroom where most of the pictures we have of her are taken. It was much smaller than I thought. We walked back downstairs and waited for our guide to catch up to us. At that point Sarah was ready to go. She kept reaching for the door. We went outside and took some pictures and she kept pointing at the van. She was ready to go. She waved goodbye as we drove off. 

Below are some pictures but they are mostly of the van ride. We weren't allowed to take any pictures inside. I wouldn't post them anyway. 

I will close with this though. There are almost 100 kids in that orphanage. They are real. They have names and they need to know they have a savior. My heart is broken for them. Pray for them. Even if you don't know their faces and names. And know there are millions more all over the world. 

Having a snack on the van. 

The front of the orphanage. 

Just chillin on the way back. 

We also had our first experience with squatty potties!  I had see and used them before in Japan but it's safe to say my 12 year old was mortified. We stopped at a gas station so I could change Sarah and Jenny needed to go also. She changed her mind quickly!  On the way back she really had to go so we stopped at a hospital. Only squatty potties. I gave her a few pointers and in she went. Hilarious!  We were walking out and I told her. You could be in algebra but instead you just used a squatty potty in a hospital in china. She just laughed. 

All in all it was an exhausting day that we are so glad we had. We are glad our sweet baby fell asleep in my arms with food in her hands. 

Medical appointment day

As I am typing this there is a precious baby rubbing her eyes laying in the bed next to me.  Most nights she has fallen asleep laying completely on top of me. Her schedule said she naps everyday but we haven't had a nap yet.  She just goes and goes and then poops out. She's already asleep. 

Our biggest issue continues to be food. It breaks my heart. She eats constantly. We went back to the Trustmart today and she got three more of the little cake she likes.  They weigh them and then put them a bag like you would vegatables at Kroger. She clutched that bag all through the store and then started biting it trying to get it open. She ate one on the way back to the hotel. She ate the other two as soon as we got back. Sweet baby. Praying she learns soon she won't be hungry anymore!

Today was our medical appointment day.  I wasn't looking forward to this day at all. I'm not great at patience when it comes to waiting in medical clinics. Not my strong suite. It went well though. There is only one clinic approved by the CDC to do medical exams for a visa to enter the US. There were 2 other adoptive families besides us. But that place was hopping!  I asked our guide if all of these people were traveling and she said yes. All traveling to the US. some to work, some to visit family,some for school, some for vacation.  Whatever the reason they have to have a medical exam. She said one floor up was if you wanted to go to Australia. 

We had several stations to go to. First she got her picture made for her file. 

Next she got weighed and measured. 

While we waited Jenny texted with her friends back home.  From a medical clinic in China. 

Next was the ENT

After that was a once over by a pediatrician.  She asked about her special need, made her walk across the floor, listened to her heart.  

Then it was TB test time. This was the part I was dreading. They take your child from you and do a blood draw.  When the nurse came Sarah went right to her. A little too easily. I didn't like that. I stood outside the door waiting to hear her cry and be ready to take her back but she came back out all smiles. The poor things never cried. It is so sad to me that she never cries. She knocked her head hard on the rail in the elevator. Nothing. She falls in the room. Nothing. It does no good to cry in the orphanage. Breaks my heart. 

After that we were done and we headed back to the hotel. We ate lunch in the room. I took a short nap.  Jenny worked on homework and Shane and Sarah played. Later we went to a really neat park about 15 minutes away. I will write a post about that tomorrow.  All the pictures are on Shane's phone and I want to be able to add them. There have been a few times that it is easy to forgot where we are. This park had a monument to the communist uprising and another one to the china, soviet, North Korean alliance.  A real reminder of where we are.  It was a beautiful park with lots of neat things. Pictures soon.

We let jenny stay in the room while we ran back over to Trustmart for some things we needed for our orphanage trip tomorrow.  She has been a trooper and a huge help. She was pretty done after the park and a little time alone watching tv was just what she needed.  

She and Shane ran out and got us some dinner. McDonalds. Again. Oh well. 

We spent the evening playing in the room and getting ready for tomorrow.  We brought gifts for the orphanage director and nanny that Brought Sarah to us but because we had no luggage we had no gifts. We got those ready and food, etc ready for the long day tomorrow. Her orphanage is about 6 hours away. It will be a long day and prayers are appreciated. Our prayer is foremost for Sarah's heart and mind. We want this to be a time for saying goodbye and for learning she can trust us. I am also prsying for The Lord to use this time to continue to break my heart. To reveal how very selfish I can be and to show me what he would have me to do. Pray also for Jenny. There will be hard things for her to see. Praying for the lord to work in her heart as well.

We are up way last our bed time. It's 9:00!!  Ha!  I was off my game today for some reason. I was worried about will this morning and just never got my mind right. I was worried about Sarah as well.  She didn't seem as clingy today and she went to that nurse so quickly it made me worry. Trusting The Lord everyday as we make ourselves into a family. Praying for her heart and mind. Thanking The Lord that the picture I stared at for so long is asleep next to me, breathing deep.  Safe. Thanking God for the promise that he who began a good work is faithful to compete it!!

Waiting at the clinic.

Jenny found a snack!

Checking out the view. 

Shane showing off his mad chopstick skills.

Pretty girl!!

Wednesday

Today is Wednesday in China.  Day 4 of our trip.  Today was a pretty light day as far as official things.  We met our guide at 3:00 this afternoon to go the police station in Guanzhou.  We had to go there to apply for Sarah's passport.  We went with the other family in our group and then saw the other families we have seen this week.  We just waited our turn and then sat in a chair and had Sarah's picture made.  They  looked at our passports and smiled at us and we were done.  Less than an hour.  Sarah will enter the US next week with a Chinese Passport with a US visa in it.   We are now moving into the US side of things.  

Jenny has slept like a champ on this trip.  Shane  and are sleeping pretty well we just waking up very very early.  We woke up about 2:00 am and I think Sarah was awake too.  There are certain things that remind you of where she has been.  Like so many other adopted children she doesn't cry when she wakes up.  There is no sense in crying.  No one is coming until the appointed time.  Crying doesn't get you anywhere in an orphanage. 

The Three of us tossed and turn for few hours and finally we turned on the light really low.  And I don't know what happened to trigger it but we saw our first sign of grieving.  She sat up and started crying.  Not for long but she was obviously uspset.  she crawled off the bed and laid on the floor for a little while.  After a bit she climbed back on the bed and has been fine all day.  She is so very brave.  I can't imagine.   

We finally all got up and got dressed.  We face timed with Pop and Peanut and headed to breakfast.  After breakfast we went back out to feed the fish.  Today she got the hang of throwing the bread instead of eating it.

The hotel has a small outdoor playground and we spent some time out there.  She really enjoyed that.

nnn

I love that sweet smile!!!  

We skipped lunch and decided to go get ice cream instead.  Haagen Daaz!  WooHoo!!  It was so yummy!

She just laid her hands on the glass and stared at all that ice cream!

We walked around for awhile.  The area around our hotel reminds me a lot of NYC, but there are lots of trees and flowers and for the most part it is very clean.  There are large crosswalk bridges and beautiful flowers line them, going over the streets.

I love this picture!

We walked over to the TrustMart AKA the Chinese Walmart to get some noodle bowls for meals in the room.  Sarah practically ran over to these little cakes they were selling.  They put 2 in a little bag and she held onto that bag all afternoon.  

Food has proved to be our biggest issue.  She wants to eat constantly.  it breaks my heart. She wants food with her all the time.  We did see a neat thing today though.  The first night she was with us we ordered chinese,  She ate that rice, as shane said, like she stole it.  Shoveling it in as fast as she could.  Tonight we had rice again.  She ate a ton!!  but she ate it slow and steady.   She still puts it in faster than she can swallow it but she was shoveling so much tonight.  Maybe slowly she is trusting us.  

She seems to be attaching fairly well.  She wanted Jenny to hold her a lot today but seems to be able to tell the difference between her and us.  That we are her parents and Jenny is not.  Jenny has been so great at letting us meet her needs.  She has done things to show her how to trust us and has been a complete joy to have with us.  

Tomorrow is the medical exam.  She will have to have a blood draw.  We are not necessarily looking forward to it.  Our guide showed us where a park is and we plan to spend tomorrow afternoon there.

She is sitting next to me now eating her little cake we got.  Her head is laying on the table she is so sleepy but she won't give it up till the cake is gone!

Below are e few pictures of things from our walk around the city today. Enjoy the pictures.  I have a sweet baby to put to bed,  She may be 5 years old but she is very much a baby in many ways and in many ways she has surprised us with what she can do.  She is such a sweet, brave girl.  We are so proud to be her parents.  We are so glad she is an orphan no more.

Chrstmas come early to china too.  we have seen several Christmas signs and they were playing Christmas music in the Aeon Store.

This menu board was outside a cafe.  Just like a menu board would be anywhere in the US.  The language still amazes me.

Red Bean Drink anyone?  

I have no idea what this says but it is made completely of flowers.  It is huge and really pretty.

Adoption Day

Tuesday was Sarah's official adoption day.  In Chinese adoption the first 24 hours after Gotcha Day is called the harmonious period.  Basically they give you time to make sure you are sure you want to do this.

We are sure!!!  Here is Miss Priss all ready to go be adopted!  We ate breakfast at the hotel and then met up with the other family and headed back to the civil affairs office.  Inside we saw the families we had seen the day before.  The little boy who was so sad the day before was all smiles today!  There was also a spanish family with a school age daughter, twins and there newly adopted daughter.  The mom had her 3 little ones on the floor playing a game and Sarah ran over and plopped down like she was supposed to be there.  It was very cute!

After a little bit it was our turn.  We had our official adoption picture made.  This s the picture on her official   adoption degree.

Jenny took this.  I thought she did a great job!

We then went into a room with an adoption official.  She asked us if we were satisfied with the child.

YES!  We are very satisfied!  We handed her our gift and moved on to the next room.

This time we went upstairs into a very hot office with a notary.  She asked us Sarah's Chinese name and her birthday.  She asked when we got marrried.  She asked why we wanted to adopt from china.  We signed a few papers and gave her our gift.  Then this is kind of embarressing.  I knew at some point this week we take on oath.  I could have sworn she said stand and raise your hand.  Shane looked at me to interpret.  i said stand and raise your hand so we stood and raised our hands ready to take an oath.  She just smiled and pointed to the door.  Stupid Americans.  Oh Well.  

And that was that.  Officially adopted!  Officially One Less.  Officially one us.

There is a beautiful garden in the back of our hotel.  We went out there and fed the Koi fish.  It was amazing.  They were leaping on top of each other to get the bread.  Sarah didn't quite get the idea of throwing the bread and would just eat the pieces we handed her.

We went back to the room and rested a bit.  Then headed out to a store called Aeon.  It's sort of like a super target.  Except 5 floors.  The first floor is a grocery store and the rest are  like a department store.  I bought Sarah a few clothes there they day before when I thought we wouldn't get our luggage.  We went today to buy a stroller.  Sarah has cerebral palsy and although she walks really well long walks can get difficult for her.  We love to carry her, but for the tours we will go on later in the week and more specifically the airports coming home we knew we needed a stroller.  The lady in the baby department was obviously used to American parents coming in looking for strollers.  She walked right up to us, grabbed the pink stroller, showed us how to open it up, showed us how much it was and we were on our way.  

We celebrated adoption day the way we Huff's celebrate everything.  By eating Mexican.  Seriously.  Except everything in china is cheaper except Mexican food and that was probably our only trip to the Mexican restaurant.

We came back to the room and gave Sarah a bath,  I had bought the girls matching PJs and this seemed like a good night to try them out.  

So cute except that they are sitting down because Sarah's pants hit the floor as soon as she stood up.  So we switched Pjs.  Nothing a wet headed baby in her PJs.

We all hit the rack about 8:30.  We are still so tired and our sleep schedules are way off.  We poop out about 8:00 and wake up about 2:00.  We are making it though.

Sarah's attachment to us seems to be coming along.  She is very affectionate.  She became very clingy to me yesterday afternoon.  She and I came into the room after Shane and Jenny were already there.  I realized I needed to run to lobby and turned right around and left the room.  As soon as the door closed I heard tears.  The first we had seen.  I started pounding on the door.  She practically jumped into my arms when Shane opened the door.  We had tried to prepare ourselves for her to really like one of us and shun the other.  so far that hasn't happened.  She tends to gravitate toward me more but she goes willingly and voluntarily to Shane as well.  We are glad for that.  Shane especially was concerned that she wouldn't like him and that hasn't been the case,  She of course loves her Jei Jei.  Who wouldn't love a big sister like Jenny.

one of my favorite moments came yesterday evening.  We have one video of Sarah.  It was 32 seconds long.  I watched it over and over and over.  She walks away from the camera, stops, turns and smiles at the camera and then keeps walking.  Yesterday afternoon I was sitting on the floor in one rrom and se walked away from me and instantly I thought of the video.  She stopped turned around and looked at me.  i told Shane, "I can't believe I'm seeing this in real life finally!"  She then turned all the way around laughed and ran towards me. 

So blessed.

  

GOTCHA!!!

Monday after noon was what it was all about.  The years worth of prayers, the months of paperwork, the months of waiting. It was all building to this moment.  

After we shopped for things we needed we came on back to the room.  We were supposed to meet our guide a 2:00.  We straightened up the room.  We got wor the luggage was on it's way!!  I packed and repacked and checked and double checked her bag.  We got cleaned up and then all of a sudden it was time.  We went to the lobby and met the other family that we are with this week.  They are hear adopting 2 girls.  One is 14 and they got her just a week before she aged out.  They were getting their second daughter with us. They had been here just last year adopting their first daughter.  

we drove to the civil affairs office.  I had seen this room a hundred times in others people pictures and now we were in it.  It was very warm!  Most of the pictures I have seen the room is very crowded, but there were only 4 families there Monday.  Guangzhou is in the middle of a trade fair right now and a lot families wait to travel until it is over.

Our guide, Aron told us to sit on the couches and that the babies were here, Behind the curain.  She would call us when it was out turn.  I saw a sweet little one wonder out of the room before someone could grab her.  I looked up and saw 2 ladies rush in with someone in their arms. I just knew it was Sarah!  I couldn't beieve it.  All of sudden they came and got one of the famiies, gave them their baby and sent them back to the couches,  Next up was a single lady adopting a little boy.  it was so fast- here is your son!  He was not happy about it either!  

Then it was our new friends turn.  Aron came and got them and he handed Shane the video camera.  she anewalked iver as they brought out their baby.  Jenny walked over with him.  All of sudden she came running abck to the couch with tears in her eyes.  "I saw her!!!"  She had seen her throught he curatin sitting on the couch.  And then Aron was there saying- It's your turn!

Shane though the video camera at the other Dad and joined me and Jenny and all of sudden a picture I ahd stared at and cried over and prayed over was standing in front of me.  Flesh and blood.  She walked towards me and I bent down.  She lunged forward and grabbed me around the neck.  We were instructed to go back to the couches.  We just kept staring at her and she would laugh and we would laugh.  It was so surreal.  We gave her a sippy cup of water and she drank and drank.  I had thought for months about what to bring with me and had at the last minute bought a little toy with a motorized fan.  That was all we needed!!! She loved it!

After a few minutes her nanny and the assistant director of the orphanage came over.  We had prepared a list of questions and Aron asked them and wote the answers dwn for us.  It was very helpful.  We  had one of them write a letter to Sarah and they gave us some pictures of her and a USB of pictures of her.

We ttok a pitcture with the nannies and then it was time to go!  That fast.  We left the hotel at 2:00 and were back before 4:00.  it was a 20 minute drive to the civil affairs office.

We ordered Chinese food with the help of our guide.  She ate the rice up!  We gave her bath which she tolerated.  We face timed Will which was so fun.  She fell asleep i out bed about 8:30.

And just like that we were family of 5.  

Our new friends took some video and pictures which we don't have yet, but here are a few.

LUGGAGE!!!!

They told us she could feed herself it was just slow.  HA!  Girl put aways some fried rice!

She loves these stacking cups.

It was a great Gotcha Day.  I had prepared my heart for screaming or withdrawing or being surprised by any needs we didn't know about.  It went so much better than I anticipated.  she has been in a very poor orphanage with minimal interaction.  I think she is hungry for touch and love.  She just clung to us.  The days and weeks ahead will be challenging but for today we will take the laughs and hugs!

Day 2

First and formost the Luggage has been found!  Praise The Lord!  We should have it by the evening.

We had decided to sat up last night until at least 7:00.  We bought some things at the Trustmart that we could have for dinner in the room and were going to hang out and relax until bedtime.  About 6:00 jenny curled up in her bed and got real glassy eyed.  About that time Shane starts getting sleepy eyed on the couch.  We called it at 6:30 and we were all alseeo in about 10 minutes.  Shane and Jenny slpet through the night until about 7:00 this morning.

About 8:00 last night the phone in the room rang jolting me out of a dead sleep.  I heard call airline and said ok and hung up.  It rang again immediately.  It was actually our guide calling.  I was more awake this time and she let me nwo that she had talked to the airline and that the luggage was not delayed but was "completely lost".  She gave me an email address to email with a description of the luggage.  I was able to go back to sleep until about misnight and it was driving me crazy so I got up and sent the email, read my Bible and prayed for my little girl whose world was about to flip upside down. I took some melatonin and fell back asleep about 1:00.  I slept soundly until about 6:15.

The emotion of the day and loss of the luggage settled on me when we got up and started talking through what all we needed to go get.  i had my good cry over it and we just decided we had to move on.

We had breakfast at the hotel and then headed out to find the Aeon department store.  We found it and browsed the grocery store.  Very interesting!!!  We bought some things that I had already bought at home but oh well!

We went upstairs to the clothing section and I managed to get a few things for her.

I hate that we spent money on things we already had but I needed to know I could meet her needs as soon as we had her adn at that poin the luggage was still "completely lost."

We came back to the room and face timed Will.

Right now we are eating lunch in the room and getting things ready to go.  We leave here in an hour and half to head to the civil affairs office.  She is on her way too.  Please pray her ride is going ok.  Its a long way and she has never been in a car that long.

Today is orphan sunday and I have a lot to say about that but for now the most important thing for us is that in a few hours there will be....

One Less.

We are here!!

We have made it to China! It is 4:15 on Sunday afternoon here so we have almost completed our first day here.  I want to record how our trip was so we can remember it so I apologize if this is long.

We left Jackson at 1;10 on Friday afternoon.  My mom brought Jenny, Shane and I to the airport.  Will had a performance of Shrek at 9:00 and wouldnt be done before we had to leave for the airport.  My good friend Laura picked him for me and brought him to the airport so we could see him before we left.

Leaving him at the airport was one of the hardest things to do!  I wanted him to be with us, but I know that this is what is best and I praying for God's best for him this week.

We headed for our gate and sat down.  About that time  my brother texted me letting me know there had been a shooting at the Los Angeles airport.  We were flying to Atlanta and then LA.  We decided to just stay calm and hope for the best.  We had a long layover in both places and prayed for things to work out.  Our flight to Atlanta was uneventful and we landed on time.  We immediately went to the gate of our next flight and they assured us it was still on but was delayed by about 45 minutes.  No problem wwe had a 4 hour layover in LA.  We found some good food and relaxed for awhile.  We boarded the flight to LA and took off about 45 minuted late.  Our plan was to find the gate for our China Southern flight and then get some good filling food.  Jenny especially needed to eat since she likely wouldn't be able to eat on the plane.  

We landed in Lax and the pilot came on to let us know that because of the "incident" earlier in the day traffic was backed up and they were being told it was a 2 hour wait to get to the gate.  He then came on said that he was hopeful it would only be 30 minutes.  Forty five minutes later he came back on sad there had been an accident on the tarmac in the lane we had to be in and the 2 hour wait was more likely.  It turned out to be more like an hour and half, leaving us right at an hour to make our connection, which we thought was planty of time.  We finally got off the plane and went searching for what gate we were supposed to go to.  We finally got directions to the international terminal.  it was about 1/4 mile away.  We took off.  Once inside the terminal we discovered we had to get new boarding passes and go through security again.  The line for security was very long.  We finally made through with 20 minutes to spare before the flight took off.  Poor Jenny was running through the airport with no shoes on.  We got to the gate and they were already boarding so we jumped on.  Whew!!  No food but we made it!!

Fifteen hours is a long time on a plane.  We slept, watched movies, munched on a few snacks and slept a little more.  We landed in Guangzhou about an hour late this morning at 6:30.  Our guide, Aron was to meet us outside of baggage claim.  It took awhile for the bags to start coming and when they finished coming we were still standing there, bagless.  No luggage for us.  We went through the process and they feel like it was late leaving LA.  We hope to have it tomorrow.  I'm trying not to dwell on it too much.  The main reason we are here is to get Sarah.  However, all her clothes, her blanket, her toys are in those bags.  The gifts I spent months collecting and need tomorrow fternoon are in the bags.  I'm thankful that at the last minute I grabbed a second carry on and put a change of clothes for us and her gotcha day back pack.  I'm thankful thatall our paperwork required for tomorrow was with me and not in the bags.  The most important things are with us.  

Our poor guide had been waiting an hour and half by the time we got to her.   She is so sweet and helpful.She got us settled in the hotel and went over our paperwork with us.  The hotel is great!

This is the lobby!  There is a garden area in the back with a waterfall and pond full of Koi fish.  

After she left we got a little settled and went to find some food.  We ended up Mcdonalds of all places! But it was so good!We also went to the 7-11.  We founf these tasty treats there.

That's chicken feet.  Hanging up in the 7-11 like t was gummy bears.

We then came back and took much needed showers.  We faced time with Will and then headed back out for a little shopping.  We ended up at McDonalds for lunch again.  We delclared that the last Mcdaonalds for awhile.  We are still trying to get a stomachs back on schedule and kept finding ourselves very hungary.  McDonalds was easy.  Tomorrow we branch out a little.  We also founf the Trustmart.  Basically the Walmart.  We got some socks and underwear to last us until the bags get to us.  We got some snacks and a toy for Sarah.

We are back in the room.  We are having noodle bowls for supper and trying to make it until 7:00 before we crash.

We meet our guide at 2:00 tomorrow afternoon to head to the civil affairs office.  Sarah will meet us there.  Please pray for her.  Her world is turning upside down.  She has a long drive tomorrow and I worry she wil be car sick and afraid.  

It has been a good first day.  the luggage will arrive and it has made me rememeber that the things we sometime make important aren't that important.  

Tommorow is the day!