Almost Two Weeks

Since we arrived back in Springfield with our son Jackson after our 17 day trip to China.  First let me say that God prepared this child to be ready for us.  No other explanation is needed. He takes everything in stride.  Starting with the long trip home,  he was excited every time he got on a plane.  During the car ride home from the airport he was pretty quite and was busy looking around.  Central Illinois is a big change from a city of 25 million in China.

One thing is for certain, the boy is going to freeze this winter.  He arrived in Springfield to temperatures in the 60's and started shivering.  I almost have to laugh because he hasn't seen anything yet.  Wait until the single digits hit and you can feel the cold go down into your lungs when you breath.  I keep imagining him having to dress this winter as the younger brother in the Christmas Story.  But he was from and area with a climate similar to what one would see in Cuba, so what can we expect.

It is so much fun to see him encounter and react to new things.  He rode a bicycle and a big wheel for the first time in his life his first full day in America.  My co-workers bought him a new hot wheels bike and you couldn't have slapped the smile off his face when he saw it.  Thanks again FWI.  Jumped on a trampoline for the first time.  Rode a 4-wheeler for the first time.  Fun stuff for dad.

He is experiencing the outdoors for probably the first time in his life as well.  The first morning after he and I woke up, I took him outside to ride the big wheel.  It's the first time I had seen him be really apprehensive about anything.  He didn't know what to think about the sound of the wind blowing through the trees, birds, bugs, etc.  It was unnerving for him at first but after about 30 minutes he was too busy having fun to notice.

He had is first dentist and doctor appointments last week.  Good news is his teeth are great and he will probably be looking for two front teeth by Christmas.  Bad news is that Chinese immunizations are for the most part no good so Jackson got a complete round of shots and blood work to boot.  He had definitely seen needles before because when the nurse brought them in he knew it wasn't going to be good.  Tough boy though, didn't cry a bit, although it had to hurt like heck.

He has been to church with us twice now and really has no problem with crowds at all.  He greets everyone that comes up to him with a high five, fist bump or a handshake.

He met one set of his grandparents the day after we got home.  They came up to say hi to their new (and first) grandson.  He welcomed them and gave my mom a hug during their stay.  If you know my mom, that made her day.  They came back up this last weekend to watch Grace's soccer game and Jackson remembered them.

He eats very well too.  The last two nights we have had Italian then Mexican.  Liked them both.  Not real crazy about cold drinks though - a culture difference thing.  Ice is basically non-existent in China from what I saw.  Everything is room temp.  He doesn't do dairy either.  Another cultural difference but if I had been exposed to the milk I saw in China, I wouldn't be thrilled about drinking it either.

Overall, we couldn't be more happy.  Our family is one more than it was only a month ago.  Jackson has almost seamlessly slid right in and became a part our family.  Thanks to everyone who prayed for us during our trip and continue to pray for Jackson's transition into his new life.  We are greatly appreciative.  I'll add  some new pictures soon.

We are home!

Finally!  We made it home late yesterday.  We left Hong Kong just before noon (HK time) and flew 14.5 hours to Chicago Ohare.  Typhoon Nesat made the takeoff very interesting to say the least but after waking up ad seeing that our flight was delayed we were thrilled that it ended upleaving on time.  The flight to Chicago was long but uneventful.  Jackson slept maybe half the flight, although the rest of us didn't.  As far as Ohare, let's just say I would be happy if I never stepped foot in that airport again.  How can it be that every time I go through there something happens.  Every time.  No problems in Beijing, Guangzhou, or Hong Kong - but at Ohare of course.  Hopefully our bags will be delivered this morning. At least that's what we've been assured. 

Jackson continues to be great through all these major life changes for him. God has most assuredly prepared his heart for us.  He loved all the plane rides, waited patiently for our bags to not come and jumped in the car and we were driving home.  I would love to know what was going through his head.  He surely has not seen anything like this before.  He came from an area in southern China that collectively had to have over 100 million people and he is looking at corn fields and trees.  

We got home and gave him a tour of him his room and the rest of the house.  I'm pretty sure he doesn't understand that he has a whole room to himself.  When everybody else wakes up (jet lag for me so I'm not sleeping - hey I swear it should be like 5pm) we will show him around outside.  Then sometime today we'll go pick up Henry.  That should be fun to watch, a dog who loves kids and a kid who may have never seen a dog that big.  

Thanks for everyone's prayers.  We know God was with us the wole trip.  See everyone soon.  It is good to be home.

Packing Up & Typhoon Nesat

We are packing up, mainly to keep busy until 4:30 this afternoon.  That is when our guide will come back to the hotel and bring Jackson's passport with brand new travel visa.  As soon as we get that, we're off to Hong Kong where we will spend the night and catch a plane tomorrow to Chicago.

That's where things might get interesting.  I'm sure all of you are following the weather news around the China Sea but in case you aren't, typhoon Nesat slammed the Phillippines yesterday and killed at least 7 people.  The first estimates projected it to hit the mainland very near Hong Kong but last night it was projected to travel farther to the south.  Nesat now appears to be heading directly toward Haikou Island, then southwestern China and northern Vietnam but is expected to still impact Hong Kong with rain and high winds, you guessed it - tomorrow.  We are praying that the loss of lives from the storm will be no more than has already happened.  Selfishly we are praying that the impact of the storm around Hong Kong will be small so we can get out of here tomorrow.  Hey, if you don't ask you can't expect it to be answered right?  Fill you in later from Hong Kong.

Monday & Tuesday

Jackson passed his TB test!  Woo-hoo!  He had a red spot where they gave him the shot, but it measured within the 'okay' limits.  The nurse looked at it very carefully and slowly.  (A little nerve racking for us mom's)  Great news and all is well.  We finished the day off with another afternoon at the pool.  I think we have a true swimmer here!  He loves the water and will not admit that he is freezing, even though he shivers visibly.  Typical kid.

On Tuesday, we headed to the US Consulate to take our final oath for adopting this little guy.  Lots of families there and we all stood and took the oath together.  Pretty uneventful.  More waiting than actual paperwork.  The final document is being processed today.  He has his own passport and needs a Visa stamp on it.  We will get that tomorrow, and then we will travel to Hong Kong for the night.  We will fly out of Hong Kong on Thursday morning and head back to the good 'ol USA!!!!  Yay!!  Ready to be home and ready to be back for the fall weather.  I can't wait to get him a halloween costume...he would be a great clown!  Or a little karate kid.  Our hotel has sounded like a kung fu movie ever since we got him.  Lots of 'haiiiii-yah's!!   This child has made us laugh countless times.  He is truly a great kid.  You all are going to love him, too!

--Lisa

Sunday & Monday

We spent Sunday at the Guangzhou Safari Park.  A zoo with a drive through area imitating an African savanna with free roaming animals.  Lots of zebras, giraffes, etc.  They also had more rhinoceroses and tigers than I have ever seen.  Really neat.  They also had a large panda exhibit.  Also cool.

We came back to our hotel and decided to walk around the area for a while to kill time.  Every once in a while we run into other families that are adopting.  Yesterday we met a Mennonite family from Arkansas.  They had previously adopted a baby from China about a year and a half ago.  There were 10 in there group.  They had brought all their children, their oldest son was married and had a child and they were there too.  Our families ran into each other in front of a 7/11.  I couldn't believe it but yes they have those in China.  They are struggling with the same issues that we are only magnified - having trouble adapting to the food.  The mom told me about their family getting separated on a subway twice.  I can totally understand that after having tried it myself.  There is no room for courtesy over here it is move fast, push, whatever you have to do to get on or off.  You snooze, you lose.  Also an area that we are struggling with.  They have adopted another young girl and don't appear to be ready to stop.  They are really living Matthew 18:5.  Nice family and great opportunity to talk with someone from home.

We are about to go back to the medical clinic to get the results from Jackson's TB test.  It looks good to me though so God willing it will just be a formality.  Probably more walking around to kill time after that.  Tomorrow our final appointment, the consulate date.  This is where we make our formal statement and oath that we want to adopt and take care of our son.  A few more days for us her in China.

Medial Exam

The medical exam today went just fine.  Typical general medical info - height, weight, vision, hearing, etc.  All appears well.  Maybe a little vision issue but not near as bad as I used to be.  He also had a TB test where there is an injection just under the skin on the forearm.  That was the last thing Jackson had to do.  They explained to him what they were going to do, while holding a jar of candy, and told him that after they were through he could have a piece.  No sooner than the words were out of the nurse's mouth, he stuck out his arm to her.  Apparently the boy really wanted some candy.  He barely flinched for the shot and looked right to the candy jar.  We'll find out the results of the TB test in a couple of days.  Free day the rest of the day but no more swimming until we get the test results back.  Not sure what we are going to do.  Everyone is getting very stir crazy around here.

Friday

As I mentioned in the last blog we had a totally free day Friday and we did almost nothing.  Jackson and Grace played in the hotel room until lunch, we had some noodles (I am really getting tired of the noodles - which I am not supposed to be eating anyway), and the spent the afternoon at the pool.  Jackson is getting braver in the water everyday.  Midway through the afternoon he was in full boy mode.  Getting a running start and jumping into the pool.  Still has his "floaties" on but this was probably one of the first times he has been in water over his head so we'll give him a break there.  He'll get some lessons from Mrs. Frost in Petersburg soon enough.  He did have another first today - ice cream.  It came with his supper and you could tell by the way he looked at it when they set if on the table and after he took his first bite that he had never had it before.  There will be plenty of that when we get home too.  The boy could use some meat on those bones.

Grace had a better day yesterday.  Still some mixed emotions for her but that is to be expected.  Lisa and I are trying to do our best here but we are new to this as well.  A work in progress.

We are taking Jackson for his medical appointment this morning.  He's getting a shot or however they do a TB test over here.  Some prayers for a negative test would be appreciated.  Hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather back home.

Wednesday & Thursday

We've had two more really good days with one hiccup.  We had an appointment to get Jackson's passport photo taken.  We were part of a group of at least 40 families in the process of getting passports for their adopted children.  It was really neat to see so many children being adding to these families.  After the meeting, we took Jackson swimming for the first time.  Looks like he will fit in with our family there as well, he seems to enjoy being in the water.

We had no appointments today so it was a free day for us.  We talked our guide into taking us for some "local shopping".  Nothing touristy, but where she would shop.  We started at an electronics market.  Sort of like a high tech flea market - department store style.  Lots of open booth type setups selling very similar stuff.  We then went to a grocery store.  Without Grace (guide Grace) we would have been lost all day.  She helped us haggle and told us what we were looking at at the grocery store.  Huge help there.  Lots of stuff at the Chinese grocery that you would not see in America.  Like chicken heads and feet for one.

After the shopping, more swimming.  For the first time we saw Jackson without a smile.  It appeared as though he got really frustrated at the swimming.  Maybe because he was swimming with "floaties" and not able to swim like us.  He has studied all of us closely and mimics what we are doing, how we eat, drink and how we wear our sunglasses, etc.  We had been playing with several beach balls and at one point he began hitting them with force.  Not at us or anything but he looked like he was angry and was taking it out on the balls.  After the beach ball incident, back to the smiling.  Who knows?

The only really hiccup we have had was one we have been waiting for.  We knew it was going to happen but didn't know when.  Grace had her first big sister melt down today.  After being an only child for almost 11 years she is feeling a little left out.  I think she understands why things are happening the way they are but it is still hard on her, it has to be really.  Even though Jackson has been great, Grace's help has been a huge blessing.  He bonded with her so quickly.  Lisa and I are working on trying to use this teaching moment wisely.  We would appreciate it if some prayers were sent Grace's way.  She could use the attention.

Otherwise the largest struggle we have is communicating with people at some of the restaurants.  Some are not the most willing to offer assistance, but what can we expect.  We are 7,000 miles from home.  We'll just have to use the ones that want our business.  This is a pretty small issue in the grand scheme of things.  We prayed so many times for a health and happy child that would be willing to become part of our family.  Right now Grace is doing homework, Lisa is watching volleyball on TV and Jackson is playing cars on his bed and occasionally jumping off and making his mom worried sick.  Sounds like a pretty normal family to me.  Things are great here in Guangzhou.

Guardians to Parents

Today was a great day, again.  We went from guardians to parents of Jackson.  We had a 24 hour 'Harmonious Period' where we could change our minds about adopting this little boy.  Really!?  We have endured months and months of paperwork, extensive time, energy, money and close to 8,000 miles worth of travel to get him.  Are we giving him back?  Ummmm, no!  I made this very clear to our adoption rep, as she told us.  Not a chance.  This kid rocks!  I am not just saying that because I am his mom, (well maybe) but he already has bonded with each of us, without a doubt.  I got my first hug today after we surrendered our rights as guardians.  I cried.  Grace has gotten several hugs, more tears.  And you should see him with Baba (daddy)...truly a connection.  His smile literally moves his whole face into this cuteness that melts your heart.  He's staying.  There were 40 families yesterday that received a child(ren).  I am confidently guessing there were no returns, especially not my son.

We went to the Chinese wal-mart for some supplies today. Jackson came to us with a backpack about the size of a large lunch tote with all of his belongings.  He picked out a transformer.  Yes, we most certainly bought it. No fits, no begging, just simply 'Please, Ma Ma and Baba' (translated from our agency rep).  He has been meticulously changing it back and forth from robot to car all day.  He has studied the parts very intently, and I am getting used to having a boy in the family.  We had a game of 'jump from bed to bed to floor' a while ago here in the hotel room.  Total testosterone exhibit going on.  I will have to adjust.  :)  This kid rocks!

--Lisa

Gotcha Day!

The day finally came.  Our guide (Grace is her name too), took us to the adoption center in Guangzhou this afternoon.  So just after 1:00 in the morning at home we were meeting our son Jackson.  After all the time doing the home study, putting endless paperwork together, all the frustrating delays; we were at the adoption center for maybe 15-20 minutes tops.  That includes the time we waited on Jackson to arrive.  Unbelievable, all that time preparing for the meeting and just after meeting him, we walk out the door with him.  

Saying Lisa and I were nervous would be an understatement.  So many thoughts running through our heads, is he really healthy?  Is he nervous?  Is he going to like us?  He showed up smiling and never stopped.  Just like every picture we have seen of him.  When we were walking out of the building, Grace (guide Grace) asked him if he was ready to leave and he responded with "to the States?".  

We went straight back to the hotel.  Grace (guide Grace) stayed for a while to help but he was too busy playing with his new cars (thanks Candy G.) and Grace.  We spent the next two hours playing cars and throw the duck.  Pretty good little arm on him but I don't think he has ever seen anybody catch anything until today.  I caught the little toy duck a few times with one hand not knowing he was watching.  He then started trying to catch it with one hand where before he would just watch it hit the bed.  

We are all hungry, at least three of us are.  We're not sure about Jack.  So were off to get some supper.  Fun times.  

Saturday and Sunday

On Saturday, we started the day at Tiananmen Square.  This is a huge open area in Beijing where the 1990's Chinese revolution took place.  Our guide tells us it is able to hold 1 million people.  Lots and lots of groups of people, basically all Chinamen (surprisingly a term they use to refer to themselves).  The area is now used for celebrations and events for the city.  There were many people staring at us, and our guide said that people from all over China come here to see the square and view the building dedicated to Mao Tse Tung.  He also said that people from more rural areas weren't used to seeing Americans, thus the stares.  Grace was quite popular and had many photo ops with the Chinese there.  Our guide even laughed, saying that HE needed a picture with her before we left!

We then went to the Forbidden City and toured this ancient city built for the emperor that was in command at the time.  Interesting place.  The roads where the emperor walked were only for him and were elevated so that he was always higher than anyone else surrounding him.  (I thought this was funny because he never 'walked' anywhere, he always had people carrying him!)  Celebrities...

We went back to the hotel for a rest and then headed to the Chinese market.  Haggling is expected there, and we learned quickly that you should offer at least half of what they suggest for the first price.  Everything we saw there was labeled 'Made Here'.  :)

Sunday we were back on a plane out of Beijing and headed to Guangzhou.  I loved the experience of being in Beijing, but would not love to live there.  Way too many people and way too much chaos for this Midwestern girl!

Here are some interesting things I learned while I was in Beijing:

1.  Women spit.  They will hock a goober anywhere, and not think anything about it.  I would have expected this from the men more than the women, but that was not what I observed.  Completely gross.

2.  Picking your nose in public is also okay.  Self-explanatory.  (This was where the men overtook the spitting women.)

3.  There is no such thing as 'personal space'.  With 16 million people in 1 city, all seemingly going the same place you are leads to pushing, nudging, and in-your-face nearness.

4.  Driving is a true work of art.  As Chris noted earlier, there are no rules.  You are the rat trying to get to the cheese, and so is everyone else.  (Interesting fact #3 applies here).  I held my breath countless times during our road adventures.

5.  I am blessed.  It may sound very cliche, but it is the truth.  I live in great country with more than enough, multiplied.  I love having a yard and fresh air.  I love having freedoms that these people don't understand.  I love having opportunities at my disposal.  Yes,  I know I am truly, truly blessed.

The Great Wall

We went to a section of the Great Wall today.  I may have found the perfect quad workout - walking up very steep steps (all of varying and unpredictable heights) in the middle of several hundred people all going different directions.  We found the solution though.  Keep going farther and higher.  By the end, we had reached the highest point of the wall in this area and there were less than 10 other people with us.  Seeing even this small section of the wall is almost indescribable.  To have built something so impressive through such remote and harsh terrain is an unbelievable feat of engineering.

Tonight we went to see a Chinese acrobat show.  After the show we took part in something even more exciting, the drive back to the hotel.  Driving is Beijing is like nothing I have ever seen before.  The traffic is bumper to bumper with someone merging in from another lane every 1/4 block or so.  Drivers are over the lane divider lines  as often as they are in their lanes.  I swear at one point we were 5 wide on a three lane road and not stopped, we were moving.  Almost no stop lights at intersections either.  Cars, bikes, mopeds, people all swerving and merging together.  Wow.  And no accidents and no signs that there had been any either.  I haven't seen a dented car since we got here.

Our internet service is slow here so we are having trouble loading the photos on the blog.  I hope to work on that tomorrow.

Free Day Sightseeing

We met up with our new friends from Pittsburgh and went to the Emperor's Summer Palace - via subway.  Yes, we rode the Beijing subway system.  While the 6 of us were looking at the subway map trying to decipher where we where so we could figure out where we were going, a Chinese lady walked up to us and asked us if we needed help.  As it turns out she has a daughter living in the U.S. after having studied at Cornell.  She had taken a 20 day coast to coast trip to the states and received so much help that she wanted to "pay if forward" when she got a chance. We definitely gave her that chance.  Not only did she tell us which car to get on and where to make the transfer to the next subway line, she decided she would go with us to make sure.  After we got off the subway at our transfer point she invited us to her home, if we had enough time this week.

We made it to the Summer Palace and spent most of the day walking around an ancient city built for an emperor and his family.  We got our 15 minutes of fame there, as several Chinese people wanted to take photographs with us.  (Chinese paparazzi, perhaps?) Very funny and interesting experience!

We ate a meal at a street vendors stand and finished the day at a dumpling restaurant.  Off to either the Great Wall today or to the forbidden city.

We Made It.

It has been longer than I expected since our last post but here it is.  We are in Beijing.  I'm not sure there is a much longer flight to anywhere in the world, but if there is I don't want to go there flying economy.  Nothing like 13.5 hours of no leg room, seat backs in your knees and weird odors.  That complaining aside, customs and security couldn't have been easier.  Thanks go to God.

The airport is Beijing is huge.  It didn't look that big when we landed but that's just because it is spread out so much and because the smog doesn't allow you to see very far.  By the way, the EPA would have a field day over here from what I have seen so far.  They are wasting their time in the states.

A set of good news.  We met a couple from Pennsylvania on our flight that are adopting as well and we are staying at the same hotel for a few days.  good to see some friendly faces.

The time change is weird.  I had to jump on the computer this morning to find out what day and time it was.  We left Springfield at 9:30 Tuesday spent a total of about 17 hours in transit and landed here at 3:30 the next day.  So I am up a 1:00 am here blogging.  We have an off day today so we are going to do some sight seeing.  Visiting the wall tomorrow.

First leg down

One flight down and one more to go. Unfortunately the first part was only an hour and the second is 13.5 hours. We are sitting at our gate in Ohare waiting on our flight to Beijing.  Based on everyone else waiting, we're definitely at the right place.  

Getting ready to go!

Threw in the last load of laundry before finish packing.  Why is it that the very last thing that you have to have on a trip is the very last thing that is dirty?!  Running around like crazy today finishing the last things before leaving for Beijing tomorrow.  I checked the forecast and it looks like it is going to be really nice there.  Can't wait to see it!