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.
