Meeting Foster Family

It was a couple hour ride to the foster home.  Andrew gets car sick real easy so it was no fun.  Luckily he can sleep in the strangest of positions.

China Foster Mom and American/Korean Mom

This is Andrews home in China and his foster mother, back right, and grandparents.  The boy is a foster child as well waiting to be placed with a family. 

Mom's and son.

Last night went really well again.  We had a fun time together.  We were able to go and get some Chinese bootleg DSi games so Andrew was pretty pre-occupied.  We went to a Korean restaurant and there were no Koreans nor did anyone speak Korean...fail.  We got up early this morning, had many I love yous and kisses and headed off to see the foster family.  His foster father was out of town on business but we met a bunch of people who lived in the house.  They were very nice and really happy that he was being adopted by an American family who looked so young. nice.  Andrew didn't seem to upset by the whole ordeal, although both mom's cried a little it wasn't overly dramatic.  The foster father wasn't there when we visited but the foster mother gave us a picture.  It was an old photo so the guy looked like he was in his early 30's (probably 50's now).  I wasn't sure if Andrew recognized him so I pointed to the picture and said "Father" in Chinese.  Andrew said, "No."  Pointed to me and said "Father" (again in Chinese).  It was truly moving and I am so blessed by him.  He wakes up in the morning with a smile and says I Love You and is amazing all day.  We could not be happier with our new son.  Today I gave him our "family" necklace and bracelet.  If you don't know the kids and us all wear the same bracelet and necklace since last Christmas.  I had purchased Andrew's at the time as well.  He was excited when I showed him mine and a picture of Kayla and Ethan wearing theirs.  When we met with the other family adopting from the same orphanage he was quick to show off his new stuff.  When we got to the foster family one of the first things he did was show them the gift we had given him.  Cool.

 We have discovered some new things about him.  He doesn't like noodles.  (Chinese. Really, no noodles.  I guess he hasn't had the noodle dream).  Also he is not as shy as we guessed he would be from his videos.  He engages adults and likes to joke and laugh with people.  He is athletic and jumps, runs, bumps, and bounces into everything.  If there is a ball he bounces it or throws it.  He doesn't mind littering.  He has thrown several bottles and trash on the ground or in the river.  (Work on that later)  He is very careful with money and doesn't like to buy expensive things. whew.  He argued at the restaurant over a 50 cent charge. Pretty funny because we don't even think he was right but what can you do.  After visiting his foster family we went swimming again.  Today he let go of the edge and was willing to go in the middle a little more.  Pretty proud of him.  He loves to splash and can hold his breath for more than 30 seconds.  We are off to dinner soon and tomorrow we head to Guangzhou.  There we will be getting his passport to travel.  It has been an amazing experience so far.  God is good, amazing and powerful. 



Adoption Finalized

Video Games in the hotel room...makes him pretty happy.  Funny how things are the same in China as US.  11 year old boy is happy just to play video games.  Go figure.  He smiles all the time and has a HUGE smile.  He has picked up ten or so new words and has learned to say "I Love You" in English...guess he hears it a lot.

This is the adoption center.  We were signing our final adoption paperwork.  As of this time yesterday he was officially ours.  No going back now...poor kid. hahaha. 

He had to write a personal declaration that he wished to be adopted by us as well as sign yes and give his thumb print (no thumb so they used finger)

This is a picture with his orphanage director and a nanny that works at the orphanage.  He knew them but didn't spend a whole lot of time with them.  Sort of an official thing to take a picture.  They told him to be good to his new Mom and Dad.

  Sorry can't rotate this picture so just turn your head sideways.  This is our family picture that is on the official paperwork.  We have a 2 x 2 copy but thought it was a nice photo. 

This is the place where he was found as a newborn.  He didn't seem overly interested while we where there.  But we thought it was important for later that he visit even if the significance was lost on him at the moment.

This picture is for Esther.  My wife laughed because we thought there were no Tacos in China...wrong!

Yesterday was great again.  We couldn't ask for a smoother transition.  We finalized the adoption.  He agreed that he wanted to be adopted by us, whew.  Went to his finding place. Took some pictures then went back to the hotel.  We ate lunch then went to the movies in China.  We saw Kung Fu Panda of course...in Chinese.  It took us twenty minutes to figure out how to buy the tickets and get into the theater.  We were rejected at the entrance so got confused.  Turns out they run them back to back so you can't go in early.  Popcorn sucked and soda has no ice.  We have not seen an ice cube all trip.  We then went to the hotel, played around and went to bed.  Andrew told us he loved us and kissed us!  He has already figured out that he can't get away from our constant kissing and I love you so he has given up and joined the party.  At first I said I love you in Chinese like twenty times before he would say it back. Now he knows I don't stop till he responds so it comes quick.  Sounds like I am twisting his arm huh...a little.  But he also came up and kissed me and said I love you without prompting.  He hugged my wife this morning and told her he loved her.  Gotta go to breakfast.

Great Night!!

Last night could not have gone better.  We had a great day and then came to the room and played DSi for an hour or so.  Changed to pj's and told Andrew it was time to sleep.  He liked his new electronic toothbrush.  Pj's were weird because they just sleep in their day clothes or their underclothes...China loves layering.  Well, Andrew has been more than amazing.  We couldn't have asked for a better start then this.  He was taking pictures with his DSi of my wife and he added several hearts around her face to frame it.  It was too cute.  He is naturally a smiler and we are convinced God has once again blessed our family immeasurably.  God has a way of giving you things that are even better then you ask when you are following him.  Anyway we went to bed and Andrew and I were playing around and talking even though we didn't know what each other was saying.  He doesn't mind holding hands and isn't afraid of hugs, doesn't love the pure volume of kisses we give but he has to get used to it.  After we played a little while he grabbed my hands tight to his chest and fell asleep.  It was so cute for the first hour until my shoulder and arm fell asleep then I had to take my hand back.  By that time he was fast asleep.  It was one of those moments that I wish I could remember exactly.  He is a floppy sleeper, arms on my face, leg over me, head on arm.  So I didn't sleep too much but out of pure joy.  When we woke this morning, as soon as he opened his eyes, he looked at me and gave me a huge smile and just looked at me smiling.  My wife was asleep so we whispered and played hands for a while.  I whispered, I love you son, in Chinese like ten times.  Then I pointed to myself then to him and said it.  He responded in English by pointing to himself and then to me saying I love you.  Sometimes when you plan things in your mind, they are even better then reality...sort of like my life in general.  I am so blessed, I sit here typing with tears in my eyes because God is so good, my wife is so amazing and my life is phenominal.  I love you all. 

We have our Son.

Breakfast before we go and meet Andrew.  Really nice hotel buffet.  I sure hope Andrew doesn't think this is reality.

A picture from the center where we met Andrew

This room is tiny but the official place of adoption.  About a total of 30 x 20

Andrew walking in the room...the first time we saw him.  He is the one in the blue shirt.

This was a crazy first 15 minutes.  One of the most strange, exciting, surreal events of my life.  It was nervous, scary, exciting and wonderful.  He came right over and we both gave him a hug and he said mamma and daddy (In Chinese)

This is ten minutes into our meeting.  He is really smiley and outgoing. More then we guessed.  So far he is a lot of fun.  He likes to make funny faces and copy daddy.

We went back to the hotel, Skyped Ethan and Kayla and our family and then played some beach ball in the room.  Andrew is extremely athletic.  Despite his feet and hands he has no trouble running, jumping and holding things.  He can use chopsticks and catch a ball one handed.  

We played ping pong on the bed and had a ton of fun.  After this we went swimming.  Andrew doesn't know how to swim but liked playing in the water.  He is extremely focused and preservers at stuff he puts his mind too. 

Went out to dinner then to a nearby former Confucius Temple turned street/flea market.  Interesting transition but a lot of fun.  By now he is getting comfortable and being pretty silly.

Love these two.

Daddy squashed his new son. We started hugging and kissing right away...no easing into it with us.  Get used to it kid. hahah  He doesn't mind too much.

Nice hunch back dad.

Andrew saw some pretty flowers and indicated that we should take a picture for mommy.  We made him take it with her instead.

Today has been one of the weirdest yet amazing days I have ever had.  I have seen a lot of strange things and been in many situations but this one might be the most rich in my life...like childbirth but different.  Powerful and emotional and full of love and blessings.  The long road begins but we are blessed beyond measure.  We love our son so much.

3 hours

So we are sitting here waiting to meet Andrew.  It will be in three hours.  I have read other people's blogs when they are at this point and I always wondered...don't they have something better to do then blog at that moment?  The answer is no.  We are nervous, we tried to go to bed at 8pm and slept for three or four hours but have been up since, we are in the hotel and dare not leave.  We are showered ready to go everything stacked and set for us to leave, TV is unappetizing, and we still have three hours...that is why people blog at this point in time. 

I remember when we would say three more months till we get to go to China, then three more days till our plane leaves, now three more hours till we have our SON.  I have never had any feelings like this before.  Ethan's birth was exciting but different and Kayla's delivery was amazing but different.  This has so much build and work and different feel.  Very strange.  Our leaders at church we challenging me to cry during the meeting with Andrew.  hhahahah.  (possible)  so many emotions swirling all at once...This is what it must feel like to be a woman.  More then one emotion at a time.  Ladies, if it is, I am so sorry for you and I admire you for not lashing out all the time.  Anyway.  We will see about them tears...I'll do my best, vile ready.

This will be a great father's day gift anyway.  Thanks Ethan and Kayla for the cards but Andrew has you beat this year.  We love you all and would appreciate your prayers today.  Be blessed.  WHEW>>>>Let's do this!!!

Day 2 China

Here is a picture of the bullet train station.  It travels over 200mph.  It was smooth as butter and comfortable.  One thing funny though, Chinese don't believe in air conditioning or air flow.  It was warm.  It's like 80 degrees outside but no ac on the train....nice!  I got to sit by a wonderful Chinese older man who spoke some English.  It was a real treat to talk with him... Thanks Mr. Li.  He also told me he would help if we needed anything while we were in Nanjing.

Plaza to the train station.

wait, wait, wait

Our first hotel lobby.

1st hotel lobby again.

So we woke up at 6 am officially, though neither of us was really sleeping.  We traveled with our limited English speaking guide to the train station with another adoptive family.  They are here with their 12 year old daughter and adopting a 10 year old girl.  Their daughter is a sweety.  They are at the same hotel, same train,
same orphanage so we are pretty much tied to them the rest of our time.  They are pretty cool. 

We found out we will be picking Andrew up around 9:30 am tomorrow.  Nanjing is a nice town so far we really like it.  The hotel is very nice.  I would post some pictures but we already "moved in".  As most of you know Andrew has been staying with a foster family.  We found out today that there is actually a whole village of foster kids, sort of an off site orphanage.  Andrew was transferred back to the orphanage last week in preparation for his adoption.  Officially we are not allowed contact with his foster family but our guide said, "We'll play it by ear" so fill in the blanks you know.  We will see if he is even interested in that tomorrow.  Our guide speaks English very well even though he has never been out of China.  amazing. 

Stay posted for pics of Andrew tomorrow!!!!  Keep praying for us.

In China

Our flight took about 14 hours.  It was a lot of fun.  At hour 4 or so it became pretty no fun but it's all for the cause.  We got to the airport and our guide wasn't there.  Funny hahaha  huh.  Well turns out that our itinerary was changed and we weren't notified.  It seems to me if you change the hotel and pick up time that someone would tell the travelers.  But I hear China is just chaotic like that so we are having fun anyway.  Here are some picks from US and one of China.  In the customs area there was a funny sign that said, no photos, no cell phones and BE QUITE...that was for the stupid Americans and their loud voices. hahahha

We will be taking the bullet train tomorrow to Nanjing, the city where our son currently lives for one more day.  Then on the 20th we should meet him (19th your time)  But this is China so you never know!  Sleep time gonna conquer jetlag.