It is official!

As of today, June 26, 2012, we are the official parents of Hong Fu! I am having to peck this on the iPad so it probably won't be fancy. We had to go to the notary which was quite interesting. First of all I don't see how more people don't die on the roads in China. Not because it's terribly fast because there are lots of mopeds and congestion which makes it slower than the US, but more because I don't think lanes or road directions really mean that much to anyone. There were a couple of times today when I thought surely someone was going to die. But all was well.

Going to the notary was supposed to be a simple thing but it turned out to be a little of a hassle for David and the driver. We found out after the fact that it was a simple changeover in the security (starting here from yesterday and now on the laptop) but with two men in uniforms and voices beginning to raise on all parts and in a foreign country with a gated government building, I was a little worried but, it was funny, I felt right in the middle of God's will, so a peace covered the situation in my heart.  Oh the lengths that our God has gone to us for us, for all that will receive Him to adopt us into His family.  His peace, in this situation and for this time, usurped my anxious heart.  Plus God has give me Jeff, our Captain, and a very good guide David who eventually told the driver, who is older, in Chinese to "settle down, settle down, that it was okay".  Our guide knew that this man was doing his job and that it wasn't worth getting in a bad situation for.  Turns out it was all about being able to drive us up closer to where we were going.  I said once or twice to David that it was okay and that we didn't mind walking.  It was raining and they didn't want that.  David is a negotiator, facilitator at heart and we left the place yesterday with the new security folks understanding who he was and what he was doing there (he's done this for 10 years but the security guards are new) and the security people apologized.  They said they hadn't seen the family in the back of the van.  Anyway...sorry to elaborate on this.

Then on to the civil affairs office where we had to answer some questions but the most important being why did we want to adopt "this boy".  Why were we stunned??  I had forgotten to tell Jeff that that question would be coming (in typical Stanley fashion) and so we both just looked at each other.  I figured I'd better answer since I at least knew they'd ask this question at some point.  So I said "because we want to love him and care for him".  That she quickly wrote down and it seemed enough.  If she'd have looked at us and not written, there's no telling what type of dissertation (sp?) she'd have gotten.  Parker, Jenna, and Andrew just tagged along through all this and were taking it in.  Parker ended up being the guarder of my Small World paperwork so that was helpful.  Maybe I'll do a post later and tell you about each one of them and what's going on with them.  Anyway, at the civil affairs office, two ayis from the orphanage were there.  I can see love in their eyes for Jake and that he recognizes them.  They say a few things to him in Chinese and I gesture several times that they can take him or hold him if they'd like while we do the paperwork but he ends up staying with us.  He was exhausted and stunned seeming.  Finally he fell asleep in Baba's arms on the ride back while we looked at a package that the orphanage put together for him and for us.  We got a photo album (so priceless for us and for him) and the journal that I had sent for the foster mom had been signed by the orphanage staff and she had made some entries as well and had pasted some pictures in of him and some special trips they had taken.

Jake slept from 4:30 - 6:30 and then we went down to the gym.  There are some big balls like you would use in special exercises classes in an open part of the gym and while Jeff worked out (and the other children off and on) we played with himwith those balls.  We're probably not the favorites here but we always return things to where they should be (mostly....except for a water bottle that somehow made it's way up onto a light ledge in the gym....we didn't even attempt to try and explain what we'd done, but it was one of Andrew's juggling attempts to entertain his brother).   Jake understands the universal sign for "shhhh!!!" with pointer finger to the lips (another thing that's the same in all languages).  He does a lot of squealing and just loves the children. 

So back up to the room and Parker, Jenna, and Andrew are pretty zonked and getting ready for bed.  Fed Jake (not sure that he really drank the formula that was reported to the orphanage, but loves water.....hmmmm), got pajamas on, and began the simple little bedtime routine we'd started just the night before (but added brushing teeth which he has done and loves to do).  The routine was adjusted several times because he was apparently very hungry for a fruit that is so cool that David had given us when we got in the van.  I've never seen it before.  You peel it and it's very fleshy.  Need to look up the name of it because he LOVES it.  Very sticky.  I have no idea how many of these I peeled and he ate, but a LOT.  We read "brown bear, brown bear" and I fed him.  It was very quiet and I tried to hold him and rock him and then some tears came.  It wasn't too long before he was calmed down and I could lay him down in his crib and he went to sleep.  In some ways this was all very natural...... and in some ways it wasn't quite honestly.  It reminded me of how many of us know that love is a choice.  So many married couples separate and then eventually divorce because they "don't love each other anymore".  It also reminded me of the fallen state of the world where children don't grow up with their biological parents.  It grieves me.....but not enough and certainly no where close to what it does the Lord.  Please continue to pray for us, for Jake, and for his foster family.  Though we get closer each day to going home, still so much has to happen.  And now going home is the goal and loving and raising "this boy" to the glory of God.  Thank you for coming alongside us.  We really need that.

A Yawn

Well let me tell you what else is the same in every language....a sweet precious yawn.  I just put my newest one to bed and he is oh so sweet.  My heart is so full of emotions that I just can't begin to tell you.

Let me start from the beginning.  About 2:30 Jeff led us in a time of prayer that was so dear.  I admitted to him several times over the course of the hour 2-3pm that I was so nervous.  But he reassured me and we talked about how this was God's plan or otherwise we wouldn't be here and now.  We talked with the children about a few things.  All this, along with lots of putting things away (and then away again) really helped the hour to pass.  But it was still slow.  And then about 3:15 or so we got the call that they were on the way up and to ready our cameras.  Our personalized photographers (Parker and Jenna) were all lined up along with an ipad.  I'll post what I can.

Hong Fu came right in and really took to us.  He just seemed to want to see us and see the toys we had.  He understood who Mama was and Baba was and who the Jie Jies were (please forgive me, I know I'm not spelling this right, but it's the Chinese word for older sister) and who Ga Ga is (again, no time to look up how to spell it) which is older brother.  He and Andrew immediately began to play and David needed to have some forms filled out.  Most of you know that I have done all that up to now, but now it was Baba's turn so I could be with my boy.  I had to!!  He has just as much energy and enthusiasm as Andrew and that is a ton.  I needed to keep him safe.  The next hour or two was filled with games and toys.  We saw so much of his personality and it is vibrant and alive.  It is obvious that he has been loved and prepared.  His foster mother called three times to our guide.  She is wanting to make sure he is okay.  Jeff and I had talked about whether or not we really wanted to go visit on Thursday and I told Jeff that I thought we'd know what to do when we saw Hong Fu and spent some time with him.  I think she really wants us to visit so we will probably do so. 

Hong Fu is a very bright little guy.  He has already learned how to do High Fives with Jeff and mimics some of the words we are saying.  He's doing very well with letting me know he needs to potty.  Right now he is konked out.  He usually takes a 4 hr nap, but not one today, so I had to finally hold him still and make him sleep which he did within 5 minutes.  He was taken by his foster mother's grown son to the orphanage this morning because she could not do it.  My heart hurts for her.  But she has written that she wants a loving family for Hong Fu and knows this is best.  She also wrote that she would like to get updates and we are thrilled to do that.  I can see God's amazing plan unfolding before us.  We had so many sweet times today that I would not even be doing it justice to describe each, but one came for me when I was in the other room alone with Hong Fu and he laid his head on the side of the bed as did I, following his lead.  I proceeded to tell him in Chinese that I love him (wo ai ni, again not spelled correctly I'm sure, but it is said woh eye knee) and he just got the biggest smile.  So I said it again and more smiles.  It was precious.

I've got a feeling that I need to sleep while he is so I won't write much more.  I am praising God for loving a little boy on the opposite side of the world and a family wanting a little one on the other and uniting us with each other.  If you could please pray for Jake's safety here in the hotel (we have already found many things that could cause him harm and he is into everything) and for the times when we'll be flying as he has much energy.  But it was an exciting day. 

Here are a few pictures.  Hugs to you all!

Formula and Faithfulness

David called about 10:30 and said he had talked with the orphanage and that Jake was already there and doing well.  He gave us a few details about Jake's formula.  We didn't know if he is still on it or not, but apparently he is and drinking lots of it.  Might explain why it looks like from the pictures that we have gotten that he is a nice size 2 year old.  Apparently we can't get this type of formula from the Walmart down the street so the orphanage is sending us with 4 packets of formula. David wanted to know if that would be enough for our trip.  He asked me!!!  Isn't that funny.  Formula here isn't the same thing as formula in the US.  It's not at all similar I hear.  Even if I could look at the packet, I couldn't read it!!  And he didn't tell me the packet sizes or how much he drank a day or anything.  This already makes me laugh (which is a God thing).  Plus it's been a while since I've had a baby and mixed formula.  But I handled it...no problem, because we'll learn more when the ayis and orphanage director get here plus when we meet the foster family.  We'll not have to use bottled water for him since David says he's used to tap water.  Oh my!!  I've already packed our bag for the trip to the civil affairs office tomorrow.  My stomach is in knots.  This is like having a baby, but so much more.  I feel sort of exposed the same way.  There will be at least 3 other non-family people here watching how this all goes.  And we already get so many stares...add to that a precious Chinese boy.  OH....I learned something else that's the same in all languages....A SMILE!!!  Praise God for that.  At first I was so scared that I didn't want to look anyone in the eye.  But perfect love cast out fear.  Now I just smile so big and let the love of Christ permeate through my face and  heart to everyone that passes.  Some smile back...others glare.

Okay, so this morning my sweet God spoke to me in my usual place (several of you moms will relate to the shower being a place of solitude and reflection).  My prayers are so gutteral right now.  Not beautiful or eloquent.  We can't manipulate God with our prayers but just call out to Him for help anyhow and that's about all that I can utter right now.  I wasn't really thinking though on this heavily but just somehow feeling disappointed in my prayers but that still small voice spoke to my heart again and reminded me of you all.  I know many are praying and covering us in prayer.  How can I thank you??  But God just let me know that it was okay and that that's what the body of Christ is for.  I was so grateful.  He is so precious and faithful to me.  He has been faithful to meet us at our point of need in so many ways in the last 5 years and one of them has been to have folks come alongside us.  We have been so needy and broken.  Thank you to you all.  We are very grateful.  

We'll meet our new little guy in about 1 hour 15 minutes though I'm not looking at the clock:)

M & M

Today we met our guide at 10:30am and it was refreshing to get out.  We started out to head for the park but it started to rain and so we ended up going to theGuangxi museum (which was so neat because Andrew had asked me about doing that and I had asked David but he said that most families preferred the park...we are deferring to him).  But the museum was very interesting and gave us some one on one time with David to ask him about the area and just learn more about the culture.  It was very fascinating. 

Afer we left I thought he would want to take us back to the hotel but he wondered if we wanted to go to the local market or take a houseboat tour to see local life.  He thought that was more interesting than shopping and I certainly agreed.  He was appreciating our interest in the culture and people and wanted to share that with us.  He was so relieved to find out we weren't big shoppers.  So he ended up having the driver drop us all off at the local market and that was really something else.  I had heard about it but was really shocked at how it felt to be there. The sights and sounds were unbelievable. We were so out of place it was hysterical.  Not really.  I felt very nervous.  But I was so grateful for the experience.  David stopped to buy a couple things along the way which was good.

As we rode we learned more about Jake and his foster family.  In the market David showed us a house that was similar to where Jake lived.  It made me sad for the sweet family and him and helped me to see the need he has for a forever family and how much his life will change.  He lives in a very tiny apartment in a building which David has told the foster family that the government will close down soon.  I sighed but he said this was good news for the family because the government will provide better housing.  He told me about how he tracked down Jake for the initial pictures back in October.  He doesn't do that through the orphanage.  But he had an idea and begin to talk with some adoptive families in the area.  One foster family whose father runs a grocery store recognized Jake and pointed David in the right direction.  This family has two little boys with CP (one mild) and asked David to help them find families for these boys.  They are on the shared list David thinks and are friends of Jake's.  There is so much need here.

We firmed up more plans for our meeting of Jake tomorrow.  We also found out that the foster family might even want to have us for dinner later in the week.  Though the foster mom and dad aren't very techy, the son and daughter-in-law might be able to help us keep in touch by email and blogging. 

I am becoming more excited by the hour.

Oh, the girls and I ventured into the local mall that's less than a half block from the hotel.  We were able to find a play area that David says Jake will enjoy.  We also went back to the Walmart (we get so many stares!!) and were able to pick up a couple of things for Jake (we think his scratching is very dry skin so got some special lotion and also got a Pleasant Goat toy).  I am sorry if I am boring you with the details but also trying to journal our trip. 

Awake too early

Jenna, Parker, and I have been up since 2am; we're not completely acclimated to the time difference.  Jeff slept from about 3pm yesterday, woke up for an hour around 8pm and is still asleep  Andrew is asleep with Daddy in the other room.  The girls and I are going to be some kind of sleepy this afternoon.  We're planning on a nap and then trying to get back on a good China schedule with bedtime around 8-9pm. 

The plans for the day are to meet David in the lobby at 10:30am and we are going to a park here in Nanning.  We are following his lead on everything.  He says this will be a fun place for the kids to get "some fresh air".  We haven't seen the sun yet and are wondering if it's pollutants or pollutants plus clouds.  It's hard to tell. 

David has already warned us that Americans keep their rooms too cool so to make sure to dress Jake warm.  He says long sleeved pajamas, but I had heard this ahead of time.  But it is so hot and muggy that I can't imagine putting him in long sleeves during the day. 

It's been good to be here to get settled before Jake comes (and two rooms was a must for space reasons) especially with the children and food issues, but it has also been hard waiting.  The anticipation is building.  There are so many things to think / worry about with how all this will go, but I know intellectually that worry is sin.   Please pray that I will be flooded with confidence in the Lord and that great peace will overcome me.  Pray that He will help me to trust in Him with all my heart and acknowledge Him in all my ways. 

Walmart

So we went to Walmart and that was quite the experience.  Thank goodness we had a list and Jeff and I had talked through it together.  It wasn't really a bad experience, just a lot of people and with everything being in Chinese it was impossible to tell if something is gluten free.  Fruit is the safest thing for the girls, but it also has the potential to cause bad stomach problems if not handled correctly.  Again, trusting the Lord with this.  Our guide helped us to order pizza and brought us back to the hotel and went over some paperwork with us.  We got to ask more questions about the foster family and Jake and firm up further our plans.  I tried to communicate that we don't want Jake to be told anything like that he couldn't cry or be upset when he saw us.  We want him to know that we love him no matter what and that he doesn't have to be brave for us to love him. 

We were excited to get our boiling pot working and the girls got to eat their instant mashed potatoes with real bacon bits.  This was a hit!  Oh and tennis shoes was the way to go...no sliding about this time for me.  Whew!

Feeling a bit more adventurous so we're heading down to the gym.  Andrew is really needing to get some energy out!!!! 

One more thing...

Okay, please don't think I'm crazy.  But I am making a list of things that we all do in the same language.  From yesterday.....people burp (like a man did in my ear in the airport and it was "buuurrrrppppp") and from today.....people squeal (both from excitement or fear, like the two ladies I saw on the slimy sidewalk who were just about to tip over on their moped) in the same language also.