July Stuff

We've been home a week and a half now.  It really seems like way more than that.  Thank you so much to our friends who have graciously brought us dinner while we are getting over jetlag and getting through the first days in our "new normal".  That has been such a help to us!

 We are finding our way and so is Samuel.  Some days are very hard and some are much better, but we knew that it would be that way.  Please pray for Jim and me to have wisdom and grace when dealing with our new son.  Please pray that he would see us as parents who care for him but are also the authority, and that his heart would be knit to ours.  And please pray that God would continue to solidify the 6 of us in the house as a family.

I've started the process to enroll Samuel in Global Village Academy, where Justin and Caylie go to school.  They have Mandarin immersion there, which will help him a lot.  There are Chinese teachers and plenty of students his age who are fluent in Chinese, as well.  We did a bit of testing with one of the Chinese teachers to determine his grade level (not yet determined!) and it was very fun to listen to him read Chinese and watch him write it.  He doesn't seem to want me to know he can do these things, though!  Silly kid.

Last week we went to visit Daddy at his job at Howell Construction.

Daddy's co-workers left this collection of fun gifts for Samuel!  

Our friend Katie Maurer has moved back to Colorado!  We met Katie and her family when we first moved here in 1996, when they were living just three houses away.  God had plans for us to meet them, to be part of the church that Katie's father pastored (which is still our church!) and for us to become life-long friends!  (Long story VERY short!  Haha.)

 Tessa is getting so big!  She'll be 11 months old next week.  She is starting to take a few steps and is always smiling!

Caylie wasn't feeling well much of last week.  I thought she might have strep again, and took her to urgent care on Sunday morning.  But it turned out to be a virus, with no medicine needed.  She was feeling better later that day.  I guess spending 2 1/2 hours in a germy doctor's office will do that.  Arrgh!

We saw this as we were walking to the park the other day.  This house is in our neighborhood.  The poor family who lives here has had their fence destroyed by car accidents several times in the 19 years we've lived here.  This time their house was hit, too.  

But the funniest thing was the calling card that the driver left.  Bumper, complete with license plate, laying on the sidewalk!  Again, nothing to do with us.  I just found it funny.  ;)

The school playground near our house is always fun!  Samuel showed me many of his tricks.

Justin being Justin.

Caylie was starting to feel not-so-great that day, but she will still give a smile!

Justin being Justin.  He loves this hat that Jim got him in Vietnam in 2012.

Settling In

I know I said at the end of my "Home" post that I would write more the next day, but as you can see, that did NOT happen!  We have been settling in and recovering from serious jetlag, which is not fun, and does not leave any energy for much picture-taking or blog-posting!  Hopefully we'll be on the rebound soon, and will be doing more interesting things.  So far, we're pretty much just hanging around the house.  

Daddy bought a new soccer ball for Samuel, but Samuel did not want to be in any pictures with it.  I managed to get this one shot of Caylie, while looking through the upstairs kitchen window!  Fortunately (or unfortunately?) the younger kids all slept well from the first night on, and had much more energy than mama.

Samuel really likes the basketball goal on our patio.  He's out there with the ball any time there's nothing else going on.  (Which, right now, is often.)

Justin would rather sit on his bed with his laptop.  We're working on that . . . 

Caylie is always ready with a smile and a pose.  From the looks of things behind her, this was taken on our first full day home, with the table full of unpacked stuff that needed put away.  

I got out PlayDoh, and Legos, and Magnetix, most of which keep Samuel occupied for short periods of time.

The boys have been playing many games on the PlayStation Move.

Papa was happy to see sweet Tessa, as we all were.  I'm not sure why this picture looks so green, but I don't have the energy to figure that out.  Green it shall be.

Jim's birthday was Saturday, but we were not in any shape to do anything about it.  I think Caylie might have made him a card.  So on Sunday, we packed our jetlagged selves up and went to Genghis Grill to celebrate as best we could.  I didn't know what Samuel would think about it, as you have to choose your food uncooked - including the meat - but he did OK.

I sent Brittany to get a birthday cake, as I was in no shape to drive.  The cake says, "Dad your closer to 60".  We laughed about the message and the grammar.

Tessa likes birthday cake, too!

Samuel is doing OK.  He is learning how to be in a real family with two parents and siblings.  He is learning how to obey those parents.  Some moments are better than others.  We've had some difficult times, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that everything is new and probably scary to him.  We keep praying for his heart and for ours.  It will be a long journey, but it is a journey that we know God called us to, and He will be faithful to give wisdom and grace.

Home.

 We are home.  

And no, Samuel did not want to be in the picture.  He was a little overwhelmed by our welcoming party!  I will write more tomorrow.  Thank you for your prayers, friends. 

Fun and Blessings in Hong Kong

As I mentioned a few days ago, we saw Donald and Amy again today in Hong Kong.  When our two taxis got to the hotel, Donald was waiting for us.  We went to another yummy Chinese lunch and had a wonderful time with them and their pastor (who I just realized is taking this picture.  Ha.)  Some friends of theirs who had met Samuel at House of Grace came later and it was fun chatting with them, as well.  Their son and Samuel had a great time together.  I'm so glad they came to say goodbye to him.

Before we left the restaurant, Pastor Wong prayed over Samuel.  The details I cannot share, but it was absolutely beautiful, filled with God's Spirit, and a memory that will remain in my heart for always.  I am so amazed at how God has orchestrates our lives, and how we can worship and follow Him with believers around the world, speaking different languages.  We are so. very. blessed.  

Samuel and his friend.  I asked Samuel, "Ta jiao shenme mingxi?"  (What is his name?)  But he just shrugged.  Turkey.  LOL

Another shot of all of us.  Pastor Wong is in this one, in the yellow shirt.  He showed me a video of a fundraiser that their church had done for House of Grace.  I will try to find it on YouTube when we get home and share it here.  

Pastor Wong, me, and Amy.

Amy, Samuel and Donald  

Keelan and Caylie.  I think Caylie ate more than anybody!

Justin is not an adventurous eater.  But Amy keeps trying, haha.

After lunch we walked to a nearby park.  Very beautiful and peaceful there, except for the threat of the typhoon!

Samuel, Amy, and Caylie.  These pics are blurry, sorry.  I took them while walking backwards . . . 

Daddy and Caylie.

 Samuel and his friend.  (Amy, perhaps you can email me his name, since we are going to WeChat.  Ha!)

Love these big, old trees.  

Caylie makes a friend wherever she goes.  So happy about that.  :)  And this little girl is so cute!

Amy and Donald, their friends, and Samuel & Jim.

Waterfalls at the park.

Flamingos.

Amy, Caylie, and her new friend.  

As the title says, a day full of fun and blessings.  Amy and Donald, you have blessed our Samuel and you have blessed us.  We are so grateful to God for the gift of your friendship.

Train Ride to Hong Kong

Today we took a two-hour train ride to Hong Kong.  Last time we took a van, and decided to try something new this time!  The ride itself was nice, but it was a bit of a hassle with passports and luggage and filling out the leave China/enter HK forms.  But all in all it was fine.  There was a nice American guy on the train who talked to us most of the way about living in Guangzhou and about our adoption trips.  When we got here, we had to get two taxis to our hotel, but it was a quick ride.  The people here are all afraid of a typhoon that is supposedly coming tonight, but we are snug in our rooms and fine.  Praying that the storm goes over quickly and all is calm by tomorrow morning when we catch our l-o-n-g flight to Seattle and then to home.  

Pics from our train trip:  Caylie sat with Daddy.

I sat with creepy-eyed boy.  (Why does he do that??)

Samuel's seat was beside Justin, but this lasted for about 2 minutes.  Samuel was up and around the whole time.  Fortunately for him, they don't care if you sit in your seat, or even if you stand up.  I don't know what's going to happen on our very long plane trip tomorrow!

Justin being Justin.

Sometimes Samuel stood here, watching some ladies play cards.  Sometimes he sat with the American guy who spoke Chinese.  Sometimes he sat on my lap.  Sometimes he stood down by the bathrooms.  Sometimes he sat in his own seat and leaned over the back, so he could see the lady with the baby.  He can entertain himself well, if given the opportunity, haha.  But again, tomorrow will be a different story!  Please pray for him.  It's going to be a very long day (+ 14 hours!)