{China #2} Beijing Tour

Today was a PACKED day!  We started at 8:30/9am and went to the Temple of Heaven.  It was huge and despite the snow from yesterday, it still seemed busy.  It was fun to see some couples dancing to music in the park and other people playing…something like hacky sack.

{Temple of Heaven}

{Chase, Chelby & Angela}

From there, we went to a Chinese restaurant and again tried several new dishes, such as: a shrimp and walnut dish, Chinese cabbage, meat pie and some other dishes. 

{Eating lunch with Angela, her husband and our faithful driver}

Afterwards, we headed to the Tien Mien square and to the Palace Museum (aka the Forbidden Palace). 

{Tein Mien Sqaure}

The Palace Museum was incredible and seemed to never end (in a good way).  The architecture was simply amazing.  It made the Capitol project I (Jeff) just finished seem small & plain in comparison.  Our tour guide, Angela, said that there were 9, 999 rooms in the Palace.  If a new born were to sleep in a different room every night, he would be 27 years old by the time he slept in all the rooms.  Needless to say, it was amazing to see.

{Forbidden City}

From there, we hopped back into our van.  Next stop, a rickshaw ride.  It was a bit cold at times, when the wind was against us, but worth the experience.  The driver took us to a local Chinese home, where our tour guide explained how the Chinese used to live, while we got to look inside the rooms.  Then the rickshaw driver took us around some of the back roads for a bit.  I loved observing all the people….riding past a lake, iced over, with people ice skating and ice skiing (a chair on skis with ski poles to push across the ice). 

{Rickshaw Ride}

Throughout the day as we’ve ridden in our van, we’ve been able to talk with Angela and ask her lots of questions.  She used to work for All God’s Children (an adoption agency), so she knows a lot about the process and the orphanages and how they are run.  We’ve also been able to ask her some language questions like how do we tell Emerson it’s time for bed?  She also informed us how important tones are as similar words said with a different tone can mean VERY different things.  Baba can mean Dad or it can mean poop depending on the tone you use!!  Chase thought this was hilarious.  ☺  

Our last stop was the Chinese acrobats.  This was simply incredible!  We were in awe most of the performance.  Chase absolutely LOVED this, especially when they had 8 motorcycles riding around in one spherical type cage (that was not very big).  Several of the stunts literally took our breath away as it seemed for sure they were going to fall or hurt themselves.  

{Chinese Acrobats}

{Motorcyclist in Cage} 

We went out to eat again for supper sampling din sum/pot stickers, egg plant, a very spicy beef dish, sweet potato & mushroom dish, etc.  

Chase crashed as soon as we got back to our hotel room (around 8:30pm).  He did fantastic for as many things as we did today.  He told me tonight before bed that he can’t wait to meet his little sister tomorrow.  It’s hard to believe that Gotcha Day for Emerson is nearly here!  Please pray for her and her foster mom knowing the pain & grieving that lie ahead for both of them.

We are looking forward to traveling to a warmer climate tomorrow where we don’t have to wear 2 pairs of pants! ☺

Jeff, Chelby & Chase

{China #1} Plan A...to Plan D

Wednesday morning, Jeff and I got up at 5…knowing to be prepared for flight cancelations because of the snow.  The original plan was to fly out of Peoria to Chicago and then from Chicago directly to Beijing.  As we were getting ready that morning, we kept on checking flight status, but it wasn’t until 7am, that our Peoria flight was canceled.  My Dad was our back up and we called him to notify him that we needed to drive to Chicago and try to make our flight.

We quickly packed up, scooped the snow off the driveway, kissed Aubs and Abram goodbye and drove to Bloomington to pick up my Dad.  Driving conditions were pretty bad, averaging 40 miles an hour.  We made it to the O’hare airport just 30 minutes before our flight took off, knowing that we wouldn’t make our flight unless it was delayed.  Jumping out of the van, grabbing all of our luggage, we ran in to the airport to check in, as my Dad drove our van back home.  But it was too late and they wouldn’t let us check in – our flight was one of the few that was not delayed.  ☹

They were able to change our flights, so that we would be flying out in 1 hour, to Hong Kong, instead, then an hour layover and fly to Beijing.  With that, we ran through the airport, security and to our gate.  When we boarded the plane, we knew that the flight had been delayed for 30 minutes…but as we sat on the plane, waiting for take off, we waited, and waited…for almost 2 hours before the plane took off.  They had to de-ice the plane a couple of times and supposedly were waiting on a big group that still needed to board the plane.  

The flight seemed forever long, 15.5 hours in the air and no way to get comfortable and get good sleep.  We knew that we would miss our connecting flight to Beijing and prayed that plan D would be clear.

{Watching 1 of many movies on our 16-hour flight}

When we got off the plane (8:30 pm Thursday, local time…6:30am Thursday our time), we were immediately told that there were no more flights to Beijing that night and they put us up in a hotel for the night.  Chase was ecstatic to be spending the night in Hong Kong and thought that was so cool!  While waiting for our boarding passes to print, we met a missionary couple from California heading back to India after a short furlough.  It was a neat time of fellowship.  

{At our Hotel in Hong Kong}

Friday morning we were shuttled back to the airport and flew out at 8am.  We arrived in Beijing at 11:30am…to snow.  It was their first real snow of the season (I’d say about a whopping 1”).  We met our tour guide, Angela, who we’ve gotten to know via email prior to the trip.  We drove to a local Chinese restaurant where they served us “family style” and we were able to sample Roasted Peking Duck (which Beijing is famous for), Kung Pao chicken, fried green beans, fried pumpkin sticks (similar in size to French fries), fried rice (are we sensing a theme by now??).  It was really nice to have someone order our food who knew what Americans could handle, but yet have us sample some specialty dishes. We were proud of Chase for trying almost everything and enjoying it! 

{Roasted Duck}

{Fried pumpkin, Kung Pao Chicken, Fried Green Beans}

We then drove to the Great Wall – beautiful scenery/area, especially with the fresh coating of snow.  We took a chair lift up to the Wall, then walked along it for a while, going through several guard tours and up and down slippery steps and inclines due to the snow.  It was surreal to actually be seeing it first hand.  Normally, we would have taken a toboggan back down the hill (think Alpine slide), but due to the snow, it was closed.  Bummer.  Instead the somewhat tipsy/drunk attendant at the top demanded a tip from Jeff after Chelby & Angela had already gotten on the previous chair to head back down.  This was the same guy who asked what the English word was for his two-way radio.  When we said Walkie-Talkie, he burst out laughing.  And the same guy who offered all 3 of us a sampling of his strong alcoholic beverage (yes, even Chase!...he was kidding, at least I think so!) 

{Great Wall of China}

We then drove two hours back to Beijing to get checked into our hotel.  Chase (who had previously gotten 6 hours of sleep over the course of 2 nights…he usually gets 11 hours/night) fell into a comatose type sleep on the ride back, skipped supper and went straight to bed around 7:30 as soon as we got into our room.  

Tomorrow will be a packed day of sightseeing around the city.  On Sunday we will travel and meet Emerson around 5pm!

Jeff, Chelby & Chase

Top of a Roller Coaster

That's what it feels like right now.  Top of a roller coaster.  We've been planning for the past months, packing and getting everything ready for the past 4 weeks.  Emerson's room painted, check. Dentist appointments for 4 of us, check.  Abram's follow up cardiologist appointment, check....Chase's school project, check.  Aubrey's Valentine box, check. Juice boxes for Abram's Valentine party, check. Meals in my freezer, check(thanks to some friends!). Packing...um...almost check.


We've been so busy getting ready, physically and mentally.  I've been preparing myself for the worse.  Some say I'm pessimistic...I say I'm realistic.  Nearly every adoption has it's hard times, some more than others.  I'm not looking at this adoption through "rose colored glass".  Oh, I hope for the best...but I'm expecting it to be down right hard.  AND maybe, just maybe in some areas I might be pleasantly surprised. Oh, I sure hope so.


So here we are, almost ready to begin our adventures.  Life has been routine, predictable and I like it that way, but I know there's something greater around the bend.  Many times we have to go through the hard things to see the gems in life.  Abram was that way.  He was up MULTIPLE times a night the first few months at home, he DEMANDED my attention(and still does), he pooped though his pants 2-4 times a day for the first 4 months or so, he wasn't potty trained until he was over 4 years old(much to my frustration)....and though he's grown out of some of these things, there are aspects of him, that I just have to accept, that's Abram.  We've been through some of the tough adjustments with him(at this stage of life)...and on the other side, there is laughter...LOTS of laughter.  Abram makes us all laugh every day.  He makes life interesting, that's for sure.  Aubrey and him are the best of playmates(usually) and him and Chase are good buddies.  Every morning, Abram snuggles up onto my lap(and usually begs to sip my coffee) and sits there for several minutes.  He adores Daddy.  And, well...life is a party in Abram's eyes.  And just to think....if we hadn't gone through the hard stuff(adoption, adjustments, surgeries....) we would be missing this precious gem in life.


So as we travel this road again, I know it won't look exactly the same.  But I pray that I won't get "bogged" down with the hard, tough adjustments.  I pray that we can enjoy our time in China, despite being away from our 2 youngest for 2 weeks and despite being in a Hotel room for 2 weeks. I pray that I can lower my expectations for myself in the weeks and months that will follow and that I can "roll with the punches".


Thanks for joining us in our adventures for the next 2 weeks.  Post a comment if you want, we love to read them and to know that we aren't alone in this, even though we are half way around the world!

REFERRAL!!!

Short Story: Last Monday, August 5th, we got our referral. She's 18 months old, from the same province as Abram, and has a cleft palate. We have named her Emerson and will keep her Chinese name for her middle name.

Long version:  Over the past few months we've been able to inquire about a few different little girls(off a shared list).  When looking off this list, we also realize that another family could be checking out the same information, too.  Whereas a referral is a bit different, in that, we were the ONLY people looking at Emerson's information.

So, as we inquired about these different girls(over the past few months) and looked over their information/file, it was a difficult experience.  Sometimes there were multiple medical needs and I struggled in trying to figure out what our family could/could not handle.  Along with it, the information would be over 2 years old and that left a lot of questions.  Sometimes we had to research the condition, because we were SO clueless as to what it was and had to ask our Dr. if there was EVEN a specialist in the area. Other times, we felt like there wasn't much information and we would try to ask for more information.  I finally came to the point of praying that God would either make Himself clear by working in both Jeff and I(and stepping out in faith) or that He would make it clear on paper(the child's file).  As we prayed about these different girls, we either never felt a peace about them or one time we found out that another family had already "claimed" the girl.

Last Monday evening, I went to bed, while Jeff was driving home late.  He usually turns his email off on his phone in the evening, but for some reason he left it on.  Close to 10pm, we received an email from our Agency with our referral(we had 24 to 48 hours to respond)!  Jeff quickly called me, getting me out of bed and had me review the email.  Immediately we both felt peaceful.  Her condition, cleft palate was something we were already somewhat familiar with and didn't need to research it.  Her information was the MOST RECENT information we had ever seen(dated March 2013). AND the description of her was the MOST we've seen (one whole page about her and her development).  Jeff and I felt and still feel so thankful for God Answering our prayer.  He made it very clear through her paperwork.

Chase and Aubrey are VERY EXCITED!!! Abram, well.....let's just say that we need to somehow prepare him for the changes that coming.  We hope to travel by late winter/early spring.  And, yes, Chase NOW, knows that he will be traveling with us to China.

If you think of us, we WELCOME your prayers!  There will be lots of change for Emerson and for us.

Aunt Bonnie's Chair

This was my last project before school was out.  My understanding was that this chair use to belong to Uncle Denny's Mom.  Therefore, it made it all that more special to reupholster this chair. 

 

BEFORE:

 

DURING:

 



AFTER:

 



 

 

Isn't it such a fun fabric?  Good pick, Aunt Bonnie!  And isn't Uncle Denny great to let her have a pink chair in their bedroom?

Anna Louise

Introducing our precious Anna

Anna and Momma are doing great. She's sleeping and eating well and Momma is recovering well. Thanks for everyone's prayers and can't wait to hear welcome to the family sung at Thanksgiving, I'm sure I'll cry with joy.

Update and random pictures

 

Jeff and I just sent our Dossier off today!!  Please pray for us, as we will probably be looking at different girl files, soon.  Pray that we will be wise, to know what our family can/can't handle, but that we won't be selfish, wanting a girl with little to no medical needs.

Now on to some random picutures:

 

This was "dress for Success day" at School.  It's our principal's last week, as she took on a new position in another state.  Monday, the kids were suppose to dress up like principals!

I don't know what it is with the toilet, but yesterday, sunglasses were (accidentally) dropped into the toilet.  The day before that, it was Abram's thermos!!  NASTY!

Right after Abram's Cardiac Cath.

Right before he went back for his cardiac cath.

Uncle Clark and Aubs on a 4-wheel ride.  Each of the kids got a ride and LOVED IT(over spring break)!!  Thanks, Uncle Clarky!

Welcome to Michigan Winters

So, people told me when we moved to Michigan, just wait for the winters...well last year (like across the nation) was not a very cold or snowy winter. This year on the other hand. Besides the winter storm of 2011, I've seen more snow then the last few years combined! Here's a few fun pics of our adventures in the snow.

Loving the snowy world we live in. Lot's of snow, and more predicted! If anyone wants to come up and bring your kids sledding let me know!
Bekah

Here We Go Again!

Aubrey needs a sister!  As Chase and Abram run to their room and lock the door before Aubrey can get in......Aubs is left on the other side of the door, crying...hurt feelings.  There are other times when all three of them play great together.  Aubrey even gets Abram to play restaurant and dolls with her.

We've talked about it a lot, adopting a little girl.  Aubrey told me once, at bedtime, "you go to Chi-na, next week, and bring me home a sista!"  Chase has told us that he wants another brother.  Abram agrees with whatever Chase says.

But when Chase leaned over my shoulder the other week, as I was typing an email to our agency, telling them that we were ready to start the process to adopt a little girl, Chase gasped as he read it.  His "gasp" was one of excitement...."we're going to adopt again?!"  He was even excited with another little sister.  He EVEN had a NAME suggestion! :)  (no, we didn't go with his suggestion, but it was cute)

So with all that said, Jeff and I have started our paperwork to adopt from China again.  We are hoping for a girl, under 4 years old, and some sort of medical need.  Our agency is saying 1.5 year process...but you never know with adoption, could be longer!

If you ever think of us, you can pray for our little girl, that we don't know yet, don't have a face or name, but God knows. 

Chase's Christmas Gifts

This year Chase decided to purchase a Christmas gift for his siblings and Jeff and I.  Chase had ALL sorts of ideas, but the problem was that $11 and 4 people to buy for = a much tighter budget than what he had planned on!

With some help from me (with ideas) and Dad(with his skills) This is what he came up with for Aubrey:

 

Aubrey's first words, "a fudge sicle?!"

 





 

Here are the popsicles! All for $3!



 

A flashlight and book for Abram.



Both Aubs and Abram will enjoy these sweet treats for their play kitchen/restaurant.

 

 

And for the record, Chase got Jeff mint M&M's(one of his favorites!) and Rainbow Twizzlers for me(one of my fave's!!).

What do you think?  Chase's love language might be gifts?



Family Photo Shoot

Just wanted to post a few pictures from our family photo shoot by Digital Inspirations. Since I can't decide with family photo we're using for our Christmas card I'm no posting any family ones yet...But I thought you could all use an update on Titus:) We missed everyone at Thanksgiving and Love you all!
Booxy

Andy and Marie's Chair...before and after...and More

BEFORE:

 

 



Thanks to Andy and Marie for giving me the opportunity to do another reuphostery project!  I was able to use my industrial machine....A LOT with this project.  My old sewing machine would have NEVER kept up.

AND AFTER:

I threw the pillow on for more color...not covering any mistakes!

 



This Chair(below) is a project from a few years ago, that I thought I'd post.  I did this for a friend and I was very pleased with the results.  She didn't even recongize the Chair when she picked it up(she walked right past it)

 

 

BEFORE

 



And AFTER:

 



Just showing a bit more detail.

 



Thanks to all of you, for letting me share a bit of my hobbies with you!  I don't get things like this accomplished very often, so it's fun to share them when I do complete a project! :)