Amy's First Popsicle, Chickfila, and Bumble Bee Encounter

She loved the popsicle especially after it melted enough for her to suck the flavor out of it.  Eating cold things is not common in China.  No refrigeration.  They even prefer hot water. Even at our five star hotel restaurant, if you asked for water, you got a cup of hot water. Maybe it is what they are used to after having to boil water regularly.  Amy is learning to like cold things.  Ice cream is one of her favorites and she asks for it for breakfast.  We go through the whole "ice cream is not for breakfast" explanation so she has learned the word "later". Have used google translater. She knows that "later" means some time later in the day she will eventually get her ice cream.  So hard to wait!  Harder still to explain   "later" for the 100th time.

Also had her first Chick-fil-a.  Two thumbs up for the waffle fries and ice cream!  Not sure about the chicken. Only took a couple of bites. Tried grilled and fried. Have been twice and she ate a couple bites more on the 2nd visit than the first so we are hopeful.  She is not much of a meat eater though.  Nor fruits and vegetables for that matter.  Its mostly carbs for this Northern China girl.  Breads, crackers, noodles,  rice and french fries.  Ranked in that order.  Oh, but she does love bananas.  Eats three a day.  Fitting for her character at this point. And a dried prune....she pops the whole thing in her mouth.  Seems to like the ones that come individually wrapped. Yes, I am giving her 3 different kinds of gummy vitamins to fill in the gap.  Trying not to take on the whole food issue deal.  Not yet.  There will be time for that later.  I feel for her.  I think of how I felt in China, all the food just killed my appetite. So out of the range of what we eat.   She may be in the same position on our food as I was on her turf.
As a side note, she played very nicely with other children on Chick-fil-A playground. I was relieved. One never knows under these circumstances.  Did mow over one little boy who tried to block her way.   Without me even telling her....she  quickly came back to help him up.  Gave him a hug and planted a big kiss on his cheek, told him " its okay, its okay" in Chinese then went on about her playing. He mumbled sorry with a dumbfounded look on his face and stayed out of her way the rest of the time. Poor guy.  Didn't know what hit him. Could almost see his wheels turning as he pondered what in the world she just said to him.

Had her first encounter with a big ole bumble bee.  We grow em big around here, must be all the woods around our house.  Every spring they are such a  nuisance, boring holes around our porches.  Sawdust blows in on my screened porch and it drives me crazy! My porch is my happy place. Evidently,  there were a couple of bumbles boring on the wooden part of the playground.  As Amy would swing in her happy place.....there was one bumble in particular that would hover.  As she came up, he would be there to face her.....hovering.  My goodness, the shrieks. It appears she has never in her life seen or heard a Bumble Bee. She would ball up in the swing and shriek.  HE was intimidating.  All that buzzing and hovering!  Gave me a chance to be her hero though.
Nature lovers....stop reading at this point although this story does not include pesticides!
 Wesley and Will have been know to hit the bumbles with badmitton rackets. Grand idea. Got Anna to bring me a racket as I was afraid to leave the Bee hovering and Amy there swinging, balling up and shrieking.  Heck, with all the adjustments being made around here and fatigue to boot, I must admit the thought of WHACKING something was feeling pretty good.
 I NAILED HIM.
 Of course this was after trying to shoo him....nature lovers. After all, they are destroying my property. Stubborn ole bee. Hit him so hard across the yard......we looked.....but never found him. May have whacked him into bumble bee powder. One less aggravation in my life. Amy loved it and talked about it for the rest of the day.  Her Mommia (that is what she calls me...Mommia sort of italian/chinese) is so very brave you know. She acted out the story for Scott when he got home. Still talks about it a week later.
 Confession: I am afraid I enjoyed the whacking more than I should have. It may be my game for now. Who needs tennis.

Welcome Home Party

Nannie and PaPa hosted a wonderful "welcome home" party for Amy.  The entire family came which means lots of cousins. There were presents, balloons, good food and cake.   Amy had a great time and hugged and/or kissed everyone.  She likes her new extended family as much as I thought she would!  That is another beautiful thing about adoption.  It is not just our family that loves Amy but so many cousins, Aunts, Uncles and grandparents.  Fills us with joy to know Amy will be a part of our clan.....boom.....she went from no family.......to lots of family!

Psalm 68: 5 & 6a  A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families.

More about Amy

Amy's orphanage was in the heart of Shijiazhuang City.  Not a pretty place. Dusty and dirty.  Our guide who has travelled all over China mentioned it was one of his least favorite places.  He also told us her orphanage was not very good.  I am thankful she was in foster care for the last 2/3 years.  They could not tell us exactly as bad record keeping.  She was fostered in the rural outskirts of the city.  He noted the area to be very poor.  Water scarce.  People maybe bathe every other week or every 2 weeks.   In this area, wheat is grown,  thus Amy is a bread girl verses a rice girl.  She will eat rice but when asked what her favorite meal is she answered " steamed bun and hot soup".  Our breakfast buffets usually had steamed buns (same texture as half baked bread in my opinion) so she had one most every morning while we were there. One with white sugar that is......the way her foster grandma served it. Now that we are home we have all kinds of bread for her.  She likes to dip it in soup, sauce or whatever.

Amy's condition when we got her.  She was dirty. Had quite a few bruises. She has scars all over and my guess is that she had a terrible case of chickenpox at some time in her past. She continues to lighten up in skin color as we bathe her every day. So many layers of old skin and dirt.  Her hands looked like she had played in the dirt before we got her.  We can tell bathing was not a pleasant experience and/or not common place. Her clothes were not clean. No undergarments at all.  Her hair was done in many rubber bands over her head.  Very tight and almost knotted.  During lunch at our fancy hotel, and among a room full of elite Chinese business men.....Amy wanted to get the braids out of her hair.  At that moment, no stopping her.  She was pulling her hair out trying to get them out.  Anna and I helped her and even Anna commented that whoever did her hair was not kind and did a terrible job.  Amy rubbed and rubbed her head when all was done. Sore scalp. We walked out of the dining room with Amy's hair standing straight out. Yes, many onlookers in the China fashion.  Had to wash and wet it in our hotel room to get out the tangles. I make sure I am soft and loving when I comb her hair.  She seems to notice and appreciate it. "Xie Xie MaMa," (thank you) she says. And now she likes to have her hair done (other than washing) in different ways.  Well, whatever way big sister ( Jie Jie's ) hair is fixed.

Amy is bone thin.  She sometimes ouch's when we pick her up as it seems to hurt, she rubs either her ribs or under her arms depending upon how we picked her up. So very thin.  We are hoping to remedy that one. Now when she is not into something and on the move......she is eating and snacking.  Trying to add some meat to her little bones! We have a rule though and she is obeying.  She sits in HER chair at the table to eat. She goes right to it when any food comes out which is often .......likes HER chair.  One of us will sit with her to enforce as she forgets and has hard time sitting still plus we have some extra time with her. Also to make sure she doesn't stand in her chair to try to reach the light fixture over our table.  Something she seems to be curious about. Our guide told us it was a rough time for her after being in orphanage for a couple years then to being a little spoiled by foster grandmother who seemed to cater to her likes and dislikes.......  back to orphanage where you get your meals at a certain time and if you don't eat the food, you have to wait until next meal.  No snacks and too bad if you do not like the food....just be hungry then.  Her basic needs were met and that is all. Not to judge the orphanage workers he said, they just do their jobs. Usually have more responsibilities than they have time for.....so many children......not enough workers.  Not enough supplies or extra food, lack of funds.

Amy likes to please.  She thrives on affirmation and praise.  Smiles with her whole face.....makes her eyes close she smiles so big.  Is polite.  Always says thank you......always.  Even for simple helps we give her. Is generous with hugs and kisses.  I stop all throughout my day to give her hugs, cuddles and kisses.  She doesn't stay still for long so I let her go when she is ready.  We are working on holding her for longer periods of time.....little by little.  I think she is afraid of being still too long.....might just get tired or think too much about all she has been through.  I think this because whenever the tears have come.....they are in the still and quiet moments.  Amy's tears come so softly.......we have to check her face when she starts rubbing her eyes.......she tries to stop them......but sometimes......they come anyways and I hold her.  I rock her.  And tell her "wo ai ni"  I love you.  Healing, bonding and attachment is a process.

Amy can fight like a wild cat if you mess with her in a way she doesn't like.  Washing her hair....look out....we all get wet.  Dreading her complete physical on Monday. In China during medical exam,  I got whacked in the back with a tambourine that is used to check hearing on the babies.  Amy was holding it when I had to hold her down for over body check. This was after a very unpleasant TB test so I do not blame her at all.  She was scared.  She is a fighter if she needs to be. Not afraid to stand up for herself! Oh, and not afraid to speak her mind!!!!!

Amy is a mile a minute.  Continues to explore, play, go from one thing to another.  Absolutely loves to go outside. Can not get her socks and shoes on fast enough.  Runs out with reckless abandonment! Rides her trike and rambles around the yard.  We are spending lots of time outside as the weather has been perfect.  Got out early on our one rain evening so got our time in.  The playground is her happy place.  She sings as she swings.  Or giggles with delight.  Still talking up a storm.  Learning a few English words here and there.

Proverbs 20:22
Wait for the Lord, and He will make things right.

Amy, Wesley and Will

Amy is progressing every day.  So much to swipe, poke and shake......oh I mean..... discover and learn. One thing that was immediate upon our arrival home.....her fondness for her two big brothers (Ge Ge)! They make her laugh.......she makes them laugh. Quick to give hugs and smiles. She has also been through some of their stuff!  Have had to put some things away.  That is ok.  Eventually she will understand boundaries.  Until then, they are locking doors and some things got moved up really high or into rubbermaid bins. Gave Anna a nice bin also.  Jie, Jie (big sister) is not required to share every one of her things. Had to hide a few things myself.   Amy is the queen of rummaging!

Home Sweet Home

Feels so very good to be home.  And we owe you praying folks out there a gigantic thank you because we pretty much got our miracle.  Little Miss "I would rather take the train" was so very good and slept a lot on the flight.  When she was awake, she was too groggy to get into too much trouble.  Thank you Lord for planning an all nighter (China Time)  for us......it worked out well.  The last leg of flight from China to LA  I took Amy back to go up and down the stairs as we were on China Southern Air bus.  There were two other adoptive moms in back of plane with children so we were able to chat a little. One family from Douglasville GA and the other from CA. Little GA girl air sick so I was able to give  the same children's chewable dramamine that I took myself and it helped her for remainder of the flight and also on the next flight.  They came to Atlanta from LA with us so I was so glad to be able to share my meds!  Our three hour layover in LA was eaten up by our late arrival from China and trying to get through customs, immigration, security, bag checks, etc.  then made it in time to get in line for boarding.
Again Amy was good and did her best to keep up. She was better that she has ever been as far as staying with us.  Anna great help pushing one cart in spite of being tired.  The whole deal left the two ready to sleep another stretch to Atlanta!  Perfect.  No fanfare at the airport per our request as Anna did get sick with stomach issues middday of our departure day. We were sweating it out but she rebounded in time for our departure. Anna and I  were advised by our guide to take tylenol hour before Guangzhou airport as everyone goes through walk through- scanner to be scanned for fever.  Did that and all went well.  Amy got sick on way home from airport but we are thinking she may have had a bout with motion sickness also.  Turbulent flight from LA and then riding in a van on the trip home.  She recovered quickly and was ready to explore her new home!  Has opened every cabinet and drawer already.  Says "whoa" about everything!  Has been happy.  Showers her big brothers with hugs and kisses.  (Praying she did not have virus and spare the boys!). Adores them.  Talks non stop.  Busy as a bee.  The beauty of our yard in bloom took my breath away when we arrived home.  We are so very blessed here in our country.......we truly are.  We left enormous cities of concrete with air filled with pollution and  now get to enjoy lush green grass and trees, fresh air!  I will not be taking these for granted this spring.  And as we continue to enjoy the beauty of spring outside,  we are also getting to enjoy a little girl......... blooming before our eyes.  Was able to take her outside for a little bit today.  Happy girl. Runs with great joy across our yard to playground.  Will continue to share about so many things, in the days to come. Bare with us as the jet lag is hanging on strong.
My precious friends Laurie and Joy made a long trip up to our home to decorate for our homecoming. What a great feeling as we walked in the door and saw all the decorations everywhere! Gifts, so many rooms decorated with Chinese lanterns, streamers and balloons, flowers on my porch, welcome home flag in my yard and a meal in the freezer. Very special. Thank you! Love you friends.
Amy is wearing the necklace her PaPa gave her and holding the doll her Nannie gave her.  Now listen to how good God is.  When Amy saw Nannie, Wesley and Will.......she smiled as if she knew them already.  Pointed to each of them.  When my mom handed Amy her gift she hugged her and said, "xie xie" (thank you) Nana and smiled so big.  Liked Wesley and Will instantly. It was the right thing to just be a family.  Happy Homecoming for sure. We are blessed. Will look forward to getting together with the rest of our family and friends at some time in the future.

Luke 18:7
God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day,  and he will not be slow to answer them.

Coming home

It is the middle of the night,or 2:00 in morning for us.  I have been ill with whatever scott had. Started cipro. Thinking and hoping the worst of it is over.  I have been cautious since scott fell victim……eating conservatively and in moderation.  Just sensing my sick number might be called.  And it was.  I felt it coming on this evening and set to work with Scott packing and getting everyone ready for bed.  I didn't say much.  We got the girls to bed, I used clorox wipe on the bathroom and toilet (knew I would be spending time in there and have my face near the toilet so I wanted it sanitary)  I am weird that way.  Went in and shut the door  and prayed something like this. Dear Lord, I feel crummy.  If this is your will for me, you know we have to get out of our room by 2:00 tomorrow and we have a plane to catch.  Could we get this done and over with? And it hit.  Then for the next , gosh I don't know how many hours as I am foggy, God met me, as I sat on the bathroom floor and in my sickness. and In spite of a splitting head ache His words came to me. The most comforting…..He is my refuge and strength. a very present help in time of trouble.  It was the most time He and I have had together since we got here.  And in spite of the misery of my stomach…….he helped me keep my eyes on Him and set my heart aright.  A lesson I have learned over and over on this trip.  His grace is sufficient.  Not for the week or the day, but for the moment I am experiencing.  Good stuff for someone like me who likes to plan and have things go just so. Someone who does not like adventure, and in fact spends plenty of time trying to avoid adventures or anything that is not on the agenda. Thus you must see that this whole adoption journey was a call from Him.  I could never….and I mean never…..step out to do this on my own. This is difficult…..but we know it is right.  Indeed His grace is sufficient.
2 corinthians 12:9/10
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power  may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  for when I am weak, then I am strong.

I do need your prayers.  I feel as though I have a fever.  Really need for Anna and Amy to avoid this.  Would you pray with us?!  We so want to come home and need for them to be spared.  Also.  Let me share a conversation we had our guide have with Amy:

Guide:  You will be leaving to go home tomorrow! You will take two airplane rides to get there.

Amy:  That is not good, for I prefer the train.

Guide:  Yes, but you have to take the planes because the train does not go there.

Amy:  That is not good…..not good at all!

Kristi:  My sentiments exactly.

Soooooo…..what is worse than 14 hours plus another 5 hours on a plane?!  Riding on that plane with a high energy,Chinese speaking 6 1/2 year old who prefers the train and loathes flying as much as I do?!  Would you please pray for this also!!!!!!! Even though I am prepared with any and everything that one can do with a kiddo on a plane…...I'm thinking we need a miracle! A 14 hour sleep would be nice.

Please know I plan to blog when we get home.  Because of our strenuous schedule and lack of internet, there is much I would like to share but was unable.  Just give me time for coherent thoughts to return once we are home!

Also, about Amy's hand.  She is very capable. Can do most of what she wants.  Gets herself dressed, zips her jacket and even can put her own hair into a ponytail.  We actually call her octopus arms because she can grab and do things so fast.  She can sneak up behind you and poke computer in the blink of an eye!  I double dog dare  you to try to take her ice cream!

I should try to get some sleep.  But let me share another verse that has been important to us.  We believe it with all our hearts.  Isaiah 45:3

I will give you treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord , the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

Wesley and Will, batten down the hatches!  There is a storm blowing in from the far east and we call her Amy!  You will love her.  She will crack you up even if you do not understand a word she is saying!  If you think Anna is full of sas……you haven't seen sas yet! She will also get into your stuff! Don't leave your electronics about.   Be forewarned and do me a favor.  Put up my good stuff!  Out of reach.  If in doubt, move it!  

Mom and Dad, this girl needs her Nanny and PaPa more than you can know.  Our guides are all so pleased you live just next door.  God knew that and hand picked her for us.

He will heal her broken heart, and what a blessing to have you in her life.

Friends and family, 

Thank you for your prayers and support……words can not express our gratitude. We love you! Amy will be so blessed by you all.

Love,

Scott, Kristi, Anna and Amy

Touring China today

Had Amy's medical exam yesterday, then for me an afternoon of paper work with our group and guide.  All is in order.  Amy checked out well.  No positive TB which is always good!  Showed one of the doctors her bandaid from falling on the playground the day before. Wanted him to check it out.!
Touring of Buddhist Temple, Old Chen House and Provincial Arts and Crafts center today.
We are finding Amy does not do as well when we are out and about. Today cried off and on for her Grandma a lot of the time we were touring. Also we now are with the rest of the group of 13 families. There were a lot of crying toddlers/babies on the bus which seems to make her very uneasy. Both yesterday and today, she clapped when we arrived back at hotel. Got really excited as again she associates our room as our home. Calms down in our hotel room. She is bonding nicely with the 3 of us. We had group pictures late afternoon and then nice evening walking in the park and dinner with our friends the Palmers.  It was drizzling but nice to be out and about.  Amy enjoys being out with this family as she is comfortable with them. Likes being with all the girls.  She and their newly adopted son give each other a little sassing but we are not completely sure what they are saying to each other!
We have an early visa appointment in morning so keeping this short.
Scott is recovering from major bout with stomach issues. Is taking cipro and doing much better. Please pray for our health and protection over these last few days.
There is so much to share. With my partner down and out , I have not been able to share as I would have liked. But just know, God has been so faithful to us. We see His hand in so many details.
God is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:27-28