Well, our trip to China is almost over. In just over 3 hours, we will be picked up and taken to the airport. Then we arrive in Portland 2 hours before we left. Gotta love that International Date Line. We've loved our time here in China, but we are all very ready to go home. Everyone misses Eliza, our extended family and cats, our friends, our house and our community. Probably in that order, too!
We will be staying with my sister in Portland overnight. If you must have a long layover, it is nice to have it in a city with a relative that likes you (or at least can't think of an excuse fast enough).
Before quitting for the night, I'd like to thank many people:
Amy in Germany whose financial help got us started with this adoption. Her support and aid is very very much appreciated.
Family who helped us so much with our daughter Eliza while we were gone. Grandma Carol and Grandpa Albert who came from Missouri and were so good to her. To Grandma Earl who has had Eliza with her for the majority of the time. For my sister-in-law Debbie who gave Grandma Earl and Eliza a break from each other and made Eliza feel so special.
Our great neighbors who have taken care of our cats and our house while we have been gone. It is nice to know that we could do so.
My brother Doug for driving us to the airport early on a Sunday morning. My sister Larayne and my brother-in-law Steve for picking us up in Portland, letting us invade their home with six (probably) cranky, sleepy, and stinky people, then taking us back to the airport at 4 am. My brother Bruce for picking us up in Salt Lake City and getting us home, finally.
I'm sure I'm forgetting many people and I couldn't even name them (you) all if I tried.
THANKS FROM ALL OF US!!!!! WE APPRECIATE IT MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Church and Tienanmen Square
We went to church yesterday. It was fun to go on the subway and try to remember the building from two years ago. The government allows religion, but not proselyting. Therefore, the services for international and domestic groups are separated and cannot co-mingle. Interestingly enough, our services which are normally all in English had speakers that were from China originally and spoke in Chinese (with translaters for the rest of us). So Grace was able to have much of her first Christian experience in a language she could understand. She was very good and two of the women talked to Stephenie about adoption. They both were very taken with Grace and so Stephenie gave some information to them. If either are reading this, "Hello and welcome". We came back to our hotel and ate at a hot po
t restaurant. The kids were cold from the walk to/from church and this made them feel better. Then we got back on the subway and went to Tienanmen Square. This was one place that Grace really wanted to see. In many ways Mao is like their George Washington and it was impressive to her. We wandered about the grounds and had a great time until Stephenie and Zachary started freezing. We then went by subway to a nearby mall to eat and warm up. We had dumplings and curry pies. They were both really good.
t restaurant. The kids were cold from the walk to/from church and this made them feel better. Then we got back on the subway and went to Tienanmen Square. This was one place that Grace really wanted to see. In many ways Mao is like their George Washington and it was impressive to her. We wandered about the grounds and had a great time until Stephenie and Zachary started freezing. We then went by subway to a nearby mall to eat and warm up. We had dumplings and curry pies. They were both really good.
We finally came back and worked to get our trip to the Great Wall today started a little earlier so we could go to the Forbidden City afterwards. This is our last day in China, so we have to do as much as possible. We put the kids to bed so we could get up earlier for our last big push.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Hong Kong and Beijing
As Stephenie said, we went to Hong Kong on the 25th. It was a whirlwind visit since we didn't have much time. I kept getting conflicting information on how to get there. First just getting from our hotel to the railway station or bus station. Then how much each portion would cost. How the money would work in Hong Kong. Times to get there and back. And we were flying early the next day being another concern.
Finally Stephenie convinced me that they boys would go with me and we'd do the best we could. I told them that I didn't know exactly how everything would work, but we'd try. By this time it was 10 am. We left for the railway in a taxi and it was MUCH less than the hotel people said it would be. (I think they like to "arrange" travel, if you catch my drift). We made it to the station and the next train leaving was at 2 pm. So we decided to take it (knowing the last train back was at 7:30). We got on the train fine and it takes about 1 1/2 hours to Hong Kong. We all dozed on the train, but got in before 4. I exchanged some Yuan to Hong Kong dollars, then we bought our return tickets immediately then went on the underground to the main Hong Kong island. We just went to the first stop and got out. We wandered around a 6-8 block area just enjoying blue skies and people who didn't stare at us. Obviously there is more diversity in Hong Kong.
We then took the underground back to the main station and back on the train to Guangzhou. When we arrived there are taxi agencies right in the station trying to get you to use their taxis. They were telling us how far we wanted to go was very expensive and quoted us 120 RMB for the ride. I knew it cost 40 RMB from the hotel, so I walked away. Another guy followed us saying 80 RMB. We kept walking to the taxi area and just chose the next in line. 38 RMB. Always use the meter and never negotiate or have someone else arrange your travel.
We then got back to the hotel and immediately went to Pizza Hut for food. We had Chicken Curry over noodles and Beef Curry with rice. Not the typical Pizza Hut fare!
Although the video doesn't show it, the Harry Potter movie with the bus must have been based on Hong Kong. Double decker buses going past each other at 50-60 mph. WOW! I took this video after the buses had red lights in both directions, so they didn't have time to build up velocity. And there would at times be many more.
And now we are in Beijing. Good flight on a brand new airplane, but we had to sit at the gate for an extra hour. No reason given except that no planes were coming or going. Probably a software glitch. Anyway the flight was great and Rose met us at the airport. We checked in (another story) and went to dinner with Rose. Then we watched "Dr. Who" on the computer and went to bed.
Everything is great and everyone is happy. And most happy that we are going home soon. I just try to remember that we are going home, but Grace is leaving everything she knows forever. Puts my feelings in perspective at times. But I really do miss Eliza.
Finally Stephenie convinced me that they boys would go with me and we'd do the best we could. I told them that I didn't know exactly how everything would work, but we'd try. By this time it was 10 am. We left for the railway in a taxi and it was MUCH less than the hotel people said it would be. (I think they like to "arrange" travel, if you catch my drift). We made it to the station and the next train leaving was at 2 pm. So we decided to take it (knowing the last train back was at 7:30). We got on the train fine and it takes about 1 1/2 hours to Hong Kong. We all dozed on the train, but got in before 4. I exchanged some Yuan to Hong Kong dollars, then we bought our return tickets immediately then went on the underground to the main Hong Kong island. We just went to the first stop and got out. We wandered around a 6-8 block area just enjoying blue skies and people who didn't stare at us. Obviously there is more diversity in Hong Kong.
We then took the underground back to the main station and back on the train to Guangzhou. When we arrived there are taxi agencies right in the station trying to get you to use their taxis. They were telling us how far we wanted to go was very expensive and quoted us 120 RMB for the ride. I knew it cost 40 RMB from the hotel, so I walked away. Another guy followed us saying 80 RMB. We kept walking to the taxi area and just chose the next in line. 38 RMB. Always use the meter and never negotiate or have someone else arrange your travel.
We then got back to the hotel and immediately went to Pizza Hut for food. We had Chicken Curry over noodles and Beef Curry with rice. Not the typical Pizza Hut fare!
Although the video doesn't show it, the Harry Potter movie with the bus must have been based on Hong Kong. Double decker buses going past each other at 50-60 mph. WOW! I took this video after the buses had red lights in both directions, so they didn't have time to build up velocity. And there would at times be many more.
And now we are in Beijing. Good flight on a brand new airplane, but we had to sit at the gate for an extra hour. No reason given except that no planes were coming or going. Probably a software glitch. Anyway the flight was great and Rose met us at the airport. We checked in (another story) and went to dinner with Rose. Then we watched "Dr. Who" on the computer and went to bed.
Everything is great and everyone is happy. And most happy that we are going home soon. I just try to remember that we are going home, but Grace is leaving everything she knows forever. Puts my feelings in perspective at times. But I really do miss Eliza.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Caroling in China...
OK, so right now it is actually Christmas Day here and at home so we can all celebrate together! We talked to Eliza on Christmas Eve, this morning for us, and she let us know we've been gone for a long time. I have to agree and I would love to be home too!
We met a family here yesterday who are from Sweden. They just adopted a little girl and we started talking here at the hotel. She was talking to me about how hard it is when they've waited so long for this baby to have her accept only the mother's help. She only wants the mom and cries when she can't be with her. I did talk to her about how many others have told me this happens a lot. But it is still really hard to handle! For me, just the reality of being so far from home and the magnitude of how everything was going to change was difficult. Also, you can only guess as to what your child will really be like! They are first time parents and very stressed, especially being away for Christmas. We aren't new to this and I was just as stressed! It has not been an easy thing to do and from others in our group, it wasn't easy for them either. I just had to rely on my faith that we were doing the right thing and everything would turn out.
We walked them over to Shamain Island and shopped a bit. They hadn't been there yet and weren't sure of the way. Later in the day, Zach and I were putting our treats together when we had the idea to take them a treat bag and sing at there door. So, we got to go caroling in China! We all went to their room and sang, not too loudly, Merry Christmas. They asked us to come in and visit since they were lonely for people to talk with and so were we! It can be hard to feel so isolated from others who speak your language and know what you are going through.
It made our day to spread some Christmas cheer and we have some new friends now! I guess no matter where you are you can have the true spirit of Christmas by remembering what it is really about. We had a few gifts for each other and Santa left something for the kids, but it was not the big production we have usually. Everyone was happy and we had fun finding things here for each other.
I'll let Mike post all about their day in Hong Kong later. He and the boys went and the girls and I stayed here to rest and pack for tomorrow. It's been nice actually and we knew it would be too much for the girls, plus too expensive for all of us to get there and back! They watched a couple of movies and we ate at McDonalds for lunch and Papa Johns for dinner. Just what they wanted and easy for me. (I should get an award for eating at McDonalds two days in a row!) Oh well, it's just a meal and we've had many good meals here. The breakfast alone should be enough for the whole day!
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas Day!
Stephenie
We met a family here yesterday who are from Sweden. They just adopted a little girl and we started talking here at the hotel. She was talking to me about how hard it is when they've waited so long for this baby to have her accept only the mother's help. She only wants the mom and cries when she can't be with her. I did talk to her about how many others have told me this happens a lot. But it is still really hard to handle! For me, just the reality of being so far from home and the magnitude of how everything was going to change was difficult. Also, you can only guess as to what your child will really be like! They are first time parents and very stressed, especially being away for Christmas. We aren't new to this and I was just as stressed! It has not been an easy thing to do and from others in our group, it wasn't easy for them either. I just had to rely on my faith that we were doing the right thing and everything would turn out.
We walked them over to Shamain Island and shopped a bit. They hadn't been there yet and weren't sure of the way. Later in the day, Zach and I were putting our treats together when we had the idea to take them a treat bag and sing at there door. So, we got to go caroling in China! We all went to their room and sang, not too loudly, Merry Christmas. They asked us to come in and visit since they were lonely for people to talk with and so were we! It can be hard to feel so isolated from others who speak your language and know what you are going through.
It made our day to spread some Christmas cheer and we have some new friends now! I guess no matter where you are you can have the true spirit of Christmas by remembering what it is really about. We had a few gifts for each other and Santa left something for the kids, but it was not the big production we have usually. Everyone was happy and we had fun finding things here for each other.
I'll let Mike post all about their day in Hong Kong later. He and the boys went and the girls and I stayed here to rest and pack for tomorrow. It's been nice actually and we knew it would be too much for the girls, plus too expensive for all of us to get there and back! They watched a couple of movies and we ate at McDonalds for lunch and Papa Johns for dinner. Just what they wanted and easy for me. (I should get an award for eating at McDonalds two days in a row!) Oh well, it's just a meal and we've had many good meals here. The breakfast alone should be enough for the whole day!
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas Day!
Stephenie
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas is everywhere!
We don't want anyone in our family to forget it is Christmas. We miss Eliza and are excited to go home and show her our new family member.Steph: I took this picture before we left, thinking it might be nice to see Eliza with the tree. Isn't she just as cute as can be? I do miss all our holiday traditions together, but we will still have a Christmas when we get home even though it will be New Year's Eve!
Christmas Eve
Well, now it is nightime and really Christmas Eve. We went out to eat at Papa Johns and splurged. We had a lot of food and were very much a center of attention. Then we went over to McDonalds for ice cream. It is cheap there. Grace isn't much at eating and walking, so we stood around and ate the ice cream. We were very much the most interesting thing anyone had every seen.
Oh, and the chicken man. Heck if I know what he does, but he is always there tooting his horn and selling little chicken eggs. Odd to us.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Eve
Zach looking over the Pearl River
Eating at the Cow and Bridge again!
Kirk outside a store. We thought they sold surplus mushrooms at first!It is early in the morning Christmas Eve now. The last two days were easy going days. We needed to stick around the hotel while the paperwork for the US visa was being processed in case there were any questions. Our guide takes care of the presentation, but in case of questions we need to be available. It was colder than before-- mid 50s. Grace "passed" and so we went to the consulate yesterday afternoon for the swearing in ceremony. It was fairly quick, but only Zach wanted to go with us.
Afterwords we ate dinner with the CHI folks and Connie. I'm not sure that the real Cantonese dishes Connie chose went over so well. My family doesn't like seafood, so the jellyfish salad and shrimp rice weren't appreciated. The ketchup covered beef wasn't too good either. The lemon chicken was better when I poured some sugar on it. We passed on the pigeon and swan!
Today we are going to look around here a bit more and try to find some small Christmas presents to have. There is one CHI family left (Vicky's) that we may meet up with to wander the streets. The others leave in the next few hours to be home for Christmas. Our frequent flyer flights required us stay until the 30th.
Tomorrow we are probably all going to Hong Kong. Now that Grace has a US visa, and is within the seven days of leaving China, she can go to/from Hong Kong without problems. We have multiple entry visas so that is also good. We are deciding what to do there, but will probably end up at Disneyland. It's small and has less attractions, but it is still fun. Or we may just tour Victoria Peak, etc. Or, maybe we'll just stay here. The train takes about an hour and a half to get there and they have one of the best subway systems in the world, but it is still expensive. It would be their Christmas presents. It is fun to be flexible at this point.
Kids playing Uno together. Grace understands most of the concepts, but the wild card throws her a bit still.
Monday, December 22, 2008
More Guangzhou pictures...
On the rooftop garden at our hotel
Zach loves the crazy mice at the pet market
Playing at the exercise park on Shamain island. Olivia made some friends. It seemed to be a new experience for Grace. I think this was her first time on a teeter totter. It's going to be good for her to play at recess and get stronger. Poor girl, we've been wearing her out!
Zach before his injury...he banged his thumb nail on one of the pieces of equipment. It hurt pretty bad and bled a bit but it isn't too bad. The cute little girl in this picture came over and started singing a Happy New Year song to us in English. She was adorable! Our girls sange a little Chinese song the Kirk taught Olivia and she was impressed. Her mother was very proud.
Olivia and Emily, from Texas. They looked similar with their clothes and glasses and were about the same age. She chatted with this new friend quite a while.
Zach digging in to the Masaman curry at the Cow and Bridge. It has great Thai food and we decided it would count as Zach's birthday dinner. He had his special dinner after all! And it was his favorite type of food.
I'll post more about today, Tuesday, later but thought I'd at least get some of these pictures of the last few days up. Take care all!
Stephenie
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Bladerunner
As we went down the street this evening to eat, I felt like I was on the set of Bladerunner. Before all the decay, but still a very busy and exciting feel to it. The stills and video were shot very close to our hotel. It's interesting because the other side of the hotel has the pet and wet markets. They are very dirty and old looking and then there is this side. I think Stephenie will post more about today and the street, but look at the video!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Beautiful Morning in Guangzhou!
I will add some pictures later, but before breakfast I thought I'd report on our first day here. Since we arrived late Friday night, Saturday was our first full day here. The weather is just beautiful and with all the reports of snow back home in Utah, we feel pretty lucky!
Grace had her medical check yesterday and they talked to us about her eyes, which we knew about of course. She desperately needs glasses. We will be taking her right to the doctor when we get home and get that taken care of first. Otherwise, she is quite healthy and just needs some good food and exercise so she can be healthy and strong.
We also did some paperwork prep and visa pictures so we'll be ready for our Consulate appt. The rest of the day was free so we expored the area and shopped some.
Right outside this Shifu-Holiday Inn is the pet market! The kids loved walking by all the puppies, rabbits, turtles, fish and birds. They have all kinds of animals in cages and pens. After the pet market is the herb and spice market. There's all kind of weird stuff and I can't recognize everything but they do have lots of fungus and mushrooms and even dried snakes and seastars! I don't know what they do with them and I'm not sure about the live scorpions we saw later either.
We head to the Safari park today with our CHI group which the kids should enjoy. It is Sunday so I was thinking I'd put together a Christmas program for our family but invite the rest of the group since they are probably missing going to church as well. The Sunday before Christmas is my favorite service! We will have to sing some Christmas hymns and the story from the scriptures. I'll have the morning the figure that all out though.
More later...
Stephenie
Grace had her medical check yesterday and they talked to us about her eyes, which we knew about of course. She desperately needs glasses. We will be taking her right to the doctor when we get home and get that taken care of first. Otherwise, she is quite healthy and just needs some good food and exercise so she can be healthy and strong.
We also did some paperwork prep and visa pictures so we'll be ready for our Consulate appt. The rest of the day was free so we expored the area and shopped some.
Right outside this Shifu-Holiday Inn is the pet market! The kids loved walking by all the puppies, rabbits, turtles, fish and birds. They have all kinds of animals in cages and pens. After the pet market is the herb and spice market. There's all kind of weird stuff and I can't recognize everything but they do have lots of fungus and mushrooms and even dried snakes and seastars! I don't know what they do with them and I'm not sure about the live scorpions we saw later either.
We head to the Safari park today with our CHI group which the kids should enjoy. It is Sunday so I was thinking I'd put together a Christmas program for our family but invite the rest of the group since they are probably missing going to church as well. The Sunday before Christmas is my favorite service! We will have to sing some Christmas hymns and the story from the scriptures. I'll have the morning the figure that all out though.
More later...
Stephenie
Friday, December 19, 2008
Goodbye Xi'an, Hello Guangzhou
We arrived safely in Guangzhou and are in our 
new hotel now. We said goodbye to many new friends and we have a lot of good memories. Zach and Kirk loved playing Kick the Can with their friends next to the city wall in Xi'an (built 1300 years ago). Amanda was wonderful and we gave her the rest of the donated money from Kirk's Eagle project.
Grace was a bit nervous on her first flight, but was only scared when we landed. I think she thought we were crashing. We made it, however. Tomorrow (or I guess today now) we get her medical done and all the paperwork.
Our last meal with Amanda. Zach is "enjoying" the split duck head.
A couple more picture from Xian: 2 are from Amanda's Starfish home. Amanda is standing with Elisa, who is another friend we made through Amanda. The boys had a great time playing with Elise's 3 sons who are close in age to our boys. Brook is shown with one of the babies. She just finished a Chinese program through BYU and is from Springville. She was there volunteering for a week before heading back to Nanjing. We had such a great time with all of our new friends in Xian. We were really lucky to find such good people from our church there who helped us out in so many ways. Elise's family was just a few minutes from our hotel, so it made it easy for the boys to get together. We hope we will be able to visit them all again someday! I suggested a reunion in Utah!
I don't know if we ever posted one of these pictures of our first meeting with Grace. Tori was our guide and she was just wonderful. Grace was a little scared, and I found out she wasn't sure about leaving her Mama back at the SWI. Actually, those are pretty good signs, I don't think we'll have many problems with attachment.Tomorrow, our group heads to the Animal park. It is supposed to be pretty fun-we'll see!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A couple of comments
We have been asked about Grace's eyes, so I'll tell you what I know. She seems to see quite well, but has problems with depth perception and focusing on some objects. She can be quite tentative around stairs and escalators, but has developed ways to work with both. When we watch TV, or if she is looking closely at papers, she will turn her head and look sideways. I suppose that helps her to use one eye or the other better. She doesn't seem to favor either eye that I can tell. She seems to get along very well mostly and knows all of us by sight. When we get back we will take her to our optometrist quickly, as well as the pediatrician. She is very healthy and happy. She has mechanisms she uses to get around her sight problems and hopefully with good care, they will be taken care of in the states.
Having fun in X'ian
Wow! Yesterday was an exciting day at the Muslim Market. It is so fun to have someone who knows the people and the area to take us around. Amanda is my kind of person, she always plans for a meal and food whe
n we are out! We found hot chocolate at McDonalds, which Zach was excited about. Mike took this picture from outside. This was a great McDonald's advertisement since many people almost got whiplash staring.
n we are out! We found hot chocolate at McDonalds, which Zach was excited about. Mike took this picture from outside. This was a great McDonald's advertisement since many people almost got whiplash staring.We went through many little stalls looking at items. I'll post a few of them here.
Muslim market
Today was a free day and we spent much of it with a new friend we met in Xi'an. Amanda has a foundation here that takes care of m
any orphan children and Kirk's Eagle project was bringing donations to her. She has taken us to many locations in the city we would never have found on our own and has been wonderful to be with. She is originally from Africa and has now lived in China for the past four years. She is a member of our church and she has introduced us to other members here. She loves the children and is one of the kindest people I have ever met. If you get a chance, go to her websites and check out what she does, (She is the one in the red jacket). (http://www.thestarfishfosterhome.org/http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com/ chinese.starfishthrower@gmail.com).
We went through the Muslim market today and it is a shopping extravegan
za. The children (and I) were very tired by the end of the trip. Here is a small video of a street scene. Everyone knows Amanda, so we got some very good deals there. We tried some of the street foods and many were very good. Some, not so appetizing, we didn't try. This is a picture of Zach buying some sugar cane. You chew on it and get the sugar out and spit out the rest.
The girls and I came back to the hotel because I needed to make sure the documents were all in order for the adoption. The boys and Stephenie went with Amanda to the Starfish home to help out and see what was going on there. The boys have a few friends that are their same age from the church here and they have really enjoyed being with each other. These kids don't see many contemperaries and so they have liked being together. They swam and had pizza last night and today they are getting together at their apartment for more time together.
We are becoming pretty good at the taxis and getting around now. It is fun, exciting, and sometimes death-defying getting out here. It is a blast.
Oh, we saw a cat in the Muslim market sleeping on some silk articles. At first Stephenie thought it was dead or skinned, but it was a real live breathing cat. Our kids loved patting it and it just stayed put enjoying the attention. We've seen a lot of dogs, but only a few cats around. Down in Guangzhou they probably know to stay hidden!
any orphan children and Kirk's Eagle project was bringing donations to her. She has taken us to many locations in the city we would never have found on our own and has been wonderful to be with. She is originally from Africa and has now lived in China for the past four years. She is a member of our church and she has introduced us to other members here. She loves the children and is one of the kindest people I have ever met. If you get a chance, go to her websites and check out what she does, (She is the one in the red jacket). (http://www.thestarfishfosterhome.org/http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com/ chinese.starfishthrower@gmail.com).We went through the Muslim market today and it is a shopping extravegan
za. The children (and I) were very tired by the end of the trip. Here is a small video of a street scene. Everyone knows Amanda, so we got some very good deals there. We tried some of the street foods and many were very good. Some, not so appetizing, we didn't try. This is a picture of Zach buying some sugar cane. You chew on it and get the sugar out and spit out the rest.The girls and I came back to the hotel because I needed to make sure the documents were all in order for the adoption. The boys and Stephenie went with Amanda to the Starfish home to help out and see what was going on there. The boys have a few friends that are their same age from the church here and they have really enjoyed being with each other. These kids don't see many contemperaries and so they have liked being together. They swam and had pizza last night and today they are getting together at their apartment for more time together.
We are becoming pretty good at the taxis and getting around now. It is fun, exciting, and sometimes death-defying getting out here. It is a blast.
Oh, we saw a cat in the Muslim market sleeping on some silk articles. At first Stephenie thought it was dead or skinned, but it was a real live breathing cat. Our kids loved patting it and it just stayed put enjoying the attention. We've seen a lot of dogs, but only a few cats around. Down in Guangzhou they probably know to stay hidden!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Just a couple of pictures
Sisters speaking "sister". The talked and talked, but never said too many words the other really understood. They had a great time.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
We are now seven
We went to meet Grace at the Civil Center, but when we arrived the director wasn't there and the office was locked up. Our guide told us we could wait in the van or outside, so we stayed in the van... for about thirty seconds. Then Stephenie looks out and says, "There's Grace!" After a shocked few moments, we piled out to see a scared little girl with her companion. She was shy and a little sad.
After waiting for a few minutes, it was obvious no one was coming to the office, so we all went back to our hotel. We signed some papers and they showed us information about Grace. She held my hand as we went into the hotel and opened up as we sat down. She named us "mama" and "baba" and watched the family. Zachary gave her a Starburst which she very much enjoyed!
She is very adorable and very small. When Stephenie asked her what she thought of her new family, she replied, "Beautiful". She played with the kids in the room until it was time to go eat, and she and Eliza have something in common! She ate everything on her plate and loved it all. That could also have been because she ate very early and was hungry, but she was very happy to eat. She patted her stomach after and was very satisfied.
I'm sure Stephenie will add more soon, but I thought I'd take a few minutes and put something here.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
In Xi'an
Well, we arrived around 2 pm today in Xi'an. It is much warmer and greener here. Around 50-60 degrees. We changed our rooms from two connected rooms to their "family suite". It costs more, but we get free Internet in the Executive Lounge, breakfasts, and a cocktail spread. It is nicer to have the three rooms, but it is more expensive, about $60 more per day. I think it will give us much more room and be easier to work with, however.
We meet Grace tomorrow afternoon. We meet our guide in the lobby at 4 pm and we drive to the adoption center. We don't know if other families will be there also, but we will. We are supposed to be there at 4:10, so tomorrow's the day. We're excited and scared, but I think everyone is feeling much better about everything.
Anyway, the kids are getting pizza for dinner and Stephenie and I are still deciding what we are going to have. And we are trying to get hold of a contact here in Xi'an to go to church with and give Kirk's Eagle Project donations to. Hopefully that all works out as well.
We meet Grace tomorrow afternoon. We meet our guide in the lobby at 4 pm and we drive to the adoption center. We don't know if other families will be there also, but we will. We are supposed to be there at 4:10, so tomorrow's the day. We're excited and scared, but I think everyone is feeling much better about everything.
Anyway, the kids are getting pizza for dinner and Stephenie and I are still deciding what we are going to have. And we are trying to get hold of a contact here in Xi'an to go to church with and give Kirk's Eagle Project donations to. Hopefully that all works out as well.
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Pearl Market
Today, we decided to visit the Pearl Market. It is just a few harrowing street crossings and one over-the-street bridge to get there. 
Pictures from Beijing
We haven't put on many pictures, so here are a few from the last few days.
Hanging out at the hotel room. Thank goodness for the games we 
brought!
brought!This is an old place called a hutong or something. (Steph: actually, this is just a ramshackle old section we walked past on the way to the Temple of Heaven. Hutongs are old living areas inside a walled area.)
Monkey's in a barrel are too old. Try crabs i
n a barrel!
If you see this, Isaac, this one is for you. They have these delicious turtles you can eat!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
A tough week for me...
OK, I've decided I don't really like being away from home. It is so hard the first few days being gone, especially so far from home. We all miss Eliza and our kitties! Before we left, I was in a total panic mode with all of the Eagle Scout packing, our packing and getting ready to leave. It's probably the most stressed I've ever felt. Add to that all the worry of adopting and wondering how everything is going to work out and it has been hard to enjoy myself this first few days.
Also, I didn't remember how long the flight here takes! It felt longer that driving to Missouri, which takes about the same amount of time. I guess just the reality of the trip hit me and combined with all my stress really put me into an anxiety attack.
I'm getting better and can eat again. The kids are all doing really well and keep each other busy. I think it will be nice to get to Xian and then we will meet Grace. I truly believe we are doing the right thing even though it's been one of the hardest things I've ever done. I think whether you are adopting or not, adding a new member to your family is a leap of faith and it always is a transition for everyone. I've really prayed about our decision though and felt that peace that it will all be ok. Then, when it has been so hard on me, I realized that even though it is right that doesn't mean it will be super easy. I know it will be hard for her to leave everything behind that she has ever known and after this past few days, I think I have more of an understanding of how that feels. Different surroundings, people, smells, schedule, it will all be different to her but I hope she will get used to us and enjoy being part of our family.
Sorry this is so long, but I think it really helps to know that we can do hard things and we will get through them. I've second guessed myself so much, but the only thing I would change is our three week stay! (What was I thinking?? Oh well, we didn't have much choice by using our points for flights and with it being during the holidays.) I can't change eveything but I know I'll be strenghthened to be able to make it until we can get back to our home sweet home! We went this far and this long for Eliza and she has been such a blessing to our family and I know she is truly our daughter. I can't imagine life without our sweet Eliza. Grace deserves that same sacrifice and I'll forget how hard this has been after she's been home for awhile!
Before I forget, I have to thank a few people for helping me so much. My mom and Albert for taking such good care of Eliza this first week. They've kept her happy and busy and I'm really grateful for their help. My good friend and neighbor Aly who saved me when I was packing. I don't think I would have made it without her help with all the sorting and packing of the donations. The boys helped but it was beyond their area of expertise. Mike, for trying to keep me from going crazy and helping me to look on the bright side! And, Mike's mom for understanding me and being so supportive. She will be in charge of Eliza the rest of the trip with some help from Debbie who so kindly offered to help out too. Doug, for being willing to get up early and drive us to the airport. Larayne, Mike's sister in Portland, who so happily offered to pick us up on our way home and will put us up for the night before our last flight. Our neighbors who are helping with our animals when mom and Albert leave. I'm really blessed with so many good people in my life. Thanks everyone and all the others who are praying for us and helped in other ways! I really appreciate it.
Stephenie
Also, I didn't remember how long the flight here takes! It felt longer that driving to Missouri, which takes about the same amount of time. I guess just the reality of the trip hit me and combined with all my stress really put me into an anxiety attack.
I'm getting better and can eat again. The kids are all doing really well and keep each other busy. I think it will be nice to get to Xian and then we will meet Grace. I truly believe we are doing the right thing even though it's been one of the hardest things I've ever done. I think whether you are adopting or not, adding a new member to your family is a leap of faith and it always is a transition for everyone. I've really prayed about our decision though and felt that peace that it will all be ok. Then, when it has been so hard on me, I realized that even though it is right that doesn't mean it will be super easy. I know it will be hard for her to leave everything behind that she has ever known and after this past few days, I think I have more of an understanding of how that feels. Different surroundings, people, smells, schedule, it will all be different to her but I hope she will get used to us and enjoy being part of our family.
Sorry this is so long, but I think it really helps to know that we can do hard things and we will get through them. I've second guessed myself so much, but the only thing I would change is our three week stay! (What was I thinking?? Oh well, we didn't have much choice by using our points for flights and with it being during the holidays.) I can't change eveything but I know I'll be strenghthened to be able to make it until we can get back to our home sweet home! We went this far and this long for Eliza and she has been such a blessing to our family and I know she is truly our daughter. I can't imagine life without our sweet Eliza. Grace deserves that same sacrifice and I'll forget how hard this has been after she's been home for awhile!
Before I forget, I have to thank a few people for helping me so much. My mom and Albert for taking such good care of Eliza this first week. They've kept her happy and busy and I'm really grateful for their help. My good friend and neighbor Aly who saved me when I was packing. I don't think I would have made it without her help with all the sorting and packing of the donations. The boys helped but it was beyond their area of expertise. Mike, for trying to keep me from going crazy and helping me to look on the bright side! And, Mike's mom for understanding me and being so supportive. She will be in charge of Eliza the rest of the trip with some help from Debbie who so kindly offered to help out too. Doug, for being willing to get up early and drive us to the airport. Larayne, Mike's sister in Portland, who so happily offered to pick us up on our way home and will put us up for the night before our last flight. Our neighbors who are helping with our animals when mom and Albert leave. I'm really blessed with so many good people in my life. Thanks everyone and all the others who are praying for us and helped in other ways! I really appreciate it.
Stephenie
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Quick note
After me making everyone walk a bit (they think I made them walk from across all of Beijing), we finally ended up at the Temple of Heaven. Here's a picture of all those that matter! Notice the hats. There are a lot of vendors trying to get you to buy stuff. I got the Beijing Olymipic stocking hats for the kids because it was a bit cold for them. They cost 25 RMB for the three. That's about $1.65. Zach wanted a hat like I got last time for a friend. Stephenie got one for 40 RMB, but I another guy and I bartered and we got a second for 15 RMB. I gave him a couple of yuan extra just because it was a fun bartering experience. Sometimes the vendors won't leave you alone. And they need the money, so you feel bad not buying everything.
I'm sure there will be more to follow. We're about ready to go to lunch. Stephenie is looking for the perfect meal and so far hasn't found it. We'll just have to make do with what is around us for another day.
Resting and playing
We mostly rested today and got our bearings in the city. We looked around in the complex our hotel is in to see what there was. It is part of a 5 story mall with everything you could imagine in it. The bottom floor is a large market with a lot of, for us, unusual items. There are aquariums with live fish, shrimp, crabs, and turtles. My nephew Issaac probably wouldn't like the turtles for lunch! The also had cooked food to take home, like chicken and pigeon. Some things looked very good, like the mandarin oranges that we brought back to our room. Others were not as much to our liking.
The top floor has a food court and we ate at a Korean place for lunch. It cost about $13 for all of us. We had Korean cans of fruit juice-- grape, orange, and peach. We bought two large stone bowls and had leftovers. Of course Stephenie is tender in the stomach and Olivia doesn't care much for spicy foods (plus she ate most of the mandarins before we left).
The kids went swimming and I watched TV, then we all had naps. Iwoke up and took the boys to dinner. We went to 16 Curries and had a Black Pepper Beef and a Chicken Curry. They were about to close, so we ate fast and left over half of it. Even with our drinks it was only about $7 total. Food can be very reasonable here.
I had a coworker here in Beijing rework our room reservations. Before, we paid about 550 RMB a night and we had to buy our breakfast. If we ate at the hotel, that was 124 RMB each (about $18) a person. She got our company rate for us which is 600 RMB a night, but two breakfasts are included per room so we just need to pay for Olivia. And since she is under 12, hers is 1/2 price. And the discount also goes for the food which means her meal is only 51 RMB ($7.50).
Things are working out for us. Tomorrow the boys (and maybe girls) are going to walk to the Pearl Market and Temple of Heaven. They are about 5 minutes away from us. That sounds like fun to us. I think the girls may go shopping in the mall, but the plans of women are always a mystery to me!
The top floor has a food court and we ate at a Korean place for lunch. It cost about $13 for all of us. We had Korean cans of fruit juice-- grape, orange, and peach. We bought two large stone bowls and had leftovers. Of course Stephenie is tender in the stomach and Olivia doesn't care much for spicy foods (plus she ate most of the mandarins before we left).
The kids went swimming and I watched TV, then we all had naps. Iwoke up and took the boys to dinner. We went to 16 Curries and had a Black Pepper Beef and a Chicken Curry. They were about to close, so we ate fast and left over half of it. Even with our drinks it was only about $7 total. Food can be very reasonable here.
I had a coworker here in Beijing rework our room reservations. Before, we paid about 550 RMB a night and we had to buy our breakfast. If we ate at the hotel, that was 124 RMB each (about $18) a person. She got our company rate for us which is 600 RMB a night, but two breakfasts are included per room so we just need to pay for Olivia. And since she is under 12, hers is 1/2 price. And the discount also goes for the food which means her meal is only 51 RMB ($7.50).
Things are working out for us. Tomorrow the boys (and maybe girls) are going to walk to the Pearl Market and Temple of Heaven. They are about 5 minutes away from us. That sounds like fun to us. I think the girls may go shopping in the mall, but the plans of women are always a mystery to me!
Monday, December 8, 2008
We made it
At least we made it to Beijing. We will remain here until Saturdayand then we fly to Xi'an to pick up Grace. We are doing many of the sites ourselves to save money, but we requested Rose in Beijing from BOIT. And she did come to pick us up. She will help us personally in many ways. She was our guide last time and no other guide came close to her in our estimation of her!
Today we are going to rest and walk around the city a bit. Our hotel is in between the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, so everything is close.
We'd forgotten how long the flights were. It is so nice to be on the ground now. Every one of our flights was delayed in leaving. In Salt Lake they had to de-ice the plane which made us 1/2 hour late. So we had to run to the counter (Steph's boarding pass wouldn't print in Salt Lake) and we were the last people on the plane. And our seats were the second to last row in the 747. Then they had to de-ice this plane which made us an hour late to Narita. Since we couldn't print our boarding passes to Beijing in Salt Lake (too early), and we didn't have time in Minneapolis, we didn't have them in Japan. Remember we were in the back of the plane and there are five of us to get off of the plane.
We made it off the plane, around one huge line of transfers and into the Chinese security lines. Then when we finished those, we hear the "final" boarding call for our flight. And the gate is a long way off! We get there and they thought we were no-shows because it was late and we hadn't had boarding passes issued. They had given two of our seats away. They ended up bumping me and my son Zachary to \Business Class (Zachary's birthday present!) and we were able to all get to Beijing safely on the same flight.
Oh, as an added bonus, we were already last and they were holding the plane for us; so what do they do? I get the full security pat down besides! The wand over everywhere, take of the shoes and have them examined. My bags searched, the whole 9-yards. So, needless to say, this flight was also late getting into China.
Oh well, we are here and that is a good thing. And as soon as Stephenie calms down, eats breakfast, and de-stresses, it will be great!
Today we are going to rest and walk around the city a bit. Our hotel is in between the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, so everything is close.
We'd forgotten how long the flights were. It is so nice to be on the ground now. Every one of our flights was delayed in leaving. In Salt Lake they had to de-ice the plane which made us 1/2 hour late. So we had to run to the counter (Steph's boarding pass wouldn't print in Salt Lake) and we were the last people on the plane. And our seats were the second to last row in the 747. Then they had to de-ice this plane which made us an hour late to Narita. Since we couldn't print our boarding passes to Beijing in Salt Lake (too early), and we didn't have time in Minneapolis, we didn't have them in Japan. Remember we were in the back of the plane and there are five of us to get off of the plane.
We made it off the plane, around one huge line of transfers and into the Chinese security lines. Then when we finished those, we hear the "final" boarding call for our flight. And the gate is a long way off! We get there and they thought we were no-shows because it was late and we hadn't had boarding passes issued. They had given two of our seats away. They ended up bumping me and my son Zachary to \Business Class (Zachary's birthday present!) and we were able to all get to Beijing safely on the same flight.
Oh, as an added bonus, we were already last and they were holding the plane for us; so what do they do? I get the full security pat down besides! The wand over everywhere, take of the shoes and have them examined. My bags searched, the whole 9-yards. So, needless to say, this flight was also late getting into China.
Oh well, we are here and that is a good thing. And as soon as Stephenie calms down, eats breakfast, and de-stresses, it will be great!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
5 hours to go
We have almost everything packed and the kids are finally going to have a nap. Stephenie is ready for a couple hours of sleep also, but I want to sleep on the plane. In about an hour, I think Steph will lie down and then we'll be ready for my brother Doug to come and drive us to the airport.
We are lucky that we are going now. We will get the tax credit for the adoption in 2008 and the orphanage fee goes up on 1/1/09 $2000.00! I don't know if we would ever be able to do this with the kids again, so we'll make the best of it we can.
On to Beijing!
ME
We are lucky that we are going now. We will get the tax credit for the adoption in 2008 and the orphanage fee goes up on 1/1/09 $2000.00! I don't know if we would ever be able to do this with the kids again, so we'll make the best of it we can.
On to Beijing!
ME
Friday, December 5, 2008
Going Crazy!
We are getting ready to leave Sunday morning before 6 am. Before then we need to get our trip planned and we just got our definitive consulate appointment yesterday. Then we got the quote from the travel agency for the Chinese tour guides, hotels, flights, etc. After I was revivied off of the floor, I just sat drooling and staring blankly. Stephenie worked like anything to find hotels ourselves that were much cheaper, a guide in Beijing to take care of the things we couldn't do ourselves, and determine where and what we could cut from the rest of the trip. Then she worked on Kirk's Eagle Project to get the donations ready to take to China. She had to go through many donations and cull the items that couldn't be used or fit in our baggage. We had a great number of donations, but many of them will need to go to places more local.
Everything isn't nailed down completely yet, but we do have a hotel in Beijing. And I think that Steph will be reserving the hotels in Xi'an and Guangzhou this morning. We are having two places give us bids for the airfare and I'm going to check on it myself also. That leaves us with using the tour group for just the adoption proceedings and travel to/from airports. We will do almost everything else on our own. Hopefully we can save some money and make it possible to take the whole family.
We need to finish the majority of the packing tonight, then top everything else off on Saturday night. I'm wound a bit tight now, and I hope that everything starts working out soon.
Everything isn't nailed down completely yet, but we do have a hotel in Beijing. And I think that Steph will be reserving the hotels in Xi'an and Guangzhou this morning. We are having two places give us bids for the airfare and I'm going to check on it myself also. That leaves us with using the tour group for just the adoption proceedings and travel to/from airports. We will do almost everything else on our own. Hopefully we can save some money and make it possible to take the whole family.
We need to finish the majority of the packing tonight, then top everything else off on Saturday night. I'm wound a bit tight now, and I hope that everything starts working out soon.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Eliza's 4th Birthday
Eliza's birthday was Saturday. Olivia and Eliza's friend Kate had a little tea party and played. We were collecting Kirk's Eagle Scout donations that morning, so it was very small and simple but she had fun! 
Since we will be gone for Zach's birthday, we celebrated his and Eliza's with the family Sunday night. Zach is excited to have his birthday on our trip!
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