Another great day in China

Well, I feel almost guilty writing this, but I don't think that there could be an easier adoption than this one! I realize that many things could come up in the future, but at this point, Kaikai is one easy-going little guy! He eats great, goes to sleep as soon as we tell him to get in bed, smiles, laughs and is becoming more and more affectionate with us each day.

Yesterday we finished up all of our paperwork in Jinan and today we did a little bit of shopping. Kaikai didn't want to be carried yesterday, but today he let David hold him while we walked around town. Since then, Kaikai has been super-affectionate with David. Oh my! It is so sweet. I guess that I'm going to have to do a little weight lifting so that I can carry him around, as well. Kaikai is shorter than Grace, but definitely heavier, and I'm about at my weight limit carrying Grace around!

Lily and Grace have continued to do wonderfully and have been so helpful. Grace has needed a little bit of reassurance that she is still greatly loved, but I expected that would be the case. She adores her new brother, but hasn't had to share the youngest child place before. It is a great learning experience for her!

It's snowy and cold in Jinan today, so we'll be glad to move to warmer Guangzhou weather tomorrow. We had hoped to visit the Heze SWI, but found out that it is an 8 hour drive from Jinan. So, unfortunately that won't happen. The SWI staff who were here in Jinan were so kind. It is obvious that they cared for our sweet boy. I'm glad that we got to meet and interact with some of them here in Jinan.

Thank you so much to all of you who prayed for Kaikai and for our family. God has certainly answered in abundance! Kaikai is such a treasure! We are so grateful that this little boy has joined our family.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

 Kaikai keeps doing wonderfully. Our guide told us that we should take him to KFC since it's a treat for Chinese children. You should have seen his face light up when we went in! So cute!

The girls are doing great with him. He kept holding Lily's hand in the van today. It was so sweet. Then he leaned his head on her shoulder. Oh my! Such Sweetness! All three of them are playing together great and he is already repeating many English words.

 

Another Update

It's three in the morning in China, and I just checked on our new son...OUR NEW SON!!!! Isn't that incredible? Just like that, we have a new son.

He's sleeping peacefully, and honestly, that's exactly how our first day has been...so peaceful.

Our little guy walked into the hotel, holding his nannie's hand, came over to us very bravely, smiled and looked us right in the eyes. He said, "Mama" and then he let David hug him. He was holding a balloon and when he was introduced to his mei mei (Grace), he promptly handed the balloon to her (melt my heart!). David lifted little Kaikai unto his lap, and he sat there happily for awhile. Grace had drawn a heart on one of those drawing board things (can't think of the name of it right now), and Kaikai smiled and drew another heart. When she gave him some fruit snacks, he smiled again and started eating them and handing them out to those around him. When the nanny and SWI director had to leave, he simply said "bye bye," and turned to go with us. I realize that this could indicate that we need to do some attachment work, but I also think that it is an indication that they prepared him well (they were very sweet to him) and that he simply has a very easy-going personality. He is so gentle, kind and brave.

Precious Kaikai's gait has definitely worsened since we saw his last video. He was wearing shoes that were huge on his feet, so that didn't help him much. After getting a photo for the paperwork, we took him to eat dinner (he ate wonderfully) and then to get some new shoes. It was an experience trying to find shoes that fit! It's too bad that he needs to wear shoes at all because it would really be better for him to go barefoot. One of his feet is turned in and has a large lump on it. It rubs against his shoe and leaves a sore, although Kaikai said that it doesn't hurt.

He gladly held hands, but didn't want to be carried. He walked very bravely and without reservation through busy streets and sidewalks and up and down stairways and escalators. Nothing slowed him down.

When we got back to the hotel, Kaikai played with Lily and Grace. He gladly shared his toys and snacks with them. I could defnitely see the boy side of him coming out as they crashed cars, etc. Jadon and Adam are going to love playing with him! We had him write his name on that drawing board thingy that I can't think of the name of, and then David wrote "Kai Kai". A little bit later (after the writing had been erased), he came over to us, showing that he had written "Kai Kai" on the board. He is definitely a bright little boy!

Well, I'd better go back to bed and try to get a handle on this time change! Thank you, Jesus, for a wonderful first day with our new son!

JOY

It is going great. This little guy is so full of joy...smiling and laughing. Incredible.

Last Things

I’m writing this (as a word document), as we fly over Russia, just two hours from our arrival in Beijing. Throughout this flight I couldn’t help but think of the many “last things” that our precious son would be experiencing today…the last time playing with his two close friends, the last time eating with all of the other children at the orphanage, the last time living in a cold building devoid of heat, the last time going to bed without a mama and a daddy to tuck him in, and the last time living with those who speak and understand his first language. Some of these things are certainly good things to never have to experience again, but others, I’m sure, are painful lasts. I keep praying that his little heart would be able to contain both the sorrow and the joy of this time. We certainly hope that the orphanage staff has been preparing our sweet son over the past few days and weeks. But, we know for certain that by morning, he will know that his life is changing forever. In the morning, he will be leaving the home that he has known for the past two years, and he will be walking into a completely new life. Oh Jesus, I pray that David and I would be able to guide this amazing boy into the life that you have prepared for him. I know that we cannot do it alone. Thank you for the many others (Your people) who will now be a part of this precious boy’s journey with You.

We're off!

Well, we're about ready to leave for the airport!

Merry, Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Aahhhhh!!!!

I cannot believe that we're getting a son for Christmas!!!

Can you think of anything better?!

Our God is amazing!

Oh  my gracious, isn't he just so cute?!

Would you pray for this precious boy's heart?...that he would be prepared to join our family...that God would give him the spirit of adoption...that he would know that he is our beloved son!

Please also pray that our Father would be glorified in this adoption journey. Pray that David and my hearts would reflect something of our Father's amazing heart.

And finally would you pray for our precious children at home (I already miss Adam, Yana and Jadon), and for our children who are going with us? Pray that Lily and Grace would get enough rest, stay healthy and that they would know how to show love to their new brother.

Thanks so much, friends.

We're off!

(I may end up posting on Facebook, so if you want to follow along, just add me as friend. Thanks!)

Our past few days

have been filled with Christmas celebrating...

a little bit of relaxing (okay, at least for the kids)...

cleaning gum out of our washing machine, comforter and Jadon's jacket (ai yi yi, I actually cried when I saw this mess...and then promptly left the laundry room until David got home, at which time he offered to clean it up...I tell ya' again...that guy is too good to me)...

taking down Christmas decorations (I know, I know, it's just not right to take down Christmas decorations before Christmas)...

 and packing!!!!

Yep! We're leaving for China in just 1 1/2 days!!!!! Oh my goodness! I can hardly wait!!!!