Super-Nephews

Okay, so I couldn't wait to give the boys their capes until Landon's superhero 3rd birthday party.

So I gave them to them this past weekend.

And boy, did they look CUTE!

Landon means business in his cape, haha.

While I was working on these during the week, I was telling Chad that I was going to make him one to wear to the birthday party too.

He told me not to, which I figured he would.

But then I got a good laugh when, right after I handed Landon his cape, he said,

"Unca Swad (Uncle Chad), you have a cape too?"

I think he needs one now.

On the move!

Landon hold his cape out behind him and runs while yelling, "LOOK! I FLYING!!!!"

Seriously, could they get any cuter?

Touring Hong Kong

Touring Hong Kong was fun!

We took the train into town...

...Signed up for a Big Bus Tour...

...where you apparently can't talk to the driver.

We went up Victoria Peak in a cable car,

And loved the views of the city from that high up!

We rode on a Sampan tour...

...to see the floating city.

We also shopped, but I didn't get any pictures of that!

It was a good time, but we were all ready to be HOME!

Coming Home

Being home is awesome!

I'm loving being around my hubs and family again.

But between jet lag, emotions, and a weird sleeping schedule, I'm not so sure they feel the same.

Right now, for example, it's 6:50am, and I have been wide awake for the past hour or so.

My tummy woke me up growling because apparently, it still is on China time so it was wanting dinner.

Husband is asleep so I'm trying my best to not wake him.

Let me back up a little.

I've been in such a haze that I haven't posted since getting to Hong Kong.

Here's the condensed version that I'll spell out later:
Touring was fun,
No sleep on the long plane ride,
Customs was a super busy nightmare,
Slept half an hour on the plane from Detroit.

Dad was supposed to pick me up at the airport because Chad and Mom both had to work.

So the four of us walked out past security, scanning the crowd for our families.

Shannon and Monte's families were right there waiting.

I didn't see Dad, which I thought was strange because he told me he'd be there. So we walked out further.

And I scanned the crowd and then laid eyes on the MOST welcome sight of all...

My husband.

Smiling and looking very attractive in his shirt and tie.

Because he left work early to surprise me at the airport.

And was holding 2 dozen red roses.

So I ran over to him (which is a big deal because you KNOW I don't run)

And then I threw my arms around him.

And started to sob like a child.

Maybe it was the lack of sleep.

But probably it was how happy I was to see him.

Being newlywed and apart for 2 weeks was hard.

I think it took until we were stuck traffic on 270 until my heartbeat went back to normal.

Sorry ladies, the best man is taken.

And he's MINE! :)

Last Stop, Hong Kong.

We are finally here in Hong Kong, last city before we make our way home!

I miss home.

I miss normal food.

I miss my soft bed.

Tonight and tomorrow we will be touring the city.

I would honestly be okay with not going anywhere tonight.

Its been a busy day so far.

We had to catch an early train to Guangzhou, so everyone was up at 6am.

After a 2 hour high speed train ride, we said goodbye to Fawn.

That was SO sad.

Then we got in vans and drove from Guangzhou to Hong Kong.

Which took a few hours.

And there was a stop in there for customs, because Hong Kong isn't technically part of China.

Oh well, another stamp in the passport!

When we finally arrived at the hotel, everyone was starving.

Which is why we settled for eating at the cafe downstairs.

Which we do NOT want to do again.

To give you an idea of price, we paid about $5 US for a soda.

So glad I didn't end up getting one, even though the headache from lack of caffeine is now making me think otherwise!

So we explore tonight and tomorrow before getting on the LONG plane ride.

If the plane was as comfortable and roomy as the train was, I'd be fine with it.

But its not.

Oh well.

At least my husband and other family will be waiting on the other side of the gate for me in STL!

More later!

Goodbyes

What is there to say about today that isn’t painfully obvious?

It was sad.

There was a lot of hugging and a LOT of crying.

And not just from our team.

The nannies and staff got teary eyed too as it was time to say “Zai jian”.

The kids had no concept of us leaving and not being back for another year.

I'm pretty sure they were still all hyped up from the cake we gave them and the candy the nannies bribed them with to stay quiet during the speeches.

The president of the orphanage, the director, assistant director, as well as most of the nannies and most of the kids were there.

The kids performed 2 or 3 songs, and then one with the staff.

They were all in Mandarin, but we could tell that the one they sang with the staff was sad because Liz, one of the nannies started to cry as she sang.

So we all cried.

We sang Edelweiss for them, and several of the team members led the kids in the Cha Cha Slide.

I have a video of it to post later.

After all the fun and commotion, it was time to say our final goodbyes to the kids.

It hurt more than anything I could express.

Then Mrs. Wang and Mr. Ren, as well as some of the nannies took us out to dinner.

They also got prints made of the group picture we took just hours earlier.

Then it was time for more sad goodbyes.

Hopefully theyre more “see you laters” than “goodbyes”, but it hurts just the same.

There will be kids gone, new kids arriving, and the ones still there will grow and change, like kids do.

There were so many times I just wished I could freeze time and spend just a few more minutes cuddling the babies or hugging the older kids.

As if it wasn’t a sad enough evening, we all met in Shannon’s room to give Fawn her gift.

This past week, we have been passing around a Bible, writing her a note and highlighting favorite verses.

We gave that to her along with a Willow Tree angel.

Because she really was an angel send from the Lord for our team.

I'm sad tonight, and I could say more but I should be sleeping.

We have to be in the lobby by 6:45am tomorrow morning ready to head to the train station for an 8am train to Guangzhou.

Then, we officially part ways with Fawn.

She will take a train home to Beiijng, and we will take a bus to Hong Kong.

Please pray for safe travels!

...And Keep Her.

I am trying. I really am.

But the waterworks began today when we were getting ready to say goodbye to the babies and they will probably be happening off and on all afternoon.

Ellie seemed sick today.

She kept spitting up and spitting up and was fussy beyond normal baby.

I held her all morning.

I just cant believe that today we say goodbye.

For who knows how long.

I decided to ask the nannies today what Ellie’s real name was, and her birthday.

They said they didn’t know her birthday.

And that since she hadn’t been here long, she doesn’t have a name.

The child doesn’t have a name.

I feel very frustrated because every child deserves a name.

Shes a person (and a beautiful one at that!) and she deserves to be something, not just another “it” to feed and change and dress.

I keep trying to remember that the Lord knows her.

The Lord knows her name, he knows her birthday, her future family, everything about her.

Right now it just hurts.

The Lord bless her and keep her...

Today.

After all the excitement of yesterday, it was good to go back to just a normal day with the kids.

Well, as normal as 10 non-Mandarin speaking females taking care of 30 plus children can get.

The team all seems to be feeling the unavoidable loss and sadness that will come with tomorrow.

Tomorrow, our last day, they are throwing a party for us, and we all have to perform for each other.

Us Americans are singing Edelweiss and some are dancing to the Cha Cha Slide and Electric slide.

We have no idea what the kids have planned.

There will be exchanging of gifts, as well as hugs and tears all around.

I can't believe time has gone so fast.

Tonight at dinner, those of us who haven't adopted (aka anyone under 30!) were asking many questions of those who had.

It was so interesting to hear their stories.

Shannon also said that she read somewhere that for China, the wait time for a referral of a healthy baby is between 7 and 10 YEARS. Years, not months.

Special needs seems to be their focus now.

And I hope and pray people don't close their hearts to a child just because of a few words on a page.

They need Mommies and Daddies.

They need safe homes.

They need to see Jesus.

To learn more about adoption:

www.rainbowkids.com

Yep, I'm leaving a piece of my heart in China this year.