Monday, October 27, 2014
What?? I didn't post a picture of the cutest outfit ever??
Here it is.....He was by far the cutest and dressed boy at the Consulate. Thank you so much Brittany Bean!!
Our 12th day in China/October 27th
Hey guys!! We are flying out in 14 hours!! Woohoo. We have enjoyed our trip so much but now we are ready to get home to our other 3 babies;)
Yesterday we had our appointment at the US Consulate. I expected it to be some kind of grand thing were Keith and I were on a stage with 20 other people with our right hand raised taking our oath. It was a little less formal. We went through security and our guide had to stay behind. We went up to the 2nd floor of the building and took a number and waited. Our number was called and we went up to the little booth. The man asked us a couple questions and gave us some info and was like ok you are done. We asked is that it? Ha. It was pretty quick and easy. I had been looking forward to this day for a long time bc my friend Brittany had got me a really cute outfit for Brennan to wear on this day. Here are a couple shots from the consulate. The pic of us didn't turn out very good bc out of like 10 pictures my eyes were shut in about 8 of them!
This is a shot of the toy market
Yesterday we had our appointment at the US Consulate. I expected it to be some kind of grand thing were Keith and I were on a stage with 20 other people with our right hand raised taking our oath. It was a little less formal. We went through security and our guide had to stay behind. We went up to the 2nd floor of the building and took a number and waited. Our number was called and we went up to the little booth. The man asked us a couple questions and gave us some info and was like ok you are done. We asked is that it? Ha. It was pretty quick and easy. I had been looking forward to this day for a long time bc my friend Brittany had got me a really cute outfit for Brennan to wear on this day. Here are a couple shots from the consulate. The pic of us didn't turn out very good bc out of like 10 pictures my eyes were shut in about 8 of them!
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Next we had heard about a market that had lots of purses! Yes that's right... I was in heaven.;) We went in though and it was so overwhelming I could hardly decided. I kind of felt bad making Keith and Judy walk around and look for a long time so I just picked one and we left. I like it but maybe don't love it. Thats ok though you all know I will have another new one again before too long! When we left there our next stop was called the toy market. It was pretty neat. Many floors of shops. There really wasn't that many toys but we found a few things. Our next stop was Italian restaurant. Keith and I shared some pizza. It was so nice for a change!!
This is the Italian restaurant
When we got back to the hotel we were wore out but Brennan had taken a nap in the stroller so we had to keep ourselves going. We had bought him a toy at the toy market. We had stopped at the 7-11 to buy batteries but then we realized we needed a screw driver to put the batteries in. Thank goodness the people that work here speak better English bc we went down to the lobby and they fixed us right up! Brennan was a happy boy to have his new toy!! The rest of our night just consisted of buying another suit case to bring home the stuff we had bought to bring home and McDonald's for supper.
Please be praying that the next 24 hours go smoothly. I worry about how B will do on the flight. He is a really restless sleeper. He tosses and turns all night. I don't know how it will work to hold him all that time. Our guide called the airline and they told us the flight is not full so they will try and get us an extra seat next to Keith and I to lay him in. I hope that works out;) It would be very helpful.
My next post will be from the US with pictures of my whole family together!! Can't wait to see you all.
Mags, Connor, and Sam,
You guys should be taking the last link off our chain soon!! That means daddy and I are almost home!! I can NOT wait to hug and kiss you all!! Love you so much..
Mom
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Our 11th day in China/October 26th
Hey everyone!! Today is our last full day in China!! Tomorrow evening we will be heading to the airport to start the long trip back home. Please start praying now;) Today is our Consulate Appointment then we are free for the rest of the day. We plan on finishing up a little shopping.
Yesterday our guide Judy came on picked us up and we headed to Shamian Island. Its a local attraction with lots of shops. Its very beautiful. The buildings do not look Chinese at all. They are much more European looking. We loved walking around and were able to get a lot of our souvenir shopping taken care of.
Yesterday our guide Judy came on picked us up and we headed to Shamian Island. Its a local attraction with lots of shops. Its very beautiful. The buildings do not look Chinese at all. They are much more European looking. We loved walking around and were able to get a lot of our souvenir shopping taken care of.
It seems to be sort of a tradition for adopting families to take their child's picture with these statues. Brennan was more than happy to stand there and pose for us.
Keith took this on the island too. We were laughing bc when we look at the pics we have taken Keith loves to take scenery pictures. I don't think I have one. All I care to take pics of is B!
When we left the island we decided to stop at a Mexican restaurant. It was a very nice change of pace. We enjoyed it very much but it is no Mi Pueblo by any means;)
After that we just came back to the hotel so Brennan could get a nap. When he woke up we went out walking for a while. I don't actually know where we were going or what we had in mind to do we just walked and ended up back at a hotel restaurant for supper.
This is what at least a half an hour of our night consists of. He is loving playing in the bath. He will take these little bottles and throw them in the water and then pick them up and put them back on the side. It goes on and on and on. If you look at the pics you can tell how hard he concentrates to get them sat back on the edge just right;)
This guy is cracking us up all the time. (Btw remember in Nanchang when I started laughing and couldn't stop. That never ended. I am still non stop laughing. I am not sure the cause but I think it maybe exhaustion. I really have no idea. It's kind of fun though.) If he thinks you think something is funny he will do it over and over again. Its hilarious. He is making all kinds of sounds now. He is a little more demanding now. I think he is starting to figure out if he cries we will run and get whatever he needs;) He still rarely cries though. In a day I am sure he laughs more than he cries.
We are ready to say goodbye to China and hello to our home and children. Although there is a bittersweet feeling to it. It will be kind of sad to take B away from his home land but we are taking him with us and are promising to turn him into one of the most loved children there ever was;) That's what I keep telling myself!!!
Mags, Connor, and Sam,
Our chain only has 2 links left on it, right? That means Daddy, and B, and I are almost on our way back home. Today we are going to a toy market to see if we can find some toys for you all. We can't wait to get home and see you. Love you all.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Our 10th day in China/October 25th
Hey guys! We are loving it here in GZ and have been keeping really busy. We started out this morning with Starbucks. Woohoo! I thought of you Ali Gish. If I could have brought you one I most certainly would have;)
Here we are waiting our turn. B doesn't seem to mind the wait.
Getting his ears and throat checked out.
Here he is getting weighed. He weighs right at 23lbs. What a chunk;)
This was the doctor who checked him over. He kept looking at his file and then looking at him and then asking our guide questions. It was making me nervous something was wrong so I asked Judy what was going on. She said that he was just confused why his parents would abandon a perfectly healthy baby boy. He said his surgery when he was a little baby obviously fixed whatever was wrong and he is perfectly healthy now. That's such a wonderful thing to hear! Although we are going to have him checked out really well next week at our pediatrician.
It was huge. They also sell Jade and other different types of stones and jewelry.
Brennan enjoyed his first Starbucks experience. Especially bc his dad got a chocolate chip cookie which is all over his face!
After breakfast we met our guide Judy and headed to our medical appt.
This is just a shot of the office.
After our appt we headed to the pearl market to look around.
This is where we bought the pearls.
I have heard for a long time about this restaurant Lucy's here in Guangzhou that adopting families always go to. They serve American food. We stopped there for lunch.
It was pretty good. We enjoyed having something American other than McDonalds and it gave Keith and our guide Judy a long time to talk politics.
After that we headed back to the hotel and rested for a bit and then we just went out and walked around a while and explored the hotel. We are really getting anxious to get home but we are making the best of our last few days here and trying to get in as much as we can before we leave.
Mags, Connor, and Sam,
Hope you guys are doing well. Sorry our facetime wouldn't work yesterday. I am really hoping it will today. I heard you toilet papered Aunt April's house. That's awesome. I can't wait to go with you next year. Daddy and I are so ready to hug you and get home and see if 6 people can fit in our bed to watch TV.:) We love you so very much. Be ready for lots of hugs and kisses!!
Friday, October 24, 2014
Hey guys!! We got up this morning and had our last breakfast
buffet. (We actually didn't even really eat bc we had both ate something
that didn't settle well with us and all night we had been up with upset
stomachs). When breakfast was over we went up to the room to pack our
stuff. Our suitcases could only weigh 40 lbs so we packed then weighed
them and of course they were over 40 lbs. We were taking out a thing at a
time and rearranging and till we got them down to 40. I am sure it was a
sight to be seen!
We met our guide Emily down in the lobby and checked out and we
were on our way. We had to stop at the police department on our way to
get Brennan's passport. The drive to the airport was fairly uneventful.
Emily helped us get checked in and then it was time to say goodbye to
her. She said I wanted to tell you and your husband when you come back to
China someday I would like for you to stay with me in my home. Isn't that
so sweet? We got her email address and promised to keep in touch. I
shed a couple of tears walking away. She is such a sweet girl and I hope
to see her again someday.
The airplane ride was uneventful, however I do think we had more leg room flying with China Southern than we did with Delta. This was a major plus! Especially bc we are flying from Guangzhou to Los Angeles on China Southern. We are hoping it will be more comfortable than the flight on our way here. Brennan slept the
whole time and it was a quick smooth ride. We are loving it here in
Guangzhou. We haven't been here long, but we can tell that the city offers a wide variety of things to do and seems more "western" than Nanchang. Today Brennan goes for his medical check up and then we get to go shopping. Can't wait!
Having some McDonalds fries again.
Mags, Connor, and Sam,
I love your pumpkins you carved with Grandma and Brennan is going to be so happy you made one for him too. Daddy and I are missing you so badly and can't wait to get home and see you. Last night dad was changing Brennan's diaper and he pooped on our bed. He really needs to practice I think;) We will try to call you later. Love you!
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Our 8th day in China/October 23rd
Hey everyone!! I don't really have a whole lot of exciting info to pass on. Our day today was in the words of Connor Keith Lynch "pretty lame". Ha I don't know where he ever heard that but he is always thinking everything is lame;) We really didn't do too much today. We went down to breakfast and when we were done we just headed up to the room for a bit. We headed out on the town around 11. We went to our favorite place the RT Mart! We just walked around and looked for the lack of anything better today. We ended up getting Brennan a few things and headed to McDonalds for some ice cream. Brennan had his first ice cream. He wasn't a hundred percent for sure at first but of course he ended up liking it. He seems to like most everything!!
When we came back to the room B was ready for a nap. He has been taking a 3 to 4 hour nap everyday. By the time he woke up it was supper time. We ordered pizza and ate on the bed. (I have spent more time sitting on a bed this week then I think I have in my entire life) Guess what? Yes Brennan likes pizza too;) We decided for something to do we would go down to the hotel lobby and get some ice cream. We had got some the other night and we almost died when they said it was something like 130RMB. Thats like 20 US dollars. All we got was 2 ice cream bars. I guess being bored made it worth having a reason to go downstairs again, We ate it in the lounge area and just let B free down there. We were the only people down there so he could roam and explore. When we came back to the room I gave Brennan a bath and it was time for bed. It was a fairly uneventful day but we still enjoyed it. It has been nice to not have much to do and just play with B all day.
You guys should see how funny he is. He is loving to play and remembering the things that we play together and initiating these things. Like he loves to put his forehead up against Keiths and push really hard and Keith will act like he is falling over. Anytime his face is close to Keith he will push his little forehead against his daddy's. He also LOVES to be upside down. If he's sitting on your lap he will lean backwards so you will put him upside down. Its just funny how in a couple days he has learned so many things and remembers everything. Today he was playing with this little toy car and he was playing with Keith and hitting him with it. I turned my head and heard a loud konk. He had smacked Keith in the head with it really hard this time. I asked Keith if he was alright and he said man that one really hurt. When I turned around his forehead was bleeding. It was the funniest thing ever. I don't know if it is exhaustion or what but I am so slap happy it's not even funny. I can not stop laughing over anything and everything. It has made for an interesting day;)
We are leaving to fly to Guangzhou today. I think our flight leaves around 1pm, We will be sad to say goodbye to Nanchang. We will forever be indebted to this place and it will always hold a special place in our hearts. We are so ready for a change of scenery and to do some shopping. I have a lot of souvenirs to buy. I have had so many requests for ninja throwing stars. I don't want to disappoint:) My next post should be from Guangzhou!!
Here he is terrorizing the hotel lobby during our ice cream time
Isn't this picture hilarious. It was taken at the police station. I am assuming probably for his passport. Anyways, they made me stand him on a chair so they could take his picture. He kept looking at me like what is going on. His expression is pretty priceless!
Nap time!!!
How goofy is this guy!! He is always just making us laugh with all the silly things he is doing. Today he has really found his voice. He is chattering constantly. I can't wait to see what all he will learn in the next few weeks bc he is changing and learning so quickly. Is it wrong though that I kind of want him to stay exactly like this?;)
My videos haven't been working right on the blog so check the FB page bc I am going to post some on there. I have a couple that are too cute to keep to myself!
Mags, Connor, and Sam,
We are missing you guys so much but we know you are doing well and having so much fun with your grandmas. This weekend you get to stay with Aunt April too. That will be so much fun! We are going on an airplane today. I will take lots of pictures for you Connor. Grandma told me Cyborg has been acting crazy while daddy and I have been gone. What are you guys feeding that crazy cat? Try to keep him under control for us! We love you so much. Count how many links are left on our chain so you can tell me how many days we have left when I call you in a few hours!
When we came back to the room B was ready for a nap. He has been taking a 3 to 4 hour nap everyday. By the time he woke up it was supper time. We ordered pizza and ate on the bed. (I have spent more time sitting on a bed this week then I think I have in my entire life) Guess what? Yes Brennan likes pizza too;) We decided for something to do we would go down to the hotel lobby and get some ice cream. We had got some the other night and we almost died when they said it was something like 130RMB. Thats like 20 US dollars. All we got was 2 ice cream bars. I guess being bored made it worth having a reason to go downstairs again, We ate it in the lounge area and just let B free down there. We were the only people down there so he could roam and explore. When we came back to the room I gave Brennan a bath and it was time for bed. It was a fairly uneventful day but we still enjoyed it. It has been nice to not have much to do and just play with B all day.
You guys should see how funny he is. He is loving to play and remembering the things that we play together and initiating these things. Like he loves to put his forehead up against Keiths and push really hard and Keith will act like he is falling over. Anytime his face is close to Keith he will push his little forehead against his daddy's. He also LOVES to be upside down. If he's sitting on your lap he will lean backwards so you will put him upside down. Its just funny how in a couple days he has learned so many things and remembers everything. Today he was playing with this little toy car and he was playing with Keith and hitting him with it. I turned my head and heard a loud konk. He had smacked Keith in the head with it really hard this time. I asked Keith if he was alright and he said man that one really hurt. When I turned around his forehead was bleeding. It was the funniest thing ever. I don't know if it is exhaustion or what but I am so slap happy it's not even funny. I can not stop laughing over anything and everything. It has made for an interesting day;)
We are leaving to fly to Guangzhou today. I think our flight leaves around 1pm, We will be sad to say goodbye to Nanchang. We will forever be indebted to this place and it will always hold a special place in our hearts. We are so ready for a change of scenery and to do some shopping. I have a lot of souvenirs to buy. I have had so many requests for ninja throwing stars. I don't want to disappoint:) My next post should be from Guangzhou!!
My videos haven't been working right on the blog so check the FB page bc I am going to post some on there. I have a couple that are too cute to keep to myself!
Mags, Connor, and Sam,
We are missing you guys so much but we know you are doing well and having so much fun with your grandmas. This weekend you get to stay with Aunt April too. That will be so much fun! We are going on an airplane today. I will take lots of pictures for you Connor. Grandma told me Cyborg has been acting crazy while daddy and I have been gone. What are you guys feeding that crazy cat? Try to keep him under control for us! We love you so much. Count how many links are left on our chain so you can tell me how many days we have left when I call you in a few hours!
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Our 7th day in China/October 22, 2014
Guess what..... It is 5:20 and I just woke up!! How exciting is that. I think I have found the secret to a good nights sleep. Putting B in his own bed. The first couple nights I couldn't let him be more than a foot from me. He would toss and turn all night long. Now I see that he is much more comfortable on his own. He is a really good sleeper. He sleeps all night he was just all over the place. I woke up this morning and saw it was 5 and felt like I could face the world (our at least the country of China;) after having 7 straight hours of sleep!
We had a good day today but it was kind of an emotional one for me too. We went down and had our usual breakfast of egg rolls and eggs, came back to our room, and then waited on our guide Emily to come and get us so we could head to the orphanage for our visit.
The orphanage is actually not to far from our hotel. We pulled up and unloaded and started walking through the gates when 2 people started walking up to us. One of them was a teenage girl who has lived there all of her life and the other was a woman who worked there who was going to take us on our tour. The girl was so excited to see Brennan and kept saying Tao Xu. Everyone there was so happy to see him. Right away a lady came up and took him right out of my arms and started loving on him. She explained to our guide who translated that she was the person who took care of him when he was first found. She was very sweet but I was like lady pass me back my baby bc I could tell he was kind of scared and wanted me. He seemed overwhelmed by all of the people that were crowding around him. The first thing we saw was a room where the older people that never got adopted and still live in the social welfare institution go to do activities. They make things in this room like different items out of beads and they had some baby quilts that had been made by the people at the orphanage. We asked if they were for sale and they were so we bought one for B to have. It was sad to me that these people never found a home and will live in an institution forever. They all had fairly severe disabilities.
The next part is when it got really emotional for me. The next room was where they keep the babies. B was found when he was 3 months old. (Or that is what they estimate. His birth parents did not leave a note with him so we really don't know his exact birth date) When he was found he weighed 7.6lbs (Sam weighed 9lbs the day he was born) and had a large scar from where he had had a big abdominal surgery. He was very sick. They keep the babies in this room from ages of birth to 6 months. I didn't take any pics in this room bc I don't need a picture to look at I will never get the image out of my mind. It was 2 rooms connected with cribs just lined up full of babies. There were many women in the rooms caring for all of these babies. All that was going through my mind was that this was my little boy at one time. The little boy that we don't let out of our sight for one second, who we love so much our hearts are overflowing, who will never not have a mom and dad again. When I saw how the beginning of his life was I was just so overwhelmed I was fighting back tears the whole time. Keith could tell. He was like are you alright? I told him he better not to talk to me bc if I even tried to talk the tears were going to start and not stop. Once we left that room we went to the room he spent his most recent days in. Its just a room full of toddler size children. They all looked to be around B's size. There were so many children. I guess it was lunch time there was probably 5 women sitting on the floor with big bowls of food feeding all the children. I was thinking so this is what B was doing last week. He was just one baby in a room full of babies waiting on his turn to get some food. It made me so sad but I am so thankful to all those women who were in that room. Even thought B's first year and a half of life have been hard for him he is such a happy baby and its bc of the excellent care he has been given at the orphanage.
The next place we went was to see his foster mother. She actually works at the orphanage and her home is on the orphanage grounds, She would take B to the orphanage in the morning when she would go to work, come and get him and bring him home with her for lunch most days, and get him when she got done working and take him home with her. What a sacrifice this woman made for my son and so many others children. Can you imagine working in the orphanage all day and then taking children back to your home in the evening. You really would never get any time off. When she saw Brennan she was so excited and ran over and wanted to hold him. He cried for me but she didn't let go. She was so happy to see him. She took us up to her house and showed us his room and where he had lived. She has up to 6 foster children in her home, We spent some time talking to her and asking her questions. I told our guide to tell her that we could never thank her enough for caring and loving our son for us before we could get here to him. She said it was my pleasure. We promised her we would always love and care for him. Once again by that point I couldn't talk again. It was just so emotional for me, We said our goodbyes and promised to send her pics of B as he grows up.
After we left there we decided to go to where B was found when he was abandoned as an infant. He was actually found just outside of the orphanage gates. I know I have said this a million times in this post already but this was pretty emotional for me too;) I had all kinds of thoughts going through my head. I was wondering how hard it must have been for his biological mother to leave him there. I wonder what happened that made her have to make this decision and how am I some day going to explain this to him. I was also just praising God that someone found him and took him to the orphanage before any harm came to him. We took a few pics there to show B and were on our way.
Our next stop was lunch with our guide, driver, and one of the women from the orphanage. It was real Chinese cuisine. I am getting more used to it but I don't think I would last long here in China if there wasn't a McDonalds within walking distance;) We enjoyed getting the extra time talking to our guide and just asking her a multitude of questions China related.
After that we just headed back to the hotel. Keith needed a haircut before we left and we ran out of time. I have been cutting his hair for years now. We saw when we were exploring the hotel they had a barber shop so he decided he would get a haircut. We had our guide write on a piece of paper something like same haircut just shorter. The barber came and cut his hair no problem. It looks pretty good but I don't know how to explain it but it looks kind of like a Chinese haircut. I keep telling him he looks like he should be in a dragon gang or something;) It will probably be grown out by the time we get back to the states next week. Its much better anyways and it made for a good story if nothing else. Who else do you know who has had there hair cut by a Chinese barber who could speak zero English?
We spent the rest of the afternoon napping and just playing with B, He took a bath for a really long time tonight. He is really enjoying that. He has been making lots of baby noises and trying to repeat some things we are saying. He is so smart. If you show him something he will right away try and do it himself. We are just content to spend every minute we have on our trip before we get home and back to our real lives just playing with him and letting him know that he isn't an orphan anymore. He won't ever be just one baby in a room full of so many babies. He is our son. He will always be loved and cared for and he will never not have a family again.
Here are a some pics from our day today.
Keith took a pic of his breakfast today. We are really growing to love it. Especially the happy face hash browns. B ate like 4 of them today;)
This is the orphanage
Another view of the orphanage
Playground of the orphanage
This is the woman who took care of B when he was first found and so sick.
This is B's foster moms home. It is on the second floor
This is the bed that he slept in at his foster mothers house.
Keith and I with his foster mom. What an inspirational woman.
When I saw this area I recognized it immediately. This is where the video we have of B was taken. I have watched that video so many times while we were waiting to come and get him that I had that part of the orphanage memorized.
This was us on our way out. Telling B to say goodbye to the place that had been his home.
This is our guide Emily and I at lunch
This is a shot of our lunch we had today
Mr B enjoying his breakfast.
This is one pretty cool piece of paper. Welcome to the family B. Little does he know this is just the first of many family pics with his moms eyes closed.;) I wish they would have done a retake. haha Oh well the paper still means the same. He is ours forever!
Keith getting his Chinese hair do
This is the blanket we bought at the orphanage.
Grandma Karen thank you for the cool shades. He looks kind of crazy bc he had just ate his first oreo (which we loved by the way).
Getting ready for bed. I am loving him in all of his new pajamas. I had all of these clothes ready and waiting on him for so long. It is just so wonderful to finally see him wearing all of them.
Mags, Connor, and Sam we are half way done with our trip now. Daddy and I are missing you more and more every day. We can't wait to get home and see you guys. Dad says he can't wait to watch the new Power Rangers episode with you boys. He promises he won't fall asleep this time. I love you Mag and can't wait to for you to meet Mr B. You are going to be the best big sister ever (for the 3rd time). We are so ready to get home to you all but we are enjoying our trip and thanking God at every opportunity for this amazing opportunity he has given us. Love you all.
We had a good day today but it was kind of an emotional one for me too. We went down and had our usual breakfast of egg rolls and eggs, came back to our room, and then waited on our guide Emily to come and get us so we could head to the orphanage for our visit.
The orphanage is actually not to far from our hotel. We pulled up and unloaded and started walking through the gates when 2 people started walking up to us. One of them was a teenage girl who has lived there all of her life and the other was a woman who worked there who was going to take us on our tour. The girl was so excited to see Brennan and kept saying Tao Xu. Everyone there was so happy to see him. Right away a lady came up and took him right out of my arms and started loving on him. She explained to our guide who translated that she was the person who took care of him when he was first found. She was very sweet but I was like lady pass me back my baby bc I could tell he was kind of scared and wanted me. He seemed overwhelmed by all of the people that were crowding around him. The first thing we saw was a room where the older people that never got adopted and still live in the social welfare institution go to do activities. They make things in this room like different items out of beads and they had some baby quilts that had been made by the people at the orphanage. We asked if they were for sale and they were so we bought one for B to have. It was sad to me that these people never found a home and will live in an institution forever. They all had fairly severe disabilities.
The next part is when it got really emotional for me. The next room was where they keep the babies. B was found when he was 3 months old. (Or that is what they estimate. His birth parents did not leave a note with him so we really don't know his exact birth date) When he was found he weighed 7.6lbs (Sam weighed 9lbs the day he was born) and had a large scar from where he had had a big abdominal surgery. He was very sick. They keep the babies in this room from ages of birth to 6 months. I didn't take any pics in this room bc I don't need a picture to look at I will never get the image out of my mind. It was 2 rooms connected with cribs just lined up full of babies. There were many women in the rooms caring for all of these babies. All that was going through my mind was that this was my little boy at one time. The little boy that we don't let out of our sight for one second, who we love so much our hearts are overflowing, who will never not have a mom and dad again. When I saw how the beginning of his life was I was just so overwhelmed I was fighting back tears the whole time. Keith could tell. He was like are you alright? I told him he better not to talk to me bc if I even tried to talk the tears were going to start and not stop. Once we left that room we went to the room he spent his most recent days in. Its just a room full of toddler size children. They all looked to be around B's size. There were so many children. I guess it was lunch time there was probably 5 women sitting on the floor with big bowls of food feeding all the children. I was thinking so this is what B was doing last week. He was just one baby in a room full of babies waiting on his turn to get some food. It made me so sad but I am so thankful to all those women who were in that room. Even thought B's first year and a half of life have been hard for him he is such a happy baby and its bc of the excellent care he has been given at the orphanage.
The next place we went was to see his foster mother. She actually works at the orphanage and her home is on the orphanage grounds, She would take B to the orphanage in the morning when she would go to work, come and get him and bring him home with her for lunch most days, and get him when she got done working and take him home with her. What a sacrifice this woman made for my son and so many others children. Can you imagine working in the orphanage all day and then taking children back to your home in the evening. You really would never get any time off. When she saw Brennan she was so excited and ran over and wanted to hold him. He cried for me but she didn't let go. She was so happy to see him. She took us up to her house and showed us his room and where he had lived. She has up to 6 foster children in her home, We spent some time talking to her and asking her questions. I told our guide to tell her that we could never thank her enough for caring and loving our son for us before we could get here to him. She said it was my pleasure. We promised her we would always love and care for him. Once again by that point I couldn't talk again. It was just so emotional for me, We said our goodbyes and promised to send her pics of B as he grows up.
After we left there we decided to go to where B was found when he was abandoned as an infant. He was actually found just outside of the orphanage gates. I know I have said this a million times in this post already but this was pretty emotional for me too;) I had all kinds of thoughts going through my head. I was wondering how hard it must have been for his biological mother to leave him there. I wonder what happened that made her have to make this decision and how am I some day going to explain this to him. I was also just praising God that someone found him and took him to the orphanage before any harm came to him. We took a few pics there to show B and were on our way.
Our next stop was lunch with our guide, driver, and one of the women from the orphanage. It was real Chinese cuisine. I am getting more used to it but I don't think I would last long here in China if there wasn't a McDonalds within walking distance;) We enjoyed getting the extra time talking to our guide and just asking her a multitude of questions China related.
After that we just headed back to the hotel. Keith needed a haircut before we left and we ran out of time. I have been cutting his hair for years now. We saw when we were exploring the hotel they had a barber shop so he decided he would get a haircut. We had our guide write on a piece of paper something like same haircut just shorter. The barber came and cut his hair no problem. It looks pretty good but I don't know how to explain it but it looks kind of like a Chinese haircut. I keep telling him he looks like he should be in a dragon gang or something;) It will probably be grown out by the time we get back to the states next week. Its much better anyways and it made for a good story if nothing else. Who else do you know who has had there hair cut by a Chinese barber who could speak zero English?
We spent the rest of the afternoon napping and just playing with B, He took a bath for a really long time tonight. He is really enjoying that. He has been making lots of baby noises and trying to repeat some things we are saying. He is so smart. If you show him something he will right away try and do it himself. We are just content to spend every minute we have on our trip before we get home and back to our real lives just playing with him and letting him know that he isn't an orphan anymore. He won't ever be just one baby in a room full of so many babies. He is our son. He will always be loved and cared for and he will never not have a family again.
Here are a some pics from our day today.
This is where B was found. If you go through that gate the orphanage is just right behind it. He was found in the corner to the right in front of that metal gate.
Mags, Connor, and Sam we are half way done with our trip now. Daddy and I are missing you more and more every day. We can't wait to get home and see you guys. Dad says he can't wait to watch the new Power Rangers episode with you boys. He promises he won't fall asleep this time. I love you Mag and can't wait to for you to meet Mr B. You are going to be the best big sister ever (for the 3rd time). We are so ready to get home to you all but we are enjoying our trip and thanking God at every opportunity for this amazing opportunity he has given us. Love you all.
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