Bad to worse

 Wow, sorry for the depressing post title but oh my, yesterday was probably one of the worst days ever.  We got up and went to breakfast and off to the civil affairs office.  The good part is as far as China is concerned Kai is officially ours!  It took probably an hour and a half there and Kai wasn't really himself.  After that we set off on a two hour drive to Ningbo City to the orphanage and then to the police station where we would apply for Kai's passport.  All the way to the orphanage Kai slept on my lap and it was a fairly pleasant relaxing drive except for the incredibly rough roads.  We got to the orphanage and they took us to this Restaurant which really was more like a weird room of sorts and they served a  traditional chinese meal complete with no silverware.  I was still feeling bad yesterday so I busied myself feeding Kai and hoped they didn't notice I wasn't eating.  I fed him some fried rice, some kind of greens, fried shrimp, fried chicken, and fried pieces of pumpkin.  Notice a theme here?  Fried fried fried.  WE got the feeling from the orphanage workers that they did't think we are taking very good care of Kai.  I guess because we didn't have 27 layers on him.  Anyway Kai did,nt really eat that much and end we headed back to the orphanage where they took us up some stone steps to a conference room where they gave us the little picture album we gave Kai and a few other gifts.  I'm going to make this short because my Internet is acting up but it ended up that Reuben fell down the steps holding Kai(Kai is fine) and sprained his ankle really bad.  On the way to the police station Kai barfed all over Reuben and he peed on my lap while we were eating.  The ride home was so long and wicked we all were almost kissing the ground when we finally got back to the hotel.  I was so sick and tired I lay on the couch and slept while Reuben once again tried to care for Kai but now with a sprained ankle.  In the middle of the night I was up frequenting the toilet and Reuben got up to go too.  I sat on the couch and all at once I heard a crash and got up to find him passed out face down on the bathroom floor.  I made him scoot out on his belly because I was so sick I needed that bathroom again.  So you can see it wasnt the greatest day.  The good news is we canceled our sightseeing and decided to stay at the hotel today and I am feeling pretty good after eating a whole piece of toast for breakfast! yay.  Right now Kai is being a little on the naughty/ornery side and getting into everything.  We call him a little dumpster diver as he loves to dig in the trash cans.  He has made leaps and bounds in only three days,  he now reaches for us to hold him, laughs and smiles all the time and even gave me a kiss earlier.  He is a bit of a Momma's boy and follows me everywhere.  Well we gotta go do something because he is getting so wired and outta control! ha

                                                                      Reuben's ankle:(

                                                Finalizing adoption!

                   Kai's favorite spot looking out of our 7th floor window.

Gotcha Day!

  Wow where do I even start?  Gotcha day started out with me waking up feeling incredibly dizzy and nauseous.  I forced myself to eat a little breakfast and took everything in my arsenal for stomach issues.  I managed to hold it together for a good part of the day.  We met our guide in the lobby of the hotel about 8:45am.  WE went with a driver to a somewhat run down strange building.  We where the first of three  families to arrive.  Kai was the last child to arrive as he was coming from the farthest away.  While we where waiting on Kai to get there we started talking to one of the other families that was there.  The where adopting a boy probably about 7 or 8 and had another little boy about 11 with them.  Reuben asked if this is there second child and they said no, this is number 12! wow.  So we started asking were each other is from and they said they are From Lancaster PA so we knew they would probably know about Holmes County.  Turns out the wife is a sister to Loren Wengerds wife Ruth from Wilmot!  Loren and Ruth have been close friends of our family since I was a little girl.  Seriously, half way across the world in a crappy little building in China we run into to someone like that!  What are the odds? 
                              So Kai came walking in with his arms full of snacks and I went over a picked him up.  He didn't cry he just sat on my lap with absolutely no expression on his face.  One of the people with him opened his snacks and he started chowing down on what looked like a granola bar type thing made of honey smacks and a whole tube of strawberry cream oreos.  Ya those weren't messy at all.  He also had a small carton of some room temperature rank smelling milk which I only gave him enough of to be polite.  We filled out a bunch of paperwork and took turns holding Kai.  From there we got back into the van and headed out to have our family picture taken.  It was getting pretty warm in the van and Kai was sweating so I started to take off a few layers.  He had on a fleece sweatshirt that said "winter girl" on the front and a red THICK sweater vest on under that.  Then he was wearing another pink brown and white sweater under that and a pink mock turtle neck under that as well as pink long johns and swishy pants with his socks pulled up over the Long johns and the infamous tom and jerry shoes.  Our guise took us down stone steps to this strange under ground photoish place with not door, just like a tunnel opening where there was a large collie dog sleeping on a dilapidated couch.  We quickly got our picture taken and headed off the the super market.  After battling terrible traffic we went down into an underground parking garage and went back a filthy hallway to a freight type elevator that reeked of rotten garbage.  That took us to the two story wal-martish store where we got some diapers, wipes, bananas and milk.  This is where Kai spoke his first word!  He said something and I looked and he was pointing at some apples.  I said "apple" and he repeated me!  I would've got him a couple but we had no knife or anything at the hotel;.  So after that we finally got back to the hotel where we stripped Kai down and gave him a bath and some cheerios and instant oatmeal which he proceeded to gag on.  He doesn't like mushy foods, crunchy is better.  He started wailing when Reuben picked him up and I was able to comfort him.  About this time I started feeling to terrible that poor Reuben ended up taking care of him the rest of the night while I lay on the couch sick as a dog.  Reuben is so good with him, they played and played and we started to see a little a Kai's personality come out, he laughed and laughed and ate Mcdonalds french fries and a granola bar for supper.  Right now it is 4 in the morning here and boy is Kai a rough sleeper.  He kicks and turns all directions in the bed.  No covers for him.  He also laughed out loud and was jabbering in Chinese like crazy in his sleep.  I'm feeling a lot better today so far but still a little dizzy and weak which is probably because other than a little breakfast I only ate crackers and sprite all day.  Today we go to the orphanage, please pray that I feel ok an that Kai can take the emotions that he will be feeling today.  It is a two hour drive one way to is will be a long day.  I really miss everyone and my normal food but I'm trying to just enjoy this time and know that it is all just memories will will always have!  We are also hoping to maybe meet up with the couple from Lancaster maybe at breakfast or at supper.  See ya soon!

We made it!

Hello everyone I can finally blog!  It makes you really enjoy the freedom we have when you are helpless to access anything online:(  We still don't know how to get pictures on here yet though.  Reuben is trying to work on it. Sorry!
            Well we had a VERY long trip but not that bad really.  We left the house at 3:30 am on Friday and got to our hotel at about 6:00 am Saturday morning Ohio time which was about 7:00 pm Saturday night here in China.  We were so beat it was unbelievable as neither one of us did more than dose off on the plane.  It was just so uncomfortable.  So we went to sleep at about 8pm here and we both were awake again by midnight!  What a long night.  At 3am we finally gave up and got up.  Tonight wasn't much better as it is 3:30 am right now and I am up blogging!  We did have a little nap yesterday afternoon.  It was so hard not to sleep the day away!
                        Well enough about our jet lag and sleeping issues:)   We feel pretty good for the most part other than being tired.  We had a free day yesterday and so we got up and went to the free breakfast buffet.  Oh me goodness it was huge!  I'm talking like Hometown buffet huge.  Everything from Lo Mein noodles and fried rice, steamed biscuits, soups, congee, and braised beef to pancakes, french toast, made to order omelets, bacon, sausage, even mashed potatoes and much much more.  We skipped lunch but went out walking around after breakfast.  The cool air really helped to clear our heads and we started to feel pretty good.  The traffic is unbelievable here with cars, bikes,mopeds, and pedestrians all trying there best to get around.  There are very little traffic laws obviously as the line between what is sidewalk and what is road is very blurred.  Things we've noticed; Chinese people do not wear sunglasses, Chinese people do not use strollers(due to the cobblestone/paver like sidewalks).  We are staying close to West Lake, there is kind of like a park surrounding the huge lake, it reminds us a little of the area around Marina Jack in Florida and there are many people displaying their talents like Tai Chi and ballroom like dancing or sword dancing.  We were told by others that have been here that we would get lots of stares and probably be asked to have our picture taken.  We assumed the folks here would probably be interested in me due to my blonde hair but actually, they couldn't care less about me and are enamored by Reuben!  It is very funny, they all stare at him and for the most part look right through me.  The only thing we can figure out is it's his size and his very short haircut, beard, and cool shades:)  So funny!  We ended up going to eat at Pizza Hut last night because we just didn't know where to go for Chinese food and with the language barrier it was pretty scary.  Not that there was no language barrier at Pizza Hut.  I ordered a bottled water and the waitress brought me a glass of hot/warm water.  Of course I did not drink it so I had no beverage with my rice and chicken.  Yes rice and chicken at Pizza Hut! ha.  The food is way blander than the Chinese food at home which is fine with me.
                        Well today is the big day!  Our guide is going to meet us in the lobby at 9am and we will go to the civil affairs office to meet Kai!  I am pretty nervous especially since we are barely able to take care of ourselves over here let alone another little human:/  We will make it I know.  Please keep praying for us, this jet lag is not fun and little Kai is gonna be so sad I'm sure.  I will keep you all informed when I can and hopefully post some pictures.  If not I will when we get back:) 

Generosity

   We are feeling very humbled, very grateful, and very in awe of God's provision.   As most of you know, an adoption is not free, not even close.  For personal reasons we chose not to have fundraisers, not to apply for any grants, and do our best not to complain about money, or make a big deal about the very large figure we were working towards saving.  We felt that God would provide, and just did our best, and cashed in everything possible.  In these last days we realized we would be short, and a very very generous family member loaned us what we needed.  But to our surprise some wonderful friends and family stepped up and got out their check books and donated to our cause!  You all know who you are and we don't know how to ever thank you!  We truly don't, other than to give you this little shout out, and say THANK YOU!  Lord willing we will be able to pay back that generous family member a lot sooner than we hoped and start saving towards a new roof even sooner than we thought! ( no more buckets! lol)  So  money is a subject that I'm not that comfortable talking about but REALLY  these people deserve some props:)
        We also know that there are many people out there praying for us and for our upcoming journey and also those that are helping out with things while we are gone. Including my wonderful parents who are baby sitting two cute, cuddly and horribly naughty dogs for over two weeks as well as taking and picking us up from the airport and keeping an eye on our house while we are gone.  So we are just grateful, grateful, grateful!
      I have two more days of work left and the cleaning spree and packing everything but the kitchen sink begins!  We are leaving the house about 3 o'clock Friday morning and flying out of Columbus.  Our flight leaves at 7 am and we will then have a two hour layover in Chicago followed by a 14+ plane ride to Shanghai followed by riding the subway to the train station followed by an
hour long bullet train ride to our hotel!  Finally!  Please keep those prayers coming folks!  I'll update my blog if and when I can but I don't think I will be able to link it to Facebook so if your interested in following our journey you will have to just keep checking.  Thanks again everyone:)
                           

What I'm doing...

          I thought I'd let everyone in on what I'm doing with myself during these last couple weeks before we leave for China.  Well lets see, I've been the biggest scatter brained, forgetful, borderline Alzheimer like symptom air head. Bah!  No kidding I worry about myself:)  I guess the problem is I always have my mind on one cute little fella and not on whats going on around me.  So I started writing myself notes and setting the alarm on my phone to remind myself of things.  It is helping(I hope)
      We've had some really helpful travel tips given to us and read some on blogs so I'm feeling fairly ready to tackle a foreign country.  I'm pretty sure I've boughten just about everything I need to buy.  I got the gifts for the orphanage workers that bring Kai to us and also gifts for the Chinese provincial officers.  They will each be receiving a lovely bag of Walnut Creek Cheese yogurt pretzels and a little cup of WCC fudge.  Doesn't sound like much but I think they will like it.  
           I've decided to take all my fall decor down before we leave and I asked my awesome cousin Brooke to come and put all our Christmas Decorations(except the tree) up while we are gone so we'll come home to a nicely festive house!  I was quite proud of that idea:)
          Other wise I've just been trying to get everything wrapped up at work.  I'm having a few concerns about the lady I hired to fill in for me while I'm gone.  I just pray she at least sticks it out until my six weeks is over.  My job is very stressful and demanding and most people(including myself when I started) underestimate what it means to take it on. 
        So let the countdown begin!  6 more workdays (for me)  12 more sleeps  1 more weekend until we leave.  I was going to fill everyone in on our itinerary but I think I will wait and tell you as we go in China!   

Travel Dates

              I thought I would fill everyone one in on our travel dates!  We haven't booked our flights yet because it is already Saturday in China and our liaison( Ms. Cai)  needs to look at the flights before we for sure buy them.  We will do this probably Monday.  BUT, we are to be in China by Sunday November 18th so we will most likely fly out on Friday, November 16th and arrive in Shanghai on the 17th.  Depending on the time of day we arrive, we will take a train(gulp) along with our guide to our hotel in Hangzhou either Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, it will be about a two hour ride I believe.  This is the capital city of the province were Kai is from and this is where we get Kai and we will complete the Chinese end of the adoption.  I will have more information on our actual stay in China and our itinerary when Ms. Cai sends it to us next week.
             As far as our trip home, we will be taking a van, along with our guide to Hong Kong on Thursday afternoon, November 29th.  I think it's about a three hour drive from Guangzhou, the city we will be at by then because this is where the US Consulate is located and the American end of the adoption will be completed.  We will probably be spending the night at the Hong Kong airport( Reuben says there is a Holiday Inn at the airport so hopefully at an actual hotel and not IN the airport!) We will then fly out Friday morning and arrive home the same day due to the time difference.
 More details to come but this is what we know so far!  Just so Glad to have actual dates that are FOR SURE.  Our consulate appointment is the 28th.  Happy Thanksgiving in China!

Another update and pics:)

We got an update today!  Lord willing our last update before we actually get to meet this little guy.

We asked our agency to see if they could get a little bit more information about Kai and also pictures.  When we got Kai's referral there was a little bit of info about his personality and his interests but we figure that was 6 months ago and kids grow up quickly at this age.   

 
                              So we didn't get a ton of feedback from the orphanage, they did say that Kai is talkative, alert, social and smiles a lot.  However, he is not showing that willing smile in any of these pictures:(

          They told us that this little fella enjoys imitating (oh boy), toys, outdoor activities, and music. 

              The funny thing about this update is that in the first 4 months Kai's height and weight has stayed some what the same,  in the last 2 months he has grown almost 3 inches!  Wow if he keeps that up we might have a basketball player on our hands!  No I looked up a normal growth rate for boys his age and it said 2-2.5 inches a YEAR! Obviously they had to make a mistake somehow:)  Well I'll keep everyone in the loop if anything else goes on!  4-5 more weeks (hopefully)  and we are China bound!!!!