We had a busy day today and judah did so well with all the running around you have to do to finalize the adoption. Some provinces do it all in the same building. But not this one. It as pretty tiring to say the least and he handled it like a trouper. He is fitting right in with the boys and they love him. Especially Benjamin. Judah and Benjamin are both from Kunming. I prayed they would have a special connection and my prayers are being answered. Samuel and Mercy are so close and lost without each other. And I really want Benj and Judah to share that closeness. Benj goes up and randomly hugs Judah. This morning he wiggled his way behind him and wrapped his arms and legs around him and they both just laughed and laughed. Such a cute moment.
Little prince did show his stubborn side today. This is actually good. It shows he is getting more comfortable with us. Plus he only had a short nap (as seen in one of the pictures below - all the kids gathered around the bed and watched him sleep) and his entire life has changed in the past 24 to 36 hours. It's amazing what a child can endure that most adults can not.
Our younger 4 kids were born with limb differences affecting all 4 limbs. Mercy, Benjamin and Judah have the same 'syndrome' so there is a similar ness in their hands and feet. Benj keeps holding Judah's hands and examining them. And when Mercy saw his feet, she said 'his feet are like one', with a sense of wonder in her voice. A sweet moment.
Well everyone is tucked away in dream land and I need to do the same. Pray for our little guy as the days go one that he will know we love him and that he can trust us. And mostly that he will know the love of his Heavenly Father as he grows up.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Ok for some reason I can't get the video to post. And the captions aren't showing up. The I wrote a long post describing the day and it disappeared. So in short all went well. Judah had a hard time at first but quickly settled into our family like he has always been with us. All the kids are fighting over who gets to sit with him. He is so smart and talks a lot. He points at something and says the Chinese word, them I say the English word and he repeats it back. He even pointed at me and said mama. AMAZING!!! He is so Adorable and so sweet. I think having the other kids with us has helped him feel more at ease.
After filling out the adoption paperwork we headed back to our hotel and then to dinner. The video was of him laughing at dinner. It was so cute and I really wish I could get it to load. He has the cutest little laugh. After dinner we went back to the hotel and played. Then a snack and now all FOUR babies are fast asleep.
What an amazing day. GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!!!
Sent from my iPad
After filling out the adoption paperwork we headed back to our hotel and then to dinner. The video was of him laughing at dinner. It was so cute and I really wish I could get it to load. He has the cutest little laugh. After dinner we went back to the hotel and played. Then a snack and now all FOUR babies are fast asleep.
What an amazing day. GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!!!
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, January 27, 2013
The Market
A Noodle Shop
22 hours and counting
We arrived in Kunming a few hours ago and have settled into our room. We will meet Judah at 3:00 tomorrow afternoon (While you sleep Sunday night/Monday morning). CAN'T WAIT!!!!!
We were unable to blog from Fuzhou for some reason. But we had a wonderful time at the foster home. The children are amazing. In that one week we were there, they moved into a new building, were days away from finishing another building that is where the older kids will attend school, and they got two new treasures. One is an older boy (15) and another little boy (2). So precious. They had also gotten two new children 2 days before we arrived and had another child adopted just a few weeks before our arrival. Daniel said things change constantly there.
The staff provide such a loving environment for the children and the facilities were beautiful. I can't say enough about the founders, Mike and Deena, and how they have laid down their life for their kids. They not only love the kids, but they love and parent the staff too. It is a true family, where they allow both the kids and the staff such freedom. One of the boys wanted a dog, and so they got him one and he sleeps in his room with him. Another little guy (my favorite) got a kitten for christmas. There is another couple from American, Dana and Nanette, that provide an education for the children. They offer so many sensory type learning for the kids. Nanette has developed a team of other young chinese teachers to help her in the school. Also, another lady is living there, Jamie, provides nursing care for the children, and she is training some young women to help her. There is such a great team environment where they each do their part but they also pitch in when needed to help each other.
And Daniel - well our baby boy has just flourished there. He has been allowed to do the things he feels called to. Like developing a "music" team. This has been a big part of his life. He teaches a "music" class with the older kids which Anna and I were able to be a part of. And many other things. Daniel fits in like he has always lived there. We really didn't spend much time with him because he was so busy - which was fine because we were pretty busy ourselves with the kids. It was so great to see him doing so many wonderful things and running from one thing to the next. But stopping to have a meal with us and then at night he would come to our room and we had so much fun just reconnecting and hearing all the stories of his life here.
We had prayed for Daniel to have a good friend here. One that was believer and also preferably an American. And as only our God can do, He provided the perfect friend. Kyler is from a family similar to ours. A large family with both bio and adopted children. And he grew up in a church also very similar to ours so they share that bond. While we were there, Kyler's brother came for a visit and he also lives in China but in a different region. We enjoyed hearing the work he is doing here also. Also, Kyler is just as 'crazy' as Daniel and we laughed so hard at the two of them just enjoying life.
I'll post pictures later after we get the kids in bed.
We were unable to blog from Fuzhou for some reason. But we had a wonderful time at the foster home. The children are amazing. In that one week we were there, they moved into a new building, were days away from finishing another building that is where the older kids will attend school, and they got two new treasures. One is an older boy (15) and another little boy (2). So precious. They had also gotten two new children 2 days before we arrived and had another child adopted just a few weeks before our arrival. Daniel said things change constantly there.
The staff provide such a loving environment for the children and the facilities were beautiful. I can't say enough about the founders, Mike and Deena, and how they have laid down their life for their kids. They not only love the kids, but they love and parent the staff too. It is a true family, where they allow both the kids and the staff such freedom. One of the boys wanted a dog, and so they got him one and he sleeps in his room with him. Another little guy (my favorite) got a kitten for christmas. There is another couple from American, Dana and Nanette, that provide an education for the children. They offer so many sensory type learning for the kids. Nanette has developed a team of other young chinese teachers to help her in the school. Also, another lady is living there, Jamie, provides nursing care for the children, and she is training some young women to help her. There is such a great team environment where they each do their part but they also pitch in when needed to help each other.
And Daniel - well our baby boy has just flourished there. He has been allowed to do the things he feels called to. Like developing a "music" team. This has been a big part of his life. He teaches a "music" class with the older kids which Anna and I were able to be a part of. And many other things. Daniel fits in like he has always lived there. We really didn't spend much time with him because he was so busy - which was fine because we were pretty busy ourselves with the kids. It was so great to see him doing so many wonderful things and running from one thing to the next. But stopping to have a meal with us and then at night he would come to our room and we had so much fun just reconnecting and hearing all the stories of his life here.
We had prayed for Daniel to have a good friend here. One that was believer and also preferably an American. And as only our God can do, He provided the perfect friend. Kyler is from a family similar to ours. A large family with both bio and adopted children. And he grew up in a church also very similar to ours so they share that bond. While we were there, Kyler's brother came for a visit and he also lives in China but in a different region. We enjoyed hearing the work he is doing here also. Also, Kyler is just as 'crazy' as Daniel and we laughed so hard at the two of them just enjoying life.
I'll post pictures later after we get the kids in bed.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
We made it!
This is Leslee, blogging for Carol, she can't access her blog. Carol is a very precious friend to me, and I am so privileged to share this journey with her. By the way, tomorrow is her birthday, so be sure to leave her birthday wishes. I am sure you all have been waiting on an update, so here it is!
We made it!!!
We are here and all is well. But jet lag is really tough right now. I don't remember it being this bad on previous trips but we also have had gotcha day either the day we arrived or soon after. So I may have been too preoccupied to notice.
We are spending the week at the foster home Daniel is working at. It has been amazing to see what he has been apart of for the past 7 months. There really are no words to describe it here. I have asked The Lord to help me write it down and I have typed, erased, typed, erased so many times. I just don't know how to put words down to do this justice. It's an amazing place full of love and joy and we are so thankful to be here experiencing a small part of Daniel's life here in China.
We went to the market today and saw some interesting things. Also met some of the shop owners that Daniel buys food and supplies from. It was wonderful to see him talking so fluently in mandarin to the people and how he has really become a part of the community. He is loving it here and seems to be right at home.
We are on the countdown to Judah - 8 more days.
We made it!!!
We are here and all is well. But jet lag is really tough right now. I don't remember it being this bad on previous trips but we also have had gotcha day either the day we arrived or soon after. So I may have been too preoccupied to notice.
We are spending the week at the foster home Daniel is working at. It has been amazing to see what he has been apart of for the past 7 months. There really are no words to describe it here. I have asked The Lord to help me write it down and I have typed, erased, typed, erased so many times. I just don't know how to put words down to do this justice. It's an amazing place full of love and joy and we are so thankful to be here experiencing a small part of Daniel's life here in China.
We went to the market today and saw some interesting things. Also met some of the shop owners that Daniel buys food and supplies from. It was wonderful to see him talking so fluently in mandarin to the people and how he has really become a part of the community. He is loving it here and seems to be right at home.
We are on the countdown to Judah - 8 more days.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Going Back To China.....
To adopt our son, Judah Gabriel Tai. He was born on 10/10/10, and he will be our 10th
child.
Our first stop will be in Fuzhou to spend a week with one of our grown sons, Daniel. He moved there last
summer to work at Hidden Treasures Foster Home. We are looking forward to seeing him, and experiencing a small part
of what he does there.
We will then leave Fuzhou and travel to Kunming on Jan. 27th,
and receive baby Judah on the 28th.
You can follow along by checking for updates here, or you
can sign up for updates at the bottom of the page and when we post it will be
automatically emailed to you.
Pray for us all but mostly for Judah. He is in for some pretty big changes in
his little life. But we are beyond excited to be so close to finally meeting him.
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