Yes . . .we are alive

So, I actually had a reader track me down and what she asked broke my heart - did we disrupt?

NO!!  We have our little guy home

He is sweet, happy and truly one of God's gems.

Racing to to do all of his paperwork AND raise the $30,000 needed to adopt him  - - in just over 5 1/2 months just about did me in BUT we met Remington (Remy) the very end of June.

From the time he walked through the door we knew he was severally delayed.  He looked like a baby who just learned to walk.

Oh but his soul - so sweet,
His spirit - so happy.
And of course we were in love.

Our time in China was hard - we were expecting a child that potentially was ill, but on target for an almost 5 ear old (or close.)  The truth was he couldn't navigate steps, had little ability to walk AND due to a last minute change Brahm went with me instead of Morgan.  This trip was hard.

Oh but this beautiful boy was so worth it.  And interestingly, because he looks very European in his facial features, everyone just assumed he was our birth child.  We never had any issues with the Chinese being mean to him or about him.

These two are 6 months apart in age, and a world apart in ability.  Tao has stepped into his role of big brother and has been amazing.

Remy is legally blind due to his albinism.  He sees well enough to get around which has been fabulous for our family.  Our kids are amazing - taking his hand and telling him up or down in Mandarin when he gets to steps etc.  Remy REALLY needed a family, he was so neglected and needs so much sensory input, so he is the perfect child in this crazy large family of ours.  Someone to always play with him, teach him, guide him.  

We have SOOOO far to go, but I know for a fact that this little boy needed to come home, and God has incredible plans for him.

(Don't worry I will be back soon, we are facing some pretty major changes over the next few weeks.)

Marriott - china hotel executive suite

After being here 3 times I really think paying extra for the executive suite and thus larger bedroom is worth every penny.  We did stay for free with points and when booking this online I was given the option to upgrade for $50 for the studio or $65 for the 1 bedroom. I did look and the studio and 1 bedroom are basically the same size just with a wall between the bed and the living area instead of just the rotating big screen tv. 

This is where we put the rollaway but last year my oldest slept on the couch. 

Then there is a desk next to the bed and an office area we put our bags etc. I believe it is 400 yuan more for the studio and 500 for the 1 bedroom per night if you wait until check in. This does includes executive lounge privileges and breakfast buffet (not sure you get the buffet with just a points room)

The most important I think is try to get a room on 16,17 or 18rh floor. They are all connected to the lounge by a private stairway instead of the elevators. 

The executive suite is open all the time using your key and always has 7-up, Pepsi or Pepsi max (what china calls their diet Pepsi) look it says no sugar (only took me a week to figure that out lol!  Waters and then juice and coffee which you can make cappuccino and lattes. 

The can feels like it's dirty but after trying them all over I think this can must be made this way (I have tactile issues lol)

The executive lounge also offers breakfast buffet up there. The selection is primarily what is on the 2nd floor buffet but not as many choices of congee or the noodle soup station. For appt days and kids who are overwhelmed the executive lounge is a God send. 

There are atleast 5different sitting areas that we found the adoptive families congregated to atleast one especially in the evenings. The chairs are a little plush for kids but seem resilient and high hairs are available. 

The same amount of food is available from 5:30-7 (I think But maybe it's 7:30) each evening. We have always found enough things people will eat (I am the pickiest of the group) each night we have gone. They always have a chef at the grill and then the metal hot chafing dishes. Plus salad and fruit. 

And now don't think bad of me but it's worth the adult beverages alone. By evening I am done. Especially since the entire wee has looked like this

They have wine, beer, and you can mix your own drinks (if you know how). They have desert until 9 pm. Needless to say our food bill has been minimal. 

Also these are pics of the downstairs breakfast buffet - today we didn't go til 9 so it was way less crowded. 

There are more stations around the corner. I think there is more of each item but not necessarilya significant amount more choices. 

Beijing airport

My favorite are the mJust a few quicky points about Beijing. I worried a tad when I realized I would have to check in myself for our flight to nanning - but no worries. They sent me to the special services desk when I showed them my flight info. 

The helpful lady checked us in, took out bags which were closet to 50 lbs than 44 since it now contained rocks lol. 

We got to our gate plenty early. Again all of their carts are free. Security does require you to take out your cameras AND lenses - we got detained and I was sweating bullets one of our market treasures was illegal lol!

Loved these carts for little ones with plenty of storage for carryon.  

Drinks are cheap at 3.50 or 4 yuan

There is also a KFC in terminal c.

My favorite are the water fountains where you can get hot, warm or cold water and paper cups are provided. 

Lastly, there are tons of places to charge icrap. 

Oh and all announcements are in English also. All this to say that you to can do Beijing without a guide if you have to!

Catching up

Let's pray I can get this post up while the internet and blogger are both playing nice.

We finished up our time in nanning by going to the museum, which included meeting a fabulous women who makes the balls that you find in the region. She uses a stool that is 4 generations old.  She has taught her daughter how to make the balls as well as a few other students.  The balls she makes cost about 1000 rub and take 2-3 days for her to make.  She was beautiful and I was surprised she was 70 years old.

On Friday we flew to Guangzhou - getting in late in the evening. Momma mistake in not getting food at either airport and everything was closed by the time we got to the hotel.  Luckily I had some crackers and snacks and there was fruit in the room.  Dawson did fairly well - although we are in swing the orphanage fidget and the touching of everything in site.  I finally gave him the info card when he refused to keep his seatbelt on and the tray table up.  He likes to test the waters by saying no to me, but I give him the stern look and he is fairly cooperative.  I did tell him by translator if he didn't follow the rules the stewardess would make him get off.  Later I found out he was up periodically in the night playing the ipad or nabi (brahm saw him, I never heard anything even though we were in a small room.  So we learned 2 things - this boy needs his sleep or he is harder to handle, and we made it clear that I am in charge of electronics including the tv (he likes to switch channels constantly which makes everyone crazy.)

We had to take a bus to the the Tarmac and go up stairs that was fun with the crowd. 

Regardless, his reality is heartbreaking.  He came with so much stuff from the orphanage we went to walmart to buy him a,large yellow suitcase that is packed all of his possessions in.  When we got to the airport he almost was in a panic as that yellow suitcase was placed on the conveyor and it suddenly disappeared.  Luckily the guide was still there to explain we would get it once in GZ.  You could see the relief on his face as that bright yellow suitcase rounded the curve on the baggage claim area!

Checking into the china hotel - marriott I did realize that booking my points online and upgrading at that time saved me almost $20 off the upgrade fee over doing it at the front desk.

We also were given a rollaway bed, although truthfully they are both small enough to sleep on the coaches (brahm has claimed the settee for himself - the little dork!)

Like the weight and measurement with his shoes in!

Our first day here we went to the medical appointment.  We saw lots of other families and met some new ones - including a family with a little girl the same age as Tao - and has dwarfism!!

Dawson did awesome including his math problem lol. Then it was to trustmart for some supplies and shamanism island for laundry and a little shopping!

Today - Sunday we went to the church on shamanism island, and picked up the laundry.  It is raining but really it's a bit of a treat because it's a nice warm rain.  Many of the shops on shamain island are closed, and the people are not interested in making a ton of deals - which really I just don't understand the mentality.  It's almost April and already hot-  how many other people will be over to buy winter jackets in the next 6 mos.?!?  Ultimately we got pretty good deals on North Face knock off jackets for all of our littles.

We spent the past 2 days with our friend Claire who we met last year getting Tao.  She adopts children with albinism like I adopt kids with dwarfism lol. The boys are all close in age and get along great (for the most part).  Of course they Re 4 boys so they are loud but fairly well behaved for the circumstances!

This afternoon we are watching tv in the room as it is a torrential rain pour lol.  As I type brahm and Dawson are wrestling so I think it's time to find a new activity.

Mutainyu Great Wall and panjiayuan antique market

The marriott concierge hired out one of their drivers to take us to mutainyu portion of the Great Wall plus a stop at the Olympic stop and then drop off at the antique market. They charged us 850 yuan which I didn't think was to bad. Was I surprised when they pulled up in one of the hotel 'limosaines' a black sedan but it had nice leather seats and wait for it . . . Seatbelts!!  Mutainyu is a little further out but also less crowded. It takes about 2 hours to get there but I loved driving through the countryside and little villages.

Walking up to the Great Wall portion you pass a ton of vendors who I usually offer 1/4 -1/3 what they ask and just walk away. We paid 180 yuan to ride the chairlift up and the sled ride down. Very memorable!  Brahm was free ( he is the size of a 5 year old and they think he is 3 for some reason. 

Be warned the lift operators are a bit um forceful helping you!

Once at the top we walked the wall - ALOT. We turned right and it was incredibly steep with ups and downs. I think turning left it was much more flat. 

I was about done - Brahm did great but I realized how unfit I still am!  Some of the steps are as high as my knee!

Then came the FUN!  The sled ride. We love speed - you have control of how fast or slow you want to go on the ride!  

Brahm rode on my lap!  

Panjiayuan antique market is like a flea market within a walled city block. They are open until 6 pm on Saturday at least. All the vendors were lined up with little towels on the ground and their wears. A lot of the people looked like they had dug some of their stuff out if the ground. Some stuff was cleaned and others came with the dirt. I was in LOVE. There is everything from broken pottery to metal pieces to fossils. 

I really wish I had prepared and read up on the market before going as well as being more educated about Chinese antiques. So I spent what I could afford to lose and what I loved and would want to give our kids one day. My favorite and what I had wish I had bought more of were the baby shoes which obviously were used for bound feet. Like I said I have no idea if they are real but I recognized the embroidery from tao's province and so they were good enough. Most of the things I loved were 10's if thousands of dollars. One was a bell collection I had seen at a museum in shandong. 

We took the subway home which was a little more difficult than I remembered but luckily we had some English speaking angels who helped us get back to our hotel. But for 2 yuan it was worth a little struggle. 

I did want to mention just outside the panjiayuan station there are a ton of vendors. Definately cheaper than inside the gates but also way more aggressive. I bought this gorgeous piece for 300 yuan. Then she hurried and grabbed my money in a panic. I realized her friends were coming and had cheaper.  They surrounded us and wouldn't take no for an answer. Wanting to sell theirs for as little as 100 yuan.  I finally grabbed Brahms hand yelled boo- ya and marched down the street. In retrospect my piece was nicer and she must have needed a blessing as when I got home I found and extra 100 yuan!  Love when that happens

As a side note what's the deal with the walnut looking shells and wood beads they use like rosaries?  

All in all if you are like us and like unique then this is a must see experience - but educate yourself ahead of time!

Signs to adopt

One of the God sightings I didn't mention involved his name (to an extent.)

Right after we got our giant black sprinter, Brahm's teacher from last year mentioned we should fill the back window with those stick figure people ~ hmmm she said yoda's would be funny for your littles.  I was slightly amused and slightly offended.  That was in February.

Remember when I said I finally decided to get his file and really go through it.  Something nagged at me all night, so I awoke the next morning and just stared at the open file on my computer.  How could he be our son, no similar dates, just nothing.  (all the previous kids had some similarity with our bio kids in some way from Fei's red shoes to Cav and Tao's birthdays being a day apart.)

And then I looked at his name.  Forgive my lack of Mandarin (and very western ear) but I looked at the letters closely trying to decipher a name YUEDA - it is really what I thought.  I pulled up google translate and sure enough it sounded as close to Yoda as a name could get heehee.

AS I transferred screens over to Facebook one of the first posts I saw was this.

Believe me when I say I have never seen Yoda on any Facebook posts before or after.

Stone forest - kunming

We went to the most incredible places today. The Stone forest is 1 1/2 away from kunming.

Let me first say our guide is a believer. We had a fascinating conversation about religion. We so take for granted our churches and freedoms. He said the churches in China are actually government run and the pastor must follow their guidelines. They are not allowed to speak about revelations at all. He said it was because of the red dragon. Is that Satan or does any one know what he was talking about.

Anyhow, back to our adventures. I am so glad we were able to experience this natural wonder without trying to drag along a 2 year old. We also saw the Yi minority which is similar to our native Americans. There clothing is very bright and their handiwork is very similar to crewel I think. I bought several pieces. Between my son & the guide I felt like I was shopping with my husband lol!

On the way back to the hotel I noticed a neat looking area filled with people. I was thrilled when we turned into our hotel just blocks away. I drug my son on another adventure to . . . Walmart. Ok folks I am an adventurous type but Walmart on a Saturday afternoon at home was enough to do me in. We did find goodies for Griffen as my goal is to feed him before he freaks out.

Let me just say the place looked like after Christmas sales, it was hot, it was loud and places it smelled. For those of you coming - don't worry about formula. They had 3 complete aisles FULL of formula!

After dinner we went back to the park ( hope my previous post comes up). We noticed several things. Families spend Saturday spoiling their kids since most work all week. The kids are a little out of control. We saw several 6-9 year old boys duking it out only to figure out the parents were right there. Lots of preschoolers crying over balloons and all of them walking away with one. A lot of what we saw explains Cav's behavior.

The picture of pinyin in green says "God creates all things beautiful" (or similar lol)

PS - just encase your wondering. We get Griffen at @ 3 tomorrow. Just like a pregnancy I can't wait to see him. Hold him. Check out his cute little self. Please pray for us all and his heart as he spends the last night as an orphan.

Flight - Hong Kong

We are sitting in Hong Kong airport waiting for our very last connection to kunming. We left Colorado on weds at 3 pm and will arrive in Kunming on Fri at 2:30 pm. Almost 2 days of traveling minus the time change.

I have to say saying goodbye to the kids was probably the hardest thing I have ever done. I was a wreck - Brahm was bawling. I thought that taking everyone with us was a much easier choice. That lasted until we got to LA and had our first 5 hr layover. (Making last minute international tickets sometimes sucks) then I noticed how easy it was to travel. Let me also say do NOT travel through LAX if you have a SN child etc. we had to go out one building onto the sidewalk where you catch taxis and then a block and a half into another building. Nothing is marked and people were less than helpful. I couldn't even imagine if you didn't speak the language.

We flew on Cathay Pacific this time. They stewardess were very nice and will hand you food if you pop your head into the back. The water isn't very good BUt the hot tea was Devine. I was less than impressed that our seats were in the very back. I almost cried thinking of not being able to lay back until I tried the chairs. The seat bottom on all the chairs actually slide forward. It was nice however my tailbone area is killing me today so if you have back problems you might want to bring something.

We are sitting for another extended layover in Hong Kong. It is a beautiful airport. We had to go through security again but only had to show our passport and new tickets. We did NOT have to reclaim our checked bags. There is tons of shopping, free wifi that works great and good food. We had fabulous deli type sandwiches next door to McD's on the upper level. Ther is also a Disney store - so treats for the kids.

Cathay had tons of movies on their little TV's. I bawled through when your expecting - I don't realize on of the families adopted a bay in the movie. Being in Hong Kong and looking at all of the Asian babies I just can't wait to get my hands on Griffen.

I think with 5 other kids and loads of paperwork we sometimes forget what a monumental event this is. The contractions (heehee back ones his time) have started and our baby should be here soon!