Our son

Let me just say that having an 11 year allowed to make such a life changing decision as being adopted is not for the faint of heart. We were at the notary, answered all of the questions and then were informed she needed to talk to Dawson privately. We went across the hall and Baum looks at me with pure white face and tears in his eyes - "do you think he is going to say yes mom?" Oh my heart. I about wanted to cry then too. 

The. On to civil affairs. We were there for hours but his teacher was there also - she remembered when he arrived. We found out he didn't cry when he was found. He wasn't walking. He didn't want to walk and would cry every time they tried to get him to walk. She said he didn't walk until he was 3 or 4. Three is about the delayed timeline for dwarfs. All clues towqrds trying to figure out his age. We found out a ton of other information  all which was very nice to have. 

He made his red handprint and signed the papers!!

They had an official ceremony and then pics after. The lady on the far right is his teacher and next to her is the civil affairs lady. Both extremely nice

Then we walked 3-4 blocks after getting back to the hotel - to a huge and very ritzy mall (the one next to the marriott nanning is closed for refurbishing)

We sat down at Pizza Hut and Dawson ordered spagetti. Let's just say he will need to be enrolled in mommy boot camp for manners lol. Even Brahm states at him with huge eyes!

There was a nice skating rink in the mall and Dawson was fascinated!

Not sure if you can see but they are using a hose and snow shovels to clean the ice!

We found this amazing grocery store  called Ole. Think an overpriced wild oats. A lb of cherries was 662 yuan!!  Still they had everything we do in the US!

We have him

He was there when we arrived early. They didn't want us to see him which was awkward but he was happy to see us. Recognized us from pics. I am praying this is a good sign that he wants to join our family. 

He and Brahm are 2 peas in a pod. Brahm is so excited I am sure he is annoying the crap out of Dawson. He repeats a ton and knows a few English words. So far he is easily redirected and sensitive to voice tone

They had fun playing ipad and are now watching pleasant goat. It really is different getting an older child. 

His future sized shoes are gone and he chose the kerns we brought over the crocs

Brahm stands taller but Dawson sits taller and probably was triple what Brahm does!

Oh and the van cracked me up. 

It was like the consummate swag wagon. Between that and the disco music in the elevators I feel like I have transported back in time!

Waiting, waiting, waiting - catching up

Let me just say I like Sunday gotcha days Bette and then morning ones, because frankly 3 pm gotcha sucks.

As I unpacked my bags last night (we had our beijing clothes in our carry on bags).  I found a little white bag I didn't recognize.  As I opened it up I couldn't believe my eyes.

My 12 year old was our largest obstacle in our adopting Dawson. Although we don't allow our children to make these types of decisions we wanted to be sensitive to her feelings.  However, when we realized she was against our adopting for selfish reasons then we had some lessons in store for her.

Fast forward to February and she showed us a fundraising sheet for their art program.  I could tell by her impish smile that something was up.  When I looked at the sheet, I got tears in my eyes.  She had drawn this amazing picture.  I thought it would be perfect for getting Dawson - however, orders weren't even due until mid march.  I did email the art teacher asking if we could pay for it to be rushed, the size etc but never heard anything back.

The white package was not only snuck into my bag by my daughter, but paid for with her allowance.  Our difficult kiddo had come full circle.  It could not have been a more amazing present.

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Our flight to nanning became disastrous as we started to descend. Brahm has been getting sicker and sicker.  It culminated with terrible ear pain upon descending.  I was proud of him for not screaming his head off, but his giant tears broke my heart.  We tried everything, yawning, gulping water, massage, pulling on his ears, holding his breath and blowing - but still terrible pain.

He looked terrible, had a fever and was becoming lethargic (not alarmingly so).  I couldn't find any my go to alka seltzer cold tablets, and no matter how hard I tried we couldn't get brahm to swallow a pill (he is a medicine pita - makes me crazy). So I gave him some Benadryl and checked him all night .  I knew we were just a block from Walmart but chose to wait until this morning to see if they had anything for him.

He was a little better this morning - praise God. Still, I almost started singing alleluia when the first little store upon descending the escalator into Walmart was a pharmacy.  I pointed at his ears, and made coughing noise.  They handed my on box I couldn't decipher at all.  Then I pointed to his ears again and I almost cried when I looked at the box and realized it was pediatric Zithromax!

They even had enough of a dosage chart, and checking the internet we figured out what to do..  It's granules so we finally realized we needed to mix them with a drink.  Praying this will clear up his croupier sounding cough, and ear issues.

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Besides worrying about brahm all night, I was up every about hour worrying about poor Dawson.  Was he nervous, scared, excited. Praying constantly for his heart.  I am not sure I could do this at his age.

As for my, I a, so glad I know what to wear - Morgan sure made that easy for me - because I have changed my hair about 12 times today.  This way I look to old, or to young.  Don't want my hair in the way when I meet him.

It's stupid stuff, because truly I so worried about how this is going to go.  When I was a nurse my friend took all the older kids and I took all the babies.  How did I get here adopting an 11 year old.  Will he hate me?  Will this be a huge disaster.  I do find that because this is so not where I thought I would be right now that I so know its God.

When I awoke at 2:30 and waited for the melatonin to kick in, I read one of my Beth Moore freebies from iBooks.  Believing god.  It truly could not have been a better item to read the night before meeting our 3rd oldest son.

Having gone through the good, bad and truly ugly, I am praying desperately that this is a good adoption.  That Dawson comes completely into our family.  I am also completely aware that this could be as bad as cav's adoption or even worse.  Regardless, we know God is with us.  He has had his hand in this adoption since the beginning.  He has a plan for our boy.

I found a necklace for Dawson that explains it all "plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jer 29:11. Ultimately that is why we are here.

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!

Flights - lax, china post Beijing

We are a few days behind but wanted to still post this information for future references.

We flew from colorado to lax - last time it seemed like not such a big deal - we must have landed right next to the international terminal and our Cathay flight was in the first building you got to. For lax it has to be the worst laid out plan I have ever seen. You leave the terminal you fly into - go outside and walk the corridor until you find the heading for your airline.

Most of the china flights are in the very first terminal ( which is still a good 1/3-1/2 mile from where we landed).   I was dumb and had Brahms backpack. I also had my camera bag and large purse. I decided we should carry 2 days worth of clothes after hearing several people with delayed bags. We were dying before we even got out of the first terminal. Luckily we found a luggage cart left curbside and I loaded up the bags and Brahm. I am also glad we had a 4 hour layover. It took about 1 1/2 hours to get to our 2 gate and I walk fast once we had our cart.

We went in the first international terminal ( we landed at the 9 on a clock and say the first is at the 12). Went inside found out it housed all flights for china except air china. I was so thrilled I had chosen the elevator and kept my cart. We went up to the 4 the floor and out onto the street again. We had to go building 2 they said. The building were in reverse order and I wanted to cry when I next saw building 3 ugh.

By the time we spotted building 2 we were at the 6 on the clock face or basically we had walked just about the perimeter of lax. Although we had boarding passes we found out we had to re checkin.

Supposedly there is a shuttle but no one could tell me where to get it or what it looked like.

So far we have flown united, Cathay and air china and we have not seen a huge difference that would make me say yes pay more for this airline.

Air china has TV in the seat but we couldn't find the vides game remote. The seats laid back like on us planes versus cathays that lower portion moves forward. They also have these little metal footrest that fold out and with a backpack under were perfect!  Food was fine and similar to cathays flight last year.

Beijing -
I'm not sure if I mentioned but we brought 2 dish pack size boxes of donations for starfish foster homes. I checked before leaving and knew that Beijing airport has a china post inside. What I didn't think of was - oh yeah they don't call it china post. So here I am with 2 carts ( they are free which is nice). Brahm can push one but not see over. We walk the stinking airport with no success. I finally am told first floor - but there are 2. The bottom 1st floors has taxis and I think screw it I will have the marriott concierge help me. Except I find out it will be 600 yuan and knew marriott already said not to pay over 100.  Back inside we go for one last try. Finally find a younger girl who points us in the right direction. 

We head down where it looks like everything is closed and I know it has to be after 6. I start praying they are open. And they are!!  People they were so nice. Wrote out the forms for me,  they do open the boxes to check contents. Then reaped them. I sent slowboat and both boxes were only $45 combined. Best part I had no yuan and they were able to take my dollars!  Here is the pic to show if you want to find china post. It is on 1 f not B and past where you see the opening downstairs for taxi. 

Got to the hotel finally for 98 yuan - I still only had dollars and the bell hop ran in and exchanged my dollars for me. Guess I should have taken care of that before leaving home lol

TA, CA and leaving!

Ugh I post on Facebook but then forget about here!  So to catch you up -

We received TA on Thursday 3/13.  We knew our drop dead date was 3/14 so I was shocked when they called and we actually made our timeline!

We are with Madison and half of their staff is in China right now.  We have expressed our desire to travel over our kids spring break for a month.  Needless I was shocked when she mentioned that she wasn't sure if our in CHina person could make the arrangements in the time allotted so we could have a 3/24 gotcha.

But it worked AND I happened to get an email Thursday evening that we received our requested CA appt of 4/1!!

By Friday morning I had confirmation that we could in fact get Dawson on 3/24 -

GOD!  Only GOD! could get everything lined up (including flights) in less than 24 hours!!

For some reason flights are packed - we used adoptionairfare.com (we used someone else last time and found he doesn't really do well with quick turn arounds etc.)

They found us super reasonable rates but not the best flight - especially.  When we tried changing things around flights rose by at least $1000 a piece.  It requires us to be gone a tiny bit longer AND spending 2 nights in Beijing (this was our choice versus flying for almost 40 hours at a time.

SOOOO, we leave THURSDAY at 6 am!!

Spend a few hours in LAX and straight to Beijing.  We will spend a few days on our own in Beijing without a guide but frankly - loved their transit system and I am really not to worried about it.

Sunday - we fly to Nanning, Guangxi province (southern most China) - for some reason there were no flights form hong kong to here without taking about 24 hours ?!?!

MONDAY!! 3/24 - we get Dawson - PLEASE if you think about pray for his little heart.  I can't even look at my older kids and imagine asking them to do what this amazing boy will soon do.  I know in my heart its the right thing for him but still.

Friday - 4/28 - we fly to Guangzhou

Friday 4/4 we fly HOME!!

The biggest praise - ALL of our rooms are FREE (we did pay for an upgrade in GZ)!  We have the marriott card and transferred ALL of our month bills, and living expenses on this card.  We had 2 certificates from promos over the summer. This is the first in province time we are also staying at a Marriott!

I can not believe that this boy (these pics are from his 2008 file) will finally have a family again.  I am absolutely prepared for the worst but am praying for the best.  God sent us on this journey.  This boy has waited so very long.  We are exceptionally blessed that he will become our son!

Waiting for TA

Some TA"s have been coming in 4 days - some in weeks and there seems to be a computer glitch affecting LOA's so this momma worries that will also affect TA's

I am resting in the Lord that His timing is perfect.

I however think going over spring break would be perfect LOL!  So perfect in fact that I have not planned a SINGLE thing to do that week - 3/24.

It is now the 10th,
In my mind I thought tomorrow would really be the last day we could get TA to travel for a 3/24 gotcha.

I just checked Tao's timeline to the right and realized -

NOPE - I have until the 14th - because one insane trip across the world means I CAN do it again!

And lucky me - my husband is insisting on cooking form all the old stuff in the freezers and fridge heehee (poor kids LOL).

Actually the man is pretty creative and they usually don't mind his concoctions - and at this point that means I don't have to make any meals ahead.

Because those who have done this - I am not getting much done.

I check my email,
I check my cell phone,
I RUN each time a phone rings - even if I am not home.
I check and recheck the home phone JUST ENCASE they called there and not my cell.

Yeah, it's all quite productive in getting the other things done I need to do

Like PACK,
Which BTW - I prefer traveling in winter - because this March - April thing is killing me - do I bring long sleeve (which most likely won't fit Dawson because of his dwarfism) or short sleeve because for us 68 degrees is HOT!  What about pants vs shorts - can they even wear shorts ugh.

And this Colorado girl really does not do well in humidity.

THe PLUS is I won't be wearing my summer clothes here so you would think I would get my rear in gear and pack!

As for our boy - we are praying his heart is softening towards our family.  We know from our experience with Cav to expect the worst.  THis is why I am bringing BRahm with me.  I know 11 year old boys - they like 2 things - gross and video games.  Mom is not so good at either but a particular 7 year old IS!!

Also knowing Dawson is delayed because of his time in the orphanage I am guessing they will be close in age mentally.

Again I am fully aware they might hate each other and praying that they will be instant buds.

My biggest fear is Dawson HAS to agree tot he adoption - he HAS to sign the paperwork.  Although I think this is probably mentally very good for him, and gives him a say - I have hear enough stories of kids backing out at the last minute.

We have been assured he wants to be adopted.  I trust our agency in this, and more importantly I am trusting that this is the journey God wants us to go on.

So we are constantly in prayer for his little heart.

We pray his transition will be as easy and seamless as this little guy.  Every night he prayers for his Dawson  - Ma - Dawson lub me!   We are continually prepping him that I will talk to him on the computer but he needs to stay here to help his Dolly (that's what he calls his big old daddy LOL!)