Here We Go Again

We leave tomorrow for Philadelphia for Lily's heart surgery, which is scheduled for Friday

Although it was hard when it was postponed 2 weeks ago, you can read about it here  (as well as details on the surgery),we are now very grateful for the extra days we have had together as a family

To enjoy moments like this

and to be blessed to be here for Cole's first day of kindergarten.  When you adopt an older child, you miss SO many of their firsts, grateful I didn't miss this one (thanks Jen for the reminder)

Sometimes things don't happen according to our plan, and in the moment it is hard to see the reasons, but we have seen many reasons over these two weeks. What was such a hard situation has turned out to be such a blessing. Continually reminded to trust in our heavenly Father, who knows and sees way more than I do. 

Please pray for our precious girl, handing her over to the surgeons on Friday will be one of the hardest things we have ever done.  Our peace and comfort comes from knowing, that ultimately she is in God's hands.

We will update regularly on facebook and here, we don't have a time for surgery yet.

Back to School 2013

Benjamin is starting high school

Ethan is in 7th grade

Mia is in second grade

Cole is starting Kindergarten

It was a big decision to decide to send Cole to school this year. We were originally not going to, but he is doing so well, was in Kindergarten in China last year, wants to do whatever Mia does and is used to the structure. Also with me leaving with Lily for surgery on Thursday, we felt it may be the best thing. We are honestly not certain, but decided to try, if it is not the right decision we will take him out.  He was very excited this morning though.  Holding my breath today, and just managing to keep my emotions under control, can not wait until 4pm!! Praying for Him today and all my babies.

Lily would have started Kindergarten today, but we are waiting until after her heart surgery!

Home Sweet Home

We have been home a few days and are finally getting back on US time schedule

 

Cole did great on the plane ride home

 

 

 

 

 

 

He loved the personal movie screen, ate the food, and only slept the last 2 hours

 

 

 

 

We were exhausted when we arrived in Newark, NJ as it was 2am for us.  Cole became a US citizen as we went through immigration

 

 

 

 

and he celebrated by eating - NOODLES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a 5 hour wait in NJ then a quick plane ride to Virginia, where we were welcomed home by some amazing friends - what a great surprise

 

 

 

 

Then it was home to bed - our precious son, in his bed, in his home - no words!!

 

 

 

 

The boys and Lily, and our extended family were still away on vacation.  Cole got to meet them the next day. He was shy at first, but it didn't take long for him to be attached to his big brothers. 

 

 

 

 

He had some fun getting to know his Papa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing to finally be all together as a family

 

 

 

 

We are treasuring these days together, but are also very busy getting ready to leave next week for Lily's surgery.  Cole is taking it all amazingly well.  He has been school supply shopping, visits to the park, eaten Italian, Mexican and pizza (we have been very spoilt, by our church family that have provided meals all week). He cries at night when it is time for bed, and sometimes in the morning if he doesn't see us. It doesn't last long, and this seems to be his hardest time. At night, I think he just doesn't want to go to bed, in the morning I think he is scared we are not there.  It is hard to know exactly as we can't ask him. We are so proud of him - he has had his whole world turned upside down, and we are so blessed by how loving and accepting he is of us.  He is calling us by name, and learning his brothers, and sisters name.  He is already repeating English words.

 

We feel so blessed and honored to be his parents, and to be his family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





China Trip to Cole (5)

Today we had our appointment at the US consulate to file all Cole's paper work so that he can become a US citizen. We weren't able to take our camera's or phones in, for security, so no pictures, but Cole was so excited to wear his buttoned shirt - this kid loves clothes :)

 

 

We spent the rest of the day, exploring the neighborhood behind our hotel, eating at our favorite noodle shop for lunch, swimming, and eating at our favorite western restaurant for dinner.

 

 

Tomorrow we pack up and leave  Cole's province, Guangdong, and drive to Hong Kong.  Our flight home is 10am Friday. 

 

 

 

Our time here has been very special, it has been a priceless to have this time to bond with Cole

 

 

 

 

We are ready to get home, hug our other children, and be together as a family.  We can not wait for them to meet their brother.

 

Thank you all for prayers, love, comments, and support, you are all apart of Coles story

 

 

 

 

China Trip to Cole (4)

One of the main reasons we decided at the last minute to bring Mia to China with us is this

 

 

 

 

 

and this

 

 

 

and this

 

 

 

and this

 

 

 

even though it was a stretch financially, we felt it was important for Cole's transition

 

 

 

we prayed that they would bond

 

 

 

our prayers were answered

 

 

 

even though it is not always this sweet, they have their moments, he has already formed an attachment to his sister

 

 

 

we are praying this will help him, when we have to leave for Lily's surgery

 

Just like that, they are brother and sister, gotta love adoption!!

 

 Can't wait for him to meet Lily and his big brothers - he is going to LOVE them!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



China Trip to Cole (2)

Sorry for the lack of blog posts, but we continue to have on and off issues with internet access.

 

Since Cole has been with us we have spent most days going to some sort of official appointment, exploring the parks and area around our hotel and trying the local food,

 

 

(boat ride on the lake in the park)

 

 

 

 

 

but most of all we have been getting to know the newest member of our family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The more relaxed he is getting with us the more his personality is coming out. 

 

What we know so far - he is very ticklish and has a great laugh and smile.

 

 

 

 

 

We have found that he is very considerate and helpful - wants to open doors, do things for himself, and share an umbrella with his sister.

 

 

 

 

This actually was a big step.  The day before we had been caught out at the park in the rain, we had finally purchased an umbrella the day before after getting rained on several times!!  When we got the umbrella out Cole wanted to hold it and refused to let Mia stand under it.  When we went to the bus and had to put the umbrella down, we had to pry it out of his hands.  He was upset with us, and refused to look at us. This lasted for some time, even once we were back in the hotel.  After a while he was distracted with other things and his happy personality was back.  Today we bought him his own umbrella, and as soon as it started raining he opened it up and immediately went over to Mia and put it over her head :)!! 

 

 

 

 

We can tell he is testing us, and pushing boundaries.  It is hard at times, to know when to just let him have his way and when to stand our ground.  It is especially hard when you can't explain things.  He knows what no is and doesn't like to hear it, but what 5 years old does.  He wants everything Mia has so we are having to balance that too, Mia is doing great at sharing and trying to show him how to do things.  Everything is SO new for him, his world has been turned upside down.  We know he probably thinks all the time that this is all going to end, he does not have any way to know that we are here forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He has been wearing Mia's purple sunglasses because we couldn't find any for him, until yesterday.  He was so proud to have his own glasses, anything he gets he holds on to.  I know this comes from being in an orphanage where everything you own you share with everyone else, including your clothes.  Oh that reminds me, something else we know, is he loves his clothes, he picks them out every morning.

 

 

 

 

 

He has a great appetite and will try almost anything.  The first day he wanted nothing to do with the bath and was scared of the pool.  Well 3 days later he is loving the bath and can't get enough of the pool.  We no longer have to hold him in the pool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He also has attempted several rides at the park, even though he was scared at first, he insisted on going on

 

 

 

 

what we know is he is BRAVE.  Brave because he will do things even though he is scared. 

 

 

 

 

Brave because he is willing to allow us to show him love, and to start to trust us.

 

 

 

 

There are 2 amazing parks near our hotel, with lakes, boats, fish, rides, music, people dancing, statues, exercise equipment, table tennis, and much more.  They are a great place to spend time and get to know a very busy and active five year old boy.

 

 

(someone else who is brave)

 

 

(exercise equipment)

 

 

Although there is a part of us that is very ready to go home.  We have Cole, and we miss Benjamin, Ethan, and Lily like crazy.  We want to be together as a family, but we know this time is precious bonding time with Cole.  If we were home, we would be busy with life.  So we are focusing on him and enjoying every moment.

 

We appreciate all your comments, it makes us feel close to you all.  We also appreciate your continued prayers for Coles adjustment.  We know as we travel home, he will have to face a lot more changes, especially with Lily's up coming surgery.

 

Tomorrow we have Coles medical exam.  We will also be joined by 4 other families with our adoption agency that have adopted from other provinces.

 

 

Ok so right now Cole is trying to play on the iPad, but can't work it out, but refuses help - he is STUBBORN :)!!