Pictures, get your pictures.

Simon was a little miffed with the last post, so I'll try harder this time.















Ok, Ok!!!















Awwww.
Come on Simon this is a good one.















Our last dinner in China. Including noodles and some version of "fried chicken".




















We have these cute outfits for Garrison and a cuter dress for Noel. I will post a pic of all after it is taken.















Simon, enjoy the freedom. I see a five point harness in your future.

First cheeseburger was not a hit. No cheese please!!!!















You have a choice between eggs and some sort of rice/noodle/pork?/gross dish. Oh, we are out of eggs.















I love the PocketPC almost as much as Simon loves Baby Einstein DaVinci.
















No drugs were used, well at least for his first nap.
















Nice to meet you. Likewise I'm sure.















How do we get to the ice cream truck?!?















Nice to be home with my guys on my lap.















Bath time is a blast, and then it's time for...















night night.

It's Wednesday already?

Hi all----

Wow. . . I feel like I'm able to see through the fog for the first time this morning. I don't remember having this much trouble when we arrived in China in terms of jet lag, but I also wasn't up in the middle of the night with any child or staying up because my children were still awake. :)

First off, I know you want to see pictures. Hey, I know that I want to see pictures on others blogs. Well, Gary is the picture guy. Gary is sleeping right now. Perhaps he'll carve some time out of his busy schedule to upload some pictures for me. I know I know, I need to learn how to do that. I'll add it to the list. Now, where is my list?

That past few days have been good, and hard, and frustrating, and joyful, and confusing, and . . . insert your own emotion here ____________ and I have probably experienced it. I tend to be emotional. This morning in my devotional time with the Lord, I cried. I'm so thankful that He is emotional as well. . . He gets me. I wouldn't want it any other way. Thank you Lord for getting me, and holding on, and never letting go, and loving me enough to save me. . . oh the tears may be coming again.

I have NO DOUBT that the path to Simon was the Lord's path. Did you see that. . . NO DOUBT. That is a great place to be, a great place to rest. There have been moments during the past few days when I wonder if I am indeed crazy. Three children? Three years and under? What we were thinking? Then, God leads me back to see Him. My devotions this morning came from my Psalm of Ascents study by Beth Moore. This morning was on Psalm 127. God pointed out several new things to me (thank you God!). The first was about work and how if God is not in it, work and labor is in vain. Being home with my kids is my work. We spent time this morning, the Lord and I, talking together about my home and kids. I so want Him to be in this home. I asked Him for special eyes today to see Him. The second thing. . . oh it made me laugh. . . was verses 3-5. Now, I had been questioning His wisdom at times, not doubting but questioning, at the choice to give us three kids in three years. Let me write these verses out for you.

"Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, children a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one's youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. . . ."

I love it when God makes me laugh out loud.

Alright, next order of business. How is the rest of the family doing?

Gary: Boy do I love this guy. I'm so thankful that he is home this week. He took days off without pay: money well spent. He is tired, but doing better than I am. He is so great about having fun and being consistent with the kids. He is working on the Simon/Smokey relationship. Smokey is our dog. Simon is afraid of dogs. Fun times.

Garrison: Garrison is doing better than I thought in regards to Simon. He doesn't seem to feel threatened at all by his presence. He welcomes him and enjoys sharing a room with him. He makes me laugh every day and has grown taller since we left. Didn't think I'd be buying new pants for him so soon. Wanna know the rub? He decided three times yesterday to wet or poop his pants. I wasn't expecting this behaviour, yet there it is. I'm not surprised. It seems this is the way he is responding to our being gone, new person in the house, not as much attention on himself, etc. I know he'll be fine. We are doing a couple of special outings with just him.

Simon: Simon is doing well and is struggling too. I like to see it. He is doing well in that he is learning so many new words. He really likes to learn. He is eating very well. He is still potty trained, even through the night. I got up early this morning because I heard this tiny voice saying "Simon potty" over and over. Now he is back to sleep: bless him. He laughs and runs and tries to trade something of value whenever Garrison or Noel are playing with a toy that he'd like to have. What a brilliant thing to do! Many times it works. He is quick to cry these days. Something can set him off quite quickly. I'd cry all the time. . . oh wait sometimes I do. . . if I was in a brand new place with new people, new words, new foods, new clothes, new rules. Lot's of love and assurance is headed in Simon's direction.

Noel: Ah, my little love. It is hard to see her sometimes because she is a blur on the move. She is so much fun, but is a little needy. By needy I mean that she wants to be by or on her mommy almost all the time. Once again, lots of love and attention headed her way.

We are still not accepting visits from dear friends. . . so sorry! We just are our own little insula here and it is good. We do go out at times (Meijer and to church), but Simon is very close to us there and not building relationships with anyone except us. He really enjoys going out as do we. It is a sanity booster for me.

Thanks for your continued prayers. We see God working. We ended our honeymoon time with Simon on Sunday, and now the real work is beginning. We'll keep you posted. Enjoy your day.

Blessing upon blessing

Hi friends!

Guess what, it is 5:15 a.m. and I'm sitting at our kitchen counter in Zeeland. What a treat! I've been up for about an hour already. I'm sure I'll be exhausted later, but for know I'm enjoying the quiet of the morning.

God is so very good. He blessed us beyond measure over the past two weeks, and He didn't stop with the trip home. I couldn't have asked for anything better I don't think, except perhaps business class. Have you seen those seats?

As you know from a previous post, I had given all my stresses and concerns to the Lord earlier on in the week. I didn't even take them back. I just felt such peace from Him. Well, we were able to get seats together on-line for our last flight from Detroit to Grand Rapids. Yeah! That just left the first flight which was almost completely full. I just trusted that God would make everything o.k.

We woke up around 4:30 a.m. and did our last minute packing, checked-out (and received money back from the hotel--another great surprise from God), and headed to the airport with another family: the Lowes. They are so very sweet. Anyway, we checked in and asked if we could get seats together: sorry. There were so many other adoptive families on our flight, many of whom were split up. I saw many anxious parent faces and heard many pleas for help. So, we head off to the plane and finally get on-board. Simon is doing great! The seats are three across on both sides and Gary and Simon are together (window and middle) and I'm behind them. So many people come on: it's a full flight. One father in particular is struggling because his girls are sitting near the front by themselves. There just seems to be no solution. Kids are crying. . . it is all very chaotic. Meanwhile, I sit hoping for a glimpse of the person who will be sitting next to Simon and perhaps they will be willing to switch with me. Finally, the plane is full, they announce that the doors are closing, and guess what. There is one empty seat on the plane and it is next to Simon. I quickly move and then cry and laugh at how God works. I just imagined that He was laughing with me and had been planning this for some time.

Great flight to Tokyo where we need to get Simon some lunch. He is hungry and will be taking a nap shortly. We are trying to figure out how much money to change to Yen when Andy Lowe approaches us and sees us with money. "Wait wait wait--I have hurry to make my flight and I won't be able to use this." He hands us some yen. It was plenty for lunch as well as some snacks for the next flight. Look at how God continues to bless! Then, the big flight. The one I began stressing about since we decided to adopt from China. Simon falls asleep before we take-off and sleeps for three hours. Then, he is up and happy and wonderful for the next four, then back to sleep for five. Did you read that? He slept for about 7-8 hours of the trip! Oh God, you are so wonderful! The last flight was nothing: 27 minutes and then we are in Grand Rapids: exhausted and excited. I'd just like to point out here that when I am exhausted and excited and haven't seen my other two kids for two weeks, I'm going to be a bit weepy. Those folks who witnessed our reunion saw and heard quite the mama.

It was so fun to walk down the hall as a family of three and see my mom and dad, brother Kevin, and of course Garrison and Noel. They both ran to us and hugged us. Noel knew who we were. Both greeted Simon (who became quite shy) and we just sat on the floor and hugged, laughed and cried (o.k. I cried) together. It was so wonderful to see them again. My sister Tricia and her kids were able to come as well with big "Welcome Home Simon" signs. They are beautiful! My brother Ryan and sister-in-law Kate and sister-in-law Gretchen rounded out the party. It was so wonderful to visit with family and see the cousins play together. Simon quickly warmed up and played so great with his siblings and cousins. We enjoyed just talking together and reviewing the past couple of weeks. We needed more visit time, so we were all off to Matt and Tricia's house for pizza. So very tasty.

Finally, back home where--oh wow--we finally got home and arrived to balloons and craft supplies from our sweet neighbors and the cleanest house I've had in a long time. Gary, enjoy it now because it won't happen again for awhile. :) Jim and Rebecca had been staying at our house and left it so beautiful. Thank you so much!

Bedtime was quite the scene (Garrison and Simon talking and laughing and getting our of their bunks), but everyone is sleeping now including my mom who is staying to help for a few days. Thanks mom!

See how wonderful God is? "Thank you Lord for allowing me to see your Hand in such mighty ways over the past two weeks. It has been pure joy for me to follow you on this journey. I'm so confident that you will continue to go before us as our family begins on a new journey. I praise you for who you are--so mighty, awesome, and wanting the best for me and my family. I don't deserve any of this, yet you decided to give it to me. I can't praise you enough. I love you more than anything else in this world. Thanks for Gary, my kids, and for opening my eyes to see the hearts of the friends and family that you have placed in my life. I've been overwhelmed by the gifts given to us through them. Please give me opportunities to bless them as well."

We'll continue to post so check back. Thanks for walking on this journey with us. We covet your prayers as well adjust to a new time schedules, life with three kids. . . you get the picture. Please continue to pray for Simon as well. For the first time, we won't come into contact with anyone who speaks Chinese. He is doing great (he knows 39 English words!), but how challenging to have so much to say (oh the boy can talk!) and no one can understand.

Love you!
shanda

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow. You're only a day away!

Yup, leaving tomorrow. Beginning our new normal. It's good.

All we have left is the oath ceremony in about an hour. We'll let you know how that goes. The last time I made an oath, I hitched up with Gary. That turned out great. It'll be so much fun to celebrate the Simon is officially a Sprick. Simon Yiyi Arthur Sprick. Simon after the disciple: so full of courage and passion. Yiyi is what he was called in the orphanage. Arthur is after Shanda's dad (it is his middle name) and Sprick. . . well you know about that one. We've had a couple of questions about Simon. He is 2 1/2. He does have a special need, although you probably won't ever see it. He had a lipoma on his back and a lymphangioma on his right thigh. Both are benign tumors that have been removed. We think he'll need surgery again as it looks like his scaring could be cleaned up a bit. There is still a bit of lumpiness on his thigh as well. We'll see what Dr. Waalkes (love her!) has to say about it. He runs, jumps, and climbs just like a 2 1/2 year old boy, pausing to point out the airplane, motorcycle, bicycle and dogs that he sees around him.

Things we'll miss about China:
Great food
Others cleaning up our hotel room
Brand new things to look at
A very different culture than what we are used to
Walking all over
Cheap cab rides when needed
Little stores
Chinese obstacle course television program
The Reigers
Learning learning learning
Two on one parenting
Early morning walks
Warm weather
Being encouraged by other adoptive families
Big and delicious choices for breakfast
And so much more. . .

Things we are looking forward to in the U.S.
Garrison and Noel
Clean air
Water from the tap
Fewer offensive smells
Vegetables we understand
Living in more than one room
Seeing our family and friends
Smokey (our dog)
The Amazing Race
Garrison and Noel
Obeyed traffic laws
Holland Heights Church
Fast internet
Standing in a shower that drains completely
Our beds
Seat belts
Stopping the flow of money
Garrison and Noel
And so much more. . .


Thanks again for all your encouragement and prayers. We still don't have seats together tomorrow on our first and last flights, but it is o.k. We are one aisle away from each other. We are together on the long one, the one that matters the most. Our family is meeting us at the airport. Boy, are we looking forward to some fantastic hugs!

Prayer Requests
Please pray for us tomorrow. As you go to bed tomorrow night, we'll be leaving. Our flight begins at 7:30 p.m. your time and we'll be landing at 4:30 the next afternoon. Please lift us up often as it will be a long day. We leave the hotel at 5:30 a.m.
Also, please pray for the transition that our family will be making in the days, weeks, and months ahead. It is going to be a big adjustment for all of us.
Praise God that Garrison and Noel are doing great. They have had such wonderful care. I'm thinking that Gary and I will seem quite boring upon our return.
Most of all, please join with us in blessing God for this amazing event. He adopted us as sons, and now we have adopted a son. My love grows more each day and I already can't imagine life without Simon. . . I don't want to.

You have been an important part of our journey. We bless God for you.

shanda and gary

I guess It's my turn to narrate. woohoo.

Man he can melt my heart.
















We have so much fun on the bed.

















Well, mostly fun.


















Pronounced Ka_ra_te with a long A at the end.


















We will leave the music to Shanda and her guitar.















Simon so content watching the Pearl river pass benenath.















What, there was corn! I didn't get any corn!
















I swear I can't get away from the Dutch.
















Such a little ham and a bunch of duck and corn.
















Pretty lady and her son.



















Such a pretty view and the lights aren't bad either.

some thinkin'

So. . . I did it. I went into an American restaurant of my own volition. I'm sitting at Starbucks and listening to Christmas music. Now, before you pass judgement: either good or bad, let me explain. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been to a Starbucks: I don't drink any coffee and am not overly fond of warm drinks, so I rarely frequent. For my friends the coffee drinkers: now you know you can come to Guangzhou: there is a Starbucks! I'm here because the computer in our room only likes to work in the morning, so while the boys sleep, I thought I'd grab the computer, a Coke Zero, and purchase a piece of blueberry cheesecake (not exactly what I was hoping for in terms of taste. . .) and enjoy the comfy chairs.

This morning my devotions were about prayer. I have learned many new things about prayer in the past couple of months. God meant it when He told us to pray about everything. It has been just a joy for me to see prayers answered over and over again. I tend to worry, and God has humbled me into seeing that worry is such a worthless idol. This morning I finally gave Him our trip home on Friday. I've been worried about that ever since we decided to adopt from China. That is a long time (over 2 years) to worry about such things. Well, God has it. I'm going to pray about it and trust that He'll take care of getting us seats together (two of our three flights our family is not together), help Simon to sleep on the flight, help Simon to be occupied for around 22 hours of travel, and help me to be a good wife and mom despite the long travel and anticipated sleep deprivation,. In addition, I've asked him to keep pilots awake, help us avoid troublesome weather, and see that our plane and those in it arrive safe. Sound like a lot? Not for my God. Could you ask Him for these things on our behalf as well?

I did struggle this morning with distraction. I feel that I've received so much information over the past two weeks. . . I'm not exactly sure what to do with it all. It all seems to flood over me in those quiet moments when I'm not focused on some task or event. I've learned so much about China, about her people, about adoption, about other families, about why adoptions occur, about how families need help when they arrive home, about about about. It has been so wonderful to learn so very much each day. I'm sure I'll be doing much more thinking in the months ahead.

As we anticipate leaving, I start to think about every place we have been. At every stop that we have made, we've made friends. Isn't that so cool about God? Beijing: Angela. We stayed at her apartment for two nights and enjoyed her touring services. Such a sweet woman, so encouraging, and a believer. Fun to share that together. Changsha: The Reigers. So wonderful to receive their hospitality and see how God is using them to change lives, show God's love, and bring hope. Plus, they were fun to be with. Guangzhou: The Friends (that is the name of their family). We are both using the same agency and discovered we live just ten minutes apart back home. It's been fun to have a "taste of home" here in China and to celebrate our adoptions together. God is so good. Christians everywhere we have been to welcome us, talk with us, and encourage us.

Plus, we've loved messages from family and friends. I received two e-mails in particular this morning that made me laugh out loud! My mom shared a story with me about Garrison: can't wait to see that boy again. My sister shared a joke that her son, my nephew Bryce, had told. "What is the difference between roast beef and pea soup? Anyone can roast beef, but not everyone can pea soup!" Yup, funny. . . especially from a six year old. I can just hear his giggle. I'm excited to hear it from him in person. God, I see again the blessing of family. Thank you.

Blessings everywhere. I'll make sure to look a little more closely when I get home. I'll bet that God has plenty more for me in Zeeland. How fun that He decided to teach me one extra lesson on blessings by taking me half way around the world. I love that about Him: full of surprises.

Last night: Chinese dinner with all the families from our agency. What a super fun time!!!
Today: Consulate appointment: our paperwork looks great!!! Thank you Lord. We take the oath tomorrow morning.
Tonight: dinner cruise on the Pearl River. I'll let you know if Captain Stubbing is aboard.

So long from Starbucks. Gary will be back here tonight to work on pictures.
shanda

Look at what we've been up to.

Look at all the pearls!

Simon and Abigail enjoying the playroom. He calls her his big sister: in Chinese of course.

Enjoying our supper in the room. Simon out ate us.

Bargaining for pearsl.

The only dog that Simon will go near.

Crawling out of bed.

Shanda and Leila: our guide.

Most of our kids in the AGCI group. The four in the middle were adopted on this trip.

Daddy and Simon look at the boats.

Simon playing with Abigail.

(She was adopted by the Friends. They live ten minutes from us and we met in Beijing!)

The store where we got supper last night.

Simon loves David!

Eating chicken with the bone it: you chew it and spit it out. He's got that down pat.

Supper with the AGCI families.

All the AGCI families. What a great group!

Questions answered

Hey everyone--
Guess what, we get to come home on Friday. We are more than ready to come home and get down to our new normal. Still need to do some government things tomorrow and Thursday. Tomorrow our guide will go to the consulate with all our paperwork. We need to stay in our rooms in case there are any questions. Pray that there are no questions. :) Thursday, we get to take the oath. We'll let you know what promises we end of making.

We've heard from many of you via e-mail, facebook, or the blog--we love it! We can in no way express our thanks for the prayers and encouragement that have been sent our way. This process has granted us a new look at our amazing God, and much of that has been how you have been used by Him. Thanks for being His hands in our lives.

We've also had questions thrown our way and though we can't answer all the questions (somethings we just don't have a clue!), we'll try to post some here.

1. Yes, we did get to watch the Steelers win--it was live here on Monday morning. The Chinese commentators may or may not have done a nice job. We don't have a clue.
2. Simon is doing remarkably well. We are not hiding anything from you. He did just finish crying because he didn't like the pajamas that we put on him for his nap (he refuses to sleep in his clothes--we'll just take one step at a time). He is attaching himself to us more than we had hoped. He has had two spells where he begins to cry and we. . . well, we lose him. He seems to just disengage and it takes a bit for him to get back to us--maybe five minutes or so. Both of these happened yesterday. Once, he dropped his egg on the floor and when we didn't give it back, but rather began to peel another. . . he fell apart. Perhaps he thought he has lost the food. . . no more food? We don't know. He couldn't even see that we had another egg for him even though it was a foot in front of him. He also lost it when we happened upon a cat yesterday afternoon. We've seen cats before--not a problem. He likes dogs from afar, but not up close. It will be interesting with Smokey in the house.
3. Yes, we are enjoying the food. We haven't found a great Chinese place here yet within walking distance, but we did buy some food last night out of a local's kitchen. It looked a bit sketchy, but hey, it was good and super cheap. We aren't sick today.
4. No, Diet Coke does not taste the same.
5. No, we don't know Chinese. We can't read or understand anything. . .at all. . ever. Even their writing goes in several directions (up and down, left to right, and right to left). It is quite the feeling to be so very lost when it comes to being self sufficient or going on an adventure.
6. Yes, there are traffic lines, but they are not recognized by drivers, walkers, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.
7. Yes, the weather is warm here in Guangzhou. It is a bit cooler today (upper 70's) but has been in the 80's. Gary is hot.
8. Yes, our hotel here is wonderful. We have a great room and wonderful service. The breakfast buffet is delicious. Big shift when we get home and Simon has one choice for breakfast. :)
9. Our schedule? Well, I get up a little after six and do my Beth Moore Bible Study in the bathroom so as not to wake the boys. Then, I'm off for a morning walk: lovely! Come back and Gary is usually awake. Simon is up around 8:00 and we mosey down to breakfast when we get dressed and feel like it. Back to the room: check e-mail (hopefully) and then off on a walking adventure. Where? Around the island, to the pearl market, to the fish market. . . who knows. Lunch in the room around noon, nap for Simon, another walking adventure before supper. . . then supper. . . playing in the room and bathtime and then bedtime around 8:30 for Simon. Gary and I lay in bed and watch CNN until I fall asleep around 9:30. Who knows when he falls asleep. The deviation to the schedule is when we have adoption stuff to do (see note at the beginning on this post).
10. Yes, God is so very good and we glorify Him many times a day.

Love and miss you.
shanda--who is coming home on Friday!

Gary will try to post pictures later.

Doing great

Hi



We are doing great and our internet seems to be moving at a snail's pace at last. At least it is an improvement. Our group today went to the safari park. We decided not to go along. It'll interfere with Simon's afternoon nap, so we worked on the blog this morning and then walked around looking for Chinese outfits for Simon, Garrison and Noel. They don't have many choices for boys.



Now we are back in our room and enjoying peanut butter and jelly as well as cucumber chips. That's right: not a type-o. I've heard about the crazy flavors of chips here, so when we went to the grocery store, I of course had to get a few to sample. I passed on the prawns, but did purchase blueberry: not bad, but just doesn't seem to be right. We also got cucumber, lime, sweet spicy flavor, and good ole salt and pepper. We'll let you know how things turn out.



We walked to the fish market yesterday morning before church and Gary got to hold an eel. Simon wasn't too excited about it. We didn't have much time to explore before church, so we'll make sure to visit again. Church yesterday was good. . . good to worship with other believers and good to experience feeling very different and very lost at times. The service was in Mandarin and English. They did their best to translate, but things can get lost. We did feel like we needed to "come, now is the time to worship". We sang to twice, so they much have really wanted us to be there. One of the Chinese songs had the characters as well as the pinion (spelling?) so we tried our best to sound it out. Being the only blonds in the place gave us a feeling of what Simon might feel at our church and school. We did miss Holland Heights and George's sermon: we look forward to being with you next week!!!



Nights are going great. Simon is sleeping well: we thank God for this each night. He is learning more English, yet talks up a storm all the time. If only we could understand this little guy: soon, I know. He is very obedient and we have so much fun with him. The only word that comes to mind is delightful. He is a delight. He'll be a great addition to our family. God is so very good.



We are a bit homesick at times. . . o.k. often. We try to keep busy as this helps, but we are ready to be reunited with our kids. We ask God to give us what we need each day and to enjoy our time here.



We relish your comments and covet your prayers. Thanks for following along and joining us in the journey.



Love

shanda, gary and simon

Pictures!!

Simon looks at the fish.

He's not happy about his physical examination.

The building where his medical photo was taken.

A sucker on the plane.

Getting his head measured.

More of the medical exam.

Reading on the plane.

Shanda and Anne.

Look: raisens!

Running in the lobby of the hotel.

Riding in the elevator.

Church on Sunday morning.

Look, it's Simon.

Playing with magnets on the fridge.

Blowing on the noodles to cool them down.

The view from the pool.

Eating Thai: this may have been his last bite. He wasn't a fan.

Noodles in the room for lunch.

He loves playing with legos.