Good morning!

Good morning.

It looks as if our computer is working in our room. We found a very nice worker here in the Victory who got the message across that we needed help. They replaced the computer in our room, and though it is very very very slow, it is working. Amen and Amen.

We had a nice last day in Changsha. We enjoyed a last supper with the Reiger family at "our place". Then, we were off to the airport. It was hard in a way to say "good-bye", but we were ready. Simon loved looking at the airplanes and kept pulling us to every window in an effort to see more. He did o.k. on the flight-we needed to entertain him a lot and it was just one hour. We are already praying about our long flight next Friday. When we finally made it to the hotel, it was late: 10:30--way past Simon's bedtime. That is when we saw it. Gary read to him, put on his pajamas (not the summer ones-they were short sleeved and he saw them as long underwear and wanted to put his clothes on over them), prayed with him, sang to him. . . then into the crib. The wailing began. It didn't sound like he was upset, just so very sad. We determined that the crib may be too small and made a make-shift bed for him on the floor. He continued to quietly wail and kept saying the same word over and over. We think that he was calling out for a friend or a nanny. I don't blame him. He is overtired, just rode in a plane, is in a brand new environment. . . I'd be crying for the familiar as well. We just laid with him, rubbed his head, and assured him of our love for him as his mommy and daddy. He kept rubbing his eyes, so after about 15 minutes, we gave him some benedryl and he immediately laid down and went to sleep. Oh Simon, some day when you are scared, or tired, or lonely, you'll say a different word: mommy. I know the day will come.

Breakfast at our hotel:The Victory in the morning. Then, off to chaos! :) We walked with the other AGCI families (there are four of us) to get Simon's visa photo taken. While we were there, a tour bus of adoptive families showed up. There must have been at least twenty other families, all adopting, and all going where we are going. We went to the medical center--mass chaos. Each child must have a medical exam. (We'll post pictures later hopefully!). We waited in lines (?) to see three different medical professionals. Simon was evaluated by a doctor first who listened to his heart and looked at the scars on his legs and back. Simon was not pleased about this and cried very loudly! Then, off to another cubicle to have his ears, eyes, and throat evaluated. Finally, off to another location for height and weight. DONE. For the record Koeman family, he weights 12.5 K and is 90 c tall.

Lunch was noodles in our hotel room. Then Simon took a much needed nap while Gary (bless his heart) went to do paperwork. It took two hours--two hours of paperwork! Thanks honey. I took a nap and watched CNN. Fun to get caught up on some news.

We went to explore after Simon's nap and tried to get our computer fixed. We ate at the Cow and Bridge restaurant for Thai food. Very delicious for mommy and daddy--Simon not so much. He even resorted to eating some rice--a food he has refused since we got him. Guess he doesn't like Thai so much. Daddy put Simon to bed while I and another ACGI mom (Deb) kidnapped our guide Leila and took a cab to a grocery store. There is not one here on the island where we are. We had such a great time--I think we were both tired and I know that I was punchy. We got some pop and lunch stuff so that we don't need to eat out every meal.

Now, we are rested again and ready for Sunday. There is a church here that we'll be attending this morning. I'm excited for worship. It is great to think that next Sunday we'll be home.

We are a bit homesick and wish we could leave for him and see our kids. We know they are in great hands (thanks Petersons!), but we are ready to be a family. Please pray that we just enjoy every moment here and continue to grow as the Sprick family. Simon is learning more each day and that is fun to see. We have free days on Monday and Tuesday before the appointments begin again.

Thanks for your comments--they really encourage us. We'll try and post pictures later today.

Love!
shanda