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

Oh we've got trouble

Hi

We're here in Guangzhou. We have a beautiful room. We had our first grieving experience last night: I want to share more with you later.

We are unable to access the internet. We are supposed to have it in our room. They are "working on it", but the language barrier is proving to be quite difficult.

I'm unable to see my e-mail or facebook at all--so frustrating for this girl who wants to hear from home every day.

We'll post if we get internet soon. I'm sitting in a business center and hoping this doesn't shut down. We love you and still covet your prayers.

shanda

Scenes and thoughts before leaving

My first strawberry milkshake.

Our apartment complex

Our Muslim dinner: delicious! It was muslim because there was no pork.

Yup, I love being a Sprick!

Simon gets a ride.

Chinese split pants

Riding the merry-go-round

Simon LOVED riding in this car. He talked about it the entire way home.

Noodles for lunch. Stir-fried pork in one dish, and mushrooms and squirrel in the other. Yes, everyone tried the squirrel.

So, we leave Changsha in a couple of hours. It is bittersweet. We are ready to move on, to complete our paperwork and return home, yet this has been a great place to be. We love meandering on the sidewalks, we love the Reigers, we love the sights and sounds (the smells are something else), we love the province of Simon's birth. We aren't sure how much he'll remember, but we plan to share with him how much we enjoyed coming to his birthplace to get him. We'll show him pictures, we'll tell him how much his birth mom must have loved him to place him a spot where he could be found rather than letting him die.

We've had some rather interesting experiences here and just wanted to share some fun things that have happened to us. This is in NO WAY to say that Chinese or Americans are good/bad, right/wrong. . . just different from each other. It has been a hoot.

There are eggs in the grocery store on the shelves dated 10-1-08. They've been on the shelves since 10-1-08--no refrigeration. Just make sure you cook them fully.

No semi-trucks in town. They deliver outside of the city and small trucks bring everything in.

You pay more association fee if you live in a higher floor: you use the elevator more.

Many retired people exercise in the morning by doing Tai Chi, dancing, sword work, etc. in the parks. Beautiful.

Cheap cab rides! The most we've paid is 13 yen, or less than two dollars. Also, you ride in the front with the driver.

Cheap and very very very tasty food!

Squatty Potties.

People cut in the line at the grocery store and don't pay any attention if you ask them, tell them, order them, to move. I learned to stand very close to the person in front of me and block off intruders with by butt--my dutch butt actually came in handy.

Openly staring at folks is o.k., particularly if those folks are blond Americans with a Chinese son. It is also o.k. to ask their guide what they are doing with the child.

McDonald's has peach, pineapple, and banana pies: deep fried.

Buy your bag at the grocery stores. Cuts down on liter.

You can spit, whenever and wherever you want.

Poverty is very visible.

We had such a great night last night with the Reigers. They took us to a Muslim restaurant with ice cream for dessert at McDonald's afterwards: our first visit. The meal was so delicious. It is great to hear about how God is using them here in Changsha. They and all of ICC are such a light in a place that so desperately needs the Lord. We thank them for their hospitality. On to Guangshou!

Dear Garrison and Noel,

Simon loves playing with his mommy's sunglasses.

Bath time is a favorite.

Simon watching his first video, and daddy falling asleep.

Driving the car, but not wanting to let go of mommy's hand.

The boy loves noodles--and eating in general.

Dear Garrison and Noel

It was one week ago that we left, that we were on a plane for China to go and get your brother Simon. It was hard to leave you, yet we knew that we had to go. You've had so many adventures since we left: you've been watched and loved by Aunt Gigi, Uncle Koe, Aunt Tricia, Uncle Matt, Grammy and Gramps. You've lived in two different places and even both had ear infections. Tomorrow, Mr. Jim, Mrs. Rebecca, and Lydia are coming to your house to take care of you. You are having fun and will continue to have more fun.

But, the best is yet to come. You see, in just over a week, we'll be coming home with Simon. He is more than we ever hoped or imagined. Garrison, he loves cars and trucks. He likes to hit the blue ball with a chopstick all over the house. I think you'll have so much fun playing with him. He is very good about going to bed and I think he'll like sharing a room with you. He used to share a room with six other children and right now he is sharing with mommy and daddy. Noel, you are going to have another big brother. I'm glad that you are sassy enough to hold your own. You'll love running with Simon. He loves to climb and jump and run. . . just like you. You'll be my little monkeys. He is out eating you little girl. I didn't think anyone could out eat you. Most of all kids, he loves to laugh and he knows Jesus. We sing Jesus Loves Me together every day. It'll be fun to sing it together as a family. He cried for the first time today. Mommy left the restaurant early because it was past Simon's bedtime. Simon was very sad to leave his daddy and cried as we walked out. Do you know what that means? It mean he loves his daddy very much, just like you. He is also learning lots of words. You won't be able to understand most of what he says, but he'll learn more and more every day.

We miss you and love you. We wish we could come home earlier, but we need to stay here and do some more paperwork. We get Simon's passport tomorrow before we fly to Guangshou. There, we'll have some more appointments with the U.S. government. Enjoy your last day with Grammy and your time with the Petersons.

We love you!

Mommy and Daddy

Culture

We had such a great time at Martyr's Park this morning. There were so many people doing such interesting activities. Perhaps we stared at them as much as we are being stared at. They were playing badminton, doing different dances, doing Tai Chi, working with swords, singing, playing instruments. . . it was so much fun. We even took a boat ride on the lake in the park. It was a great time!

Last night we had the opportunity to go out for supper with Kyla, our angel and missionary of Simon's former home: the Social Welfare Institute of Hengyang. It was great to listen to her and ask her questions about Simon, about the orphanage, about ICC programs, and about her life. It is wonderful to see how God called her into missions. Thanks Kyla for listening. . . Simon may not have been around had you not arrived on the scene.

Simon continues to wiggle his way deeper and deeper into our hearts. He is showing more and more signs of attachment. . . such a gift from the Lord. He is a fun kid who loves to laugh, run, and play. He'll fit in great with the rest of the family.

Prayer Requests:

1. Continued thanks to God for how well Simon is doing with our family.

2. Please pray for my mom and kids: Garrison and Noel both have ear infections!

3. Everything else continue to go well. . . we need for God to go before us. It is great that He has promised to do so.

Love and miss you!

the spricks

He's ours.

Pictures first. :)

Simon loves bean sprout salad.

Giving daddy five.

I love my apple juice.

Being goofy.

Buddies

I ate all my peanut butter and jelly.

Yup, he is ours. We went back to the civil affairs office today, signed some paperwork, paid some (o.k. a lot) of money, each gave our thumbprint in red, Simon gave his hand print in red, and then. . . congratulations. CONGRATULATIONS. We have a son.

Now why, you might ask, do we need to stay here so much longer? Well, we need to wait for Simon's passport. We took the photo today. Then, we travel to Guangshou for the U.S. side of things. See, he isn't ours yet in the eyes of the United States government. One down, one to go.

Let me recap the past 24 hours.

*Big afternoon nap by Mr. Simon Sprick. Way to go big guy.

*Little walk in the afternoon to get some toilet paper. Gotta have it. Met Kyla on the way and she came back to our apartment and we chatted for about an hour. Love her. Simon, by the way, said hello, but would rather be by his daddy. That is a good thing.

*Peanut Butter and jelly for supper. Simon loved it.

*Out for an evening stroll with Leila, our guide.

*Bath time--loved it!

*Bedtime. . . did so great. Simon loves books and repeats all the words that we say in the books. Very cute.

*Good night of sleep.

*Simon has a cold and is bleeding a little from his nose. More liquids!

*Get up and go to the civil affairs office. Do all the blah blah stuff.

*Lunch in our apartment. O.k., I need to pause and tell you two things. First, we were going to have PB & J again. Yummy, filling, we are going out for supper etc. So, we mention this to Anne. She instead cooks us up some wings and some pot stickers. They were the most wonderful tasty yummy. . . oh so good. Second, the boy can eat. One wing, three pot stickers, raisins, bananas, AND 3/4 peanut butter and jelly--two slices. Hopefully he'll build up some fat in his biscuits. His pants are always falling off.

After Simon went down, I was invited by Anne to go to a market and so some shopping. So fun! We took the bus (good experience) and then enjoyed all the little shops. We saw the pet market: lots of birds and fish, turtles, hamsters, and dogs. . . not for pets. . . for food.

Simon is still sleeping as are most of you. We love you and covet your prayers. God is pouring out His blessings on us more than we even asked for. Thanks you Lord! Simon appears to be bonding with us. . . he runs and hugs and kisses us. He asks to be picked up, he loves to play, he sings Jesus Loves Me over and over again. . .Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Prayer Requests

1. Continued bonding with Simon.

2. Paperwork all gets completed.

3. Thanks for Leila our guide and for the staff of ICC--they have helped us in so many ways.

4. Because we have so much free time in the next few days, homesickness may hit me hard. I miss my other kids. Pray that I may enjoy every moment here.

Dogs for sale in the market-to be raised and eaten.

The meat is hanging in the back, the innards are on the street for sale as well.

Gotcha Day

The newest addition to the Sprick family.

This is Barbara who loves Simon and often takes him home for the week-end.

Simon gets to know his daddy.

Simon and mommy get to know each other.

Here he comes! Our first look at him.

Yup, we have Simon. What an amazing couple of hours we have had. Suddenly your family expands with an entrance through a door.

We began the day with a trip to the police station. We had to register ourselves so the police know where we are. Thankfully Bruce went with us and did all the work. We provided our passports as well as the driver.

Then, we came back to the apartment to wait for an hour. We did some devotions, some computer stuff, and generally just hung out until 10:00.

Then, we get to go and get him. We got up to the room and there was another family we had traveled with on the plane. They had just received their daughter. It was fun to see them together. Simon wasn't there yet. We both sat and had the camera ready to go for the big moment. Leila our guide told us that it would be awhile, so we put the camera away to just chill a bit. Oh, here he is! We whip out the camera and go to meet our son. He was a little hesitant at first. We got out the toys and books we had brought and he was very excited about that. He loves cars and enjoyed playing with them as well as looking at a dog book. Shanda got a couple of looks from him, but mostly he wanted to stay with Barbara his nanny.

Then, Gary got involved. (He had been on camera duty.) Boy, did Simon like him. He took to Gary right away. They played together and Gary even got to hold him. He was fascinated with Gary's facial hair. So, while daddy and Simon played, mom filled out paperwork. Simon was fidgeting a bit, so we thought he might have to go to the bathroom. Gary took him, and yup, he went. Way to go Simon!

We finished there and left. Simon decided it was o.k. to sit with mom and bit in the car. He did like being with his daddy more. They were laughing and playing together. Gary would tickle Simon and then Simon would tickle his daddy. Both would laugh and laugh.

We went to lunch-no high chair. Simon did sit on Shanda's lap though. They brought out some peanuts and some pickled turnips. Simon ate and ate and ate. We had to remove the peanuts from sight so that he wouldn't get sick. He also had some rice and a small piece of beef. Yesterday at the grocery store we had purchased a drink box and he enjoyed that we well. He played a ton with the chopsticks which kept him occupied while we were still eating.

Then we went back to our place so he could take a nap. He was about two hours behind the time when he usually takes a nap. He pulled off his shoes when we came inside (way to go!) and then we took him to the room with a book. He loved the book! He sat on my lap and repeated every word that I said. So cool!

Then, nap time.

Let's see how this goes. I put him down and then laid in my bed. He was very upset and kept saying something. . . of course I don't have a clue what he is saying. He wanted to have the book in bed with him. Since we let Garrison have a book in bed, we decided to o.k. it. He laid in bed and talked and talked and talked! He kept trying to talk to me. Suddenly, he was very upset, getting out of bed etc. I thought it might be the bathroom--yup! Way to go!

Back to bed. Because he kept talking to me, I decided to leave him alone. After talking to himself for 10-15 minutes, he went to sleep and is still napping.

We love him.

We bless God for bringing him into our lives.

We are thankful to you for praying for us and supporting us.

We know that our journey is just beginning.

We'll write again tonight perhaps.