Monday, October 28, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
I met him!
It was wonderful and chaotic and crazy and fun! The time came and went for us to connect on Skypenand we thought that perhaps the internet was down. Low and behold--our ringer wasn't on! They had been trying to connect. Well. . . when we saw that they were trying to reach us we connected in a hurry. :)
Gary suddenly declared: "There he is."
There he is.
We moved from the living room to the dining room table so that we could set the computer on the table. We took turns moving in front of the screen so that we could talk with him. We introduced ourselves. He dutifully repeated what his teachers were telling him to say. "Mama. Baba. Love you. Hello." The teachers standing behind him were fascinated with us. They fell all over themselves when Simon showed his cute face. Barbara, the teacher who was in charge of the whole thing, was Simon's main caregiver. She is the one who took him home on week-ends, who potty trained him, who loved him so very dearly and delivered him to us. . . who felt such a loss when he left. So she was very excited to see Simon again. We asked if Michael had received the birthday gift we sent and they held it up. It made the trip! Michael opened it in front of us--what a gift to see! He was pretty clueless about the sidewalk chalk, but lit up with the Legos! (Note to self: bring Legos to China, which is a funny statement because aren't Legos made in China?!?) They also went through the photo book with him. Now he can see us every day and become familiar with what we look like and what our names are.
Our time ended with Penny having a major meltdown--a couple of the other kids weren't holding up so fabulous either. Their questions to him in Mandarin became things like "Do you like to eat eggs?" He does. "Do you like to eat apples?" He does. It was over an hour past their bedtime and we needed to be done.
So I talked with my son for the first time and he called me mama. He might not know what that means, but I do. They kept wanting to know when we were coming and we can't tell them. We just don't know when we'll get invited to travel, but we are still hoping for January or February. He seemed to talk well which I'm so thankful for. He kept eating a snack which I loved to see. (The boy is small: probably from undernourishment in his earliest years.) He smiled and my heart skipped. It won't be long and we'll see each other face to face. Woo-Hoo!
Gary suddenly declared: "There he is."
There he is.
We moved from the living room to the dining room table so that we could set the computer on the table. We took turns moving in front of the screen so that we could talk with him. We introduced ourselves. He dutifully repeated what his teachers were telling him to say. "Mama. Baba. Love you. Hello." The teachers standing behind him were fascinated with us. They fell all over themselves when Simon showed his cute face. Barbara, the teacher who was in charge of the whole thing, was Simon's main caregiver. She is the one who took him home on week-ends, who potty trained him, who loved him so very dearly and delivered him to us. . . who felt such a loss when he left. So she was very excited to see Simon again. We asked if Michael had received the birthday gift we sent and they held it up. It made the trip! Michael opened it in front of us--what a gift to see! He was pretty clueless about the sidewalk chalk, but lit up with the Legos! (Note to self: bring Legos to China, which is a funny statement because aren't Legos made in China?!?) They also went through the photo book with him. Now he can see us every day and become familiar with what we look like and what our names are.
Our time ended with Penny having a major meltdown--a couple of the other kids weren't holding up so fabulous either. Their questions to him in Mandarin became things like "Do you like to eat eggs?" He does. "Do you like to eat apples?" He does. It was over an hour past their bedtime and we needed to be done.
So I talked with my son for the first time and he called me mama. He might not know what that means, but I do. They kept wanting to know when we were coming and we can't tell them. We just don't know when we'll get invited to travel, but we are still hoping for January or February. He seemed to talk well which I'm so thankful for. He kept eating a snack which I loved to see. (The boy is small: probably from undernourishment in his earliest years.) He smiled and my heart skipped. It won't be long and we'll see each other face to face. Woo-Hoo!
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
It's a big day.
From the title--you want to know why today is a big day. Soon. First, fingerprinting yesterday. The last time Gary and I were fingerprinted, Garrison was 14 months old and it took over three hours. We both laughed yesterday as we remembered trying to entertain him in the office. The office is a melting pot. I love seeing who is there. I love hearing a middle age man explain to his father what the officer needed him to do. He even prompted his father to say "thank you" in English when it was all over. It took Gary about five minutes to complete his fingerprints. It took me almost 25! The computer did not like the way the prints turned out of my left hand. They will probably get rejected. So the officer got out the old school ink and took them this way as well. I'm hopeful that both won't get rejected.
So fingerprinting is done. I'm beginning to think about childcare and I get a bit panicky. I know that things will fall into place. I know that God has it. I know that two weeks isn't very long in a lifetime, but two weeks of finding childcare is a big deal. They are my kids and I adore them. I got teary eyed this morning as I thought about us returning home from China with Michael and greeting our kids in the airport. We are three months away we think. Three months. Deep breath. What excitement and what a lot to do! :)
So today. Tonight after church we'll come home and our kids will be wired. They are always wired after church on Wednesday. I'll be a little wired too. Tonight is the night that we talk with Michael on skype. Tonight. Internet has been down recently in Hengyang (typical) and so in the past few days there has been a flurry of e-mails. Tonight for us, tomorrow morning for him. . .we'll meet each other. I'm so excited. . . and a bit nervous. What do I say to my son whom I've never met yet love so very much? What will he think of this crazy bunch that he sees for the first time? I want to ask him so much and I just want to watch him. Tonight. Tonight I will interact with him for the first time.
You can pray for us. You can pray that the evil one stays far away. . . that computers work properly. . . that he isn't scared. . .that God calms his heart. . .that we can understand each other. . . that we begin to see his heart.
I'll let you know how it goes. :)
So fingerprinting is done. I'm beginning to think about childcare and I get a bit panicky. I know that things will fall into place. I know that God has it. I know that two weeks isn't very long in a lifetime, but two weeks of finding childcare is a big deal. They are my kids and I adore them. I got teary eyed this morning as I thought about us returning home from China with Michael and greeting our kids in the airport. We are three months away we think. Three months. Deep breath. What excitement and what a lot to do! :)
So today. Tonight after church we'll come home and our kids will be wired. They are always wired after church on Wednesday. I'll be a little wired too. Tonight is the night that we talk with Michael on skype. Tonight. Internet has been down recently in Hengyang (typical) and so in the past few days there has been a flurry of e-mails. Tonight for us, tomorrow morning for him. . .we'll meet each other. I'm so excited. . . and a bit nervous. What do I say to my son whom I've never met yet love so very much? What will he think of this crazy bunch that he sees for the first time? I want to ask him so much and I just want to watch him. Tonight. Tonight I will interact with him for the first time.
You can pray for us. You can pray that the evil one stays far away. . . that computers work properly. . . that he isn't scared. . .that God calms his heart. . .that we can understand each other. . . that we begin to see his heart.
I'll let you know how it goes. :)
Monday, October 21, 2013
Good Morning
It is 3:27 a.m. Both Penny and Noel have had struggles tonight. Noel was coughing something fierce, so I got up. I put her in a shower with the door shut and let er rip. The steam and heat were great and I haven't heard her cough since. We'll see what the sunlight brings. Penny is having her usual bad dreams. . . no terrors tonight though.
So I'm up. It is a time to be quiet and reflect. I'm listening to a sermon that a friend sent me. Right now it is the praise and worship time, so I'm blogging until the sermon begins.
Today is my birthday.
Forty one years ago God changed my parent's lives forever. I'm so thankful that He placed me with them.
Saturday Noel tried something new. She goes to a gymnastics class once a week. On most Saturdays there is an open gym, and this was the first week that Noel could go. I took her and as soon as we hit the parking lot, she changed. My confident secure girl clung to my legs and kept her head down. She was a completely different person! I told her we'd hang out for a bit together. . . I'd stay and watch her. . . Why doesn't she just try it for awhile and see if she finds one of her friends. . .I tried everything I had in my bag of tricks. Two other mamas saw and tried to help--in a good and not annoying way. This did nothing. I was at a loss of what to do until one of these mamas stepped in again. "Hi. This is my daughter Sarah. She is in the same level as you are. Do you want to go in with her?" Noel lit up and nodded. She and Sarah went into the gym and that was it. Noel needed a friend.
I sat there praying for her and smiling as I saw them running around together. After about fifteen minutes, Noel ran over to me and with a huge smile said "I'm o.k. mom You can go." The same girl that wouldn't let me go was now dismissing me. :)
I'm the same way. I get nervous going to a school event by myself. I find myself scanning the crowd and looking for a friend. . . someone I know. I wonder if I'll know someone at my table at church. Will someone want to sit by me at a social event? I do better in new situations. . . and in familiar ones with a friend.
I'm thankful today for my friends. I'm thankful for folks who say that they are on the same level as me.
We are walking together through parenting.
We are walking together through church.
We are walking together as believers.
We are walking together as adoptive parents.
We are walking together trying to lose weight.
We are walking together through marriage.
We are walking together through grief.
I feel better with you. I do better with you.
Thanks.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Happy Birthday!
We had chocolate cupcakes with whipped topping and sprinkles for breakfast. I also made pancakes. It was a cake morning.
Today is Michael's birthday and he is six. Six. The next year for him is going to involve a lot of change. I was told that he had a party today with all of his friends. I'm thankful.
Want to see a new picture of Michael? Want to read about a family that volunteered? Want to see what our family will do in the future?
Let the pictures keep going and you'll see him. And his best friend Biao. And we sponsor Biao. And I can't wait to take a picture of me in the middle of these two boys.
Fingerprinting on Tuesday. Sent off the applications for the boys passports today. You read that right: boys. Garrison totally wants to come with us. We weren't planning on it, but there are good reasons to take him along. There are also good reasons to keep him home. Getting the passport gives us the option. We are praying about it.
Penny is into using tons of toilet paper. And into plugging the toilet. Simon is into having lots of expectations of what he wants to do after school and being very unhappy when my plans don't line up with his. (2 hours of wii, shrimp for supper, Legos for nine hours) Garrison is into books about birds. Lots and lots of American birds. . . he brought home an encyclopedia of American birds. Noel is into being dramatic. Oh man.
We sold our truck yesterday. Yes! God keeps knitting plans together. Amen and Amen!
Monday, October 14, 2013
A very important letter
We received a very important letter in the mail on Saturday. It indicated our appointment time for our fingerprints. When the U.S. Government summons, you'd best be there. I'm bummed that I have to miss Bible Study next week, but I'll be there.
The appointment comes with mixed emotions. I'm excited that our paperwork was in order and that we have our appointment time. There is a wisp of fear that creeps up because we are closer and that means thinking about traveling and leaving some kids behind and where will they stay and how will they do without us and and and. . . .
It doesn't help me at all that I can't seem to find the joy joy joy joy down in my heart. There isn't anything wrong, but I'm not completely right. I love my Lord so deeply and I'm so grateful for a husband who is beyond supportive. I know I'll make it through this, but as a friend said to my yesterday "Your smile isn't around very often and takes awhile to appear." She is right. My heart is heavy and it shows on my face. Right now there are tears in my eyes--they appear often. Argh! I just want to be done with this. It'll come. God is good all the time and I serve Him.
Other than that, we are chugging along. The boys begin a new adventure today called Math Pentathlon. I'm not sure of what all happens there, but it involves math and games and since both boys love math and games. . . it sounds like a winner to me. They are excited. I'm not sure Garrison will be able to save his snack for after school. We've talked about it. Noel spit off of the top bunk into Simon's bed and lost her ipad. The kids argued about who farted in church. I've had a great eating day today--to try and counteract the terrible eating days I had this week-end. We might have sold the truck, but maybe not. Penny turned me into a dragon this morning with her magic ring. We hiked yesterday and enjoyed great colors and company. You know--the usual for Sprick Nation.
Time to put Penny into bed. She isn't excited today, but I'll get her there. I'll leave you with this beautiful image. We went to the library this morning. Penny wore a ballerina costume, purple crocs, a princess sweatshirt, a duck mask around her neck and a scarf tied to her waist which dragged on the ground. She was happy and it brought a smile to my face as well. She isn't fashion forward, she is just forward.
The appointment comes with mixed emotions. I'm excited that our paperwork was in order and that we have our appointment time. There is a wisp of fear that creeps up because we are closer and that means thinking about traveling and leaving some kids behind and where will they stay and how will they do without us and and and. . . .
It doesn't help me at all that I can't seem to find the joy joy joy joy down in my heart. There isn't anything wrong, but I'm not completely right. I love my Lord so deeply and I'm so grateful for a husband who is beyond supportive. I know I'll make it through this, but as a friend said to my yesterday "Your smile isn't around very often and takes awhile to appear." She is right. My heart is heavy and it shows on my face. Right now there are tears in my eyes--they appear often. Argh! I just want to be done with this. It'll come. God is good all the time and I serve Him.
Other than that, we are chugging along. The boys begin a new adventure today called Math Pentathlon. I'm not sure of what all happens there, but it involves math and games and since both boys love math and games. . . it sounds like a winner to me. They are excited. I'm not sure Garrison will be able to save his snack for after school. We've talked about it. Noel spit off of the top bunk into Simon's bed and lost her ipad. The kids argued about who farted in church. I've had a great eating day today--to try and counteract the terrible eating days I had this week-end. We might have sold the truck, but maybe not. Penny turned me into a dragon this morning with her magic ring. We hiked yesterday and enjoyed great colors and company. You know--the usual for Sprick Nation.
Time to put Penny into bed. She isn't excited today, but I'll get her there. I'll leave you with this beautiful image. We went to the library this morning. Penny wore a ballerina costume, purple crocs, a princess sweatshirt, a duck mask around her neck and a scarf tied to her waist which dragged on the ground. She was happy and it brought a smile to my face as well. She isn't fashion forward, she is just forward.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Parenting is hard
I sat across from a dear friend today and she looked at me and simply said "Parenting is hard." She is right.
We had walked together and shared prayer requests, dreams, and struggles. My parenting life has been a struggle recently. I'm not talking about how Penny snuck out of bed, grabbed a scissors and shredded her pajama bottoms. That is easy stuff to me. You didn't finish your duck duties? I've got tools to use in that case. "Quit hitting your sister. You are not the mom today. If you do that one more time I'm going to put you in time out." These are regular issues for me. I can handle them and feel like for the most part, I handle them well.
Hard stuff affects my heart because I see my kids hurting. Hurting because of friends on the playground. Hurting because they can't quite fit in. Hurting because they thought they were doing fine and enjoying themselves and instead they hurt someone. I've shed many tears this week and the blog has been silent. Silent because there is a time to not share these hurts. Silent because my heart wasn't sure what direction to go. Silent to protect my kids and let them learn and grow without comments outside of the house.
Tonight I need to walk to a neighbors house and talk with a girl from the bus stop. We have to resolve an issue. I'm torn up about it! I feel like an idiot, and yet I thought I was doing the right thing. Seems like I'm facing some of the same issues as my kids. I may need to ask them for advice when they get off of the bus. :)
We had walked together and shared prayer requests, dreams, and struggles. My parenting life has been a struggle recently. I'm not talking about how Penny snuck out of bed, grabbed a scissors and shredded her pajama bottoms. That is easy stuff to me. You didn't finish your duck duties? I've got tools to use in that case. "Quit hitting your sister. You are not the mom today. If you do that one more time I'm going to put you in time out." These are regular issues for me. I can handle them and feel like for the most part, I handle them well.
Hard stuff affects my heart because I see my kids hurting. Hurting because of friends on the playground. Hurting because they can't quite fit in. Hurting because they thought they were doing fine and enjoying themselves and instead they hurt someone. I've shed many tears this week and the blog has been silent. Silent because there is a time to not share these hurts. Silent because my heart wasn't sure what direction to go. Silent to protect my kids and let them learn and grow without comments outside of the house.
Tonight I need to walk to a neighbors house and talk with a girl from the bus stop. We have to resolve an issue. I'm torn up about it! I feel like an idiot, and yet I thought I was doing the right thing. Seems like I'm facing some of the same issues as my kids. I may need to ask them for advice when they get off of the bus. :)
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