I Have a Confession to Make....

So I have to confess something to all of you....we weren't one of those couples who always wanted to adopt.  It wasn't something I had on my heart since I was a teenager or anything, and it was honestly something we never talked about really ever while we were dating or married.  In fact, it was just two years ago that we started feeling that adoption might be something that we were being called to.  Maybe that was a crazy confession, or maybe it was just part of my evil plot to get you to start to read my blog, (he he,) but as strange as it may sound, that confession is something that breaks my heart.

It breaks my heart because that means that when my sweet, precious son was born, that I wasn't even thinking about him or praying for him.  I had no idea of the amazing gift that God was about to bring into our lives.  I will never be able to repay his biological parents for the privilege we have been given to raise their perfect little boy, and am beyond blessed that I'm his Mama.

Lots of you know that when we began our journey, we didn't know where God was calling us to adopt from.  We looked into just about every option, and a slew of different countries.  China was it.  I'm now on several advocacy boards for waiting children in China, and guys, it's so hard.  It's so hard because every day I see these precious faces in front of me of kiddos who have no mom or dad, and for most of them, four walls of an orphanage are all they have ever had to call home.  So many of them I have seen lately are older, and getting close to aging out of the system.  Yes, I said aging out.  In China, you age out of the system at 14.  14 YEARS OLD!  Now I don't know about you, but I don't know any 14 year old children that are ready to face the world on their own...let alone children who have nothing.  So many of these children's orphanage and agency fees have been waived or greatly reduced to try to help get them their forever families before this day comes, and yet still so many of them end up alone when that birthday arrives.  Heartbreaking.  So many talented, beautiful children who desperately want a family more than anything in the world who never get to know what it feels like to see the pride in their parent's eyes at a ballgame, or wipe away their tears when they have a bad day.  It's not fair.

Each day that I see these faces, they plea with me to help them.  To do something.  And each day, I fail them.  I see them and want so desperately to share them with my friends on Facebook to advocate for them, but no, my friends aren't crazy adoption nuts like I am that feel the unending need to bring a dozen or more children into their homes ;)  Then I realized that I was wrong, which is why I'm writing this insanely long blog post.  It was one Facebook post that lead us to that little guy who's fast asleep down the hall from me now.  So maybe for just one person who is reading this, this is what they need to start their journey to a wonderful and unexpected blessing.  By the way, it's not just in China folks.  There are 153 MILLION orphans in the world and I'm nondiscriminatory :)  Every child in every country is equally as important and all of them need the love of a family.  Maybe adoption isn't the road for you, which I'm definitely not saying it is for everyone, but we are called to care for our orphans and widows, and there are other ways to "care for" them.  Pray for them.  Support those who are adopting.  Foster.  Sponsor.  Advocate.  The list  goes on and on.

Each little voice just wants to be chosen.  They are asking one question, "Do you have room for me?" The same question that Jesus asks us, and the same question that during this very season of Christmas, Mary and Joseph asked at the Inn.  Let them in.  In whatever way you can.

Annnnnnd....since I've made you wait this long.  One month home tomorrow and we are doing awesome!  We are so completely blessed, and he is such an amazing little guy!  I could  go on and on about updates, which I will soon, but my "confession" above was on my heart tonight and needed to be shared.  Please forgive me for that.  So here are a few pics of my newest little cutie pie...with some of my other cutie pies as well :)

Things that make me remember I'm not in China anymore....

I thought this would be fun :)

1. No squatty potties.  Enough said.

2. Drivers actually using their turn signals, and not feeling like I'm knocking at death's door while in the car.

3. Being able to blog on my couch as opposed to the bathroom.  If you are confused about this, you need to go back to my earlier posts :)

The infamous blogging bathroom

4.  Blazing fast Internet.  I mean, did you see how many pictures were in my last post?  All uploaded within a minute...ahhhh!

5.  Meijer and Kroger aren't 4 stories tall.

6.  I'm no longer considered to be a "taller" person.

7. I know what I ordered at the DFW airport, instead of hoping we chose the right thing!

8.  My bed doesn't feel like I'm sleeping on just a box spring.

9.  I can't call room service.  Bummer.

10. I can use water out of the faucet...for everything!  Yay!

In other news, I have two, red sweatpants clad ninjas living in our house.  You have been warned!  I threw in a few other first week home pictures.  All in all, it's been a great week, aside from the arctic temperatures that welcomed us back home.  The little guy has not been happy with those!  We have his medical appointment at the adoption clinic Monday, so prayers are appreciated!  I will keep everyone updated!

It's dangerous in the playhouse...and yes, this is the little lady's "look" these days.  Sharing stinks! ;)

First time having popcorn.  Loved it!

Two cutest ninja's ever!

Home!

I know that that comes as no surprise to any of you reading this, but I have to do an official we are home post :)  As I had mentioned in the last post, we flew out of Hong Kong on Saturday, which I was super nervous about.  I mean, I know how the other two are with flying only to Arizona, so flying over 14 hours with a new little person made me want to cry!  However, this little man....WAS A CHAMP!  We played for a bit, pushed all of the buttons on the personal movie screen he had, called the flight attendants about a half dozen times on accident...whoops!  He also played the iPad, and of course slept and ate.  I seriously kept waiting for the ball to drop on the plane, but thankfully, it never did!  He was amazing!  I think I had a more enjoyable flight on the way home than on the way to China!  I never thought I would say that!!!

By the time we touched down for the last time, I was sooo ready to get off of that plane, hug my other babies, and introduce them to their new brother!  My plan was for us to make a potty stop before exiting the terminal and seeing our family and friends.  But, we ended up being at like the first gate, so we were literally two steps away from seeing everyone!  The little guy was really disoriented at first, seeing as how he slept the whole second flight.  It took him a few minutes, and then he was all about playing with his new siblings and our friends!  It was adorable!

Our first day home was a success as well!  We played, and the little man explored his new territory some more!  The other two little ones are completely in love with their brother...so far at least ;)  Day two has gone good as well, although I'm pretty sure that the little guy is NOT enjoying the freezing cold temps he was welcomed home with.  I mean seriously, do you blame him?!?!  I will try to get some good sibling shots soon, I promise!!!  Thanks to all of you for your love, prayers and support during this journey.  We have been so blessed by our family and friends!!

Our welcoming crew

My twins!!!

Isn't he the cutest???

Our first photo as a family of 5!!

LOVE these littles!!

Consulate Appointment and Korean BBQ!!

On Thursday, we had our consulate appointment bright and early in the morning!  We had to meet our guide at 7:45…eek!  When we got to the consulate, there were people everywhere outside!  Once we were at the adoption area, there were quite a few families…more Westerners than I’ve seen all week here!  It was pretty quick, and we were out of the building after a half an hour!  We spent quite a bit of time playing in the playroom today, and then grabbed some fast food Italian for lunch.  

The little man of course had to take his nap, so while he was napping, I took myself for a pedicure.  It was heaven.  Please note though, if you ever plan on a pedicure in China, you need to bring flip flops with you…they don’t provide you with the cheapo ones you typically get after a pedicure.  Lesson learned!  After nap time, we went down to the playroom and hung out with our friends who headed out yesterday afternoon.  Very sad!  We said our goodbyes, and then headed out to dinner.  We were SO excited about dinner, because yesterday we discovered a Korean BBQ restaurant in the mall next to our hotel.  YAY!  If you have never had Korean BBQ, you are missing out, let me tell you!  It has been one of my favorite meals since going to Japan in college.  We ordered lots of food, but we managed to get it all down!  After dinner, we took the little guy for his first taste of Dairy Queen.  He wasn’t fond of his cone, but liked both of our blizzards…go figure!  

We got most of our stuff packed up, and are ready to get on the train to Hong Kong on Friday night!  We cannot wait to be home! 

Getting misplaced and the river cruise

On Wednesday, we had one mission…to find our big guy more Pokemon cards!  Our amazing friends had managed to find some on Tuesday when we were out shopping, but we figured we would try for more.  We took a taxi for about 25 minutes, and he dropped us off near where the shop was supposed to be.  Supposed to is the key phrase here!  Come to find out, we were nowhere near this place!  We figured we make the best of the situation, so we shopped!  I got a painted canvas print for a great price, so I was pleased!  We decided to cut our losses and grab a taxi back to the hotel so we didn’t miss the little guy’s nap today since the river cruise was that night, and we have to get up early for the Consulate appointment tomorrow morning.  

Us on the river cruise

Canton Tower...5th tallest tower in the world

We had pizza delivered to the river cruise, but it ended up coming about 30 minutes prior to departure…so, we ate before we got on the boat!  It worked out good though, because then we were able to be up top, enjoying the view during the cruise instead of eating.  It was a clear night, so it was great for seeing all of the lights!  It was wonderful!  

Us with our friends from CHI!

Being a ham...like usual!

Shaiman Island

On Tuesday, we ventured out to go to Shaiman Island.  Shaiman is a very popular place for adoptive families to go while in Guangzhou.  We didn’t really know where to say we wanted to be dropped off at, so when the cab driver stopped, we conveniently stopped in front of a great little gift shop!  Yay!  We may or may not have bought enough things at this said shop to merit purchasing a small suitcase from them J  Hey, we were planning on buying another suitcase anyway, it just happened to be the right time to do so!  We met up with our friends for lunch at Lucy’s, which is an American restaurant on the island.  I had a milkshake, which I’m not sure I would actually call a milkshake, but it sufficed!  We had a great time walking around and shopping.

For supper, we met up with several other adoptive families at a Mexican restaurant nonetheless!  Our little man was pooped from a big day, and wasn’t really crazy about sitting through dinner…or eating Mexican food at that!  We had a great time visiting though, and of course everyone’s kiddos were so adorable!  When we got back to the hotel, our little man had to take a shower, (like that even surprises you, I’m sure!,) and then we were off to bed!  It was an excellent day!

Lunch date at Lucy's with these two cuties!

Mr. Independent wanted to pull the luggage...might come in handy at the airport ;)

Our group at dinner

Medical Appointment

So since I'm catching up a little from our prehistorically slow internet, Monday we had the little guy's medical appointment.  He did awesome!  He knew something was up when we went there, and the bottom lip came out, but he did great.  He had to show everyone his band aide from his blood draw...he was milking it for sure...and it was adorable!  We didn't do too much that day, but we did make a trip to the playroom in the hotel, which he loves, and then ventured out for dinner with friends, which was also great.  Now onto the next posts! 

*Warning...I may or may not have noticed that my child is either just in his underwear, or in shower in over half the below pictures!  Please proceed with caution ;)  *

His favorite thing to do.... :)

Two little buds!

Cause dance parties in your undies is cool!

Everyone eats dinner with headphones and just underwear on, right??

Medical

Leaving Changsha and the Safari Park

Saturday we got up bright and early to leave Changsha and head to Guangzhou!  Yay!!!!  We were super excited to get one step closer to home, and also for a change of scenery!  The little man did pretty good on the train...until he realized he wasn't confined to his seat, and then he tried to be a little escape artist!  Oh please be praying for the poor people around us on our 15 1/2 hour flight home.  Ahhh!  We were picked up at the train station, and got settled into our new hotel, which is awesome!  We have a great room with a kitchenette, and washer/dryer...another yay!  We also got to meet up with another family from our agency who we have been talking to for several months, so that was really exciting!  We decided to all hit the town and try a local restaurant that was supposed to be Japanese.  I'm going to say it was only half Japanese.  Although it probably would've been helpful if the menu were in English :)  We all got a great night's sleep...this bed is 1000 times better than any of the others we have slept in while we've been in China.  Ahhh so refreshing! 

On the train

On Sunday morning, we headed out with our friends to the Safari Park.  Let me tell you people, it was worth every penny!  It was an absolutely awesome day, and the kids had a great time!  They had so many unique animals that we don't often see at home...including baby pandas!  Yes, you can insert your awww's here!  They were so adorable, and just became available for the public to see on the 5th of this month!  We were very lucky!  We left the park around 3, and the little man took a quick cat nap in the van on the way back to the hotel.  Of course once we were back to the room, he wanted to take a shower...I know, shocker, right?  Mr. Hygiene right here :)  This bathroom is great though, because it has the stand up shower and a separate bath all in one area with a door to the whole space.  Perfect for toddlers who are obsessed with bathing!  We are taking it easy tonight since we had such a long day, and will probably go for an early bedtime after a run to the market.  Tomorrow is the little man's medical appointment where they will be drawing his blood...without us even in the room!  I'm already upset about it!  Please pray for strength for him...and me! 

Umm yes, he likes squid...a lot.

Baby panda!!!!

First carousel ride...he loved it!