Leaving Wuhan behind...but still in his heart...

I thought I would sleep better, staying up later on Thursday night...that was not to be, it just made for a more tired momma! Packing, re-packing, overanalyzing, STUFF!  Michael's foster mom gave him some more things during our visit... a Mickey Mouse backpack & some more snacks. She had already loaded him up with comfort food Monday morning when he left their home. I suppose she felt the need to make sure he would have his favorite things. We will continue to pray for her comfort and peace. Her sweet face will forever be etched in my mind. She had soft, pale skin, just like my mother-in- law, Margie, one of the sweetest women I have ever met...She told me I was so beautiful, I expressed the same back to her as I touched her cheek...she so reminded me of Margie, who has been slowly disappearing to the dreaded disease Alzheimer's. Matt took pictures of us over to her house and showed her and her husband Bill. Bill, who has had a stroke, was very excited. She had tears, although she is unsure of everything happening around her. Matt explained that Michael is our new son trying to reassure her that she shouldn't remember him, because she has not met him. Bless her heart, she is in there somewhere, but her recall is almost nothing at this point...

Friday began with another big breakfast buffet. Michael does not appear that he is going to have any food issues once we get back home.  He is a very good eater and likes just about everything!! He has a good sense of humor and is extremely confident. 

We got back to the room and a bit later Michelle called. She explained that in Wuhan we would have to go back to the Civil Affairs office for his passport to be issued. Normally the guide can take of it, but we had to go.  This was certainly not an issue for me, I just wanted to be sure we could get there and back in plenty of time to get my suitcases closed and head to the airport!!
The Civil Affairs office was very brief. We went over some documents, and she gave me his passport!!! It is official, Michael can now leave with me and Mason and head to Guangzhou!!! 

I explained to Michael through the electronic translator what we were doing and he was excited! He of course has never been on an airplane.  On the way to the airport I was watching him...I wondered what was going on in that head of his, he looked deep in thought on many occassions during the drive...what are his thoughts, does he really understand what "leaving" really means?? He can't understand, how could he, he is just a child?  I believe he does understand...He is ready, I know he is, I can feel that he is, and in this I am so incredibly thankful for this gift that God placed him in my heart and now in my family! Thanks be to God forever and ever!

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.



Leaving Wuhan



Last look, moving ahead...



I will have this bridge etched in my mind forever. Each time we approached it this week, Michael always wanted me to take a picture!! He would point and say "MOMMY!"

Another first!! Michael goes swimming!!!

We have been talking all week about going in the pool and had yet to squeeze it in!  I think I wrote before that he said he knew how to swim...I think I also said, I wasn't so sure that was accurate!!  He did NOT and has NEVER been in a pool...until this evening!!!
What a trip! I have always done an ISR (Infant Resources Swimming) course for my BABIES!  It is something that was a challenge to watch at times, but knew it was to keep them safe in the future around water.  People thought we were NUTS when we started building a pool when I was pregnant with Maddox and had 2 boys under 4 already...I didn't think it was a big deal since they knew how to swim and also I had a baby gate with an automatic lock and a sliding glass door with a latch that they could NEVER reach at that time!! They are all excellent swimmers with Mason having some incredible swim times and only thus far being on a summer swim league, he is a natural!!  Morgan has brought home 6 gold medals in the DAAA games at 2 National Conferences so far from LPA (Little People of America).  Tomorrow begins the 2012 National Conference in Dallas. We are sad to miss it this year BUT we are a little busy in China at the moment!! Maddox is doing great and taking time off of his events as well!
So we first went down to the pool just to check it out since Michael had not viewed the area yet!  Once he saw it, he said YES he wanted to swim...Came back to the room and got his suit on.  It fit perfect! (One of Morgan's old ones.) So the first time he went in, I was not recording, but he sunk to the bottom just like an anchor!!!  Mason grabbed him and he was laughing! I think I detected nervousness in the tone of his laughter.  Mason described kicking and motioned everything...we forgot about the breathing part...thankfully Michelle came with my notarized papers and was able to tell him things that we couldn't convey!  She described holding his breath and that was very helpful...like I said, I was not a swim teacher and neither was Mason!
More fun stuff to watch as we are with Michael to share in many firsts!! Next Guangzhou!

Orphanage Visit, met the foster mom and siblings...beyond emotional and heartbreaking!

Again last night I was awake several times. I wanted to skype my family since it was daytime for them, but couldn't as I didn't want to wake the boys. They have peacefully slept each and every night. Thank you Jesus!!  Sleep does wonders for the body and soul. I am thankful for the sleep I have gotten, but will love it when I can sleep in my own, most comfortable bed in the world on July 7th!! Actually, by the time I retreat to my bed it will be the 8th!  As of today 9 MORE SLEEPS!! YIPPEE SKIPPY!!! We got up for the day at about 6:30 and I was able to talk to my sister Elizabeth (AKA Beedo to the nephews), my dad and Betty Lou (Bu to the grandchildren), and my love, (AKA Matt)!! It is so awesome to talk to everyone from teh otherside of the world. Truly I wasn't how the whole internet connection was going to work and happy I was able to plug in!!  For others that are traveling here, you must have a VPN (virtual private network) installed on your computer before leaving the states. I used express VPN and it is $12.95 for the first month, and you can cancel once you return home with no problem so I have been told. Skype is free!  I met another family from Belgium and they have no connection with their family and are quite homesick.  Their little boy has attached to the daddy, but the momma knows the attachment to her will come.  They are a sweet family.
Went down for another buffet..took pictures but deleted them by accident trying to make space on my camera for the orphanage visit.  We had a casualty...we HAD another camera, but Mason and I have no idea what happened to it, and when we last saw it. We had not even used it!  It wasn't too expensive but had another battery and a new memory card! UGH!  Very disappointing, but nothing we can do about it...

Front of Wuhan Children's Welfare Institute (basketball court to the right)
Michael had said that he was too short to play basketball...we all know he can do anything all the other kids can do, it just may be in a different way!

Today, we were visiting where Michael spent 2 years of his life (ages 3 to 5) until he went to live with his 1st of 2 foster families.

On our way in the taxi

The gate to the Wuhan Children's Social Welfare Institute

Origami made by the children living at the institute

Reception area

We met with the director and the supervisor and also his teacher.

Teacher on left, supervisor, then director on the right (you know the rest of us!!)

They shared that Wu, XueFa was 1 of the top in his class, very smart and kind and they wished him a happy life. Thanked us for adopting him.  I was allowed to take pictures of the facilities but not of any of the children.  We went in the various therapy rooms for the neurologically and physically impaired. The ratio was actually much better than I expected for care of these children, 1 caregiver to 3 children. The caregivers were very attentive. I wish I could have taken pictures so you are able to see what children have been left behind.  I tried to hold it together, sweet little boy with Downs Syndrome, toddlers with Microcephaly, other needs I'm not sure what they were.  I went in the room with many children that had obvious celebral palsy, and had smiles and lights in their eyes! They are well cared for in this facility, unlike many others I have heard of from others. They had a water therapy room. They have sponsorships from McDonald's and also a program called Half the Sky...

http://www.halfthesky.org/en check out the site!!
I looked at these children trying to imagine just going to a destination and placing my child there, and turning around a leaving...I can't imagine it, it is unimaginable...I choked back the tears several times...Once I entered the baby room and saw all these cribs, I couldn't take any more...I looked at these helpless gifts from God and just kept saying aloud, "how did they just walk way, I can't imagine leaving you. you are precious, oh Lord have mercy on these precious babies."2 little preemies...maybe 26-28 weeks...oh my Lord!!! Please protect them, please help their families find them, please, please, please...I talked to the guide about all these children in these cribs (maybe 30 ...what on earth??why???  We discussed back and forth...After speaking with her and the director, this is what was said...
In the past it was the pattern of only wanting a boy, so the girls would be abandoned...now that is still true to some degree (maybe a large degree, I do not know), but most of the children that are left are left because of a "special need" is more an economic situation...the parents can not give the child what they need, can not pay for therapies or surgeries so if they are abandoned they may be found and be taken to an institute and get what they need or possibly be placed with a forever family. Please join me in praying for the between
ONE HUNDERD FORTY THREE TO TWO HUNDRED TEN MILLION ORPHANS IN THE WORLD!!!
YES THAT IS CORRECT...
ONE HUNDERD FORTY THREE TO TWO HUNDRED TEN MILLION!!! It is number that is difficult to wrap around but try to remember them every day, and if you can contribute to a cause to help them, please do...if you want suggestions, I am happy to provide information, just let me know since our Lord calls ALL of us as it says in James 1:27:  “to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”  

When we were finished with the tour we were standing outside with the director, supervisor and teacher, talking and taking pictures... we turned around and there was Michael's foster family! My dear Lord in Heaven!  He saw her and hugged her and cried his little baby eyes out!  My heart broke into a million pieces.  As I had wanted to meet her so I could see who took care of him for the past 2 1/2 years of his life, I was not prepared for this!!! THIS IS NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN!! THEY DO NOT APPROVE OF FOSTER PARENTS MEETING THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS!! EVER!!! His foster mom comes to the orphanage everyday for therapies for the other children in her care, and I believe some of them are in the preschool located there as well.  So there we were face to face, we are all crying even our guide. The foster mom wanted to go back to her home to gather some other things for Michael.  The director approved for us to follow her, to her home, we had to promise no pictures, no email exchanges or anything. As I said, I was ill-prepared for this meeting and visit, but will be forever grateful for it!  She was gracious and thankful to meet me and Mason. She felt so much better seeing part of his family. I told the guide to tell her that we love him and will give him a wonderful life!  I am able to send updates and pictures to the orphanage and they will give the information to her. That is the least I can do for all that she has done for our son. She gave him so much love and cared for him in the best way possible living in such conditions that they lived in.

with his foster family, Michael was the oldest and care for his younger siblings

After seeing in person where he has lived, I believe he is going to be more overwhelmed than I anticipated since he has been adjusting so well to us at this point. His apartment consisted of a kitchen with a refrigerator, smaller than an apartment refrigerator. a small kitchen table to seat 4 people (there were 6 or 7 in the family). no stove or oven to speak of, a rice cooker and a wok, the bedroom had 4 little "beds" all twin size or smaller that were on wood with a bamboo type layer with a sheet on top, no mattress, no mattress pad, they all had sheets and blankets, I didn't notice the pillows...I was overwhelmed trying to take it all in since I could not take any photos. The main room did have an old large, very heavy tv, maybe a 27". His foster mom was an elementary school teacher and she had some lessons on the wall with the English vowels listed and sounds. I did not see where the parents sleep or the bathroom, but it is basically 4 small rooms with a small entry area where their shoes are kept. She kept a tidy home and she was as sweet as she could be.  I didn't know that I was going to be seeing her therefore I had no "gift." I talked to the guide about that and she expressed maybe donating some money. That is a little awkward, but I certainly would want to give her something to show my appreciation for caring for him for the past 2 1/2 years! She refused, and the guide was telling her to accept it!  She didn't want anything for herself! She only wants for her children!  I told the guide she was a true momma because she only thought of them!  After a little time past she finally accepted it, and I told her that he would have a wonderful life. The oldest girl was sobbing uncontrolably with Michael leaving. Michael was crying and his foster mom told him to be strong and it was okay and to go with me. She and I hugged several times reassuring each other all would be well. One of the most emotional times of my life!!!  Mason was also affected by everything we saw and also shed tears with us. He tries so hard not to cry!  I have tried to talk with him a little, but he is not ready to share.  His heart was in pieces as well. I'm sure he will share his feelings when he is able.  Pray for his heart as well, as I know this whole trip is life-changing for him too!!

We went down the stairs, (4th floor) but before we started to walk down the street to his school we stopped so I could take a couple of photos of his apartment building.

Michael's home for the past 2.5 years (the one with the plants on the patio)

Standing outside the gate at his school

... then we walked his route to school
He walked to school everyday alone...it was a bit of a trek but he is so confident! Crazy, I don't even let my kids go down the street! It is very safe here and I have not had any uneasy feelings, with the exception of my arrival. That can also be attributed to exhaustion!!

The priciple saw him and came to say goodbye, they were all sad to see him leave, but happy he will have a good life!

We needed some comfort food for Michael after all this so it was off to the Chinese fast food restaurant across from the hotel....

Chinese fast food across the street, had to try it! The chicken curry was different than what I am used to but was okay. Michael thought it was a little spicy!!

A day complete with a McFlurry!

They have been watching tv since we got back after lunch, and we are thinking about going to the pool. We haven't been yet, and we have nothing else scheduled with the exception of Michelle delivering all the notarized papers to me (that is a bit important so we can leave tomorrow afternoon!!) Michael is resilient and is going to thrive!!! Thanks be to God!!!
Stay tuned for more news from China!! Next post may be coming from Guangzhou!

Yellow Crane Tower continued...

sculpture at tower

Snake Mountain

performance at Yellow Crane Tower Theater

Gardens at the Yellow Crane Tower (this was very steep!!)

Mason set my place for ANOTHER McDonald's meal!  Rarely do I eat meat, I have had my fill for the next decade!

waiting for another gournet McDonald's meal!  Not complete without a McFlurry!

Mason taking care of his brother!!  They are quite a pair!!

At the Gate to the Yellow Crane Tower. Lions are always in a pair, male and female. They are standing in front of the female (she is holding her baby!)

Our second day with Michael...what a love!

The day started with me waking up at 5:30 for the final time...I can't seem to sleep straight through the night. I wake up about every 2 hours with "brain chatter" and then go back to sleep. The sun comes up about 5:30ish so that seems to be the full waking hour for me.  (While I sit here typing I could really use some toothpicks in my eyes!!) The boys slept for a while and then Mason wanted to get up. I suggested he stay in bed a bit longer so he did...a bit later he was getting up, I said to stay while I got a picture of Michael...

look at that smile! He was already awake!

We leisurely got ready for the day. I skyped with my family then we went to breakfast. Another day without the best java, but I am being thankful and drinking what I can get!! 


Another big breakfast! He uses his utensils very well and didn't want the chopsticks. Mason loves the croissants!!

Just like every other boy in my house! He knows how to use the remote!!



Hotel lobby

We were scheduled to go the Yellow Crane Tower this morning, postponed until the afternoon because of the rain. So we were at the hotel until 2pm and then left with Michelle,our guide.
Here are the pictures from our outing. We also say a show while we were there and it was fabulous! Michael thoroughly enjoyed it, made comments to Michelle. She told me he is very smart and well educated in the Chinese culture.





walking up the steps to the Yellow Crane Tower 

The previous was written yesterday!  I could not finish my post!! I had said earlier I needed toothpicks for my eyes and I couldn't find any!! I stopped writing and went to take a "rest" and it turned into a SLEEP!  Matt skyped me and talked to Mason, I could hear his voice but couldn't pry myself off of the bed to sit at the desk.  I am plugged into the internet cable so I can't sit on the bed and post...I'm starting to get an imprint from this chair, although it is much softer than the concrete bed and pillows made of SAND!  They are not soft in the least!!  Not sure why they sleep on concrete!! I am really not kidding, the bed is like a board!! The visit to the Yellow Crane Tower was the one thing I wanted to do here so I am grateful the weather cleared enough to make it happen.  Mason and I FINALLY had some people want to take a picture with us!!  We posed with a girl and Michael jumped in the picture!  It was hilarious.  This little boy has been treated so well and has a confidence that has been nutured!! I am thrilled that he is such a happy boy!! At the tower we saw lots of different stones from the various provinces in China.  Lots of Calligraphy, and there was a HUGE display of the calligraphy brushes.




Check out the HUGE model of the brush

Model of Tower

Porcelain wall Story of the Yellow Crane carrying the old man up to the heavens...

View from top of the tower

One of the few churches in Wuhan (this is a Catholic church that Mason spotted!!)

more pictures on next post!!

Like he has been here all along & MORE ANSWERED PRAYERS!!!!

Can I just say...this is NOT normal!!!! My guide is BLOWN away with Michael's transition and acceptance of me and Mason!! Honestly, I had a GREAT feeling that he would be like this, BUT I also knew it could go WAY SOUTH!!!! So incredibly thankful it did not! God is good all the time!!!
Michael and Mason went to sleep about 9pm last night after we skyped with Matt, Morgan, Maddox, Jane, my dad and stepmom. It was awesome to see the reactions and everyone meeting for the first time!!  As I said before Michael came to me with a sword, so Morgan went to his room and brought one of his out...They had a skype sword fight and laughed themselves silly!  It was beyond words!!!  I believe everyone is going to be great once we get home, plus we will have an even number of boys in the house (not including Matt in the count!!) so I think that is even better!!  My sister Elizabeth always said if you are going to have 3, you should have 4. I agree!! She was not able to have anymore biological children and neither was I. 
This morning we got up leisurely as we didn't have to be out front until 9:30.  I skyped with Matt & the boys and my dad and stepmom, jane, elizabeth and also my friend Lauren with her daughter Betty.  Betty was able to tell him his new name!!  He said he liked it!!  Michael is responding so well to all the changes.
We went to the breakfast buffet and he had a feast!!!  We all got a lot of food since we weren't sure when we would eat again, besides snacks... I will be glad when I an able to grab some really good JAVA!!! We met another family here that is from Canada and they adopted a 16 month old.  She is precious and had a good night. They have a 3.5 year old Chinese daughter and an 8 year old bio boy.  We will see them again at some point. Another family got their 2 year old daughter and are having a better day today than yesterday, but had a rough night. She was in foster care for 2 years and was crying for her momma.  Heart breaking for the new momma to see her daughter so sad...
We were able to skype my sister Elizabeth this morning!  I tried Anne last night before bed, but wasn't able to get her...hoping I can reach her tonight!!
We left for the Civil Affairs office at 9:30 and finalized the papers. Interviewed by the official and answered the questions about why were adopting, how will we educate him, fingerprint signature and family photo, just me and Michael. We stayed there for awhile, while Michelle went to run some papers for us then we left and head to lunch at the Aloha Diner!  I was told by my friend Kim in Charleston that I could not leave here without going there for some comfort food!  I wish had ordered more and brought it back to the hotel!!! Michele our guide wasn't crazy about it because it is Western foodl. The family is from Hawaii and it is in an area with French influence.  It was raining so we had lunch and went for a tazi. I was really hoping to walk around a bit, but it wasn't an option today.  We came back to the hotel and have been her ever since. It is now 5:15 and I am slowly fading. the boys are watching Kungfu Panda and laughing A LOT!! They have thrown the football and have built a small Lego airplane. 
I didn't mention this before, but am now since it is one of the most incredible events so far!!! Upon our meeting yesterday, I saw that Michael had a red string around his neck with a BUDDHA!!!My dear Lord in Heaven, it almost knocked me off my feet. I was afraid of this!!  I had heard that most of the people in China had NO RELIGION, so I was praying for that with him since I thought that would be an easier thing to deal with, than against something people had already told him.  I had seen pictures of him previously where he had a RED DOT on his forehead!  UGH!  It was when he was younger and he didn't have it in recent pictures so I really wasn't overly concerned...I prayed over this necklace and how I would remove it and any thoughts on Buddha being his god...When we went for his passport pictures yesterday, they were sure NOT to get it in the picture, and he suggested CUT IT! It was not able to be done. When we talked to Betty this morning we were going to have her ask him about it, but then he was having a time hearing on the computer and so we decided to leave it alone for now.  During playtime at the Civil Affairs office, I was trying make sure it wasn't in any photos. He said CUT with hand motions of cutting.  I wasn't sure and asked again and he had a very strong nodding of YES! I asked Michelle to get me a pair of scissors. I was able to tell the lady, Barbara from Canada a brief reader's digest version of our story to Michael and how everythiing has fallen into place and that he was meant to be with us now. I was ab;e to tell her that I prayed over that necklace and then he asked for it to be removed!!! GOD IS GOOD!!! I didn't want to "take" anything from him, so he did it on his own, with God's help!! Some tears were shed over this one!!!
I got to see the VBS video that Matt produced while in the midst of me leaving for China. I showed it to Michael just a bit ago. I had Mason type on the translator that all those people love him and can't wait to meet him.  He said ok!
We reviewed flash cards of letters today, and started working on items and colors. He is super smart!!! I have to take a break as I am about to drop my head flat on this keyboard!!
Enjoy the new pictures!!
God's Peace to everyone!

looking out the hotel window. smog and also windows are very dirty from the smog

Cheers! First breakfast with his older brother! Apple juice all around!

He is a VERY good eater! Not picky, will transition well into an American diet! He is ready for his citizenship on July 7th in Chicago!

Breakfast with Mommy! What a smile!!

Is he a charmer with  his hand on his hip?? Very confident, just like Morgan! He seems comfortable in his skin. I'm sure his foster parents helped with that!!

Last visit to the Civil Affairs office

The children's playroom, he enjoyed all the activities!

Fingerprint ink for Mommy, Handrprint ink for Michael

Fingerprint over my signature for official adoption papers

Taking his big brother's hand to lead him to the diner

Ready for Lunch!

He ordered Ham and cheese sandwich, ready for America!

watching the fish at the Aloha Diner

Strawberry milkshake anyone??

Ready to head back to the hotel for some R&R