In China
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Sunday, August 5, 2012 ‘Twas the night before EmmeClaire and all through the hotel Not a creature was stirring except Jim and Beth, now only Beth The clothes were still packed and diapers as well But books were all laid out in hopes that she would think they were swell. When what to her wondering eyes should appear but a crib on wheels….. With lots of tiny bunnies that were soft to feel." That is all I got. Sorry. Been a long… LONG…. day. We had a “late” start to the day and did not leave the hotel in Beijing until about 11:15 AM . Some of the families had early travel to their “local” (which is code for the province where their child is). We were in the late group so we went for a very different tour experience today. Uncle Zhou told us we were going on a rickshaw “ride” today. It was through the section of the city that we had not seen yet. What an experience – different sights and smells. Few people will probably ever experience that part of China. A big dose of perspective. We were taken to an alley and stopped in front of door. Our tour guide explained to us how you can tell so much about the family in the house just by looking at front door area. (Yes, when people come to our front door they learn 3 things: Buckeyes, Steelers, Adam – all by the three rocks in the front but this goes a little beyond that) There are “beams” above the front door – the more beams (always in even numbers) the wealthier the family. Next you will find the steps leading up to the door in odd numbers. There are usually two large, one on each side, stone carvings. If it looks like drums (really looked like spiral shells to me) it was a military official home. If the carving looked like a book….well, we can’t remember what word she used but we think government official. Also the doorways have very high thresholds. The reason is the higher the threshold the harder for the ghosts to step over and enter the house. There are also different shades of red for the paint color of the doors. (I really wish they had some of this is writing because I try to remember it all….and obviously not always real good at remembering it!!) We were then taken a few “doors” down to a family’s house. We then learned how to make shrimp dumplings. Then came the food…..oh boy…..at least 10 different plates of food (yes, including rice) were brought out for us to enjoy. After lunch we went to porcelain “factory” though I think that is a bit strong – seemed more like a workshop. We then found our rickshaw driver and were taken back to where we started and headed off in our bus. We stopped at the Hard Rock Café – not to eat but rather just to see it– and there was a wedding just finishing up. We went to a few local stores and headed off to the airport. Both of these stops provided some interesting stories that will be saved for in person story time. :) We headed to the airport and Uncle Zhou headed off to another province with another family. We are SOOOO glad we have another family with us – and they have adopted from China before….this is #4 for them so we feel like we are in good hands! Our flight took off on time and despite a little bumpy turbulence we arrived on time. Of course this flight we had row 31 which is the first row – extra room! Guarantee the next 3 flights we won’t have that luxury! We can’t be that lucky!! But if anyone wants to donate so EmmeClaire and I can move up to first class on the flight from Hong Kong to Newark….we were told $5000…… It is a little different here in Zengzhou as there is not nearly as much English. Our guide, Cindy, helped get us checked into the hotel, etc. but we decided we were a little hungry. We went down to the “western” restaurant to try to find something to eat…..decided on….French fries. Ordered 4 orders. They RAN OUT….! We aren’t at MacDonald’s anymore…Ahhh. They better double their ordering for the week because I have a feeling we are going to be eating a lot of them or if someone could airlift some over to us…and bananas too please! (I was informed tonight by a certain 4 year old they do NOT have bananas in China. Not sure how he knows this but he was quite certain!) Side note: We were given “dinner” on the plane. It was in tinfoil and warm, so I thought I would peak to see what it was. Well, I think it was a hot dog on a bun but Jim asked me why there was a cheese stick on a bun…..that clinched it for me….I passed on it! (I would pass on a hot dog bought at Giant Eagle and cooked in my own house but Jim passes as well….) Disclaimer: You will have to excuse my current hair “style”….our plug converters are not working in the plug – thus no hair straightener. We asked at the last hotel if they had a converter – of course - and they said they would bring one up. They showed up with a big metal box that weighed more than my luggage with a worn cord. I was not so sure about my future even trying the thing – so I let Jim try it out but it did not work anyways! And it would not really matter anyways because of the humidity. So going with the “natural” look…..which is code for a total mess.

Beth working on fall back “skill” in streets of China Rickshaw Ride Learning to make dumplings in local home Pete Pan’s new friend – we are having 2 shipped for our front yard to get rid of salespeople Streets of China Streets of China Streets of China

Guess who is already snoring!?! I better get ready to go to bed as well (yeah, like a kid the night before Christmas) since it is after 11 pm. Hmmm wonder what we can do tomorrow…ho hum…just your average day….where you meet your daughter after nearly 6 years of waiting. We are to be in the lobby at 9:30 AM to head out to where the “kids” are being brought to meet us. Cindy said they should be arriving between 10:30-11 am our time (10:30-11 pm your time on Sunday). Set your clocks…. :) And keep in mind we have paperwork as well as a stop at Lotus (the grocery store) on the way back so we will connect as soon as we can! Tonight will be the last night EmmeClaire sleeps in the orphanage….her only home up to this point, as far as we know. Please be thinking of our precious girl tomorrow and the next few days – weeks – months really. Many people do not totally grasp the grieving process that children go through with adoption. I know we did not understand until we went through it with Adam. The only home many of these children have ever known is the orphanage and that will all change tomorrow morning. Yes, we hope that it is for the better but she will not understand that tomorrow and can take many weeks, months, even years, for some kids to totally go through the grieving process. Yes, she is only 15 month old but she is accustomed to certain foods, smells, noises, etc. That will all change tomorrow. We have to earn her trust. She will have to learn we are mom and dad (and that energetic boy is her big brother)! And she will be in many places she has never been in over the next few weeks. Really most adults would have trouble with that (I sure would) so to expect so much from a child is huge. We just hope that process is as peaceful for her as possible. It is natural in this situation but does not make it any easier for anyone involved. There is a reason we have gone through training – a couple of times – to prepare for this. I just hope we are ready!! Sentimental alert: I can only speak for myself when I say this but I am forever grateful to MANY people that have truly stood with us through this very long journey. It has NOT been easy. We have had doubts along the way. I know I am lucky to have some family and friends that have been willing to listen to me – tears, frustrations, fears, uncertainty, all of it. We have encountered many people that have taken such a caring interest in both EmmeClaire as well as Adam. This has not gone unnoticed. EmmeClaire has quite a story. It may take a village to raise a child….but sometimes it takes a village to bring them home too. I am very grateful that EmmeClaire’s “village” extends from California to Boston and New Jersey to Florida because we could not have done it alone. Thank you. Adam: We are so glad you are having fun at Camp Aunt Jill and Uncle Mike! Your balloon from the Purple Strides walk is awesome! Glad you had fun. We have had many discussions about how special that walk is and the special person that we honor during it. Forgot to ask if Aunt Jill’s letter pancakes had any chocolate chips?! Tomorrow morning we finally get to go pick up EmmeClaire. We know you are very excited to meet her. You will be a fabulous big brother. It will be a big change for you but I know you are ready for your new job! We will connect with you on Monday before or after Bible school! Have lots of fun! Be a good listener for Ms. Angie!! We love you so much and can’t wait to come home with EmmeClaire! XOXO! PS Adam - you better be looking for Pete Pan in the pictures....because we are getting lots of strange looks carrying that thing around China!!

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