Strike Two

Okay, so, obviously emailing pictures directly from Iphoto is not a viable option. Thank You Lavonne for being up late and checking this out so quickly. I thought I'd be waiting until morning to find out.
Now I am trying to use flicker. Again an experiment. It will take about a half hour for the photos to up load. Don't ask me why I didn't just up load one. I have no idea.

Red Pandas, I had no idea they were so cute!

This is a trial run.  Someone please comment so I know if this posted or not

Red Pandas, I had no idea they were so cute!

 

I'm Home!

Made it home today, just wanted to let everyone know, the plane flight was uneventful, I even had seats that weren't too crowded together from Narita to Detroit. There was even a seat open between me and the next person! Read 2 books on the plane, the same movies from the trip out were playing AGAIN!

The two books were The Tomb (A Repairman Jack novel) and The Shack. I know, not the most closely related books, and I am glad that the person that was two seats over didn't really talk that much, because I did cry a bit during the book(The Shack). It was really well written.

Well, it's late, off to bed, because I have work tomorrow!

B

Another day down, and we're wiped out

This was a good day today, we were all happy, fed and enjoying life. We started out early to get to the zoo before it got hot and the animals all hid in the shade. Yes, I did take pictures, and no, I have no idea how to get them to you yet. I'm going to think a bit more about it. Bill is currently still in transit so I can't ask him.
We were at the zoo for 4.5 hours and Alex got burnt where she didn't suncreen carefully enough. Our feet were pretty tired so we hung out and relaxed in the room for a bit. I actually tubbed for a while. the tub looks like it should be deep, but it really wasn't any deeper than my one at home, it just looks cooler and, I guess it is more comfortable even if it isn't bigger.
We walked to a little grocery store, checked out a little bakery and then stopped at a restaurant. We ordered three dishes I thought, but only really got two and then didn't finish because we were full anyway. Grand total in USA money $4.00. Calliandra has been doing a good job translating as best she can, it makes a huge difference in our ability to get around on our own and I'm grateful.
We came back and are all so tired from getting up early and walking so far in the heat that we're heading to bed way before we thought we would. Basicall as soon as I'm done typing this, I'm done for the night.
On the plus side, I am starting to get more interaction from her, She put on another piece of new clothing to sleep in, and she hasn't asked to call Bethel or any of her friends from there for moral support as she did the first two days. Prayers that our bonding continues to improve though, even with these advancements we have a long way.

Sorry, I'm working on the pictures...

but amazingly enough I've figured out how to post them to facebook (Friend me if you want to see them). I'm still working out the least cumbersome way to get them from my computer to here, but so far it seems to involve my emailing them to myself and then downloading them to my desktop and then to here. Tomorrow's a free day so I may have more time to ponder, and will probably involve Alex's brain in use too.

Bill's landing in Beijing any moment now, we'll miss him for more than his technological expertise of course, but it is just one more reason I like having my guy around.

We did talk with Acer today, he reported on a trip to the park with both YeYe and Unca Dawei. David was over to watch Acer today so NaiNai could go out and about and do her normal Tuesday chores. Acer is counting the sleep overs 'til Bill comes home. He's also astounding Sue and Bill with the amount of milk he's drinking. Aside form having to report that he hadn't wanted to come in from playing on the playset, all seemed good in Acer's world.

more later, but we do have smiles and giggles from our girl!

Trip to Lord Bao's family home and burial cave

We walked about yesterday, to get Calliandra out of the room and out of her funk. It worked slightly but she showed no real interest in what we were doing, seemed resentful and even turned down an ice cream on the way back. They even had her favorite - green pea.
Lord Bao lived about a thousand years ago and was know for his being, just, impartial and reforming corrupt practices.

OKay, so I seem to have failed at picture loading, I will need to try a different route now and figure this out before Bill flies home today.

Thank God for a break through.

Despite a rough morning, there is some hope. We have actually had a few words out of her and she volunteered to translate for me as i was discussing towels with housekeeping. She no longer spouts off the I don't want litany we've heard since last night. We are very thankful to our guide Jane, who spent time talking with her, and buying food for her to eat. Calliandra hadn't eaten since gotcha day and we were getting worried as she even turned down ice cream.

On another note, we've switched rooms, our other room would inexplicably heat up in the middle of the night, Jane got them to switch our room and we got upgraded to a suite for no extra charge. A lot more room, and it's a room that others have complained about being too cold. Should be alright for us!

I thank everyone for their prayers, please keep them coming, I have felt much more peaceful myself since I posted about needing prayers, so I know they are working!

Take care all

More pictures later as we take them.

Day 1 pickup

These are the pictures of the day we got her. Please note, she is still sad.

B

When I was detained at Narita

As previously posted, I was detained in Narita due to a person exhibiting "flu-like" symptoms. Here are some of the pictures of the experience. I know, those guys look like a weird version of the blue man group, but they are all just wearing scrubs.

We have her!

We have middle child! She is very sad, that is actually good because it means she can attach. It is terrible to see her hurting but she is slowly opening up. Three days of terrible mourning hopefully and then she should adjust, Acer did. Prayers please!

Yes, pictures will follow.

Honk Honk, rattle rattle, Beep Beep

That's the noise we hear from our window, it comes in so clearly that we were convinced that the window was cracked open, but no, it's just the window. If it's this loud this early in the morning 18 floors up. I just have to wonder how loud is it on the ground and be thankful that I'm not there. It's a constant stream of different honks as people head on their way. I know I'll get used to it, but for now, it's like background music in a store; something you don't really want to listen to but you have to. I imagine I'll start singing along to it any moment, but right now I just don't have the pitch, tone or beat down.

We're still adjusting our clocks to this time. Last time was easier, I think because we were out in the sunshine touring around. This time we've all been out of sorts and napping all different hours of the day.

In just a few hours we'll be meeting Calliandra face to face, nerve wracking on both sides I know, for about the same reasons, it is scary to change your life this drastically, but I think both sides have adventurous enough spirits to want to take this challenge on.

More later, with pictures, I promise.

In Hefei, now to get rested and ready to meet Calliandra

Hello to all, we have made it to China Safely.
They almost detained Bill in Tokyo because he was too near to someone
who was sick, Thankfully they were only regular sick not influenza
sick or Bill might still be there. The poor sick man was so
apologetic for keeping the other 12 on the plane with him. The Lord
was good and the plane had arrived half an hour early, he knew we'd
need that time to make our connector to Beijing.
We left Detroit at 3PM Friday, equivalent to 3AM Saturday in Beijing,
and arrived at 10:30PM Beijing time, equivalent to 10:30AM Saturday
Detroit time. We do have killer flat butte syndrome!
We went to a little hotel near the airport for our overnight stay. It
was quite cute with lots of personality and went by the ambitious name
of Rising Harbor Quick Hotel. I'll have to post pictures, few
amenities, but we liked it. We were only there for a total of 8 hours
before we had to leave to catch our plane to Hefei. While there tho'
we got to see our friend Dennis, our guide for Acer's trip and we got
to skype with Acer while Dennis was there. Acer had a HUGE grin on
his face when he heard Dennis' voice.
The flight to Hefei went okay except my tummy, never too secure
during travel, decided to announce in not uncertain terms that it was
not happy with me. I managed to make to to the hotel, a Holiday Inn
where we have a room on the 18th floor, before passing out in a much
needed nap.
Bill and Alex went off with Jane, our local guide, and procured
crackers, water and soda before coming back to nap themselves.
All for now, Prayers for tomorrow when we meet Calliandra face to face
and take her into our family.
I'll post pictures to the blog as I can
Heather

On our way! At least to yeye and nainai's house

Acer's on Antibiotics

Yes, despite saying he had belly issues, it was his throat that was the issue Bill took him to the Dr and BIll's interpretation of what they said was that Acer had 'puss nuggets' at the back of his throat. Oh Joy. Poor little guy :(

I've also added Alex's blog to our side bar so don't be afraid to go check it out!

On my way to pick a sick acer up from school prayers plz

The blessings showered upon us.

Yesterday was a day full of blessings. We have prayed all along that God would provide, He knows how much money we need for this trip and He knows when we need it. He will provide.
Yesterday we were blessed by the people from Bill's work who threw an adoption shower with a cake and an envelope of money. They have been such a blessing and encouragement to us throughout this whole process, which has been on going throughout most of the Time Bill has been working at the Library. They actually managed to throw a surprise party, which was complicated by the fact that Bill is very mobile at work. Twice he almost discovered that card that was being passed around, but they managed to avert that disaster too.
I was blessed by a visit from a friend who stopped by to drop off some money for the trip too. She started as my Mandarin professor and became my friend, I am so blessed by her friendship. She has prayed for us throughout and even sold bookmarks for us, she helped us to know it was God's will we were following, and I was glad she was able to make it out to my house finally.
We were also blessed by Acer's Orientation and Mobility teacher who stopped by to have one of her older students interact with Acer, and so send us off with a donation. She is one of Acer's favorite teachers and is just so enthusiastic and fun. We all went for a walk together around the block and then they went off to return the student to his home.

I think I need to stop now, before this becomes an issue. I think it's a good thing i'm not on twitter

Okay, i'm sending this from my phone, just like I sent the last one. This amuses my geeked out self greatly.

Two days !!!!!

Testing now to make sure I can post text messages from my phone