Guangzhou- First plane ride & first melt down

We finally left Wuhan for the bustling city of Guangzhou. For those new to the adoption scene, this is the only place in China where the US Consulate will process a Visa for the adopted child. (Not that there aren't other US Consulates throughout the country). 

So, after stopping by the Civil Affairs office in Wuhan to get Cameron's passport, we were off to the airport for his first plane ride.

Cameron watching out the window waiting for our plane to arrive.

Brothers hanging out in the airport

No window seat, but he still had a pretty good view.

On the shuttle bus that took us to baggage claim

From the airport we went straight to our hotel:

The Holiday Inn, Shifu

It was beautifully decorated for Christmas

(I will take some photos of the restaurant tomorrow morning if I remember my camera.)

Of course, this computer junkie has to get the laptop setup before almost everything else. Also, it was getting late and I knew that Tom would expect me to check in soon and I didn't want him to worry.  As I was working on that task, the boys were playing and running around the room behind me laughing--- until. they. weren't.

Quite unexpectedly, Cameron got angry and pushed his brother away.  When I turned around to see what was going on, I noticed Cameron sitting on the floor, crying and looking very angry.

I tried to ask him what was wrong, as did Colin, but he would not budge. He dug in and refused to look at either of us.  The grieving had begun...

Fortunately, our required adoption education and many (BTDT) adoptive parents had prepared us for something like this to occur. It is , in fact, very normal and honestly, a little healthy for him to acknowledge a serious loss.  Unlike his older brother Colin, Cameron has not had the luxury of a foster family. For the last almost 6 years, this young boy has lived in a dorm room setting with 8 other boys in an orphanage.  Those little things that we take for granted about how a family relates to one another and who does what for whom is completely alien to him.

I am quite sure that the reality of unpacking in a strange city was the catalyst for this melt down.

While my head was completely cool and understood exactly what he was going through, my heart was quite another matter. This beautiful, seemingly happy little boy was so filled with fear that it broke my heart.  And Colin was sad and clearly wondered how he had upset him so.  He didn't understand why his de-de (little brother) no longer wanted to be around him.  Thankfully, he was easier to console and he understands my body language now so he understood that it wasn't him that was at fault.

Each child is a unique creation of God and there will likely be many differences between my two adopted sons throughout the years, but it is because Colin's adoption was so textbook perfect that I felt the need to share all of our experience.

I know that many potential parents read this blog and I always want to reflect an honest picture of this process while being an encouragement and advocate for those children who so desperately need homes.

Secondly, I he needs your prayers right now.  He is old enough to know exactly what he wants to say and yet he can't communicate with me yet.  That compounds his stress and fear.  Of course, Colin has been a tremendous help to me and to Cameron (even if he doesn't realize it yet), but ultimately, he needs to embrace the learning curve and it is going to be a tough road.

I am grateful for the many men & women who lifted prayers on our behalf last night after my "help me" facebook post!  We finally got him settled into bed and he slept well through the night.

Today was a pretty good day so far. We had the required medical exam on Shamian Island. Some of you will recognize some of these pictures from when Colin was here in August.  

Brothers in front of the Exam Room Wing

First stop? ENT

Next comes the eye exam

Body temp was taken under the arm- my ticklish one giggled the whole time.

Blood Pressure

Last was immunizations- poor boy had to get 5 shots today!

Cameron had to get 5 shots today and he was a real trooper so we are resting in the room this afternoon.  He is currently cuddled up under the covers watching TV with his brother.

After we left the medical center, we roamed around the island and enjoyed the Spring-like weather of Guangzhou.

First stop?  Where else?  The White Swan for a famous Red Couch photo:

After that, Jordans, of course.  For those who have not been yet, Jordan's has all sorts of wonderful treasures (and some junk too!) but no high pressure sales tactics. He is a very nice Christian man and a pleasure to visit with. He will even paint your child's new name in Chinese character for you for free.  It is a nice keepsake.  His prices are very reasonable so I don't even feel the need to haggle there. (I know, hard to believe, but true!)

The boys enjoyed looking around his shop and helping me choose a few last minute Christmas gifts.

Colin browsing the merchandise

Cameron checking out the toys

Colin and his scary traditional Chinese mask

Monkey see? Monkey do! (Cameron)

Silliness abounds...

After a successful time at Jordan's, it was off to Lucy's for lunch. 

Also decorated for Christmas

For those who haven't traveled yet, this is a nice simple establishment that serves western food and speak English!  There is indoor and outdoor dining and it is a landmark of the adoption community.  Cameron (the artist in the family) enjoyed his burger...

So, all this transpired in about 4 hours today and we are now comfortably settled into the room.  We thank you for your continued prayers as each day brings with it more change for our boys.

God Bless. Angie

Aloha!!! from China

Tonight the boys and I had THE BEST MEAL EVER!!!

Ok, perhaps that is overstating things a little, and I mean just a little, but it was amazing!

Why, you ask?  Because we had a fantastic meal of good ol' American COMFORT FOOD in CH**A!

The Aloha Diner has been open 5 years and it was a gift straight from heaven!

Not only did the staff speak perfect English, but....

The Food was all made from SCRATCH!

 -that's right, the BBQ was pulled there, the tortillas (flour) were made fresh, the sour cream- fresh, the cheesecake milkshakes...made with REAL New York style cheescake and icecream, the lasagna noodles- you guessed it, from scratch!

The owner, Janie Corum, was a very gracious hostess to our crew this evening.  Ya'll, her restaurant was immaculate!  Eat off the floor clean!  The bathroom was warm, had western style toilets, and warm water to wash your hands.  The hand dryer even blew hot air!

If you've ever been to China, you will understand the novelty and rarity of these small luxuries.

No matter what side of town you might be in when you next visit Wuhan, you MUST go there. I don't care of you have to crawl the entire way. That is how special this place is.

So, let's get to the real issue- the food!

I had a BBQ sandwich on a homemade roll, hand-dipped onion rings, french fries and ROOT BEER!  (In CHINA!)

There was actual purring going on while we ate.

Our friend Anne Little's son, Jack, is studying Chinese in Wuhan right now and it has been a pleasure to get to know him. He has been a very delightful host and joined us for dinner tonight.  He may have come out of a sense of hospitality toward us, knowing that I was traveling alone with the boys, but I am quite sure he was selfishly thrilled that he went once he finished his meal!

Jack enjoyed TACOS!  Tacos in China. With sour cream and pico!  The real deal folks.

  Even if I hadn't been starving for American food, and even if I hadn't been cooped up in a small hotel room all day with two squirrely boys, and even if I hadn't been starved for the sound of a familiar language, this place rocked!

And did I mention Dessert?  There really are no adequate words for dessert...

Could it even be December without EGGNOG?

Well, Aloha did not disappoint...

We enjoyed an Eggnog milkshake.  It was heaven.

I have never eaten a milkshake so slowly in my life. I didn't want it to end...LOL

Even the boys liked it so I got one for them to split.  (Hey, only those who will truly appreciate it deserve a whole one, right Jack?)

I wish my other boys had been able to share this meal with us.  Even Tom, with his mad cooking skills would have enjoyed this meal immensely!

This restaurant was clearly a labor of love for Janie and she can justifiably take pride in what she offers weary travelers and natives alike.

God has blessed her establishment and will use it for great things, I am sure.  Thanks Janie!  We had a wonderful evening.

P.S. Anyone who has plans to travel to Wuhan, please email Janie if you might be willing to bring something from the states. While most of their raw materials come from China, there are a few items that they fly in from the states.  She would graciously accept gifts of food stuffs, or happily reimburse you with a receipt.  They have a facebook page, so check them out!

Wuhan Orphanage Visit

We had the best visit with the orphanage staff today in Wuhan. Cameron was quite a celebrity.

So many things happened that I am not sure I can even remember them all, but I will try to share the highlights.

When we first arrived, the Nannies began asking why our son was not dressed well.  Ok, it was in the 50s, he had on jeans and a warm fleece jacket.  I wasn't even wearing a coat and I am always cold.

Anyway, the head nanny even lifted his pants leg right in front of me to see if he had a pair of long johns under his jeans. Seeing none, she immediately sent someone to go get him a Coat! LOL  Little did I know at the time that they do not have heat in most of the buildings, so they always dress in layers.  The children that I saw in class were still dressed for the cold outdoors even though they were in their classrooms.  Coats buttoned up and all.

Almost immediately after our arrival, Cameron's best friend came RUNNING across the court to see his buddy.  I didn't even have time to get the video camera ready. LOL

They never left one another's side the entire time we were there. 

Trevor seeing his family for the first time in his new photo album

A former teacher saying hello to Cameron and hearing about his friend coming home as well.

Have we seen these Angry Birds before? Hmmm....

What makes this reunion even more sweet is that this beautiful boy now has a family of his own!  And not just any family.... a family that just happens to live in OUR TOWN!!  And they are dear friends of ours!  That's right. Cameron and Trevor will see one another again soon.  Well, not soon enough for Trevor's new Mom & Dad, but soon.  We suspect that they will be able to bring him home in around 8-9 months if all goes well.

I had the privilege of delivering a care package to sweet Trevor and seeing his face light up as he looked at his new family- complete with a Mom and Dad, little brother & sister, and four wonderful dogs!

In addition, I was able to see another dear friend's child- Sweet Jenny. 

 She is super pretty and smart!  She, too, is coming home to Charleston soon.  We are all so blessed that the Lord orchestrated this very unusual collection of children to come "home" together.

Now if all I was able to do today was to allow Cameron one last visit with his friend, or to deliver care packages to these two children waiting to come home to Charleston, the whole day would have been a huge success.

But, there was so much more to this trip.  We were able to get the staff to allow me to meet and spend time with three other children who are paper-ready and waiting for their families to find them.

Each one of these children is so special and I would love to speak to anyone who might want more information about them.  I also have video clips of these three that I would love to share with an interested family.

First, there is "Matthew".  Matthew is 10 years old.  I did not get to spend as much time with him as he had to head back to class shortly after our arrival, but he was so handsome and polite.  

Next we met "Willow".  This girl made my day!  Her smile was out of this world.  Seriously, she was too precious for words.  She wants a family so badly.  The Nannies told her that I was there to help find her a "Mama and Baba" of her own.

Lastly, we met this amazing spitfire- "Stewart"

Stewart is 5 years old and beyond cute!  The first thing he did when he ran into the room was lay a big ol' kiss right on my cheek!  His hug was so precious.  He is smart (wait till you see his Video!!) and affectionate.

A little lipstick mishap...

I have a video of him riding his bike also.

It was such an honor to be able to meet these children and I pray that my visit will somehow help their "forever families" find them soon!

Angry Birds Toss

We went out this afternoon for a walk behind the hotel and found a lovely Riverside Park with lots of carved stone.

We had a little fun along the path as well...

Colin mounting his Angry Birds on the ledge

We couldn't leave them out of the picture!

This is our mountain climber

Brothers & Birds!

Now I have three VERY TICKLISH boys in the house!

Do we have the same smile?

Colin is still the family comic!

Really nothing else to say about this one!

He climbed on everything he could!

When in Wuhan.....

Cameron enjoyed inspecting each carving on the larger stones

More sculptures....

 Once we finished walking down the beautiful, tree-covered trail, we emerged into a nice courtyard with many statues.

No idea what this is, but there were two of them- one on each end of the courtyard.

On the way back to the hotel, the boys (ok, Colin) begged me to allow them to go down to the waterside.  Here are a few clips of them playing together on the sand.

Once I called the boys back up to head to the hotel, I filmed them climbing the ramp.  
If you look closely, you can see that Cameron's left foot is still noticeably turned in, but he sure doesn't let it slow him down!

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Well, it is bedtime here in China and the boys are both snoring away quietly...

Thanking God for a wonderful day.