tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6352794750145130202024-03-05T04:19:45.600-08:00The Chronicles of IsaiahA Quiver Full? Apparently not yet...because we're clearing all the hurdles again...for our son. A Christmas baby...he's been waiting for us...his very own family full of siblings and a momma and daddy ready to love him completely. Soon little man...soon.The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-39395393419442205822007-12-05T02:14:00.000-08:002007-12-05T02:21:19.036-08:00A Christmas Video...receive the greatest blessing...adoptionI'm posting a video that was put together by one of my cyber-sisters...she used pictures from several blogs and family within our adoption community and then sent us an invitation to "open" our Christmas present...<br /><br />Imagine my joy seeing 3 of my blessings appearing in the slides!<br /><br />Couldn't you use a little more blessing? These are children who at one time the world said were "unwanted"...but just see how they've changed the world...where might your child be waiting for you to find him/her?<br /><br />Open your heart and mind to the greatest blessing I've ever known...adoption!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wiz_p-7KuOs&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Wiz_p-7KuOs&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-41885933028648920122007-11-18T21:48:00.000-08:002008-12-13T03:12:12.911-08:00Home Two Months Today...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCCqqI2uMjFElUeWFJZAY1HyKmmuMCHjzDbUQsfi4zi00tlMKc824FY5pNq0sFRe9s_iiCFz_WKPk-x4nMq0kZMbByQ11LKuycaCjMMv6FB8BQK1J1ncGXoqDm1CnSAEJxZ1Awdlo89U/s1600-h/Dedication+Sunday.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134426437394347746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCCqqI2uMjFElUeWFJZAY1HyKmmuMCHjzDbUQsfi4zi00tlMKc824FY5pNq0sFRe9s_iiCFz_WKPk-x4nMq0kZMbByQ11LKuycaCjMMv6FB8BQK1J1ncGXoqDm1CnSAEJxZ1Awdlo89U/s320/Dedication+Sunday.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Where do I start? This young man has amazed us so...he is so easy going, happy and generally just likes to "be."</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I think this picture may demonstrate his adjustment...this was taken after his dedication at our church...he gave this huge, "hammy" smile to the entire congregation then nodded in approval when everyone smiled back...he stole the show...no one heard a word that the Pastor said!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Speaking of words...his vocabulary is astounding...he told his sister the other day..."Sit Down <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jie</span>!" ...sit down, of course, the English element of the sentence...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jie</span>, meaning big sister in Mandarin! He doesn't turn 2 until Dec 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>...so with a vocab of about 20 new English words...I'm impressed...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>He love to kiss his Momma...he likes to sit on my lap when I'm on the computer, such as now...and he's a riot when he plays with anything that resembles a cell phone. He goes on and on with his imaginary conversation...some in Chinese, some in English.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>However, nothing takes the cake on the cute factor like him walking around the house singing "Tomorrow, tomorrow...I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">luz</span> you tomorrow..." in a sort of Elmer <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Fudd</span> voice!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We finally get to go to the eye specialists on New Year's Eve and we'll get the plan of action for his prosthetic eye...I'll post more pictures through the holidays...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thanks for checking on this darling boy and his adoring family!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-13621817571136575932007-09-21T21:41:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:13.395-08:00Home...I like it...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSq0xLtiKsY_ILW4yRLa2QhhjaWaxVVA-2IzFRljOkr0bNiNjLeY9hpkVtswcrWysSPwjMXdYr5KR_G4OpgI-8BTte2zJGU3C3CGxwciN002GxdLzCM3HwGb-A_hy4QpVosSyn6Rynn0/s1600-h/China+-+The+Return!+018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112887095435968082" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSq0xLtiKsY_ILW4yRLa2QhhjaWaxVVA-2IzFRljOkr0bNiNjLeY9hpkVtswcrWysSPwjMXdYr5KR_G4OpgI-8BTte2zJGU3C3CGxwciN002GxdLzCM3HwGb-A_hy4QpVosSyn6Rynn0/s320/China+-+The+Return!+018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggLFcWaae96-h5glKGLHGaE2FZGCWWMmkblxYvYXzgRMa0eJtzgnyaDt5JKuC2sq1o5CHT5w7YCY0tTcgPJ3pkmA59CydDQtZTjYqReLspfj7ceRAP1kgrUAGqFDEsOaRVbGN5s2rRdU/s1600-h/China+-+The+Return!+019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112887099730935394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggLFcWaae96-h5glKGLHGaE2FZGCWWMmkblxYvYXzgRMa0eJtzgnyaDt5JKuC2sq1o5CHT5w7YCY0tTcgPJ3pkmA59CydDQtZTjYqReLspfj7ceRAP1kgrUAGqFDEsOaRVbGN5s2rRdU/s320/China+-+The+Return!+019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPg7odLFD-0qcwvZZjYzPCSSMQOKc0t2-5rNzRz1TsmxjFxGHSJJaW6h7nCaOZytWaRwnL9ldZTvOu0aoiCIrAVq_HSpV8QG2O-iABdY7IWN5iHmFTuOSOAOyXN4VnI8bkQpvr1EZLOy0/s1600-h/China+-+The+Return!+027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112887108320870002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPg7odLFD-0qcwvZZjYzPCSSMQOKc0t2-5rNzRz1TsmxjFxGHSJJaW6h7nCaOZytWaRwnL9ldZTvOu0aoiCIrAVq_HSpV8QG2O-iABdY7IWN5iHmFTuOSOAOyXN4VnI8bkQpvr1EZLOy0/s320/China+-+The+Return!+027.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It would seem that Isaiah is settling in well to his home...he feels free to eat well, smile <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">a lot</span> and spend time on musical pursuits...as all great artists do...</div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-75264609652100836702007-09-21T21:12:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:14.672-08:00Re-entry...we've nearly ground our feet off...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVtqbdfXkDxIcpuLlwOJ65rWhJUXQho3y3EjaEFqbEX9YIRYX0a3HP_9ziNgyiDiF_0A-57cxRMGkh0ZkyRXyM8oZrjKQcidgmg6ogSq6s1ZsSg6q-8ASkel4csKPx-X5gWO5_Ej9ca4/s1600-h/China+-+The+Return!+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112883354519453250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVtqbdfXkDxIcpuLlwOJ65rWhJUXQho3y3EjaEFqbEX9YIRYX0a3HP_9ziNgyiDiF_0A-57cxRMGkh0ZkyRXyM8oZrjKQcidgmg6ogSq6s1ZsSg6q-8ASkel4csKPx-X5gWO5_Ej9ca4/s320/China+-+The+Return!+008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9oPcBNpINJGViP0o016ZCxhUQypNQdvhhMt-xuqLCn9RARqJK8M-iQn8Xw2RobplUx6nQFYdaSLMdqQTSU6erfEAQoZUf63J4igxd5EEHyLPSdnbA_NgDf2_ot0H-p4IQnUuWzsdHfE/s1600-h/China+-+The+Return!+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112882903547887138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9oPcBNpINJGViP0o016ZCxhUQypNQdvhhMt-xuqLCn9RARqJK8M-iQn8Xw2RobplUx6nQFYdaSLMdqQTSU6erfEAQoZUf63J4igxd5EEHyLPSdnbA_NgDf2_ot0H-p4IQnUuWzsdHfE/s320/China+-+The+Return!+005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSQOpZ5YPqXyk6rllLs3dGdDj7bNZqzOxhP7mZZKwB5-WrThWTssfJgmj0aOgHYZW1TO9Ej2ldLSKTuP0RT27KazAuCUpFEG61WEJ1vmVYhi8guF_bxFL-H8ZMz8Hyk-qikrYebLsx4E/s1600-h/China+-+The+Return!+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112882912137821746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSQOpZ5YPqXyk6rllLs3dGdDj7bNZqzOxhP7mZZKwB5-WrThWTssfJgmj0aOgHYZW1TO9Ej2ldLSKTuP0RT27KazAuCUpFEG61WEJ1vmVYhi8guF_bxFL-H8ZMz8Hyk-qikrYebLsx4E/s320/China+-+The+Return!+006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8GG-Lt_IHANglqM9mje_zKwbEES6tdbTB0Ka4lceLKx7mAJbNUjiiuYh7_Jaza54l1DjFOKm7UCQlN4K3GSYfLTDzz2hFENwSgFpUq9zF6X0s2yBzTMtW0-s5raE3Corov52bn6vG5c/s1600-h/China+-+The+Return!+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112882040259460610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8GG-Lt_IHANglqM9mje_zKwbEES6tdbTB0Ka4lceLKx7mAJbNUjiiuYh7_Jaza54l1DjFOKm7UCQlN4K3GSYfLTDzz2hFENwSgFpUq9zF6X0s2yBzTMtW0-s5raE3Corov52bn6vG5c/s320/China+-+The+Return!+002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hh_SNrzIHeBu6sNK_TB4f6NekELiTrVDOfDa5Gth0zbG_7F9kLhHbVNViW0QfnRC4i2SWPc1EO5B-0frmeQNy1a7DeZNMGxdQlRFyI3CI3tsmF_EWzhcHcC5boScTzRJ9RiZfpILSBw/s1600-h/China+-+The+Return!+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112882048849395218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hh_SNrzIHeBu6sNK_TB4f6NekELiTrVDOfDa5Gth0zbG_7F9kLhHbVNViW0QfnRC4i2SWPc1EO5B-0frmeQNy1a7DeZNMGxdQlRFyI3CI3tsmF_EWzhcHcC5boScTzRJ9RiZfpILSBw/s320/China+-+The+Return!+004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>When the plane comes down...it hits hard and bounces around a bit...</div><div></div><br /><div>When you return from foreign travels after nearly 3 weeks...your dream is to "hit the ground running..." Once again...we have the sensation that we've nearly ground our feet off trying to get back into the rhythm.</div><div> </div><div>These are the images of jet lag...when you come in the door to warm food, a full <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">refrigerator</span> stocked with love and welcome signs...you're so happy...but all you can do is crash onto anything that will hold your weight...shoes and all...<br /></div><div>Isaiah is doing very well. We had our first public outing tonight, though we were exhausted...we forced ourselves to carry on and break the power of jet lag that is reigning over us!</div><div></div><div> </div><div>A few more days and we should be nearly back to our old selves again...funny thing is...seems like he's always been with us...being spectators to another miracle...how blessed we are...</div><div></div><br /><div>I'm going to try to continue to blog weekly, so keep checking on us...</div></div></div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-51880490273108301332007-09-18T09:54:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:14.885-08:00And there is love...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirx9tj_ZAXPAEozq1DAzj3fn2ArYNa2E1OSTBEa1E_nVD8DzLMQWmt-ws8OhGOczfgIxGYu230RRTkdjhN5p-vI0g8E8exdH7DZi2I1CBpy8Sb35CILQB2Q23DcpKYCtn8SB2MhS-pGgE/s1600-h/Elly+and+Ming+Ming+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111589034224685906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirx9tj_ZAXPAEozq1DAzj3fn2ArYNa2E1OSTBEa1E_nVD8DzLMQWmt-ws8OhGOczfgIxGYu230RRTkdjhN5p-vI0g8E8exdH7DZi2I1CBpy8Sb35CILQB2Q23DcpKYCtn8SB2MhS-pGgE/s320/Elly+and+Ming+Ming+1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>As we leave China...this picture says it all...Busy Bee and the little boy we came all this way for...her brother...</p><p>Riding on the bus...easy together...in love...</p><p>................FAMILY.....................</p>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-88283485566438661182007-09-18T09:17:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:15.817-08:00Shopping...Sailing and wet pants...oh, my!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwN-48bjcmQCAu3GwNeFMPKEZBZO8SouBgdw7JjA7qeOgNYNXeVhFGk1X-Wu_KEwGJD8O1iqifJXe0aGHmFFp4HMH3i3ocskl1DBrqX7VY6sfImwRjYJxdujLULEf5AVBRm41p7Q96jQI/s1600-h/China+Day+15+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111586311215420162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwN-48bjcmQCAu3GwNeFMPKEZBZO8SouBgdw7JjA7qeOgNYNXeVhFGk1X-Wu_KEwGJD8O1iqifJXe0aGHmFFp4HMH3i3ocskl1DBrqX7VY6sfImwRjYJxdujLULEf5AVBRm41p7Q96jQI/s320/China+Day+15+009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sHG-x8k1FYt-MBd-6X0Fltdm7SKia5iw_0uJ5TrzEDCEeiOWnZ1QCcF64A305MkfImJ2NkNxKaLUUAK0cZkepDflucHfvMOd_-EF_b4vU0pS3614k_3ecm_UGDAJpAXk3BgNZaWFQ-c/s1600-h/China+Day+15+029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111586319805354770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sHG-x8k1FYt-MBd-6X0Fltdm7SKia5iw_0uJ5TrzEDCEeiOWnZ1QCcF64A305MkfImJ2NkNxKaLUUAK0cZkepDflucHfvMOd_-EF_b4vU0pS3614k_3ecm_UGDAJpAXk3BgNZaWFQ-c/s320/China+Day+15+029.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Pictures of the market where we've spent a couple of days shopping...you CANNOT imagine how much stuff is in this place...stall after stall for endless hallways...we could shop here for weeks!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBI2sjfqeDP1MmB0OyDAu4O4yBAUsHdtKmaFif8Yfcx1_ySduYhEO_Q9fEOlHp4HQC9pb0GhfE4hRptBEweGFP3C-j29bk0C0Y7kcsBiRvSWCnp7GFT7vys1GXtpX1m9yhZ1alJYgXfM/s1600-h/China+Day+15+061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111586324100322082" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBI2sjfqeDP1MmB0OyDAu4O4yBAUsHdtKmaFif8Yfcx1_ySduYhEO_Q9fEOlHp4HQC9pb0GhfE4hRptBEweGFP3C-j29bk0C0Y7kcsBiRvSWCnp7GFT7vys1GXtpX1m9yhZ1alJYgXfM/s320/China+Day+15+061.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Isaiah's dinner on the Pearl River Cruise...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCemA7hmf35xT9cRZitljwHNSFlB6ArEwz5jl3IFAY0hM7aTgvPu4Z-6GHA2ztCOyPyhxtxbsez541HHsAiWz7qLvNUABW9zEByv8heeMN7bNkNYq17FK7EPzOg5B2Yi7xUrxOjJATN0/s1600-h/China+Day+16+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111586332690256690" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCemA7hmf35xT9cRZitljwHNSFlB6ArEwz5jl3IFAY0hM7aTgvPu4Z-6GHA2ztCOyPyhxtxbsez541HHsAiWz7qLvNUABW9zEByv8heeMN7bNkNYq17FK7EPzOg5B2Yi7xUrxOjJATN0/s320/China+Day+16+001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is our travel group! Wow...what an awesome group of people...and then our kids....ALL the kids on our tour group...split over the couples represented in the adult picture...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE6YFkWXZzjImsX-zPNUJiEKCEBa5YTmWN6CVV1wqARwFT-elwZck-D7mrYTOCOHDJdMZn0ATGjrxYC2bqjAUjK-jeCHbCayZAKSzvOOGNISX-rDqd8WF3nLDTRhPRc4rOV0b7pewA10/s1600-h/China+Day+16+007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111586336985224002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE6YFkWXZzjImsX-zPNUJiEKCEBa5YTmWN6CVV1wqARwFT-elwZck-D7mrYTOCOHDJdMZn0ATGjrxYC2bqjAUjK-jeCHbCayZAKSzvOOGNISX-rDqd8WF3nLDTRhPRc4rOV0b7pewA10/s320/China+Day+16+007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Sorry for the delay in posting...we've been in a whirlwind of activity finishing our visit here to China...we're sad to leave...yet thankful to come home!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We've spent most of our time shopping these past two days in Guangzhou...had a great time at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Haizhu</span> Square Market...and yes...it's September, and I believe I have my Christmas shopping done!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We took the Pearl River Cruise last night...it was enjoyable...but there were lots of laughs when the word reached me on the top deck that Isaiah had wet his pants and that it had gone all over our Chinese Family friend who is traveling with us here...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I quickly came downstairs, somewhat puzzled, because Isaiah is for all intents and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">purposes</span>...potty trained. He does wear a pull up usually until I can be clear on his language for "potty." But...the report was so strange...that he would have wet THROUGH his pull-ups?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sure enough, our friend's pants were soaked...a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">significant</span> puddle on the floor and Isaiah's pants were very wet in a spot. So, I quickly undid the snaps between his legs, lifted his pants up and away and I received my first reminder/lesson...."Boys are Different from Girls"...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I nearly fell over laughing as it was clear that whomever had last pulled up Isaiah's diaper had not gotten his equipment <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">securely</span> stowed. In fact, it was trapped, along the waist band, in a directly upward facing position...an unobstructed, perfect fountain...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Note to self...confirm that essential parts are well covered by diapers in the future.... :)</div><div> </div><div>Recent Daddy Funny: We were on the elevator today with several Chinese...one man received a phone call and he answered it in the typical Chinese fashion "Wey?" (pronounced just like "way")...Then another "Wey?"...."Wey?"...."Wey?" (at this point it was clear that there was a problem with the connection)...frustrated he folds up his phone and grunts....Daddy...without missing a beat, looks at him and says..."No Wey?"....lots of laughter ensued...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We leave for home in 5 hours...so I need to try to get a little sleep...please pray for our safe and SANE travel...we came with 5 "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">binkys</span>"...at this point...we can only find one and we have 2 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">binky</span> dependent souls on the trip!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We'll be home Wednesday morning...can't wait to see all of you!</div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-32452230158475598082007-09-16T07:47:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:18.988-08:001 Bicycle wreck, 2 white tigers, 3 hours of meltdown...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pbiNfuoZSBnXHuG4bP_PXxQ3NtJjpmzFtDOV-KG-nwlCKAF2qO_qRgvQZwwk0akKUkDOqBARqKM5TC0ltVJMK52Pv-ZJgS95JWm0e8BP08m_066KhM3syEeba4dh1j4g5DH4EfEabcg/s1600-h/China+Day+13+099.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110821953065620146" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pbiNfuoZSBnXHuG4bP_PXxQ3NtJjpmzFtDOV-KG-nwlCKAF2qO_qRgvQZwwk0akKUkDOqBARqKM5TC0ltVJMK52Pv-ZJgS95JWm0e8BP08m_066KhM3syEeba4dh1j4g5DH4EfEabcg/s320/China+Day+13+099.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjxZVtIjiAZAZs396kgHhNeZCbGMaiSLkuUS-wnEjf2DNUHOcUC1X2p2_x3gvpD3vQ0IJXuzOhQKuopxGf4lhq5axWpzUZZbUGN8UYtNDVUMfDtcu2ZbBuF9p9p2BRd7Hv55Es4Xk654/s1600-h/China+Day+13+105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110821957360587458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjxZVtIjiAZAZs396kgHhNeZCbGMaiSLkuUS-wnEjf2DNUHOcUC1X2p2_x3gvpD3vQ0IJXuzOhQKuopxGf4lhq5axWpzUZZbUGN8UYtNDVUMfDtcu2ZbBuF9p9p2BRd7Hv55Es4Xk654/s320/China+Day+13+105.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Picture 1 - The Bug...with our guide Connie...she loves to hang with her wherever we go... it really helps that Connie remembered her from last year and always comments on how well behaved she is!<br /><br />Picture 2: Is of Daddy, er, I mean...a Giant<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3kHVm4d8PPemKUoR6iBl2VnfUfAx0sd4pxq-jdkWwMyBsSAyjR0fSX5jNkHiSQVHUrtTa10QuQqmxIVfj4f8UrOEWL5XRR-cCkrv2_A_AvZOf7TqxiWABzbfdxxzeJFt5YPVvyP0kLA/s1600-h/China+Day+13+109.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110821961655554770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3kHVm4d8PPemKUoR6iBl2VnfUfAx0sd4pxq-jdkWwMyBsSAyjR0fSX5jNkHiSQVHUrtTa10QuQqmxIVfj4f8UrOEWL5XRR-cCkrv2_A_AvZOf7TqxiWABzbfdxxzeJFt5YPVvyP0kLA/s320/China+Day+13+109.JPG" border="0" /></a> Panda <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">chillin</span>' for my camera<br /><br /><br />Picture 3: This little guy was just peeking out at me as I walked by...it's a Red Panda...cute!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Picture 4: Daddy, Magpie and Busy Bee<br /><br />Picture 5: Is Daddy, er...no, just an effigy of him at the park today (this guy is a trash can)...many comments were made by our traveling party about him and of course his likeness to Daddy... :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZ9w-xMWMdHAdnPRlr762QdRZRMyqHJBAp0rMZ6FA2hdPIsbH-o8kcjJNp5A5yQuzDwkXvAlU8D3FIYijVxMxDnhPJTwjBaJi8Ez4ZA7ApZbGkHIaFB4dIBOFKi3vbwkY6ZkQZMGUCJY/s1600-h/China+Day+13+114.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110821965950522082" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZ9w-xMWMdHAdnPRlr762QdRZRMyqHJBAp0rMZ6FA2hdPIsbH-o8kcjJNp5A5yQuzDwkXvAlU8D3FIYijVxMxDnhPJTwjBaJi8Ez4ZA7ApZbGkHIaFB4dIBOFKi3vbwkY6ZkQZMGUCJY/s320/China+Day+13+114.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaD3OP88GUck-e5xCL9rvykMgeDrXAwrUBuqKR82QcQsvi87ENBvO5IdUZ_iVZmqsIEKjQw0IH_SYqegX1aoF9tPJq9UZZtfEp5tte0XuWhFhJlIg89b6jyrUE18ctsERqdzixmZXn2_c/s1600-h/China+Day+13+126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110821970245489394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaD3OP88GUck-e5xCL9rvykMgeDrXAwrUBuqKR82QcQsvi87ENBvO5IdUZ_iVZmqsIEKjQw0IH_SYqegX1aoF9tPJq9UZZtfEp5tte0XuWhFhJlIg89b6jyrUE18ctsERqdzixmZXn2_c/s320/China+Day+13+126.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQLACtasiUHoaP4h0ieq7cy9ebn8GNy03M4q-BZnKwvUwf-f_mF_7jihyphenhyphenddPIIqlcUmBAaCWWVu-ru1d5e-h9MELFbbXx31VcZ6b6OqnJWFRN2EbUV_AhVj5IrHV5fLHApG-A5oc3dTs/s1600-h/China+Day+13+063.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110820823489221218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQLACtasiUHoaP4h0ieq7cy9ebn8GNy03M4q-BZnKwvUwf-f_mF_7jihyphenhyphenddPIIqlcUmBAaCWWVu-ru1d5e-h9MELFbbXx31VcZ6b6OqnJWFRN2EbUV_AhVj5IrHV5fLHApG-A5oc3dTs/s320/China+Day+13+063.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Picture 6: The little man, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">honkin</span>' on a bean <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Popsicle</span>...not a mung bean, for those of you who know of our appreciation for them...just a plain old...very YUMMY bean <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Popsicle</span> (I've forgotten to tell you that at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mc</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Donalds</span> instead of Cherry and Apple pies...they have "Green Pea" Pies...YUM!<br /><br /><br />Picture 7: Potato...and ice cream<br /><br />Picture 8: Busy Bee...and ice cream<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmt115d0OJFGJAg__zdIfZ_KXVap65MQLu1ezTriFmUwdpqaCfAtA5NxzMxQs4p9DHrD_fizYLa1IuwNFYiYb6I9M4FupdYnB-Ezt2E1eReSJTHAr1pNh8_j-Ewh4MJRUJN0mDavib5c/s1600-h/China+Day+13+065.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110820827784188530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmt115d0OJFGJAg__zdIfZ_KXVap65MQLu1ezTriFmUwdpqaCfAtA5NxzMxQs4p9DHrD_fizYLa1IuwNFYiYb6I9M4FupdYnB-Ezt2E1eReSJTHAr1pNh8_j-Ewh4MJRUJN0mDavib5c/s320/China+Day+13+065.JPG" border="0" /></a> (Daddy said they looked like the "Dutch Masters" today when he saw them at the park)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H4WjdTY2KJLwppJLnTsJTmd5gPCLtvbO6-GT818jWMQNxjPiPT5zPI95dz0fWDn9YlWBmR1o6RIbx6JsOuPrVZF5jRKeqQ1yKB5RSksZOc_QMEu0aigOWnszSjl9WdNG295emJF3riA/s1600-h/China+Day+13+066.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110820832079155842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H4WjdTY2KJLwppJLnTsJTmd5gPCLtvbO6-GT818jWMQNxjPiPT5zPI95dz0fWDn9YlWBmR1o6RIbx6JsOuPrVZF5jRKeqQ1yKB5RSksZOc_QMEu0aigOWnszSjl9WdNG295emJF3riA/s320/China+Day+13+066.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7mgwo4itwR6wD_mf0NWD8EoulvUZk99xj0bOZLKeBem6R5rE0t8OIDG1llqEYWYnHLGKjJKm0NpjdYBGJ84BxvypIcXaMoo2DB9GG_1UhSN5aTRtv5FWWOQQO4ljDi8Aa67hzAURYZs/s1600-h/China+Day+13+077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110820840669090450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7mgwo4itwR6wD_mf0NWD8EoulvUZk99xj0bOZLKeBem6R5rE0t8OIDG1llqEYWYnHLGKjJKm0NpjdYBGJ84BxvypIcXaMoo2DB9GG_1UhSN5aTRtv5FWWOQQO4ljDi8Aa67hzAURYZs/s320/China+Day+13+077.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOcMX3AckkByyk8QoP1pm_QQgF7cZ6OdSWndk0GRUlrFuwo_o4f7j_NgJ7h1zuHcEHGrUjnhGOIhC4FMioENmb2lWBcRt0OKHhEkzG-Y9m2wI0D-WPvFwtNaQjGTIZwJf0nbRMIYDcGY/s1600-h/China+Day+13+093.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110820844964057762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOcMX3AckkByyk8QoP1pm_QQgF7cZ6OdSWndk0GRUlrFuwo_o4f7j_NgJ7h1zuHcEHGrUjnhGOIhC4FMioENmb2lWBcRt0OKHhEkzG-Y9m2wI0D-WPvFwtNaQjGTIZwJf0nbRMIYDcGY/s320/China+Day+13+093.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Picture 9: This guy just stared and stared at me...<br /><br />Picture 10: We fed this dude by hand...the kids went wild!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXy0pJG7vgguN3wfJtKAWCJn_qV7ZCgmduWF_CKf4VN-qYSQjPXIrylJGYclEgIoFH_2qUXFdSGkHNM9LdVmVMOEbX3e2OzkX1TBb5-0wgBKNKZrJ-T3wmu-Nn0KWnMkavKTaczssUbA/s1600-h/China+Day+13+019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110819466279555602" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXy0pJG7vgguN3wfJtKAWCJn_qV7ZCgmduWF_CKf4VN-qYSQjPXIrylJGYclEgIoFH_2qUXFdSGkHNM9LdVmVMOEbX3e2OzkX1TBb5-0wgBKNKZrJ-T3wmu-Nn0KWnMkavKTaczssUbA/s320/China+Day+13+019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Picture 11: Busy Bee on the train ride through the safari park<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1c-sKtMTG4pujCcaqO-N39g3jn7QIHEQRAgnsAi6anpA0lsdREt-v1_qGBibqBs-LruPv0DvYbFlLL9M_gKpOIE3RR6k-NexR-i7tfzreyEXl828AgwRG7yWMd_zl0ECmS5denpD3q60/s1600-h/China+Day+13+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110819470574522914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1c-sKtMTG4pujCcaqO-N39g3jn7QIHEQRAgnsAi6anpA0lsdREt-v1_qGBibqBs-LruPv0DvYbFlLL9M_gKpOIE3RR6k-NexR-i7tfzreyEXl828AgwRG7yWMd_zl0ECmS5denpD3q60/s320/China+Day+13+020.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Picture 12: Magpie and Isaiah...he was squealing and talking very quickly in Chinese at every animal we saw!<br /><br /><br /><br />Picture 13: These two rhinos were having a dispute...but they of course made us think about our own Rhino...back in "fish-ville"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ2P0HCUyhi2-cqlPiWIqX3gPImJ1AufjUTbtaWVagE62wSQDcWh08KHSwW_HzHmb7N4z3FC7N7O4VMMP8FKnNYWdOSX0WWHmO7GI4KFKZcRj_te3EDMnCtxSbE6agBEzXO7BayJ5mSg/s1600-h/China+Day+13+037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110819474869490226" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ2P0HCUyhi2-cqlPiWIqX3gPImJ1AufjUTbtaWVagE62wSQDcWh08KHSwW_HzHmb7N4z3FC7N7O4VMMP8FKnNYWdOSX0WWHmO7GI4KFKZcRj_te3EDMnCtxSbE6agBEzXO7BayJ5mSg/s320/China+Day+13+037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUYpfqyQI5JnS49yo-eyzNp2vmb_ITC_l2qt0xqXhS4zVg0Rtsxsm74wH14uDe0VZa8GSgtRUo1OfaMxpK_fiPClte6ZJy4UGNx9v5Mz-QHWm5YW-xzgm0oaxRWniqVLi0XZlg_XYUuA/s1600-h/China+Day+13+051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110819479164457538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUYpfqyQI5JnS49yo-eyzNp2vmb_ITC_l2qt0xqXhS4zVg0Rtsxsm74wH14uDe0VZa8GSgtRUo1OfaMxpK_fiPClte6ZJy4UGNx9v5Mz-QHWm5YW-xzgm0oaxRWniqVLi0XZlg_XYUuA/s320/China+Day+13+051.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5xt6wVKb5LMYPT1CXbIIUsgOTjudyk3tz7MpUkqMvVOVH0x0GVDrTRL0sjZcB7iNC1iSYMopMlcPwXtzvHTgVr9ZqKmfGYrO1vDQ_Ghz7qLoFH1O-nWro57DupxFJXZSidBfVU2KXNE/s1600-h/China+Day+13+057.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110819483459424850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5xt6wVKb5LMYPT1CXbIIUsgOTjudyk3tz7MpUkqMvVOVH0x0GVDrTRL0sjZcB7iNC1iSYMopMlcPwXtzvHTgVr9ZqKmfGYrO1vDQ_Ghz7qLoFH1O-nWro57DupxFJXZSidBfVU2KXNE/s320/China+Day+13+057.JPG" border="0" /></a> Picture 14: Sadly, though we saw several White Tigers...not a single spotting of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Seigfried</span> and Roy :(<br /><br />Picture 15: The man team...just hanging out on the bench...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">thinkin</span>' man-type thoughts...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Today we hit the wall...really. It's been a fantastic trip...but we just had a meltdown today. This morning we woke up and everyone was off..grumpy...easily disturbed...<br /><br /><br />We spilled orange juice all over the bed...we lost and subsequently found my purse...we wept at the breakfast table (others among us gnashed their teeth)...and while walking home from our meal...The Bug fell off a planter she was walking along and was run over by a bike in front of a crowd of 45 or so gasping, horrified, Spanish tourists!<br /><br />Needless to say...it was a day that needed prayer...(The Bug by the way, sustained no lasting injury...only her pride remains bruised)...so we stopped and prayed as a family asking God to help us and redeem the day...and immediately, things began to improve!<br /><br /><br />At one pm we left for the Chime-Long Safari Park...THIS was a tour event WELL WORTH it...by far the coolest open zoo I've ever been to...excellent! The pictures well tell the story of the day so I'm going to devote most of the space to them...<br /><br /><br />On the way home in the bus, we nearly laughed ourselves silly as the children (keep in mind that there are 13 of them in our local group of 4 families)....got <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">a hold</span> of the microphone that our guide Connie uses on the bus and it was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Karaoke</span> time! Each of the kids sang a few tunes...it was a great day...<br /><br />The weather is absolutely sauna-like! We were wringing wet most of the day but the outing to the safari park was well worth it. Our guide explained that the park is owned by one VERY wealthy man who is in his 50's...he was first a butcher, then owned a small restaurant, then a big restaurant, then a 4 star hotel...making more and more money...then he opened the safari park, a circus, water park and an amusement park...but the only part of this guys story that everyone talked about all day was that this guy has 8 wives! More specifically, 1 wife and 7 concubines! Even the kids were trying to figure out how that worked! Lots of jokes were made between our traveling companions about such a lifestyle...but Connie, our guide said that this was why she makes certain that her husband does not get too wealthy...with money comes concubines! IN THE YEAR 2007!<br /><br /><br />Tonight we had a pizza picnic in the hallway of our hotel...then a swim before bed...everyone ended the day on a very "up" note.<br /><br /><br />Tomorrow we hope to have our Visa approval in place for Isaiah to come home, then a huge shopping afternoon at a major street market that we've heard rumor of...we plan to take it by storm!<br /><br />More from Guangzhou tomorrow....we'll be home soon now!The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-82404689960252366582007-09-15T08:52:00.001-07:002008-12-13T03:12:19.699-08:00Pictures from our Day in Guangzhou<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbGkZ8AyOAx2Ir20onfhjKPx0Os1m8AYJuWK5dIyh2_96nkct33OfVurr_gmE79pkcf88kweh8a5A-Dtrgi_ncSyhWLMUwVXW-tKYIXqoLYNSEEJITGD56mLpZ7SrY6pjEkQt8JQSITQ/s1600-h/China+Days+11+%26+12+026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110461278891971010" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbGkZ8AyOAx2Ir20onfhjKPx0Os1m8AYJuWK5dIyh2_96nkct33OfVurr_gmE79pkcf88kweh8a5A-Dtrgi_ncSyhWLMUwVXW-tKYIXqoLYNSEEJITGD56mLpZ7SrY6pjEkQt8JQSITQ/s320/China+Days+11+%26+12+026.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1F19_3BaTLF9GacM3QDBrpRqNit4VRV_RQocoXa8NRdy-Z4_HDaWNIyglIbQWiafQEsg8pRcZ1Thc397GTENrjE6gcbfcDEIKhSKKTE6qoZDBbaiTXyBLDQe8XYtmw66jYFPAby32vc/s1600-h/China+Days+11+%26+12+036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110461283186938322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1F19_3BaTLF9GacM3QDBrpRqNit4VRV_RQocoXa8NRdy-Z4_HDaWNIyglIbQWiafQEsg8pRcZ1Thc397GTENrjE6gcbfcDEIKhSKKTE6qoZDBbaiTXyBLDQe8XYtmw66jYFPAby32vc/s320/China+Days+11+%26+12+036.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The first pictures says it all...it's our mantra...."Keep quiet"...but as you can see, Isaiah, at his medical exam today was anything but agreeable to the policy posted on the wall. It's kind of a funny sign because this room is the holding cell for dozens of adoptive families with their children who often are not so fond of medical exams...I imagine that the only time it is quiet in there is when no one is around to read the sign..."if a tree falls in the woods and there is no one there to hear it...does it really make a sound?"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHVD53ONuYdIGblhXCjkNtVLuKSRYrYs06cv6gf-ODY8wOX9L8_jQrtd-ez5yg1K2OlrVntUQ82NLFDYTAgvul4llscIEtIV3eV-pUAdEtH6ezOaJc5XqkU-00ZJS-uybq3eR7Xm9kIE/s1600-h/China+Days+11+%26+12+037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110461291776872930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHVD53ONuYdIGblhXCjkNtVLuKSRYrYs06cv6gf-ODY8wOX9L8_jQrtd-ez5yg1K2OlrVntUQ82NLFDYTAgvul4llscIEtIV3eV-pUAdEtH6ezOaJc5XqkU-00ZJS-uybq3eR7Xm9kIE/s320/China+Days+11+%26+12+037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXxy5X8vtnfgdZDsl6HUf6KWTfoIHDeqZWbBQoJDSTJhdc6a1dSnOSYNdlMXI8IcSiuZ1q1NzfjV7Tq84j9LCWvDuhPjEwR28mUMCSSWa903A4T_3G4vJWI0QPYa1W13FrSAF-q7Qxpk/s1600-h/China+Days+11+%26+12+124.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110461296071840242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXxy5X8vtnfgdZDsl6HUf6KWTfoIHDeqZWbBQoJDSTJhdc6a1dSnOSYNdlMXI8IcSiuZ1q1NzfjV7Tq84j9LCWvDuhPjEwR28mUMCSSWa903A4T_3G4vJWI0QPYa1W13FrSAF-q7Qxpk/s320/China+Days+11+%26+12+124.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu606-Nb8sRJ1uprG6-qvPNAmqNYCF71auxVjm-Ln0MOK1gT7cwIUfjskV8BrcvVI71rEQwsoqnmSpFuuq9PRpO6Do1adCWEEFUDSRjp4fsXcVLIswIoZ9ZCgSxmDs2Rb8tPUxl4s0RQ/s1600-h/China+Days+11+%26+12+073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110461308956742146" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu606-Nb8sRJ1uprG6-qvPNAmqNYCF71auxVjm-Ln0MOK1gT7cwIUfjskV8BrcvVI71rEQwsoqnmSpFuuq9PRpO6Do1adCWEEFUDSRjp4fsXcVLIswIoZ9ZCgSxmDs2Rb8tPUxl4s0RQ/s320/China+Days+11+%26+12+073.JPG" border="0" /></a> Picture number three is of a back massage line up at our dinner party tonight at the popular "Lucy's" restaurant...where you can always get really good American food. These kids are CRAZY excited about being together in China...we're having a great time!<br /><br />The fourth and fifth pictures are are a bit of a "story" of adoption for me...<br /><br />Isaiah...still so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tentative</span> with his Daddy...unsure of these aliens who feed him, treat him well...but are so strange...<br /><br />Then a picture of family...two sisters, biologically born of different mothers...half a world apart...once so unsure of each other....fearful and cautious, just like Isaiah is sometimes now...but look at them now...asleep together, having traveled many miles together...fully in love with each other and sisters in every sense of the word...the miracle of adoption...<br /><br />Adoption is born of tragedy...a child loses his/her family...but when full grown, it becomes a hearty, magnificent hybrid plant...family...completely...<br /><br />Thank you Lord!The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-24797387074587638532007-09-15T08:26:00.000-07:002007-09-15T08:52:15.649-07:00It's hot people...and we're kinda wimpy...We've had quite an adjustment to the climate here in Guangzhou...think sauna...with lots and lots of MOIST heat...really hot, steamy heat...and yes...the hair does so well in this climate!<br /><br />Today we had Isaiah's medical exam done for the US government...those of you waiting at home to welcome him will be glad to know that he is free of all communicable diseases and he is big...just like I told you...although, he was not a real fan of the exam in general...<br /><br />Then, we had our photos taken for the US visa...he looked so cute in his little Polo shirt, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">birkenstocks</span> and plaid shorts...all of the families were commenting on how handsome he is...how true that is!<br /><br />The afternoon was full of our final paperwork for this adoption so that Isaiah will become a full American citizen when he clears immigration at our port of entry in the US! I'll be so pleased when this part of the process is finalized..we like to have our children all carrying a US passport...citizenship is so precious.<br /><br />This evening we went shopping...closed up the shops...I really like to bargain for my purchases..I've had many shop owners say that I am a tough bargainer (I'm sure they say this to all their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">clientele</span>)...but tonight...it was so funny, because one of the shops I went in...the owner said...I KNOW YOU...You were here last year?....You are good bargainer! (Yes I did buy a few things from her store... :)<br /><br />We also went swimming on the rooftop pool here at our hotel. Lots of kids and families (that being us, the Z family and W family)....we make up 19 in our group...when we arrived at the pool for our party...strangely...some others left?!<br /><br />Isaiah was slow to warm up about his first swim...but as long as he was with me...he was okay...I think he'll be a little fish in no time at all.<br /><br />In general, Isaiah is doing very well. He likes to laugh and play imitation games...and now he's taken to hollering at his sisters when they do something he knows is wrong..he yells "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jie</span>" (big sister in Chinese) then a string of Chinese words to them...he's got another thing coming if he thinks these big sisters are going to take any guff from him once they know what he's saying to them...<br /><br />But they're devoted to him! Tonight, he got into some apple juice and it spilled on the carpet. Daddy was none too happy and when he took the apple juice away...the waterworks began...the reason this is a newsworthy report is that each of the sisters was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">SOOOOOO</span> upset that their little brother was crying. Their reactions:<br /><br />1) Magpie got teary and went to her bed...she said "he's just little Momma...he doesn't know any better"<br /><br />2) The Bug decided to comfort him....she swooped down and tried to lift him into her arms...using her best Chinese and saying "Bu coo...Bu coo" (Don't cry, Don't cry)<br /><br />3) Potato stormed in and said "Daddy...you making him cry...give him that juice Daddy!"<br /><br />4) Busy Bee put her hands on her hips...and with her most scolding look said "Daddy...don't make him cry...he's a baby!"<br /><br />All this drama...for Daddy simply taking the juice that Isaiah was squeezing through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">straw</span> gleefully onto the carpet and saying to him, "Bu Bu" (No No.)<br /><br />Wow...what little Mommas...no kid better ever think he can mess with this little brother...he's "girl pack" protected!<br /><br />Tomorrow we're going to a safari park to see lots of wild animals...we're hoping that it is a great tour...<br /><br />We leave China in only 4 days...cannot believe how fast it has gone!<br /><br />Please pray for opportunities to speak more in depth with our dear friend while we're here...only a few more days...<br /><br />Thanks for all your continued prayers...we feel so loved and blessed.<br /><br />Our God is so big...so powerful and yet wants us to experience him in such a personal way each day...being in China always makes me think of his expanse and his care for each of us...Praise His holy name!The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-2769954158929306222007-09-14T08:51:00.000-07:002007-09-14T09:39:34.465-07:00We're in Guangzhou...the last stop of our trip...We made it into Guangzhou and the loudest group of adoptive families every received by Connie, our guide, surely took her by storm!<br /><br />Our dear friends the Z family and the W family met us at the airport as we hugged, kissed and marveled over each other's beautiful newly adopted children. The bus ride (we had one bus to ourselves) was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SOOOOO</span> loud with the voices of thrilled children and parents catching up! What fun!<br /><br />Tomorrow we have medicals for the kids, lots of swimming and our final ream of paperwork. <br /><br />Our dear Chinese family friend is along with us and he's really enjoying visiting with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Z's</span> son, 8 years of age, and the W's daughter, 7 years of age. He was able to speak with them, in Chinese, of course, and hopes to help relay to them some information about American culture. Since he was in the states with us just last year and in our homes...I believe he will be able to help the kids with their adjustment.<br /><br />We're at the Victory...and we cannot imagine why anyone wouldn't choose this hotel over other competitors. We have adjoining rooms, soft beds (an amazing reality in "stone tablet" bed China) and free <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">internet</span>! I was somewhat nervous about choosing this as I've heard others say some negative things about it...but, I am VERY pleased indeed!<br /><br />We said goodbye, a very teary one, to our sweet former babysitter and friend in Wuhan today. She will remain in Wuhan until next August teaching English to children of various ages. For a treat today, we took her out to Pizza Hut for lunch...she, as we, love the Chinese food, but we wanted her to have a little taste of home on our last day together.<br /><br />For those who know our children well, I thought I might use this post, without pictures, to relay how the kids have been doing while traveling:<br /><br />1) Magpie (7 years) - Everywhere we go she is saying "thank you" for the dozens of compliments she receives for being "such a fine girl, very mature and poised." She's had a great time traveling this time. Just the other day she told me that she feels safer in China than at home. Now this is REALLY saying something as she shares genetic ties with her father "Safety Boy," the man who can spot a safety violation at 70 paces. She brought a little bit of birthday money from her Grandma D and has now purchased an MP3...which is cool...but Momma nor Daddy know how to load any more music on it. There are two, Chinese pop songs...but she's nearly getting down some of those lyrics! And, she's picked up a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Tomagachi</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sp</span>?) some electronic pet...we limit the screen time severely...but she's really having fun with some of her technology.<br /><br />2) The Bug (5 year) - Miss socialite is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">definitely</span> in the running for Junior American <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ambassador</span> to China. This chick has a following! She's constantly pressed for more photos...and enjoys at every opportunity some dialogue with Housekeeping or the Front Desk at our Wuhan Hotel. Today, she <strong><em>had</em></strong> to be the one who called for more toilet paper (we doubt they've ever seen a room go through so much in so little time) and I heard her talking to the person on the other line : "Oh hello, Ni <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Hao</span>, yes, we would like you to bring some toilet paper to our room. Yes, toilet paper....toilet paper...oh yes....well, really, I only speak a tiny bit of Chinese...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Xie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Xie</span>....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Xie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Xie</span>...thank you....oh yes, room 8 eleven....room 8 -1-1" (This is only one of a dozen <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">conversations</span> with her staff today! :)<br /><br />3) Potato (3 years) - Of course as we're touring "her" China...she's been pretty bossy around here. When we're in China, she gets to have her fill of "AD Milk"...it's a sort of sweet milk drink that all the children love here. We found something like it in an Asian market back home, and she was so thrilled, she calls any such drink her "special." Well, she's had a straw in her mouth with an AD bottle at the end most all the time. At home we've experienced her practically going to blows over her "special"...but she's also pretty high on this new "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">brudder</span>" who she had "to come and get and bring home to her home." It was pretty precious when I heard her saying, I-saiah...I-SAY-UH...look at me... I'm talking to you...I said you can have some AD milk...right here...some AD milk...you're so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">darlin</span>'....so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">darlin</span>'...you'll like some AD milk!"<br /><br />4) Busy Bee (3 years) - Still the most desired for photo ops..yet the most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">recalcitrant</span> by far. When some well-meaning soul asks her if they can take her picture, I have (though I'm not proud of it) promised her a cookie to comply. She turns on this ultra sweet, posed mega smile. As soon as she hears the camera snap....her face falls flat and she says to me..."Momma...my cookie!" And, she loves wild and crazy taxi rides...she loves getting in and going to another part of town...usually because she gets to be on Daddy's awesome lap...but a few times, she and Isaiah have been up on my lap in the front seat. Taxi rides, elevator buttons and electronic door keys...yeah...she's practically in heaven!<br /><br />5) Isaiah update: how many times a day can you play the "where's Isaiah" game?...you know the one...he covers his eyes...you act like you don't know where he is...then he takes his hands down and you acted shocked that he's right there in front of you! The answer to my query is...you play it as many times as you want for the sheer joy of getting a big grin, giggle and a hug from your boy! <br /><br />This boy can eat! We are amazed at the amount of food he puts away at a meal and he makes all these cute little sounds of pleasure when he tastes something he really likes.....<br /><br />And, this boy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">LOOOOOVES</span> his Momma...'<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">tis</span> so sweet...<br /><br />Daddy is standing strong...many admire him everyday when we're out and about...he's quite the traveler, unfazed by an unwilling taxi driver, or weaving through traffic on foot with his little seedlings in tow. I'm so impressed because he had not traveled much internationally before last year, but this guy is savvy and cool when he's rolling around China. He's showing great appreciation of the differences in culture and lifestyle. He always helps me "see" more of what there is to see at any given time on the trip....what a guy!<br /><br />Latest Daddy funny: our girls (the three year <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">olds</span>) often break out in song...not just any song...the ABC's song...and often crowds gather...but suffice it to say...we've heard it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">a lot</span>! And it never seems to end....Potato does it perfectly, except there are two X's and no S's in her rendition....anyway...tonight, Daddy was commenting that the Chinese have 300 basic characters in their language...Daddy said "300 characters...now that is crazy...somebody should have thought about that...think how long it takes to sing their alphabet song!"<br /><br />And your Blog author?...I'm doing well...I am <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">SOOOOOO</span> blessed...as I write about these I have been given to love....I am profoundly grateful...The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-70027701308313922352007-09-13T08:28:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:20.385-08:00We've got shoes...and sweet memories...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3Ce24Sg6HzVv8dGRE1Q6rXuUXPuLGI9rOp6jrgBK14Tb15Ul3OihSiRWewFe6aD07cvGfvHm_AhXeYopICVkJydjhbUW7Z4Xg8i7nLN2bmEHDQrN80Fw7xpiHH0qFc_DMEYhfD4b9TY/s1600-h/China+Day+10+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109712554423128434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3Ce24Sg6HzVv8dGRE1Q6rXuUXPuLGI9rOp6jrgBK14Tb15Ul3OihSiRWewFe6aD07cvGfvHm_AhXeYopICVkJydjhbUW7Z4Xg8i7nLN2bmEHDQrN80Fw7xpiHH0qFc_DMEYhfD4b9TY/s320/China+Day+10+008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIUILk57aUksfgCo0GeVt2oUxZ2YwXE9QgD8PU2G2MB3Pakk5eSWhRvpFG4aqEPucYLCu7zkZF106NChslyY39shK-0GwG859IoooW9ZTAW2c2LaYUDchDkTnKHMGZlRjh1Ty1bIRcp8/s1600-h/China+Day+10+019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109712563013063042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIUILk57aUksfgCo0GeVt2oUxZ2YwXE9QgD8PU2G2MB3Pakk5eSWhRvpFG4aqEPucYLCu7zkZF106NChslyY39shK-0GwG859IoooW9ZTAW2c2LaYUDchDkTnKHMGZlRjh1Ty1bIRcp8/s320/China+Day+10+019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />"Take me shopping"...that was the mantra of the girls...enough of this adoption stuff...we need school shoes! And, we can always do well shoe shopping in China. The first two pictures show you this start to our day...some 10 sales ladies...and 10 pairs of shoes for 5 kids...the total...right at $140! The flurry set the shoe department on it's ear...I THINK we all got shoes that Momma approved...but, I'm surely not going back if there's a problem! <br /><br />Then we were thrilled to get our hands on Isaiah's passport and the finalized adoption papers complete with his name change! Although we celebrate the finality of his adoption...we marvel at the way he fits into the family...he is AMAZING and I'm blown away once again at God's plan. He loves his Momma...is pretty slow with everyone else, except Magpie, and he hugs me and lets me kiss and squeeze him. I am positively silly over him! I am so thankful to the Lord and our wonderful adoption agency, Children's House International, for bringing us together with our son!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X-Z110VZ2soh0REHZcF-VN26Wp7R88AdeI6k-0zR8an9XCEFb0G5Y_MvR0XABdNZzItg0nFMSueQLrmGm60hJMe65tcfQ4AQeqJzNWyOc9HWEWnJKTZmuaNpG1CzyOGENJXmeX5gMXM/s1600-h/China+Day+10+068.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109712567308030354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X-Z110VZ2soh0REHZcF-VN26Wp7R88AdeI6k-0zR8an9XCEFb0G5Y_MvR0XABdNZzItg0nFMSueQLrmGm60hJMe65tcfQ4AQeqJzNWyOc9HWEWnJKTZmuaNpG1CzyOGENJXmeX5gMXM/s320/China+Day+10+068.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiyIG4SVgprHAMPJNOZRlyfukQTwPDD9Gvxa4L7EraQGCtL2Ovnbup6IVDXN-7UXwfPSfI_InrSeS4vqAAumpaiReHS0OgIRsc20VwEnKWpcWDcg6to4AnnbStUl-m7hH7sYgeIbeMAY/s1600-h/China+Day+10+107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109712575897964962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiyIG4SVgprHAMPJNOZRlyfukQTwPDD9Gvxa4L7EraQGCtL2Ovnbup6IVDXN-7UXwfPSfI_InrSeS4vqAAumpaiReHS0OgIRsc20VwEnKWpcWDcg6to4AnnbStUl-m7hH7sYgeIbeMAY/s320/China+Day+10+107.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpoEXMUBHtp1LMw0j4V5s31yLdH0PFHnU_8BWebJGCt5WTCiWsbwMI3oVUKJRONzQWvmhj25M_-ccEnJgOwnuy7gEAbJ8hm0wIDVCREx0t2oPAXpU5rdYympDQgfvWjW_4zBtgCI25KM/s1600-h/China+Day+10+147.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109712584487899570" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpoEXMUBHtp1LMw0j4V5s31yLdH0PFHnU_8BWebJGCt5WTCiWsbwMI3oVUKJRONzQWvmhj25M_-ccEnJgOwnuy7gEAbJ8hm0wIDVCREx0t2oPAXpU5rdYympDQgfvWjW_4zBtgCI25KM/s320/China+Day+10+147.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tonight, we had dinner with our extended Chinese family, the sisters and brother of our dear friend...a big family style feast in a private dining room at the hotel. The focus of the evening and discussion was: 1) How beautiful the girls are...2) How handsome and clever Isaiah is...3) How Daddy and I are fantastic parents...4) Are all parents in America as wonderful as we?<br /><br />It was a riot. If they only knew how crazy we are as parents...then they'd have something to talk about! The warm fellowship was bittersweet on our last night in Wuhan. I was so pleased to hear from our friend, interpreting to us the discussion between he and his family members, that he told his family that he thought we were such wonderful parents because we are Christians.<br /><br />I finished the night with a foot massage with our friend who's come to teach English in Wuhan. Actually, it was a nearly 2 hour experience and a great way to close my last night in Wuhan for this trip.<br /><br />We get on a plane tomorrow and fly South to Guangzhou where we'll meet up with our dear friends for 5 days of celebrating our new family members! Lots of fun ahead before we make the LONG journey home...<br /><br />Now that we have him...we see how worth every step of the journey has been...he is a jewel!The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-13869664002260747512007-09-12T04:24:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:21.089-08:00Potato...this is your life....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAH7WGSkXfrO0uzZPt6a73RgvKzweweYZTn2ii8HhjB0SkdBYO4kGDptaEQdA9Qejw8Ymtt7DN_Gv01chmc7xcEmyDyRHQkLS3LsJbpb-LmTZCeSs_6rZaNjBT-dPMG7WPhP7enZ3ZZOo/s1600-h/China+Day+9+138.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109281361181446450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAH7WGSkXfrO0uzZPt6a73RgvKzweweYZTn2ii8HhjB0SkdBYO4kGDptaEQdA9Qejw8Ymtt7DN_Gv01chmc7xcEmyDyRHQkLS3LsJbpb-LmTZCeSs_6rZaNjBT-dPMG7WPhP7enZ3ZZOo/s320/China+Day+9+138.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlxryWMhMwFPDwJQpGoKSAzlq8mfpUe79c6SQAX5YimxftQOeQv_N6zMNqYe803521zqN7vd9YY0wdmGsxHhAY0LTLLieRU4GRrnZ9_VRdo0KiuT0v6gd-EyM_UNtDnZkBQ6zUg8QGk4/s1600-h/China+Day+9+172.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109281365476413762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlxryWMhMwFPDwJQpGoKSAzlq8mfpUe79c6SQAX5YimxftQOeQv_N6zMNqYe803521zqN7vd9YY0wdmGsxHhAY0LTLLieRU4GRrnZ9_VRdo0KiuT0v6gd-EyM_UNtDnZkBQ6zUg8QGk4/s320/China+Day+9+172.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDK_flOj8oAnorz07DKdEd000P45ehkWKrj95tPcph5jR3nm9srF9GPRMD2eAg01eJ61QIy6O7wqSHmMrqB3XwoRzFoH9w9_z5JXc8Twx9ZHFZBnLCG2_OrCO99DHbeYia4wTEsYuQ4E/s1600-h/China+Day+9+200.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109281369771381074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDK_flOj8oAnorz07DKdEd000P45ehkWKrj95tPcph5jR3nm9srF9GPRMD2eAg01eJ61QIy6O7wqSHmMrqB3XwoRzFoH9w9_z5JXc8Twx9ZHFZBnLCG2_OrCO99DHbeYia4wTEsYuQ4E/s320/China+Day+9+200.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5WRAcLwaWDLbjcqqFfJ7myBdr6a-UzIQqF9YHuVuG0kz0c3H1tiPYMNG-07NDQ62rUiMb9pXVtl7qt6yDE3fKxWkEmIADwPrDTUXXLPIZNKmlxZbL3qlovcUwYvUaCxHs1-pAPtTAlo/s1600-h/China+Day+9+212.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109281374066348386" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5WRAcLwaWDLbjcqqFfJ7myBdr6a-UzIQqF9YHuVuG0kz0c3H1tiPYMNG-07NDQ62rUiMb9pXVtl7qt6yDE3fKxWkEmIADwPrDTUXXLPIZNKmlxZbL3qlovcUwYvUaCxHs1-pAPtTAlo/s320/China+Day+9+212.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Today was all about Potato and our journey to her hometown, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wuxue</span>. We visited important people in her past and took time to reflect at her "finding place."</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Potato was happy but apprehensive. When greeted by these precious people of her past, she was hesitant and wanted to keep her distance. She remembered familiar things about her life there and we witnessed once again the depth to which she was loved. Before we traveled to China, we talked for some time about going to this special place and she would comment very little about it...only to say..."we go to China, we get my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">brudder</span> and we COME HOME, right Momma?"</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There were gifts exchanged and many, many tears by these loving people.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>At her finding place I felt sick...the treasure that she is...her birth mother will never know...how sad I am for her and what she's missed. How blessed we are to have her in our family...a treasure her Momma was unable to keep...I am so sorry for her.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And being confronted with others who love her so deeply, yet had to let her go...only able to love her now from afar through pictures and memories...this was a difficult realization.</div><div> </div><div>The pictures: 1- Two men, different languages - share the love of one child</div><div> 2 -How happy he was...a key part of Potato's foundation</div><div> 3 - At Potato's finding spot - I'm holding her - he is clinging to the last touch of </div><div> her...with tears...so many tears...so much tenderness</div><div> 4 - Her Daddy holds her where her birth Momma last held her...</div><div> </div><div>Tomorrow we receive Isaiah's passport and the finalized adoption papers....we must find some shoes for this boy...his feet are HUGE!!!...then on Friday...we depart our beloved Wuhan for Guangzhou in the south of China...to clear the final hurdle and get Isaiah's visa at the US Consulate.</div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-38306267496500069052007-09-12T04:20:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:21.413-08:00Bonus shot of our little man...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGc2dJVrARYex_hnGMIuTM6OwCADgms-2hlgL3aNNvinZ-MCC5C6lqvALSpRNdeELYSi5IxcdfZnlHheuheDJvV-FccxRnCK_mBIolS7REVG8b9T2-Vp2b21AKr1-blilhwkR3aMdSLM/s1600-h/China+Day+9+176.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109276516458336546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGc2dJVrARYex_hnGMIuTM6OwCADgms-2hlgL3aNNvinZ-MCC5C6lqvALSpRNdeELYSi5IxcdfZnlHheuheDJvV-FccxRnCK_mBIolS7REVG8b9T2-Vp2b21AKr1-blilhwkR3aMdSLM/s320/China+Day+9+176.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This is a little extra eye candy for those of you who'd like to see Isaiah on our third day with him...</div><div> </div><div>I can now fully understand why some mothers eat their young...</div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-68561364221785184802007-09-11T08:04:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:22.251-08:00Adopted Officially...by a lovestruck family<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDoMgxmd-jT3g9jFkqcNwiqhm0HVjI5QHnXfln8k4-RU_dgba78wbFB_KpFbuZgV3fUDAD_RwLJf-XUCnEoIkoGb5nKlHLevnnfed2CSGU6ms4i0CBee9SwKZ8Qe6P0Se6SJrPCl2u3g/s1600-h/China+Day+8+018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108969948490760498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDoMgxmd-jT3g9jFkqcNwiqhm0HVjI5QHnXfln8k4-RU_dgba78wbFB_KpFbuZgV3fUDAD_RwLJf-XUCnEoIkoGb5nKlHLevnnfed2CSGU6ms4i0CBee9SwKZ8Qe6P0Se6SJrPCl2u3g/s320/China+Day+8+018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbe_r2WnChb9Fki99iUU141SV9SA9UWeGZ-tgTS-sD_bYvE-xwYhTW3aC0P3R-xhrBcSWiaV6k17XIJ-5nSE5UhYetDbSiAhnyUYCDnZHVfrI1KI8oBlshpTEVJ6Bn_noSUyDjcsQllYY/s1600-h/China+Day+8+023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108969952785727810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbe_r2WnChb9Fki99iUU141SV9SA9UWeGZ-tgTS-sD_bYvE-xwYhTW3aC0P3R-xhrBcSWiaV6k17XIJ-5nSE5UhYetDbSiAhnyUYCDnZHVfrI1KI8oBlshpTEVJ6Bn_noSUyDjcsQllYY/s320/China+Day+8+023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkcCe594iyPUDlZzVzFHrBUZMKXlega_ERwJF_I6rW4yjhfSvjH6DJcJ2QCOoJuAfVC0uJPsO1ARpDykZrwabmWC5EsRB5m7JufJoRqVyR9MR6cmQDYHNxkidxYWHKx2Nhqlq3a5TyKc/s1600-h/China+Day+8+039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108969961375662418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkcCe594iyPUDlZzVzFHrBUZMKXlega_ERwJF_I6rW4yjhfSvjH6DJcJ2QCOoJuAfVC0uJPsO1ARpDykZrwabmWC5EsRB5m7JufJoRqVyR9MR6cmQDYHNxkidxYWHKx2Nhqlq3a5TyKc/s320/China+Day+8+039.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4zBPuPAUkY2tc_WNGdGgd6ogcvk7E99ebKu46ufzqSD9Pa5jX2da4Pgk0gyWuh958N4WhJltT7vY6MpF5pxT-WxgMGLGMpj_S3EUXG4eRKjJJFlgDHm4VegI06UZ6G6X7Tiy_s06Rk0/s1600-h/China+Day+8+093.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108969965670629730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4zBPuPAUkY2tc_WNGdGgd6ogcvk7E99ebKu46ufzqSD9Pa5jX2da4Pgk0gyWuh958N4WhJltT7vY6MpF5pxT-WxgMGLGMpj_S3EUXG4eRKjJJFlgDHm4VegI06UZ6G6X7Tiy_s06Rk0/s320/China+Day+8+093.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fEzJn7JDJWQaFWiPDLY0qSabrvZjpDVCVSd2Eb8z_4_eCyv1vCtLq-l-QZM_POAP7s4-ZUEq3k31R7of4WR5DU_jc8Bo4NB9S3vna4zSrp7Vw7-5nU477BIjfuRLlMbQWDPjDsCkP3U/s1600-h/China+Day+8+088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108969969965597042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fEzJn7JDJWQaFWiPDLY0qSabrvZjpDVCVSd2Eb8z_4_eCyv1vCtLq-l-QZM_POAP7s4-ZUEq3k31R7of4WR5DU_jc8Bo4NB9S3vna4zSrp7Vw7-5nU477BIjfuRLlMbQWDPjDsCkP3U/s320/China+Day+8+088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Where can I begin my tale of this day? There have been many amazing things...deep, relational things, that have made every effort to get here...worth it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This morning we signed on the bottom line...we bought no extended warranty...and he's officially an H Family son! What a celebration today has been. Especially as we see more of this wonderful personality! He is so easy going, relaxed and happy. When I lay him down for a nap or just a little while ago for bed...no whimper...arms raised for me to pick him up from the floor, put him in the crib and giggles as I smothered him in kisses. What a good boy!!! Daddy just keeps saying that over and over! God has been merciful to us! We are blessed beyond belief!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Isaiah's easy manner fits so nicely with his sisters. They ADORE him...poor thing...I keep reminding them "He is not a baby doll!" They all want to hold him, feed him, sit by him...they are stuck to him like glue! We had some great laughs with him today. Daddy just had him laughing heartily as he tickled him on the bed. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And finally...as a mother I've experienced the purest joy...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I was not around to hear the first words of our oldest two H family members...but for the next four I was...and each of them, EACH OF THEM said "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Da</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Da</span>" before they said Momma. Even Potato last year when we adopted her, she said "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Baba</span>" FIRST...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Had I only known the love of a boy for his mother... :) :) :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Today Isaiah was smiling at me and rolling his head around on my chest saying "Momma....Momma....Momma" I was in absolute HEAVEN!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Daddy however, quite uncomfortable with his slip from "first name called" status...with an upturned nose said...."I don't think he knows what it means"....yes... I punched him right in the gut! :) :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tonight we went to our Chinese family's home for dinner again. It was a good time as the girls played with a huge foam puzzle on the floor.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But the night turned amazing as we came back to our hotel room for more deep conversation with our dear friend. Such inquisitiveness and openness to sharing life stories and experiences. Daddy was finally able to share the story of his back's miraculous recovery just three years ago...to a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">mesmerized</span> audience of one.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Lots of emotion and profound relating...led to an incredible experience for Daddy and I. Continue to remember these <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pivotal</span> conversations and ask for deep interpretation and understanding to be given...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tomorrow we're off to the countryside to meet with important people for Potato...big day for her...big day for us to express gratitude.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Please pray for safety, a continuation of the bonding process with this darling son and more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">opportunities</span> to discuss important matters.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We can feel your prayer every step of the way!</div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-73062437551146524742007-09-10T07:38:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:23.211-08:00First Smiles...answered prayers...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8MQilAAxx6WKJZHpKqGCzXJmCWBzNje88BQ41gOdiMSkaD5iURx67nykj7N4XjrjOUqxtmRsDat7YHOuAUs-vu_lO5uXZ0j6xg__aThmy6qJF9bpBqhms4K9KeIY5NYo4It0Wfih42Y/s1600-h/Gotcha+Day+Part+2+060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108586519580377314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8MQilAAxx6WKJZHpKqGCzXJmCWBzNje88BQ41gOdiMSkaD5iURx67nykj7N4XjrjOUqxtmRsDat7YHOuAUs-vu_lO5uXZ0j6xg__aThmy6qJF9bpBqhms4K9KeIY5NYo4It0Wfih42Y/s320/Gotcha+Day+Part+2+060.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjaDhDedLREN_j54lffzS-zCv59pshbBnEncWln2A0xZwuU54DS8ZYOxCOLnwsllWFeZPl0eeU4Kr3kVhpAOdsx0KJw4Op61hF99OCRDgalNqo3LGXFv_uqEHEck_HZaAyif4xguowww/s1600-h/Gotcha+Day+Part+2+027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108586528170311922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjaDhDedLREN_j54lffzS-zCv59pshbBnEncWln2A0xZwuU54DS8ZYOxCOLnwsllWFeZPl0eeU4Kr3kVhpAOdsx0KJw4Op61hF99OCRDgalNqo3LGXFv_uqEHEck_HZaAyif4xguowww/s320/Gotcha+Day+Part+2+027.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTcj50YC_DC3bKUpK-PfE_B4iNYlGxuaPJOPCs7ZZiuR0dbUDFSLTOKsaAEwtGtFnVofOsA7nEBHgbW8UY421mxRurFIaJB7LTF1I16AvWb-k7-5-8DQiMaRYK7XYI3KnAfX09-4SHBY/s1600-h/Gotcha+Day+Part+2+072.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108586541055213826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTcj50YC_DC3bKUpK-PfE_B4iNYlGxuaPJOPCs7ZZiuR0dbUDFSLTOKsaAEwtGtFnVofOsA7nEBHgbW8UY421mxRurFIaJB7LTF1I16AvWb-k7-5-8DQiMaRYK7XYI3KnAfX09-4SHBY/s320/Gotcha+Day+Part+2+072.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1jwXQJkyixR_Kp8szNlLKtMmDSuSXDLmVmiwiBNmhfNMhA7_WOiCZOcYLFjfr-rBc8gHsbtxgkAmnw2IDFwqLb4jFr0jn8lODgczUb5X6U0c1wP2NKw-dFvN-RBZiUZik4TuXz2bbvE/s1600-h/Gotcha+Day+Part+2+082.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108586545350181138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1jwXQJkyixR_Kp8szNlLKtMmDSuSXDLmVmiwiBNmhfNMhA7_WOiCZOcYLFjfr-rBc8gHsbtxgkAmnw2IDFwqLb4jFr0jn8lODgczUb5X6U0c1wP2NKw-dFvN-RBZiUZik4TuXz2bbvE/s320/Gotcha+Day+Part+2+082.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUWpp67lb5HRX1OwaZJiuUOZtxLD0l3vJzUpMhd6yqVlFYkjjzhXdxgJ6n3ZhL1t5cbL1bDVtq-Fk4I15GxFD9nPUPdom6iRA6YqdDEkjPin-lS1TAdo0POgSRSH-XLM2IcAd_Kz_uKs/s1600-h/Gotcha+Day+Part+2+055.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108586558235083042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUWpp67lb5HRX1OwaZJiuUOZtxLD0l3vJzUpMhd6yqVlFYkjjzhXdxgJ6n3ZhL1t5cbL1bDVtq-Fk4I15GxFD9nPUPdom6iRA6YqdDEkjPin-lS1TAdo0POgSRSH-XLM2IcAd_Kz_uKs/s320/Gotcha+Day+Part+2+055.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Please, feast your eyes on these wonderful sights...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>After his late nap...we were off to dinner and he did well. Momma and Magpie fed him dinner by chopstick...he was hungry.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Then tonight...back in the room...we started to see some glimpses of our boy's personality...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>oh my, we are smitten...</div><div> </div><div>Daddy has required me to post that this little guy is really into his HOT WHEELS not<br />"Matchbox" cars as I erroneously posted earlier! Apprently...I've got a long way to go before I can speak boy-ese!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tomorrow I'll post after he's "officially" an H family member...</div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-50698727576032556512007-09-10T02:11:00.001-07:002008-12-13T03:12:24.211-08:00A few more Gotcha shots...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN-dz6E4H1sLt9VD8THlywc8ZdPJ3Q92PRWp6yU2uiKb9uXnXS_eyamm3wmYSsDOEZC-h-qOcnIwF56tPaYyrf4SKHiQGHoHvCJWcfV1BJEBY9CLTaEfb4ZMdHuP-zdGZpZ-axBR5UCw/s1600-h/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+108.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108501625256804498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN-dz6E4H1sLt9VD8THlywc8ZdPJ3Q92PRWp6yU2uiKb9uXnXS_eyamm3wmYSsDOEZC-h-qOcnIwF56tPaYyrf4SKHiQGHoHvCJWcfV1BJEBY9CLTaEfb4ZMdHuP-zdGZpZ-axBR5UCw/s320/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+108.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_XRoYQE59-PWuzDs3yU6BxlqXu5E5n7UU9Z9Z63z10Lo2Y4bFCDwoebt7mrvEVylRAcBSporL27ZMGIH_S5dwfXdPP8eM9ZnI5lO3-cVXtyQviYBNiPpOlMTXg4idMydm_fFyU2sK4o/s1600-h/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+133.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108501633846739106" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_XRoYQE59-PWuzDs3yU6BxlqXu5E5n7UU9Z9Z63z10Lo2Y4bFCDwoebt7mrvEVylRAcBSporL27ZMGIH_S5dwfXdPP8eM9ZnI5lO3-cVXtyQviYBNiPpOlMTXg4idMydm_fFyU2sK4o/s320/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+133.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePiNiqrOAMCvz6kvesbd7-J66PZlaK8jQYokypq6akMIJ30AruLI4ADyTggxVwAjHVN1KI5jEwP7VzucxxA5V5WzDXn1d_mu81Gstf2Yoo5Zdzw5aNyoIex58EyIDKz_QeyjpVputsLE/s1600-h/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+135.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108501642436673714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePiNiqrOAMCvz6kvesbd7-J66PZlaK8jQYokypq6akMIJ30AruLI4ADyTggxVwAjHVN1KI5jEwP7VzucxxA5V5WzDXn1d_mu81Gstf2Yoo5Zdzw5aNyoIex58EyIDKz_QeyjpVputsLE/s320/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+135.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTH-UNp9w7UiJeKD_xe2MbQc0z_jEgltda5quwE2Waqcd3C0g947nzdhC2SKcflOt2Tr3sZaFRn38jmwa-uCiflgjGS6QYu_3gnniv20tZgmQaMUVy2XhqHtem1mF04Pj0CeCPBIVbvIY/s1600-h/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+152.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108501651026608322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTH-UNp9w7UiJeKD_xe2MbQc0z_jEgltda5quwE2Waqcd3C0g947nzdhC2SKcflOt2Tr3sZaFRn38jmwa-uCiflgjGS6QYu_3gnniv20tZgmQaMUVy2XhqHtem1mF04Pj0CeCPBIVbvIY/s320/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+152.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaue5Wmv7X7MbzGHD1jSEOUnx1Lz7bETXngknbrbvF2uGmN81eWdjl6yZCeM5k0ve-0pZKCFvj5pRgozarvhRa8KBmLUMJcM-DmL2lHWwx9oxrX8dklaipcjMYIYj_htLAL1RjHyPeL-o/s1600-h/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108501655321575634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaue5Wmv7X7MbzGHD1jSEOUnx1Lz7bETXngknbrbvF2uGmN81eWdjl6yZCeM5k0ve-0pZKCFvj5pRgozarvhRa8KBmLUMJcM-DmL2lHWwx9oxrX8dklaipcjMYIYj_htLAL1RjHyPeL-o/s320/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+157.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-88224398974035503502007-09-10T02:03:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:25.215-08:00What you've been waiting for....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfxnvXw0WGfycpvO0yWj9Y98WeBKM9dff1G7ktCsl8TVZr-v_1JVxTxwdmWZno5Gcva1nFTDY6A-3i_OqPxa8Fj6MM9eZ8OSKWmQCp53OUnCBcotAdb6GCGJpZZsO9WoBEnm8fMAiXhE/s1600-h/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108500001759166530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfxnvXw0WGfycpvO0yWj9Y98WeBKM9dff1G7ktCsl8TVZr-v_1JVxTxwdmWZno5Gcva1nFTDY6A-3i_OqPxa8Fj6MM9eZ8OSKWmQCp53OUnCBcotAdb6GCGJpZZsO9WoBEnm8fMAiXhE/s320/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+107.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7bSwxxvtuugNYWpryxPAF5Ahas5Ma0hYnjN7h70JEirOj_diKs8Y0k9e9YXvELyM85EEAYsK7bptNK28UNsFiOcF_6Fs_6cFyuCpkGDYIATcTRQcEWx6Fg-8ucpkcSNaE94-5_SZ6ck/s1600-h/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+146.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108500006054133842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7bSwxxvtuugNYWpryxPAF5Ahas5Ma0hYnjN7h70JEirOj_diKs8Y0k9e9YXvELyM85EEAYsK7bptNK28UNsFiOcF_6Fs_6cFyuCpkGDYIATcTRQcEWx6Fg-8ucpkcSNaE94-5_SZ6ck/s320/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+146.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpW4fI0zZJGD-TX2mMi3jdXHY29KOec2B2zprv1GXt5CDCTMKwBwTRcMR0fotFsHwY66IDQNSXSWfbbVuFYqn5O9XUNZadjx5BiE2QwHoyiJrVkTKvmB7G1Eb_7Fk8t6NrsHEbHo63EHk/s1600-h/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+150.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108500014644068450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpW4fI0zZJGD-TX2mMi3jdXHY29KOec2B2zprv1GXt5CDCTMKwBwTRcMR0fotFsHwY66IDQNSXSWfbbVuFYqn5O9XUNZadjx5BiE2QwHoyiJrVkTKvmB7G1Eb_7Fk8t6NrsHEbHo63EHk/s320/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+150.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjAk8tv0o39jFNECegAQOsbBhN3lT_wOolaVl1wWHxO8IhEvCgk_G-9Y0bTEj7Qg6YqEIQgq9wRT8iWBI_H42HMOs-hhfM85nQ_PDzA7TCjUFBUiToluwXe4aVszhLeX7cFJDtVPzJzA/s1600-h/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+156.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108500018939035762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjAk8tv0o39jFNECegAQOsbBhN3lT_wOolaVl1wWHxO8IhEvCgk_G-9Y0bTEj7Qg6YqEIQgq9wRT8iWBI_H42HMOs-hhfM85nQ_PDzA7TCjUFBUiToluwXe4aVszhLeX7cFJDtVPzJzA/s320/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+156.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27clQy7BzPolYijOEfwOrctwioFhGFffH17RJ3vxCswL_hlkYYY63ghv8EryvvFGyLkAOYnnKFI6MEUkev1RkhL2XmKg4i1InD7QCo3d8aj8ZpkCzoZp7gUSXz698-Z6oZVt9B_HE1Ss/s1600-h/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+165.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108500027528970370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27clQy7BzPolYijOEfwOrctwioFhGFffH17RJ3vxCswL_hlkYYY63ghv8EryvvFGyLkAOYnnKFI6MEUkev1RkhL2XmKg4i1InD7QCo3d8aj8ZpkCzoZp7gUSXz698-Z6oZVt9B_HE1Ss/s320/Agassi+Camera+Gotch+165.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>These are self-explanatory I think...full details in the post below...</div><div> </div><div>...love at first sight...</div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-5468084743374205602007-09-10T01:40:00.000-07:002007-09-10T02:02:54.058-07:00Boy...oh...Boy!!!!!All this way for just one boy...and he was worth the wait!<br /><br />At 2:30 we met our guide, Harry, in the lobby to drive to Civil Affairs. We arrived and were told that Isaiah was already there...he had arrived in Wuhan from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yichang</span> at 12! The escort from the Social Welfare Institute said he had not slept at all since leaving <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Yichang</span> at 7 am!<br /><br />At first he was very calm when he came in the room. For us it was so emotional because this was the very room where we received Potato just a little over 1 year ago. And now we were watching our son enter the room through the same door!<br /><br />He stared at his sisters who were seated below him...also nearly in the same place where we first laid eyes on Potato...this is precious ground to the H family! After a few minutes of introductions to Mama, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Baba</span> (Daddy) and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Jies</span> (Big sisters) he busted into a major teary meltdown.<br /><br />Daddy and I had to go to the table for signing the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">entrustment</span> agreement of 24 hours...he's not legally ours yet...we have 24 hours to back out if we want to...I almost laughed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">out loud</span> when the guide interpreted that to us again...fat chance....this kid is OURS!<br /><br />While we were at the table...the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Jie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Jies</span> worked their magic on their Di Di (little brother)! They got out their box of tricks including bubbles (which of course got spilled on the floor), little plastic dinosaurs and some matchbox cars (my warmest thanks to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Tiffeny</span> for these...what a shower gift...he would not let go of one of those cars!)...<br /><br />Before long the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Jie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Jies</span> had some balloons blown up and we heard it...HIS LAUGH!<br /><br />Two other families were in the room, one another CHI family adopting a precious girl also from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Yichang</span>. As each family was engrossed in the first family time...our girls were in full swing doting on that brother...who is HUGE! He is nearly as tall as Potato (she is 3.5 years, he is 19 months) and he is heavier, I think, than Busy Bee!<br /><br />In short order we were released and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Jie</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Jie's</span> could not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">persuade</span> him to walk out with them on his own power. So, I swooped in and picked him up. The first time holding him was a powerful experience. I had only touched him very briefly before.<br /><br />He cried a silent tear as Daddy and I posed for our first picture with him in the hall. Then outside of this now familiar building, our guide took our first group photo...though we are so sad that Butterfly is not in it or our eldest son and his beautiful bride!<br /><br />We climbed in the van and off we went...he was on my lap...and he was heavy, heavy against me. He felt totally RELAXED and in about 10 minutes, he was asleep...where he is right now in the bassinet in our room.<br /><br />He didn't wake as I took him out of the car. He didn't wake when I put him down...he is exhausted.<br /><br />We will see how he is when he awakes. Please be praying <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">every time</span> you think of us for comfort for his grieving heart, sensitivity on the part of the sisters and rest for all of us during this bonding time.<br /><br />For those of you who I know were praying so hard for us through the night...Daddy and I remarked in the car that it was OBVIOUS that we were being carried along by your prayers. We can FEEL them as we've gone along...it is tangible to be bathed in prayer...<br /><br />I'll update more soon...we'll see how this evening goes...<br /><br />Keep praying! Celebrate what God has done! Our son is finally with us...and I'm so glad we came all this way... for just one boy!The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-31725655468212871932007-09-09T07:40:00.001-07:002008-12-13T03:12:26.079-08:00Some photos of the day...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja9DhWtZ6mi21Fxjxfjcx-iiEQ2KUjYYMtnzlC_tvaKKzrgn1jEdu8oVZih-n3N-YMPgGuegO_HzjOomoNkc2g6vyPdrRPC9S8ouIjVqzswscZi1Sb5PewPRyQn7F-4Dlb26lZFDZKNQ/s1600-h/China+Day+6+082.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108216194615214066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja9DhWtZ6mi21Fxjxfjcx-iiEQ2KUjYYMtnzlC_tvaKKzrgn1jEdu8oVZih-n3N-YMPgGuegO_HzjOomoNkc2g6vyPdrRPC9S8ouIjVqzswscZi1Sb5PewPRyQn7F-4Dlb26lZFDZKNQ/s320/China+Day+6+082.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AB3N-G83zYreWwn_IDboTmtPWLREViYUZZs29IZBhsIiMAA5hQKjNPROVQkh8VbLDVXS8MD6wFaW3H9fyjBwyolXhj0DI4r3SZa9DzcS3f3g4p9ubUhj9qDAGeknW62sjGDODCgbQjo/s1600-h/China+Day+6+063.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108216198910181378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AB3N-G83zYreWwn_IDboTmtPWLREViYUZZs29IZBhsIiMAA5hQKjNPROVQkh8VbLDVXS8MD6wFaW3H9fyjBwyolXhj0DI4r3SZa9DzcS3f3g4p9ubUhj9qDAGeknW62sjGDODCgbQjo/s320/China+Day+6+063.JPG" border="0" /></a> Explainations for all these shots in the posts below!<br /><br />Thanks so much for reading all my rambling!<br /><br />Tomorrow's the BIG DAY!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVryJme53C7ckXAqHT6UfW-ITadZdd39y7VuvzmsfSQtlk7QlMJ4wrP3RF6rzJZ50_aH17G4n8iOBgpNAxjUayczV-sfA32xOqG4AnQyEpLE681BnY_Z2Ox4Dz2z7vH4hSRMgaOJUe4jc/s1600-h/China+Day+6+146.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108216203205148690" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVryJme53C7ckXAqHT6UfW-ITadZdd39y7VuvzmsfSQtlk7QlMJ4wrP3RF6rzJZ50_aH17G4n8iOBgpNAxjUayczV-sfA32xOqG4AnQyEpLE681BnY_Z2Ox4Dz2z7vH4hSRMgaOJUe4jc/s320/China+Day+6+146.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwwZpsX1qaJZ-Akd32tAX-P-sbXCBK_Rjr_w9e8FDsFxLkEFH8la2hxKo_jhDbBQv0FPSp2_vXdy-Yf3QbMkyhz8-GdxfCeEVEVu8MLtLBgVtiAcRz9b1M-ZrSq2rfUMzErH6JFj3zwo/s1600-h/China+Day+6+142.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108216207500116002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwwZpsX1qaJZ-Akd32tAX-P-sbXCBK_Rjr_w9e8FDsFxLkEFH8la2hxKo_jhDbBQv0FPSp2_vXdy-Yf3QbMkyhz8-GdxfCeEVEVu8MLtLBgVtiAcRz9b1M-ZrSq2rfUMzErH6JFj3zwo/s320/China+Day+6+142.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaGURmx6XrxQIVlg7IV6NLcNqXqP-yXUBiTCAHnYbn_klXqqIEtPy54Jk3c4TJ73PMKBEhej7o2iRWG7Nd2Kf3iD1ivYhJT1uMRuvNdmlUgTqsL3V4QkFdozzOsYumrK2PwW7WZeNR98/s1600-h/China+Day+6+153.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108216211795083314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaGURmx6XrxQIVlg7IV6NLcNqXqP-yXUBiTCAHnYbn_klXqqIEtPy54Jk3c4TJ73PMKBEhej7o2iRWG7Nd2Kf3iD1ivYhJT1uMRuvNdmlUgTqsL3V4QkFdozzOsYumrK2PwW7WZeNR98/s320/China+Day+6+153.JPG" border="0" /></a>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-18619540050121908912007-09-09T07:01:00.000-07:002007-09-09T07:40:04.051-07:00Chinese Culture Lessons...we're taking a full load!I have several posts tonight because honestly, I don't want to forget anything from today and I hope you'll enjoy reading about such a full, rich day!<br /><br />After church this morning (see next post) we were taken to a real Chinese antique market. Our Chinese family has contacts there and so we came traipsing in...the whole gaggle of girls...and looked over many treasures.<br /><br />I came away with an incredible find...a painted bowl...the first price? 1000 yuan...with the right contacts to bargain for you...it was mine for 200 yuan...about 30 dollars...look for it in my home soon!<br /><br />Then the girls found some jade bracelets they fancied...the first price...high...our contact had sauntered away so our 16 year old companion assisted us....I countered again...and was told flatly...NO. Enter the contact, also known as our "personal Chinese antique shopper"...he gets into a royal shouting match with the vendor and we end up walking out...<br /><br />Daddy's funny comment whispered in my ear during the heat of verbal exchange: "Prepare to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kung</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Fu</span>."<br /><br />Then we went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Wal</span>mart...too funny...totally Chinese...though I'm guessing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Walmart</span> (where I'm often pleased to shop back home) can save a truckload of cash on shipping ....as most of their products are made here ...<br /><br />Then, of course, we followed up with lunch at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">KFC</span>! (No <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">eye rolls</span> please! We've eaten more unknown food items in the past week than ever in our lives...we're not wimps...but the kids needed a break!)<br /><br />During the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">KFC</span> experience we once again had to use the restrooms....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">squatty</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">pottys</span>, of course. The only reason I'm mentioning this unsavory topic once again is that I had an incredible awareness of irony while crouched down in the loo...here I am in China...practicing my balance and what do I hear??? strains of Luther <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Vandross</span> tickle my ears...."On the wings of love only the two of us together flying high...." I guess you had to be there....<br /><br />Tonight we were guests, invited to a 1st birthday celebration of a daughter. It was a feast held at a major restaurant and many family and friends were invited. When we sat at the table we were entertained with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">powerpoint</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">slideshow</span> of pictures of this girl's first year. All professionally done pictures in various locations.<br /><br />A HUGE amount of money must have been spent on this party. Guests did not bring gifts...but money in red envelopes for the child. It was explained to us that depending upon your relationship to the child you might give anywhere from 100 yuan per attendee upwards to 1000 yuan per person!<br /><br />The dinner was extravagant and we had numerous "way outside the lines" food experiences tonight. These girls amaze me...for the most part...they try anything!<br /><br />One of the things we were served during the dessert course was a platter of "shark shaped" treats...(please see picture to understand.) The girls at first thought they were penguins and determined them to be so cute that they wanted to take them home as toys. Particularly Busy Bee...she was collecting them in her hands when I wasn't looking. One by one she dropped them under our chair (she was sitting on my lap.) A little later on, someone said..."ah the girls really liked the (shark shaped thingies....obviously my Mandarin is really coming along! :) )" This led to a second Funny Daddy comment...."oh no...there's a school of them swimming around here at Mom's feet..." how I love that man...he so often makes me laugh!<br /><br />Another common misconception that exists about modern China is that ALL baby girls are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">undesirable</span> to Chinese families due to "one family, one child." This is NOT the case in the cities. We see daily countless girls who are absolutely treasured and spoiled rotten by their adoring families. This baby girl tonight was honored by her family like royalty!! As these attitudes become more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">prevalent</span>...it can only be good news for the baby girls of China. The struggle will continue in the countryside for baby girls and the preference for boys under the constraints of "one family, one child" and of course as multiple children are born with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">unintended</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">pregnancies</span>...there will be children in need of families.<br /><br />From what we witnessed tonight, the tide is turning. We are hearing stories from the average Chinese that more Chinese families are adopting the children in the orphanages...these are people with NO political agenda propelling such theories into the International Adoptive community...so, I am inclined to give them much credence. Ultimately...I pray that it will mean less children in orphanages in this developing country.<br /><br />That's all for now...it's our last night without him...tomorrow night our family with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">officially</span> never be the same...The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-62844228567481885252007-09-09T06:30:00.001-07:002008-12-13T03:12:26.768-08:00Church in China<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0C_Lypk2XeSG3FVeuHC1tqxXA38E8XS2jnHX0VCTqhjQEjU1NKU2HwE2aO1iEIMK81p1hbi-nCKfNh3MceR0DsZZtDWS2h0Kj2wsgwAkTxV5vTQGCiN9HYDqamdA8M_yN1MJxodeR9Q/s1600-h/China+Day+6+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108203314008293282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0C_Lypk2XeSG3FVeuHC1tqxXA38E8XS2jnHX0VCTqhjQEjU1NKU2HwE2aO1iEIMK81p1hbi-nCKfNh3MceR0DsZZtDWS2h0Kj2wsgwAkTxV5vTQGCiN9HYDqamdA8M_yN1MJxodeR9Q/s320/China+Day+6+003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1HPafgksm8OVB_zy2Fz54wJXcHu43Ao8z2niXLVm92sBXil298GLlSMDtHSdGvUZ4Gfy1KH6-NhbQrHWrydEZDsa9trDQSq58Mo7E4RYVCmIDxkm-bIt3wZbzdl5w31u9od-F8WJDtY/s1600-h/China+Day+6+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108203322598227890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1HPafgksm8OVB_zy2Fz54wJXcHu43Ao8z2niXLVm92sBXil298GLlSMDtHSdGvUZ4Gfy1KH6-NhbQrHWrydEZDsa9trDQSq58Mo7E4RYVCmIDxkm-bIt3wZbzdl5w31u9od-F8WJDtY/s320/China+Day+6+008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLmmYxQd-yzg5rIAGxGAr6nIcZVdJIFhVVxaG1YlFZV4beKEojM9qV4bU4q31gcX-KxjheW9hyphenhyphen1ms4Uz2sqFBAFFHYmyxWzi3dLQmJRv-Xz6amB_8sGUYxTXws7rpn3O5toFRhU2ce-E/s1600-h/China+Day+6+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108203322598227906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLmmYxQd-yzg5rIAGxGAr6nIcZVdJIFhVVxaG1YlFZV4beKEojM9qV4bU4q31gcX-KxjheW9hyphenhyphen1ms4Uz2sqFBAFFHYmyxWzi3dLQmJRv-Xz6amB_8sGUYxTXws7rpn3O5toFRhU2ce-E/s320/China+Day+6+010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPG5aG1F03aDReXazPced0H9N-rrt3VPAOVQD23a0yBYpCGsnlY3SdCDvcMsc-OBEOsoX4CBe_B8eBCBE3CRIdfNvN4KZY_oA8GtpqNElZMwep6Ai6s14nlYxPoiTR5SIMk0hGjIWSBE/s1600-h/China+Day+6+017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108203331188162514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPG5aG1F03aDReXazPced0H9N-rrt3VPAOVQD23a0yBYpCGsnlY3SdCDvcMsc-OBEOsoX4CBe_B8eBCBE3CRIdfNvN4KZY_oA8GtpqNElZMwep6Ai6s14nlYxPoiTR5SIMk0hGjIWSBE/s320/China+Day+6+017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDuo6UpLvvtoip8zv5nhklAsKudC3cTGLs5t1NHzAnKBL5EPjAGkJanbGMdJM3AQMXGRx-xuBq8DasVGQVNvESncXQQuVME0WR_WtIiN8M_jhkecagxJ1wCK_fBtbCH19pWbGr23BB7k/s1600-h/China+Day+6+027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108203335483129826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDuo6UpLvvtoip8zv5nhklAsKudC3cTGLs5t1NHzAnKBL5EPjAGkJanbGMdJM3AQMXGRx-xuBq8DasVGQVNvESncXQQuVME0WR_WtIiN8M_jhkecagxJ1wCK_fBtbCH19pWbGr23BB7k/s320/China+Day+6+027.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We started our day today with a trip to Church, an official church...in China. Many of you are scratching your head at this moment and saying "I thought the only churches in China were underground?" But in fact, no. The "Three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Selfs</span> Church" is the recognized Christian Church of China. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When we arrived, the service had been going on for some time. We climbed three flights of stairs to past floors of people crowded and huddled on stools and chairs watching a broadcast of the main sanctuary on the top floor. We came in to the main room and we were ushered to the VERY front row and stools were provided. For those of you at church....you know the H Family is often found on the front row...but Church in China is different, indeed!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We sat for some time listening to a woman preacher (I think) who taught with great passion. The packed room was very attentive and from my vantage point, every eye was on her during the message, Bibles were open and notes were being taken on journals and scraps of paper.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>(Note to secretary Petra...I saw no colorful, cleverly laid out bulletins...:))</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Then we were brought some bilingual hymnals with various Hymns well known to us. We closed the service singing one, we didn't know it...then I think they recited the Lord's prayer...had some announcements (at the END of the service Pastor Skip!)...and the main gathering was released.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Then we were warmly greeted by dozens of church members and the Pastor and his wife.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There was a gathering that then began after the main service was concluded that we were told was for the new believers....a sort of orientation...and there were many after the service who came to the alters to pray.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Afterward we were invited to the Pastor's office where we exchanged emails. Tonight we already had an email from him sharing his testimony! This was most intriguing. He told us today that he first came to know the Lord through Christian radio that was broadcast into China in the late 1970's. His wife was born into a Christian family.</div><div> </div><div>As we were in the Pastor's study, individuals were coming in and having themselves and loved ones prayed for by some prayer warrior types... (also see: M <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hatton</span> & J <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Brumley</span>)...it was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fascinating</span> to watch and we joined in prayer for them <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">across</span> the room.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Downstairs there was a fairly good sized bookstore where people could buy Bibles. This too was surprising to us.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Some very interesting things were found in the sanctuary that I believe the pictures will reveal to you. Christmas is obviously the most significant time of the year for this Church as there were MANY westernized Christmas decorations used all around the alters. We did not see any visible signs of the Easter westernization/secularization.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We have come to understand that it is not illegal to be a Christian in China. It is illegal to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">proselytize</span>. It is illegal to instruct children in matters of Christianity. It is not illegal to possess a Bible...though all this things were true in the past.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We have been told a most striking comment by someone we met...she said "I do not believe that most Chinese people believe in ANYTHING...not religion, not political ideals...absolutely nothing."</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are so humbled by the opportunities the Lord has given us on this trip to, each day, taste the true culture of China...</div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-26071237354834056242007-09-09T06:06:00.000-07:002007-09-09T06:30:01.932-07:00All this way for just one boy?I have tons and tons to blog about tonight...so I'm going to start in the order of what I think is most important for me to communicate to our dear family and friends...<br /><br />As we are staring down the reality that tomorrow night we'll have our 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> child, Isaiah, in our lives forever, many thoughts sweep through my mind in the midst of the hustle and bustle.<br /><br />From the skeptic onlooker of our life we often hear the questions..."Why would you adopt another one...you have so many?!"...or "Isn't this a great deal of money, effort and emotional strain to willingly bring on your family?"...or "You came all this way for just one boy?"<br /><br />We have to answer...yes...all this way for just one boy...<br /><br />In life, we are so often confronted with major problems, epidemics and social issues that we cannot get our minds around. Too often my response has been to shut my mind down to the reality...close my eyes...and try to carry on as if I know nothing...<br /><br />In my work for a wonderful not-for-profit that ministers to the needs of children in numerous countries, we constantly have to combat the fact that many people often think..."there are so many children in need of help!" "What difference can I make?!"<br /><br />There are millions of orphans in the world. Children. Young...vulnerable...in need. Clearly, though some of you may think we have a million kids...we know that <em><strong>we</strong></em> cannot FIX the problem of children who need families and we're not trying to...were just bringing home the children that God has told us to...<br /><br />We've come all this way for just one boy.<br /><br />He was born on 12/26/05 with a strong heart, good mind and a problem with one eye. His reports say that he loves to jump...he's picky about his food...and he is very clever. He, through no fault of his own, has no family of his own...or he hasn't had one...until tomorrow.<br /><br />We began the process - 9 months of waiting. Spent hours on paperwork. Wrote grant requests for hours to dozens of grant groups. We've prayed. We've held fundraisers. We've taken time away from our work (thanks to our marvelous employers and friends.) We've hauled our very big, very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">conspicuous</span> family half way around the world and we're "spending" a great deal of money (that GOD has richly provided) for just one boy.<br /><br />I was thinking today. I am so glad that God did not see the needs of humanity...our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">separation</span> from Him and say to himself "the need is too great...I cannot make a difference." Instead, He went far beyond what He's asked us to do...He sacrificed His son...for me.<br /><br />I am nothing special. I am just a number in the universe filled with people...but He came for just me...and you...because He believed we were worth it...<br /><br />I marvel at how adoption continues to deepen my understanding of the mysteries of God. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Particularly</span> the relational, sacrificial side of God. <br /><br />When Isaiah looks in our eyes tomorrow afternoon at 3 pm, he will see that <strong><em>he was worth it</em></strong> to us...and to ALL OF YOU who have loved, supported, encouraged us to come all this way for just one boy...The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-56873176602559868442007-09-08T07:37:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:27.727-08:00A day of recovering...and lots of conversation...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPlnnk-i7HjV6kI4iUKXItW9IIvg28xUM3ffp5ufxNet9tSF2Z7cs5R037gY4UkrzxrwpB_fG_4Ien9H4EBkqmS2zXmuHvjKyiFWsuAbR58gDwcOtrV3N1aIfmGWQ8n_vD5z2W3ZQWcU/s1600-h/China+Day+6+051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107845302714367746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPlnnk-i7HjV6kI4iUKXItW9IIvg28xUM3ffp5ufxNet9tSF2Z7cs5R037gY4UkrzxrwpB_fG_4Ien9H4EBkqmS2zXmuHvjKyiFWsuAbR58gDwcOtrV3N1aIfmGWQ8n_vD5z2W3ZQWcU/s320/China+Day+6+051.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxNalBvAms04VKLEoypWTTnEUF8_DPakVu3jWFZXF3LpEECEwEqcvLngjno24FBkWWlAljimTdfvDa8GZdx-_DLPVCmm086_scAbqfAVLPfc5FCmlSzdH-L0tvpQQaw0MMfb7M62rFNA/s1600-h/China+Day+6+054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107845302714367762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxNalBvAms04VKLEoypWTTnEUF8_DPakVu3jWFZXF3LpEECEwEqcvLngjno24FBkWWlAljimTdfvDa8GZdx-_DLPVCmm086_scAbqfAVLPfc5FCmlSzdH-L0tvpQQaw0MMfb7M62rFNA/s320/China+Day+6+054.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bj9alBEZUBr9hmN6CIc_pD_dEa2XhQL80C7e5UbiL4yAsNpTEHtcEDAYnyGcu_6286AXbvd__MAdTVUE8uGzDMuFrr4IGOOs0v978RfH6KcnzvrtIRBiZdByEq6sKf4Fw0Z3GsoGHNg/s1600-h/China+Day+6+069.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107845307009335074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bj9alBEZUBr9hmN6CIc_pD_dEa2XhQL80C7e5UbiL4yAsNpTEHtcEDAYnyGcu_6286AXbvd__MAdTVUE8uGzDMuFrr4IGOOs0v978RfH6KcnzvrtIRBiZdByEq6sKf4Fw0Z3GsoGHNg/s320/China+Day+6+069.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHcXeUpkdVUk_L7e-i6t_mlg4Ci1250JIHvFKlDwp6dpJe4tfgPnpS6nm1uv6djssPuTqRQYoyQzo8nJMzo4-K2SNi6F1Z-OyvbDBsZfmcapvC0NmWK0vX7Z3ei2_WJ449SXKDpfP5pY/s1600-h/China+Day+6+086.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107845315599269682" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHcXeUpkdVUk_L7e-i6t_mlg4Ci1250JIHvFKlDwp6dpJe4tfgPnpS6nm1uv6djssPuTqRQYoyQzo8nJMzo4-K2SNi6F1Z-OyvbDBsZfmcapvC0NmWK0vX7Z3ei2_WJ449SXKDpfP5pY/s320/China+Day+6+086.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1l5DrkCcySV_5sTHz3j1K9a8K4LdRpNribyTvHEEX_ekfkBAzwh_HdhfIfgIZj3QhJbj9BcxJrX9TBi8NAiek-tyl89UdiyRAGVosYwMaaHt62Zj8HrTFUM5doUSnuf4YZrkEfDpxAo/s1600-h/China+Day+6+125.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107845315599269698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1l5DrkCcySV_5sTHz3j1K9a8K4LdRpNribyTvHEEX_ekfkBAzwh_HdhfIfgIZj3QhJbj9BcxJrX9TBi8NAiek-tyl89UdiyRAGVosYwMaaHt62Zj8HrTFUM5doUSnuf4YZrkEfDpxAo/s320/China+Day+6+125.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Today we were really tired and thankfully we were given the opportunity to just rest...</div><div> </div><div>After seeing off our friends who are off to Changsha to adopt their 7 year old daughter....we headed out to see what many Chinese children do when their not in primary school 6 days a week...they go to an English Training Center so that they can learn to speak and write in English.</div><div> </div><div>Needless to say, our native English speakers were quite a draw to their peers. We spent time in their classroom where an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">energetic</span> teacher bounced about and verbally encouraged the children to speak and read <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">out loud</span>. The teacher is a University graduate...a very competent teacher and she included Magpie and The Bug in the classroom. They had to recite the ABC's in a boisterous game.</div><div> </div><div>After class let out, we had "conversation" time. You'll see that Magpie and The Bug engaged in much conversation! Overall, they really enjoyed the experience. The children were gorgeous, their parents so eager for them to speak well and not miss the chance to practice their English with the American girls. It was such a warm and welcoming exchange!</div><div> </div><div>I've blogged a bit about the pressure...the struggle, that exists for the Chinese child to compete in the academic world. This is the very nature of the Chinese Educational system. However today I saw more that revealed the relational impact of the "one family, one child" policy. There was a boy, 11 years old, his English name was Owen. His Grandmother & Grandfather had both come to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">retrieve</span> him from the class and they were intent that he get EVERY opportunity to speak with the Americans. He was darling...but painfully shy...his very nature was one that is uncomfortable with being in the spotlight...it was so evident. And yet they physically were pressing him on, directing him from behind and blocking any potential retreat for him from the forced encounters. A few times when I was speaking with him...I thought he had begun to exhibit some sort of nervous tic with his face...</div><div> </div><div>I internalized his pressure and stress...I felt an ache for him and I was powerless to help...I wanted to say "You're a good boy...you'll find something that you're good at...live YOUR life to the full"...but those are just incomprehensible American ideas here...</div><div> </div><div>This experience showed me the impact on one little boy's life of the one child policy...he is all they have...he must succeed, or they have, as a family, produced nothing... </div><div> </div><div>Their eyes were desperate. They yearn for his success so much...they are panicked that some essential element will be missed and he will not turn out to be the best he can be...</div><div> </div><div>Just think...two sets of grandparents, maternal & paternal who produced 1 child, who married and has now produced 1 child...that's 6 adults intently focused on one child...all well meaning and they adore him...but I feared today that Owen might just break under the pressure...</div><div> </div><div>The second picture above is a mother and child we came <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">across</span> on the road..sometimes we're really into the tourist thing...and we asked if we could get our photo done together...</div><div> </div><div>We're really "out there" in China...but now our focus is beginning to narrow...the reason we came this far...one boy...two days away...</div><div> </div><div>We heard today that we will receive him at 3 PM Monday, China time. You can check the blog clocks to determine when that will be US time...</div><div> </div><div>On Monday he'll board a bus...with nothing more than the clothes on his back...and probably a few pictures. He'll travel with an employee of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">orphanage</span> that he likely doesn't know as he will have left the only Momma he's known behind at the bus station...he'll ride 5 hours...then be whisked to a government building where we'll be waiting...</div><div> </div><div>Tomorrow we're going to Church in China...our Chinese family will take us to the Three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Selfs</span> Church and we'll be able to experience the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">official</span>, licensed church in China. Then we'll spend the afternoon visiting some of the family's homes, aunts, uncles and such. Tomorrow night, our last night without Isaiah...we'll go to a birthday party for a child who is turning one...more Chinese culture for us!</div><div> </div><div>Tonight we had dinner at our Chinese Family's home. During dinner we had much deep, deep conversation about life matters...many questions and many inspired answers...clearly evident that work of the heart is being done beyond our influence...</div><div> </div><div>Continue to pray for health, discernment and more conversations! We love you all and cannot tell you how much your comments and love mean to us!</div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-15909862558616414882007-09-08T07:23:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:28.830-08:00Teaching English in China...the digs...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wF3leXeZJQfjiLPt71tbIrc-zdn9ZRlchB7FTZ-xE8N1IhWQTIZZREvOrFMRHJ-tXgCM97Ow6N0FpK9aDM7Ylmd5ki5lxoE-ni7OKguPwgPPqXc2rWfK8h9CT9xWDSr48T_BYolzd8o/s1600-h/China+Day+6+163.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107841776546217650" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wF3leXeZJQfjiLPt71tbIrc-zdn9ZRlchB7FTZ-xE8N1IhWQTIZZREvOrFMRHJ-tXgCM97Ow6N0FpK9aDM7Ylmd5ki5lxoE-ni7OKguPwgPPqXc2rWfK8h9CT9xWDSr48T_BYolzd8o/s320/China+Day+6+163.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBuEeBIu92IweA-QHTOb6VUrldrDS0hzkBtQWZpKCFnbghPC3m_jmABitjPtCvnCvrlEjnZ4vn6zxrDFYEYzf9BC3HNF1CwGBMUrR9f6qGJ-hBsYka1HSwXwt56srk5W9mRJ74P3GD3o/s1600-h/China+Day+6+167.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107841780841184962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBuEeBIu92IweA-QHTOb6VUrldrDS0hzkBtQWZpKCFnbghPC3m_jmABitjPtCvnCvrlEjnZ4vn6zxrDFYEYzf9BC3HNF1CwGBMUrR9f6qGJ-hBsYka1HSwXwt56srk5W9mRJ74P3GD3o/s320/China+Day+6+167.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4fxvaGmDVXmjO5diVXYaXe_aj4E2rNaf368HSht5sJF7KLXnrwmTrnCbfyr4RU4wDd5mcpuzeUIkcf8scvUvZ6Q22JaW-qICcAanYI149dLozAILREX3CpG1UfbKjG-nSClul-2ft9c/s1600-h/China+Day+6+170.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107841785136152274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4fxvaGmDVXmjO5diVXYaXe_aj4E2rNaf368HSht5sJF7KLXnrwmTrnCbfyr4RU4wDd5mcpuzeUIkcf8scvUvZ6Q22JaW-qICcAanYI149dLozAILREX3CpG1UfbKjG-nSClul-2ft9c/s320/China+Day+6+170.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb1dGQA8bnFdCHWgf2qoD-56r0rRFi7RZWSaL9OE_s0Il21glUNY-G8e1NY1T-yf4IcLwjCOWKxZIhejEtOGoq7f7GTtA2nQPWVlfDhJxF2gB1Wu7ibkj2MRzogL8vY0m1q37FhOrEBA/s1600-h/China+Day+6+173.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107841789431119586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb1dGQA8bnFdCHWgf2qoD-56r0rRFi7RZWSaL9OE_s0Il21glUNY-G8e1NY1T-yf4IcLwjCOWKxZIhejEtOGoq7f7GTtA2nQPWVlfDhJxF2gB1Wu7ibkj2MRzogL8vY0m1q37FhOrEBA/s320/China+Day+6+173.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKvOKwqa6XiFNuPMbCAuf2SDLdeV6qDlrOgZ9sVxoBFcc4IsjCzW1AnCvf3FIqn5FHxMx0Gx4u9eJOsdEMI9RcAR8TTLk07I4ma-CfXYdu115CARj2PDRQc5i8o5ziEBPBWr8BfeRWQ8/s1600-h/China+Day+6+174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107841798021054194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKvOKwqa6XiFNuPMbCAuf2SDLdeV6qDlrOgZ9sVxoBFcc4IsjCzW1AnCvf3FIqn5FHxMx0Gx4u9eJOsdEMI9RcAR8TTLk07I4ma-CfXYdu115CARj2PDRQc5i8o5ziEBPBWr8BfeRWQ8/s320/China+Day+6+174.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This post is for Janet et al back at home as I know there will be some interest in the pictures I share...they are of the digs for our dear friend who's beginning her year teaching English in Wuhan...</div><div> </div><div>Check out the awsome view out the huge window! I was really impressed with the set-up as I imagined it might be much more "limited."</div><div> </div><div>Enjoy Janet!</div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-635279475014513020.post-35017497850450724652007-09-07T10:14:00.000-07:002008-12-13T03:12:29.958-08:00More Pictures of Day 5 in China<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpTBFC3e4FZVvl6lbyiOm0RpUoQosLl9aTYXL4IOj9kADDLpUNtnWLLny8O77qJJzlcbDc0LETzmLmO39poh9slp6noqQL9kcuRa28s9yIvUK-LEXpMiYHP5JlyBTJj9y-Fhnkazxx80/s1600-h/China+Day+5+044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107512721921801746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpTBFC3e4FZVvl6lbyiOm0RpUoQosLl9aTYXL4IOj9kADDLpUNtnWLLny8O77qJJzlcbDc0LETzmLmO39poh9slp6noqQL9kcuRa28s9yIvUK-LEXpMiYHP5JlyBTJj9y-Fhnkazxx80/s320/China+Day+5+044.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl_KIprsYhkcQFGQ8aApJBY4cOvg8SKISr7NMFE5Po10Kdly8Q-lXbqlJ9_pfEuPRe2PJIalnYyO6TfLEqnNXIVZivLYDCmkE-S_UJH1gZmgE6HcRediWqFL1xIdIfGoh7iuuFD4u-jI/s1600-h/China+Day+5+051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107512743396638242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl_KIprsYhkcQFGQ8aApJBY4cOvg8SKISr7NMFE5Po10Kdly8Q-lXbqlJ9_pfEuPRe2PJIalnYyO6TfLEqnNXIVZivLYDCmkE-S_UJH1gZmgE6HcRediWqFL1xIdIfGoh7iuuFD4u-jI/s320/China+Day+5+051.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNNlW8bwgr9-kzTz7tLmrCQFBZlEibRTTqyqAKbSVKpONVfxGi2Qe4-v-1CXLf-glWoJ4nw67v-AGCRW3zFIJO9yGLKGgt9xL4kEQPsjjwJHRiDqC_M33G2zO4MxtVOAW4sHTCRh8HcE/s1600-h/China+Day+5+050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107512751986572850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNNlW8bwgr9-kzTz7tLmrCQFBZlEibRTTqyqAKbSVKpONVfxGi2Qe4-v-1CXLf-glWoJ4nw67v-AGCRW3zFIJO9yGLKGgt9xL4kEQPsjjwJHRiDqC_M33G2zO4MxtVOAW4sHTCRh8HcE/s320/China+Day+5+050.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMjcHVPqqoaViEnwTzdAedGB_CuptTLwNGSaFZESW3Ec9eQJLMpWgmrKesYWMrNrT-waBzRNL8-hk2PD8q0bCrQriBPsaswQNashWkmhtrJ4CHV_Dr8dq4uQMTA01iaiCMCPxLF5SunE/s1600-h/China+Day+5+054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107512773461409346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMjcHVPqqoaViEnwTzdAedGB_CuptTLwNGSaFZESW3Ec9eQJLMpWgmrKesYWMrNrT-waBzRNL8-hk2PD8q0bCrQriBPsaswQNashWkmhtrJ4CHV_Dr8dq4uQMTA01iaiCMCPxLF5SunE/s320/China+Day+5+054.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RTF9utLxzjKTGRXMd2X859f_CZbmqPScbJZNBjV19skm6UVPVvBkHSaGdnewAq1cLO-6PUZqLdnGrj-wDnoTCBlH-ugSa-9WVk6JipCOryjA84XkT82FiVEg0adCJlmWfonqHkSfHds/s1600-h/China+Day+5+057.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107512777756376658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RTF9utLxzjKTGRXMd2X859f_CZbmqPScbJZNBjV19skm6UVPVvBkHSaGdnewAq1cLO-6PUZqLdnGrj-wDnoTCBlH-ugSa-9WVk6JipCOryjA84XkT82FiVEg0adCJlmWfonqHkSfHds/s320/China+Day+5+057.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A few pictures of today...for full explanations...make sure to read the next post:</div><div> </div><div>Pictures 1, 2 & 5 - the common outdoor restaurant where we ate our meal today...the girls acting as though they've done it a thousand times...</div><div> </div><div>Picture 3 - The Bug with our dear Chinese family member</div><div> </div><div>Pictures 4 - a potty...see full explanation below</div>The "H" Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05667084571389734151noreply@blogger.com1