Orphanage Day Two

We were unable to post yesterday, so I will try and get you up to date. Also, there are two links on this page that you can view pictures on. Click on the Chaoyang trip link and the other Crebbin family link to read other entries and photos.

Yesterday was a great visit. We were greeted by the kids anxiously awaiting our arrival outside. We spent the morning on the grounds playing with the parachute and on some playground equipment. This boy of around 8 grabbed my hand and had the biggest grin on his face. We had played together the previous day. He seems to have CP and also gets picked on by some of the other children. From his enthusiasm I am thinking he doesn't spend much time outside. Despite the heat and humidity, everyone had a lot of fun. The newspaper was there too taking pictures, so we might be in the local paper today. Tomorrow, when the air conditioners we bought are delivered, the local TV station is supposed to be here. Wow, we'll be famous!

Yesterday afternoon I spent snuggling with a boy who is probably around 2 and spends most of his time in the crib. He also seems to have CP. I would hold him and make these kissing noises which would make him crack up laughing. I will try and post some pictures of me with these boys, but I'm using someone else's photos since mine aren't downloaded to this computer.

To those that have asked, yes, we are standing in the bathroom stalls in the previous photos. We were cracking up laughing and the Chinese women didn't know what to think of us!

First Day Orphanage

Hey all, we made it to Chaoyang safely, but tiredly. We are unable to view the blog, but can post, so forgive me if it doesn't look right on your end.

Today was our first visit to the orphanage. In the morning we mainly got a tour of the building and hung out with the kids. I won't go into detail now, but at times it was tough to hold the tears back. We left for a lunch break and rest, then came back for an afternoon visit. This felt better because we were able to have more access to the kids, out of their cribs and rooms. We spent around 3 hours just playing with them. It was such a joy to see them laugh and smile. They especially liked to have pictures taken of them.

I am going to try and post a couple pictures, so hopefully it works. I appreciate all the prayers that have been going out. Please keep it up!
From China with love,
Toni

Signing out....

I'm getting ready to head off to Oregon today, as I have a 7am flight tomorrow morning to SF, then on to Beijing! My sister in law will meet me in Portland, and we'll meet up with the rest of the team in SF. Please keep us in your prayers....pray for the heat and humidity to not be too miserable, team unity, travel safety, and that our time with the children and nannies is meaningful.

I am not taking my computer, but I will try and post here if I get the chance. Our team leader, Liz, will be keeping a blog of our journey, so if you want to follow along, you can do so at http://visitingorphanschaoyang.blospot.com/

God bless

4th of July

We had a great time celebrating the 4th! We met up with Grandma and Papa at a park in Everett. We also went to the fireworks show back home. We were smart and brought earplugs for Jaelyn. The only thing that would've made it better is if Kellen had been there. He'll be home from Mexico on Saturday. Enjoy the slideshow.

summer fun....potty training!

Not my vision of an exciting summer so far, but nonetheless a prosperous one. During the school year the girls showed no desire to conquer potty training. We tried everything under the sun, but finally realized we were fighting a hopeless battle, so decided to save our energy. Mike and Josh headed off for a week of wrestling camp, so I decided I would give it another shot. This time the girls were willing participants. In fact, I thought it would take until mid-summer to get where they are, but we haven't had an accident in two days now! Mike doesn't know what we've been up to yet, so he will be pleasantly surprised when he comes home tonight. I'm telling him it was his anniversary gift (our 19th anniv. was while he was gone this week)! The only downside I've found so far is that the toilet is a great stalling tactic for naps. They are to be napping as I am typing, but they've already got out of bed 3 times for the toilet (they're wearing pullups for naptime). It's hard to get mad at them though when they have actually produced something each time they claim they have to go. How do they do that?

Kellen headed off for Tecate, Mexico yesterday on a mission trip. As he was heading out for the airport at 7 am I asked him if he had his money belt. He held it up and rolled his eyes a bit, as only teenagers can do. About an hour later he called while heading down I-5. It seems it was my fault I didn't actually ask him if he had any money in his money belt! Duh mom! Oh well, less junk food and trinkets he can buy:) Less than two weeks until my trip to China!

What a Dad wants....

Today began with homemade Pooh-n-Piglet blueberry pancakes for Dad. The girls were up early, so helped me make them. The first picture is of everyone after breakfast. What a happy family so early in the morning! We had plans to take Mike to the Everett Aquasox baseball game (Mariner Minor League team), but the weather didn't cooperate. Instead Mike said he wanted to stay at home and veg on the couch watching videos with the boys (the girls were napping). Who says "Ghost Rider" isn't a good father/son video? You'll have to see it for yourself! Notice how happy they all look on the couch together, especially Mike with 2 remotes. Mike got a new Ipod Shuffle for Father's Day, something he can take on his runs with Kellen.

School is now over for the boys. Mike has tomorrow and I go through Tuesday. The boys had a good ending to the school year. Kellen lettered in track and Joshua was elected ASB president for next year's 7th grade.

Just 8 days until Kellen heads off for Mexico, and less than a month until my trip to China. Even though it is summer break now, things will seem as busy as ever.

the latest

It's been awhile since my last post. This time of year is busy in the life of teachers, not to mention stressful and hectic. This last weekend we were able to take a breather and hang out with family at my Great Aunt Beryl's 90th birthday bash. My Aunt Beryl had never met the girls before and said that they "made her day." They were quite the life of the party.

You may notice that my "Double Trouble, Shampoo Edition" video is no longer on the blog. You may remember I submitted it to AFV. Well I got a letter from them today and papers to sign. You wouldn't believe the legalize they make you sign! Anyhow, from what Mike and I understand we can't have it posted on the Internet (is that what "media entity means???), so I'm taking it off for now. All this and we're still not guaranteed a spot on the show. Guess we have just passed the first screening. We will definitely keep you posted on this one.