Chao Yang Post #2

Tuesday morning we picked up kids from the orphanage and took them on the bus to take them to the park. The enthusiasm just to board the bus is contagious! And it was nice to put to use the strollers that we had just purchased the day before, in bringing some of the babies. Usually the nannies bring the children on a bus, rather than us picking them up, so this allowed us to bring kids they don't typically allow us to bring. We brought three crib bound kids who thoroughly seemed to enjoy themselves at the park. The bumper cars were a new ride we hadn't done with the kids on precious trips, and the kids that rode them were cracking up.  We topped off the experience with lunch at KFC.  The whole morning felt like living in a fish bowl. Just not sure who gets stared at more here; special needs kids, or foreigners?

The afternoon was spent doing what you ask? Why yes, playing some more with the kids, going on walks and doing some more crafts!  Can't think of anything else we would rather be doing. We blew bubbles and took photo shoots of some children in the pillow case dresses some students at my school made the for them.

Wednesday morning the rain came pouring down just as we headed out the door to tour the local Buddhist history museum.  In all my trips here, I never even knew it existed, and have walked by it multiple times on our walks in the park with a large pagoda (which I found out today is the oldest standing in china). The museum was very fascinating. The director recommended we go, so we appreciated that. We went in the early morning so we still had plenty of time with the kids.

When we walked into the orphanage we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a woman we met at the store yesterday when she offered to help us. She spoke English very well in our conversation, and we casually invited her to come. It took her two hours to get there by bus! She did great with the kids, and after spending lunch with us too, agreed to spread the word about the needs of the kids and return for visits.  She made a tutu during craft time which she was taking home for her son. In the afternoon we decorated more walls with artwork. This time it was card stock frames with photos of the children,  which read "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made," and decorated with their thumb prints. The rain cleared off and we were also able to take children outside.

Other than learning that team USA lost today, it was a wonderful day spent with the kids. We even got to hold one of the new babies, Claire, that they had not allowed us to hold yet. She has some type of skin issue that causes most of her skin to be scaly, and has difficulty focusing her eyes. But she is wonderfully made in our eyes!

I am sure I am forgetting some things, but too tired to remember. It is hard to believe that tomorrow will already be time for us to say our goodbyes. I need a good nights rest to gear up for this emotional part of the trip.

Oliver & Company (Wu Ping)

This is Oliver who just learned to crawl today. He is a sweet boy, probably around 8 or 9 months old now. The other boy is Wu Ping, who was just brand new here last summer. He may have Down Syndrome, but he is smart as a whip.  He has the most hilarious crawling style, and loves to be in the lime light.

Choayang Post #1

For the first time we did some of our "official" touring in Chaoyang instead of in Beijing. Yesterday morning we toured the fossil park, which was actually quite impressive. Chaoyang claims to have had the first bird and the first flower, so we are now referring to it as the Garden of Eden!  Actually the fossils and petrified wood were very interesting and the museum was very well done. It was a little toasty when we walked around the outside displays though.  Angela, if you are reading this, we randomly met Patrick, who says he was a good friend of yours here in Chaoyang! It truly is a small world. Before we headed to the orphanage, we crashed a beautiful wedding in our hotel! They were so sweet to us and insisted we get in on some photos with them.

We spent the afternoon with the kids again.  Ed was mobbed by his boys as we walked through the door. I painted Min Yer's nails for the fourth time, and some of he girls painted toenails for some of the crib bound kids.  We have been taking those kids out of the cribs as much as possible. It breaks my heart when they do not want out.

Last night we attended the local church. I feel guilty admitting I struggled to stay awake since I did not understand what was being said, plus it was hot and humid inside. The message was from Ephesians on unity, which is always good for a team to hear. We did enjoy the music and taking communion. Juan, a tutor we hired in the past to work with an orphan, was there, so was good to see her.

We will be heading back to the orphanage in just a bit. We are making tissue paper kites this morning and hanging them around to brighten the place up.  I have been unable to post photos or even download them to my computer, so hopefully I can get some through someone's iPhone today for mike to post.

Pooped

Exhausted and camera died, but great day today. We got to see kids today, and three new babies. Two adorable ones we've decided to name Nick and Oliver, and one miserable little girl we call Claire. Unfortunately my battery died and the spare was in the luggage. Want to share moe but the last 48 hrs has worn me out!

Happy Anniversary???

Two quick items tonight. First, I'm off to China in the early morning. Can't wait to see my Chaoyang kiddos again! We won't be there until Friday, so check back this this weekend for more posts.

Second, Happy Anniversary tomorrow to my wonderful husband!  Thanks for tolerating me being in China most anniversaries. This one won't be as memorable as our 25th, but that doesn't mean I love you any less! We will celebrate when I get home.  You've got the routine down by now. And kids, be good to Dad!

Did I say two quick items? I meant three. For all you techie people, one of my team mates will be keeping an instagram while we are there. Look for changeforchaoyang.

Father's Night...

Since Kaia and I were on our way home from Spokane, it was up to the other three children to make Father's Day all about Dad. Um, let's just say it was more like Father's Night.  Dad woke up before the three, so no early breakfast prepared for him. They did all attend church together, but Josh worked in the afternoon, and Mike did not want to see any of the movies showing at our local theater.  Kellen worked the evening shift, so thankfully Kaia and I got home to save the day...

Dad has become quite the Seattle Sounders fan lately, so Josh came up with the idea to get him some gear.  Now he is all set for the game the entire family is going to in July.

He and Josh will be waving their scarves against the Timbers! For now though, we are gearing up to watch tomorrow's World Cup game against Portugal.  Did someone say GOAL!!!!!!!!

Now Where Was I???

Now where did I leave off? Oh yes, after graduation came Kaia's National T & T gymnastics competition.  Kaia qualified in her favorite event, tumbling, and since it was practically in our own back yard, we went for it. We really enjoyed our time together. Kaia didn't perform until Sunday, but we were able to watch two of her team mates perform (both those girls placed second nationally in their age/level categories), as well as take in the Elite tumblers. Kaia was in awe watching the Elite level, and it really inspired her.  Saturday evening was also the march in of all the 900+ athletes from across the country, and we were annoyed when they forgot to announce "Island Flyers." We were missing one of the four on our team who attended, as she had finished her events and headed home.

First off Sunday morning: hair! Of course, I don't do it well enough, so Kaia relied on her team mate. Hair must be all off the face and in a bun, not easy for someone with fine layered hair. And on top of that, stay in place while one does all sorts of flips and turns.

Did I mention the use of a ton of hairspray???

Presenting before the judges for her flight.

Kaia's first tumbling run, a roundoff and two back handsprings, scored her a 27.70, which put her in the top twelve. Her second run scored her 25.90 on her 3-step round off, followed by four back handsprings.  That put her tied for 19th, but they don't do ties. Since the other girl scored higher on her second run, she takes the higher place, so Kaia took 20th. I say out of 43 participants at her age and level, not bad!

Following her second run.

Following some photos with her team mates, we hit the road for our 6.5 hour drive home. We wanted to get back home to spend time with Dad for Father's Day! More on that for the next post...