I'm still here...

Sorry it has taken so long to post again, but life gets hectic for the Crebbin family when school starts back up. All waking moments when we aren't at school, volleyball, Kellen's cross country meets, Josh's football games, grading papers, or folding clothes, are spent as a family. Thus, not much computer time.

Since I last posted, Kellen celebrated his 16th birthday (still not kissed!), Joshua his 13th birthday (eight 12/13 year olds spent the night the first weekend of school...what were two teachers thinking), and we got a new van. Yep, we're a two van family! We went without one for 2 1/2 weeks, and boy was it tough cramming us all in the Pathfinder (that is 16 years old). With Dodge offering 0% financing for 6 years, we just couldn't resist. Dad, the picture of the van is for you!

Well that is about it, as I have to get back to folding clothes! I will post more when life is not so mundane....

Photo Session

So a week ago we had family photos taken. We didn't have the typical posed pictures, but instead the photographer followed us along the beach and took pictures of us playing. Even the teenage boys had a blast! I also told the photographer about the Celebrating Adoption program that I blogged about a couple weeks ago, and today I found out she signed up to participate in the program! Also, she wrote the sweetest blog entry about our session and posted some adorable pictures. The proofs come in later this week, and I can't wait to view them all. You can see a few of them at http://momentsintimebylori.typepad.com
If these pictures are any indication, they will be hard to choose from! I might be spending more $$$ than I planned.

One funny thing....there's a darling picture of the girls squatting down and looking at something on the beach. They look so sweet and innocent....well Kaia was actually enjoying smashing the guts out of a dead crab as Jaelyn cheered her on!

Summer's Last Hurrah

Summer is quickly coming to a close. I start back to coaching volleyball on Monday, and Kellen is foregoing tennis this year to give cross country a try. Joshua is at church camp this week and begins football in a week.

The pictures are from our camping trip to Pearrygin Lake last week, near Winthrop. Aunt Julie and Ellie met up with us, and we had a wonderful time, despite the yellow jackets.

Celebrating Adoption

I came across this site through one of the yahoo groups I belong to (I keep telling my husband they're for educational purposes!), and some of you reading my blog may be interested. It is a great opportunity; I'm only sorry I didn't know about this earlier.

Photographers all across the country belong to this organization called Celebrating Adoption. If you have adopted within the last year, you qualify for a free portrait session. There is no sitting fee, and you get the set of proofs for free. Just find your state and call one of the photographers listed. Sounds simple to me. Check it out at http://www.celebratingadoption.org.

Adjusting

Today was a difficult day for me at church. We had guest missionaries from the Ukraine, and every picture they displayed took me back to my time in China. I keep wondering how the children and nannies are doing without us. I hope someone is protecting my two special kids!

I decided to post this video clip so you can share in the joy that working with the children brought me. I don't think this young boy gets out of his crib much. Just the simple task of bringing him downstairs seemed to bring him so much pleasure. My girls have asked to watch this video over and over. I am surprised they enjoy watching mommy play with another child, as usually they are so jealous of my attention, telling other children "my mommy!" It's as if they understand the importance of what is taking place.

Home, Sweet Home

Last night was my first sleep in my own bed, and boy, did it feel good! I did not get a chance to post while we were in Beijing, so I will fill you in on what went on.



On Friday we headed out early on the 4 1/2 hr. bus ride back to Shenyang. It was so much fun to spend 9,000 yuan shopping...every girls' dream! We actually split into teams to buy specific items. Tonyia and I had the pleasure of shopping for girls clothing. We bought clothing, medicines, toys, etc. for the orphanage. There was nowhere to shop in Chaoyang, so the orphanage director met us at Walmart in Shenyang. During our week at the orphanage, we noted all the items that they needed and tried to get those items.

We then headed to a Korean BBQ restaurant. Barbecue octopus, yum! We only had a 1/2 hr. to tour the local "Forbidden City." It was beautiful, but not enough time there, and I don't even remember the family name. We had to rush out for our flight back to Beijing. We were ready to crash when we finally got to our hotel.

Saturday we had to hit Beijing hard, as this was our last full day. We headed off for the Great Wall early, and that was a good thing since it was very hot and humid, and extremely crowded too. A few of us made it to the top, only to hit lots of traffic jams on the way back down. We then visited a jade market, followed by lots of bargain shopping and a Kung Fu show. Our last hurrah was a Peking Duck dinner.

Sunday started with a rush to the airport, only to find out our plane was 4 hours late! The actual flight was uneventful though, which was good. It was such a joy to be greeted at the airport by my whole family. I have been relishing the simple things since being home; drinking from a fountain, cold milk, real toilet paper! I also haven't forgotten the smiling faces, the reason for the trip. Those memories will forever be with me. Thanks for following my journey, and when you think about it, keep those faces in your prayers too.

Final Visit

Today was a very emotional day. It started off with our first day of actually seeing the sky. Yesterday's rain cleared off the smog, so it was a nice treat for the final day. We spent the morning playing with the kids and putting our handprints on the wall. It all came together beautifully. We worked through lunch again, so got to spend a lot of time with the kids.

We had a birthday party for the kids in the afternoon. We gave them gift bags and had the most beautiful cakes you have ever seen. Unfortunately they looked better than they tasted. Not that they were bad, but I think we were all hoping for a little taste of home. Just 3 more days!

I thought I was going to be able to hold it all together today when we left, until I saw the nannies crying. I didn't expect that at all, so I lost it. It was so difficult to leave them behind, but know that we shared many smiles and laughs together. Who knows, maybe I'll be back...

Tomorrow we have a 5 hour bus ride back to Shenyang and then we fly back to Beijing. We will do some touring there on Saturday, so I will try and post that night. So long from Chaoyang!