1800+ miles...

1800 is the number of miles we drove in 10 days, winding up our summer.  Here's the brief summary...

575 on Sylvia in three days, which I might add she averaged 33.8 mpg, to my 30th class reunion!

Excuse the flash on the left, but this photo was too good of us not to post. We are truly BFF's, since freshman year!

Touring the old stomping grounds. Yep, that's me hanging off the "P."

Once home, the following day we packed up the van for the 371 mile monotonous drive to WSU...

Josh's longtime friend Dakota helped move in.

Sweet photo of two of my favorite boys!

Love this one!

Stadium is right in the center of the campus. This is a patio off of the Student Union where you can watch from.

Another view from the patio.

These two bad boys on Kaia and Jaelyn's bikes! Think they're ready for college?

 Next day, 400 miles to meet up with family in Sun River...

Fun with Uncle Rob and Aunt Alisha

Don't worry, Jaelyn came up smiling.

Kaia wisely plugged her nose at the end!

Hanging with Uncle Cory and new friend Isaac.

As you can see, we hung out a lot at the SHARC. The girls would barely stop to eat, so would be famished when we would get back to the condo! Unfortunately we did not get to see Mame much, as she was suffering from a pinch nerve and spent most of the time in bed:(

Four days later, a quick 178 miles to Portland for a quick visit with family, then the final 265 miles one day later.

If you have been following my blog this summer, you know I have done an unusual amount of traveling this summer. Where I have loved every minute of it, I must confess that I am sleeping much more soundly in my own bed now, and looking forward to getting into the routine of school soon. I can't believe I just typed that!

Welcome Sylvia...

We have a rather unusual tradition at the Crebbin household of naming our vehicles. Over the years we have had Betsy (our Pathfinder), Tori (Taurus), Vanna (2007 Grand Caravan), Yvette (Kellen's Aveo), etc.  And now we tearfully say goodbye to Goldie (2001 Grand Caravan), and Hello Sexy Sylvia!

 

Apology...

Friday we had to apologize to all the locals for a torrential day of rain. You see, we basically made it the entire month of July without any measurable rain. Then comes August, generally our best month of the year. Jaelyn was scheduled to have her first soccer game with the Whidbey Islanders. That's where the apology came in. Soccer = rain! I even had to go out and buy a golf umbrella.  Thankfully it wasn't too cold, as we got wet cheering her on despite the weather.  They ended in a tie, not bad for their first game. Jaelyn even had an assist.

The rest of the weekend was back to our beautiful summer weather. Sunday we browsed the Anacortes Arts & Crafts Festival, where the girls got these (not sure what the reptile theme was about)...

Josh is off at camp this week, his last hurrah before he heads to school.  Mike finished the deck redo in back, so projects are winding up.  We are not done with summer yet though. Cramming in two more trips this month. Stay tuned...

Theirrrrrr Back!!!

Today we drove to Cedar Springs Camp to pick up Josh and the girls.  Where I did appreciate my downtime this week to recover from my China travels, I must admit the noise in the car on the way home was refreshing to my soul (just maybe not to Mike!).  Jaelyn told me every detail of her week, then exclaimed, "What, we're here already?" as we came onto the island.  They were tired and dingy, but deny both!  Josh had to stay late to clean up, but I'm guessing he is both too.

One of the fun things they got to do this week was rock climb. Here they are, coincidentally wearing the same color, ready to go...

Here they are together at the top. Kaia is a pro, as she has done this several times before and flies up like Spiderman. However, Jaelyn has never made the top before, so she was pumped (that's her on the right, Kaia on the left). Heard that she inspired other girls to not give up. Think I'm going to hear that a lot in her lifetime.

Dragging My Feet...

Why is it that I always have a difficult time blogging when I get back from China? Is it exhaustion? Too busy with the family?  Actually I have neither of those to blame this year, as I found the transition back to the Pacific Time Zone fairly easy, especially since the girls and Josh are away at camp, so I've been able to take things at my own pace.  I think the truth is that I just don't know how to put my feelings into words. While in country, I can stick to the facts and know I don't have much time to do it in, so I am succinct. Once home, I have more time to think, which actually makes it more difficult. I don't feel I can freely post everything I feel.  When I am asked "How was China?," how can I put it into one concise sentence.  It was good?  It was hard?  I lost my heart again?  It's not fair? Actually it was all of the aforementioned and more.  But what I can say is that I am blessed and privileged that He chose me to be his hands and feet once again.  I get as much as I give. This is difficult to make others understand unless they experience it themselves.  So how about you, want to experience it with me next summer???

One of my team members wrote a beautiful post about my special girl, Min Yer that is worth the read.  I first met her back in 2007.  You can see her grow in height over the years, as well as in our relationship...2008, 2010 (we were unable to go to Chaoyang in 2009, so went to a different orphanage), 2011,
2012 and now....

 So this is where I am at a loss for words. I am back in my free country, comfy bed, and with my incredible family. But I do not forget the kids. Not one.single.day.

Last Day at Chaoyang

Today was our final day at the orphanage.  I don't have as many photos from the morning, as I headed off to shop for washers and dryers while the team was blowing bubbles with the children, which is always a hit. And not only can they be blown outside with the children, but the upstairs crib bound children can enjoy them inside too.  While I was gone the team also got a lesson on rolling dumplings and helped prepare our lunch. We loved getting to eat amongst the children for lunch. The huge smiles on their faces as they drank as much soda as they wanted, and loaded their bellies with dumplings, meat, and fresh green beans. It was all so delicious, but we were definitely out ate by the children!

After lunch we painted faces, then prepared for our annual birthday party.  Once again the polaroid camera was a hit with the nannies and the kids.  After yet another long and drawn out photo session, it was all too quickly time to say goodbye. It was heart wrenching to say goodbye to my special friend Min Yur, as she would not look me in the eye, but would not let go of my hand. She understands all too well that I and the team are leaving, yet we leave her hope of our return, and memories of our seven year friendship...

Day 3 Chaoyang

It was a packed day for us in Chaoyang today. We began the day at the park with the children. They are always so enthusiastic to go on the rides, and it is so good for them to be out and about. They love the rides and bring a lot of attention while we are out. KFC is a big hit with them too. Most of them out eat us!

We are blessed to have a dentist on our team this year. She spent the afternoon doing some training with some of the staff and some members of the medical staff there on the grounds (there is more than just the orphanage at a social welfare institute).  She then spent time going around showing each child to brush their teeth or how to clean the teeth of those crib bound. We are really hoping she had an impact on the care of the children, as some of the kids are suffering from some pretty severe gum disease and infections that will cause serious problems in these medically fragile kids.

Speaking of medically fragile, we were shocked today to learn that the new four year old that came to the orphanage just this week, passed away last night. She was rushed to the hospital with a high fever and didn't make it. Whereas she seemed pretty miserable being at the orphanage, we did not think it was due to a medical issue (she did appear to have cerebral palsy) or that she was suffering from anything immediate. I am thankful she is in a better place now.

One thing that brought me immense joy today was to tell one of the young boys we call Luke that his forever mom and dad will be coming to pick him up soon. He listened intently as Ying read to him the words in the picture book his parents made for him, explaining whom each of them were. He was excited to see himself in some of the photos, as the family has been to the orphanage twice before. He was also very excited about having a dog. Thanks Krosley family for letting me share in this special time.  I got video of it all to share with you later, and one of our team members, a professional photographer, took many shots of the moment that she will be sharing with you.

After dinner tonight we spent time in the city square that has a Buddhist pagoda. Among the many activities, we borrowed fans and scarves to join with local ladies in a folk dance, as posed for many photos with curious onlookers. 

It is hard to believe that tomorrow will be our last day at the orphanage. The traditional party is going to be a memorable time to wrap up this amazing experience thought.