Day ??? - WE ARE HOME!!!

The trip home was 3 flights, 13 hours in airports, ~ 9000 miles, 15 hours in the air, many bottles, diapers, and walks.  (Pic above is before going through immigration line in MSP airport- Evian is now a U.S. citizen!)

We were greeted by dear friends, Pete & Erica Lehner who picked us up from the airport.  When we got home Elianna and Ember were ecstatic!  For the rest of the weekend, the big sisters have learned Evian's tickle spots, smiles, cries, pushed her in a stroller and swing, and are very glad to entertain her.  It will be hard for them to peel away from their new little sister and go to school tomorrow.

Thanks for your continued prayers for us throughout the trip and now as the transition to MN begins.  We are jet-lagged but joyfully resting in God's grace over our family. (Pic below is minutes after we returned home to Woodbury.)

Day 15 - Homeward Bound!!!

Our time in China is coming to an end.  Yesterday we had our appointment at the US Consulate where US immigration takes place.  Each family signed one last document, and then all 37 American families, adopting a total of 40 children, raised their right hand and repeated an oath stating that all of the information that we presented to the US government on behalf of our child is correct and true.  The woman who led us in the oath explained that in 2009, 3000 Chinese babies entered the US as adopted immigrants.  Praise the Lord that these children have homes and families!

Today we are waiting for Evian’s passport to be returned to us with her visa stamp.  We will pick that up this afternoon, head over to the airport in the evening and fly to Hong Kong late tonight.  Early tomorrow morning we will fly back to Minnesota with a layover in Tokyo. 
We’ve prayed all along that throughout this trip we’d walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and that we’d connect as a family and love others well.  Even though we’re separated by continents from Elianna and Ember, God has given us sweet times praying for them and talking via Skype.  We know that airports, long layovers, and long flights are also within God’s tender care for us…along with jetlag and culture shock (no more housekeeping, laundry service, or eating out every day?…we are actually very much looking forward to “regular” daily life at home!).

As I reflect on our time here, I wondered if we did enough to capture the Chinese culture – did we take enough video/photos and buy the perfect gifts for Evian and her sisters?  I started to ask myself if maybe I should have gone along to the orphanage.  I began to feel  pressure to make sure that we did all of the right things in these 16 days to document the first 8 months of Evian’s life - where she’s come from, her heritage, and her culture.

Then the Lord gave me a simple picture.  The other morning I was looking out the window and a beautiful monarch butterfly fluttered by the window, then landed on the bush right in front of me.  It lingered there and while it did, the Lord reminded me that He is all about exchanging old for new,  bringing life out of something that is dried up.  I thought about that butterfly, which was once stuck inside a cocoon until one day when it burst out, colorful, free, beautiful.

As beautiful and intricate as Evian’s past is, it is something we leave here.  Like a cocoon, it is a very unique and precious part of God’s plan and purposes.  We treasure very much Evian’s home land, the dear women who cared for her in the orphanage, and this culture which is so well preserved.  As she grows up, it will be our privilege to share these things with her.  It has been such a gift to experience this place and enjoy the people here. 
Most of all, I am grateful for the unhurried days - playing with Evian, taking family walks, learning what makes her smile and laugh, looking in her eyes while giving her a bottle, holding her while she naps, listening to Daddy splash at bathtime…  We look forward to living in the moment and enjoying all of these things and more with Elianna and Ember too.  
 
 

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Day 13 - Around Town

Evian and I enjoyed our Mother/Daughter day yesterday while Russ was gone all day visiting the orphanage.  We sent him on his way with diapers, baby clothes, and about 15 pairs of shoes (donated by a local shop keeper) to deliver.  The rest of the day we ate, napped, and played. 

It is so amazing to see how much Evian has changed in these 9 days that we’ve been together.  I especially noticed it yesterday when we were playing together.  Now she reaches for toys, holds and picks up her rings, rolls over to get something, and is very interactive.  We’ve been doing “exercises” with her which have really helped.  It sounds funny, but her back and core are so much stronger now.  At first, we needed to totally support her back when holding her.  Now she rests on my hip more sturdily.  Before, when we put her in the sitting position, she would flop backwards immediately.  Now she can sit for a few seconds on her own. 

It’s neat to see her enjoying this new “fun”.  It was very apparent yesterday at the orphanage that for one nanny in charge of 20 babies at once during her shift, the focus needed to be on just meeting the basic needs of the babies as best as they could. 

One activity that Evian is enjoying very much is swimming.  We’ve gradually introduced her to the pool.  She’s definitely not afraid of the water and is having more fun with splashing and kicking.  Some of her other little girlfriends haven’t liked it quite as much.  As adoptive families we are all wanting to be careful to notice things that cause these little girls to be fearful.  We are privileged to love her and care for all of her needs.

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Day 12 - Orphanage Trip

A week ago, Evian was in a crib just like the ones shown.  It is amazing what has happened in just a week.

Today, I, Russ, took a bus trip with some of the other adoptive families to the orphanage in Yangxi, a 3 ½ hour ride from here.    

As I went to the orphanage, I didn’t really know what I’d feel.  As I entered the “crib room”, about 16 kids Evian’s age were sleeping, looking around, and crying.  It definitely was a sober moment.  I felt very glad Evian didn’t have to spend any more time there.  At the same time, though, I felt sad for those other babies. 

In the end, I don’t think everything has sunk in for me yet.  But knowing that we’ve followed the Lord through this process and He has given us a little bundle from China along with our other 2 beautiful daughters is more than we could have imagined.  It was the summer of 1999 as an engaged couple when we were last here in China together.  A lot has happened since then!  We never knew we’d be back 11 years later to pick up a girl to be our daughter!

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Day 11 - Fresh Water

You may remember that Evian’s name means “life” and “water”.  We chose her name because of Jesus’ life giving water.  As the months of waiting for Evian turned to years, the list of “water” verses that the Lord showed me got longer, filling the cover page in my Bible.

A friend asked what some of my favorites are from that list.  Well, they are all my favorites, but I’ll share a couple of special ones from this week.

A week ago, on Evian’s “Gotcha Day”, I was reading my Bible at breakfast and these words from Psalm 104 were such a picture of Our Father’s heart for Evian - that He would quench her thirst, dwell with her, and satisfy her.  “He sends forth springs in the valleys; they flow between the mountains; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.  Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they lift up their voices among the branches.  He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works.” (Psalm 104:10-13)

So, on the morning before receiving Evian, when the anxiety could have mounted, the Lord spoke clearly of His works in Evian’s life…long before we ever thought of her.

Our prayer for Evian is that she will drink of His “living water.”  Of all places, this afternoon I was at Starbucks, drinking real coffee, asking the Lord for refreshment from Him (how could I forget, babies are tiring!).  It was no accident that I was reading from John 4 (again…over and over the Lord encourages my heart with this whole chapter).  This is Jesus speaking: “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

OK, I do have another favorite – Jeremiah 30 (9, 12)!

Today we receive Evian’s passport, check it, and send it on for her travel visa. 

Tomorrow, we have the opportunity to visit Evian’s orphanage.  The trip is 4 hours one way by bus.  Considering the long travel day, along with what we’ve heard from other adoptive parents about orphanage visits (smaller, less modern community without “facilities” or “amenities”, possible distraction from bonding for adoptive babies…), Russ is going while Evian and I stay at our hotel.  He will go armed with cameras, and will also be able to deliver some supplies to the orphanage.  Evian and I will pray from here! 

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Bubbles...

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Day 10 - The Wedding Planner

If you’ve ever seen the movie with this title, you might understand our total appreciation for our in-country adoption agency representative, Jason (his American name).  Jason is a 30 something Chinese man who has worked for Chinese Children Adoption International here in Guangzhou for 8 ½ years, during which time he has been part of over 2,200 babies being adopted and taken home to the States. 

Jason is on top of every detail.  Our itinerary has everything from sightseeing to meetings (yesterday, he helped each family complete our last stack of paperwork line by line for 1 ½ hours).  He translates, delivers documents, takes us to get visa photos and baby formula, walks with us to the doctor, makes dinner reservations, orders food, lets us know the weather report (in Fahrenheit)….  Basically, he is taking care of all of the logistics, and at the same time is so very caring about how we’re doing.  He is always making sure that our babies are doing OK – eating, sleeping- he holds the babies, speaks soothing Chinese to them, and is more than we ever could have asked for in someone to help us while we’re in China.

Today, he took us shopping.  These pictures are from our outing to this very popular area called The Pearl Market.  “Market” isn’t the word I would use, more like “Metropolis.”  The pearl part of this incredible shopping area was really an entire 5 story mall with hundreds of stores all selling jewelry, most of it in the form of strands of stones, gems, or pearls, ready to be made into different  pieces, which they do on the spot.  Daddy did what daddies do – he took his girls shopping and out to lunch at McDonald’s (there were two 2-story McDonald’s directly across from each other there).

While we wait for important things like Evian’s passport and visa, we’re having a good time together!

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Day 9 - Evian, Evie, Little Nut

DAY 8 –  Evian, Evie, Little Nut

The inevitable happened, a nickname popped out of one of our mouths, and it stuck.  Our “Little Nut” has beautiful, dark almond eyes, the smoothest, dark skin, and just enough puff in her hair to wear a little clip.  Her eyes, though very contemplative most of the time, have a gentle trusting look.  Her skin seems darkest around her feet, lightest around her neck, and she has a small Asian birthmark at the very bottom of her back called a Mongolian spot, which will fade over time.

Everything about her is delicate, her expressions are sweet and sometimes much bigger than seem possible from her little face.  Her coos, bubbles, silent laughs, throat giggles, and ooohs & aaahs…even her different cries…are becoming very familiar.   We love our Little Nut, and can’t wait for her to be with her big sisters, Little Peach and Little Em!  

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Day 8 - Local Life

We knew we were living on a bit of a bubble on Shamian Island.  This island is Americanized and mostly clean and many people speak at least a bit of English (all of this of which we are very thankful for!).  Well, when we exited the island on a walking/biking overpass, we entered what Di and I like to call "The Real China".  

We saw many, actually MOST, foods that we had no idea what they were!  And some giant vegetables such as carrot being the diameter of a baseball (GO TWINS!) and 12-16" long!  Some of the more exotic things we saw were: tiger paws, drying seahorses, drying salamanders, and frogs being skinned.  The alleys were packed with merchants selling their stuff.  The streets were crowded with everyone going somewhere, except us- we were just wandering tourists- an interesting contrast to how they live daily life.

Enjoy the pictures!  

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Day 8 - SURVIVOR: Shamian Island

It’s Friday.  On Monday, we met Evian for the first time.  So much has happened during this week.  Getting to know her, and seeing her study us and the photo of Elianna & Ember has been so wonderful.  Evian really does have a contemplative expression, the kind where her delicate eyebrows crunch down and mouth looks as if she were saying “Hmmm…”  Of course, she doesn’t take everything in so calmly.  The thunder has scared her, sounds of construction, the silence of our room.  We have no idea, really.  Those of us who have other children all agree that it’s to our disadvantage in our “trying to figure out” our little girls.  We’re all better off just fully enjoying the good and sticking with each other in the hard. 

That’s the crazy thing about adoption in China-there are so many of us doing it together.  It is such a well organized system.  I think I mentioned before that everyone who adopts from China ends up in Guangzhou where we are because this is where the US Consulate is located.  It’s hard to estimate, but there are probably a couple of hundred families here in our hotel , all doing the same steps…passport & visa applications, medical checks, etc…as we are.  We see them in the hotel, around the island, at various offices in the city.

We all are going through the same experience on just a slightly different timeline.  It’s like SURVIVOR.  All of us are away from home for 2-3 weeks.  Many have kids at home that they miss very much like we do.  Some are adopting older children.  Many are adopting children with special needs.  Some are going home to major surgeries and other treatments.  A good number are adopting for the second or third time.  But, we are all doing it side by side with each other.  Russ thinks this hotel holds the record for the most crying per hour per capita.  I’ll bet that it holds the record for most love toward new family members in one building per minute.

You start the week by introducing yourself to every family, finding out where they’re from, sharing adoption stories…until you realize how many people there really are here.  Then, you just become very open and friendly with just about everyone…this common experience forms a common bond…names are not necessary. 

One Dad from our group commented that as much as they like all of us, it’s a bit interesting “having a baby” with complete strangers.  These strangers are becoming close.  We’ve been able to pray with and for some who are struggling.  We are thankful to be in community.

Still, you end up overhearing some of the same conflicts among other couples that sound just like the argument you had just a half an hour before…that is refreshing in it’s own way, realizing we’re not the only ones. 

Better than that, I glance next to me right now, and see Evian, snuggled up with her little blanket, hearing her little puffs of breath.  It is a gift that even in the fatigue of jet lag and having a new baby, we are so refreshed and strengthened by the Lord.

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Day 7 - Life on the Island

Like, I mentioned, we’re “living” on Shamian Island, which is still part of Guangzhou, but of course, has water surrounding it.  So, everything we need is within walking distance.  This morning, Evian and I were out for a walk to one of the gift shops near our hotel and a man overheard me asking the clerk a question.  He stopped me and asked me where I’m from.  He was obviously an American adoptive parent too.  Turns out, he is from St. Michael, MN just on the opposite side of the Twin Cities from Woodbury where we live.  Small world!

To encourage you to buy from their shop, these little stores offer all kinds of services to adoptive families, like half off laundry service or free stroller rental.  We got a stroller to use for Evian today.  Add that to her list of firsts – her first stroller ride!  We’re glad to carry our little sweetie, but in this heat and high humidity, sitting in the baby carrier can get pretty sweaty.  Evian seemed a little unsure in the stroller so far.

Our walk this afternoon took us to the Physical Examination Office where each baby was looked at by an ENT and Pediatrician as a requirement for their visa application.  Evian checked out OK at every station.  We thank the Lord over and over for her health.  There are several babies here right now with health concerns, so far none major, but still difficult.  Please pray for Evian’s little girlfriends –Molly, Olivia, Kyleah, Allison, and Naomi, who have colds, fevers, rashes, and infections.

Before the pediatrician had a chance to look over Evian’s records, we asked if he could tell physically how old she is.  He didn’t do a comprehensive evaluation, but just noticing her muscle development and responsiveness, he estimated 5 months.  She will actually be 8 months next week.  Russ and I are no experts, but having spent these 3 days with her, we’ve had to re-think what we think we know an 8 month old needs.  We’re really needing wisdom from the Lord and unity with each other as we care for Evian and try to provide for her basic needs, as well as love and bond with her tenderly.  

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Day 5 - Everything's New from Evian's View

When we think about it, in the last 48 hours, Evian has experienced so many new things.  Monday morning she left the orphanage for the very first time.  She and the other babies had a 4 hour bus ride from Yangxi to Guangzhou.  Then, lots of waiting for all the other until our “Gotcha” appointment at 3:30.

Just some of her new “firsts” in the last 2 days include riding in a bus, being in air conditioning, seeing and hearing male voices regularly, seeing Americans, hearing English, touching Caucasian skin and hair (even Daddy’s hairy legs and scratchy face), seeing a computer and TV (NBA basketball!), sucking on a nuk, being held in a baby carrier, wearing a dress… foot jammies… riding an elevator… going to the grocery store…being prayed over by Mommy & Daddy before bed, and the list will continue to grow!

Since I wrote this in the a.m., a couple of more…first hairclip, first Barbie (a gift from the hotel-a mom bringing home a Chinese baby girl), first Daddy/daughter dance (insert “happy cry” by Mommy here)…

Today we’ll add to the list when she applies for her passport.  One more important item to check off our list, which gets us one day closer to coming home!  

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Day 5 - It's Official!

Whew, we've had a long day!  Last night and this morning we completed another phase of paperwork.  Elianna had some great advice, to really enjoy every single thing about this trip, even signing my name for the last time on the last document.  Well, seeing that I have no idea when we'll come across that "last document", I'm enjoying every signature.

We're also enjoying very much Evian's smiles and laughs which take up her whole face.  She's been pretty low key when we're out and about.  Today we were back at the Provincial Adoption Center for a meeting with the notary and an interview.  Then our adoption group (and apparently a couple of others) hit the "Super WalMart" of China for diapers and formula.

We're looking forward to a less busy day tomorrow.  We're remembering that babies like routine and so far we've not been able to keep up with anything consistent like she's been used to at her orphanage.  Also, figuring out the mix/temperature of formula/baby cereal has all of us new adoptive families pretty perplexed.  Again, trusting God with every detail!

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Day 4 - Gotcha Day

This day is called "Gotcha Day" in the adoption world.  We had a meeting in the morning, a little waiting, a short bus ride to the Provincial Adoption Registry Center, and then it all began.

The room was filled with families who got their earlier to receive their babies.  Our group was next.  Each baby was brought out to their new parents in alphabetical order.  We were 7th of 7 families and the joy was uncontainable.  We held her close, took lots of pictures and video, and enjoyed the first few minutes with our new baby girl!  

At first she was very quiet.  Then started twisting her right wrist in a waving fashion, held our fingers, yawned once, and eventually had an all-out laughing party with us (see video!!!).  She is abundantly beyond what we've prayed for.  

Photos are of receiving her, meeting her big sisters, and lastly with one of the nannies from her orphanage.  

 

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Day 3 - Moved In

We really enjoyed our “vacation” in Hong Kong!  What a city!  We got to experience the hustle and bustle in some of the most upscale shopping and financial districts.  We also had an up close experience of a traditional fishing village.  Hong Kong is such a mix of modern & ethnic, of the East & the West.  There are plenty of Starbucks and McDonalds, and many people speak English. 

Yesterday we took a 3 hour bus ride to Guangzhou, our new home for the rest of our trip.  This is a huge city of 13 million people, yet the hotel where we are staying is located in a part of the city which is really an island.  Things here seem quiet and quaint.  Things here are also feeling strange and surreal.  Because this city is the location of the US Consulate, every adoption ends here.  We happen to be starting here too because Evian is from this province. 

So, everywhere we go there are adoptive families.  Lots of adoption stories being exchanged, lots of congratulations given.  And those who have had their child for 3 or more days seem to have lots of advice to offer those of us who will receive our children TODAY!

Yes, it is 2:00pm “China time” now.  We will have Evian by about 3:30.  We can hardly wait!!!

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Days 1 & 2 - We're Here!

We are in Hong Kong...can you believe it?  Our travel day yesterday was smooth.  Enjoyed relaxing on the airplane.  Funny, the short 4 hour flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong seemed the longest. We made it to our hotel by midnight on Friday, having left our house just after lunch on Thursday.  We are truly on the other side of the world.

And while we're here, our adoption agency has set up a great weekend of getting used to the timezone and enjoying this amazing city.  Toured with the other families who are adopting in our "group" - there are 6 other families.

Went to the Mount Victoria Lookout, Hong Kong Harbor (see picture of us on a boat ride in front of a floating restaurant), Stanley Market...  keeping us occupied while we wait just a little longer.  Tomorrow (Sunday) we take a bus to Guangzhou where we will get Evian on Monday!  Thank you for continuing to pray for us.

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Today's the (travel) Day!

We're all packed and ready to go.  Last night we had a fun family night looking at pictures from trips to China that we were on before we were married.  It was special to pray for Evian together.  We snuggled on the bed in her room and had a crazy tickle party!

We dropped off Elianna & Ember at school this morning.  It's raining outside, but nothing could contain our joy and singing all the way into the school parking lot!

The next post should be from Hong Kong or Guangzhou.

Pronouncing Evian

We've also been asked how to pronounce Evian's name. We realize that our daughter's names are unusual, so rhyming phrases can be helpful. Elianna thought long and hard to come up with the one for Evian.

Elianna ate a Banana

Ember, don't forget, Remember

Evian stayed at the Chevy Inn

Hopefully this will help. Elianna is also hoping that her little sister doesn't grow up and get upset that she came up with this rhyme that sounds like something from the movie "Cars".

Why Adoption?

We've been asked this question quite a few times recently. I will attempt to share "Our Story", although, how we came to adopt Evian truly is "God's Story". Sharing a God-sized story in a short blog post will have to miss many of the details along the way.

So, quick history...1999 Russ & Di started dating, got engaged, got married. During that time, had a couple of conversations about adoption. Basically, Di thought it was a great idea and expressed possibly wanting to adopt someday. Russ didn't share that passion. 2001 Baby #1 - Elianna born. 2003 - Baby #2 - Ember born. 2005 - It's time for Baby #3!

Baby #3 didn't come as easily as #1 and #2. This started a conversation between God and Russ, that even Di didn't know about. Russ started to ask himself and the Lord questions like: "God, adoption is your idea. You adopted me into your family. Why am I unwilling to adopt?" That conversation went on for several months. Then, Russ brought me in on it.

We talked, prayed, and realized that God was leading us to adopt. The Lord made it pretty clear to pursue adopting a baby girl in China. Having been there, we saw firsthand the lack of opportunity for girls especially, due to cultural norms.

God showed us that we had two things to offer - adoption into our family, and the incredible opportunity to be adopted into God's family through a relationship with Jesus. Back to God and Russ's conversation, Ephesians 1 in the Bible says: "Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. What pleasure He took in planning this!"

So, it was December 2005 - we were officially accepted by our adoption agency. April 2006 - our paperwork was officially "logged in" in China. April 2010 - we received Evian's "referral". And now, May 2010 - we're bringing her home! This is God's Story!

Latest Pictures of Evian

These are pictures we received showing Evian at about 6 months old!  

We are continuing to get ready for the trip.  We received our travel visas and have a travel phone call today with our Adoption Agency.  Eight days and counting until we fly out!

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