We're Home

We left our hotel in Guanghou at 5:45 am and went onto catch an 8am flight to Beijing.  From there we had a 2 hour layover, and then flew 13 hours home to NY.  We actually landed almost an hour early, even though we still had to sit on runway traffic.  Fu Bing only slept a total of 2 hours, so this mama did as well. 
What an awesome sight to be welcomed home by my Rich and the kids, as well as by my extended family.  Through it all, Fu Bing sat on the lugguge rack and smiled..and he has the greatest smile :)
I was so impressed that Mazhu brought with him a book that has Chinese words/saying in it.  Of course, his 2nd sentence to me was "what's for dinner?" 
We made it home and it was fun and games for the next few hours.  Just like when Mazhu came home, Fu Bing was outside with the kids playing baseball, soccer, bubbles, etc...all in a short period of time.  Brendan wanted to let him ride one of the boys bikes, but I didn't think that was a great idea, especially considering how little sleep he had.  I suggested a scooter instead, and that was fine. 
The only thing that he is still unsure of is the dogs, and they are not small, and there are 4 of them.  He isn't scared, but they are "scarey"  Taylor carried him that entire rest of the time in the house, but I'm sure that it won't be too long before he is going about like they are not even there.
I was prepared to let him sleep with me, especially b/c of the dogs, but decided to see if he wanted to sleep in his new bed.  Well, after a few minutes of great giggles, Taylor went ot lay down with him, and they were all out cold before 9. 
I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend 9/11.  9 years before, Skylar and I were in the city, only 2 blocks from the towers.  It was  a frightening day for us, our loved ones and for the nation, one that will live with me forever. 

Homeward bound....

Last day in China (well just about) Tomorrow we leave at 5:45 to go to the airport. First a 3 hour flight to Beijing, then a few hours "rest" before getting on our flight to New York. Miss my kids at home like crazy...thank goodness for skype and getting to talk to them almost everyday, but it still isn't the same.


We went out to lunch and had a delicious Chinese meal. After that I took a cab to the electronics market, just to look around, and then came back. Went to buy a bunch of snacks to keep this hungry guy well fed during our long journey home. Packed up, and now am ready to unplug the computre and pack that up, as well. My thanks and love to Michele for getting my emails and pictures up on my blog. Can't wait to see what I wrote..lol.

Talk to you all soon!

Paper work DONE

Had an early breakfast and was going to try to meet Joanne, Dave and Angela for lunch. It was there last day, since they were going to Beijing that afternoon, and then starting their long journey home. We did a little shopping (hadn't really bought anything this trip) and in the store they walk...buying a few last minute gifts :) I love a Gift from China, have since they opened. If I am going to buy something it is the one place I want to spend my money...it goes back for medical care. We met for lunch about an hour later, Angela is such a love, and Joanne and Dave's faces could light up all of Shaiman Island. I am so glad to have gotten to see them, even if only for a little while.


We left them, took a few pictures at the white swan, and then went to one more store when it started to pour. The funny thing to me was that Fu Bing was annoyed and "yelling" at me b/c I was letting him get rained on..hey, it's only water. It did end up taking us almost an hour to get a cab to go back to the hotel once it started to rain. We got back our brown envelope and Fu Bings passport with his visa...yeah, we are truly now ready to come home.

Swearing In and meeting friends

Today we were free in the morning and then we went to the Consulate in the afternoon for our swearing in. We were told that there were 42 children that day place their parents. While we were waiting on line to get in, I spot Joanne, Dave and the beautiful Angela :) Ran over for big hugs, what a delight to get to see them. I sat with them after we got in and got to do some quick catching up. Going to try to meet with them on Thursday, before they leave that afternoon. Too bad, no pictures allowed inside.

It didn't really seem crowded to me, but the officer at the end said they were building a new Consulate, b/c they were outgrowing this one. The "ceremony" was nice, the women had a lot of very nice things to say about the families and children. Even though the I800 process is longer to complete than the I600, Fu Bing will become a US citizen when he steps foot on US soil. Doesn't matter that I traveled alone..finally, something has become right!

Subway Ride--Wednesday

Today we ventured out on the subway again. This time, not so successfully. Spent 2 hours round trip, and never found where we were going (had directions to Shaiman Island, supposed right by the pedestrian bridge) Oh well, did more carrying of Fu Bing as he tires, but it is better than being in the room, as nice as it is. Tomoorw, I will just take a cab :) Hey, the subway is only 75 cents.


This afternoon we have a swearing in at the consulate. Then free on thursday and friday..maybe I will shop, haven't done any yet, except for buying a few cd's...one of which when I played on the computer was ballroom dancing of 2 children..pretty boring.oh well, there was nothing on the picture on the cover to indicate that's what it was, and there were 4 cd's in the set...might as well laugh.

Pearl River Cruise--Tuesday

ecided to take the subway to the toy market...the subway is beautiful here, NYC could learn alot :) The trains come every 4 minutes, signs so easy to negotiate, and announcements and signs in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. The toy market wasn't very good...a combo of Claire's and Dollar tree. Fu Bing was happy, he got a pair of binoculars. It was nice to just walk around, but Fu Bing's leg has been bothering him. I'm sure it's b/c he is not used to walking so much :( The good part is that he is letting me carry him when he gets tired. That and he likes for me to scratch his back...still can't believe how he is doing.


Last night we went with another family on the pearl river cruise, there weren't many people on it, and we did it w/o food. It was still a nice way to spend the night.

GREAT NEWS!

We went back to the medical to have Fu Bing's ppd read. Good news, we are free to go home, w/o anything further...he is right on the cusp of needing treatment, even though things showed clear. I am very grateful.


Monday afernoon we went to the Chen Family Academy...for the 6th time :) It was really the first time I got to "see" some of it, since other times I was busy with a few uncooperative children...lol. We went out for dinner, back to Thai food, and off to the Trustmart, which is about a 10 minute walk from the hotel. It has been nice being able to venture out differently from my other trips.

SAFARI

This morning we set off after breakfast to Safari Park, about a 40 minute ride from our hotel. I mistakenly thought I was told this was a newer park, but found out it has been here for awhile.  I was told by our guide that usually families in the past weren't taken here, unless they adopted from Guangdon Provence, b/c of the time factor, but now with the extra few days, more families are going.  They have an incredible water park, so if anyone is going in the future and have kids that might enjoy it, it might be worth considering.



The kids really enjoyed the safari.  Fubing got to pet a white tiger kitten, feed the elephants, and one of the boys fed the big white tigers (done by throwing the food over the fence into their pen)  The pandas were great to watch, and they were in an inside exhibit while we were there, which was cooled by fans. I'm sure that's why we got to see them a little active.  It was also feeding time during a good part of while we were there, so that was fun to watch, as well. 

It was hot today, first hot day I've had since being in China.  We went back to rest after alot of walking, FuBing did really well, but was very tired at the end.  I don't think he has done this much walking before.

For dinner we ventured back out and went to a Malaysian restaurant...another great meal.

Please say a prayer for us tomorrow, Fu Bing is going to need a chest xray, since his ppd is showing a reaction.

Saturday...Medical Exam

Medical day. Turns out it was only us, since the other family still hadn't arrived. Fu Bing, once again, blew me away with his attitude. Everything was done easily, with a smile, as you will see in some pictures. Even through the 5 shots that he needed to get, he managed a smile when he was done. We took a cab back to the hotel, since the guide needed to go to the airport to get the other family. We would have stayed on the island, but it was raining, so no fun walking around.

I had to unplug one of the phones, since FuBing thinks it is very funny to pick up the receiver, say it is Huai, Fu Bing, and hang up.

We went to dinner at a Thai restaurant across from the hotel, very good and with entertainment :) Tomorrow we head to safari park, which is new since I was here 2 years ago. Enjoy a few pictures of my funny, brave boy.

Friday...arriving to Guangzhou

We had a pretty quiet day. FuBing still has a fever, so we really just hung around, plus it was pouring. We checked out and headed for the airport, where our plane was delayed...definately a pattern for me this trip. I have to say that I got very teary-eyed when we finally were allowed to board the plane. FuBing, not really knowing what was coming next (we did tell him he was going on a plane) was all smiles and thumbs up as he made his way onto the plane. He just has such a great attitude about all that is happening to him. I had been asked the day before if I would mind waiting for another family that was coming in from Jiangxi, an hour after us. Even though we were delayed, so were they. After waiting about 45 minutes, their flight landed somewhere else, and wasn't able to make it Guangzhou that night.

I have to say that the Garden Hotel is beautiful, and the room is huge.

quiet day and finalizing things in Province

Today was a quiet day, fu bing still has a fever. we took a cab to walmart to get batteries for the camera, and then it poured. probably a good thing, we just hung out in the room, wandered the hotel, played some games and ate. no picutres today.

tomorrow we get our paperwork, pack and go to guangzhou in the afternoon.

Day 3

quiet day, we slept in until 8. Well, Fu Bing did, I woke up at 4am and decided to charge my camera batteries. Instead I blew out all the electric in the room! So the first thing we did was to go get help with the electric, took a little bit to get my point across, since the girl at the desk kept trying to make me a new room key :) We went back and we were fixed in about 15 minutes. I was a little nervous to re-use the outlet but other than blowing out my battery charger all is well.


we had breakfast at the restaurant. it is on the 29th floor and revolves, so you have a beautiful view of Hefei. We took a walk to the pedestrian mall, bought a few books and cds and later on went a friendship store and got Fu Bing a pair of sneakers. While we were walking I noticed he was sweating, and it wasn't really that hot. Turns out he has a fever :( He is acting ok, which is good, other than for lunch and dinner he didn't have his usual xtra large portions of food. He is quite a character and he gave me a whole recital of songs and dances...LOVE IT! Tomorrow we have another free day. I am going to take a cab to walmart and try to get batteries for my camera..there is no way I can not be taking pictures. Depending on how Fu Bing feels, we might take a cab after lunch and go to the zoo.

Day 2

We are having another good/busy day. Had a nice breakfast this morning, the restaurant is on the 29th floor, it is a revolving restaurant and overlooks the city of Hefei. After breakfast, we finsihed all our official paperwork. We went to the civil affairs office, where we completed an interview, then the orphanage official came, and then the notary office. We are done with most of the paperwork in the provence. Fu Bing is now our son. I was able to ask a few questions to the orphanage official, and he seemed happy to share with me.


We had lunch in the room, since we only have an hour and then we are going to the orphanage for a visit, and then to the police department to apply for Fu Bing's passport. It is about a 2 hour ride to the orphanage.

We are continuing to do well. Fu Bing loves his new camera (thanks Donna) and we have many pictues of the floors, walls, and occasional people :) No surprise, but Fu Bing eats like all the other Van Nostrand children.

oh, there is one picture that might be hard to see, but i love seeing signs that are "funny" in China. the sign was on the building next to the police dept. It was a business center, but the sign says "pleasure yourself" lol.

Day 1

Made it here safe and sound, but not without more drama. My flight arrived late, I think that it left JFK late (don't laugh, I was sleeping before takeoff) We were supposed to land at 6:30 and didn't touch down until 7:15. I missed my flight to Hefei :(

I was put up in a hotel nearby and issued new tickets for the next day. Wake up was at 4:30 and I was brought to the airport at 5am, for a 8am flight (which also took off late) I was able to call the guide to let her know, and also the coordinator in Beijing, who I had met when adopting Julia. It all worked out, except that Fu Bing was waiting at the civil affairs office, so we went right there, without a gift, his backpack or anything. Talk about all the planning you do for the "big meeting" and then this. I managed to give him a lifesaver that was in my pocket.

Right now, we are in the hotel and things are going pretty well. We went and had noodles for lunch, and we are meeting the guide at 3:30. She will take us to exchange money and then do more paperwork. Tomorrow, we will finish the paperwork and then go to the orphanage in the afternoon.

Fu Bing is TINY! I don't think that most of what I brought will fit, but I did bring safety pins, so that might help his shorts stay up :) Will talk to you later..

At Long Last.....This is what you have been waiting for!!!

We are doing well. The guide said that the children from Huainan are usually well prepared for adoption(even if they don't know what that ultimately means) It seems this is the case with Fu Bing. Whatever the factors that have had the past few days go smoothly, I will take it. After 5 ROUGH transitions with children (which I honestly wouldn't change for the world) it has been a nice change for me. I am still waiting for the honeymoon to be over, and would never assume that things will continue to be this "easy" Fu Bing's personality is coming more alive each day. All reports are that he is very active. He is quite the character!

We are done with all paperwork in the provence. I will get everything on Friday morning and then leave for Guangzhou on Fri. afternoon. Today and tomorrow are free days. We went to the pedestrian mall and walked around and had icecream. There is a delicious noodle shop at the hotel and we have eaten there twice. We have been venturing out and about. Tomorrow I will take a cab and go find the zoo, and I hope that if Fu Bing isn't too tired to walk to the park, which is about a 15 minute walk. Will try to post some picutres.

Meant to Be - Steven Curtis Chapman

One More Day

Wow, like all adoption journeys, no matter how long it takes, the end always feels like "uh-uh, how I'm I going to get this all done"  Tomorrow, I will be headed for China, and I will meet Fu Bing on Monday 8/30th.  I hope that his heart will be open to all the changes he is about to face and that he isn't too scared (although we are a "scary bunch "  I will be back 9/11 and already am missing my kids at home.
For all my friends and family who have loved and supported us, Rich and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

To follow my time in China, click on the Daniel Fu Bing picture, and that should bring you there.  Hopefully, I will be able to post and send a few pictures.

YouTube - Kutless - What Faith Can Do

YouTube - Kutless - What Faith Can Do

What Faith Can Do Lyrics

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
http://www.elyricsworld.com/what_faith_can_do_lyrics_kutless.html
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

how could so much time go by?

Well, my last post was october 09, when i posted about brendan's surgury, and said how i was going to keep this blog as a "family blog" well, obviously, life took over all my good intentions of keeping a joural (especially for my kids) went south.

so now, i have decided to try to back-track, and over the next few weeks at least summarize some of the amazing times of our lives. gotta love having kids, yes, even on the not so wonderful days.