Stephanie, an adoptive mom at Ni Hao Y'all - Where East meets South (can I relate to that? YES!!!) is having a 30 day give away to celebrate Thanksgiving; and it has already begun. Go visit her blog. You may even win but will surely glean lots of wisdom. She's a neat lady. See her blog using the button on the right.

Forever Family, Forever Home.

Welcoming two new additions to our family, and to America!

Sorry it took so long to get this post out. We have been WAY busy. Thank you for all the prayers, and love you have showed our family. The flight home was fine, and we all made it safely.


Our first week was very good. Other than HM throwing up in the middle of service, there were no issues. We think he had a stomach virus that was going around in China. He was better by Wednesday. Both boys are very intelligent. They whiz through their school each day, and love doing it. HM is in 2nd-3rd grade and PB is in 5th.

They LOVE the swings and the trampoline. They also enjoy the spa (when it is heated). So far there have been no food issues. They eat what is given to them, though we usually try to give them a few options.

It's monday again, and we are back to school. Me or Mom will try to post again soon.

Day 12

Day 12:

"Thursday

Just got off of skype with Jenna and Malerie, and then with Chelsea. The
technological world is amazing. When we read biographies of people like Hudson
Taylor or Gladys Aylward who moved to China a long time ago, and then we
compare it with today, it’s amazing what we can do like speak face to face with Jenna
and Malerie and Chelsea. Sometimes the families of those early patriarchs didn’t
even know if they had successfully arrived, or didn’t know for a long time. And now
we can instantly message and skype face to face. Incredible.
Began the morning with breakfast. It was the last one here for most of our
team. They will leave at 2:30 for Hong Kong, and then fly out tomorrow. We’ll leave
tomorrow morning. Pictures of the group at 2pm.
Gerald and the boys are up stairs watching the Texas Rangers in their first
game of the World Series. Go Rangers!
Met the B’s for our last lunch at Mickey D’s. They are a sweet couple and have
adopted a darling boy.
Gave our boys their Legos this morning and they worked on them while
Daddy was watching the Rangers lose the first game. They are just finishing up the
second Lego ship; it was a little more difficult than the first.
Had pictures of all the adopted children. Got onto American’s website and
showed the boys our seats on our plane to America.
Everyone has boarded the bus and are off to Hong Kong except us and
another mother and child. Not much longer now.
Legos are a great toy!!! And quite an entertainer for two little boys.
We leave for the airport to fly to Beijing in less than 24 hours; and will be on
our way to America in less than 48 hours. Yeah going home!
It’s now late in the afternoon. The boys have been entertained by the Legos
literally ALL afternoon. I know one good present to purchase for Christmas! Gerald
finished his book while Mommy watched the boys and read through the books we
bought them this afternoon. It really has been a quiet and relaxing afternoon. It’s
the first time we’ve spent any significant amount of time playing in our room.
One more night and then “feiji” (plane) to Beijing.
Watching the world news on the TV. It’s good to see what is going on in the
world.
Becky, our guide, dropped off the boys visas and paperwork. We are set to go.
The guides have been fabulous. Each has her own personality, but all are efficient
and god at their job. The hotel just dropped off a survey. I must tell them how
wonderful Shirley has been up at the pool area. Apparently she is an intern for the
semester. She has been such a blessing to us.

I think we’ll have a quiet evening in our room.
Love y’all,
Thanks for continuing to pray for us."

Day 11

Day 11:

"Wednesday

Woke up and prayed immediately for A. He was about to start his Eagle Scout
interview in Texas. Went to brunch. We are so blessed by a fantastic buffet. Visited
with others on our team. Received a text that we have an Eagle Scout!!!!! Yeah and
what an answer to prayer. A is a such a fine young man. We are so proud.
Went to the zoo with our team. Good zoo. Two pandas were out and active
and walking around their pens. Lots of other animals, too. The boys were
impressed, and told Rosa, our guide, that they had been to a zoo before. We spent
about 3 hours walking around, then bus ride home, and McDonald’s for lunch. I was
starved.
Less than 84 hours till we’ll be home. It doesn’t seem so long to me when it is
broken down into hours.
Experienced our first meltdown from Precious Bundle after lunch. He cried
and cried and didn’t want any loving. Finally and slowly he allowed me to hold him.
He is such a brave young man. This has been a long time waiting to fly to America
and living out of a suitcase, and trying to live with parents that can barely
communicate with him. So we loved on him and encouraged him, then we all went
swimming. The water was very cold, but the sun was shining. The boys swam for
about 25 minutes or so; then we worked out in the weight room.
Next they watched an Ultra Man video while dad and I finished our books.
Don’t know what I’m going to read on the flight home!!!
Now we are in the lobby sending this email and the boys are playing on the
ipod. Sometimes electronic devices are a needed part of parenthood. They call the
ipod, so ji!! And do they ask for it!
Everyone except for one mom and her baby leave tomorrow at 2:30 to go to
Hong Kong. Then they fly home Friday. We leave Friday for Beijing, then fly home
Saturday early. Right now we’ll be home in less than 80 hours!!! Can you tell I am so
ready to be home? This sitting around and waiting to leave is tiring. We could shop,
but the boys get so tired of walking around looking in shops. So we swim and play
fooseball. Praise God for that fooseball table. It has been such a blessing to us. More
in a little while.
Went out to dinner in the little alley outside our hotel. Mama wanted noodles
for dinner. The little woman taking our order spoke halting English. Of course the
boys could order what they wanted – no language problem there. Daddy ordered
joudze and Mama ordered noodles. They were ok. Then we watched a little ESPN
about the Rangers and the World Series. Then met the other families up at the pool/
fooseball area. Everyone is so nice and get along so well.
Now it’s shower and bedtime.
More in the morning. Tomorrow is our last full day here. Then we leave for
the airport at 2pm on Friday. (Most of our team leaves tomorrow at 2:30 for a bus
ride to Hong Kong.)"

Day 10

Day 10:

"Tuesday

Began the day at the buffet. It’s so nice to have everything prepared for us.
I’m not going to want to cook when I get home!!!!
A has his Eagle Scout interview today (Chinese time) tomorrow American
time. Please be praying for him.
Can’t get the internet to send out emails. Can receive them, but can’t send.

We have to wait in our room this morning while our guides submit our
paperwork to the consulate. We have to be available for a phone call to answer
questions if needed. We gave the boys the remote controlled cars this morning, so
they would have something to keep them occupied while we wait.
I’m reading and catching up on these updates. Daddy is reading too, and
fixing the cars when needed.
Waiting on Aunt T to arrive.
This afternoon is the Oath Taking Ceremony at the Consulate. Then we wait
till 4pm on Thursday for their visas. After that we are golden and fly to Beijing on
Friday, and then home on Saturday, early. Can’t wait.
The boys are quite excited about the cars. “Thank you, Thank you”, they said
when we brought them out. They take such delight in life and in the simplest of
pleasures, like swimming in the pool, and the fooseball table. We are having fun
with them.
My stomach and back are feeling poorly, but it doesn’t slow us down.
Please continue to lift us up in prayer.
Met in the lobby at 2 pm for a bus ride to the Consulate for the Oath
Ceremonty. Arrived about 20 minutes early so just visited in the room with other
adoption families from our agency and others. The Administrator talked with us for
about 20 minutes about what function the Consulate performs, then we repeated a
one sentence oath that we had spoken the truth on our forms. Then we were done.
The boys signed their applications and we were off to the hotel again.
Grabbed Teri’s things and walked her about a mile to the metro station. Said
goodby. I miss her already. Then walked to Papa John’s for dinner. It was good; the
butter sauce was different, but I don’t need butter on my pizza!
Visited with our team while the boys played fooseball.
Then it was bedtime. Laid in bed thinking about leaving in 4 days. Well
actually it was in 99 hours. That seems sooner, somehow. Great thought. Miss my
Texas kiddos immensely."

Day 9

Day 9:


"We don’t have internet in our room, so can only skype the kids from the
lobby. Therefore we haven’t had a lot of communication with them, so tonight we
called them. So good to hear their voices and that everything is going well in Texas.

Began the morning at the medical clinic to check the TB test. We passed with
no concerns. Then went walking on the island. Visited the White Swan hotel and had
our picture taken by the waterfall, because we couldn’t find the red couch. But
found it on the way out; liked the waterfall better for pictures.
Rode the bus back to our hotel. Had lunch at McDonald’s with the B’s. They
have a 7 year old boy. Went up to the pool area for a little fooseball. The boys love
it. There is a really sweet young lady that runs the workout room and the pool. She
is super to the boys and encouraging. She lets them on the treadmill and elliptical.
Such blessings continue to flow our way. Daddy and Aunt T went to the Western
Import store while the boys and I played in the pool area.
Dinner again at the Guangzhou Restaurant. New floor and new menus. Had
joudze this time. Lots of veggies in it with shrimp. Lots of other food , too. I love
Chinese.
The boys were full of energy tonight. I had to read between them to get them
to fall asleep.
Talked with the kids on the phone, and C on skype. Miss my other darlings.
Feel so blessed."

Day 8

Day 8:

"Sunday

Woke up to the buffet. Lots of fruit and omelettes. Went to a park with the
whole group. It had rides and a playground, but was really geared towards younger
children. The boys played on the playground for a while, then we rented a boat and
went out on the lake for about 25 minutes.
Upon return, Mommy took a short nap. I’m feeling really feverish and sick to
my stomach, so began taking an antibiotic. Daddy and Aunt T took the boys to
McDonalds. Then T took a nap while Daddy and I took the boys swimming. The
water was COLD, but refreshing. We took the inner tubes this time and they had a
blast. Lots of our team was there, but we were the only ones in the water.
The five of us dined at the Guangzhou Restaurant. Good Chinese food. We
had broccoli, eggplant, greenbeans along with shrimp and chicken.
Walked T to the taxi and then bedtime. Everyone is ready to sleep when the
time arrives.
The boys continue to do well. We haven’t experienced any negative behavior
for the most part. Just typical eight/ten year old boy behavior.
I am feeling better; continue to take antibiotics. Can’t wait to come home. We
have great accommodations, but can’t wait for routine and the comforts of home."

Daddy's BDay

Day 7:

"Today is Daddy’s Birthday!!!! # 47

Started off the day at our fantastic hotel with the breakfast buffet. Lots
of American food like omelettes. Such a treat. Then off to the medical clinic for
shots??? And TB test and such. This was a total fiasco, as far as I was concerned. I’ll
never understand why each boy had to have 4 shots. And the medical exams were a
joke. But grace was given and much needed. This was the most stressful part of the
trip for me; I thought it a money making scheme, not a valid medical examination at
all. But we are through with that.
Returned to the hotel; had lunch with the F’s, then Mrs. F invited me to have a
foot massage on Shamien Island. It was a foot as well as arm and back massage.
Excellently done; an hour of pure leisure. God is good. I really needed it after the
morning’s experience.
Went swimming in the cold pool. Then waited on Aunt T to come visit. She
arrived about 8pm and we went to Pizza Hut for an American meal. I never could
understand why all these Americans ate at American places while in China, but now
realize that without the language, if there aren’t pictures it’s hard to order.
Therefore the need to eat where one understands the menu.
I so love my sister and am so glad she is here. Visited for a while after dinner,
then had birthday cake for Daddy. Fun times."

Day 6

Day 6:

"I am beginning to write this on Friday morning. We leave today on a flight for
Guangzhou, if the typhoon doesn’t cancel our flight. We told the boys this morning
we would be flying out and Handsome Man became quite a bit sad and teary-eyed.
Precious Bundle seemed to be egging him on a little. Really wished we spoke the
language at times. Please continue to pray for their hearts. They have received us so
well, but reality will begin to set in as we distance ourselves from Xi’an and this
province. They really didn’t eat a lot either, which concerned me. It might just be
that they are returning to normal size meals. Prior to this morning, they have
consumed quite a bit.
Let them play with the ipod while we organized everything and packed up.
PB is a little on edge. I guess that’s his mode for dealing with leaving. Pray for
wisdom for us, please, as parents to be able to recognize and meet their needs. This
is a big step for all of us.
Uno cards come in handy for teaching English number and color names. I’m
playing it now with HM.
Walked across the street to KFC to eat lunch.
Met Sherry downstairs at 2 pm to go to the Muslim market. Ran by the
notaries office first, then on to the Market. This is a great big shopping area. We
walked down less than half a street (read 5 minutes of walking) and then the biggest
blessing happened. The boys couldn’t understand why they couldn’t touch or buy
anything. We really were just there to see things. They weren’t taking it well (after
all of 5 minutes) so we asked if we could go to a park. Please remember we are
waiting till 5 to pick up their passports, and really are just trying to use up time.
Well the driver knew of a park nearby. This was the greatest blessing. It had some
rides, like a boat in the water and shooting the animals off of a car/racer. The boys
enjoyed those, then it had a huge play area with lots of climbing items, the type boys
love. We spent about an hour and a half there. It was fantastic then off to pick up
their passports and on to the airport.
Hugs for Sherry; our fantastic guide. Then off to Guangzhou on a plane. The
boys learned “take off” and “landing” in English. They stayed awake the entire ride
and loved eating on the plane. It is such a delight to see them excited about the
simplest of things like airplane food!
Late night, arrived at hotel after midnight. Then bath and bed about 1am.
Have to leave at 9am for the medical clinic.
Not much sleep."

Day 5

First a Note: A Typhoon is headed towards Hong Kong and we are flying to Guangzhou, very close to Hong Kong at 8pm (7am Dallas time). Please be praying it will not affect our flight or the flights of the other people on our team.

Day 5:

"“How do you communicate with your parents?” asked the store clerk in Chinese.
“We just us body language!” answered the boys!!!!!

Having a blast, but beginning to long for home and the established family routine.
And longing to see our other kids.

Today was a free day for us to do whatever we wanted. So we slept in and skyped
the kids in Texas. We had a late breakfast, then took a 2 hour walk around the
neighborhood. Handsome Man tired out after a bit, so we purchased an ice cream
for each of them. The vendor was so sweet. She had two stools next to the wall that
we asked to use. She nodded her head yes, then went and retrieved two more so
we all could sit down. The kindness of people is so genuine, especially since we are
foreigners. Our friends told us there are only about 500 foreigners in a city of 8
million, so they don’t see westerners a lot.

Walked through the Walmart. Not quite like a Texas Walmart. Bought some water
bottles and those instant noodles in a bowl, like Ramen noodles. The boys had a
blast choosing one and then we made them a table back in our room and they had
their feast.
Next was reading time, then a video, then trucks and warriors. They wrestled
with daddy for a long while. Now they are playing with play dough. Such fun. They
are really active!
Precious Bundle is clearly the leader. It is interesting to watch the dynamics
of their interactions. Both are respectful of what we say. They do test the limits,
though, sometimes. Handsome Man is the reader of the two. PB can read, but HM
does most of the reading out loud. He has a sort of singsong voice when reading. It
reminds me of how Creative One used to read aloud when he was about their age. It
makes me miss our Texas darlings.
Walked down the road to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. We are limited in
what we can eat, because we have to have a picture to see to choose. The streets are
alive with people, cars, and buses at the dinner hour. The sweet potato lady was out
along with various other vendors, but the boys didn’t want that fare for dinner. So
we found a Chinese restaurant with pictures. I had mushroom chicken, Gerald
shredded beef and the boys had their favorite: fried chicken. Man I wish we owned
stock in KFC. Even though this wasn’t KFC, it’s here and everywhere, and fried
chicken is a meal in demand.
As we were heading to the mall after dinner to ride the escalators and glass
elevator, there was a man on a soapbox with a microphone giving a speech to the
people. Every once in a while he would throw out something to the crowd. It looked
like toothbrushes or toothpaste. Well the boys wanted to see and when the man
noticed us, he threw Gerald a toothpaste for the boys. Kindnesses continue. I think
he was the Amway man.
Getting stares from all the people has become quite normal for us now. They

wonder why we have two Chinese boys. If/when they see their limb differences, we
get many smiles. Today an elderly silver haired woman noticed us and smiled so
greatly toward us. It really encouraged me.
Rode the elevator/escalators for a long time, then came back to the hotel for a
little Air Bud Volleyball video. They laughed and laughed and laughed at that.
I’m writing this on Friday morning. We leave today on a flight for Guangzhou,
if the typhoon doesn’t cancel our flight. We told the boys this morning we would be
flying out and Handsome Man became quite a bit sad and teary-eyed. Please
continue to pray for their hearts. They have received us so well, but reality will
begin to set in as we distance ourselves from Xi’an and this province.
Thanks for caring and lifting us up in prayer.
Karen"

Day 4

Day 4:

"Dearest Friends,

We are having a blast, enjoying the culture, and loving our newest sons!

China is a wonderful country. Its history is magnificent; they invented so
many things and have such a rich cultural background. Today we visited the Terra
Cotta Warriors on the outskirts of Xi’an. There are 8000 warriors, each with its
own unique face, that were buried by the emperor Qin about 2200 years ago. They
are fabulous to look at and the Chinese consider them to be the eighth wonder of
the world. In addition to the various ranks of soldiers, there are also full size terra
cotta horses that have been unearthed. It is really a unique archeological find, which
occurred when three farmers were attempting to dig a well. Really cool.
The morning began with a stop at a terra cotta factory where they make
warriors and more for tourists to take home. It was a typical government run sales
place, but we actually were able to see and learn about the mud used, a special soil
from the nearby mountains, and how they molded the warriors and how long they
baked in the kiln.
Next we drove over to see the real Terra Cotta Warriors which are displayed
in the three pits where they were discovered. I really can’t do justice in writing to
the magnificence of these Warriors. This was my third time to visit and I still am
amazed. Precious Bundle was the cameraman today and I think he must have taken
250 pictures or more. Both boys asked tons of questions and really checked out the
statues. We purchased each of them a jade warrior, to be put up until they are older,
as a memento from their birth country.
Our translator, Sherry, told the boys the soldiers came alive every night at
dark and really had them wondering. It made me think of Night at the Museum. We
had her explain at the end of the day that they did not come alive so that we don’t
have issues down the road concerning this.
We also had their picture taken where they place it on a soldier, but with the
child’s face. Too cool and such a priceless memory.
I forgot to mention that there is a Mary Kay cosmetic convention going on in
our hotel. Yesterday the four of us were in the elevator around lunchtime when the
doors opened on the convention hall floor. Into the elevator walked a few Mary Kay
consultants, then a few more, and then more and more and then more. 13 Mary Kay
consultants, along with us four, all packed into the elevator. It was crowded, no
doubt, but nobody seemed to mind. It was funny to us, though, because they just
kept coming and coming and coming. After they all left the elevator at the restaurant
floor, Gerald and I looked up to see the “13 maximum occupancy” sign. We took a
picture of that to remind of the onslaught of MK consultants in the elevator!
Lunch at Subway on the grounds of the Warriors. Talk about juxtaposition!
Such rich cultural history and Subway! HM liked his sausage sandwich, PB did not
like his roast beef.
We had to stop at the notary again to check some documents. Gerald and

Sherry went in and the boys and I remained in the van on a busy street with lots of
construction. Two minutes after they left, Handsome Man says, “Bathroom!” (They
are learning some English!!!!!) Well I tell him we’ll have to wait a few minutes.
Then a bit later, “Bathroom!!” It is amazing how much can be communicated
with out speaking. The driver (who speaks no English) tells HM to just go on the
sidewalk by the construction wall. HM looks horrified and shakes his head. Then
the driver tells PB to take his brother 5 feet outside the van door and have him
go behind the car by the construction wall. PB flatly refuses. Well, non-Chinese
speaking me is watching all this transpire, knowing exactly what they were saying.
So after a third, “Bathroom”, I ask, in sign language, if HM wants Mama to go out to
the wall with him. Yes, he shakes his head vigorously. So we stepped out of the van
and he did his business behind the cars. (Teri, I’m so sorry; I know you wouldn’t
be pleased with me, but sometimes you have to do like the Romans!) When Sherry
arrived back, I told her what happened and the driver confirmed all I said. How
much communication can take place without words is truly amazing.
We purchased for 75 cents, some 4-inch Terra Cotta Warriors for the boys to
play with. Upon arriving at the hotel, I put together gifts for our friends, while
Gerald read and the boys shot their warriors with the nerf guns. We are having too,
too much fun!
G found the Hi Fly Pizza on the Internet and planned our little walking route.
Thank you, dad! It is just about a mile straight down our street. So we walked there
to meet the Vidlers and Martins for dinner. The Vidlers were the Bring Me Hope
Camp directors; the camp where we met the boys. The Martins I had briefly met at
camp, but their daughter was a part of the camp. She, little darling, is turning eight
next week, and she was in the same orphanage as our boys, and was best friends
with HM for many years till she was fostered by the Martins and then adopted by
them. We enjoyed some great conversation, pizza and playtime. Keeping in touch
with both these families will definitely be a priority.
The walk down was a bit tiring for HM, so we thought we’d take a taxi back to
the hotel. But the night was cool and the boys were full of pizza and energy, so we
walked. I so enjoy being in the city and able to walk everywhere and everyone liked
seeing the nightlife. All kinds of vendors with their wares spread out on a blanket, or
selling all kinds of food. Gerald commented on one vendor selling chicken on a stick.
It’s not all chicken, Karen. Well sure enough, there were all kinds of various types of
fowl, meat, and seafood. Interesting!
More play with the nerf guns and warriors, time reading a book Helen gave
the boys, and then showers, Bible reading and bed.
We are sleeping in this morning, though I have been up since before five.
Another adventure awaits us.
Karen"

Day 3

Day 3:

"Dearest Friends,

Gerald and I woke up at two fifteen with Shuai Shuai in bed with us. How
tender. They really appear to love us!
Today we woke them up with another toy: a nerf gun!!!! Oh my goodness,
that was a thriller. We almost missed breakfast since we were having too much fun
playing. (We didn’t want to give them all the things we had brought the first day. It
would set a precedence that wouldn’t continue and we didn’t want it to seem like
Christmas.) So we’ve slowly given them things and today it was the nerf gun. Such
fun!!!
Went to breakfast and ate a bunch. The yogurt here is watery and goes
perfect as a sauce on a bowl of fruit.
Came back to the room for a little ammo fight! Mommy rearranged clothes as
they played. The size 8’s fit Precious Bundle and the size 10’s and 12’s fit no one, yet.
So we are going to need to go shopping for our little one, Handsome Man.
Worked on the computer for a little bit while the boys played on the ipod.
And we skyped our kids in Texas to say hi and welcome home.
God is Great!!!! Life is good!!!! And people are wonderful!
Off to play outside.
Walked to and through the vegetable/fruit market, which also houses meat
and fish. I think that is so cool. Took lots of pictures. Then we walked by and took
pictures of the hotel where we first met the boys at a Bring Me Hope camp. They
remembered it. Next it was lunch at McDonalds (not Karen’s favorite), and then off
to the city wall. Xi’an is the only city they say, that has an intact complete wall
around the city. We couldn’t’ do the bikes because Handsome Man probably couldn’t
hold on, so we took a 7 person golf cart around. Lots of fun and pictures and time
visiting with our guide. She asked them if they were learning any English words and
they said, “No, we just play all the time.” Wait till I pull out those math pages!!
Back to the hotel for a little ipod time and then dinner in the hotel. Finally we
visited the pool. Mommy has to stand on tip toe to hold Handsome Man. Both HM
and Precious Bundle loved the water and tried like fish to swim. Big sis will have to
teach them quickly. We worked on kicking our legs and blowing bubbles in the
water.
Everyone is exhausted and I believe the boys just fell asleep in less than five
minutes. Well, maybe not, I hear some movement.
Tomorrow is the Terra-Cotta Warriors and dinner with the Vidlers and
Martins. Can’t wait.
Love y’all,
Gerald and Karen"

Some pics from the consulate appointment, and hotel:

Forever Day!

Day 2:

"Dearest Friends,

I forgot to mention yesterday that Precious Bundle’s nick name
means “Cherished by Heaven” and/or “Protected by God.” We KNOW both are true!

Day 2. The boys slept well, Gerald and I were up from 1:30 or so. But when
we all awoke, we went to the Lobby for a super fine breakfast. This hotel is really
nice; the mattresses aren’t hard!! And the smorgasbord at breakfast has a great
blend of Chinese and Western food and lots of fruit and vegetables.
We met Sherry at 8:40 to exchange gobs of money into Chinese currency. The
sooner we turned over that money, the better I felt. It was weird carrying a lot of
cash like that. But now it’s in the hands of the Chinese officials.
Next we went back to Civil Affairs for our interview, which proceeded
smoothly. I was impressed by the Assistant that asked us the questions. As she
repeated each question, she would look G and I in the eyes. Then Sherry would
translate. It was a really personal experience. Then the notary had us fill out a bit
more paperwork and then we were finished with that portion.
So we came back to the hotel and took the boys across the street to the mall
for lunch. My two darling eight year olds LOVE the elevators and escalators. We
rode them a few times, then went to good old American KFC for lunch. Man can
those two put away food. I asked Gerald if I could have an increase in my grocery
budget!!! Then we went to Walmart to find the boys a wallet and get some water
bottles. Didn’t find the wallets, so we’ll have to look elsewhere for those.
Next stop: the Police Station. When we arrived, the other family adopting
also arrived. They are from Spain and didn’t speak any English, but we were able to
communicate a bit and congratulate each other. Our children played well together,
both days. They were adopting a 2 or so year old boy, but had brought their 6 or so
year old daughter, and they have one more son at home. It was rather encouraging
to follow all the steps together with another family. Our boys took this opportunity
to have their picture made for their passports, and then they raced their trucks in
and out the sliding doors. Typical eight year old boys. After about a half an hour,
Precious Bundle and Handsome Man were officially Olivers, by Chinese rules. (We
still have the US Embassy to visit next week for more paperwork and finalization by
the US). We had our red books and all is well in China. Forever Day is completed 10-
18-2010.
Came back to the hotel and gave our boys their first gift as an Oliver: a
flashlight. Well, that called for pulling the blinds and turning off the lights and
having a couple of hours of making animals on the wall, and playing light sabers.
The perfect gift.
We also checked out the pool for later on and headed across the street to do
some walking, riding in the glass elevator (too cool) and escalator riding!!!!!!, and
eating noodles at a Chinese restaurant. You should have seen us ordering, since they
didn’t speak English and we didn’t speak Chinese. But a fine meal was had by all. PB

loves joudze, just like his mama.
Looked again for wallets in the mall, but to no avail. We want to put an
identity card in it, with a little bit of their own money. We’ll look again today.
After returning and showering we had a wild flashlight time, for it was really
dark now. Then reading time. They sit so well and read the pics. English words are
developing each and every hour! Yeah.
We are so appreciative to the Nanny and staff at the orphanage. Our boys
have been so well prepared. They asked the guide today what was the game plan for
each day, and when they would get to go to America. She made them picture albums
and gave us a snack bag and clothing and shoes. And they prepared them with some
English vocabulary. They can count to 10 and say the alphabet amongst other
things. The orphanage staff has been more than wonderful. We gave them gifts, but
we owe them so much more and are hearts are incredibly thankful for such a warm
and loving group of people.

In the back of one of the albums was this poem. It is so appropriate. (Disclaimer:
This is a tear jerker!)

Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.

Two different lives shaped to make yours one,
One became your guiding star; the other became your sun.

The first gave you life; the second taught you how to live it.
The first gave you a need for love;
The second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name.
One gave you the seed of talent; the other gave you an aim.

One gave you up; it was all that she could do.
The other prayed for a child and was led straight to you.

And now you ask me through your tears,
The age-old question through the years,

Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?
Neither my darlings, just two different kinds of love.

We marvel at God’s goodness to us. These boys are such a blessing and so typical

eight!! They love to explore and take apart everything, and everyday items are so
exciting to them like riding the glass elevator!!!
Thanks for all your prayers. Please continue to lift us up. Love y’all,
Gerald and Karen"