Mark Writing:
I miss my Kids !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and here's the rest of the update for today.
You have all heard of Amy's wonderful transition into our family thus far but our story is not typical. Amy was not in foster care and was programmed by the orphanage over the years, I think literally, that a mama and babba were coming for her. At six we really feel she knew we were coming and was waiting for us, wondering when we would arrive. For younger children in foster care, it seems to be much harder. We met one family in the airport yesterday with a toddler who cried for 5 days straight while awake. The parents only relief was that the child would sleep through the night. Anyone in that situation would have reason to be an emotional wreck. They were and the baby as well. It was getting better yesterday but my heart just ached for them. Pray that all the kids and parents of these adopted ones that these difficult transitions will pass quickly. No doubt all these kids will be better off in the US. Pray also for the foster families who have cared for these kids as their hearts ache as well.
Amy (chi chia) as she was called, continues to do well. I am trying to get her to teach me Chinese. I so wish I could understand what she says. She continues to speak to us in Chinese and regardless of how clueless we are, amazingly it doesn't lead to tantrums etc. We have been learning words from our guides and even Amy has helped with pronunciation. Often we will try to communicate and she doesn't get it and literally tilts her head and does the hand motions for "I don't know" . I am convinced that after these episodes of communication breakdown she says "you big funny white Guy" in Chinese.
She really does loves to color and is also using water color paints that Teri threw in her suitcase at the last minute. Teri must have been divinely inspired in the way of packing activites for Amy. I am sure that all 64 of the 64 pack of colored pencils from Jack's desk has been used repeatedly.
I am beginning to worry that our Five Star Filly, ie. Amy, staying at 5 star hotels, will have issues once back in Spokane. I haven't laid an eyes on a cow, chicken (except for their feet in the buffet line that our dear daughter can't pass up), dog or cat and not seen a single bale to buck. The breakfast buffets are huge in size and selection unlike the choice between oatmeal or grapenuts that she'll find at Highline Ranch. Of course, she might get lucky and get to have huckleberry pancakes at the Zieglers or crepes at Aunt Krisi's.
Thank goodness for five star western toilets. This kid has more leaks than all of my farm hoses combined. We think she either has prostate issues or diabetes. We feel better now that we have talked to another family here (the Sharun's - a family that we knew from our church in Baltimore, MD and haven't seen for 15 years) that found us at breakfast and told us their 5 year old girl has prostate issues or diabetes as well! Tee Hee. Anyway - back to that little aside - yes, we totally unexpectedly ran into friends of ours from 15 years ago and they homeschool 13 and an 8 year old boys in MD and have just adopted this 5 year old girl! That was amazing - we will be attending church with them tomorrow morning (yes, a Christian church - here) and had fun catching up with them at the pool today.
What's a guy need to do to get a pot of tea in China?? I don't know but we sure have tried. We've decided you only get one with a guide. Having had our fill of fried leek cakes, fried yuba, dim son, fried rice, fried noodles, fried pumpkin, fried eggs, fried bok choy, deep fried gluten balls, fried chicken feet, steamed buns, beef balls and somehow - fried soup, we are going to find some western food tonight.
Over and Out,
Mark
P.S. as I write - Teri is giddy as she watches Amy fold every piece of her clothing and organizes her dresser drawer. Watch out Lucy! or better yet - lucky you - she'll be cleaning your room for you!
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We wouldn't want Mark to have a complex about no comments on his blog entry, so here goes! I think it's amazing how well Amy has transitioned so far. Our son who was in foster care in Wuhan, grieved terribly for his foster mama. It almost broke our hearts. He would stand on a chair at the White Rose hotel, looking out the window, and crying, "Mama! Mama!" When we would return to the hotel after being out and about, he would cry and refuse to go in at first, because he knew he wouldn't find his mama there. After a few days, it got better, but it did tell me how much he loved her, and I was thankful for the good care he had received. Even though Amy wasn't in foster care, it was obvious that Dr. Chen was very fond of her. I wonder if he feels kind of like a grieving foster dad? It's so great that he prepared her so well for her forever family.
I had to laugh when I read about Amy folding her laundry and putting it away. When we met her in the orphanage play area, she was picking up the balls that the other kids were throwing out of the ball pit and putting them back in. Dr. Chen said she was a big helper and very neat and tidy. My husband laughed and said, "We need to adopt her! Maybe she can teach our kids a few things!" Too funny.
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