So I'm looking for resources to help with it.
http://smallworldathome.blogspot.com/2009/01/introducing-smallworlds-wordsmithery.html
http://www.anovelwritingsite.com/
http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/
http://www.bravewriter.com/
Monday, July 23, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Reflecting With Fondness
I Want to Be a Clone, by Steve Taylor
I'd gone through so much other stuff
That walking down the aisle was tough
But now I know it's not enough
I want to be a clone
I asked the Lord into my heart
They said that was the way to start
But now you've got to play the part
I want to be a clone
They told me that I'd fall away
Unless I followed what they say
Who needs the Bible anyway?
I want to be a clone
Their language it was new to me
But Christianese got through to me
Now I can speak it fluently
I want to be a clone
Send in the clones
Ah, I kind of wanted to tell my friends and people about it, you know?
What?
You're still a babe
You have to grow
Give it twenty years or so
'Cause if you want to be one of his
Got to act like one of us
So now I see the whole design
My church is an assembly line
The parts are there, I'm feeling fine
I want to be a clone
I've learned enough to stay afloat
But not so much I rock the boat
I'm glad they shoved it down my throat
I want to be a clone
Everybody must get cloned
I'd gone through so much other stuff
That walking down the aisle was tough
But now I know it's not enough
I want to be a clone
I asked the Lord into my heart
They said that was the way to start
But now you've got to play the part
I want to be a clone
Be a clone and kiss conviction goodnight
Cloneliness is next to Godliness, right?
I'm grateful that they show the way
'Cause I could never know the way
To serve him on my own
I want to be a clone
Cloneliness is next to Godliness, right?
I'm grateful that they show the way
'Cause I could never know the way
To serve him on my own
I want to be a clone
They told me that I'd fall away
Unless I followed what they say
Who needs the Bible anyway?
I want to be a clone
Their language it was new to me
But Christianese got through to me
Now I can speak it fluently
I want to be a clone
Be a clone and kiss conviction goodnight
Cloneliness is next to Godliness, right?
I'm grateful that they show the way
'Cause I could never know the way
To serve him on my own
I want to be a clone
Cloneliness is next to Godliness, right?
I'm grateful that they show the way
'Cause I could never know the way
To serve him on my own
I want to be a clone
Send in the clones
Ah, I kind of wanted to tell my friends and people about it, you know?
What?
You're still a babe
You have to grow
Give it twenty years or so
'Cause if you want to be one of his
Got to act like one of us
Be a clone and kiss conviction goodnight
Cloneliness is next to Godliness, right?
I'm grateful that they show the way
'Cause I could never know the way
To serve him on my own
I want to be a clone
Cloneliness is next to Godliness, right?
I'm grateful that they show the way
'Cause I could never know the way
To serve him on my own
I want to be a clone
So now I see the whole design
My church is an assembly line
The parts are there, I'm feeling fine
I want to be a clone
I've learned enough to stay afloat
But not so much I rock the boat
I'm glad they shoved it down my throat
I want to be a clone
Everybody must get cloned
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Adjusting
What a wild ride these past three weeks have been! I feel like we have been going non-stop and all the days really run together. There is one very good thing about that, though - it really feels like Hannah has been part of this family for a very long time!
Our trip to China went very well. My plans to post here were thwarted by many factors - it is harder to get around China's firewall than I thought (my VPN wasn't the best one, but it was the only one that would work with my tablet's OS), we were so busy we fell into bed exhausted at the end of each day with no energy for long posts or e-mails, and we got quite sick (I was lucky enough to get sick twice!). However, even with the sickness, I would say that we could have asked for a better trip. We did not experience any jet lag on our way due to the fact that we flew over business class (yea for AA miles to upgrade our tickets!) and could lay down and sleep. We were also part of the most amazing travel group! I can honestly say that I really liked the 7 other families we were with. We all seemed to get along well, value similar things, and have lots in common! It was fun to be able to watch other kids going through the same process as Hannah, as well. We also had good guides with us. CCAI, our adoption agency, has a great staff in China! They knew exactly what they were doing, were super helpful, and were fun to get to know.
It has been awesome getting to know Hannah. The first two days we had her, she was all charm and smiles - I think she was trying to "win our affections." Little did she know, she had done that long before we even met her. She oozes personality! She is loud, funny, goofy, smiley, stubborn, picky, ticklish, cuddly, and so darn stinkin' cute it is almost too much! She can throw a tantrum with the best of them, but she can also be as sweet as honey, smothering you with kisses. The funny thing is that she goes from one to the other at the drop of a hat! She definitely has not been told "no" very often in her life - and she does *not* like when we tell her "no." That was one of the things about China that I noticed consistently - when a child is not happy, everyone, even perfect strangers, try giving the child this or that to make them happy again! We will have some training to do with Hannah! :)
Once we were done with our two days of touring in Beijing, we went to Zhengzhou, the capital of Hannah's province, and got Hannah the next morning. The day after that, we signed the papers that made Hannah's adoption official! It was decidedly unceremonious, which was a bit disappointing, but like all things Chinese- it was efficient. We had an opportunity to go to Hannah's orphanage, but we decided not to for a couple of reasons, but mostly because by that time, Hannah had started grieving and looking around at all the women we saw doing some "mommy shopping." We didn't want her to think we were taking her back, and we also didn't want her to want to go back! We did hire a tour guide to take us around her home city though, which was nice. We were able to get pictures for her of where she was from, although she was abandoned about an hour's drive outside the city in a very remote location, so we didn't see the exact spot. We have had so many miracles throughout this entire adoption process, but this added another one. Hannah was left in this very remote area where few people would pass by, at one day old. She probably hadn't eaten anything because her cleft was so severe it is doubtful her mom was able to nurse her at all. For all practical purposes, she should have died, but God has plans for this little girl! He had what would be equivalent to a "state trooper" drive by and actually spot her, care enough to stop and get her and take her right to a place where she could be cared for. She has not only survived, but this girl has thrived! Praise God! Also while in Zhengzhou, we had to have many papers notarized, we received Hannah's Chinese passport, and we received the paperwork we needed to get her US visa.
Next we flew to Guangzhou, the city all US adoptions go through. We didn't really have too much official to do there - we were primarily waiting for appointments and paperwork - so we went back to being tourists. Only now, our group was much larger and noisier with 8 new baby/toddler additions! We went to the zoo, out to eat as a group, on a river cruise to see the city at night, shopping, and more. We ordered Papa Johns pizza and ate at McDonald's - which was the only "cheap" fast option for food within walking distance of our hotel. This week culminated with our US Consulate appointment (also very unceremonious) and receiving Hannah's visa and our paperwork packet for her to enter the US.
Surprisingly, leaving China was a little bit sad. Although we missed home and our children, we had grown comfortable with China. We found we actually enjoyed the food, and had adjusted to the culture. We had learned to be assertive and to cross very crowded streets with hundreds of other people on foot, bicycle, and motor scooter. The reality of knowing we were leaving Hannah's birth country and headed back to a family that would never be what it was before was a big reality, too. Having Hannah means that a part of our hearts will always be tied to China because it was there that we received our fourth amazing blessing! I don't fully understand why it was God's plan for us to grow our family out of a painful situation for Hannah and her birth parents, but I love the way that no matter what it looks like from an earthly perspective, God orchestrated her birth and adoption from before the beginning of time, and that is downright amazing. She was meant to be our daughter, and it is obvious!
The flight home was long and frustrating. We flew like normal people (in coach) and had a bulkhead row, which was great for legroom, but horrible because the arm rests didn't lift so we couldn't lay Hannah flat to sleep across us as we had planned. We ran into delays on each of our flights (we flew GZ to Tokyo to DFW), and even were diverted to OK City for an hour due to weather! In all, it took 27 hours to get home. Once we landed we began the maze of customs, baggage claim, and immigration. Our immigration officer was very rude and told us that Hannah was not being admitted as a citizen as we had been told, and we are still straightening all of that out. We were so tired, so this was even more upsetting, and I was in tears by the time we were heading out to greet our family. Then when I saw my boys, the tears really overflowed! I hadn't realized just how much I missed them until I saw them! Hannah took all of this in stride and did amazingly well through it all. She observed her brothers and her grandparents closely while Jerry told her in Mandarin and English who they all were. As we suspected, she HATED her car seat! They don't use them in China, and she has never been restricted while travelling!
These first two days have gone well. She loves her brothers, and they are delighted with her and discovering her "tricks"! They are constantly trying to get her to hug them or make her laugh. Not to say it has all been a bed of roses. The transition home has been hard. Hannah is jet lagged, and grieving, too. This comes out less during the day (she will get sad suddenly and want to snuggle), but really comes out at night. She really does not want to be left alone to sleep at night and is fighting sleep altogether! She has been up half the night or more each night, and we are exhausted. I have read many books on toddler adoption and the transition, and this is so normal, but the longer it goes on the harder it is to cope with it well due to lack of sleep! Please pray that Hannah will feel secure enough in our family and in her room to sleep at night! We all need it.
I have been overwhelmed with how many people have given us encouragement and support through this whole process. It has been an amazing journey, and one I highly recommend!
At the airport - ready to go!
One of Jerry's friends gave us an envelope with a verse for each day, starting with the day we left. It was a great encouragement!
Our trip to China went very well. My plans to post here were thwarted by many factors - it is harder to get around China's firewall than I thought (my VPN wasn't the best one, but it was the only one that would work with my tablet's OS), we were so busy we fell into bed exhausted at the end of each day with no energy for long posts or e-mails, and we got quite sick (I was lucky enough to get sick twice!). However, even with the sickness, I would say that we could have asked for a better trip. We did not experience any jet lag on our way due to the fact that we flew over business class (yea for AA miles to upgrade our tickets!) and could lay down and sleep. We were also part of the most amazing travel group! I can honestly say that I really liked the 7 other families we were with. We all seemed to get along well, value similar things, and have lots in common! It was fun to be able to watch other kids going through the same process as Hannah, as well. We also had good guides with us. CCAI, our adoption agency, has a great staff in China! They knew exactly what they were doing, were super helpful, and were fun to get to know.
Check out all the leg room for international business class!!
Our flight path - close to the North Pole!
Our travel group touring Beijing.
We stood out even more thanks to this flag our guide held everywhere we went! But it was good to not lose the group.
It has been awesome getting to know Hannah. The first two days we had her, she was all charm and smiles - I think she was trying to "win our affections." Little did she know, she had done that long before we even met her. She oozes personality! She is loud, funny, goofy, smiley, stubborn, picky, ticklish, cuddly, and so darn stinkin' cute it is almost too much! She can throw a tantrum with the best of them, but she can also be as sweet as honey, smothering you with kisses. The funny thing is that she goes from one to the other at the drop of a hat! She definitely has not been told "no" very often in her life - and she does *not* like when we tell her "no." That was one of the things about China that I noticed consistently - when a child is not happy, everyone, even perfect strangers, try giving the child this or that to make them happy again! We will have some training to do with Hannah! :)
A silkworm cocoon - touring the silk factory.
We had a great laugh when we found silk GB boxers there!
Group meal at a local restaurant.
Tiananmen Square
At the Forbidden City - the dragon head symbolizes the emperor and the turtle stands for long life, so this statue means, "Long live the emperor!"
Another meal where you don't know what you're eating until it actually comes.
Some food we declined eating...
Climbing the Great Wall
Jerry in front of the Bird's Nest.
Once we were done with our two days of touring in Beijing, we went to Zhengzhou, the capital of Hannah's province, and got Hannah the next morning. The day after that, we signed the papers that made Hannah's adoption official! It was decidedly unceremonious, which was a bit disappointing, but like all things Chinese- it was efficient. We had an opportunity to go to Hannah's orphanage, but we decided not to for a couple of reasons, but mostly because by that time, Hannah had started grieving and looking around at all the women we saw doing some "mommy shopping." We didn't want her to think we were taking her back, and we also didn't want her to want to go back! We did hire a tour guide to take us around her home city though, which was nice. We were able to get pictures for her of where she was from, although she was abandoned about an hour's drive outside the city in a very remote location, so we didn't see the exact spot. We have had so many miracles throughout this entire adoption process, but this added another one. Hannah was left in this very remote area where few people would pass by, at one day old. She probably hadn't eaten anything because her cleft was so severe it is doubtful her mom was able to nurse her at all. For all practical purposes, she should have died, but God has plans for this little girl! He had what would be equivalent to a "state trooper" drive by and actually spot her, care enough to stop and get her and take her right to a place where she could be cared for. She has not only survived, but this girl has thrived! Praise God! Also while in Zhengzhou, we had to have many papers notarized, we received Hannah's Chinese passport, and we received the paperwork we needed to get her US visa.
Right after getting Hannah - she's still not too sure...
Our first smiles!
McD's never tasted so good!
Next we flew to Guangzhou, the city all US adoptions go through. We didn't really have too much official to do there - we were primarily waiting for appointments and paperwork - so we went back to being tourists. Only now, our group was much larger and noisier with 8 new baby/toddler additions! We went to the zoo, out to eat as a group, on a river cruise to see the city at night, shopping, and more. We ordered Papa Johns pizza and ate at McDonald's - which was the only "cheap" fast option for food within walking distance of our hotel. This week culminated with our US Consulate appointment (also very unceremonious) and receiving Hannah's visa and our paperwork packet for her to enter the US.
In Kaifeng City - where Hannah is from.
Kaifeng City
The Iron Pagoda - 1000 years old - the most famous landmark in Kaifeng City.
Surprisingly, leaving China was a little bit sad. Although we missed home and our children, we had grown comfortable with China. We found we actually enjoyed the food, and had adjusted to the culture. We had learned to be assertive and to cross very crowded streets with hundreds of other people on foot, bicycle, and motor scooter. The reality of knowing we were leaving Hannah's birth country and headed back to a family that would never be what it was before was a big reality, too. Having Hannah means that a part of our hearts will always be tied to China because it was there that we received our fourth amazing blessing! I don't fully understand why it was God's plan for us to grow our family out of a painful situation for Hannah and her birth parents, but I love the way that no matter what it looks like from an earthly perspective, God orchestrated her birth and adoption from before the beginning of time, and that is downright amazing. She was meant to be our daughter, and it is obvious!
The 2nd tallest building in the world!
On the river cruise in Guangzhou
The flight home was long and frustrating. We flew like normal people (in coach) and had a bulkhead row, which was great for legroom, but horrible because the arm rests didn't lift so we couldn't lay Hannah flat to sleep across us as we had planned. We ran into delays on each of our flights (we flew GZ to Tokyo to DFW), and even were diverted to OK City for an hour due to weather! In all, it took 27 hours to get home. Once we landed we began the maze of customs, baggage claim, and immigration. Our immigration officer was very rude and told us that Hannah was not being admitted as a citizen as we had been told, and we are still straightening all of that out. We were so tired, so this was even more upsetting, and I was in tears by the time we were heading out to greet our family. Then when I saw my boys, the tears really overflowed! I hadn't realized just how much I missed them until I saw them! Hannah took all of this in stride and did amazingly well through it all. She observed her brothers and her grandparents closely while Jerry told her in Mandarin and English who they all were. As we suspected, she HATED her car seat! They don't use them in China, and she has never been restricted while travelling!
Celebrating the US on July 4!
Our first flight home was in "economy plus" - really nice! Too bad the long one wasn't...
Discovering American food - green peas are a hit!
These first two days have gone well. She loves her brothers, and they are delighted with her and discovering her "tricks"! They are constantly trying to get her to hug them or make her laugh. Not to say it has all been a bed of roses. The transition home has been hard. Hannah is jet lagged, and grieving, too. This comes out less during the day (she will get sad suddenly and want to snuggle), but really comes out at night. She really does not want to be left alone to sleep at night and is fighting sleep altogether! She has been up half the night or more each night, and we are exhausted. I have read many books on toddler adoption and the transition, and this is so normal, but the longer it goes on the harder it is to cope with it well due to lack of sleep! Please pray that Hannah will feel secure enough in our family and in her room to sleep at night! We all need it.
Andrew and Hannah have been great playmates! Drew is loving having someone more his size to play with.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Getting Hannah
I have lots to post about our first days in China, before getting Hannah, but I know that if I post about those first there will be an outcry for more pictures of Hannah... so I will post about out Gotcha Day first, then backtrack to our time in Beijing after that.
We flew to the capital city of Hannah's province with four other families adopting from other orphanages in this same province on Sunday. It was a 1 1/2 hour flight, but because it was raining, we sat on the runway for over an hour before taking off. After getting here we took a bus to our hotel and went to get a noodle dish at a local noodle bar. We also went to the bank to change money - yes, on Sunday! The process was quite different from what we are used to. You have to produce your passport or official government ID and take a number before sitting in a waiting area. When our number was called, we could go to a window with a teller in a cubicle behind glass to do our business. This was not a fast process either!
After we finished at the bank, we walked to the local Wal-Mart to buy diapers, formula, and the food items the orphanages had told us our babies were used to. The Wal-Mart was quite different, too! I will try to get more pictures of it later this week. All of this took us nearly all day, so we stopped at a Pizza Hut that was right next door to order pizza and basically collapsed into bed exhausted as soon as we finished eating!
The next morning, our group went by bus to the local security office to a large room where we waited for our babies to come. Each orphanage drives the babies to this central location . In addition to our five families, there were 3 other families waiting for their children, too. When we got there, one of our families' babies was already there! It is amazing how quickly we have formed tight bonds with the other families in our group, so it was emotional for everyone.
Hannah was next to arrive! I saw her with her nanny walking up to the building, so I waited for her at the door. She had slept on the way there and was still quite out of it! I said hello in Chinese while her nanny was still holding her, then the nanny set her down and we crouched down to talk to her and tell her we were her mama and daddy.
She kept a fairly neutral look, but was studying us quite carefully. She let me touch her arm and then grabbed my finger while we got to know each other.
After just a few minutes she sat on my lap and we looked at the book I had sent her. She actually recognized that we were the people in that book!
Sometime during all of this her nanny gave us a small photo album of her life, a bag of formula, and some antibiotic that she was on for an ear infection. Very quickly she opened up to us and took some snacks from our hands and some water from a bottle we brought. She also really liked playing with the toy phone we brought! (It was actually the exact same one we had sent her on a care package in February.) After about 20 minutes she was giving us some tentative smiles and letting us kiss her - she loves to have her neck kissed and just giggles and giggles! She was happy with us and comfortable right from the beginning, which has to be an answer to prayer. We had to sign guardianship papers to be able to take Hannah home for the night while we were there.
All told, we were there for about 2 hours. On the way back to the hotel, we discovered that Hannah had been taught her name and loved pointing at each of us when we say mama or daddy and at herself when we say Hannah. We also got to hear her amazing giggle for the first time on the bus when I discovered that she is quite ticklish! We took a video of it, which I have been unable to upload it due to a lack of bandwidth, but I'll put it up when we get home.
Once back at the hotel, we played with Hannah and discovered that she is assertive, very happy, loves to imitate and be imitated, and would rather play than nap!
The day could not have gone any better, really. We filled the official adoption papers, and when Hannah's nanny had to come by our hotel to pick up the passport fee she forgot to get from us earlier, Hannah already wouldn't go to her and clung to me instead. Sigh...I think I'm in love. :-)
Picture Post From China
Before J&J got Hannah, they did some sightseeing in Beijing. Here they are about to go on a rickshaw tour.
They visited a houtong. This is Johanna's description: Courtyard in a traditional houtong (the type of
homes Chinese people lived in before modern apartments were available.
Many of the older generations and people outside of the cities still
live in these.) There are 8 rooms around a central courtyard, a shared
kitchen, and community toilets that many houtongs share.
Tienanmen Square.
The fare in China is a wee bit different than in America.
The Great Wall of China. After sightseeing in Beijing, they flew to the province that Hannah was staying in.
When Jerry and Johanna first met Hannah, she (Hannah) grabbed hold of Johanna's finger and held on tight. The workers at the orphanage had been reading the book J&J had send to Hannah long ago and Hannah recognized them. As you can see, Johanna thought that was pretty special. I cried, too, when I saw this picture.
There is nothing better in this world than your daughter (or son) sleeping on your lap. Nothing. Then they grow up. Sniff, sniff.
Hannah likes looking out their hotel window. Look at those delicious, chubby baby thighs.
Hannah taking a nap with Mommy.
Visiting Kaifeng, where Hannah is from.
Hannah gets McDonald's for the first time.
This is the group of people Jerry, Johanna and Hannah are traveling with. They were leaving Zhengzhou and going to Guangzhou.
Since we had Hannah-sleeping and Hannah-sleeping-with-Mommy, I thought it appropriate to add Hannah-sleeping-with-Daddy.
These are the most recent pictures and updates that I have gotten from Johanna. She said they were sick for a bit and had to take medicine that you stir in water and that it tasted nasty, but they are better now. Hannah has been on a bit of an emotional roller coaster, having left everything she has ever known and come into a completely new and different life. Johanna described it as grieving. She'll be happy one minute and miserable the next. But, they were all sick together and Hannah had to turn to them for comfort and that is where the bonding and trusting comes in. They got Hannah's passport and come home in less than a week! I am so excited for them. It's hard for me to not tear up when I'm looking at these pictures.
There are more pictures I could post, but I don't want to overwhelm anyone. If you'd like to see more, leave a comment and I'll make another picture post.
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