Thanksgiving "plans"

This year, Thanksgiving did not go at all as I planned.... It reminded me so much of the quote I hear on TV lately, about if you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans!

After recovering, or so I thought I was, from our visa ordeals in China I was planning on and very ready to post a long list of the things we are immensely grateful for and put up photos of my sweeties enjoying their Thanksgiving dinner. This trip really helped me put my values in place and remember what the most important things are and how lucky we are to have been able to come home on time..

I had felt lousy on Saturday, when we got to Beijing and had a sore throat and fever while coming home. I just attributed it to exhaustion and a cold or mild virus. I had lost my appetite completely and just attributed that to the exhaustion as well. I made it through a day at work on Tuesday and was really feeling jet lagged and under the weather, but I thought that was , again, just exhaustion. Wednesday evening, my mouth began to burn like I had just drunk sulphuric acid and burned off all the skin.... I then broke out in all kinds of blisters in my mouth and my gums started bleeding. I panicked and ran to the doctor. I had not eaten or drank much since Saturday and was also dehydrated.... Evidently the mouth sores Andy has on occasion are part of this virus I was not able to prevent myself from catching and because of all the stress I had been in, it hit me with the force of a tidal wave....

So the past few days, I have spent in bed sick, while my oldest daughter has really helped me care for my little ones. She has been amazing help! Sadly it also let me see how much she has grown up..... It is good, but sad for a mommie to see happen. She was my little baby just "yesterday".... Sera YangYang has been such a trooper and has been happy and playing with her siblings without any problems. She is so precious!!! My family and friends have all helped us out and my kids ate Thanksgiving dinner at at friend's home. My dad cooked my turkey and packaged it for the freezer and we will enjoy Thanksgiving dinner often in the upcoming month. I may not eat it too soon though, because these things are showing no signs of going away quickly... UGGH... At least I will be thinner for Christmas!!!

So... I must rewrite my list to the effect that I am even more extremely grateful for my health, which I usually enjoy, the health of my family, the love of my friends and family and the three best kiddos a mom could ever dream of having!! Originally I had planned to write almost the same things along with being very happy to have Visa's and never having needed to visit our very clean, efficient and orderly American Police station for anything other than my clearances AND even more importantly, for the many opportunities we have had to get to know so many WONDERFUL people this past month!

I guess my list truly is essentially the same, but with yet even more added appreciation. 'Odd how difficult circumstances make you see things even more clearly!!

And I thought on Monday that I could not be MORE grateful for what I have! HA!! I am no longer telling him my plans!! I will just do what he leads me to do and hopefully stop being a source of amusement.... :-)

Uh Oh........... did I just say what I "planned" to do!!!!!?

Home SWEET HOME!!

Wow, those words have never been more strongly and deeply felt in my heart!! It was so wonderful to get home and have familiar sounds and sights! It was so wonderful to no longer breathe that China air that had burned our nostrils and throats for the last two weeks! I honestly understand why people there often wear masks and have so many upper respiratory difficulties!! It would be torture not having clean air to breathe and needing to breathe that daily! Initially I did not feel to bothered by it, but as time went on it worsened and I craved fresh air. Inhaling a deep breath of the KC fresh air, where it had recently been raining was truly pure HEAVEN!! Even for badly infected sinuses!

Our flights are over!!! The longer one from Beijing to Newark was long, but Sera did sleep most of the way and was pretty OK with it all. The plane was big enough that we could stand up and walk around and the flight attendants kept her in good supply of snacks and juices. Security in Beijing was even OK. They actually assisted us getting on the plane! Every other China flight, we have been on our own and pushing through the crowds to get to our space without any help whatsoever.

When we got to Newark, Sera's paperwork went smoothly! We didn't even have to go to that big waiting room like we did last time and it was simply done while in the passport line. She is now a US citizen! No fanfare or hoopla, but still a US citizen. Until this trip, that has never meant quite as much to me. It was just something I took for granted. NEVER again! We have so many blessings here that we never even think about and often even grumble about! Yep... I can truly say that I was a "stupid American" and did not fully respect all that I have.... Maybe that is why all of this happened..... I will never know fully, but it certainly has opened my eyes and mind and made my heart EXTREMELY grateful!

Oh, I should mention that traveling with a temporary passport is "fun". NOT!! You are truly scrutinized at every checkpoint! I was exhausted when the new photo was taken and just as exhausted or more so going through security so it was pretty obvious that I was the tired and rally was the same loopy lady in the photo....but they really had to make sure and triple check!

Also, if you have ever had a passport issue, you will be physically searched at every checkpoint possible. Not fun when you have 3 backpacks, a screaming toddler, a stroller and a tried 9 yr old who does not understand that it is just precautionary and is afraid we would have to go sit in another police station!!! US security is thorough... very thorough.... I know it is a good thing, but I do not want to fly again!!

Sera was really put out with flying in a tiny airplane from Newark to KC. The plane was delayed and she was just fine settling in at the airport and was very indignant when I uprooted her AGAIN to get on another plane. She could not get comfortable in the seat and was kicking and screaming most of the way, while intermittently hitting at me, the stewardess and Aubri. She wanted the magazine and then would throw it and then want it again... Over and over... She was so tired and just wanted to go to bed somewhere, but not in that SEAT! There were two ladies on the plane who give seminars on adoption, the titles of their presentations are something like , Matters of the Heart and Because they Waited. I was handed a complimentary set of their DVD's and training manuals when we disembarked. They wrote on a business card that they knew just how challenging adopting an older child can be and wanted to support me. I was so sure at that point that everyone on the plane hated us.... Sera was so LOUD! I will look at them later, but haven't had time or energy today. Once again.. we were in the right place and connected with people who can help. that has happened so many times this trip that it just cannot be pure coincidence.

I truly believe that this little girl has and will continue to have a positive effect on many people throughout her life... Sera has many, many true living "angels" who have helped her come home in many different ways..... It is absolutely overwhelming to think of how many people are interested in her and have helped her. I am immeasurably grateful to all of you!!!!!

Deb and Rae were there waiting to pick us up. I was so happy to see them!! it was 1am! We discovered that one of my suitcases had broken, but the belts kept everything in, so all was well. I reported it and then was so HAPPY to leave!!!!

We started on home and I was starting to relax and finally believe we were headed home when an 8 pt buck jumped from the median and crashed into the truck on the left side. It caved in the door where Sera was sitting!! I could see it from the window as it hit. It was HUGE! Miraculously, it did not injure anyone and the truck was drivable! Sera was FINE!! She had big wide eyes and I am sure she wondered about US traffic at that point, but she didn't even whimper! Not good luck to have been hit,,,, but it came out much better than it could have.

We finally got home and fell into bed at 4 am. We slept until 1pm and then got up and went to school to see my Andy!! I was so happy to see him!! He has been such a good boy while I have been gone! I am so proud of him! We also went to the classroom and saw all the kids. It was really nice! I did get a phone call while there that I thought surely was a joke, from my consulting teacher about a potential new student. I found out it wasn't, but amazingly, after all of this, a new student and problem solving to find space, allocate time etc.. is nothing in comparison!! There is never a dull moment around here, but I am so glad that the moments are familiar and I know what to do to cope!!! NO Chinese police!!! Sera latched right on to Arina and was very happy to have someone to speak Chinese to her! Having Arina there, she was fine with all the faces popping in the room to take a peek at her. She also really latched on to Andy and seeing him with us really has appeared to help her. She even gave me a KISS tonight at Walmart after seeing Andy give me one!!

I wanted to get my driver's license renewed today but they aren't open on Mondays.... So the kids have dental appts tomorrow afternoon and I must get that license renewed!! ASAP! I do not want a ticket! I am going to work and Grandpa is taking the little people to the dentist. I am just a block away to help, if there is a problem ;-)

We came home, ate burritos for dinner and the kids took a bath and went to bed!! Everyone is sleeping peacefully right now and I am off to bed again myself. I will upload a few photos in the am if I can. I am too tired to walk out to try to find the cords right now :-)

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Last days in China!

I love the parks in China, even if we had a major disaster in one of them! So does Aubri. The Chinese people really do use them and appreciate them. They have beautiful parks and they are truly places to be enjoyed. We took these few photos in the park in Guangzhou. I will try to upload more, but cannot access the blog right now. Yes, that little one is learning to be potty trained, Chinese style! We saw this often and I just had to grab a shot to share! The mom didn't mind! She was very nice!

We are in Beijing getting ready to leave for HOME today!! Our wonderful guide Christina took us to a mall yesterday, after we arrived here so that Aubri could shop for the video game she was wanting, and had been saving her money for. Malls in China are so different than what we enjoy at home!! I was bumped and pushed so many times that there was no way to count! Too many people, not enough space!! I like to barter so I did enjoy walking away from the people screaming lower and lower prices for things I never intended to buy in the first place :-) It was cheap entertainment! I also picked Aubri up a pair of jeans, dirt cheap, which are much like jeans her beloved Maggie wears. I did not take my camera and I really wish I had . Most especially to capture the look on Aubri's face when she needed to try the jeans on behind a piece of cloth held by the salesgirls!!

We saw Maggie in the evening and she took Aubri out to dinner. A special dinner just for her. We truly do love Maggie. She and Christina and XiXi from our last trip have made the less pleasant parts of our journeys so much nicer. They truly are good people.

I was not feeling well last night. I think the exhaustion from this trip and the adrenaline needed to keep me going has run out. I am better this morning after a good nights sleep and started taking the antibiotic I brought. I will keep it up and hopefully be able to sleep some on the plane. Sera is good while riding, just not so happy when we board and disembark. She is a terror then... slapping at me the entire time! Oh, the stories we will have for her as she gets older ! :-) It scares her immensely not knowing where we are going.....

Sera YangYang is loving having Christina again. She truly does love her, since she did not care too much for the guides in GZ. She liked them, but she is very attached to Christina. It may just be that Christina has been with her more, but she has been so kind to her and helped her immensely with all the confusion. I believe Christina will be Sera's "Maggie" figure and a very good part of our memories in China.

I will try to upload a few more photos, but my next post on how Sera is doing will be from HOME!! I am so relieved to be able to say that!!!

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Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

Wonderfully LAZY day!!!

Today we slept in until after 8 am!!! Or at least the kids did :-)

Sera decided this morning to drop her WaWa, or doll into the toilet and flush it.... I saved it and tried to boil it., but could not let her have it back. She was very unhappy, but finally settled for carrying her pink blanket around with her. I think she was trying to wash it? Or ? Who knows, but her little mind was turning! We now know the bathroom doors must stay closed at home!

We then had a leisurely breakfast down at the buffet and started to wander the island. We just walked and walked and enjoyed the park, the sculptures and the sights of the streets here on Shamian Island. It is a very European section and feels much like home, or at least much more so that the provinces we have been in. Beijing, Shamian and Shanghai seemed to be so much more familar modern and current.... The other places felt like a totally different world....

Aubri found a dragon puppet which she bought with the money sha had brought. She was so pleased with her purchase!! I have to admit that I think she made a very good choice. She loves puppets of any kind, most especially ones she can use for ventriloquism. This one has strings, but is very cool, none the less.

We window shopped mostly, thanks to the costs of our visas home. I did buy Sera a pair of shoes with little squeakers in the heels. She needed a pair that fit and these are adorable. She loves the sound she makes when she walks. I was hoping that this would to help motivate her to move around more. She prefers to just sit and not walk around too much. Her little buddah belly is proof of that! I was so pleased with my purchase, until Aubri asked me what Bella, our female standard poodle who loves squeaky toys, is going to do with Sera's shoes!! Oh NO!! I think these will have to be for when she is out and about and NOT for walking around the house! I can just see Bella trying to eat Sera's little feet!! NOT a good idea Mom..... Oh well!

I wanted to go into GZ to shop for just a few little things some people had asked me to get and just look around, but the guides were busy with the consulate paperwork and I was not brave enough to go out alone. I want to go home safely ,,,,,, I am a bit paranoid now, unfortunately. I will try to find what they want in Beijing when I have a guide with me who knows where to go and how to converse with the store owners. I am ok with using the calculator to barter, but am not OK being in a crowd with Sera and Aubri together. We attract a huge crowd. Some stare and touch Aubri wth curiosity and smiles, while others are curious about Sera. Then others are just plain nasty and very rude about staring at Sera......

So... we enjoyed the park here on Shamian Island quite a bit.

We had lunch at Lucy's and Aubri was thrilled to get a milk shake and grilled cheese sandwich! They even cut off the crusts!! Sera also liked hers!!

We came back to the room and took a good nap and then went to dinner with the other IAAP families. For some reason Sera refused to eat!! She sat and almost cried and started wildly rocking in her stroller. She would not get out of it to sit in a high chair. The guide came over at the end of the meal and convinced her to eat some. She perked up, but did not insist that the guide stay with her!

After dinner we walked to Starbucks with the Strakas. All the girls LOVED the chocolate Fappicinos! Sera included! Noelle sucked hers right down and did not let go of the cup until it was gone even though it made her little hands COLD! Sera loved having me use the straw to drop some in her mouth. She giggled and laughed more for me than she ever has!! It was a true blessing!! We will be going back there tomorrow. Starbucks truly worked it's magic!! We also found a bearista toy there which Sera latched onto as a WaWa! It was very soft, like her doll and was a black penguin bear!! I much prefer the black to the light pink which turns gray in this air!

After Starbucks, Aubri wanted to go back to the playground so she played on the exercise equipment and Sera YangYang just laughed and laughed at her!

We came back to the room and the girls took a bath. Bath time is generally one of the best times of the day and Sera usually undresses eagerly. Not tonight.... We discovered that Sera's crying and discomfort at the restaurant was because she had pooped her pants and she was very upset as I cleaned her up. She has not had an accident before this and has pointed to let me know that she needed to go.... I guess with all the chaos there she couldn't or I did n't see it. Poor baby, no wonder she was upset! The tub soon cheered her up!

Aubri is in bed with her now and just told me that Sera gave her a kiss!!

Life is good and we will be HOME soon!!!

Taiyuan to Guangzhou

Well, I am behind on posting. Sorry! I know that I really want to try to write it all when it happens so that I can remember... but maybe lately I haven't been wanting to remember ?

In any case we woke early on the 13th and started making some calls to find out about wheter or not the mapers we had were going to wrk to get us to GZ. When I called the consulate, of course they said that the papers needed photo ID! Duh..... I hate it when my kids say that but it this case there is no better response....

So, I had to call poor Christina once more, she did not get to sleep in at all..... We had to go back to the public Securities bureau in Taiyuan to get photos affixed to our temporary visa. This visa would only allow us to travel within China though.....

We hurrind back and checked out of the hotel to go to the airport. The fog from Shenyang and Changchun seemed to have followed us. Thankfully, our plane was just slightly delayed and we flew to GZ without too much difficulty. Sera happily munchied on her favorite suasage while we ascended and seemed to have no problems with flying. She slept most of the way. She did attract a lot of attention when she would intermittently rock herself in the seat.... I so hope this will diminish in time. She rocks herself so hard!

Getting off the plane in China stinks!! They just push and push and shove... It doesn't matter how little you are! We ended up waiting to be the last off the plane because Sera was walking. One man literally tripped over her!! Another family took their crying child to the bathroom and the older women just pushed and shoved in front of them. No regard to personal space or apparent respect for others..... It is very difficult for those of us from the American culture, where we are taught in kindergarten, to stay in line and respect personal space, to cope with this. I know that it is just a cultural difference and is not intended the way I have perceived it lately, but exhaustion has not put me in the best and most open frame of mind....

Our guide met us and explained the next day's activity. Mine of course was much different, due to needing to go to the consulate and get a new visa to be able to leave China. She ordered Papa John's pizza for us which was delivered as we dropped the Straka family off at the White Swan. It was heavenly! Sera loves pizza. She loved it immediately! I was kind of hoping there would be something she would need to adjust to in the food category, like Andy did when he refused to eat any cheese, but she was thrilled with it! I now have 3 pizza loving kids!! We will be making lots of homemade pizza at our house!

We rusehd to take visa photos before checking into the hotel to have them ready for the next day's activites....

It was so nice to see familiar faces as we checked into our room. It was supposed to have been a different room, and the room we have is smaller, but at this point I am complaint free for this piece. As long as we have a place to lie down and sleep and it is clean.... who cares how big the room is!! Barb Pentecost and her adorable little Joshua and niece Caitlin stopped in to see us and it was so good to hold a happy baby!! Little Joshua is just so precious! He really renewed my spirit, since my new little one truly despises my every touch. I know it will improve and I love her dearly, but little Joshua was definitely good medicine for me!

Wednesday morning we met out new guide, Judy, in the lobby at 7:40 and hurried to the business center to print some forms, off to do Sera's medical ( which went very smothly and she actually did not get upset at the Dr's at all..... just at me :-) ), and then off to the consulate. The lady I had talked to yesterday had all the forms ready for me and I had new passports in 30 minutes!!! So much more efficient!!! Then we had to go to the Publc Securities Bureau of Guangzhou. NOT so efficient....... We were told that they would not expedite and issue a visa by the time I flew out! they were going to lunch at 12 and would not even discuss it. My poor guide's face was quite blank and worried as we walked out, while Sera screamed and hit at me down 5 floors of escalators.... I got to the hotel and started making calls. The same lady at the consulate spoke to me and said that she would call and see what could be done. She called back several times asking questions about the tickets and told me what to show them. When we went back and the guide told the officer that the consulate had told me that they could do this and had spoken with someone there, the officer got very angry! He siad that was IMPOSSIBLE!! They do not have staff to waste time talking to the US consulate! BUT.... they did agree to do it! They charged me an arm and a leg though! Almost 2 times what it cost for the original one entry visa and I just wanted a zero entry visa to be able to leave the country!!!

So I came back to the hotel and sat in shock for a while, then decided we needed to eat. We went with Barb and her crew to the Cow and Bridge and had noodles and some egg dish, which Sera loved. We then went walking a bit and I bought Sera a pair of squeaky shoes for less than 3 US dollars. She LOVED them!! hopefully it will help motivate her to walk more and improve her strength. She has such a toddler walk!

We came back and the girls took baths and I took a shower and we fell into bed. Sera was happier and even snuggled with Aubri. Maybe my day will come!! Today we will have the day to just explore a bit. I hadn't taken many photos the past few days and wil try to see some things today. The street market will be interesting, hopefully. Don't worry! I will keep my valuables in the SAFE!!!

Temporary visa, problem solving and more police!!

Yesterday, Monday here, we ate a good breakfast. Morning is the best time for Sera since she has to rely on just us for her FOOD! She is happy and oh so cute!! She wants what ever we are eating. For example, she had a bit of her egg in her mouth and I cut a bite for myself. She pointed at my bite and wanted it too, even though her mouth was FULL :-) Yes.. I gave it to her!

After breakfast the guide I and had to go out to get a temporary visa from the papers we had done yesterday. We ended up in 2 more police stations and BACK in the park police station. My travel mates were out shoping and checking out the local sights... I was so jealous, but I would certainly rather go home! In one of the stations, Christina, my guide, and the poliece chief form the park left me in a waiting room. The security guard from the waiting room kept trying to make me leave. Sera was screaming for Chirstina and I was making no head way trying to explain why I was waiting! Finally Christina came back and we booked it over to another police office and got the temporary visas. Aubri was horrifed that every where we went it was horribly smoky. I was just glad that they gave me the papers!! Then when I thought the police man was taking us back to the hotel, we ended up back at the PARK!! Not somewhere I wanted to be again soon.... Evidently we needed a copy of the paper Christina had filled out yesterday and they had not kept a copy!! I just don't get the lack of technology use for business things and how everyone has the latest cell phone and entertainment technology....Poor thing, she had to re write it all again for the 3rd time!!! We finger printed it all again and I was sure we were going to get to leave then.... NOPE.

The police then took us out to lunch in the PARK!! I couldn't believe it! They were apologetic and said that if we ever wanted to come back all the rides etc.. would always be free for us and that we would have personal escorts for protection. Somehow, however much Aubri loves amusement parks, I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that I will ever return there of my own free will!! They piled the table in an individual group room in a restaurant in the park with all kinds of food! There was a large fish which gave Aubri the creeps and when she said she did not like it staring at her , they immediately removed it!

We did our best to try to eat what was served. Some was truly quite good. I have no idea what it was though..... I am getting better at the chopsticks, but I do think that is my new diet, just use chopsticks for whatever I eat! Or maybe I need to eat with people who clear their throats often and spit in the floor beside be often, ore eat with their mouthes open and have food falling out of them while I am eating..... Poor Chistina was thrown off by the 4 cats who kept coming in room begging for food. She did not notice the spitting because she was so afraid of the dirty cats who kept coming to closest to her! They really did seem to target siting by her! Aubri really loved the noodles and the vinegar that you are supposed to dip your food into. I liked it too! I just couldn't always pick my food back up out of it. I was doing good picking it off the plate in the center of the table!! Aubri will be telling her class about the family style eating I am sure. Our plates were smaller than teacup saucers and we each had a bowl of vinegar to dip the food in. 'Very diffierent and was a good experience! NOT what I would have wanted on my itinerary, but something to have experienced and have learned manydifferent things from we would normaly have never encountered. I guess that is a good thing in a way... Nothing is all black or white....

While we ate the POLICE were all touching and talking to Aubri and taking photos of her! The police chief kept asking if she could come home to his home to play with his son. He asked this over and over.... He took lots of photos of her! They discussed the abandoned babies they have left in the park and how they were happy YangYang would have a good life, and how they would find the tief and punish him....They did not seem to understand when I said I had forgiven him and hoped that he would learn make better choices with his life. Mostly they talked about Aubri.... One man asked if he could adopt her! They were all very kind and one of the men carried Sera for me when Christina was trying to fend off the requests for Aubri to leave with the police chief for the play date with his son. He did bring us back to the hotel and we said our thank yous and good byes...

'Very unusual time in the province.... I am hoping that GZ will be much calmer!!!

After all the police interactions, we went over our notarized adoption documents, receivd Sera's passport and then went to Walmart. I am leaving the huge/heavy suitcase I brought over with Christina and I bought a lighter smaller one. It may only make it home, but will be much easier for me to move around. She likes the big one and I am so glad that I can give it to her. She has been truly a Godsend! I also found a few legal VCD's and DVDs the kids will like. I hope I can get a CHEAP DVD player in GZ. I was not going to pay the price Walmart was asking! The DVD's were only a max of buck fifty a piece. Much different from home! I also found Andy an Ultra man! It is what he wanted and since I didn't shop anywere bu Walmart while here, I am very glad I found it for him! We then went to pick up laundry and out to eat.

At the dinner, Christina and I discussed what I will do when we leave on the plane. I am so grateful for her helping with Sera durring all this chaos, but Sera refuses to let me do anything for her when she can cry and get a Chinese face to do it for her. SO..... for dinner I was going to be the only person feeding her. OH, was she ever TICKED!!! She pouted and cried and the waitresses came to feed her!! I had to push them away, literally!! Christina explained to them what we were doing, but I know they think I am the parent from deep below.... Oh, well, I will never see them again! She refused completely to eat anything I offered her. When we were finished eating I kept offering Sera a bite. She would refuse and hit at me. So we got up to leave. WOW, was she even madder!! When I took her out of her chair to put her coat on she rolled and kicked all over the flor and we had to carry her out kicking and screaming! BUT when we got to the van and she saw Christina was not taking her, she reached for Aubri and sat quietly in her lap for the ride. I am truly ok with her not wanting me for the moment as long as she will go to one of us! It has to be so scary for her....

When we got to the hotel, she again wanted Christina, and screamed and screamed. Christina came up to the room and talked to her about what was going to happen. She screamed as Christina left, but just as quickly as she screamed, she quieted down and started taking off her clothes happily to take a bath!! After her bath, in which she actually called to me to help wash her, she happily ate a sausage and some fruit I gave her and drank some juice! She went to sleep by Aubri happily and has not fallen out of bed screaming at all ... She just woke up and is sitting there smiling holding her doll. She is put ot with me, but I do firmly believe that this will pass quickly! She is so precious!!

I am calling the Consulate this am in about an hour here and getting the ball rolling with the temporary passports. This will work out and we will get to leave!!

Catastrophe in the park,,,,

Today started out well, except with my sleep deprivation I forgot to call the front desk to have them let me in the safe. We had tried last night after changing money to get it in and could not do it. I was so tired that I decided to to it in the am.....

We ate a good breakfast, or rather YangYang ate a good breakfast. She ate her plate and some from Aubri's and mine! What ever we put in out mouth, she also wanted! She let us feed her and was very sweet and happy.

We then went to get our laundry done, and on to the park. The park was very crowded with people and many of them all seemed to want to congregate around and stare at or touch Aubri or to come around Sera and stare and talk about her in front of her. I had worn a down coat when our group told us that it was really cold outside and was burning up. I too my belt bag and put it in my duffle bag since they were adding to the problem and I hung it on the stroller, with the intent of keeping my hand on the stroller.... DUMB, DUMB MOVE!!!!! NEVER DO something this stupid!! Aubri was excited to go walk in a large bubble on the lake. I moved Sera into a corner so that everyone walking by would not see her face and stop and stare at her. I took my hand off the cart, just for less than a minute!!! I took a video of Aubri walking in her bubble.... When I stopped, the duffle bag was GONE!

Then fear and problem solving mode took over the day..... The local police from the park came, I had to go back to the hotel to cancel my debit card then back to the police station were we sat,literally ALL day, first on one police station and then another while my wonderful guide had to fill out everything that happend by hand 2 different times!! There were computers in both affices, but the police had Aubri play card games on them!! No joking matter... It truly took all day since the characters are difficult and time consuming to write. The police then both re wrote what Christina wrote and asked more questions which they added to what they wrote, then had us all put our fingerprints of every place our names were mentioned..... We used up far more ink on this than on the adoption paperwork!! Wen were were finally done at the police station , we have one photocopied paper with several legal chops on it which certifies that our passports were indeed stolen, which will help us get new ones before we travel. The holiday on Monday is going to complicate things BUT w'ith some assistance from home it should be managable.

The police caught a theif who was looking for the passports stoled from the Americans. He had two stoled Visa cards on him and was in the crowd when the bag was stolen. I am sure of this because the police asked me to describe the man who had been next to me and tell his eye shape.... The answer is not Asian! Rond, one lid, two lids etc was what I was supposed to say! I had to look around me to try to find someone with similar eye shape and he was there. I understood them to say that he was part of a team.... In any case while we were wating in the park police station, he was outside crying pitifully and very loudly.... I truly did feel badly for him. Many bad choices do not add up to a happy life. Aubri and I said a prayer that he would find a better life. It was amazing how my anger was easily dissapated....

While in the police stations we also noticed some pretty interesting differences, outside of the efficiency and use of computers.... We were taken to a room to wait at one point, with a bunk bed and may many spiders.... Aubri was petrified that we would have to sleep there! We were assured that we were just waiting for an office to go do paperwork! While we were waitng there, however, many officers came by to see Aubri and Yang Yang and the crazy American mom.... They offered us sunflower seeds which we initally declined but decided that there was really not an option to decline. We tried to eat them and put the shells on my leg when a femal officer came over and threw them all ON THE FLOOR ! I know the shock that mus have come over my face was obvious, because they all laughed! Aubri and YangYang loved this and expecially loved stoping the shells on the floor! I assured Aubri that this will NOT happen at home! :-)

Additional to the passports, we lost the money I had exchanged yesterday, my IPod ( which is something I do not need, but use often to help de stress and I will greatly miss it!) my drivers license an insurance card and my debit card. The cards can all be replaced and the debit card was cancelled so that no charges could be put on it. I am working on figuring out how to have my dad wire me some money from that account, since I carried the debit card to take out money for our expenses rather than carry all the cash..... Oh, well.... they are just things, and I have the two most important things I had with me in the park lying in bed peacefully.

Aubri actually enjoyed her day somewhat, because while I was sitting doing paperwork, she had a police escort taking her all over the park in a police vehicle so that she could ride all the rides for free. She was thrilled! I was nervous letting her go, but my guide assured me that she could not be safer since this issue was of high importance in the province and they did not want any further problems. Aubri wanted to go so, my brave girl set off with a non English speaking guardian and had a blast on the roller coasters! She is excited about the stories she will be able to tell about this some day at school! I am glad that I was able to get the photos of her in the bubble... She LOVED it! I just wish I had been more alert.....

YangYang was an angel, except that she would have nothing to do with me and would only let Christina care for her, which she did very lovingly. I cannot thank her enough!! I did discover, however, since we never ate again after breakfast and only drank tea and ate sunflower seeds in the police stations, that while she eats ravenously, this little one does not ask to eat! She never once asked for food OR drink. Aubri knew there was none available, and was hungry and did ask several times but then accepted that I would get her fed when we got back to the room. YangYang just sat all day and played with her phone and her mittens and a bottle of tomato juice, which she would drink when it was offered to her by Christina only.

When we finally got back to the room, Aubri fell into bed without eating at all. She is still asleep. Yang Yang has woken several times and has eaten everything I offer her. Thnk goodness I bought her snacks and fodd at Walmart! I like the Taiyuan Walmart by the way, but am not too fond of its park :-)

When we all get more sleep and are finally home and YangYang has time to learn that we are not so bad and do love her dearly, all will be better.

Untill then, please say a prayer for us. I truly do feel in my heart the comfort I should feel when trusting in my faith and prayer, but I know that all the extra prayers will definitley help!! He has definitely have helped me stay calm and able to help Aubri not feel afraid.

Many thanks!!!

Sera in the elevator- Cute at it's best!

I cannot post this they way I learned at home so will just sent a link. Photos are great, but this is our chunky monkey in action!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGy9ICxXEeE

 

Isn't she wonderful!!!

 

 

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Food!

* Please excuse my typos.... I normally type badly and always invert letters, drop them etc... Typing with exhaustion and in the dark seems to be making it worse....

Here are a few more photos of dinner. Aubri was painting her face with the sauce rather than eating it :-) Not intentional, but chopsticks and big chunks of food is not our normal method of eating! She is doing great! I managed, but will be so happy to have a fork when I get home!! It's amazing how the little things we don't think of are really things we should be thankful for!!

No.... we did not eat the food from the street! I just took some photos of it! YangYang would have happily obliged though! She was pointing at all of it! We ate meat and veggies boiled in sauces. One was really spicy, which Aubri and I both really liked and the other was very bland. Then once we took your tidbit out of the boiling pot with chopsticks, we were suposed to dip it in a sesame sauce in a bowl in front of us. Very tricky stuff for someone struggling with the chopsticks!! We did eat well though, so I guess we are improving!!!

Well, the last time I tried to post this it all dissappeared and had me sign
into email again when I tried to send it. I hoped it would have sent, but since
I don't see anything in my email...... I am guessing it didn't.

We spent most of our day in the room playing and trying to rest some. Underline
the word trying..... Little Miss YangYang was going to have none of Aubri's and
my attempts to console her when she got tired and nothing, nothing at all was OK
with her. She rejects our touch most ot the time when she is happy... so when
she was angry she just could not see our trying to console her as helpful and it
made her madder. She was hitting and spitting and really letting us know just
how unhappy she is with all the changes she has had to go through lately, and
that she doesn't want white people comforting her. Instead of letting her rock
herself wildly on the bed to comfort herself I held her, which aggravated
matters, but sang to her and just let her rage on me and tried to let her know
that it didn't matter hom mush sh pushed me away, I still loved her. I am hoping
it was the right thing to do.

When she woke she was very subdued and withdrawn. She only slept about 20
minutes though and I know she was still exhausted. We met our group and went
out for Hot Pot for dinner. I hoped it would distract her. She did not scream to
be next to our Chinese guide and reached towards me to feed her, which is a big
improvement from last night. She had screamed and screamed on the van because we
were in the back seat and she could not see the guide. She had to eat by her and
would not let me help her for most of the meal. Tonight the guide let me feed
her and Sera, who thoroughly loves her food, gave in and happily pointed to the
foods she wanted, which was every bite I managed to pick up with chopsticks!
This gilrl truly loves her food!! It is the way for me to get into her little
heart. She has many walls to let down before she will ever really trust us, but
I can see that she will eventually.

Speaking of how much she loves to eat, this little chunky monkey weighs in at
30,1 lbs or 13.9 kg!!! She is solid! I do see portion control in our future
with her, but right now I am happy to try to feed her healthy foods, and even a
few less healthy ones she really likes to help her bond with us. the size 2T
leggings I have for her are really too long, but without the leastic waist, I am
sure she would need a bigger size. She is just so cute and cuddely. Please pray
for us that she will enjoy being cuddled and comforted by us some day!!

We discoverd this morning that the goop in her eyes is not just due to her SN.
Bonnie, who is traveling with us is a MD and she told us that it is an eye
infection, She even gave us antibiotic eye drops!!!! Talk about miracles....
This family has been such a great family to travel with. Without traveling with
them, I truly do not know what I would have done in Shenyang. I know I would
have eventually got her, but would have needed to call Andy's foster family for
help. It ruly is amazing how well things have worked out, despite the
disasters!! I am so relieved to know that her eyes may not need to be wiped
every 10 to 20 minutes or so to keep the goop out of them. Every photo I have of
her has her eyelashes somewhat clumped together. I can't wait to see how pretty
she is without this!!! I also know that eye infections hurt...... She has not
rubbed them, but it certainly explains why she hates to have them wiped!

She also loves to sing. After eating tonight she was in much better spirits and
rode back to the hotel waving her prize Sprite bottle she had confiscated from
the table while singing something about a duck saying ga, ga, ga. I think I
understood that much, but it may have been something totally different :-) She
sings in the tub, she sings while playing and sings while riding in her chariot.
She is quite happy most of the time, except when she is tired or when she is not
being touched on her terms. She will allow some touch, enoys some tickle times,
seems to like lotion being put on her, but no hugs, I love bathtime, because
that is the time she is most wiling to be touched. I really extend that
lotioning!! When she is happy but loves to be sung to and with! Tonight Aubri
taught her to sing " Im a big kid now" while I was putting her pullup on. She
only sang it 2 times and Sera was repeating her clearly!! She sang in for about
30 minutes after her bath while she played. She is a smart little cookie!!
MR.... my foot! She loves to mimic and will mimic any word, especially if Aubri
says it. It is just too cute!!

We went out on our own some this afternoon to walk down the street to the bank
to change some money and to Mc D's to grab a bite of lunch. The kids got happy
meals with Friendlies toys. Aubril was thrilled to get a Ying Ying toy, which is
her favorite.

We discovered on our journey that while about 6 out of 10 people will stare at
Sera and make a disgusted face, 2 out of 10 will make a rude comment and try to
engage us in discussing what is wrong with her or saying what she looks like
very negatively. She reacts to this and tears up and hides her face. Since I
cannot carry her, with my knees, long distances we have her in the stroller. We
just repeat over and over to her how pretty she is and make a big deal of the
bow in her hair (which she adores), This seems to help, but what a confusing
world this has been for her!! This nice thing, in our informal little data
collection, is that 2 out of 10 people also smile at her and say something kind
to her!! They smile at us and are oftenquite helpful in the case of our opening
doors, waiting in Mc D's and giving her a balloon, and talking to her and making
he smile!! We are just going to count these people from now on!

I also decided that I am being pretty naive to think that we will not receive
similar treatment at home. While the facial deformity won't carry the "bad luck"
stigma, it is certainly going to draw stares. I know they will not be as bold.
Or at least I hope so! Today one couple was dropping their jaws as they walked
by us and just continued to stare and stare. I finally pulled out my camera and
politely asked them in English if they would like a photo, it would last longer.
They unerstood the words. The man actually got out his camera!!!! The only thing
I could do at that point was LAUGH!! Aubri and I both laughed aloud and this
actually embarrassed him and he put away his camera phone and the couple turned
away and went in a store! We are taling about ways that we can positively
handle this at home. We know it has to have a sad effect on our little chunky
monkey.... If you have any ideas, please share!!!

Here are a few photos of our night. Tomorrow we will go to the park,

I am going back to bed and hopefully sleeping! I woke when Aubri rolled over
and knocked Sera out of bed! She is now sleeping with me and fell asleep in bed
with me without too many tears and even smiled when i gave her back her little
doll she dropped.

I just have to figure out where to sleep, since Sera has taken over my bed :-) I
am betting that ther will be more tears when she discovers i have not given it
up to her! Oh well.... I see many of these frustrations for her in our future
as we adust. I am so glad that I know, from having lived through Andy's
transistion to a family, that it will get so much better and will be so worth
it!!