#1-#4 - pictures I took before it started pouring, check out the Hello Kitty ensemble in a department store we were in.
#5 the common room of the hostel
#6- the "relaxation" area of the common room
Consider stepping "outside the box" and adopt a child...it will not only change that child's life, but yours as well.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Not Gotcha yet, but some pics
It's Tuesday morning here and I wanted to relate about our little "adventure" yesterday. In the early afternoon, we went back to the room to nap; James was pretty worn out and I wasn't far behind. I was totally asleep when someone knocks on our door and says there's a call from "Susie" who is the other guide I hadn't met yet.
She wanted to ask me about meeting with Jaxon's foster sister's family for dinner and I wanted to go over our itinerary because some things in it had already not materialized. We finally got dinner set up with the Horn family, BUT Susie said it was up to us to get over to their hotel! Ok, fine, I 've been to China 3 times now, no big deal, right?
We started walking about 5pm armed with a map and a clear view of Tianfu Square..we'd gone about halfway (in what we thought was the right direction) and the heavens opened up on us. Do you want to know where all the rain has gone? It is here in Chengdu; so much dumped the streets were filled with huge, deep puddles. We managed to score one umbrella but the downpour got so bad, we had to duck into a store. I took the umbrella and stood on the curb trying to hail a taxi; apparently getting one to stop in this city is near to impossible; even Chinese citizens couldn't get one. After some time, I told James we would just go on; at this point I was determined to get to my destination.
After another 30 minutes of walking, we thought we were close (Susie had told us 25" from our hostel; hah!). Went into a furniture store showing my little scrap of paper with the hotel address and finally, a nice young man walked the rest of the way with us, which amounted to about another 15" of walking.
At one point, we were standing smack dab in the middle of a Chinese street with cars passing us in the front and back. It is good to know, despite what it may look like, Chinese drivers will not deliberately run over a pedestrian!
So, FINALLY, made it to the hotel and met the Horns, a really nice couple, and Ping. She is really sweet and was being super-super helpful to them, even handing them food if they slowed down! We went to KFC and discovered Chinese portions of chicken are TINY, TINY. Have also not found a Diet Pepsi to save my life. After dinner, Ping told the bellboy at their hotel to get us a taxi....we were back at the hostel in 10" and 9CNY (about $1.50) later; sigh.....wish we could have found those taxis earlier.
We asked Ping through our Jibbigo translator on the Ipod if NingNing was excited about today; she got so embarrassed and laughed, but nodded. Trish said when they got there, Ping and NingNing were helping their foster mom in the kitchen. Hmmmm, maybe NingNing can teach James a few things!
I'm reserving my opinion on the guide services thus far. I sprung for the full-service and let's just say, it's not panning out, but I will see what the rest of the week holds. Case in point: I wanted to move to our new hotel this morning to not switch hotels around NingNing. BUT I was overrulled by Susie because it's easier for HER if we check out and leave our luggage here, go get NingNing, come BACK here, get our luggage, and THEN go to the new hotel. I still don't get why, when I paid for drivers and transportation, none are available to move us to the new hotel this morning when we have lots more time. Rather frustrated, to say the least!
On a brighter note, we do get Jaxon at 2ish and here are some pictures of Chengdu so far and our hostel to look at.
#1-James and Ally, the girl he met on the plane
#2-In the HongKong airport,getting ready to fly to Chengdu Sunday night.
#3- waiting to get on the bus to the plane, one hour late, turned out to be 2 hours late.
#4-our room at the hostel, real basic, but for $35/night, who's complaining?!
#5-courtyard outside the hostel
#6-apartments outside our window (sideways)
She wanted to ask me about meeting with Jaxon's foster sister's family for dinner and I wanted to go over our itinerary because some things in it had already not materialized. We finally got dinner set up with the Horn family, BUT Susie said it was up to us to get over to their hotel! Ok, fine, I 've been to China 3 times now, no big deal, right?
We started walking about 5pm armed with a map and a clear view of Tianfu Square..we'd gone about halfway (in what we thought was the right direction) and the heavens opened up on us. Do you want to know where all the rain has gone? It is here in Chengdu; so much dumped the streets were filled with huge, deep puddles. We managed to score one umbrella but the downpour got so bad, we had to duck into a store. I took the umbrella and stood on the curb trying to hail a taxi; apparently getting one to stop in this city is near to impossible; even Chinese citizens couldn't get one. After some time, I told James we would just go on; at this point I was determined to get to my destination.
After another 30 minutes of walking, we thought we were close (Susie had told us 25" from our hostel; hah!). Went into a furniture store showing my little scrap of paper with the hotel address and finally, a nice young man walked the rest of the way with us, which amounted to about another 15" of walking.
At one point, we were standing smack dab in the middle of a Chinese street with cars passing us in the front and back. It is good to know, despite what it may look like, Chinese drivers will not deliberately run over a pedestrian!
So, FINALLY, made it to the hotel and met the Horns, a really nice couple, and Ping. She is really sweet and was being super-super helpful to them, even handing them food if they slowed down! We went to KFC and discovered Chinese portions of chicken are TINY, TINY. Have also not found a Diet Pepsi to save my life. After dinner, Ping told the bellboy at their hotel to get us a taxi....we were back at the hostel in 10" and 9CNY (about $1.50) later; sigh.....wish we could have found those taxis earlier.
We asked Ping through our Jibbigo translator on the Ipod if NingNing was excited about today; she got so embarrassed and laughed, but nodded. Trish said when they got there, Ping and NingNing were helping their foster mom in the kitchen. Hmmmm, maybe NingNing can teach James a few things!
I'm reserving my opinion on the guide services thus far. I sprung for the full-service and let's just say, it's not panning out, but I will see what the rest of the week holds. Case in point: I wanted to move to our new hotel this morning to not switch hotels around NingNing. BUT I was overrulled by Susie because it's easier for HER if we check out and leave our luggage here, go get NingNing, come BACK here, get our luggage, and THEN go to the new hotel. I still don't get why, when I paid for drivers and transportation, none are available to move us to the new hotel this morning when we have lots more time. Rather frustrated, to say the least!
#1-James and Ally, the girl he met on the plane
#2-In the HongKong airport,getting ready to fly to Chengdu Sunday night.
#3- waiting to get on the bus to the plane, one hour late, turned out to be 2 hours late.
#4-our room at the hostel, real basic, but for $35/night, who's complaining?!
#5-courtyard outside the hostel
#6-apartments outside our window (sideways)
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Made it to Chengdu!
Well....that was a long time traveling......we left Kansas City Saturday morning at 7:49am and got into Chengdu at 2:30 am the morning of August 6th (today). We were supposed to get in at 11;45pm but the flight was delayed a couple of hours. Our poor guide, Ray, waited all that time for us, thank goodness! Got to bed around 3a.m in our "rustic" hostel. It's a pretty laid back atmosphere, the restaurant is good, lots of food for little money. We're going to a different place tomorrow morning before getting Jaxon though, because they didn't have a triple room available here and the beds are definitely NOT big enough for two boys!
Went over to the bank this morning and tried the ATM which didn't work, then finally was able to get some money exchanged to eat breakfast...we were so hungry....good thing we had licorice and granola bars to tide us over while we figured it all out.
I did manage to melt my curling iron and fry the power strip I brought, but a helpful person bought us an adaptor (the one I brought is apparently a converter/adaptor and "juices" things up a little too much!).
Now that we've got all our electronics figured out and have Skyped with our family today, we're ready to explore.
On another note...James had a good flight :)...he struck up a conversation with a girl..a Chinese student on her way back to China...she practiced her English on him and her friends took about a million photos...he was happy!
Tomorrow is Gotcha Day...about 2:45pm. Counting down the hours...weird to think we're in the same city as Jaxon, but I wanted this one day to rest and spend time with James.
See you soon!
Went over to the bank this morning and tried the ATM which didn't work, then finally was able to get some money exchanged to eat breakfast...we were so hungry....good thing we had licorice and granola bars to tide us over while we figured it all out.
I did manage to melt my curling iron and fry the power strip I brought, but a helpful person bought us an adaptor (the one I brought is apparently a converter/adaptor and "juices" things up a little too much!).
Now that we've got all our electronics figured out and have Skyped with our family today, we're ready to explore.
On another note...James had a good flight :)...he struck up a conversation with a girl..a Chinese student on her way back to China...she practiced her English on him and her friends took about a million photos...he was happy!
Tomorrow is Gotcha Day...about 2:45pm. Counting down the hours...weird to think we're in the same city as Jaxon, but I wanted this one day to rest and spend time with James.
See you soon!
Friday, August 3, 2012
FINALLY LEAVING!!!!!
This is it. Bags are packed, flights are booked (within 4 days of departure), the all-important paperwork is packed. We leave tomorrow at 7:49 am. I've spent the last two days literally glued to my computer as I had to make some of the hotel arrangements and book some of the in-China flights myself. I have gained a new respect for travel agents everywhere :). But finally today, I booked the last China flight and figured out our Chengdu accommodations as a glitch came up. We are winding up staying in two different places but we will be able to switch before we get Jaxon, so as not to have to pull him in different directions so soon after Gotcha Day.
Speaking of Gotcha Day, it is Wednesday, August 7, in the afternoon! 5 days from now, we'll have 5 kids! I am both nervous and excited; not a good combination on the stomach. The girls are sad we are leaving, but some of our friends are going to invite them over for sleepovers so the time should go fast. I reminded them that Jessica and James had to wait for us when we went to get them :).
We'll get back on August 22nd (our first day of school) in the early afternoon, and sleep for the next few days I hope! In the meantime, we'll Skype with the family during our trip.
Speaking of Skype, that is an amazing thing! We got to "see" Jaxon last Monday night over Skype and talked with him for about an hour. He looks like a funny, easygoing kind of kid and he had lots of good questions for us too. Overall, I think it gave us an idea of at least who to look for on Gotcha Day :)!
Bon voyage...my next post will be from somewhere else.................
Speaking of Gotcha Day, it is Wednesday, August 7, in the afternoon! 5 days from now, we'll have 5 kids! I am both nervous and excited; not a good combination on the stomach. The girls are sad we are leaving, but some of our friends are going to invite them over for sleepovers so the time should go fast. I reminded them that Jessica and James had to wait for us when we went to get them :).
We'll get back on August 22nd (our first day of school) in the early afternoon, and sleep for the next few days I hope! In the meantime, we'll Skype with the family during our trip.
Speaking of Skype, that is an amazing thing! We got to "see" Jaxon last Monday night over Skype and talked with him for about an hour. He looks like a funny, easygoing kind of kid and he had lots of good questions for us too. Overall, I think it gave us an idea of at least who to look for on Gotcha Day :)!
Bon voyage...my next post will be from somewhere else.................
Thursday, July 26, 2012
A new picture of Jaxon!
This picture was taken just this past Sunday (Monday China time). Zane, the boy on your right, is the one being adopted that day by our friends, the Verhulsts, from Independence. Jaxon, whom James claims he will continue to call "Lucky" is on your left and was just apparently woken up by Zane to snap this picture. Keep in mind it was about 3pm in China and Jaxon was sleeping! Guess teenagers are the same on summer vacation all over! We've been told Jaxon is asking when we are coming as his birthday of August 21 is approaching fast. Soon, son, soon! Actually, we plan to leave anywhere from Aug. 4 to the 6th depending on when our Consulate Appointment in Guangzhou winds up being. "CA" is the last appointment in the adoption process; after that, Jaxon can legally leave China and come home with us. So hopefully, within the next 10 days, we will have our son and James will have his brother! I think it is finally sinking in to James that he's about to fly 9,000 miles away from home; I can't wait to share this experience with him! God has truly blessed us in leading us in faith and ability to adopt from China not once, not twice, but THREE times; Jazmin, Judi, and Jaxon may not be children of my body, but they are and will always be the children of our hearts. 
Sunday, July 15, 2012
LAST "OFFICIAL" FUNDRAISER!!
A friend in the online adoption Yahoo community has made a beautiful necklace with one word that describes our journey to Jaxon...click here to see it:
http://jubileesjewels.com/faith-necklace
Through all the paperwork, ups and downs, positive and negative comments, fundraising woes, waiting with bated breath for the next important piece of paper, this word has kept me going. By purchasing one of these necklaces, 50% of the sales price will go into our LifeSong account towards our travel for Jaxon. Time is short and the funds even shorter! Just click on the link to see a description and the price; thank you so much for supporting us and Jaxon!
http://jubileesjewels.com/faith-necklace
Through all the paperwork, ups and downs, positive and negative comments, fundraising woes, waiting with bated breath for the next important piece of paper, this word has kept me going. By purchasing one of these necklaces, 50% of the sales price will go into our LifeSong account towards our travel for Jaxon. Time is short and the funds even shorter! Just click on the link to see a description and the price; thank you so much for supporting us and Jaxon!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Hot, Hot, Hot.......
Today we had our garage sale in Warrensburg and I am so happy to say it was successful! We raised more than I had expected (and i had set my expectations pretty low so as not to be disappointed again!). What was interesting was that some people would say, "keep the change for your adoption", and others were like, "will you take .50 for this?", when it's marked $1! Seriously?
Jaz and Judi were real troopers and stayed outside with me til about 11, then went into our friend's house to stay cool. Jr came around noon and brought me lunch, and then Jessica and James came and helped me break down the sale; that was a job in 105 degree heat!
The first fundraiser I've held that actually worked well! It's all due to our friends from church who let us use their house and gave so freely of their time and home; they are the true embodiment of Christian service!
Have to say it will be a looooong time before I attempt another sale for ANY reason....or at the very least, no more in July!
Update on the adoption: we've received the second I-800 approval and are now waiting on the NVC (National Visa Center) to issue their approval letter which leads to Article 5 which leads to TA(travel approval) which leads to CA (Consulate appointment) which leads to TRAVEL. We are on task to travel by 7/28; so exciting!
Jaz and Judi were real troopers and stayed outside with me til about 11, then went into our friend's house to stay cool. Jr came around noon and brought me lunch, and then Jessica and James came and helped me break down the sale; that was a job in 105 degree heat!
The first fundraiser I've held that actually worked well! It's all due to our friends from church who let us use their house and gave so freely of their time and home; they are the true embodiment of Christian service!
Have to say it will be a looooong time before I attempt another sale for ANY reason....or at the very least, no more in July!
Update on the adoption: we've received the second I-800 approval and are now waiting on the NVC (National Visa Center) to issue their approval letter which leads to Article 5 which leads to TA(travel approval) which leads to CA (Consulate appointment) which leads to TRAVEL. We are on task to travel by 7/28; so exciting!
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