Trains Planes and Automobiles

Play Ground at the California Kids Club

Resting on th Subway

The subway through Shenzhen

One of the few moments she sat in her own seat

Air Bed

Yes she fits

Barbly

Who said sleeping on a plane is easy

In imigration with the official Brown Folder (got yelled at for taking this picture : )

Welcome to the USA
After working all morning at the California Kids Club in Shenzhen evaluating some of there more difficult children and speaking to their parents it was time to head home and I mean home to the good old USA. Our flight was taking off from Guangzhou at 9:00 pm. Will tried to cut his finger off just minutes before we headed out the door on a kitchen knife opening a bag of crackers for Annalise. We did our best to clean it up bandage it and get our butts out to the taxi waiting to bring us to the subway station. It was a Friday afternoon and the subway was packed we felt like sardines as we when though the 14 stops that brought us to the Train Station in Shenzhen. Once we found our way to the train and got our tickets it was time to board. Annalise was a trooper up until that point and she wanted to get out of her stroller. I don't blame her. But you have to push your way anywhere in China. We were the last to get on the train because Annalise kicked of one of her shoes and Will ran back for it but they closed the gate with the shoe on the other side. (dang I liked those shoes) The train too was packed. I havd a nice conversation with a lady that only spoke Chinese. You can only imagine all the gestures we used. When we got to Guangzhou we had to find a taxi to get back to the White Swan the first guy I asked wanted 150 yen I told him he was high and walked away we stood in line for a taxi like everyone else and it was only 45 yen. When in China do as the Chinese. When we got to the White Swan we had 5 minutes to shuffle the bags I was stuffing things everywhere I could and the Bell Men were helping me try to close the bags. By this time we were only an hour behind schedule, not too bad for world travelers. We made it to the gate in time to change cloths. I had to go to the bathroom and could not fit Annalise and the stroller in the stall with me so I opened the door, faced her to me and squatted she was quite amazed to see a squatty potty in action. During all of this Will is yelling from outside the bathroom door that they were boarding. We just made it on. I felt like we should be home but the journey was just beginning. We got in bulkhead, which I highly recommend with a baby. China Southern has baby beds that hook to the wall they are for children from 1-4 months but I asked for it anyways. It was great to throw all my crap in. Annalise fell asleep in my arms and I put her in the wall bed and when she tried to roll over and woke up she freaked out so I held her again she wanted to lay down so I put her on the floor. She hated the humming so I put he back in the wall bed and she decided it was the best option and slept the rest of the way in the wall bed with her feet hanging out. However I could not sleep thinking she may come flying out of that bed any minute. I can’t sleep on planes anyways. We landed at LAX around 6:00 pm and Annalise’s first reaction was to shiver the minute we got off the plane. She was missing her blanket of humidity but Will and I were so happy to feel the dryer air. We had been instructed by our agency that there had been some difficulties at LAX and they gave us an additional letter just in case. But we did not need it as the official walked us to the new immigrant area he got all chocked up and congratulated us and welcomed Annalise to America it was a very special moment for both of us. I throw her up into the air touched her feet to the ground and gave her the biggest kiss. We had made it home well almost home. Elisabeth, Bridgette and Katie met us at the imigation gate and we when to a hotel for the night. The next morning we met Will’s daughter Heather and it was so wonderful to have the girls together. Annalise just loved Heather and even let her hold her. Then it was time for the last leg of the journey LAX to Reno. When we got to Reno my parents and good friend Jacqueline was waiting for us but for Annalise it was the middle of the night and all she wanted to do was sleep. Welcome to America now let me introduce you to you constriction device. After all of the traveling she had done in my arms now she was strapped into her car seat and screamed at the top of her lungs from Reno to Minden about an hours drive. I just sat next to her hand held her handand rubed her face. By the time she fell asleep she opened her eyes just in time to pull into the drive way we were home!

Finding Spot

On our way through Shenzhen

Annalise was found on this corner

View from across the street

A moment of prayer

What a big day!

We drove across town in the pouring rain to roadside #2 where a government building stands. It was a police station. There is a small medal fence around the grass. The rain was still coming down but I needed to get out and be there for myself. I bent down and said a prayer thanking God for saving Annalise and helping her find me so I could give her the love her parents to desperately wanted to give her. I felt closer to her birthparents then ever before. I know they loved her so much and wanted to help her and this was the only way they could, hand her over to the Government and hope that someone would save her and get her the medical care she so desperately needed. It was such a busy street and I can only think that they placed her somewhere in the grass on the inside of the fence to keep her safe. As we stood there Annalise pointed to the grass and it was like she knew that she had been there before. In the car on the way back we snuggled together with Lucy. This had been such a big day and a day I will never forget.

Bye-Bye Shenzhen SWI

We will never forget those that are left behind and those that are to follow us home.

It was an incredible experience I am so glad we when to say good-bye you can read more about our visit below.

Shenzhen Orphanage Visit

I have to start off by saying that this visit was one of the most emotional experiences of my life. I was scared to bring Annalise back to the Orphanage. Afraid that she would reject me and want her Nanny more. That this could be traumatic for her. My insecurities were thick and I was having trouble sleeping thinking about our visit. But there was something even stronger inside of me that made me want to make this journey back to Shenzhen Social Welfare Institute with Annalise to say goodbye. Emily the director of the California Kids Club called for a driver and CCAI arranged for a Rep that lives in Shenzhen to accompany us as the translator. (CCAI ROCKS!) In the car on the way over I had Kathy our rep explain to Annalise in Mandarin that we were going back to say goodbye to her Nannies and her friends. That she was going to leave with Mama and live with Mama forever. That I was not going to leave her. She seemed to understand.

I recognized the building from the picture once we arrived. It is a 6-story building with 2 big entrances and a meadle fence all around and bars on all he windows quite the fortress. We weren't sure how to get in. I could see the court yard though the bars where Annalise’s referral picture was taken. Once we found the right door we went to the elevator. Annalise was pointing and gesturing to the play area just outside of the elevator. She wanted to go there and play. She knew exactly where she was. We went up to the 4th floor to an office were we asked to see and have the original note that was left with Annalise. There was much discussion in Mandarin and our rep said they did not want to give it to us. Annalise was very serious at this point and so was I. Our rep pressed them and said this is the only thing this child has from her birth birthparents and it belongs to her not in your file. They made a copy and brought me the original. I did not have a pocket to put it in so I folded it up and put it in my bra as close to my heart as it coud be.

The word was out that we were there and as the note as handed to me Annalise’s Grandma from Half the Sky came running down the hall. Annalise reached out to her and they both embraced I could see love they had for each other. Her Grandma was crying we were all crying but Annalise was all smiles. We all embraced and they asked me if they could bring her to the playroom where there were many more nannies that wanted to see her. Of course I said, and they carried her up the stairs to the 5th floor where she lived for the past 2 years. Nannies took their turn tossing her into the air and giving her big kisses and hugs. I wanted to honor this time and I just checked in with her but she was so happy and having loads of fun with all the attention. You could see how much they love the children in Shenzhen. This gave me time to look around and touch and kiss as many children as I could. The first child I came across was blind. I could tell from the minute I set my eyes on him. I picked him up and held him close and spoke to him softly. He settled down and did not want me to go. I asked about a little girl that I know her family is still waiting for her and they brought her to me. She is so beautiful and was not so sure what all he commotion was all about but very happy to be apart of it. I also asked about her best friend they told me about on Gotcha Day. It was a little boy they ran off and found him and brought him in. They put both of them on the floor and they leaned over and gave each other a big kiss on the lips not just one but three. Don’t be mistaken regarding his pink shirt he is a little boy. I broke out lollypops and the children were flocked to me. I took in all their little smiles and looks for attention. I wanted to take them all home and then Will busted out with the same feeling. The Nannies crushed up lollypops and were putting them into the baby’s mouths. I made my way around the playroom that had bright colors and lots of things hanging from the walls and the ceilings. My attention was on the children and trying to touch and see as many as I could.

But it was time to have Annalise come back to me. I walked up to her and her Grandma and said it was time and she did not want to come at first and her Grandma spoke to her and told her this is your Momma and you need to go with her. She fell into my arms and berried her head into my shoulder and cried. She would not look at her Grandmother again. I walked her around the playroom one more time and we waved goodbye and she stopped crying. I asked to see her bed. It was just a few doors down the hall. When we walked in a few of the Nannies tried to take her out of my arms but I would not let them. We walked up to her crib and I waved bye-bye but she did not wave until we got to the door and then she said bye-bye and blow everyone kisses. We had a very special moment and I promised to keep in touch with her Grandmather and give her pictures just like she did for me through the 23 page Have the Sky progress notes. During our final farewell Annalise was solom she touched her Grandma’s face but did not want back in her arms she knew I was her Momma and she was suppose to be with me. I carried her down the 5 flights of stairs and held her so tight as the tears streamed down my face.

We had a few parting photos and we were back in the car off to her findings spot. On the other side of town. I did not care where it was I was going to see it for myself.

Uh-Oh

She loves these staking blocks that she got for her Birthday. They provide loads of fun.

Mama Song

On Gotcha Day I asked what was her favorite song and it is the Mama song she sings it all the time this is one of the locals singing it for her I tried to sing it with her but Annalise waved her hand at me to say I was not singing it right. She is one smart cookie.

First day of School

After our bath we made our way to the California Kids Club. The school where Christi is teaching a class of 3-4 year olds. This was day 4 of their first week of school and everyone was settling in. Annalise made herself right at home in one of the little chairs. We found a square on the floor and I did a scarf lesson to music. These kids were no exception they had a blast and Annalise followed right along. These kids were fun to work with and typically developing not like what I’m use to in Special Education. One room had gym equipment in it and I felt right at home. The school has several classrooms that all lead to a common play area. I was asked to look at 3 children they were concerned with all who would qualify for Special Education Services in the US. I explained to the director that I could not make any diagnosis because that is not my job but I could make some recommendations to help them live and work with each child. I also had an opportunity to meet with 2 ladies that run the special needs program at the Shenzhen SWI. I think the biggest impact I may have made was sharing with them my thoughts on inclusion. What impacted me the most was that there is NO Special Education in China these kids have nothing. This school is doing the best it can for every child that walks in the door but there was a full time job for me there or for someone with Special Education background. I received an open invitation to come back and work anytime and I look forward to when I can take them up on their offer. What an opportunity.

Bath Time In Shenzhen

Annalise loves her baths and when we reached Christi’s place it did not have a bathtub. This can be a good thing because Annalise likes to drink the bath water and China's water was yucky! So we opted for the bathroom sink and it worked just out great. We were headed for a very big day at our first day at the school and then to the Orphanage to say good-by to her Nanny and all her friends. Stay tuned there is so much more to share.

Off to Shenzhen

On July 30 we completed the adoption and were able to move on from Guangzhou. The rest of our travel group were headed home to the States but we carried on. Our rep Jason said good by to us at the Guangzhou Train Station and we took a high speed train. This train went up 120 MPH we were booking our way to Shenzhen. We then caught the subway to the side of town closest to the California Kid Club. I got pretty darn good at managing the stroller on escalators. Will pulled 1 suitcase and a computer bag and the bag with the brown envelope in it. Jason said if we lost the brown envelope or our passports it would not be pretty and we may have to stay another 11 days+ in China. So Will would walk first and then I followed with Annalise in the stroller. This way I had my eye on the bags and Annalise was protected well from the crowds. We found our way to a taxi that took us to the complex where the California Kid Club is located. We had all the directions written in Chinese characters and we would just point and ask people which way to go. Everyone was more than willing to assist us we definitely stood out and looked lost. We knew we were in the right place when we got into the elevator and saw Christi’s picture in the elevator as one of the teachers at the school. Sure enough there she was right at the door it was so great to see her and meet Emily the director of the school. We strolled in and Annalise and Abby took naps as Christi and I caught up. Then we had a wonderful dinner at Emily’s home. She has adopted 2 children from China and has a biological daughter as well. Her oldest daughter Helen is from Shenzhen SWI. Another Shenzhen Sister. The children played and we had a wonderful dinner followed by a worship time where we sang and gave thanks for what an incredible adventure we've had . It was so wonderful to see Christi and Abby They have taken on in incredible challenge, moving to China. But now I know why, what in incredible place to be.