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.

The White Swan

We spent 2 weeks at the White Swan Hotel because Annalise is from Guangdong Provinces. This is quite a swank 28 floor 5 star hotel that overlooks the Pearl River with all the amenities you could dream of. Annalise loved her stay here and would look forward to pushing the button and riding the elevator. We ate the buffet breakfast every morning which had your choice of either American or Chinese cuisine. As you left the hotel there was a doorman to let you out and greet you when you arrived. Every night they would come and turn your beds down and put chocolates in a little cup. This cup became Annalises’s favorite toy that we had in the room. They would also bring you about 10 ice cubes and this was our chance to make a cocktail. We savored every cube. There is a mini-bar in the room that became or kitchen. Annalise would point to the mini-bar every time she was hungry and she knew that good things came from there. We enjoyed our time in the adoption bubble of the White Swan connecting with all the other adoptive families. Every American family must pass through Guangzhou because the American Consulate is located there. As for our trip to the Consulate you are not allowed to take pictures which was a good thing because we were in the back row of over 30 families changing a poopy diaper and finished just in time to stand up and raise our right hand and take the oath.

Red Couch Photos

We had such a special travel group and we all became very close during our trip. Annalise knew them and could spot them out at breakfast at the White Swan and would wave at them and blow them kisses. There are so many adoptive families that stay at this hotel but she could spot our travel group from across the dining room. Will, Annalise and I were the smallest family in the group some were coming back for #2 and #4 I was so blessed to have such great experience with me. Each family traveled with all their children and other family members to help out and boy were they great to have around. Annalise made a very special connection with our CCAI rep Jason. When ever we were doing something special for the adoption I would have Jason explain what were doing in Mandarin so she could understand what was going on and this was very helpful for us and connected them. I believe she felt Jason was the one that brought us together. He made the adoption such a smooth and present experience. But most of all I have to thank Will I could not have done this trip without him. He helped us so much and this journey has strengthened our relationship in so many ways.

So Good to be Home

Sorry for leaving you all hanging we ran out of time to blog and did not have an internet connection in Shenzhen. It has been such an incredible trip and I am so in love with Annalise and she with me. We are all very tired and trying to get our feet back under us. I feel like I have been awake for 3 days straight. We have so much to share and will take the time to fill in from where we left off. When I have a chance. It is so hard to blog with a 2 year old she is my number one priority a taking all my undivided attention. When she sleeps that is my time to blog but right now I need to sleep too. We did make it to Church today to thank God for our incredible little miracle.

A night on the Town

Running around in her birthday suit is a new experience for sure. She loves to have her hair brushed, put on a pretty new dress and go out on the town. This girl does not like to stay in the Hotel at all. She is way too social for that. Going to sleep is getting better she is not fighting it as much and can even be put down in the crib instead for having to be walked up and down the hall. She even wakes up with a smile on her face now.