China (Day 10) ~ So Close, Yet So Far Away!

Gloria & I didn't sleep much tonight... we were too excited about going home. We were up, showered, and packed almost 2 hours before our driver was due to pick us up. We went downstairs for our last breakfast in the hotel restaurant. The breakfast bar is scattered with different kinds of bread, chinese breakfast items (don't ask me what they are...), cereal, some type of yogurt (again, don't ask), various types of juice, and the possibility of an omlete. I say possibility because in most instances the chef doesn't speak English so you are reduced to hand jestures that sometimes is cleary communicated. However, I must admit I never knew you could fry an egg and/or an omlete with chop sticks. We then took one last trip through the gift shop and were then reduced to "patiently" waiting.

Finally we were off to the airport. On our way we noticed an increase police activity on the motorway. Mr. Lee explained that in an hour or so the motorway would be closed due to a convoy of some important people - wow, just in time we were heading home.

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch" is what my mom used to say when I was little. I guess I was getting way ahead of myself because we were in for a huge shock... when we arrived in Amsterdam we found out that KLM had cancelled all departing flights due to weather ~ other airlines were still flying but we had to get through the huge wait at the KLM Information line before we could find out our options. After more than 3 hours, I don't know how many different people, walking almost the entire airport, a complimentary water bottle, receiving our "care package" of personal items for our troubles, we were left to wait for 30 minutes outside in the snow for the shuttle to our hotel. Upon arriving at the hotel we find the lobby full of all the other KLM customers in the same position - now we have an additional hour wait just to get to our room.

No phone, expensive internet, and no one from home communicating, we were forced to wait & hope that back in the UK they knew more than we did. This morning (2:30) when I finally forced myself to get out of bed (I wasn't sleeping anyway) I see an email from Kevin stating he knew what was going on - glad someone did :-)

Well, we are off in an hour to start again. Here's hoping that we actually get home this time. We will be smelly, dirty, and wanting a shower but how good it will be to finally be home!

China (Day 9)

Today was our last day in China, and the plan was to visit a few historical sites, complete the last minute shopping (not that we have room for any shopping in our luggage), and back to our room for packing & a good night sleep. Our first visit was to Tian'anmen Square to fly a kite. I have always loved flying a kite so I jumped at this opportunity. Next to me was a guy flying a kite that looked like a hawk. Instead of the normal string & holder used to fly a kite, he had a wheel of some sort. He could make the hawk do all kinds of things; through his skill, it flew in a life-like manner (I wasn't able to capture his kite in flight - too fancy)

We then walked through the square to the Forbidden City. Gloria and I were jealous of the fact that the F.C. has 9,999 rooms (not that we would want to clean them or anything like that). The Chinese believe the number 9 is lucky and the numeral 9,999 sounds like everlasting in Chinese; it seems like there was another reason for 9,999 but I can't remember right now. At one time there were approximately 70,000 eunuchs; 100+ concubines; 9,000 female attendants; plus the emperor and his wife ~ that's a lot of people in one place...

Picture of the Harmony Garden deep inside the F.C. walls.

This is where Gloria & I are going to need to spend more time :-)

We took a Petty Cab ride to the Bell Tower, but made a "pit-stop" on Beer Alley.

notice the Budweiser sign - I thought that was so weird to see in China...

not that I thought a "Coors Light" sign was any less weird...

While David & I climbed to the top of the Bell Tower, Gloria did some shopping in the gift shop. The tower has 75 very, very steep steps (not the standard size step we have in the US). I practically ran up them because I knew if I stopped I would never finish it. When I got to the top David said that was the fastest he had ever made it to the top of the tower. He asked me if I were an athlete - I just laughed & thought to myself, did you not notice the fat jiggling while we were going up the stairs :-)

After enjoying a tea ceremony at the Bell Tower, Gloria & I were back to the Pearl Market for that last minute shopping and then Pizza Hut for dinner (I know, it is our last night in China but we have had Chinese food almost every day - plus we did have it for lunch), and then back to the hotel to pack. We have packed everything & as long as no one opens our suitcases, we have it all in :-)

Now, we are off to bed for a good nights sleep before our 20 hour journey to get home. I cannot wait to get home & see my family!!!!!!!!

In Case You'e Curious...

Just in case you are curious - it is 11:38 here in China, I should be asleep but I am wide awake (which seems to be the norm this trip). I am sooooo home sick & ready to give Brittney & Sophie the biggest hugs, kisses, cuddles, and play time. I started my "China" blogs with the question why... I thought the reason for being here was to bring the orphans of China closer to my heart; I do believe that is/was one of the reasons for this trip... but for me, the biggest lesson has been just how much I take my family for granted. So here goes...

Kevin ~ thank you for supporting me even when I am bad tempered, foul mooded, and tired of being home all day. Thank you for working hard to make these fabulous opportunities for your family. You are an awesome daddy and a great hubby. I know I don't tell you that enough, but I mean it and I love you!

Brittney ~ you are my big girl, growing up way too fast. You are an awesome big sister and a tremendous help to me when I am home. You are becoming independent and smart beyond words. I am so proud of the beautiful girl you are both on the inside and the outside. I love you!

Sophie ~ you are my bundle of energy that is constantly bringing a smile to my face. I love your smile, your constant singing, and your giggles. You are a ray of sunshine in our family. I love you!

Granny ~ I could not have gone on this trip without your support & help. Thank you! Thank you for everything... I promise, Duke & Daisy really are good dogs :-) and the stomach bug will go away eventually. I love you!

Friends in the UK & US ~ thank you for your emails and comments to the blogs. Your support before we ever touched down helped to make a difference in so many children's lives, but your support while we have been here has been extremely needed. We rush back to the hotel each night to see what you are saying... Thank you!

I need to quit now because the tears have started & I don't want to wake up Gloria. I love you all

Pictures by Sophie

While uploading my photos from the trip I noticed that Sophie had gotten a hold of my camera. The pictures were actually too cute not to post...


Notice dad is in the room while this is happening but is totally oblivious... why is he oblivious

because he is on the computer ~ notice his hand...

Photo of the picture on the wall in the study where dad is on the computer completely oblivious to Sophie having control of my "non-expensive" camera I am about to take on my trip to China

Oh, there is the culprit - she hasn't learned about hiding the evidence yet

Close up of that beautiful face...

... of that beautiful smile (notice the missing tooth)


Here she is taking a picture of herself with one hand and holding pink baby with the other hand ~ that is determination & talent I must admit :-)

Brittney's Class Assembly

Friday the 7th Brittney had her class assembly on the Celts. I kept meaning to blog about it but was actually waiting for a video clip she & her dad are putting together. I finally decided I will make the post without the video & can always add the video later...

Brittney & her class did an EXCELLENT job. The assembly covered what they have been studying in class as well as highlighting a recent trip to Flag Fen. I must admit I sat there with tears in my eyes watching as my "little" girl made me so proud!

Brittney a Celt from 2000 years ago

The Celt warriors

The Celt woman with 2 chorus girls :-)

China (Day 8)

A picture of our group for the week (minus the driver) ~ Me, Linda (I keep calling her Laura so she needs to change her name...), Gloria, and Michael. We have made some awesome memories.

We spent all day at New Day Creation Learning Center. It is a fabulous facility approximately 1-1/2 hours out of the city. It has a school for English skills (all ages), a cafeteria, a small manufacturing business, a gift shop, a preschool, and the foster facility. Obviously we were there to visit the foster facility - the children are special needs with the majority of the "issues" being some form of heart disease. After touring the facility we played with the preschool age children first. We got to help them water color paint; one of my favorite activities!

These were pictures of the children hanging in the facility. Hannah, the one picture is for you - can you tell which one :-)

Later in the morning we went upstairs to see the babies. There are approximately 10 babies upstairs but more than half of them are in the hospital for surgeries or for winter bug (since they have heart problems even the common cold can be serious). We were able to see the therapy room and the baby bedrooms.

The therapy room had such an inviting and comforting feeling; actually you could say the entire facility had that "home" feel to it...

I was able to spend my "baby" time with a little boy named Noah. He is 3 months old and has downs syndrome and a heart condition. He has more surgeries to go, but he was an absolute delight today. He would cooo at me and hold my fingers really tight. Of course I sang to him, rocked him, played on the floor with him, and walked around with him. His favorite song seemed to be Itsy-Bitsy Spider; he would just laugh when the spider crawled up him... He did take a short 10 minute nap in my arms, and I just melted. The Ayi brought him to me when he woke from his afternoon nap; I felt really privileged by that plus she let me feed him his bottle (oh I so remember how difficult those days can be & I don't long for them to come back). Before we left for the day (and this trip) I sang one last song to him ~ Jesus Loves the Little Children ~ and promised him that there was a plan for his life. I silently cried as I left.

I do not like to hear myself sing and would not normally upload a video of myself, but I wanted to share with you Noah's smile. As the day progressed he would smile the minute I started the song...

While Noah was napping I played with a little 7 year old girl named Leah Hope (I love that name). She is a dwarf but sharp as a tack. She kept leading me around by the hand. Her english is excellent, and her coloring skills were top notch. She reminded me how much fun it can be to be a kid... so girls, when I get home we are getting the painting out, the play-doh, the coloring, you name it!

We had dinner at the Beijing Hotpot. The best way to describe it is a chinese version of fondue. It was excellent... except for when I went to put the noodles in my pot. The noodles weren't sliced and they were all tangled...so when I picked them up, they all came out, they wouldn't go into the pot, they were going everywhere...everyone came running over to try to keep me from making a huge mess; of course, I made a huge mess, felt like all eyes were on me, and was embarrassed beyond words. Oh well, have I mentioned how much I don't like change, embarrassment, or feeling like everyone is watching me. Anyway, the meal was very good. The oil I was cooking my food in was extremely spicy, so now I have heartburn :-( Hopefully I can get a good night sleep.

Tomorrow is our last day in Beijing. We are off to see the Forbidden City Palace and the 450 years old Bell Tower. Gloria promises it will be a great day of shopping as well. Not sure how that will work since we have no luggage room, but we'll deal with that later. I'm off to sleep for now ~ good night & sweet dreams...

China (Day 7)

In the morning we visited BICCO (Beijing International Committee for Chinese Organization). This is a fabulous program facilitated by a mom & her son from the Philippines. They work with children that have CP. They provide physical therapy and hygiene training for moms and their children. They have families travel by train to spend 2 weeks at the facility; some travelling over 10 hours. The success stories they share are amazing - children unable to even respond when they first arrive, able to walk out of the facility 2 weeks later ~ who says miracles aren't still happening!


This little girl is autistic as well as having CP. I worked with her in the morning. She would follow the movement of music & sound. She had a fabulous smile & I called her the closet talker. I would talk to her or sing to her, then after I would "walk" away she would start repeating me. When we would catch her at it, she would just smile. It was a kind of game I guess :-)

After lunch we had an additional 2 hour delay before we could visit the next place so our guide set up a foot massage for me and Gloria. Oh my, it was really relaxing. It started with a hot soak in tea water, followed by a foot, knee, and leg massage. There were times that they really got in there but it felt great in the end. (you can see Gloria's blog for pictures...I was enjoying it too much to worry about pictures)

Then we were off to Amazing Hands. Oh to have the energy of this house mom. She was so good with the children. All of the workers had tons of energy but the house mom made you tired just watching her; she was constantly able to play with all 10 children, separately.




This little girl just loved to coo at you. She would try to mimic your "aaa" and "ooo" mouth and sound. It was really sweet!

We finished the day in our hotel room - catching up on emails, homework, and naps. I had a PB&J for dinner ~ it really hit the spot :-)

China (Day 6)

Today we were at Children Hope. The orphanage is smaller with less than 20 children and has a 1 to 2 ratio. All of the children have varying degrees of disabilities.

This little baby had just arrived with a cleft palate that will eventually be repaired. She was tiny, tiny, but it was so cool to watch how tender the other little ones were with her...


These two little boys met us at the door with the antiseptic gel. They definitely know the routine :-) They squirted into our hands and showed us that we needed to rub it in. Watching these two little boys play through out the day was a hoot. They were so interactive with everyone - other children, the ayi, and with us. They would just run at full steam, with the biggest grins on their faces. At the end of the day when we left, they gave each of us a hug, kiss, and hand shake.

This little boy was one of the one's pictured above with the gel. He has just had his cleft palate surgery. When you take his picture he opens his mouth to show you ~ it was a glorious sight!

These two boys are future engineers. They lined up boxes from the toy shelf (straight line of course) and then would walk in & out of them. After doing that for awhile, they then started stacking the boxes but only after realizing with the help of a long rod they could spin the boxes around on the floor real easy. It was fun to watch them come up with different ways to play with these boxes...

The little ones with us and their Ayi's rolling the ball around.

The boys loved playing with David. He would tote them around, talk with them, play with them on the ground. He was definitely a favorite with the boys...

Gloria played with this little girl most of the afternoon. She came to this orphanage from another orphanage only a month ago. When she arrived she was basically unresponsive; they believe she has some form of CP and possible brain damage. She now walks around, plays with you, has the hugest smile as you can see above, and seems to really be enjoying life.

Wei Xi is 3 years old. I originally picked her up because she was sitting in a bouncy seat (just like the one Brittney & Sophie had when they were little). She was getting really tired & was starting to get a little fussy. I asked if I could pick her up, & then they told me that she was blind, deaf, and unable to sit up on her own. She was really starting to fuss, so I held her tight against me at first with her head resting on my throat. Then I started to sing to her - almost instantly she stopped fussing. She would push her head up against my throat. After awhile she actually started smiling. Eventually she feel asleep in my arms, so I continued to rock her & sing to her. Now her Ayi (nanny) had 1 other child she was responsible for (though they all share working with all of the children); this other little girl was 1 year old & had just had a shunt put in her head to drain the excess fluid. She also was a little girl unable to move, but she was very responsive to everyone around. I enjoyed watching the ayi give this other little girl infant massages through out the day to stimulate her movements.

After lunch when we returned, Wei Xi was on the couch and starting to get fussy. Her Ayi was working with the other girl, so I again asked if I could pick her up. At first Wei Xi was fussy, but eventually she & I settled into a routine again. I would walk with her, sing to her, play with her arms, etc. She was really beginning to smile & respond. She makes beautiful sounds with her voice, and there were times that I would have said she was repeating the sounds I made to her. I learned that she really enjoyed feeling the sunshine on her face. Whenever a sun-beam would come across her face she would just marvel in it. I took her for a short walk in the courtyard, but it was too cold to stay out long. Again, she seemed to enjoy the fresh air & definitely she enjoyed the sunshine.

Even as I type this I just keep singing over & over again, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world."