Three years ago this week we were in China to adopt TA. I am going to repost our emails from that time...and photos as able.


TA as an infant, from an acquaintance

Referral Photo

Chowing, photo sent while waiting.

March 30, 2005 from Colorado Springs, CO
"OK - so the first plane is a little CRJ, but the next one is a 747
with first class upstairs. We are trying to figure out if/how to get
upgraded. Or maybe they will let me peek in the upstairs. A two
story plane sounds so cool.

We are packed, S. is sleeping, I am gathering all the last minute
stuff like paperwork, cameras, etc. I told S. I would be up for a
nap later. :-) I'll sleep on the plane!

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I will write again when we are
in Beijing.

love,
C.

ps - right now China is 15 hours ahead of mountain time (13 hours
ahead of eastern time)


Our Hotel in Beijing

The view from our window.

March 31, 2005 from Beijing, PRC
We made it. It is currently 8:18 pm local time and 5:18am according
to my body. I managed to sleep from CS to SF, but not from SF to
Beijing...the 12 hour portion. The plane ride was uneventful. We
had plenty of leg room (economy plus!) and they fed us 3 times. We
watched 3 movies and I wandered the plane while S. finished a
book (Harry Potter #4) and slept.

We were met at the airport by a guy holding a sign with S.'s name
on it. Richard works with our travel agency [JC travel]. He took us to the
hotel and made sure everything was ok. The beds are between a twin
and a full. I think we won't be sharing - at least not tonight.
Especially since S. fell across one and is sound asleep. I am
still wired.

Richard pointed out an apartment complex (series of high rises) and
said that 700,000 people live in it. An amazing number of people.
Blows my mind to think of it.

I better go and try to get some sleep so I can be coherent for our
tours tomorrow. It is supposed to rain - pray that it doesn't.

send the sandman...
c.

Croc eating escalator update:

We went into DC Saturday for the Kite Festival and the Cherry Blossom Festival (photos to come) TA wanted carried on the escalator the first two trips, but bravely stood in the center, very still for the final trip. Yes - he had on crocs. The Easter Bunny brought him new ones as he does every year. I was so proud of him!!!

White House Easter Egg Roll 2008


Where S slept Friday night while waiting in line for tickets to the egg roll. He even saw some of the folks when we were going inside.

Our tickets....

TA prior to the escalator attack.

EQ and her daddy - it's not genetic, I don't think.

Family photo with Peter Rabbit

EQ intently coloring

Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer reading 'Make Way for Ducklings'

Woodrow, the White House Mouse

The closest we'll get to the White House with a camera!

TA and the egg he rolled!

EQ after the egg roll - no, we didn't keep the eggs.

A seldom photo'd view - the fountain with the Washington Monument in the background.

Our beautiful chicks!

Steve Songs one of our favorite musicians!

The wooden commemorative eggs we received.

The coloring books in the goodie bags.

Home after a busy day, tired, in jammies, popcorn in hand, ready to watch a movie!

Escalator + Croc = missing croc + fear of escalators

Look in the lower left corner...green sticking out.


My mema instilled an irrational fear of escalators in me. I am nervous getting on the silly things - scared my shoes will get stuck. Today we were in DC for the White House Easter Egg Roll. We went to the Reagan Building for lunch in the Food Court. We were on the escalator going downstairs. We aren't exactly sure what happened. S. started yelling, "TAs shoes!" I looked down and his foot was starting to bend back. I grabbed him and watched his shoe and sock get sucked off his foot. He started crying and screaming. We got to the bottom and sat down. There was no blood, no funny shaped bones, no bruising. Some very nice ladies found security. He called the nurses. TA calmed down and EQ started screaming out of fear. I started shaking and crying - out of relief. We didn't get the foot xrayed (they offered an ambulance) and didn't file a police report. When we left after a super quick lunch, they had the escalator blocked off and were trying to get the shoe and sock out of it. S ran to a drugstore and got an Ace wrap for his foot. We then went to the Easter Egg Roll - taking elevators when needed. And he stated he is wearing tennis shoes to school tomorrow

My wonderful hubby graciously spent the night in the cold near the ellipse in front of the White House so we could get tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll. He left with another father from our Sunday school class at 9pm and returned home about 10am - with 4 tickets in hand. Here is a link to another blog talking about the experience: Getting Easter Egg Roll Tickets and some history of the roll

Our tickets are for 1:45pm - which is late, but better than no ticket at all!! Who needs naptime? Photos to follow.

May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now
And bless you evermore.

- An Irish Blessing

continuation of previous conversation while walking to the playground to watch a backhoe work:

TA: Mommy, how does the baby get out of the Mommy's belly?
Me: That is a conversation for another time sweetie.
TA: Does it crawl out of her mouth?

Two recent conversations with TA (4y 8 months):
TA: Is Jesus God?
Me: Yes.
TA: Is the Holy Spirit God?
Me: Yes.
TA: Are they all God and theirselves?
Me: Yes.
TA: So God is 3 people and 1 person?
Me: Yes.
TA: Are they in heaven and in our hearts?
Me: Yes they are.
TA: Oh. OK.
________________________________________________
(I was driving during this conversation)
TA: Mommy, did you know that babies grow in the Mommy's bellies?
Me: Where did you hear that?
TA: Daddy whispered it to me.
Me: No. Where did you really hear it?
TA: One of my teachers has a baby growing in her belly. I grew in your belly, right Mommy?
Me: No. You are from China.
TA: Oh. So I grew in your belly, went to China, and then you and daddy came to get me.
Me: Well, not exactly. You grew in a different Mommy's belly in China, but she knew she couldn't take care of you so she made sure you had a Mommy who could.
TA: I didn't grow in Daddy's belly?
Me: No. Only Mommys have babies grow in their bellies. Daddys can't.
TA: Why?
Me: That's the way God made us.
TA: Does EQ have a baby in her belly?
Me: No. She's too little. Only big people can have babies in their bellies.
TA: What if I want a baby in my belly one day?
Me: (Trying not to laugh) Sorry sweetie. You can't. That's the way God made us.
TA: OK. But I can still be a Daddy when I grow up!
Me: Absolutely.