Oyler children

Oyler children
...He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phil 1:6

Friday, February 19, 2016

Adjusting as a Family of Eight!!!

In just a few short weeks, our little sweetheart has transformed from a sad, quiet, grieving orphan
 into a happy, chattery, darling little girl running about our house like she has lived here always!
 She has won the hearts of all seven of us with her charming ways!
 God is so good!
Only He can work in all of our hearts so quickly!


In all reality, it has been an adjustment for everyone of us...it has been several years since we have had a toddler around!
We are again adjusting to nap time, the clutter of unpicked up toys, running someone to the potty, mealtime messiness....all the things that go with a little person.





But we wouldn't trade this for our past clutter free, organized life for a minute. 
Hearing Tia's sweet little girl voice say "bye bye" and "uh oh"
....the smoochy kisses she so freely gives
....arms wrapped tightly around my neck
....priceless!!




Tia freely comes to me (Mama) now for her needs....and we are enjoying lots of snuggle time together! God has so graciously answered the prayer that she would accept me! And thank you to all of you who have so diligently prayed for us specifically in that area! 




Ashlyn and Chantel are still not Tia's first choice of siblings, but she has come a long way in the last week with accepting them. The rejection has been hard for them as they just want to
 cuddle and love on her. But as she has slowly begun to open up and accept their love, the wait has made it twice as sweet. 




Neither of my older girls are very dramatic, but we think we may have a drama queen on our hands!
Almost every experience is met with a gasp and exclamation by Tia....
cute from a three year old....may not be so cute at 13!!!


Daddy is still her favorite! Love the patter of little feet headed toward the door as she hears his voice when he comes home in the evening!!


Now that she is comfortable, Tia is quite the chatter box! She tries to say all of our names. Some of them are barely recognizable except to the family member who it belongs to. She repeats almost anything we say in her little singsong voice! Sibling rivalry and quarrels are already underway between her and Kian...but mostly they play well together. 
He just don't like her messing up his stuff!!


Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalm 127:3





Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Tia's first days at home



When we arrived at home, we were blessed by this collection of messages from our older children...brought me to tears!  We are all so glad to be home and to be together again!!! Also, they had a "secret project" they had been working on. They surprised me by deep cleaning the house while we were in China....light fixtures, base board, all the areas that had been recently neglected! It was wonderful to be greeted by a sparkling house! The support of our older children has been huge! We are so blessed!

We are adjusting well. Between jet lag and catching up after being gone for two weeks, the last few days have felt like a little bit of a fog. But we are getting back to normal! Tia still much prefers the "men" of the house over us ladies. Much to the girls dismay, she does not like them any better than she did me. However, I am gaining ground with her. I feed her, bathe her, dress her, take her potty. She would prefer Craig, but is learning that Mama is not going to give in.



Tia has loved her brothers from the beginning....and they think it is great that she so readily goes to them!!



The girls try to interact with her....but she just pushes them away!









On Sunday morning when everyone except Tia and Mama went to church, she had no choice but to decide I was okay! That time alone was a turning point for her and I. By Sunday evening, she was allowing me to hold her and care for her like a mama should. Our feisty little girl is such a sweetheart...when she wants to be!!!





It has been a slow process, but Tia is finally warming up to Ashlyn. 
She is still not the preferred sibling, but at least she is sitting on her lap without screaming!!!


Today Kian and Ashlyn worked on a project....Chinese lanterns for Chinese New Year!!


We love our dear little girl and feel so blessed that God chose us to be her family! This journey has been quite different than our first adoption, but we wouldn't change it! We have learned so much and know that the Lord has much more refining to do in our lives. Again, thank you so much for all your love and prayers!!


Friday, February 5, 2016

Thursday 2/4 No Place Like Home!!!

Our fourteen hour flight from Hong Kong to Chicago went well.....then on to Indy.



Throughout our trip we looked at pictures of our older children, trying to get Tia familiar with their faces and names! We wanted there to be at least a few familiar faces waiting when we got off of the plane. We were so blessed by our family and friends who were there for us at the airport! It was so exciting to walk off the plane and see everyone! Tia just clung to Craig and watched timidly!











Our plane coming in!


Very anxious siblings!!















Our family of eight....all together....at last!!!

Wednesday 2/3 Final Day in Guangzhou

Our morning was mostly spent packing for our trip home. Repacking everything we brought plus all the additional items we had acquired in the last two weeks was no small feat.



In the afternoon we checked out of our hotel and met our guide who had picked up Tia's visa and immigration paperwork that we would need when we arrive in Chicago. Next we headed for the train station to catch the 5:30 bullet train to Hong Kong. The train station was the most stressful experience of our trip. Juggling two kiddos....all of our luggage....masses of people....up and down escalators....absolute chaos.

Thankfully our guide accompanied us and another adoptive family to where we boarded the train. There we said goodbye to Kelly. She does a wonderful job of organizing and guiding multiple families at a time. We really appreciate all she has done for us on both of our adoption trips.





Our train to Hong Kong



On the train






When we arrived in Hong Kong we took a taxi to our hotel. 
Driving on the left side of the road was an experience!!



Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Tuesday 2/2 U.S. Consulate Appointment

Our U.S. Consulate appointment this morning was our final official appointment for Tia's adoption. This is where the US approves all the paperwork and medical exam before issuing her visa which she needs to enter the US. Tomorrow afternoon we will receive her visa and adoption packet that we will need when we get to Chicago and go through immigration. When we touch down on American soil, Tia will officially be a US citizen.




After our consulate appointment we returned to Shamian Island to finish up some shopping and enjoy a little more time there.




The island is much more peaceful and the rest of the city.






We have had a small breakthrough with Tia today! She actually initiated peek-a-boo with Mama....threw me some kisses...and waved bye bye. Small things but a welcome change from squawking at me and pushing me away. A couple of days ago I changed tactics. I quit pursuing her and have not interacted with her much other than smiling. We feel like we are slowly making progress!! Thank you, Lord!! We appreciate all of your prayers....He is faithful! Her rejection has been hard on my Mama heart, yet I know it is nothing personal toward me. She is grieving the loss of her foster mom and it is her way of coping. But love always wins!!