Sun 11/9 - Visited the Chen Clan Academy and the Pearl Market

This morning we went with a group of other adoptive families to the Chen Clan Academy. It is a sort of temple that the most important family in Guangzhou built for family gatherings and as a place for the family to worship. Later it became a place for family to come and study for tests similiar to our SAT tests. Kian was not impressed and ready to move on after just a few minutes! We enjoyed the architecture! Next we stopped at the Pearl Market where pearls could be purchased for a reasonable price. We enjoyed getting out of our hotel and chatting with other families the most!!!

                     Gardeners

                 Chen Clan Academy

      Gardens behind the academy

                   Pearl Market

               Pearl market mall

                            Mall

              Our guide, Kelly

Sat 11/8 - Another Day Indoors

Our original plan was to go the zoo this morning, but because of the rain we cancelled. So we had another day of bonding in the hotel room. We are running out of ways to keep a five year old entertained for hours on end. We have walked and scouted out every nook and cranny in our hotel and done most of the activities I brought along....hoping for nicer weather tomorrow. Our plans for tomorrow are to tour the Chen Clan Academy and visit the pearl market with a group of other adoptive families. We don't know much about either one but are glad for something to do!!

Kian playing our version of memory game 

Kian & Mama...he is being a little goofy here

We have yet to find something he won't eat! Pizza Hut pizza went down really well for all three of us!!:)

Fri 11/7 - Orphanage Visit

Today was a day of many emotions. We visited the only home Kian has known in his five short years. I had no idea how Kian would react. Our guide had prepared him for the visit by talking to him in Chinese and telling him we were only visiting and then he would go "home" with Baba and Mama. He was fairly quiet on the trip there but once we arrived he marched right in the front door leading the way. We had given him a bag of puffy stickers to hand out to the other children and he walked from room to room sharing them. He seemed very comfortable with being there. Overall, the orphanage was much nicer than I expected. Kian was in the Sunshine Academy preschool. This section of the orphanage was bright, cheerful and very clean. We got to see his bedroom which was just big enough for four sets of small bunk beds. Just down the hall was his classroom where he also ate his meals. Then we went to a building next door where he would have lived before the age of 2 1/2. Next we walked to the playground and spent some time there. Before we left we took some pictures with Kian in front of the orphanage, and then he ran ahead to the waiting van. After we all climbed in he said, "Let's go home," in Chinese (interpreted by our guide). Hearing that brought tears to my eyes. He had seemed so comfortable there that I was a little afraid he was not going to want to leave.

    Leading the way into the orphanage

     Kian's bed (sorry some of the pics are a little blurry)

      His classroom 

     They had just finished lunch. 

      Handing out stickers

    Only a few of the 700 children living in this orphanage. 

       Playing on the playground 

    Dong Guan Social Welfare Institute

We are so thankful that we can share the love of a family with dear little Kian and he is no longer fatherless. But it is so sad to see the countless children that remain. We will continue to lift them to our Father in pr@yer!

Thur 11/6 - A Free Day

We have been glad for a free day with no appointments! Our original plan was to walk to a nearby park and spend some time there but we woke up to rain this morning so plan B is...spending time with Kian in our room. We are getting in some good bonding time!:) I think the Lord sent the rain just for us so we would stay in and spend one on one time together. We are excited to see Kian respond and listen to us better each day! 

Over the last several months, when people learned we were adopting a little boy from China who did not understand English, the question we heard the most was "How will you ever communicate with him?" That was never a major concern of mine, probably because we have seen how well other adopted children from China have adjusted. Now we are experiencing it, and I would still say communicating has not been much of a problem. Love is a universal language. So we are constantly communicating that with him through hugs and touch. He has his own little hand signals that he uses...holding his hand like around a cup and tipping it to his mouth when he wants a drink...pulling at his pants when he needs to use the bathroom....putting his hand towards his mouth and saying "yum" when he is hungry (Craig helped him with that one:)...those are just a few of our gestures. He does a lot of grunting and pointing as well. Kian is very willing to repeat after us when we point to things. So we are trying to keep it fun and light!

                Father/son bond time

The next two pics are for Ashlyn and LaurelLee who are afraid we are not getting enough Asian food!!:)

         Stewed dumplings with beef

       Sliced noodles with mutton 

So far Kian hasn't wanted to use chop sticks but he sure has the noodle slurping down!!!! 

Wed 11/5 - Medical Exam and Apply for Passport

We are very excited that Kian officially became an Oyler yesterday! Our excitement was somewhat dampened at the time by his crying...but truly we are thankful to be through that final step!! Kian had another great night, sleeping all the way through. And Mama and Baba finally slept good too. So far eating and sleeping are two things he does very well! This morning he was not a happy boy. Then being poked and prodded at the medical exam really upset him! Can't say that I blame him!! The rest of the day has gone much better and I feel like he is connecting with us! When we applied for his passport this afternoon he was much calmer as long as one of us was holding him. He was quite the "trooper". Kian and Baba had a quick swim this afternoon which was thoroughly enjoyed by our little guy. It is going to be another early night for us!!

                   At medical exam

                        Pool time 

Tues 11/4 - Finalize Adoption

This morning we returned to the Civil Affairs Office to finalize the adoption. We definitely have some grieving going on today! He got really quiet & withdrawn when we entered the room. We really wonder what was going on in his little mind.  Then later while still there he cried uncontrollably.  I know it is necessary & normal but not an ideal place for a meltdown!😢 So hard to see him like that. He has a mind of his own & we definitely have some work cut out for us! But overall we are doing well! Just lots of adjustments for all!! He is very free with his hugs with Craig and I which is priceless. 

The following pictures were taken in the hotel garden this morning. 

The rest of Gotcha Day

I am in awe as I sit here gazing at our sweet sleeping little boy. Only a loving Father could put such peace in little Kian's heart. In actuality we are strangers to him yet he trusts us enough to fall asleep in his new daddy's arms and sleep so soundly. And I want thank every one of you because it is your faithful pr@yers over the last few months that are being answered. Thank you, thank you! I know we have many trying and difficult days ahead. But for tonight I am savoring the peaceful moment, the love and support of family and friends, and seeing pr@yers answered!

As we were Skyping our children and parents at home tonight, worn out Kian fell asleep in his daddy's arms. What an exhausting, life changing day it has been for him!