Attempting a photo shoot with six kids... and a dog

A couple years ago, we decided to take the cheap route and take our own family and school pictures.  After today, I am second guessing that decision.  With each added kid, it gets more and more difficult to get a good group shot of the kids.  When you have one kid who just can't figure out how to smile normal for a picture, another kid who loves being silly, another who just won't sit still, and another who for some reason has a tendancy to look the wrong way at the wrong time....  well it is a recipe for an interesting photo shoot.  67 pictures later, we did not get a perfect shot, but it was at least interesting.

Our first shot, right off the bat was actually probably one of the better ones... should have just called it a day right then and there.

In this shot, you can see who was always on the move (the blurry kid), who looks the wrong way, and who had a hard time finding their smile.

Oh, and gotta love Josiah's face, and Joel is thinking "are we done yet?"

This was one where most look relatively normal.

Then we decided we were having so much fun, let's bring in Blitz!  Jacob is thinking that isn't such a good idea.

OK, lets move Blitz back a little.  Now everyone is thinking "Are we done YET??"  "Yes, kids, yes we are."

We did get a few good individual shots of the kids (even that was a challenge for some, won't mention any names.)

Knock knock, anyone still there?

I can't believe it has been almost 3 months since my last post!  So, if anyone is still there, sorry for the HUGE delay!  Guess life with 6 kids is just plain too busy to find time to post on here.

So I will try to give a little update on all of us.  Well, at least the kids.  Nothing big has changed for David or I.  Oh, except for that little thing called turning 40!

I'll start with Joel.  Joel is now in 7th grade.  He is getting dangerously close to passing me up in height and his feet are already bigger than mine.  For a while there, I could steal his shoes to wear when my shoes were in my room with a sleeping kid.  No such luck anymore.  Joel was planning on running in Cross Country this Fall, but conveniently sprained his ankle right before school started.  There's always Track in the Spring!  He is enjoying being in two orchestras (school and the Central Oregon Junior Symphony) playing his violin.  He also is taking an online German class, much to the JOY of my dad!



Hannah is the big kid at her school, in 5th grade.  All of her grade is going to outdoor school this week.  This will be her first time at a camp away from family for 2 nights.  We decided to pull her out of gymnastics and now she is doing soccer.  Fortunately, Hannah is one to love whatever she is doing so the change was not a big deal.  She also has been taking cello lessons and is her teacher's star pupil, wowing everyone at how quickly she is picking it up.



Olivia is now in 2nd grade, and fortunately in a 2/3 blend class so she can do a lot of the 3rd grade work to keep her challenged.  She is also in soccer and will start Basketball for the first time in November.  That will be our first child to play basketball. She is actually average to tall for her age, not at all fitting the stereotype of a short Chinese person.



Josiah is now in the 1st grade.  He has a great teacher who has taught two of my other kids in the past.  Josiah tends to be a little distractable, but when he focuses he can do amazing things.  He can tell you word for word a story that he listened to, and this is usually what he does when re-telling the story.  Word - For - Word, no paraphrasing for this kid.  You should see the looks on the other kid's faces while he is telling a story at dinner and everyone else has to wait their turn to talk!  Josiah also loves to sing and his voice will likely be his instrument of choice. Oh and he is also playing soccer this Fall.



Jayden started Kindergarten this year.  We went back and forth trying to decide whether to hold him back or send him to school.  He started out going half days, but after two days of school really wanted to stay all day.  He is doing better than I expected.  He whispers to one of the teacher aides and even made a friend. This is a huge step for someone with Selective Mutism!  Jayden is also loving going to Therapeutic Riding lessons every week.  And he is also in soccer (if you are counting, that is 4 kids in soccer!  That means 4 soccer games every Saturday, in 3 separate parks spread out all over the city!)  Yep, I am a glutton for punishment.



And then that leaves Jacob.  Jacob, Jacob, Jacob.  He really is quite the character.  He was the only one of my adopted kids that came to me already speaking Chinese.  And he picked up English very quickly.  He is speaking pretty much non-stop.  Literally, like all the time when he is awake.  He loves his brothers and sisters, especially Hannah.  We brought him to Shriner's last week for the first time.  We got a few new surprises when they looked at his x-rays.  He has bilateral fibular hemimelia, meaning that he is missing both his fibula bones in his legs.  Usually the condition results in so bent lower legs that they amputate the leg from below the knee down.  Jacob's legs are straight so God really protected him, because he needs his toes!!  We are still trying to figure out what if anything this means for his future, but for now the doctors are just planning on watching him.



AND, coming soon.......


wait for it.........






a new puppy!!!  We are getting a puppy in the next few days.  Yep again, gluttons for punishment!  Never a dull moment in this house.

Being "different"

One thing about being a large family, especially a large multi-cultural family, is that we get a LOT of looks. Every single time we are all at the store with all the kids (or even just a handful of them) we get both looks and comments.  They really don't bother me too much.  I probably would do the same thing if I saw a big herd of children.  Especially at Costco, where we have two kids in the cart, one standing on the end, and three more either following behind or flanking me.  We are a walking circus, I get it.

After having a child with a very obvious difference for 3 years, and now another child with a limb difference, I am still sometimes at a loss of how to react to some comments that we get.  Usually people are very nice and just curious.  Kids very often come up me and ask whether Jayden has arms.  Most of the time, I just answer "no".  And that is usually followed by "Why?" and I simply say that he was born that way.  Many times the child continues on their way, or goes and tells their parents about it.  No problem, I think curiosity is a good thing and I would rather them ask than just point and whisper.  It is kind of fun to see children's wheels turning in their head as they grasp that Jayden and Jacob actually don't have hands.  It is often quite mind blowing for them.

But sometimes, it just gets too intrusive.  Like today, we were at a park fishing.  A 5 year old girl came up to Jacob and I and asked if he had hands.  We went through the simple dance of explaining that he doesn't have hands, he was born that way, and he uses his toes to do things.  Then she noticed Jayden, and went through the whole thing again.  After that, she just would not let up.  She asked if she could see their arms, and I told her that it is private and no, we wouldn't lift up his shirt to show her.  I tried explaining it like she wasn't supposed to show us her private parts.  It's not that I am against anyone seeing their arms.  When we are at the pool, they go without their shirts and everyone sees their arms.  I just think that it should be their choice if they want to show them their arms or not, and so far they pretty much freeze when people ask questions.  But she kept trying to look up Jacob's sleeve.  When she finally got a glimpse of one of his arms, she said it was so weird.  By this time, I was done.  I scooped the boys up, put them in a double stroller and took them for a walk.

This is something we encounter on a regular basis, and I know it is just something that will happen and we need to get used to it.  I just pray that I am handling it well, and that Jayden and Jacob will be happy with how I handle it.  I know that they will take cues from David and I in how to handle comments and looks.  It is the comments like "that's weird" or "that's gross" or "that's so sad" that really get to me.  I'm open for advice on how to handle comments like that.  And do you think I should show kids their arms when they ask?  Or should I ask Jayden or Jacob if they want to show their arms?  I just don't know what is the right answer.  I don't want them to feel embarrassed about how they were made.

2 weeks home

Things are starting to feel a little more settled.  I am nervous about saying that, because the night after my last post (where I bragged about how well Jacob was sleeping), he was awake for 4 1/2 hours straight in the middle of the night.  But over the past couple days, Jacob is seeming a little more content.  He is playing with toys better, understanding better, and starting to communicate more.  I still am needing to hold him lots, and just cleaned the house with him in the carrier.  But this is a good thing for attachment, so I am fine with it.  Especially when he is happy to be in the carrier and not whining.  It is all good when he is not whining, and there has been a lot less of that the past couple days.

Jacob is a big eater, and will eat most things that I give him.  He likes being independent, always wanting to feed himself.  But he isn't completely coordinated yet to do it all himself, so that leads to some battles.  And he isn't very patient when it comes to being fed, so I have to have a forkful ready for him at all times!  We are working on him using words (like more) to ask for more food instead of grunting or whining.  He has his good moments and bad moments with this, but the good are getting more and more.  We have been going to lunch in the park (a free program for kids here in our town) many days, and people probably think I am crazy.  Many of the meals are just to difficult even for Jayden to feed himself, so I end up feeding the both Jayden and Jacob at the same time.  Sometimes I get my arms all in tangles trying to get the correct food/fork to the correct child, but it all works out.

Speaking of multi-tasking, just ask David, I am NOT a multi-tasker.  AT ALL.  I am really good at focusing on one thing at a time, and that is about it.  Well, look at this picture of me playing the violin while holding Jacob!  Guess 6th time is a charm in getting my super-power mommy multi-tasking abilities!  AND I didn't drop him!  Oh great, now that I said that, I will be dropping him soon.  Next post...

I had to take 25 pictures to get a half way decent picture of all the kids.  This is the best you are going to get.  When  you add a kid, it adds at least 15 outtakes to each photo shoot!  Add to that, one child, I won't mention any names, was throwing a giant fit right before this photo shoot.

All of the kids are really stepping up and being great siblings.  I was a little worried, coming back right at the beginning of Summer and having such intense family time.  But it has been the best case scenario and Jacob is fitting in with the family wonderfully.

Family of 8!

We made it  home on Thursday afternoon.  I'm just now coming out of the jetlag fog enough to post.  The flight was really good.  Jacob slept part of the first leg to Tokyo, and then almost all of the flight from Tokyo to San Francisco.  He barely cried at all.  I know this was due to all of our prayer warriors, so thank you!!

Jacob has done overall really well since coming home.  He is sleeping great (Olivia and I are a different story).  He loves following around his siblings.  They are all being great with him, even Jayden doesn't freak out when Jacob takes his toys.  Jacob is slowly starting to warm up to David.  Last night, I let him stay up a little late because he started playing with David without me in the room.  Baby steps, but I know he will come to love his Daddy once he figures out what a great Dad he is!

It is always hard to add a new member to the family and find a new groove, but this time around seems like a better transition than the past couple adoptions.

Jacob is showing his personality more and more.  He is really a fun kid.  He smiles readily and laughs whenever anyone else is laughing, even when he has no idea what is funny.  I think eventually he will be an adventurous one.  On the playground today, he kept wanting to go up the steps and down the slide (actually he would have gone up the slide if I would have let him and if he was able).  He doesn't seem to have any fear of falling, which can be dangerous.  I have to stay very close to him and keep a hand on him most times.  I think he would be one to fall off a play structure just for the fun of it.  He hasn't been walking very long, so really had beginning walker/toddler balance.  He sometimes will fall in the grass and doesn't even cry.  His fearless, mischievous streak may end up causing injuries I fear, especially since he doesn't have arms to catch himself.

Sent from Samsung tablet

Consulate appointment

Today was finally the day that all of the rest of our trip's schedule has centered around. The day that we officially apply for Jacob's visa to become an American citizen. Tomorrow we will get his visa and take the train to Hong Kong. Then on Thursday morning we fly home via Tokyo and San Francisco. 

This afternoon we headed to Shaiman Island for some shopping and to have dinner at Lucy's. I got to explain to Olivia what the word tradition means.

We would really appreciate prayers for our long trip home.

Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

Safari park.

Today was such a fun day. We went to the safari park with my friend Jaclyn and her son,  Lucas. Olivia and are becoming pro subway riders so we decided to save some money and take the subway all the way to the safari park. By the time we got there, we were all dripping wet with sweat. Why is it that we pick the hottest day to go there? So I rented a stroller. Jacob cried at first but quickly realized how much cooler it is to not be strapped to me. I'm not sure how hot it got today, but the temperature right now at 830pm is 90 degrees and it has cooled down substantially. 

Despite the heat, we had a great time. Jacob even got into looking at the animals and loved the monkey show. He kept calling every single animal a go go. Not sure how it is really spelled, but it means dog in chinese. 

When we got back,  we jumped in the pool. Jacob loved swimming! He was laughing and splashing with his little arm. He is such a cutie. Olivia has been a super good helper this trip. She has been my extra set of hands, backpack carrier, fun playmate for Jacob, and my extra brain for remembering things. 

Sent from Samsung tablet

Guangzhou

Yesterday, we had a super low key day, mostly hanging in the hotel room until leaving last night for a latw might flight to Guangzhou. We got to our hotel room around 1:30 am and crashed. Jacob did ok for the flight.  He cried and screamed when he realized I was going to make him stay buckled, but evemtially settled down. I had him in the aisle seat, which was a mistake. He kept putting his head or feet out into the aisle and one time got bumped in the head by a fast walking steward. So he scrwamed again when I switched seats with him. He fell asleep for he last 20 minutes. So all in all, it could have been worse.

Today, we had Jacob's medical check up. It was in a different building near the consulate,  so not on Shaiman Island anymore.  Looks like we'll be taking a special trip to the island on another day.  Jacob pretty much cried whenever anyone touched him and completely screamed bloody murder wjen the nurse took him in another room to draw blood for the tb test. They don't allow parents in there.

The highlight of our day was meeting up with a good friend and her newly adopted son for dinner. She is a special friend who I got to know while adopting Jayden, and we have supported each other through this adoption,  going through each step together. She is from the other side of the country,  so the only time we see each other is in china. Her friendship has been a gift from God. 

Another hihlight of the day was when Jacob said an unsolicited "ai ni" which means "love you" in Chinese.  Soooo sweet. This was right after a very traumatic bath (he hates baths) and then I sang Rockaby baby.  All of my kids love rockaby baby.

Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

Shaolin temple

Today was our big tourist day. We drove about 2 hours through the countryside to Shaolin mountain and Shaolin temple. Jacob did pretty good on the drive, which was a relief. He slept an hour on the way there. For most of the time, I kept feeding him some fish crackers, which kept him mostly happy.  Then on the drive back he had fun playing with the empty cracker boxes. He has a strong mischievous streak and loves dropping thing to get a reaction, amd he lauhs when I catch him doing something bad, like chewing on a cord or putting coins in his mouth. Oh boy, he is our sixth child, but the first one that I will actually have to baby proof the house for! Guess we had it coming...

The temple itself was pretty much like every other buddist temple I have been to. One monk came up to us and wanted to do a blessing for Jacob. I politely declined. Sorry, there are some things I just won't allow even if it did offend. I just told our guide that we are Christians and left it at that.

Tomorrow night we head out to Guangzhou. I will miss Zhengzhou. I love so much about China, the people,  the sights, the smells. This is the birthplace of our son, so it will always be a special place.  

We so appreciate all your prayers. This trip has been difficult in many ways but we also know that God is with us every step of the way.

Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

Hanging in Zhengzhou

We woke up this morning and completed our normal routine: drink bottle, skype with family back home, get ready, and go to breakfast. Jayden is really loving his time skyping with the kids. 

Today, we got to visit two other apartments with swallows nest. One of them is where Jacob lived until he was about 16 months old.  We had fun playing with the adorable babies and taking some pictures and videos for some families who are waiting to adopt some of the cuties. 

This afternoon we went back to the park and Olivia went on a swing ride. We have met some really nice families who are here adopting too. One even gave Jacob a pair of sandals that didn't fit their son. We had not been able to find a pair in his size. 

We are so thankful for all your prayers. God is providing in so many ways.

Tomorrow,  we drive 2 hours outsiee the city to Shaolin temple. I am looking forward to seeing the countryside. 

Sent from Samsung tablet

Visit to Swallow's Nest

When Jacob was little, he was chosen to live at a foster group home. We got to visit his home and one other home yesterday. Jacob got to see his foster siblings and nannies and say one final goodbye. We had a fun welcoming committee of his cute friends waiting for us at the door. The kids in his home are all very interactive and oh so cute! It was so good to see the wonderful loving care that he had received. Jacob was a little clingy at first but started to warm up once snack came out. But he always had to stay right by or on me. He definitely hasstaked his claim on me. We got to visit another home too, but unfortunately he was very fussy during the visit. I think it was all very overwhelming for him.  Aftrwards we got to walk around and have coffee with one of he interns from America and her fiance. I loved hearing their story about how they have both been called to orphan care.  We also got to bring them out to lunch, plus the interim director of swallows nest, who is also very sweet.

Today has been filled with finalizing the adoption, applying forJacob's passport, and going to the notary. Lots of standing in lines and waiting long times in multiple offices. Jacob became very grumpy through the ordeal. Once we got back to the hotel he was happyy again. He probably thinks his hotel is his home. He has lots of changes coming up! I am already dreading the flights that are ahead.

Playing while skyping with Daddy

Sent from Samsung tablet

Park

Sent from Samsung tablet

Sent from Samsung tablet

Dumplings!

Sent from Samsung tablet

Zhengzhou adventure

We had a great day today.  Yesterday afternoon it rained, which cleaned the air some and cooled down the temperature.  Today was actually quite pleasant.  In the morning we went to the ZhongYuan Tower.  Think space needle, only a lot higher.  We got to go up the elevator to an observation deck.  We were able to have a panoramic view of the city.  

After naps, we decided to venture out and explore.  We went to a big park that is right near the hotel.  We enjoyed listening to groups playng music on their chinese instruments and singing.  Pretty cool.  But once we arrived on the scene I think most of the attention turned to us than on the musicians.  Then we noticed a bunch of people around a pond fishing.  Olivia wanted to try, so we rented a fishing pole, bait, and bucket.  We ended up catching 5 fish!  An old man came up and took pity on me and helped Olivia bait the hook and take the fish off for the last 45 minutes.  Don't worry, I got to experience taking a fish off the hook before he came over.  Jacob thought the fish were pretty fun.  When we were out of bait, we gave the fish to some kids who were next to us.  Making memories!

By this time we were getting hungry for dinner.  We didn't feel like eating in the Holiday Inn restaurant again, so we walked around for an hour looking for another restaurant (Sara, the street you recommended a restaurant on was under construction so we couldn't go there).  Finally we found a little dumpling shop.  It was shrimp and pork dumplings. Very good.  If we don't end up getting sick, we will be going back!

Jacob is sitting in my lap jabbering like crazy.  He is talking a lot.  Most of it I don't understand, but he knows how to get his point across!  

Tomorrow we get to visit his foster home.  I am really looking forward to it.  Please pray that Jacob does OK with the visit, finds closure, and has fun seeing his friends.

Sent from Samsung tablet