We're Home!

We left California at 3:30 a.m. on Friday and arrived home at around 10:30 p.m. The kids were SO excited to see Joel, and their rooms, they were fairly busting as we pulled into the driveway. I would have been much more excited had I been able to feel my legs.

Nearly two days, some good sleep, and several cups of coffee later, I'm finally feeling like myself again after such a long drive! It really wasn't so bad, I think that we all had our minds so full of all the things that happened to us over the past month, we had alot to keep us occupied! I am so glad we spent the extra days after my sister came home. I always have an awesome time with Jen, but it was so special to be able to connect with Kelly.

I realize that I've seriously slacked on my blogging duties, and I promise to do better now that we're home. My sister couldn't access her blog in China, so my daily blogging allowance was spent updating her blog with all of the new pictures of Kelly she'd emailed to me - could you beat that job?

Thank you all for your prayers over our adventure!

~ Jen

Platonic Wedgie?

Besides getting to spend this wonderful time with Caleb and Camryn, the best part of being here is feeling like I'm reconnecting with my own four children. We don't have to be quiet during the day, which has brought my own stress level down considerably, plus we're out of our daily routine and just enjoying each other.

Last night I carried a barely conscious Josh and Emma into the bedroom we're sharing and laid them down. I went and brushed my teeth, and came back into the room to find two hysterically silly children. I have no idea how that happened.

The thing about hysterically silly children is that it's almost impossible not to join in. But it was late and I was tired, so I tried very hard to make my voice sound serious when I asked what on earth they were laughing so hard about.

"Mama, what's a Platonic Wedgie?"
screams of laughter
"A What?"
"I heard it on TV, a Platonic Wedgie"
uh oh, someone said wedgie again, more laughter - this time I couldn't help it and joined in.
"Do you mean, an Atomic Wedgie?"
I admit, I laughed just saying it, too - I told you, it's contagious.
"Yes! Mama, what IS an Atomic Wedgie, why do they call it that?"
And that is the story of how I found myself, at midnight, between hysterical giggles, explaining to my 8 and 7 year olds how to give someone an atomic wedgie. And how and why it was different from a regular one.

These are the moments in parenting that you just can't anticipate. Actually, I don't think I've ever imagined myself having a conversation about wedgies with anyone. Oh well, the point is that you just never know.

As it happens, I kind of like the term "Platonic Wedgie". Maybe that's when just your pants are involved? After our wedgie discussion, Emma proposed that it would be much cooler if underwear were called WonderWear. She said it would make it sound more exciting, like something superheroes would wear. After the three of us recovered from laughing, I told her that I agreed 100%. Then I put on my Mommy hat and told them that really, it was WAY too late and they had to go to sleep now. But for those of you who know me - does it scare you as much as it does me that her mind works so much like mine? WonderWear - it makes perfect sense to me.

A few moments of dark silence later, Emma murmured drowsily:

"Mama, I love it when we laugh like we do".

Wow. The way she said that took my breath away, and tears of thanksgiving filled my eyes.

I love it when we laugh "like we do" too. But most of all I just love being a part of that "We".

~ Jen

Swimming!

The kids have had a blast swimming nearly every day with their cousins. Josh has come a long way in just over a week, he's now able to swim the length of the pool and even race with Caleb and Camryn! Eli, Hannah, and Emma have so much fun in the water and Emma is now able to swim short distances by herself.

Overcome

Can I just say, I'm overcome?

I'm overcome watching my sister become a mother for the third time. Watching her hold and comfort this new little one, born so far away from all we hold as familiar. Seeing my sister looking so relaxed, and happy, and at home - because her baby is finally in her arms. She really was made to be a mother, there is something magical about watching her in her element. Knowing that this little life is now one of ours - subject to all of the love, devotion, protection, and "zany" of that reality, it has me overcome with emotion.

I'm her Auntie, and I get to watch her grow - get to watch her become who she was meant to be. It's more joy than I can take in at once. I keep wanting to shout out, or cry for hours, or do something to vent all of these things I am feeling. I hope that one day, Kelly and I will sit and giggle together - like me and her sister - or perhaps we'll have each other in outright stitches like her brother and I do. Someday I hope we'll share an ice cream sundae, or a secret, together. Oh My, little one, you have so much love in store for you.

Thank You God, for Kelly. Thank You for my sister and Clint ~ who were willing to jump out in faith and meet whatever You had waiting for them. Thank You for this little one you've placed in our midst, and help us to be worthy of that trust.

Love,
A Very Overcome Auntie

They Have Her!

This morning at about 4:45 a.m. Caleb, Camryn and I were able to Skype with Jen, Clint, and baby Kelly for the first time! What a breath taking moment, to see Caleb and Camryn look upon their new baby sister for the very first time. I wanted to capture that moment for each of them, so I stayed in the doorway while the video came up - I started crying before I even finished taking pictures and went to see her for myself, lol! I will never forget that moment - I am so happy that I was able to be a part of it!

Here are the pictures of this morning:

Sleepyheads waiting for "The Call" - Notice Camryn is wearing her "Jie Jie", or "Big Sister" shirt!

I photographed Caleb's reaction first, so that he wouldn't have a chance to regain his teenage composure and I would have a true "first reaction" shot! I think it's absolutely precious!

I quickly turned the camera on Camryn, but I needn't have hurried - she wasn't going to regain any sort of composure for quite awhile. Her reaction was raw delight and some happy tears!

One last shot before I get to go and see the baby!

Finally! Mommy, Daddy, and Baby - What a gorgeous sight!

Kelly is so beautiful, she was clapping and banging some toys together. She's had some weepy moments, but that is a good thing. She must be so confused about what in the world just happened! My sister was completely gorgeous, so lit up with happiness. Clint was so sweet and tender with his new baby - he is just fabulous with babies and jumps right in with confidence! The orphanage staff told them that Kelly has never seen a man before. LOL, she must think Clint is one ugly lady!!

We get to see them again this evening at about 5 p.m. our time - morning for them. We already can't wait! I LOVE SKYPE! Camryn and Caleb were able to interact with their new sister in real time from another continent, it was amazing! I posted the actual Gotcha Day pictures on Jen's travel blog. I figured that I should post the experience from our side since we are the Home Team China blog!

I'm sorry to all of you with nieces, but I really think that I've got the most beautiful nieces in the entire world! Praise God, we are very blessed!

Kelly appears to be very healthy, and they are telling Jen and Clint that she was hospitalized as a "precaution". Who knows what actually happened - I'm just so thankful she is OKAY and finally right where she belongs. Thank You God, for this wonderful gift!

Please Pray For Kelly Elise!

Hi all,

I talked to my sister this morning and we need everyone's prayers for little Kelly. Last night in Hong Kong, my sister got a call from their representative, saying he had just received word that Kelly has been in the hospital for three days with a fever. He said she had been released just that day (the 8th) and that her fever is gone. He also said that there was something going on with her "mouth and feet" and so we are wondering if she possibly has hand, foot, and mouth disease? They just aren't sure of anything, but they are told they will still get Kelly on time - which is tomorrow for them. My sister is just desperate to have her daughter in her arms where she can care for her and meet all of her needs.

Please pray over Kelly's health, that she will get better and that everything will work out fine. Please also pray peace over my sister, her heart is very anxious over not knowing what is happening with her baby. Thank You!

I will update as soon as I hear anything from my sister.

Love,
Jen

Word From Away Team, and Fun Times For Home Team China!

We heard from "Away Team China" and they have arrived safely in a very rainy, sticky Hong Kong. Everything went well with their travels and they are looking forward to touring Hong Kong today with their group. We'll get on Skype with them in about an hour and see their sweet faces for ourselves. Speaking of sweet faces, here are some pictures of the cousins having a great time building forts and playing at the park!

We're Here, They're Not!

I know I promised family and friends that I would update regularly from California, but since our arrival on Monday I've been soaking up my time with my sister and helping out in whatever little ways I can. This morning around 5 a.m., they left for Hong Kong!

It has just been so sweet to see the high state of anticipation my sister has been in these past few days. The excitement that lights up her eyes even when she's talking about something wholly unrelated to the adoption, and the dreamy, far off look that she gets when things are quiet. It's wonderful to watch someone you love so much in this stage of the adoption process. Her excitement is my excitement, and my heart has been skipping along joyously in time with hers. Knowing that very soon, her heart's desire will be placed in her arms to stay forever is completely exhilarating!

There is only one thing that has surprised me from over here on this side of adoption. Last night and this morning, I found myself feeling these intense waves of sadness. All of the sudden I realized how much I am going to miss my sister! We talk at least twice on most days, more if there is something really noteworthy going on! It's going to be strange to have her so far away for two whole weeks! I never realized before that there should be a distance limitation between sisters. If there was one, my sister would be FAR outside the boundaries right now. Please don't get me wrong, I know that I must sound so selfish. I am SO happy that my sister is exactly where she is, and absolute joy is my primary emotion right now. I just didn't realize how forlorn I would feel without my touchstone.

You see, my sister is the one I never have to explain myself to. She just seems to know, and on the rare occasions she doesn't get it - she always gives me the benefit of the doubt. She can say the "hard things" to me, but she never runs out of grace for me. I can say anything to her, and never fear condemnation. I can tell how she's feeling as soon as I hear her voice, or even by the way she words a casual email. She can tell me what I'm feeling when I'm too lost to find the right words. I'm so blessed.

I'm so blessed to have such a sister, and to be a part of her journey to her baby daughter. I'm so blessed to share these two weeks with my niece and nephew, and to be here to watch this family grow. I will post more pictures of our "Home Team China" (our new name) and all of our doings soon. Jen and Clint are "Away Team China" and you can see all of THEIR doings on:

http://tochinaforkelly.blogspot.com/

Love,

Jen