December 4, 2011
5:54 PM | 
Posted by
Jennifer O'Cain
Every call
has a beginning
A quiet moment when
God whispers a promise
to a mother’s heart
A holy place where
a father bows and faithfully
accepts the journey set before him.
A miraculous morning that
unexpectedly dawns…
Casting its first light on a chosen threshold.
A gentle knock..
a closed door opens.
A sacred invitation sent by the Father..
Leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows
Praying for someone to care..
And then one morning,
On an ordinary day
An orphan’s life changes...
God sends them a second chance...
Through you.
~author unknown
A quiet moment when
God whispers a promise
to a mother’s heart
A holy place where
a father bows and faithfully
accepts the journey set before him.
A miraculous morning that
unexpectedly dawns…
Casting its first light on a chosen threshold.
A gentle knock..
a closed door opens.
A sacred invitation sent by the Father..
Leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows
Praying for someone to care..
And then one morning,
On an ordinary day
An orphan’s life changes...
God sends them a second chance...
Through you.
~author unknown
1:26 AM |
Posted by
Jennifer O'Cain
So today we had a little sightseeing trip planned to a park. I have probably been to about 6 or 7 Chinese Parks and was expecting pretty much the same thing but boy I was pleasantly surprised. It was a very neat park and could've spent another few hours there but somebody has to have a nap or she turns into a Dragon Princess!
Our Travel Group (part).
Our guides said this is the largest group they
have had this year.
Walking into the park you walk through tunnel after tunnel of this cool plant .
John just couldn't resist trying out the brooms we see being used all over China.
Some things here just seem to never change with the times.
No idea what these are just thought they were pretty.
We broke down and started using a stroller. She started fighting the carrier and my back had, had it!
Plywood beds and holding a 2 yr old all day just got to be too much.
She loves to snack.
Sugar art.
Amazing! We bought the "gamecock" and it was yummy!
Part of the great shows we watched.
These are just some young fellows and they were amazing.
We weren't sure what was going on here.
Love Chinese Dragons.
A big crowd pleaser.
A Delicacy???
China has this thing about goats...
Our fat ride while in Guangzhou.
December 3, 2011
2:43 AM |
Posted by
Jennifer O'Cain
Finally trusted us enough to actually get in the tub...
She may not have sat in the water but still it is progress.
And not only took a bath but look who she let give it to her.
She sat like a big girl on the bus to our appointments.
Sat on Baba's lap for her physical exam.
Didn't cry when she had to lay on a cold table for her "exam".
her Dr. was actually very good with her and played around.
What is causing my shoes to make this squeaky sound??
I don't know but it sure is fun!
And the faster I run the better.
Pure joy.
A smile that lights up the room.
And I even let Baba carry me a little bit today.
Some fun times on Shamian Island.
December 2, 2011
6:00 PM |
Posted by
Jennifer O'Cain
I just wanted to take the time to say Thank you. For all our prayers, comments and emails.
You have no idea what an encouragement they are too us. We are starting today refreshed and with our eye on HIM. We know he will see us through this because he has brought us to this place.
I just cannot express to you how much we love this child!!
Ellery eating pizza, she loves it.
1:49 AM |
Posted by
Jennifer O'Cain
Today we traveled from Nanning to Guangzhou. The entire experience was extremely stressful and by far it has been our most difficult day. We started out by getting up very early so we could leave our hotel by 7:30. Ellery was not used to getting up this early and we were all tired. Throughout the day she has shown that she highly seeks independence in tasks (when its not always appropriate), is stubborn and quite obstinate at times. She had several melt downs today. One was in the middle of the Nanning airport. If you can just imagine two bleary eyed Americans in a airport lugging a ton of luggage and trying to carry a screaming, crying little Chinese girl. I bet we were quite the sight! You can just tell by the stares that they are wondering what we are doing with her. Strangely most Chinese do not even know about the international adoption program. She also is reaching out to just about anyone Chinese who will look at her, I swear I think she would go with anyone right now, shows me just how much progress we have yet to go. She is not scared of strangers (just another thing wrong on her referral-they also said she slept poorly, loved congee and she has proven those wrong to). I can take the screaming, the pushing us away and everything else but it pains me to see her reach her arms up to a complete stranger. I know this will change but the process to bonding and attachment has very hard times. I long to be at home with just our family, teaching her the love of a family and what it means to truly trust and know a mom and a dad that would actually do ANYTHING for her!!! By the time we got to our amazing hotel I was spent. I broke down and just needed a good cry. This is hard at times and would be so much easier if we weren't so far from all those who can help us. Man have I been praying today!! We do love Guangzhou though. It will be much easier for us to get around and they have a Mc Donalds. Not my favorite place back home but we got two double cheeseburger value meals for just under $5, not a piece but for both!! It was total comfort food! And despite all the hard parts of the day we always manage to get some sweet smiles and laughs out of this sweet little girl.
Praying when she awakens from her nap she will be refreshed and in a good mood.
Ellery in front of one of the Christmas displays at the hotel. I did not realize that the Chinese celebrate Christmas with so many decorations. They are gorgeous and everywhere!
If China is not afraid to say Merry Christmas, why are we?
Waiting for our rough, high anxiety flight, thank goodness it was only 1 hour!!
Goodbye to Nanning!
Hello Guangzhou, it is good to see you!
I cracked up at my eyes in this picture. The traffic here is indescribable, just crazy.
I usually coped by just not looking out the window. In this picture I apparently did. And BTW we are not terrible parents, there is no such thing as a car sear in China. Can you believe that?
Part of the view from our hotel window in Guangzhou. That tree is HUGE!!
* Congee is a porridge made from rice cooked until it is very mushy. They often add other flavors to it such as pork. It is a staple here for young children. My guess is now that she is being exposed to so many new foods the ole congee just ain't looking so good anymore. :0)
December 1, 2011
6:50 AM |
Posted by
Jennifer O'Cain
She is talking now, a lot. She has the cutest possible voice. So far we know she has said Mama (to me!), the Chinese word for hold me (bow), the Chinese word for come here or give it to me and several things we aren't sure if they are real words or just cuteness
She sleeps like a dream.
She has unusually good fine motor skills for a delayed child. She loves to mess with packages, can button her clothes some. Her pinkies are curved and the rest of her fingers are straight.
She is communicating more with us with gestures and head nods for yes or no.
She is crazy about candy. She stole my Blow Pop and then got it all in my hair ;)
She is just so easy to love. Proud of the steps she is making towards accepting us as her parents. I just cannot express what it means that she now calls me Mama.
She is awfully quiet so I better go see what she is into.....
12:49 AM |
Posted by
Jennifer O'Cain
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