The Real "BACKYARDIGANS"

My plants got quite a good watering from these two.
Emanuiel thought the water in the bucket needed a few good swishes with the arm splints.
They did take turns. After a few reminders.
Emanuiel supervising the watering process.
All done watering, now for a few runs down the slide.

Labor Day Fun

At the spur of the moment we decided to host a Labor Day Cook-out,( yes you can question my sanity here). So we invited about 20 family members and friends. Here is the grill master taking a rest after grilling hamburgers for all of us. It was fun and we topped it off with home-made ice cream, something that Emanuiel can actually eat!! I tried to snap a few pictures(most of them turned out terrible) but here are a few of the two little ones.
Emanuiel and Clara Beth taking a much needed rest after several trips up and down the slide.
Notice the arm splints(haven't slowed him down a bit and he can take them off by himself!!) They took a few spins around the patio on various riding toys. No swimming this time, Emanuiel has tubes in his ears. It was hard enough for him to drink his Pedisure while others ate, there was no way others could swim and him not be able to.

Yes, he is JUMPING off of Land's bicycle ramp. He watched Land actually jump it on his bicycle earlier, thankfully Emanuiel didn't try it with his new bike!!!! Unfortunately all of the other pictures of our guests were blurry. That's what happens when I am behind the camera and trying to keep up with the two little tornadoes!!!

Surgery Update

We can't thank everyone enough for the sweet prayers for Emanuiel. The surgery was very long (over 5 hours) but the doctor's did an excellent job. The first few hours after surgery were hard but he did great. By Friday morning he was talking and drinking. He only had pain medication one time!! The doctor could not believe it. I know it was because of all of the prayers from family and friends. We came home around lunch time yesterday. Now the hard part is trying to help him understand that he can only drink liquids(he LOVES to eat) and already wants other things. Eating for the rest of us has become quite a challenge. I ask for continued prayer for this and his healing. Also for him to have patience with his arm splints he has already figured out how to take them off. This picture was taken right before his surgery. I'll try to post other pictures later.

Thanks so much and keep praying,

Robin

My whole being,praise the Lord.

Lord my God, You are very great.

Psalm 104:1

Again, He has done GREAT things for us!

Yes, we are STILL here!!

Life has been CRAZY since we arrived home, fun but CRAZY. We are all adjusting to having a new little rambunctious fellow added into the mix. Here he is enjoying a pony ride at Mr Bobby's and Mrs. Lynn's house. We had such fun eating Chinese food and watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics together. Emanuiel and Clara Beth wore their Olympic shirts we bought for them in China.
Here's CB and Bekah Grace, can't you tell how interested they were in the ceremony!!! They had a giggling good time together as always.

Here's Emanuiel at a friend's birthday party. He is fearless on playground equipment. I know he slid down this slide at least 50 times!!!
Here's our big guy on the first day of middle school(sniff sniff, where does the time go). The pajama parade was strapped in the back seat to see him off on his first day of sixth grade!!
This is the birthday girl and her partner in crime. I know they were planning something together. Probably how quick they could get to the bedroom to jump on the bed before I caught them!!
Here's CB and AK with a PRESENT for the birthday girl!!!! It was a sing a long Elmo that caused quite a tug of war between CB and E!!
It wasn't just a day for the birthday girl, she got a bicycle and Emanuiel did too!! We have found out that we now need two of everything. His is red and hers is pink.

Daddy(did I mention how great this man is, what a help he has been) helping CB ride her new bike. Daddy is king when it comes to bath time. They squeal and tear off their clothes racing to get in for him to give them a bath. So fun to watch.
Simple party theme this year POLKA DOTS!!! Who has time for anything else.
More party food in the kitchen.
We put the jumpy thing up for CB's party. It was hilarious to see them inside bouncing around like balls. All the China girls were here and now we have a China boy and one more on the way!!
Mommy is it time for cake yet????

The China crew hanging out in the hammock. If you could have seen the crowd gathered in front of them trying to get all of them to smile, obviously it didn't work look at those faces....
Getting ready to sing and cut the cake!! YUM YUM
After riding bikes, jumping in the jumpy thing, eating and having cake everyone went for a swim.
Ready to jump right in. After the swim it was inside to open presents. What a great day!!!! I can't believe our sweetie is TWO years old. Emanuiel liked this party thing, he was more excited than Clara Beth. His birthday should be a lot of fun!!!
And finally all dressed and ready for church, two little angels. God has blessed us in so many ways. He is faithful and good in all things. For those of you who have followed our journey we thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue to lift us up. Emanuiel has surgery on his palate this Thursday. It will last for four and a half hours. Please pray for God to guide the surgeon's hands and for quick healing. He has already answered so many prayers. Emanuiel had a rather large VSD and we have been praying for healing since the beginning of his adoption process. We saw a pediatric cardiologist last Wednesday and found out that the VSD had indeed sealed!!!! I repeat GOD IS GOOD and our prayers were answered!! Those were also the words from the doctor when I told him how we had prayed for that very thing!!! The Lord watches over all who love Him. Psalm 145:20 Isn't it comforting to know that this verse is so true, no matter what our circumstances are. Until next time...............Blessings to all

Last Day and We're Headed Home

Having some fun at the Pearl Market.

One last time in the Swan Room

Out front of the White Swan.

Please pray for safe trave as we head home.

Another Day In Guangzhou

Waiting in the lobby to go to the temple.
Looking cool in Lucy's waiting for some Western food.
Playing in the Swan Room, one of our favorite places.
Enjoying noodles, of course he enjoys everything!!!!
While we were here we missed some very important birthdays. Happy Birthday to:
Geordyn, Bekah Grace, Barbee Ruth, Abbey, Terri, and Granny and Papa Ty. We love and miss you all. We will be heading HOME TOMORROW!!! We will try to post one more time before we leave. Please begin praying for safe travel. We have our swearing in ceremony today at the consulate. Then we are all done!!

The People's Park (Nanning) and Finally Guangzhou

A quick post and lots of pictures. We visited the park in Nanning, about a five minute walk from our hotel. There were lots of fun things to do, of course Land(our hunting expert) found something to shoot.
This was one of the most unusual activities I have ever seen. People get into plastic balls and they blow them up then they float around attached to a string. No, we didn't try this, afraid the air might run out before they pulled us in!!!
This sweet family followed us around for a few minutes, disappeared and then reappeared with a model car for Feng Feng. They watched us, laughed and giggled and then this little boy came over and gave it to him. So kind.

In the People's Park. Enjoying some cookies!!!
Finally we arrived at the White Swan, it's everything we expected and so much more (Nancy, I hope you get to stay here!) This is the sweeties playing(and having so much fun) in the Swan Room. It's a great place to meet and talk with other adoptive families. Emanuiel(Feng Feng cried when we left) He's very serious about eating and playing!!!
Us in front of the famous waterfall!!!! Emanuiel wanted down to get closer to the water, imagine that!
Us in the lobby in front of the Jade Dragon Boat carving right before we headed off to a very interesting meal!!
At the restaurant, that expression on my face is because Land had just discovered that there was a cat under out table, yes you read that correctly. I jumped up and tried very hard to explain to our waitress by saying Meow, Meow that we had a cat under the table. She very calmly picked him up and took him out. Why Land even looked under there is beyond me, but I sure am glad he did. Needless to say I didn't have much of an appetite after that!! I will be checking under all tables from here on out!! Well that about wraps up our day, until tomorrow, goodnight from Guangzhou!!!!!

Life In Yi Ling Village

We rode out of Nanning City for about an hour to get to Yi Ling Village. It was as if we had traveled back in time. We turned down a dirt road that led to the village. All around us there were people walking and traveling by scooters to the fields to work. They were tending crops of pumpkins, leeks, tomatoes, and other vegetables, farther back there were rice paddies flooded with water. This man smiled and made motions to the children as he passed. His face was weathered and worn from long hours in the fields. Mary told us that even though they work very hard they are free from the stress that city life brings.
This woman was busy picking baskets full of leeks. Each section grew different things. The Chinese people keep themselves covered as much as possible because they want their skin to stay light because this is beautiful to them.
I am not sure what kind of machine this was that passed us pulling this man. He was very friendly and smiled and waved to us.
This man is in a reservoir of water. He is washing his clothes by hand. It really makes me appreciate my washer and dryer at home, no more complaining about doing laundry!!!! He sprinkled powder on his clothes and then brushed them and rinsed them. How time consuming!!
An ox driven cart. What a way to travel. She was also headed to the fields.

Hanging out with a Water Buffalo while he had lunch!! They use them for so many things. They were everywhere in the village. We walked by pigs, dogs, ducks and chickens. The roads were dusty and the air was thick with the smells of different animals. We felt like we were in a documentary from National Geographic. It was truly amazing to see that people still live like this. We are so spoiled with all that we have.
These sweet women and little girl came along and gave us a handful of peanuts still on the plant and fresh from the ground for us to snack on. We thought it was such a kind gesture for them to share what they had with us. Then they rested in the shade of the trees.
Sweet baby and more kind faces from Yi Ling Village.
While we were snacking on peanuts these three boys came up smiling and laughing. We gave them gum, I wish we had thought ahead to take candy to give away. I couldn't resist having my picture made with them.
Typical street in the village the buildings along the sides house people and animals. Such a special place. We are so grateful to have been able to visit there.

Now about our little Emanuiel, Feng Feng. There are things I must tell you about his personality. He loves music. When Clara Beth and I sing he sings right along and does the motions. He is very observant and very smart. He lets us know when he has to go to the bathroom because he immediately starts to take off his shoes, next come the pants so you better be ready to find a place to go! He is used to a squatty potty so we have to hold him over the toilet(so hard on my back, this little guy is heavy)when he's done he shakes his little feet up and down, all through!! Last night in Wal-Mart(yes, we went again) he had to go, he's in the stroller and off come the shoes, oh my, Paul hurried him to the restroom. It was a squatty,Paul tried to hold him over it, he had a fit, he had to get down and do it by himself!!! Then he was happy again. He will eat anything!! Put it in his bowl and it's gone. He loves to have his food in one bowl( I don't even want my food to touch)then he eats it. When he's ready for more he points and talks. He doesn't like a mess around his bowl, he rakes it all up and tries to clean up when we are finished. He is really getting comfortable with us now. He woke up this morning very happy. Last night he climbed in his crib by himself and went to sleep(I hope he teaches CB how to do this)and climbed out this morning and came into the bathroom where I was and smiled at me!! So sweet. If I get out of his sight I hear him yell MaMa. Then he's fine once he sees me. If we talk to other Chinese People or they get on the elevator with us he squats down and hides behind Paul. I don't know if he thinks they might take him from us or if he is hiding for some other reason. It is so different with an older child. We have learned so much during this process. We have been shown once again about God's perfect plan. I know without a doubt that this child, like my others was chosen especially for our family. We are praising God for His wonder!! Tomorrow we leave Nanning for Guangzhou. Please pray for safe travel, this will be Emanuiel's first flight. Thankfully it is a short one. Until next time..................We love and miss you all!!!