Yesterday, Holly and I went to Hudson's orphanage in Guangzhou city for the morning. It was so good to gather what information and pictures we could of his little life here in China. He was found at 2 1/2 years, the cutest little boy and it seems like he was placed with his foster family pretty quickly. He lived with them for 4 years. He hasn't spoken much of them yet to us in our limited communication. We did get pictures of him with them when he was really young. There were 4 other little kids living in this home with him also. None that we recognized of other adoptive families. While staying with the foster family he was brought to the city orphanage for their "Half the Sky" preschool program. We were able to see some of the art work, classrooms and teachers that taught in this amazing program. I was so impressed with what kind of preschool program they had for these kids. For those of you who don't know, Half the Sky works on behalf of those orphans who are left behind in the orphanage to do all they can to give them opportunities of education and loving, nurturing relationships. Check it out on the web if you get a chance. It was started by an American couple who adopted and I saw their efforts and money going to work firsthand. I'm so thankful for what they have put into Hudson's life.
We walked around the orphanage where we saw Hudson's room where he stayed for 2 weeks with some older kids. I met the teachers who taught him there while he waited for us to come. I asked if he was sad to leave his foster family or if he cried. They said he only cried when he saw other kids leave to be adopted and his parents hadn't come yet. He wanted to know when his BaBa and Mama were coming. You could tell the picture we sent him of us, was well worn and looked at many times. No wonder he recognized Kevin right away! The orphanage was very clean and most of the kids were at school when we visited. Holly was able to give some suckers to some little kids in their cribs which she loved connecting with. These children loved the attention and some were paper ready and waiting for a family! We met some older kids also just waiting for their families. Even though this orphanage was clean and the nannies seemed to love on the children, it was reminder to Holly and I that this wasn't the same as a home-these kids need a forever family.
Kevin and Hudson went to a park with some of the other families and had a great time walking about, doing paddle boat rides, etc. They were pooped out when we met them back at the hotel. We then rested a little before I ventured out with just Holly and Hudson to "Trustmart" (China's Walmart) to stock up on a few more supplies and toys to get us through these days. So that was my first time as a mom taking 2 kids. Holly pushed Hudson in the shopping cart while I managed to find where things were. We got more paper, a ball, remote control car, Connect 4, rice crackers and a few other things. Holly was a great help carrying all the stuff back to the hotel. Hudson's hip started to bother him more on the way back and Scott Smith was kind to give him a ride back on shoulders. Kevin and I are finding when he walks a lot his hip bothers him. We then went out to Pizza Hut which was a nice change from Chinese food. Holly got to experience the Chinese bathrooms which can barely fit her in them! They are made for size 8 girls, not us Americans!
Today we decided to go along with Smiths to visit their son's orphanage in another city. It was a 2.5 hour bus ride there, so we left right after breakfast. Hudson was not himself on the bus, slept a lot and once we got there and went inside, he puked. An hour later he was doing better and starting to eat some rice crackers. We were able to tour around the orphanage and see where the kids slept, their playground, etc. The officials at the orphanage were very kind and hospitable to us and accommodating. When Samuel go to the orphanage he was immediately greeted by some of his friends. It was sweet to see their friendship. One boy was waiting for his family and the other had just got to the orphanage. The officials then took us to Samuel's foster family where they ordered in McDonald's for approx. 25 kids and 10 adults. We were able to see the foster family apt. with several helpers. They seemed to truly love on the kids. In China, it is a privilege and honor to become foster parents. We saw so many older kids, many boys with repaired cleft palate that were just precious! There were a couple girls who were just beautiful. Some have their paperwork ready to be adopted. After eating McDonalds with the foster family and all these kids we walked with them back to school, which was just an experience in itself. Going through the small alleys and seeing their school. They have 1 teacher to 58 kids! 1500 kids were at this school. They just stared at Kevin's height and loved to practice what English they knew with us. After visiting the school we had an adventuresome ride back in the bus as we saw many near miss crashes from our American point of view. Holly enjoyed making a new friend, Abby (who was adopted when she was 5) on the ride and playing Uno with her.
After coming back to the hotel, getting our laundry and having about 30 min. of down time-we met up with some of the other families in the lobby to go out for Italian. While we were waiting, we realized that they were about to launch a Christmas tree lighting ceremony inside the main lobby. (HUGE LOBBY!) We then had Hudson's teacher pass us from the orphanage in the lobby too, followed by the orphans who we just met the day before. The Hotel had invited the Guangzhou City orphanage to come for the tree lighting and singing. We loved seeing them again and loved to see they had opportunity for an outing such as this. Hudson watched it from Kevin's shoulders. Holly and I were taking pics from a staircase when we realized a Chinese TV crew started talking to Kevin and then Wendy Smith. Kevin said "Merry Christmas from Colorado!" After hearing a few songs we went to the Italian restaurant and got some Pasta that tasted a bit Chinesey. Hudson was eating up everyone else's noodles. He didn't like the ravioli we got him. We then went outside the restaurant and it was snowing! Ok, not really-they had a snow making machine. We were all exhausted by the time dinner was done and ready for bed!
Tonight the Railsbacks get in and we can't wait to give them a hug and give them all the support we can. I know this hotel will be much friendlier from what they have been going through in the past week. I know the Smiths and us look forward to doing this last week in China together! It's no mistake that God ordained this trip to be together as we bring our kids home. I know Holly cannot wait to see Nicole and May! She needs the friend encouragement greatly!
Besides, all the day's activities we continue to covet your prayers for Holly as she so struggles to accept her new brother. Kevin and I knew this would be a huge adjustment for her and have tried to prepare her the best we could before leaving, but their is nothing like experiencing it first hand. We both pray for insight and patience and wisdom to help her through this moment by moment as that is truly what it is right now. It is intense parenting for Kev and I as we try to let Holly know that she is loved so much and yet love our new son and welcome him into our family. Holly has her moments of sweetness and sharing, but for the most part she is angry and behind that anger she is hurt and struggling. Kev and I continue to try to get individual time with each one of them. Hudson is a very affectionate, lovable, funny guy and is just trying to figure things out. Hudson loves to tickle and we have tickle fests, but Holly is not ready to be tickled by her brother. God has given us much grace and strength each day to handle what comes and we continue to ask you to pray for their brother/sister relationship.
Tomorrow-we go for the medical exam and TB test. Please pray that the TB test comes back negative for ALL children as if it comes back positive after a chest x-ray, you need to stay in China another 3 weeks. The Lord knows what we can handle. Hudson and the kids all seem healthy, even though Hudson is still fighting his cough.
Thanks again for all your support and prayers-we so appreciate it and can't wait to get home with our new little guy and our precious Holly!
Rachel
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