International Relations of a Family

It's our 3rd day in China as Heass Four!!

Kevin, Holly and Hudson are playing balloon toss in the hallway as I get a chance to update. Hudson is such a sweet, spunky and playful little guy. He seems to be adjusting well for the most part. At times, he will get sad all of a sudden and we try to figure out what is wrong or what he is thinking through signing, our translator application or our limited words we can communicate. We then just put him on our lap and give him a hug and cuddle him. He does have a good cough and cold going on and we just started him on antibiotics this morning when we saw the green stuff coming out of his nose! We have taught him to cover his mouth now when he coughs and he makes a point to show Kevin and I and then he smiles.

Kevin is being such an awesome Dad to both Holly and Hudson. It makes my heart melt when I see Hudson reach to Kevin for a shoulder ride or just a hug or to be carried. He loves his BaBa. Kevin is also being very intentional in getting individual time with Holly as she is struggling so much from being an only child to having a sibling now and sharing the attention, esp. my attention. Please pray for Holly through these days of adjustment. That her sensitive heart would know she is still loved so much even with a little brother. She has been sweet to share many things with Hudson, but many time have had enough of this adjustment. They have had some good times doing Nerf gun fights, watercolors, playdough and drawing. I feel like I should've brought more toys for the many days that we have left. We wish we could just go home this weekend! Today is a day we have a little more free time so we are trying to keep the kids active and busy as they are so ready to just run and play!!!

You can never bring enough toys and snacks for these adoption trips (and Benadryl for everyone to sleep at night!)!

Thanks to you all for your emails and support through these days-we so appreciate it. We know God's grace has fallen upon us in these intense days here in China. If I haven't responded to your email, please know that we received it and appreciated it!

So each morning they have an amazing, incredible buffet where we eat breakfast with amazing selection of American, Japanese and Chinese food. Each day I bring a plastic bag for apples, yogurt and bread for peanut butter sandwiches. We then gather more bread to go feed the fish at the pond right outside the breakfast area and the kids love this. Last night we went out for Chinese food with some other families and Holly got a good picture of the chicken head they served with with steamed chicken. Of course she didn't want to eat after that. She was asking for McD's or Pizza Hut for lunch today. Kev and I are craving Qdoba big time today!

Our guides are very kind, fun and helpful. We do wish that we are on the same floor as the other families so it wouldn't be such a big deal to meet up or hang out. When we got Holly we were all on the same floor and we could just hang in the hall with the kids and talk and play. I just requested to our guides to see if the Railsbacks could be on the same floor when they arrive on Friday. It would be wonderful to be able to help them out and also have Hudson hang with their boy team.

Later today, we go to do more paperwork and of course go out for Chinese! The weather is beautiful today, we actually see blue skies!

We are so thankful for this precious little boy to be in our family-and the opportunity God has given us, these days are not easy-but are so thankful! I love the Christmas music they are continually playing in the Hotel! It encourages my Heart when I the Christmas hymns playing!

We are off to go find something to do!

Hugs and Love to you all!
Rachel

*quick note from Kathryn! If you click on any of the pictures, you can see them in their full size!*