Friday, Dec. 10th

These past 2 days have been full of new experiences for us. I will try to summarize the best I can. We continue to go to an amazing breakfast buffet every morning where we try to figure out what Hudson will eat and not eat. I feel bad wasting so much food when we find out that's not what we he eats and it goes to waste. Oh well, that's the least of my worries. They have very strong coffee and espresso which helps to kick out the Advil PM which Kev and I take each evening to sleep through the night and try to avoid waking up at 3 am. The kids are starting to sleep through the night without the Benadryl. Holly still gets up at around 5:20-5:45 each morning. Hudson gets woken up by us getting ready. We then continue to do the escalator ride several times before and after breakfast, along with feeding the fish. I have my plastic bag to put in extra bread, bananas and apples for sandwiches and snacks for later in the day. One word, Hudson knows for sure is Banana and says it with Chinese style.

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

The Orphanage

Heading to the Orphanage today!

It's Thursday in China and we just got done with our morning ritual of breakfast, feeding the fish and riding the escalator several times. Kevin and Hudson are heading to a nearby park to run off some boy energy while Holly and I go visit the Guangzhou Social Welfare Institute (orphanage) where Hudson was for just 2 weeks. He was in his foster family for 4 years before and I will be trying to find out what information I can about his life with his foster family while at the orphanage today. Wendi Smith will also be going with me too. We are going to bring suckers and toothbrushes to share with kids. (like the combo!) Please continue to pray for Holly these days. Kevin and I so appreciate your prayers as we feel God's grace and strength here. Hudson is a affectionate little guy and reaches out to be held and to give hugs. He loves to try to pick Holly up.

We'll try to post soon again with pics. Need to get going now.
Grateful,
Rachel

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!*

Some Realities

Some Realities: Holly, Rachel and I are suffering severe jet lag. Hudson is not.

Hudson is all boy: Jumping, running, poking his sister (running into the street, out into the hall, up and down the escalators and running around the peaceful Budda garden) but we can't talk to him. Oh we try, and he tries to communicate to us, but so far it has been very difficult and frustrating.

The more we try to work with Hudson the more Holly feels displaced. She is struggling mightily.

We have this Ipod app that translates but I can't get Hudson to take it seriously, that it is not a toy but I am trying to communicate with him through it.

However, we would do it again. This boy needs a family. God loves this boy and He has given him to us.

Hudson has a great spirit and he is generous. Have we mentioned that he is smart? He drinks gallons, or should I say litres of water, and washes his hands after going to the bathroom. (I didn't do that until I was 23)

Tired K

REMINDER :)

Hello to everyone who is reading Rachel, Kevin, Holly, and Hudson's blog! I just wanted to remind you that since China and Google aren't exactly friends right now...they are unable to view the blog. I am posting all of their blog entries on their behalf, with them supplying the pictures, blog entries, etc...I can easily pass along all of your comments (or at least try and keep up with them)!

Kathryn

Gotcha Day

Gotcha Day!!

So tonight in China, Kevin and I had the privilege of putting 2 precious kids to bed for the first time in our lives!! We are truly amazed at our Gotcha Day and truly thank our Great God for this miracle of adoption!!! Our son, Hudson is doing well and is so precious! He was very nervous and shy when we first met him. In fact, we saw him peek from behind a curtain where the kids were waiting to meet their parents, he saw Kevin and said "Baba" meaning Papa. He recognized Kevin from the picture book we sent him. He was wearing a pink shirt, big red sweat pants and some cute ladybug shoes for a girl! God's grace and mercy fell upon our first meeting of our son and as we communicated to him through pictures, food, smiles, hugs and toys-he warmed up to us quickly. Thank you Lord! Hudson walked hand in hand with Holly, Kevin and myself throughout the rest of the day-giving us smiles and laughs. After we received Hudson, he was excited for the bus ride back to the hotel. You'll see a picture of Kevin and Hudson riding together in the bus. We then went to McDonald's with some other families and Hudson had french fries and orange juice and loved being out with us. We then went back to the hotel to play with play-doh, show him toys, bed and then he LOVED the Leapster my nephew had just given us to take on the trip. Thank you Nathanael!!

He loved riding the escalators with us and could've gone up and down all day! We then went to a Chinese Walmart for supplies such as water, crackers, etc. Kevin had fun pushing him around in the shopping cart. We then bought him a boy's sport watch, which he loves! He wanted to be like us and have a watch too! He kept pointing to our watches throughout the afternoon. Kevin brought in fried rice and noodles for supper in the hotel.which we all enjoyed and watched Hudson use his chopsticks so well! We are exhausted and our 2 precious Eggrolls are asleep right now (I have to admit we gave them both Benadryl tonight and Kevin and I are taking some too!) Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. My heart is so full of thankfulness for this little boy and his precious spirit. We continue to covet your prayers through each day. Tomorrow we will do more paperwork and have time hanging getting to know our son! We are finding out he is sweet and spunky! He likes to tickle Holly already and tease her! Such is a brother! He also ran out the hotel room door in a matter of a few sec's to check things out. Now we keep a chain lock on it. That should be something to work on, living up in the mountains. Please continue to pray for Holly's transition as an only child to a big sis-she was so awesome and sweet today to her little bro!

I also included a picture of the Smith family who we are traveling with. They adopted Samuel, a very sweet 11 year old boy. We can't wait to hear how the Railsbacks are doing as we pray for them and look forwarded to having them join us on the Dec. 10th here in Guangzhou.

Again-this day is truly a miracle from the Lord, that he had planned long ago. We praise him with thankful hearts for giving us the gift of another child!

We'll keep you posted and send more pics!

Love,
The Heass four!

Wonderbread and Egg Rolls

This post is from Kathryn on behalf of Kathryn (the RACHKEV blogpost will be coming soon)

I am so proud to call Rachel, Kevin, Holly, and Hudson my family. Everyone met Hudson and they are getting along extremely well! He knows a bit of English, and he knows that Rachel is "Mama" and Kevin is "Papa" (though he seems to say Baba for Kevin...) I was able to Skype with the growing Heassler family this morning and I managed to catch a few snapshots of Hudson and the rest of the family. I will post those pics as well as a few that were sent to me by Kevin and Rachel. Hudson seems very at home with them, and I am proud to call him my cousin. (the picture of Kevin holding the watch was when they told me that Hudson loved their watches so much that they decided to get him his very own watch when they stopped at Walmart)