The Visit to the Nanchuan Orphanage

Where to begin, this was the best part of the trip - a lot of emotion but now allows for the family to share in Jack's life previous to us. The ride was about two and a half hours (145 km or 90 miles). Chongqing itself is a very crowded city with narrow streets and high rises everywhere. It is quite a different experience once you leave the city. The houses are few and far between and their are fields upon fields of rice paddies and beautiful hills and mountains. The scenery is breathtaking and it was a very relaxing ride. Nanchuan is a very different city from Chongqing. It is still very metropolitan but on a much smaller scale. The streets and sidewalks are much wider often with trees planted on a meridian. The buildings are not quite so tall and more spread out.

We went to the orphanage first and the Director Luo was there to greet us. She really is a lovely woman who cares very much for her charges. She introduced us as we were getting ready to enter to a little girl from the community who walked Jack to pre-school. I had brought some candy for the children and gave her some and she told me "thank you, auntie" in Chinese (auntie is a common form of address to female adults). She was a very sweet little girl.

We then walked inside and on the first floor is a lobby with beautiful wood furniture and plants. In addition, they have a large easel board that has pictures of all the newly received children who are they are still trying to find their biological parents. There are currently five photos. They also have pictures of the other children at the orphanage picturing events or just daily life. There were two pictures of Jack, one as a baby and one at what looked to be a birthday party, probably within the last year. He was standing next to his best friend in the photo. Director Luo gave me these photos, I had not asked for them and was very touched by her generosity. There are also many photos of the children who have been adopted and their families that they now live with. The orphanage really follows the lives of the children and has deep feeling for them.

We then went upstairs to the living quarters. There are five nannies for approximately 20 children, all who are currently age three or under. There are three main rooms connected to each other with large archways between them. The middle room is a communal room with a television and four chairs. It is relatively open so the children can push themselves around in their walkers. The two rooms on either side have one large bed for the caretakers (they stay with the children) and many cribs that pretty much fill the room. The rooms are approximately 10X12. There is then a hallway that leads from the middle room back to the bathroom, the laundry and the kitchen. I had always noted how clean Jack appeared in all his photos - his fingernails were always white with no dirt under them. This is because the caretakers wash each child each day and have a shower in the bathroom to use. This may seem normal but you have to realize that is a lot of kids to bathe and that not all orphanages have wash facilities (for example, Madeline's orphanage used a nearby lake to wash her weather permitting). The overall feeling is a homey, cheery feeling. There are curtains and posters of happy babies and alphabets and numbers. The staff is also very caring and holds the children a lot. I am really grateful that I was allowed to visit. Jack was delighted to see everybody and immediately ran to a little push that he loved to ride. Unfortunately, in his eagerness he bowled over a little boy. The caretakers immediately stepped in comforting the little one and telling Jack "no" (boys are often not told no so it was nice to see that they corrected him gently). When we left, that was the hardest part. Jack cried and begged for his caretakers - but it only lasted until we were out of sight (I felt so bad for him and the staff - they had tears in their eyes and this must be one of the hardest things to do letting go of a child you have cared for for so long).

From there we went to the pre-school Jack attended a few blocks away. It is a community school, not just for the orphanage, starting at ages 2.5 to 3. It is a two room school with the classroom on the first floor and a playroom on the second floor. The classroom has little desks and chairs and bright paintings on the walls. The name of the school is LeLe (which means happy in Chinese). The school runs from 8:30 to 11:30 with a break for lunch and then from 2:30 to 5:00. The children were on lunch break when we arrived but we met the teachers and they were so happy to be able to say goodbye to Jack - when the school year started recently they had wondered what had happened to him.

We then went to Jack's finding spot which was at a nearby apartment complex, Zhu Yan Tang. Jack most likely was left there as it is a high traffic area and someone would find him quickly. He was found by Liu Ting Lun and sent to the orphanage from there. We also received a finding advertisement that is done when children are brought in as an attempt to find the biological parents. He was four months old and described as "having congenital spina bifida and pale face and few hairs on head. Has old clothes and one bottle." This was published in what is called a "Law Newspaper".

We found out that Director Luo named him. Nan Min is the standard name given to all the children orphanage but she named him Hang as it is translated to mean to be able to fly or sail. She said the protrusion from the spina bifida on his back was so painful that she hoped he could fly to get away from the pain.

I know this is a lot to share but I wanted to have it in writing somewhere so I wouldn't forget. His story is amazing to me and even our guide said it is a miracle. You think you will always remember the detail but with you forget so quickly all the things that make your child special or made up their life before you knew them.

Sightseeing in Chongqing

Tuesday and Wednesday were mainly spent sightseeing around Chongqing. On Tuesday we went to the zoo. I was a bit apprehensive about this as I had heard Chinese zoos weren't quite what we would expect in the U.S. as the animals are rarely kept in natural habitat settings like we have started to do in the States. However, it was lovely! The area was a large open park setting with lakes and landscaping. Very peaceful and serene. There were a limited number of animals but most were in big enclosures with a natural feel to them. The panda exhibit was the highlight for the girls and Jack. There was a one year old panda who spent a good deal of time trying to figure out how to get down out of a tree - I have to admit, even all of the adults were fascinated! We also saw two tigers and a lot of fish. We did see two lions but these were in regular cages. There were also elephants, bears and camels but the zoo was huge so we didn't make it to these areas. Meigan said as we were leaving that she wished she could stay there forever.

After the zoo we headed over to the People's Assembly Hall. It is a government hall that is also used to put on major shows due to the seating capacity. We had wanted to go to the Sichuan Fine Arts Academy but apparently they were moving buildings. However, they did have a small exhibition hall in the People's Assembly Hall. We met a student who goes to the school and he gave us a tour of the exhibition and also helped us to pick one of the paintings that was for sale. I ended up with an abstract painting done by one of the professor's at the Academy. I'm not usually one for abstracts but I really liked the composition and was very happy to get something that is of a more modern Chinese style (I already have a lot of the traditional Chinese art from previous visits).

On Wednesday we went to General Stilwell's house. He was a General who was sent here in 1942 by FDR to assist the Chinese in repelling the Japanese invasion. They have preserved his house in Chongqing and it was an amazing thing to see. It showed how he helped build a road to Burma to break the land blockade for supplies. This was a major turning point in the war. He also did a lot to try to work with both the Nationalists and the Communist to come together to fight the Japanese. He was recalled to the U.S. in 1944 but has left quite a legacy and is greatly respected by the Chinese (they often know him over some of the U.S. Presidents we have had).

We then headed to Eling Park. It has the highest point in Chongqing to overlook the city - I tried to get some pictures but Chongqing is known as the City of Fog so the pictures don't do the city justice. We also toured the Three Gorges Museum in the park that shows the land structure prior to and post Three Gorges Dam construction. Many cities will be flooded and the emigration numbers are huge. The Government, however, has tried to preserve historical sites by moving them or by engineering them to withstand the flooding. While we were at the park we got to see a singing competition that was a lot of fun to watch. Two sides would take turns challenging each other - kind of a "bring it on" type of thing, lol! Other than that, people wander the park enjoying it and often sitting down for a game of mahjong.

Jack continues to be a delight. There was not one cross moment all day from him. I cannot say that for the girls, though ; ) Our guide, Echo, told us a story about Jack that the orphanage director, Director Luo, had told her. Jack was known for being a very kind child. There was a little girl at the orphanage who became very ill and needed to go to the hospital. Jack insisted that he go with her as she was very afraid. He spent a lot of the time holding her hand and watching over her. Meigan also took a spill down the steps on Wednesday - it was raining and a bit slick and I patted her and said "Poor Jie Jie (big sister) to Jack and he immediately repeated it and patted her hand. He really is a sweet little boy - have I mentioned how lucky I am?

We Have Jack!

Well, the day has finally come and Jack is now officially part of our family. I can't get over how sweet and happy he is. When I adopted Madeline and Meigan they both grieved for such a long time for their old life. Jack, though, has had a couple of 10 minute crying spells and otherwise he is happy as can be. He loves his big sisters. The three of them hold hands and skip all around the place plus they are constantly hovering over him with drinks and food so he must feel like a little emperor. He also is rather fond of his Uncle Jason (the Chinese version of Uncle is pronounced JuJu and he is now known as JuJu Jason : ) and constantly has his hands up in the air requesting JuJu Bao (pick me up Uncle). He also does this odd little head bow to Jason which is very cute to watch. Grammy is also a favorite and he often runs into her room through a connecting door between our rooms to see what she is doing. He also seems to like me as well and loves imitating sounds I make. We play like we are pretend Tigers growling at each other. I am having an absolute ball needless to say!

In addition to being so easy going, he is a great eater. He is stockier than I thought, but also a bit shorter - he looks like he is two years old. When we go to eat, he patiently waits for me to bring his food (unlike Madeline who would hurl plates if they didn't bring her the dish she wanted) and then waits until I sit down with mine before he starts. He happily shares all of his toys, too, with the exception of the Gameboy that he has taken from Meigan. He doesn't play the games but likes to listen to the music they play for the games. The only other toy incident was when we had to fish a Hot Wheels car out of the toilet (well, that, and the fact that Uncle Jason taught him how to throw his cars across the room, which Jason regrets - he thought it seemed like a good idea at the time).

Jack has also learned his first English word, "Hello" and has even added "Bye Bye" to his repertoire. He is not as verbal as the girls but thankfully he is potty trained and is constantly telling me when he has to potty (which is literally twice every half hour - though this is probably due to the girls giving him so much to drink).

One last note, the adoption was final today and he is now officially ours forever. I am so happy - and feel very fortunate to have received another wonderful child. By the way, pictures are soon to come.

Climbing the Walls

Well we aren't climbing the walls in Beijing but we did climb the Great Wall yesterday! Madeline and Meigan loved being on the Wall. There are watch towers every at regular intervals on the wall and Meigan kept insisting we go to just one more each time we would arrive at a new one. It doesn't sound like it would be that hard but there are hundreds of steps all at differing heights and there are also steep grades to walk up. I finally had to say no because I had serious doubts about being able to make it back to our starting point! Needless to say, I am so sore this morning but the girls are full of energy and none the worse for wear. After we went to the wall we headed to lunch and then toured a Cloisonne factory. The workers and our guide all commented on how quiet and good the girls were which was a shock to me as they can often be a bit rowdy - but the praise was fairly earned yesterday and I was very proud of them. After that we went on a rickshaw ride and were allowed to tour a Hutong - which are houses that are located down long alleyways and usually consist of about four or five families living around a courtyard area. Meigan thought this was the best part of the whole day and wanted to come back for another ride. Both girls have also been fascinated by all of the pet dogs and cats we have seen here. Who would have thought with all the new and grand sights here that this would be their focus! Today we are heading to Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven. I will post later if I have the energy!

We Made it to Hong Kong!

Well, I never updated my blog to let everyone know we had official travel approval and that we were leaving for China on September 4th. Well that day has come and passed and we are now in Hong Kong. We are getting on a plane in about 15 minutes to head to Beijing but I wanted to let everyone know we had made it safe this far. We have catnapped here and there but everyone is pretty tired and looking forward to getting to the hotel tonight, though both girls want to go to the pool when we get in (where do they get the energy?!).

Travel Approval

My agency, Holt, gave me a call today and said my travel approval is on the way! I am hoping to have a consulate appointment by sometime next week so we can start to plan our trip to Jack. Today the girls and I talked about what date we should leave. Madeline is starting 2nd grade on the 28th and Meigan is starting kindergarten on the 31st. I feel awful about having them miss the start of school (particularly Meigan's milestone of finally starting school) but both girls have happily said they are okay with this, they just want to bring Jack home as soon as possible. I am not sure how I got so lucky to have two such wonderful daughters - God must like me or something! Here is to hoping we get our consulate date quickly and can get on the road (or in this case, in the air).

You are a Marvel

I am still waiting for travel approval to go to China. While I am waiting I have been viewing the blogs of many other families who are going through the process of adoptions. While doing that I came upon a lovely quote from Pablo Casals on one of these. I then went out searching for information on this man and was touched by his dedication to peace and by the amazing talent God had given to him (he was a reknowned Spanish cellist). I found more quotes from him and decided to post one here as it sums up my feelings toward my children and what I would like to impart to them as they grow older.

"Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are?We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move.You may become a Shakespeare, a Michaelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel?You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children."