Day Nine

Today seemed like a very long day. And maybe because it was.

Because we have figured out that Silas gets motion sickness pretty easily, we have been trying to take the subway as much as possible because it's much easier on the stomach. I never really got carsick in America. Maybe if I was reading something. But I get carsick in China. So does Stephen. It's the way they drive. It's just different. But the subway is fine. It doesn't bother my tummy.

It just takes longer.

So we have to leave extra early, because not only does the subway take longer than a taxi, but it especially takes us longer because we are either carrying kids or said kids have pretty short legs and don't walk very fast!!

So we got up early and we took the subway as far as we could towards where Silas's orphanage was. There wasn't a stop within walking distance, so we had to catch a taxi from the subway stop to the actual orphanage. It was only about 10 minutes, if even that. And that was so much better than a 45 min taxi ride. And even though it was short, and he hadn't even had time to get motion sick, he was crying when we opened the door to the car.

Lord help us when we are in a car every day!!

We got there and he knew exactly where he was. He was a little reserved at first, but it didn't take very long at all and then you could tell this was his stomping grounds and that he felt comfortable. He never gave us the feeling that being there was scary to him. He wasn't afraid that we were going to leave him there. If anything, he may have been a little too proud around his friends. lol. But he did great. He was so eager to show us around and he loved getting doted on by the ladies that worked there. 

This lady came by and started talking to him while we were waiting for the orphanage director,
but we weren't sure who she was.
We asked her if she knew him but she didn't answer. haha

Racing. Always competing, these two!!

His face after some teachers called his name when he walked in.

Taking us upstairs to see his classroom

He was a little reserved in the room with the kids.

 None of his really good friends were left here. He was one of the last one out of the original group of kids to go home.

So he kept his distance a little bit. There didn't seem to be anyone he was too eager to see. Except for his teachers.

Washing his hands. At the same place he did every day for as long as he can remember probably.

Pete and Repeat.

Going to show us where his bed was.

 I have no idea who those two ladies were, but they were sure happy to see him. Maybe he will be able to tell me all about them one day.

We have videos of Silas in this room playing. So sweet to see him here.

Cafeteria: Rice and veggies

Sean was ready for school. He did not want to get out of this chair!! 

All the little clothes...

I'm pretty sure this was his favorite teacher. She was the one that was there when we met him the first time. 

We are so thankful to see how well he was loved. There are so many kids in such a different circumstance.

Brothers

Showing his little brother how it's done.

 Oh you guys, there just aren't words. This precious little girl stole my heart. She came up to me when we came outside and would not let me put her down. She hugged and kissed and touched my hair. It was obvious that she just wanted some attention. And she began a line of kids just waiting to be held

 After they peeled this sweet girl off of me, we decided it was time to go.

So thankful for the story that God wrote here. So thankful for his grace and redemption. The world has one less orphan.
He is so very loved. There is not a doubt in our minds that he is supposed to be in our family!

This lady here has been a complete God-send to us. From the first moment we met her, she was eager to serve and to love on our family as part of Qilong's family. She has answered so many questions for me, she has sent pictures and updates. She has made the waiting so much more bearable and for that we are forever thankful. Most people don't have that privilege and we don't take it lightly. I know it's hard for her to love these kids and then see them go. I have prayed for her every night and that her heart will have peace. She told me that she knows he is with a good family and she is thankful that he will have a better life. She said it used to be really hard, but knowing how happy the kids are after they are with a family makes it all worth it.

\

Chen QiLong walking down the stairs and out of the orphanage for the very last time.

Silas Jaden "QiLong" Robinson

May you always know how very precious you are and that you were never ever forgotten by your Creator.

Sweet little Sean just though this was the coolest place ever. He didn't want to leave.

May we always be able to hold your heart as we hold you now.

As we walked away from the orphanage, we stopped at the same spot that we had this conversation, one year ago next month. This is where we stood as a family and said, we're all in, even though we had no idea what the future would look like. We knew that he was it and we were terrified but trusting the Lord to make it all work out. And He has. In more ways that we even asked for. .

And now here we are. God couldn't have picked a better kid for our family!!

As we left the orphanage, we walked for a while to go get some lunch. Silas had a rough time as we were walking. We had decided not to bring the stroller because we were going to have so much subway travel and we would go and just come right back. But we were there longer than we thought we'd be and we were hungry, so we were looking for food. He wanted Daddy to carry him, but Justin's back was hurting, so he had to put him down. And we lost control. Right there on the sidewalk, with everybody looking, we had to sit down with him and let him sort through all of this new stuff. His old life, mixing with a new life. A life that he knows he is exciting about, but doesn't quite understand yet. And then it was done, and that was that and we went to McDonald's and life was A-Ok.

We even warned him in advance that we would have to get into a car again for a little bit. I had tried to explain to him that sometimes when you ride in a car you get sick but sometimes you don't. Especially if it's really short. So I told him we needed to try it again, and we made it. He didn't cry one bit and got out of the car and was so proud that he had done it. It was a small victory in the midst of a crazy day. Until we got on the subway, and he didn't want to sit, he wanted to stand. But he showed self control and didn't start crying and we were so proud of him. He is learning quickly what works and doesn't work within our family.

Later in the afternoon, we had some family pictures taken on the island where we are staying. The boys didn't make it to a nap and so we were scared, but it went ok, until they were done. haha. But we got some decent shots and I am excited to get them back.

Tomorrow is our Consulate appointment! The last step of our process in country!

Day Eight

We have been a family for a whole week!! Yay!!!!

We are felt a little better today, but were a little hesitant to go to the orphanage so early without knowing how we would feel. So we talked to our guide and asked if there was a way we could go tomorrow and they said yes. So we rescheduled our visit for then.

We ventured out to the mall across the street for lunch because I had to go to the grocery store and we made a pit stop at a sporting goods store that we love. For real, we come here every time we come to town. The boys had so much fun looking at all the new things and of course we came out with some flashlights and a few other things. I somehow didn't get a picture of QiLong riding this bike, but I did get video, which I will put all together...some day. haha. He was such a natural at riding a bike though. He will be ready for no training wheels in no time. Here is Sean for the first time. He couldn't really reach the peddles just yet, but he was eager!!

Stephen teaching his brother a little about tent camping 

We did almost have a meltdown while we were at the mall. We put the little boys in the stroller while we went to the grocery store. I just had a few things to get and we wanted to get in and out quickly, and otherwise little hands want to touch everything they see which makes the trip turn into way longer. But Silas didn't want to sit in the stroller at that moment for some reason and he began the first stages of a tantrum. So I told him if he didn't want to ride, then I would go home with him and Daddy would get what we needed from the store and asked him if he wanted to go home. He said yes at first and as we started to walk towards the door he changed his mind and decided he wanted to ride. We were so excited and so proud of him for first being able to talk with us and listen to his options and then two for making a decision to control himself. We took that small victory and celebrated big with Starbucks! Ok, that was for Mommy and Daddy. But they liked their cinnamon roll too!

                                      

Praise the Lord, we have had some HUGE progress when it comes to bedtimes. We haven't had ANY tears or fighting during naptime OR bedtime for the last 3 days! Yay!!! It still takes a little bit of work to get them calmed down and still enough that they fall asleep, but I'll take that any day over the middle of the week. We haven't really established a specific routine either. In all honesty, every day has looked different in how we get ready for bed. But we just make sure we talk about bedtime well in advance and don't spring it on him. And the main rule, for Silas and Sean is that we have to be close to Daddy. It's very important. :)                                           

My husband is so great. I can't give him enough credit. He has been so great juggling both of these boys. There are days that he carries both of them across the city it seems like. And they are HEAVY. Up and down stairs, over bridges, anywhere, anytime that one of them needs him, he is there. He is the center of both of their worlds. Silas is attaching very well to both of us. He doesn't cry if Justin's not in the room or anything and he is ok with him leaving. He lets me carry him too and cuddle with him at bedtime. But when Daddy is there he lights up. And he knows he's got him right where he wants him. 

After nap, we went outside to play for a while. I can't stop with the bubble pictures, sorry. 

We found some neat frisbees at the sport store so we showed Silas the ropes. Kid has some skills!!

So the place where we are staying is also famous for its statues. There are statues all over the island depicting the merging of the two cultures, Chinese and Foreigners, together. So we had to join the crowd and take a few pictures.

The most famous statue for adoptive families. My kids are a little older, but it still works! :) 

Silly faces!!

So he has this pose....

Then delivery for dinner and a movie until bedtime!

The boys were cute at bedtime. Sean actually wanted to lay down beside Silas tonight and he gave him lots and lots of kisses. Until we figured out that the kisses were prolonging bedtime, so then we had to switch places. But we were so happy to see him choosing to show Silas specific attention like that!

The cuteness!! It's been so fun and eye opening to watch Silas simply learn about life. Including taking a shower.
And he's picking up some English already too! Just from hearing us talk to each other.

Since we rescheduled our orphanage visit, we will doing that first thing in the morning.

A special prayer request: Silas and Stephen get carsick very easily. He does NOT like riding in the car. We are going to take the subway as far as we can,  but then we still will have a short ride in a taxi to the orphanage. It will make our entire trip about 30-40 min longer, but at least we wont have to worry about the car for that long (Maybe 15 minutes). We have some patches for him that we got from the pharmacy, but I don't know how well they work. (Sometimes I feel like Chinese medicine is all a placebo...) They said that he wasn't old enough to take their medicine and I totally didn't think about packing some Dramamine. 

So we will be there around 10 am our time (9pm CST). Pray for our time there and that Silas will be able to have closure about leaving. He seems excited to introduce us to his friends and teachers and show us around. He has seen many other kids come and go with their families and now it's his turn to show off, so I don't really think there will be any major emotional struggle, but you never know. This could be really hard for him. We are just praying for the best and are so thankful we have the opportunity to see a little bit more of what his life used to look like. 

And then we will have family pictures taken in the afternoon. Pray for a good nap time!!! haha. 

That's a really long day for a little boy!