China Chronicles
from Mommy
Mommy didn't have enough to do while she was in
China. She only had to look after me, take me to the clinic THREE
TIMES!, keep track of Taylor, make sure everyone ate properly, schlep luggage
around, take pictures and video, keep all the paperwork straight, manage our
money, and SHOP, SHOP, SHOP!
So . . . she decided to send emails from China to
all our family and friends to help them "travel" with us on this
amazing "Journey of the Heart". I thought you'd like to share
them, too, so here they are:
September
4, 2003 - Ni Hao from Beijing!
Yesss!!
We're here
The flight was GREAT! Taylor was wonderful!! We had bulkhead seats -
a whole row all to ourselves, and Diane had HER own row. It was super!
I made a small bed for Taylor on the floor in front of us with blankets and
several pillows and she slept for about 7 hours.
It's cool (67 degrees) and rainy. We're planning to go to the Beijing Zoo
tomorrow and see – what else?! - the PANDAS!!!
Love and kisses to everyone. More tomorrow . . .
Karen, Taylor and "Aunt Diney"
September
7, 2003 - Kendal Meets Her Big Sister
. . . and her Mommy . . . and Aunt Diney!
What can I say? It's just as exciting and wonderful the second time when
you first see that lovely little face and they put her in your arms. Only
we do miss our Daddy . . .
Kendal is beautiful and very sweet, but I don't think she'll be a push-over.
She's already given Taylor the heave-ho when she was the recipient of one too
many sisterly hugs!
She is a tiny little peanut, but she is walking by herself - although she wasn't
too happy to be separated from me when I moved away from her. She wailed,
marched the 3 feet to where I sat on the floor, backed up to me and flopped into
my lap. Then when Taylor wanted to do it, too - she complained rather
loudly again until I put them both in my lap. She watches Taylor's every
move and Taylor just wants to love her, feed her, bring her toys, change her
diaper, etc. etc. I have a great little helper here!
And Kendal LIKES broccoli. She kept begging for more, but then I noticed
that she does that same chipmunk thing that Taylor does. I had to pry some
of it back out of her mouth as she was saving quite a bit for later!
I hope the attachment comes through. They are about to close the Business
Center here, so I need to run. I hope both my China Dolls are still
snoozing - and maybe Aunt Diney has actually managed to fall asleep, too.
We do all the official paperwork tomorrow, so I'll try to send another update
with maybe another picture if I didn't blow their computer up with this one!
Hugs and kisses to all from US GIRLS!!
Kendal, Taylor, Diane & Karen
September
10, 2003 - The Changsha Chronicles
Sooo many stories, so little time!
Taylor and Kendal got into a giggling contest today that had Diane and me in
stitches. Kendal awoke from her nap, looked at all of us and started
grinning. So, Taylor decided to crawl in the crib with her. Kendal
initially gave her a wave off that implied, "get off my turf", then
thought about it and decided it looked like this could be fun. So, they
put their heads down with their tail feathers in the air like ducks, bounced
around, wrestled and tumbled for 15 minutes and had the best time! It was
terrific to see!
Kendal does seem to be a bit moody, but we think that it may just be part of her
adjustment process. She is expanding her range where I am concerned.
She actually walked around a little today by herself. She would get a few
feet away and realize that she was out of arm's length, then come running back
and FLING herself against my legs! She never cried, but it was as if she
just needed a little grounding before venturing out again. She still won't
let Diane hold her for any length of time. They did sit in the floor and
play tonight while I grabbed a quick shower. When I turned the water off
and didn't hear crying, I thought "YESSS!" I peeked out and they
were having a great time with the stacking cups and a cloth block I had just
introduced.
Taylor is doing fine - she even seems OK with my paying attention to Kendal.
There are 3 other older siblings on the trip, so she has made some good buddies
that she can hang out with on the bus and during the tours. The tours are
just in the morning, so we're back in time for lunch and naps every day, but
they ARE pretty boring for a 3-yaar-old. It's great that they can run
around and play and laugh a bit. She does seem to be glad she is here,
although she has asked a couple of times if we're going "HOME".
We ALL will be happy to do that!
We have more touring tomorrow (the Embroidery Factory), and should get our
official paperwork for Kendal. Then off to Guangzhou on Friday.
Guangzhou is a really fun place! I told Diane that maybe we'll see some
blue sky there. It has been gray and polluted here, just like our last
trip.
We miss all of you!
Diane, Karen, Taylor and Kendal
P.S. Sorry about the pictures last time. I will upload some tomorrow
for Michael and he will try to send them to everyone!
September
12, 2003 - More Changsha Chronicles
We have had two glorious days! We actually saw blue sky - something almost
unheard of in smoggy, hazy Changsha!
Yesterday, Kendal and I went for a nice walk while Taylor napped and Diane read
a book. Today, we joined three other families in our group for a shopping
expedition to a "baby shopping area" of Changsha. After a
W-I-L-D cab ride that cost us 10 Yuan (all of 97 cents, US!) we found the
out-of-the-way alley that Diane and I decided would have never passed the
Michael and Joe "eyeball test". But, we saw some sights -
actually we WERE one of the sights for the locals! Yes, "Our
Paparazzi" are alive and well and they followed us to Changsha. It
really is incredible – this "Movie Star/Celebrity" status we've
suddenly achieved! They all smile, give us the "thumbs up", take
our pictures and try to talk to Taylor and Kendal.
We did find some great bargains - 3 pair of adorable leather shoes for $15, a
cute dress for $10, and some Disney DVD's for $1 (we'll see if they actually
work!) Diane has been baby shopping too and having lots of fun!
Everyone is fine and having a great time! Our little butterfly has emerged
from her cocoon to be quite a spicy, feisty little Hunan Girl. She has the
cutest dimples and the most infectious giggle you've ever heard. She's
ticklish under her chin - which just sends her into peals of laughter. She
has already learned 3 signs and I SWEAR she said Ma-Ma today! When I ask
her where Taylor is - she points right to her. Looks like I'm going to
have my hands full! Oh and she's partially potty trained - we've had 5
successes so far. 15 months - pretty amazing!
We're excited to be moving on to Guangzhou tomorrow. Pray for a safe
flight. We're thinking of you and missing everyone back home!
Zai Jian! Diane, Karen, Taylor and Kendal
September
14, 2003 - Greetings from Guangzhou!
Well, it's a good thing we saw blue sky in Changsha because it's POURING here!
We did have a nice day yesterday and managed to see the "Beautiful
Mountain" that eluded us because of weather on our last trip. It was
beautiful - a bit smoggy, but we still had some spectacular views of the city
and the Pearl River.
We were all doing fine until last night. Kendal had a rough night and
morning. A couple of screaming bouts that were capped by an upset tummy
today. We visited the hotel clinic and received some "Chinese
Medicine" - THAT'S another whole story! Haven't tried it, yet.
She ate some lunch and fell asleep, so I will attempt to brew this concoction
later and feed it to her. She has a slight fever - NOT the thing you want
to go to the Chinese Clinic with in the aftermath of SARS, and just before you
need approval to bring a baby back to the States. (THAT'S ANOTHER story -
Whew! Glad that's over!)
The good news is . . . we passed! We just need to overcome one additional
paperwork obstacle on Tuesday - so keep those prayers coming!!
Can't wait to get HOME and see everyone!
Hugs! Karen, Diane, Taylor & Kendal
September
16, 2003 - From the Tropical Storm into the Hurricane
I'm afraid to ask what else can go wrong . . .
Yes, we're slated to leave Guangzhou tomorrow and head directly into the path of
- you guessed it - Hurricane Isabel. I'm hoping to hear from our travel
agent in the morning to see if we can come back on the "Red-Eye" from
LAX through Dulles to Richmond, just ahead of our swirling friend out in the
Atlantic.
We should arrive in Richmond around 9:15 a.m. on the 18th if we can pull it
off.
Keep your fingers crossed . . . We'll keep you posted! K
September
17, 2003 - Goodbye to Guangzhou
We're off in a few hours. We did manage to change our flight to try and
beat Isabel into Richmond.
We (hopefully!) will be on flight 5789 out of Dulles - arriving in Richmond @
9:15 a.m. on September 18th (yes, I was in a time warp on my last email!)
And I have a wiggler on my lap for this one!
It was a GREAT trip, but we're all ready to go home! Can't wait to see
everyone!
Love,
Karen, Diane, Taylor & Kendal
P.S. Kendal wants to type (Heaven help us from this Wild Child!!)
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm533333333333333333333333333mmmmkkkkkffddrkgghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhjhhughh
September
22, 2003 - What a Wild Ride!
Hallelujah! We are home! And Hallelujah we survived both the trip
and Isabel!
FIRST, THE TRIP . . .
We changed our plans and actually came back early due to the impending
arrival of Isabel along the East Coast. Instead of staying the night in
Los Angeles, we had a brief – but WONDERFUL! – reunion and welcome home
party @ LAX with our California Family: Rick, Marda, Haley and Hunter Todd;
Gloria Fisher; and Grandma Ann and Grandpa Les Davis (who were out visiting for
Hunter's first birthday! They helped us quickly move our luggage through
security and stand in line to get the LAST 3 SEATS on the 10:10
"redeye" back to Dulles in Washington, D.C. I was a bit worried
about how two toddlers (and two weary "Mommies") were going to do on
another 6-hour flight after just coming off a 13-hour one, but I was absolutely
amazed!
Kendal and I were squeezed in between a lady and a gentleman in row 13. I
apologized profusely when we sat down, but noticed that they were both smiling
warmly. He had children and she was just bursting to tell me that she had
her own "China Doll" who is now seven years old. And, believe it
or not, her daughter was ALSO from Hunan! What an amazing coincidence!
We had a nice chat; Kendal fell fast asleep for the whole trip, and awoke just
in time to have a bottle as we landed in Dulles.
Diane and Taylor managed to juggle seats with some nice travelers and sit
together on the last row in the plane and have a fairly uneventful trip.
Diane said she did sleep some, and they played quietly the rest of the trip.
Wow - God is good!
Then came the flight to Richmond . . . That puddle-jumper journey was another
story. We were arriving WITH Isabel and that was the bounciest roller
coaster I've ever experienced. Diane said, "thanks" many times
to that magic Dramamine patch - and Kendal probably wished she had had
one.
Poor little thing, after all that travel, we were just minutes away from
touching down and she lost all of her breakfast - all over both of us.
THAT was fun! Fortunately, I had one more clean outfit, so the girls made
their triumphant arrival into Richmond in their beautiful new Chinese silk
outfits.
Kendal made a quick recovery and proceeded to charm everyone who braved the
impending storm to welcome us home - starting with Daddy! Taylor launched
herself into his arms, telling him how much she missed him, then Kendal made a
nose dive from my arms into his, just giggling! I know someone snapped a
picture of him grinning from ear to ear and trying to hold both of the girls in
those slippery, silk outfits. I can't wait to see it!
As we made our way out of the airport, we noticed how empty it was, then that
ALL the "ARRIVALS" and "DEPARTURES" on the board said,
"CANCELLED", THAN that the security crews and State Police were all
waiting patiently for us to leave, so they could shut the place down. YEP
– we were the LAST plane to touch down in Richmond before Isabel.
Hallelujah AGAIN!
NOW, THE ISABEL SAGA . . .
The rain began on our way from the airport and we hurriedly got everyone and
everything inside. I wanted us all to stay awake at least until we could
get lunch, than take a "normal" nap. I joined the girls in that
endeavor - BIG mistake! When Michael came in at 5:00 to ask if I wanted to
wake and feed them before the daylight was completely gone (the power was
already out), I felt like someone had hit me with a Mack truck. I guess 28
hours straight in transit, along with the stress of the trip, capped off by
Isabel - had taken its toll.
Fortunately, I was able to cook on the gas stove, so I heated some leftovers
that Michael had cooked earlier. He went up to try to wake them with no
luck. So, we decided to have a nice candlelight dinner of Hamburger Helper
and enjoy the quiet - while it lasted!
AND, LIFE BEGINS ANEW . . .
After 55 hours without power, telephone, and limited hot water, we
are starting to settle in to new routines. Days and nights aren't exactly
mixed up, but the days ARE starting VERY early! This morning, Kendal
"slept in" until 5:00 a.m. - but that beats 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. the
past few days, so we ARE making progress. And, she did go to bed pretty
easily last night around 5:00 p.m. So, that good 12 hours will probably help her
to shake the little cold that she has. The reason I'm able to write now is
that they are both down for an early morning nap. Whew!
We are so thankful to all of you who have been tracking our second "Journey
of the Heart" with your thoughts and prayers these past 19 months.
Wonderful things do come to those who wait and we have had a fulfilling
experience in bringing Kendal home to live. Hopefully, I will have some
more quiet time to sort through all the pictures and video and get them on
Kendal's Web site for our out-of-town friends and family to see. For,
those of you in town - give us a few more days to adjust, and then please give
us a call - we'd love to see you!
Thank you again for your thoughts, prayers and support. Hallelujah one
more time!
Love, Hugs & Kisses!
Michael, Karen, Taylor and Kendal
This page was last updated on 10/12/2003
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