Denial: It's more than a river in Egypt.

As today draws to a close, we are left with only 3 more days until JiaQing returns to China. Sure, in some ways it will be nice to be back to our normal level of loud and crazy, rather than the heightened level we've been living in.  The laundry pile will get smaller, the grocery bill will get lower, and we'll be back to a home where all of its occupants speak English. 

Mostly, though, I'm in denial.  I will miss him so much.  I proactively got a sub to cover my preschool class on Friday, knowing that I will spend every moment on the brink of ugly, bubble-snot crying.  I told Chris that I'll probably spend Friday staring at his pictures and watching all of his videos, like a lovesick teenager who just got dumped by her boyfriend.  His reply?  "Yeah, I figured."

Here are some of the random things I'll miss, in no particular order:

- His reaction when the kids get off the bus

- Hearing new English words every day.

- I'll miss his singing.  He's started singing to the Frozen Soundtrack (Let it Go)- My job here is done.  Ha!  He also tries his darndest to sing in church.  Here he is singing the theme song to Jessie. 

- Tucking him in at night.  He lets me give him all the kisses I want, and then I listen at the door for "Gut NIGHT, COLE!"  Well, it's not like I have to strain.  Have I mentioned he's loud?

-Watching him tattle on the other kids.  He acts the entire thing out.  Like...he'll come in and say, "Cole!"  then he'll smack himself on the head, kick the air, punch his own gut, and then say, "REID!"  Translation:  Reid punched Cole in the gut. 

- Watching him slurp his noodles and scratch his back with his chopsticks.

- Seeing him grow and change with a little bit of love.  It's like watching a flower bloom.

- There are certainly days that I'm ready to sell our kids to the gypsies.  I've got to hand it to them, though; they've stepped up to the plate and been remarkable host sibs to JQ.  Cole has given up his room and what little privacy he had.  They all love him to pieces, but, he can be a little high maintenance (I'm chuckling to myself as I type).  The kids have shown him so much love and grace and patience that I am left in awe.  Last night, we coincidentally watched the Little House on the Prairie episode,  "Fagin"
Ohhh wow, did that one hit home.  We talked about it afterwards, and I told the kids that they are a lot like Laura, who found herself having to share Ma and Pa with Albert, who seemed to be getting so much of the attention.  If you're looking for a reason to give hosting a try?  Do it for your kids and watch them rise to the occasion.

 

 

- I will miss his laugh.

 

- I will miss seeing him in my rear view mirror when we're driving, calling, "Mommy!" and putting his hand to his ear.  That means, "turn it up!"

- When he claps his hands, gives the "thumbs up", or says "OK!" because he's happy, there's nothing better.

- I love it when we're out and about, and people inquire about him upon realizing that  he doesn't speak English.  The majority of people that I've talked to have no idea what Orphan Hosting is, and raising awareness brings me so much joy!

- Watching him put his trust in Chris to try new things in the water has been amazing.  He's so cute in his goggles that I can't even stand it.

 

 

-Watching him bow his head and fold his hands to pray puts a lump in my throat.  As soon as they finish brushing teeth, he points to our room and folds his hands like, "Don't forget- we need to pray!"

 

 

- Even though he's been here for a month, he still feels the need to tell us when he needs to go to the bathroom.  He holds his front for number 1, and his back for number 2, until we say, "OK!"  

 

- I'll miss him at the dinner table.  He keeps us laughing!

 

 

 

 

 

I'll tell you right now, that not all of the host families have had the positive experience that we've had.  We've been so fortunate.  Our hosting experience in 2012 was good, but not great.  I think younger has been right for us.  I have NO CLUE what our airport goodbye will be like.  He might clutch on to us and cry.  Or, he might wave goodbye and be on his merry way.  Honestly, I could see it going either way.  He says he's enjoyed us, but he's also excited to get back to China.  I'm glad!  As far as a family here goes...we've hit a few roadblocks, and I honestly don't know what's going to happen.  One very interested potential family did not fall under China's age requirements.  The other serious family is getting some resistance from a couple of their children, and they don't want to move forward unless and until the ENTIRE family is on board (smart move.)  Supposedly, there is a 3rd family in the area that is very interested in meeting him (and they have his file), but I haven't heard anything from them.  So...we are continuing to advocate, not only for JQ, but for some of the other host kids that are still waiting for their forever family to find them.  This world is so broken, and sometimes the sheer number of orphans overwhelms me with sadness.  So, please join us in making a difference, one child at a time.