Day 9, Life with Han

 

Life with Han...oh, where to begin???  Han is teaching us a lot about patience.  He is funny, but not on purpose.  :-)

The biggest challenge we've had, is that Han doesn't really want to be here.  He wants to be with his foster mother in China.  Apparently, she is older (we've heard she's in her 70s) and he feels like "he should be there taking care of her because she's old and she needs him" (that is what he told the hosting director on a phone call.)  This is good and bad, I suppose.  Good, in that he seems to be happy with his life in China.  He obviously has a bond with his foster mother, which is wonderful.  What's not so good, is that Han struggles to just be a kid and have fun.  He's very serious.  If we ask him point blank if he is happy here, he says yes, but his actions say otherwise.  He certainly doesn't act like he's miserable or suffering or anything, but he asks us literally 5 times a day when he is going back to China.  Not so fun.

We've been able to see quite a bit of the other two boys being hosted in the Richmond area.  Here is a picture to remind you of who I'm talking about:

Andy, 13- "JH", 7- Han, 12

 

Sweet Andy is loving his time with his host family and has embraced American life with every fiber of his being (he told us the day that photo was taken that he does NOT want to go back to China!)  He has been so great for Han, pouring on the tough love when needed.  He tells Han to enjoy his time, enjoy his American family, make the most of his time here, etc.  He literally face times him almost every night to give him a pep talk.  Bless.

JH is also absolutely thriving and full of life and laughter.  Han really enjoys talking to him.
 I confess that there are moments when I'm a bit jealous.  I know that sounds horrible, but I'm just being honest.  This is the place for honesty, right?!?  I know God purposely put Han with us, so onward we go... 

Friday, Andy's host mama (aka my friend, Kristy) invited us over to use the inflatable water slide.  Andy loved showing Han his house, the dogs, his room, etc.  Very sweet.  I was so happy to have something fun to do with the kids! 

Kristy and I are trying hard to put some meat on those bones of theirs!!

Mr. Silly and Mr. Serious.  This picture says it all!

Han has a very hard time entertaining himself, and our kids have a difficult time relating to him.  So, that pretty much leaves Han following me around.  It's sweet that he wants to be with me and all, but he has no regard for personal space.  He'll stand so close to me when I'm cooking or doing the dishes, that I can feel his breath.  I have to lock the doors if I'm changing or using the bathroom, because please believe he will come right on in.  In the morning, he paces in front of our bedroom door, waiting for me to get up.  True confessions:  sometimes I fake sleeping.  If he sees my eyes open, he gets next to me on the bed and starts talking with his morning breath, as if I understand a word he's saying. Yikes.  And did I mention he's gassy?  All the time.  I hope you're laughing, because this whole thing is just hilarious!!! 

He calls us "mother" and "father".  When we were at Kristy's, every time he called me "mother", Andy would just crack up.  "Call her MOM!" he would say.  LOL

He's very obedient, and if I ask him to do something, he'll respond with "Yes, mother."  If I give him something, he says, "thank you, mother."  When I thank him for something, he says, "You are welcome, mother."  When he toots and I make a face and point for him to go away, he says, "Sorry, mother."  It's actually more like "muzzer."  Oh. My. Word.  I'm dying laughing as I type this!!!

 

Tonight he completed this puzzle, and he was very proud and excited to show me (can't you tell?  HA!)  He struggles with puzzles, but they do keep him busy.  (Thanks for the loan, Allie W!)

 

He's also enjoying this train stuff, on loan from Angie:

 

 

 

Han seems to have some delays, which weren't mentioned in his bio.  He has a very hard time retaining info.  He will ask the same question over and over and over again.  I'm glad that Han is happy in China, but he really needs a forever family.  I'm not sure how much longer his foster mom will be able to care for him, and I just can't picture him out on his own in two years.  He really is sweet, and he deserves a family.  He might be a "tougher sell" than JQ or Ji Nuo (the child who was happy 24/7), but that doesn't change the fact that he needs parents.  Please pray with me that the right people will step forward at the right time, and that we will be good advocates for him.  Please pray for our kids, that they would be kind and patient with Han.

Thanks to those of you who have loved him and loved us.  We really appreciate it!!!