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!!!

 



Hosting Changes Lives.

As I've mentioned before, this is our 4th time hosting an orphan.  The first time was with a teenage girl from Ukraine.  Our kids were 5, 7 and 9 at the time, so I'm not totally sure what we were thinking!?!  Hosting her was a great experience for all of us (mostly!) and she loved every moment of her time in America.  However, the child who really rocked our world, the one who changed our lives, the one who stole our hearts (and yours), and the one who kept us on the hosting path was JQ. 

When we put him back on the plane to China in January of 2015, we honestly weren't sure if we would ever see him again.  It was so painful.

 

Were we meant to adopt him?  We loved him so much (SO MUCH) but just didn't feel like that was the direction we were supposed to go.  March 2015, enter the Brannagan family.  I remember the phone call from them like it was yesterday.  They got our number from CCAI and called to hear all about him;  and oh my, did they get an earful!  I remember saying, "I know it doesn't seem possible that he is as awesome as I'm describing, but he is.  He truly is."  I forwarded them countless pictures and videos, and just prayed.
The very next day, they submitted their letter of intent, and by September, he was home with them in Nebraska.  An orphan no more.

Although Nebraska is sure closer than China, it's not exactly right next door.  I was so thankful for Facebook and updates from his mama, but still wondered if we would ever see him again in person.  Well, it happened, people- and it was incredible.

 Cole and JQ, December 2014

JQ and Cole August 2016

 

First of all, how cray-cray was it to be talking to him...in ENGLISH!!!  No google translate needed!  He was SO excited to show his family where he slept, where Dory's crate was, etc.  He thought he was pretty hot stuff!  Having him in our living room again, asking Chris to wrestle with him, was indescribable.  Just pure happiness.  My parents came over and he gave them big hugs and said, "Hi Nana and Papa!"

After chatting for a while, we took his family to "JQ's Chickfila."  He asked, "Can I ride in your van?"  Melt. 

 

Reid was very sensitive to Han, who was probably somewhat confused by everything.  ("What's up with all of these Chinese kids who don't understand a word I'm saying?")
We didn't tell him how we knew JQ (his head might have exploded)- we just said that they were our friends visiting from far away.  We were sure to get some pictures with him, too.  :-)

Poor Han.  He is just not the most photogenic child!

 

After an amazing night catching up with JQ and getting to know his family, the fun continued the next day!  We rode the train at Short Pump Town Center and just walked around.  It was a hit!

 

 

After that, we headed to the pool, and the Perry gang joined us with their host son (who is ADORBS)

Han had a lot of fun (I think?) swimming and chatting with his buddy from China.  I say "I think" because he is just not a very smiley little guy.  He is very serious and sullen, and seems to be quite homesick for China, but I digress...

 

 

Hanging out with JQ's family just felt as natural as can be.  They are WONDERFUL.  His 3 siblings are so precious and kind and cute. 

If you don't love this picture, then there is no hope for you!

 

 

Side note: When we were at the mall, Caleb (the one with the blue towel) said to me, "Your family is so nice.  I'm glad JQ got to live with you first."

What 9 year old says something so dear?!?!  I think they should adopt like 10 more kids.  They are SO nailing this parenting thing. 

JQ said that he thought Meg and I look alike, and said that we are "both so pretty."  OK, seriously kids...do you want a pony?  BECAUSE I'LL BUY YOU A PONY!

 

 

 

We talked at the pool for hours, that went by like minutes.  When everyone was properly sunned and funned, we returned to our house and kept the party going until the kids were melting down from sheer exhaustion.  Meg and Russ and the kids felt like family to us from moment one.  And the more I thought about it, I realized that they ARE family to us, and we have hosting to thank for that.  When Russ told us Wednesday night that they wouldn't have considered adopting a 7 year old had JQ not been hosted, I fought back tears.  Can you even imagine if we had missed that opportunity?!?  Adopting an older child is scary, but hearing first hand that he thrived in our family, that he was independent and funny and smart, that he WANTED to be in America?  Well, that just made all of the difference!  It gave them the confidence to move forward.  We will always be a part of JQ's story, and that overwhelms me with gratitude. 

 

 

 

When it was time to say goodbye, JQ cried a lot.  His mom told him that it's because he loves us, and that's a good thing.  Oh my heart. 

 

Hosting gave us an extended family.  It gave JQ a forever family.  Hosting changed everything.

Won't you please consider giving it a try?

 

 

 

Day 4 with Han

Oh my...where to begin?  This is our 4th time hosting an orphan, and we are being reminded daily that each child is very different and unique!  Although we are hosting veterans, we've had some firsts with Han.  Han has been our first homesick child.  The other 3 certainly didn't dread the thought of going back to China, but they were in noooooo hurry to return.  They loved the adventure of it all; the new sights, sounds, smells, people, experiences, etc.  They loved being with us doing fun things or doing nothing at all.

Yesterday, Han told his friend Andy (13 and also being hosted in VA) that he wants to go back to China.  He asks me each day when he will go back.  There haven't been any tears since the very first night at bedtime, and I think he is over his jetlag.  Very grateful for that.  He and Andy facetime every night, and Andy tells him, "Enjoy your time here!  Enjoy your family!  Have fun!"  Oh, God bless Andy!!



Andy and Han at the park yesterday.
 I was pointing at the corners of my mouth saying "SMILE!", so he copied me.

Han's personality is also so different from Alyona, JQ, and Ji Nuo.   When you can't communicate with words (google translate is worthless!), what do you do?  Well, you play charades, give hugs, and find other ways to connect.  For me, it was always through humor.  Go cross-eyed, start dancing like a robot, jump out from around the corner and yell "BOO!", make funny faces and noises, pretend to karate chop Loren, etc.  Our first three would crack up at any and all of those things, and it was truly how I initially bonded with each of them.  Han?  Humor is just not his love language!  He is a very serious, sometimes even sullen boy.  Joking around with him just doesn't fly.  In fact, literally seconds after I typed this, I went upstairs to tuck the kids in, and heard "NO FATHER!  NOOOOO!"  Chris was tickling him and he wanted no part of it.  I laughed and told Chris that I was just blogging about this very thing! 

 

 

Here he is on the train at the mall.  Doesn't he look like he's loving it?!?  Oh my.  Lighten up, little buddy!  As Fat Albert and the gang would say..."NaNaNa, gonna have a GOOD time!"

 

 

Last night we packed up dinner and headed to the pool for a swim and a picnic.  Our other boys from China LOOOOOOOOVED the pool.   Absolutely couldn't get enough.  Neither of them could swim, but they liked just wading and splashing.  Han?  Meh.  He DID try putting his face in the water a couple of times, but he just seemed very uncomfortable with it. 

 



We went back to the pool with the Jarvis gang today.  He had 7 kids in all to play with, but spent the majority of his time sitting in the chair next to me.  Oh sweet boy.

Because we just can't get enough of the Jarvi, we met up a couple of hours later at Jumpology.  I thought FOR SURE this would be a hit.  Although he did spend at least half of his time jumping, the other half was spent eating some Chinese snacks that Heather brought, wandering around, talking (in Mandarin) to me, and trying to figure out how to work a water fountain.  (that was HI-LAR-I-OUS!)

There is a Mandarin speaking manager there who is my Jumpology hero!  He did some interpreting for me while we were there, and he said that Han is happy here (good to hear), and wants to buy gifts to take back to China for his friends.  Very sweet.  He said his favorite thing about being in America is the toys.  :-)

Yuchen and Han, and a photo bombing Loren

 

We are wondering if there are some issues with Han retaining info, or if he just needs A LOT of  reinforcement/reminders.  Tonight, in about 1 hour of time, he asked us about 10 times what we are doing tomorrow.  He needs to be told EVERY time he goes to the bathroom to wash his hands, put the lid down, flush, etc. 
His attention span is quite short at home (although he sat quietly through Sunday's church service, without doing anything with the colored pencils and sketch book I packed for him.)

He calls us "Mother" and "Father".  So fitting for his serious little personality!  (in the past we were Tracy and Chris, Mommy and Daddy, and Auntie and Uncle)

Here's the truth, though.  Han may not be a laugh a minute or full of smiles, but he is an ORPHAN and he needs parents.  That's the bottom line.  He is no less deserving of a loving family than any other child.  He is loved and precious and created in the image of God.  We can't even fathom the life he's lived.  He's had to overcome so much in his 12 years, and I think he's doing a pretty stellar job.  Really proud of him.

So, that's pretty much where we are.  Here are some praise and prayer bullet points:

Praises:
- he is sleeping really well.  goes down without a peep and sleeps until 9am or later
- not a very picky eater, and tells me when he's hungry or thirsty
 (or has to use the bathroom!)
-he finds comfort face-timing with his Chinese friend, Andy
- he told Yuchen that he is happy (although he doesn't show it, necessarily)
- he is obedient
-Cole (Han's roomie!) has been my right hand.  He is SO GOOD to Han, and helps him with everything from hygiene, to dressing, to figuring out how to work the sink.  So proud of him.
-Jennifer H cooked us a meal on Sunday that was off the chain good and such a blessing!
- He started out scared to death of our dog, and now he actually likes her! 

Prayer requests:
- Patience!  Connecting with Han is taking some effort, for both Chris and me, and the kids
- That Han would just relax and enjoy himself.
- Forever families for all three boys currently being hosted in the Richmond area.

would you just look at these faces?  I mean, can you even?!?

mama said there'd be days like this

 

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

 

 

I've seen a theme each time we have hosted:  the days/hours leading up to it are the pits.  It's been so predictable, and this time was no exception.  Let me tell you about yesterday...

 

 

It started with me taking Reid to the Honda dealership at 8am to have an airbag recall taken care of.  We were there until 10:40.  It wasn't awful- we both did a lot of reading and had complimentary hot chocolate.  Finally we were on our way, and we headed straight to the carwash down the road.  I like to have a clean van, inside and out, whenever we take a long trip (like to the airport.)  In the MIDDLE OF THE CARWASH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN.  It was like a scene from a sitcom.  Suds and water and those long cleaning strips that look like octopus tentacles were coming in, as Reid and I desperately tried to get the window back up, with no luck.  In the 10 years that we've owned the van, we have never had an issue with the window.  We emerged from the carwash completely drenched and covered in bubbles.  The inside of the van was soaked and the carpet was saturated.  Oh. My. Word.  So, we went straight back to the Honda dealership, where they claimed it was just coincidence.  I suppose it was- what does an airbag have to do with a window?  I got the shuttle to drive me home, since the repair would be another 2 hours at least.  I was thankful for some dry clothes and a chance to get the house cleaned with the kids.  We worked hard for a couple of hours, and then the shuttle came back for me to pick up the repaired van.  It was an unexpected $450, but we couldn't exactly drive around with the window down and had to just bite the bullet.  Imagine my surprise when he handed me the receipt and I saw that he charged my Visa $8,172.  That was our INVOICE number.  Oopsie poopsies!  Thankfully I discovered his error, and he refunded the amount.  I'm still waiting for the refund to show up online.  Good times.  Then, I discovered that my paycheck from the camp I just completed was short by about $180.  I have to wait until someone is in the office on Monday to figure out what went wrong there.  By now, I'm getting a little frazzled.  Of course, those were issues that would resolve; I just didn't want them taking up my brain space the very day that Han (Ricky) would arrive.

 

When Chris got home, I ran to Redbox to pick up Kung Foo Panda for the ride home.  Of course, the oil light starts blinking.  OK, Lord...I am so needing you right now!  Thankfully, Chris had oil at home already, and took care of it. 

 

Then, we met my friend Kristy, who is hosting with us, at Chickfila.  Other than Cole dumping his entire Coke on my flip flopped feet, that was fine.  (poor Cole!)  We left from there and started driving to Reagan airport.  One of our kids was behaving VERY poorly.  I'm not sure what was going on, but it was bad.  Like, BAD.  Frustrations were so high and I wondered if we would survive this 2 hour car ride.  Then, Rebecca called me.  She's another hosting friend, and they were just ahead of us on the highway.  "Um...so, Philip just called (he's the hosting coordinator)...the kids missed their flight in Dallas.  Now, instead of landing at 10:33 at Reagan, they are landing at 12:30 at Dulles."  That's 12:30 am.  SHOOT ME.

 

Now, with tons of time to kill, we decided to go to Reston Town Center to walk around.  It was quite lovely and I was surprised at how crowded it was at 10pm. 

 

 

 

We were still struggling with some behaviors, and it was rough.  The kids were getting tired, and we still had hours ahead of us.  We arrived at the airport around 11:45, and Chris napped in the van while I waited at baggage claim with the kids.  Finally, at almost 1am, they emerged.  Those kids are troopers, let me tell you! 

 

The crew, waiting for the kiddos!

 

 

I'll blame the fact that I got zero pictures of us with him on fatigue.  Blah. 

We got home at 3:20 in the morning, and let me tell you...that was not fun.  I felt so badly for him, as our 3 slept the entire way home, but he was wide awake and probably bored.  The google translate wouldn't work when he tried to use it (and still doesn't.  He mumbles and stutters a bit.)  He had a few tears when we tucked him in, which completely broke my heart. 

 

Good news:  I/we survived Friday and the wee hours of today.  He seems happy and well adjusted and we've all enjoyed him.  He just showered, and I don't foresee any bedtime issues with him tonight. 

 

Here are some shots from today:

All smiles this morning

 

 

 

Slurping up his noodles

 

Grand opening of 2nd and Charles.  It's a mega book/toy/collectibles store on Broad Street, where Babies R Us used to be.  Very fun- check it out!  Who is that masked man??


 

After the bookstore we took him to the park.  I pushed him on the swings and it quickly became obvious by his screams and shrieks that swings were new to him.  Not a fan!  We'll try ARC park next week and see if that's a better fit for a park newbie like him.  He still had fun climbing and exploring.

He is so skinny!!!

 



 

So, after a rough start, here we are.  What a privilege to be inconvenienced, honestly!!  He's worth it, amen?!? 

 

He talks a ton, and seems to forget that we can't understand him.  He has been compliant and sweet.  He started the morning being terrified of the dog, but has warmed up to her.  Phew!  He calls us "mother" and "father".  So hilarious!  He also says "OK!" to pretty much everything.  He's a funny little dude, and I'm looking forward to getting to know him more, and spreading the word that he needs a forever family.  Please share this blog- I only have 3 weeks to advocate for him before he goes back to China.  Such a short time, but God does amazing things!

 

Please pray for us, that we would love him well and not be tempted to despair when things go wrong.  Or in yesterday's case, when EVERYTHING goes wrong!!

Please pray for Han, and the other host children (two in RVA).  They need families.

Thank you for supporting us, and sharing about little Han!  He's pretty handsome, isn't he?!

 

 

 

 

 





Roll With the Changes



Isn't that picture hilarious??  Oh, the 70's...but I digress...

Sooooo...things haven't gone quite as planned with our hosting of "Ricky".  He was supposed to be here on June 25th, then we were told June 24th.  Cool!  One day sooner!  Well, only about half of the orphans actually came on the 24th (including my friend Ann's little one- read about her here.)
There were issues with some of the chaperones getting their travel documents, and it was really gumming up the works. 

Next, we were told that the visa appointments would be set for July 5th, and they would arrive the following weekend.  Ok, we can handle July 9th.   Aaaaaaand, that didn't happen, either.  Ugh!!!!

Well,  I am happy and quite relieved to announce that they have their flights and are officially landing at Reagan airport at 10:33pm on Friday, July 29th.  Because of the completely new dates for half of the host families, the kids are only able to come for 3 weeks, rather than the usual 4 or more. I'm disappointed, as that gives us one week less to advocate for him while he's here, and coordinate visits with potential adoptive families.  But, roll with the changes, we shall!  Looking on the bright side, by the time he arrives, my 6 week preschool camp gig will be over, and so will swim team.  We'll have a lot more free time to just focus on Ricky and show him a good time!  I picture these kids coming with love tanks that are on E, and need some serious filling.  What an absolute joy and privilege to be the host family that gets to fill his tank.  American mama and baba.  Wow.

Am I expecting it to be easy?  If history repeats itself, then no.   In fact, my daily (and often hilarious) texts from host mama Ann remind me that hosting an orphan is one huge opportunity to daily (hourly) "die to self." 

To get the "die to self" ball rolling, I was planning a trip up to Lancaster, PA for a reunion with some of my best buds from college.  Haven't seen them in YEARS, and 2 of them were coming from Washington state.  I was so excited that I couldn't even stand it.  Three guesses who can't go now, because of the hosting date change. 

When the hosting coordinator called with the new dates, he was so apologetic and said,  "I'm so sorry about this.  Would you like me to refund your money?"  After a 1.4 second pity party, I told him, "OF COURSE NOT!!!"  We aren't giving up on this boy because plans have changed and I'm having to give something up that's dear to me.  He has our introduction letter and photos.  He KNOWS he's been chosen to come.  Not to be overly dramatic, but being adopted could be a matter of life and death for these kids.  Yes, I'm sad that I'm not going to reunite with my college friends like I had planned, but choosing to love this boy who we haven't even met yet- getting to sacrifice something for him...it's brought me a joy that doesn't really make sense.  I'm so thankful for that.

In other news..."Weston" lost his host family.  They are unable to do the drastically new hosting dates, and he needs a new host family ASAP.  Ann and her family stepped in at the 11th hour to host Alexis after her host family bailed, and that's what we need for Weston.  It will take some doing to get the required paperwork done in time, but it can be done!!  The hosting fee is down to $1000 from $3000.  Chris and I will help you with the fees, and we'll fundraise for the rest.  Don't worry about the money.  He is flying into DC, so keep that in mind.  There are 3 other RVA families hosting during that time, and we'll party like it's 1999- we'll swim, and eat egg rolls and wontons, and laugh at all of our google translate fails.  It will be epic!  Anyone?  Please? 

I've become quite obsessed with this little munchkin.  I have watched his video several times because his voice literally makes me LOL. 

 Weston is 6.5 years old.  If he doesn't melt you into a puddle, I'm at a loss. 

 Come on...roll with the changes with us!!!

I get by with a little help from my friends

Oh my word...it's JUNE!  YESSSSSSS! 
And do you know what that means, other than that school's almost out and it's finally time to wear flip flops?  It means "Ricky" and the other two boys being hosted in RVA will be here in just 23 days.  TWENTY-THREE DAYS!  Ack!  As you probably know, although we've hosted 3 times before, we've never hosted during the summer.  Let me tell you something...I. Can't. Wait.



"In summmmmmerrrrrrr"

 

Last week as Loren and I were pulling into the driveway after swim team practice, we heard and spotted the ice-cream truck.  First time this season, and she went nuts.  My first thought was, "I can't wait to give Ricky a handful of quarters and show him the side of the truck in all its glory, and tell him to choose one."  That's just one example of a simple pleasure that is so routine to us, that will be totally new to him. 

I can't wait to take him to the pool.  Chances are slim that he will know how to swim, but very high that he will love trying (if JN and JQ were any indication!)  My hope is that he will learn while he's here, and if he can't ride a bike yet, we hope to teach him that, too.  Hopefully the marathon swim meets we will have to drag him to don't completely overwhelm him!  And please, Lord, NO THUNDER DELAYS!! 

I'm dying to take him to a Flying Squirrels game with Reid.  Or two.  Or five.  ;-) 
Just throwing a baseball in the front yard with him, like I do so often with Reid, will be a treat. 

 Some friends of ours have hosted a 4th of July extravaganza for about 10 years running, and I can't wait to bring him!  Fireworks might be totally new to him...of course celebrating  Independence Day will be completely new; trying to explain that one with the Google Translate app should be entertaining!

We are hoping big time to take him to Virginia Beach.  Maybe we'll even camp at First Landing State Park.  Oh my- so many new things to show him and teach him.  So many memories to make!

Maybe we can squeeze in a trip to the Drive-In!?  We brought Alyona and JQ there and they both LOVED it...and that was in winter!

Cole, Reid, and Loren are excited to teach him how to play flashlight tag with the neighborhood kids, and make s'mores in the neighbor's fire pit.

See all of the fun host families have?!?  We are the lucky ones who get to introduce him to all of these new activities.  We get to be "American mom and dad."    What an absolute honor. 

I've mentioned before that although we are the host family, we don't walk this road alone.  We are blessed to have an amazing support team each and every time.  Friends and family that have our backs, and understand that we host because it is the very best way for an orphan to be connected to a forever family.  That being said...here's what we need (oh, you knew that was coming, didn't you?!  wink wink)

Because the hosting fees were half price ($1500 as opposed to the usual $3000), and since we had just raised funds in January to host JiNuo, we decided that we could cover the fees ourselves. 

I will be working at a preschool summer camp Monday-Wednesday mornings each week that Ricky is here.  He isn't allowed to come with me, but I was given permission to leave him with a sitter while I'm gone.  Unlike with JiNuo, this agency requires that the caregiver have a criminal background check and child abuse clearances.  Enter my awesomesauce and certified foster parent neighbor! Woot!  So thankful she is willing, qualified, and able!

We are looking for 11 people to sponsor a day of babysitting for him, at $35 per day (it would be 12, but one sweet friend already took a day.  Thanks, A.P!)   My hope is to use what I make at the camp to help cover the costs of all of the activities that I mentioned above. 
 If you would like to be a sponsor, just email or FB message me, and I'll give you the caregiver's name, and you can make a check out directly to her.  Figure that's the easiest way!

We are also in need of a loaner twin bed and a bedspread.  We usually borrow one from my parents' guest room, but they will have 3 little guests of their own (my niece and two nephews, visiting from Vermont) while Ricky is here.

I think we are good on clothes (he falls right between Cole and Reid in age, so I'm hoping he can wear some of their stuff.  Of course I will get him new undies!  :-)

This is exciting.  And scary.  And stressful.  And joyful!  Thank you, as always, for being interested in what we're doing.  I'm counting on you to SHARE blog posts once he gets here.  You just never know who will see it, or how his forever family will find him. Thank you, in advance!!

Bet you didn't see this one comin'!

After we said our goodbyes to JiNuo, Yangcai, and Jite on March 14th (seems like so much longer ago), the three host families drove from Dulles to Fredericksburg to grab some breakfast at Cracker Barrel, debrief, and just process together.  I remember saying, "We should totally consider hosting this summer."

Crickets. 

The crickets were followed by Chris telling me there is no way he would be ready, that I was crazy, and then Heather and Ali agreed with him.  Crazy.  I hadn't even stripped the sheets off JiNuo's bed yet, for cryin' out loud!  OK, point taken...moving on...pass the biscuits...

 

A few weeks ago, a scene from Schindler's list came to mind, and it KEPT coming to mind.  I finally checked to see if it was on YouTube, and it was.  Now, let me preface this by saying...I SAW THAT MOVIE 17 YEARS AGO.  Why on earth did this even enter my brain??  (I know it was 17 years ago, because I watched it with friends in my apartment on Floyd Avenue.  Haven't lived there for 17 years.)

Here's the scene.

Yes, I know this is apples and oranges, but I kept thinking of "the car" as our money.  Money that belongs to God in the first place.  The "pin?"  That's 4 weeks of my life.  Four measly weeks.
I started seeing our money and our time, more than ever, as something to give and use for things of eternal value.  Holding on to them with a death grip wasn't going to cut it.

Money and time, like the car and the pin in that movie clip...GIVING OF THOSE THINGS AGAIN COULD RESULT IN ANOTHER ORPHAN FINDING A FAMILY.  How could we not host again?  God was bigtime stirring in my heart, and the thought of us not hosting this summer became unfathomable to me. 

In the last couple of weeks, as the deadline for summer hosting programs was drawing closer, my inbox was absolutely inundated with emails from organizations begging, pleading for host families to come forward.  Honestly, I hadn't even heard of some of those hosting programs (I guess I'm "in the system?!"  Don't know)
I would browse the email, cut and paste the link, and put it on Facebook, where I then joined in the "begging and pleading for host families." 

A few days ago, I got an email from Living Hope International (had NEVER heard of them).  They were offering half off hosting fees, in a desperate attempt to place more children in host homes.  $3000 down to $1500.   I thought, "That's nothing!  That could be raised in like an 40 minutes!  And it's DULLES airport!  Bonus!  And only 4 weeks, instead of the usual summertime 6-8 weeks!  I've got to spread the word!"  As I was posting to Facebook yet again, the internal dialogue went something like this:

That Still Small Voice:  Sooooo...I love your enthusiasm and that you're trying so hard to recruit host families, but...why can't YOU do it?

Me:  oh, well, uhhhhhhh...we just hosted.  Remember?  in February and March?

That Still Small Voice:  And?

Me:  wellllll, I don't want to fundraise again.

TSSV:  you don't need to.  Remember that bonus check Chris got a couple of months ago?  Plus, there's that pesky "car and pin" thing.

Me:  True.  BUT...it's summer. We've never done summer before.  We have swim team and stuff.

TSSV:  oh good grief.

Me:   Well, CHRIS doesn't want to.  He told me in front of witness that he was NOT interested!

TSSV:  Why don't you go upstairs and ask him?

Me:  Fine!  I will!  Then you'll see!

(goes upstairs to where Chris is watching TV...)  "These people are looking for host families for the end of June.  Yes, JUNE.  It's half off the usual cost, and it's Dulles airport, for sure.  Thoughts?"

Chris:  I'm open to that.

Me:  stunned silence.

TSSV:  game, set, match.


Without further ado...meet "Ricky!"  ETA June 25th.  He will be 12 in June, and according to his bio, he loves puzzles, is thoughtful, studious and organized.  My kind of kid!  (Ok, maybe not the "studious" part)

 

 

 

Here he is being interviewed by the hosting team.  I had it translated, and he's basically saying "I want to learn English (and he busts out a "1234 Mother Father") and come to America.  I like apples and bananas and meat; especially chicken."

 

Interview

Chicken.  Nuggets.   Chickfila.  That's our kid.

 

 

 

*side notes: 

 

1. I am not in any way comparing myself to Oscar Schindler.  I hope you get where I was going with the movie clip.

 

2. Psalm 68:6 says that GOD sets the lonely in families.  Not Chris and Tracy.  The fact that he lets us be a part of this boggles my mind.  You should see how gross our master bathroom is.  Our kids don't listen half the time.  I don't cook dinner more than I do.  Our dog wears the cone of shame. We are SO NOT together. 

 

3. If you want to join us on this wild ride, let's chat!