Saturday, September 20, 2008
Piano Lessons
Jadeyn has started piano lessons and is doing very well. I have a few photos of her in China sitting at the piano with little ones all around her. She has wanted to begin lesson since she got to the US. We told her that we would get her into lessons after she learned the language and was keeping up with her schoolwork. Jadeyn has done an excellent job in school and we are very proud of her efforts. Director Liu told me that he had wanted Dang Ling to be able to play piano and now we are happy to tell him that she is!
When Dang Ling Arrived in the states!
Jadeyn got off the plane to meet the rest of her family in July of 2005. She was very nervous but full of smiles. The language barrier wasn't such a big deal with her siblings. The ride home in the car was reassuring to me as the kids were giggling and playing together. Sister Taylor, was an amazing help with Jadeyn. The two of them got home and began running to their bedrooms, to the backyard, all over the house as Jadeyn smiled and took it all in. Other relatives were there to welcome her home and she seemed very happy to finally have that family she had waited for!
The transition once we got home was an easy one. Jadeyn is such a happy kid. Nothing seems to get her down. She is doing well in school, has many friends, and it feels like she's been with us forever. We have been truly blessed by these two girls and feel very fortunate to have found them. Our family is now complete and growing up before our very eyes.
When we had our old website, we received many emails about older child adoption. I have missed being a part of that and would love to share more of our story with anyone who would like to hear it.
The transition once we got home was an easy one. Jadeyn is such a happy kid. Nothing seems to get her down. She is doing well in school, has many friends, and it feels like she's been with us forever. We have been truly blessed by these two girls and feel very fortunate to have found them. Our family is now complete and growing up before our very eyes.
When we had our old website, we received many emails about older child adoption. I have missed being a part of that and would love to share more of our story with anyone who would like to hear it.
A new blogspot for us!
We have decided to open a new blogspot in order to keep in touch with those who are interested in China adoption and as a way for Jadeyn's friends in China to check in on how she is doing in America. Director Liu and our good friend Nancy enjoyed our old website and were missing the pictures and updates.
For those of you who don't know our background, we have 3 biological children ages 22, 17, and 12. We adopted Marlie (now 6) in October of 2001 and Jadeyn (14 - almost 15!) in July of 2005. When we adopted Marlie, we had requested a 3 to 4 year old but were both surprised and blessed to receive her referral. She was 9 months old! She has been a real joy! (Marlie Joy Xiao Fan) We continued to think that we might some day return for an older child. Years later, I began "looking" at the waiting children lists when I stumbled upon Dang Ling, an 11-year old girl. She was older than the 5 - 8 year old we had envisioned, but sweet, smart, healthy, and praying for a forever family. We discussed this young lady with all of the children and decided that we were indeed her family. The paperwork shuffle began again.
It was definitely not an easy two weeks in China. (although I'm sure it could have been worse) Dang Ling was blessed to have a wonderful director and family at the Yuyang orphanage in Yulin Shaanxi, China. She was so loved and well-taken care of. The director and two other staff members accompanied her to Xi'an where they stayed for a week to be sure she was making the adjustment to her new Mom. Jadeyn was extremely scared and frustrated because of the language barrier. She cried and picked up the phone to call her "Big Daddy" director Liu several times. He was so reassuring and wonderful! I cannot thank him enough for all of the concern he showed Dang Ling and me! Our guide, Nancy was just as amazing and we still keep in touch by email today! Hi, Nancy!
To be continued!
For those of you who don't know our background, we have 3 biological children ages 22, 17, and 12. We adopted Marlie (now 6) in October of 2001 and Jadeyn (14 - almost 15!) in July of 2005. When we adopted Marlie, we had requested a 3 to 4 year old but were both surprised and blessed to receive her referral. She was 9 months old! She has been a real joy! (Marlie Joy Xiao Fan) We continued to think that we might some day return for an older child. Years later, I began "looking" at the waiting children lists when I stumbled upon Dang Ling, an 11-year old girl. She was older than the 5 - 8 year old we had envisioned, but sweet, smart, healthy, and praying for a forever family. We discussed this young lady with all of the children and decided that we were indeed her family. The paperwork shuffle began again.
It was definitely not an easy two weeks in China. (although I'm sure it could have been worse) Dang Ling was blessed to have a wonderful director and family at the Yuyang orphanage in Yulin Shaanxi, China. She was so loved and well-taken care of. The director and two other staff members accompanied her to Xi'an where they stayed for a week to be sure she was making the adjustment to her new Mom. Jadeyn was extremely scared and frustrated because of the language barrier. She cried and picked up the phone to call her "Big Daddy" director Liu several times. He was so reassuring and wonderful! I cannot thank him enough for all of the concern he showed Dang Ling and me! Our guide, Nancy was just as amazing and we still keep in touch by email today! Hi, Nancy!
To be continued!
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