The Good, The Bad, and The Delirious

The Good, The Bad, and The Delirious

Miss Priss at LAX

She is such a ham!

The 3 Musketeers waiting to catch our last flight home

Stella babbles in Chinese.  Do we understand?  Nope.  I sure wish we could beyond water and go to the bathroom.  Unfortunately she has learned my technique of smiling and nodding confidently when answering questions.  What's funny is that with a little bit of charades, it actually appears that we do understand each other!  She knows the phrases thank you and more please.  She understands "good girl" and giving a high-5.  And the boys have taught her to give a thumbs up when she eats something she likes.  Overall, she seems easy going and a tad bit crazy.  I think the crazy part is just necessary for survival in our home.  She gets a little obnoxious at times, perhaps dealing with stress and the overwhelming environment.  I have to say that she's handling this new life with more grace than I could.  

Oh, Sleep, where are you?  Jet lag is rough.  I had forgotten just how rough.

As cute as our kids are, there have been an abundance of tears and emotions.  Grace and patience have been running thin, especially from me.  The nights are filled with tears and crying most often around 11pm, 12am, 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am and 5am.  Poor Stella is the most comfortable when she can either feel or see us at night.  I can hear her lean over the edge of the bed to make sure I'm still there.  She likes to hold hands too.  Unfortunately, lying on the edge of the bed leads to toppling onto the pillow or person below.  Ouch!  I've done a lot of shooshing and tooshy patting.  She does really well during the day with our family's activity, but nights are hardest.  For all of us.  Adding a child to a family can bring challenges in adjustment.  Jet lag is ugly.  Put the 2 together, and it's a sticky mess...for those of us who actually rely on sleep to think clearly and do the simplest of tasks, such as walk and talk.  

Samuel has taken to waking up during the night and then doing what he can to wake up Joey - kicking the wall, knocking on the bunk beds.  I even heard him calling Joey's name from the living room, where Samuel had been moved due to the previously mentioned activities.  Samuel and Jet Lag have formed a team...against the rest of us!  He starts preschool tomorrow, so the team just might be dissolved this week.  

Russ has been gracious to make a couple trips the grocery store, despite his zombie-like state.  And some wonderful friends are making sure we are fed.  If not for the gift of food and restaurant gift cards, I'm not sure our tummies would be fed.  Right now, I feel like I'm surviving on caffeine and air alone.  Russ has gone back to work and Joey has started 1st grade as of today.  The littles and I are home all day, simply because I fear that my driving skills at this point are less than adequate.  Surely a nap is in our near future!  

Her first sleep in her own bed

In case anyone missed: An Opportunity of a Lifetime

I don't think for a moment that God made a mistake.  I don't believe it was an accident for our children to be born in a foreign country to another family.  I am, however, grateful that although their first families faced hard decisions, our littles are not left to be alone forever.  We are allowed the opportunity to show them a family's love and in turn are given some of the sweetest (and sassiest) little gifts around.  One of Stella's friends from the orphanage is waiting for her forever family.  She is a beautiful 5 year old with the same blood disorder as Stella.  The director said her file will be ready shortly.  She urged us to help find this little one's family.  In fact, her paperwork had not been prepared earlier because they feared no family would come forward.  As they saw that Stella was chosen, the orphanage staff was more encouraged that her family could be found.  If you or anyone you know feel that a China adoption is in their near future, we'll be glad to share a picture and help to connect you/them with this little one's file.  There are families with love left to give.  And there are little ones all over the world waiting...

Joey's 1st Day of 1st Grade (after studying abroad for a week)

We couldn't be more proud of our first grader!

He was ready to get back to his friends this morning.

So Long. Farewell. 再见.

One More Sleep

Hard to believe that just one more sleep in China is all we have left.  The anticipation of going home is growing.  It seems that by the end of the 2 weeks, we are more comfortable with the city, the food, the traffic...and then it's time to go.  But we're thankful to be heading back to Texas where our kids can run around the backyard and can run free (read: loud and fast) in our home without the fear of what the apartment neighbors will think of them (or us)!  

Please (insert begging and whining here) pray for our travels.  The car sickness.  It is real.  I am in awe that I was able to meet my adoption secret pal live and in person here in China.  On top of that excitement, my secret pal gave us some kids' motion sickness meds.  Lisa is a special blessing!!!!  As you can imagine, 13 hours is a very ride when there's no escaping the nausea.  Also, please pray for the carseat introduction as well as the short drive to our home.  Thankfully we'll be leaving the wild swerving and random breaking (the kind that can toss you from your seat) in China.  The boys will be going to school and preschool this week too.   Jet lag is a bear, but we're going to fight it with all we have!  Stella still continues to do amazing!  God has left me in awe of her adjustment thus far!  Looking forward to showing our girl around her home and just doing the family thing.

_____________________________

An Opportunity of a Lifetime

I don't think for a moment that God made a mistake.  I don't believe it was an accident for our children to be born in a foreign country to another family.  I am, however, grateful that although their first families faced hard decisions, our littles are not left to be alone forever.  We are allowed the opportunity to show them a family's love and in turn are given some of the sweetest (and sassiest) little gifts around.  One of Stella's friends from the orphanage is waiting for her forever family.  She is a beautiful 5 year old with the same blood disorder as Stella.  The director said her file will be ready shortly.  She urged us to help find this little one's family.  In fact, her paperwork had not been prepared earlier because they feared no family would come forward.  As they saw that Stella was chosen, the orphanage staff was more encouraged that her family could be found.  If you or anyone you know feel that a China adoption is in their near future, we'll be glad to share a picture and help to connect you/them with this little one's file.  There are families with love left to give.  And there are little ones all over the world waiting...

                                _____________________________

A Few More China Moments

Shamian Island Adventures

Things You See in China...

A little relaxing in the garden

Look what Samuel found at the store!

Miss Priss on the way to the Consulate

"The Twins" have enjoyed bath time together!

She just might love baths more than he does.

We're homeward bound, y'all!

A Special Thanks or Two

A Special Thanks

See these folks?  Super Stars, that's what they are!  These 2 hit the ground running...after some very energetic little ones.  And then we added another.  They probably sleep in their running shoes just to keep up with all the action.  SuSu and Big Joe may have met their lifetime quota of Chinese food days ago, but they're still holding strong.  They've made sure we've kept up with our 3 kiddos.  Wait...we do just have 3 at this point, right?  It's been hard to know whether we're coming or going some days.  The 2 grandparents kept The Brothers on a few occasions to allow us hassle-free time for appointments with Stella.  And they kept the Three Musketeers for a moment so Russ and I could catch our breath...and maybe get some sweet treats, but we're not advertising that last part!  A special thanks to these super stars for traveling the world with us!  

Big Joe and Samuel on the zoo tram

SuSu and The Brothers

SuSu and Miss Priss strolling through the garden

Giving to the Fatherless

We have so much appreciation for our friends, family, and an amazing MJ rep who gave so that we could meet a need of the orphanage.  They are unable to purchase bottles for cleft lip/palate in-country; we were able to take 2 suitcases full.  So, for those who donated and for our special friend Jacob who collected a donation at his birthday party, there are some grateful little ones in Huizhou who you are providing for as they wait for families!  

Joey packing up the donations for the orphanage delivery

Tell Me What You Think

Guest Blogger: Big Brother

 Training for America Ninja Warrior

Tell me about meeting your sister.
It's kind of a surprise when you get to meet your kid.  You get to see their actions.  You see if they're happy and how old they are.  It kinda made me shy because I didn't know if she was going to like me.

Now that you've known her a few days, what do you think?
She likes me a lot.  She likes when I tickle her or make funny faces or dance.

What do you think she will think of her new home in Texas?
I will show her around the beds and her bed.  She might be kinda scared to meet our dogs.  I will make her happy.

Tell me your favorite things about China so far.
Eating bacon.  My favorite foods are buns and dumplings.

What are you most looking forward to when you get back to Texas?
I'm looking forward to going to Dove Park!




Checking Out China

Big Joe and Su Su at the Chen Academy

These 2 are keeping up with the 3 Musketeers like Olympic Athletes!

Daddy and Daddy's Girl at the Academy

She loved wearing the flower in her hair.

Also, she would offer anyone a sniff...and then stick it up their nose.

Dinner outing for pizza!

A little shopping afterwards

Those darn rides are universally loved by all children!

A little bubble blowing at the city park today

And we met some friends.

Stella was quick to offer to let the baby blow 

bubbles (aka lick the bubble wand).

She really did have a fun time despite the objection to picture taking.

Big Brother takes his responsibilities seriously!

This sassy, feisty, sensitive little angel proves over and over that she really does fit with our family well.  God couldn't have picked a better fit for The Brothers!  She needed them...and they need her!

Getting to Know You, Stella Ann Lyu

What We've Learned From Stella in 5 Days

God's grace is sufficient!  For a little girl who has had her entire world rocked, she has handled it with trust, grace and pure joy.   I can't imagine that any amount of preparation would be enough for a little one whose life has been changed 110%.  I have much to learn from her!  He has spoiled our family!

If there's music, you should be dancing.  Girlfriend, you are in the right family!

Stella can throw punches, be rowdy, and all the while carrying a purse and donning a bow.

This girl loves to accessorize!  She loves her purses.  Also, if your keys go missing at our house, check her purse.   This girl can stuff a purse faster than I can eat a piece of chocolate!

If moments get tense, just laugh!  It can't hurt.  And in fact, it just might help.

Stella loves her sleep.  She's my girl!

She has enjoyed being carried.  Whether by Daddy or in the carrier by Mommy, she's not afraid of closeness.  In fact, she asks to be carried and held.  Our girl recognizes that it's part of having parents and she's going to take full advantage of it.  

Little Miss Priss

The 2 littles enjoyed some quite time while 

Big Brother was with SuSu and Big Joey.

Some Sights From our Friday Outing

 Sun Yat-Sen Memorial

 City Wall of Ancient Guangzhou

"The Twins" taking a snack break

Silly Big Brother

A Bonus to Our Day

We met Dana last year as she worked at our hotel.  

She and Joey were fast friends.  Although she no longer 

works at the same hotel, we are grateful that she took the time to 

come back to the city to enjoy an evening of catching up over 

some yummy food.  As she put it so well, "You are so tired with 

3 children.  It's like a party!"

The Orphanage Visit: Thankful

A Full Day of Travel and Emotions

Today turned out to be one of the longest day ever...

Our sweet girl fell victim to car sickness.

It rained buckets.

Our driver was not afraid to send us out to sea through the rain waters.
The traffic was NUTS!

Did I mention the car sickness?

But...

We saw Stella's excitement and that of her fiends when they were reunited.

Samuel's nanny was in tears at the sight of one of her favorites.

Stella showed that she is possessive of her family.

Meeting New Friends

A few precious little girls came running out to great "Lyu" (Stella).  I wish I could've scooped them up and brought them home too!  It was fun to watch Stella with her friends.  It's obvious the little momma aspect stretches beyond her brothers.  Stella would make a great teacher one day!  And Joey was a hit...or was it the suckers?  Either way, the children flocked around him and he enjoyed the Santa-like moment passing out candy.  He really enjoyed it and Stella did too!  Anytime the other children got a little too close to us though, Stella would grab our hands and let her friends know that we are hers.  That girl was not shy about it at all!  We belong to her.  It was comforting to see that side of her.  

We were able to meet her teacher.

Such a busy lady to give the children 1-on-1 time.

Familiar Faces

She was tearing up before she ever reached him.

One of the sweetest moments of the day was seeing Samuel's nanny.  This lady holds a special place in my heart.  The look on her face is real.  She genuinely loves our baby boy.  I wonder how often she gets to see in person a child who left the orphanage 18 months earlier.  We took her a book of pictures from his first year home.  Anyone who has known me at least 5 minutes knows that I love pictures and I love scrapbooking.  So, if his nanny ever tires of receiving pictures, too bad.  She has met the wrong momma!  Samuel's nanny brought him a special gift - a necklace - that he has worn constantly...except when he asked to take it off so that it wouldn't get wet in the rain.  That kid, he thinks of it all!  And I'm happy to report that he let her hold and kiss and dote on him...somewhat thanks to a sucker bribe.  I was just grateful that he was nice about it all! We just never know with him sometimes.  "Zi" (Samuel) was a hit with many of the nannies today.  We knew he was a favorite, but WOW.  He has quite the fan club with nannies and children.  Makes me wonder what kind of mischief he had been up to before we met him!

Our babies with their nannies

____________________

You thought I was kidding about raining buckets, didn't you?

Our First Few Days

It's Official (Tues. 8/18)
It seemed less dramatic than making something "Facebook official" with 2 polite well dressed officials sitting across the table simply saying "well, congratulations!"  They each seemed personable and sincere in the comment, but the confetti and trumpets never came.   Well, actually they did.  They came in the form of many prayers and sweet words of encouragement as you all celebrate with us.  She's now a Webb forever!  At this point, I'm not sure we could convince her otherwise!

Samuel and Stella
Samuel could very easily never feed or dress himself ever again.  Little Momma Stella is alive and well!  She has continued to nurture him with confidence and grace.  In fact, she fed me breakfast this morning.  I told Russ to remind me that I should only choose things for her plate that I also will eat!

Samuel has taken his position as 

the baby of the family to a whole new level.

And he thinks it's hilarious!

Joey and Stella
"Stella wants her bow in her hair and I just can't do it."  Hey, we're only 2 days in.  There's plenty of time for Big Brother to learn those accessorizing skills.  Joey continues to tell us how cute and fun Stella is.  His heart just grew a little bigger now that he's Big Brother to 2.

Bonding and Attachment
Stella has seemingly meshed with our family in a way I could have never expected.  I'm anxious to talk to her nanny during our visit tomorrow to hear how much they talked to her in preparation.  She loves looking at the photo album we sent her.  It blows me away to think that she was "prepared enough" not to be scared.  She's only 4 years old.  Of course, we're still new and exciting (or at least The Brothers are).  It could be that in a few days, the fear of reality and uncertainty will sink in for her.  That's yet to be seen, but we'll gladly take these "honeymoon" days.  Stella loves to be carried.  And this girl is no feather-weight.  I can almost hear my back moaning and creaking!  That's why there are chiropractors though, right?  We've got lots of lost time of carrying and cuddling to make up for.  I'm happy to report that we're off to a good start!  Stella loves her Daddy, which is not what we experienced with Samuel.  Stella ask for "Baba" when he's not in sight.  She reaches out to tickle him.  Sitting on his lap to play is second nature to her.  It's been a huge sigh of relief and a giant answer to prayer.

Medical Exam (8/19)
Done!  Success.  No complaints at all.  Suckers are the answer.

On the way to Stella's medical 

appointment she was all smiles.

Up Next...
Tomorrow we will visit the orphanage.  It's an opportunity to thank the ladies who have cared for our children (both Samuel and Stella).  We went last year with Samuel, so this will be more about seeing familiar faces and the children who have been "family" to our little ones.  We are anxious to see the reaction of Samuel's nanny to his growth and personality.  And we are hopeful to catch a glimpse of Stella with her friends.  

Night night, sweet Stella!  We have a busy day ahead.

The gap...it has closed!

Can you believe it?  The day we've anticipated for 10 months.  We are a family of 5.  Forever.  

This experience was far different than with Samuel.  The sardine can was not packed.  There were much fewer families awaiting children (likely because Samuel's Gotcha Day was just before a major holiday).  The room didn't echo of screaming children, just a few.  Unlike last time, we were the last family in our group to meet our little one.  It gave us a moment to take in the emotions of the day to watch other moms and dads see their babies for the first time.  And then it was our turn...

She walked into the Civil Affairs office with her nanny and orphanage director.  We saw her immediately.  Our guide nodded her head to signal for us to come to the middle of the room.  There she was...little Stella...looking perfectly cute!  

And just like that, our daughter was added to our family.  There was no big celebration in the room, but we were already so in love with her, the real party was in our hearts.  

Stella's Gotcha Day was so vastly different than my expectations.  No tears.  No screaming.  Instead, a tiny little girl waltzed into the room bearing suckers for her family, along with a bag filled with gifts we had sent.  

Daddy and his Three Musketeers

Tickle, Tickle

"Little Mother" has arrived

This guy is already a sucker for Baby Girl

My little Mini me

Stella sought out her brothers to give them their water.

She is a little ball of energy, a tiny bit sassy.  She adores her brothers and has fallen into the role of "little mother".  The boys are crazy about her.  On more than one occasion, Joey has said "she is sooooooo much fun."  Samuel asked whether she would be going to Samuel's house (just for confirmation).  The huge smile on his face when I said "yes" was priceless.  I have been the most shocked with his reaction as he leisurely complies with her requests to cram his lazer gun into her purse, to shove a bottle of water in his mouth, and to feed him goldfish.  Joey already had this big brother thing down, but we've told him multiple times too how impressed we are with his sharing and entertaining.  He has been concerned with making her comfortable and showing her all things Minecraft.  Don't think for a moment that he hesitated to whip out his Minecraft book once we were back at the hotel.  And as you can see from pictures, the tickle matches started from the very beginning.  The Three Musketeers have arrived!

It's like a piece of the puzzle has been found...and we didn't even know she was missing!  

Because I've got a new name, 

a new life, 

I'm not the same

And a hope that will carry me home

God makes beautiful things even from the brokenness.