Max Foster Family Visit

We had a very busy day today. We skyped with the kids at home this morning. Then went down for breakfast. It was nice to see some of the families we had seen in Hong Kong with their children. Everyone seems to be doing very well. We then met Ann in the lobby and off we went to see Max's foster family. It was about an hour drive. We met his foster mother at a shopping area and followed her on her motorcycle to where they live. They live in a house that is 4 stories with a 5th story outside rooftop area. They are considered pretty wealthy. When we arrived we were greeted by his foster family, aunt and uncle and grandma. They led us into the house to a living area. The table was set with fancy fruits and fresh peanuts. We then heard fireworks going off outside and that was for our arrival. They said it means we are welcome. We shared stories about Max with the help of Ann. They really all loved him so much and were happy to see we love him too. We really felt like it was important to go see his China family to understand why he is like he is with bonding to people. I think we got some of those answers today. Max was never told he was an orphan. As far as he knew his family did not want him. He was told he was coming to America and live with a new family. I had sent a package but he would have nothing to do with what I had sent. He did not want to leave China. He was sent back to the orphanage a month before we came to China. They agency said it was because he was so close to his foster family. His foster family told him he was only going on a vacation and would come back. Everyday he would ask the orphanage workers "when will I go on my vacation?" It really breaks my heart when I hear that. Sometimes I feel responsible for his hurt, I know deep down that this is a good thing for him. A life in China would most likely mean a life without Jesus. He is learning now about Jesus's love. He asks a lot of tough questions that we answer the best we can for now. The second day we were gone my girls told me that Max said grace at the dinner table and it was from the heart. That was huge!! We need to concentrate on the big picture sometimes. Max has been with us for almost two years and as challenging as it has been sometimes I wouldn't change a thing.

We brought them some gifts to his foster family and a photo book that I had made with pictures of Max since we have been home. They gave us some gifts also. Some fruit that they grow and some packaged things. I don't know what most of it is, we will have to ask our friend Melissa what it all is and how to cook it. They then wanted to take us out to lunch a local restaurant. It was pretty fancy, they led us to a private room with a sitting area and a big round table. We were served a lot of food. Started off with chicken feet. We had fresh fish, (head on) chicken, (head on) goose (no head) cow stomach, pork, beef, squid, Tofu fresh vegetables and rice. I am probably forgetting some things. So much food. We really were honored guests. They even invited the cab driver in to eat with us. We said our good byes and headed back to the hotel. We were with them about 3 hours. We got back to the hotel about 3:00 and we had to meet our group in the lobby to go eat again at 5:00. So today we basically ate all day with good company. Cody was so good all day. He was so patient with everything and said he never ate such good food. He also told Ann today that he really likes his dad and mom and has only known us for a little while and feels so comfortable. Tomorrow we are pretty free until about 4:30 we then do some paperwork in our room with our guide. We are gonna go on the Pearl River Cruise. We have been already but thought Cody would really like it. Tuesday is our Consulate Appointment.

 

 

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Free Day!!

Today was our free day. We just relaxed for a bit went to breakfast then decided to go to a park right across the street from the hotel. The park is very big. We went on a paddle boat around the lake. We all had fun it was a pretty warm day. After the park we went down to the pool and swam for a bit. Cody is getting a little more daring each day. After the pool we went for a walk around the hotel then to Mc Donalds for dinner. We are just gonna hang out in our room tonight. We got some books for Cody and he has been reading for the past hour. Tomorrow we will go see Max's foster family. I hope all goes well. We are getting anxious to get home. Cody knows we leave Thursday and is very excited. He has such a funny personality.

 

 

 

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Shopping

Today was a mostly free day. We went shopping today with a local shopping guide. She took us to this huge book store, we bought a few books for Cody. He likes to read so it would be nice if he was able to keep his language. She then took us to the pearl market to buy a few things. We got some videos some just in Chinese and a couple Disney movies you can play in either English, Mandarine, or Cantonese. He likes the same Chinese video's that Max likes Chinese fruit ninjas. Dave and Cody really could have done without the shopping but both were very patient. When we got back we had to have a quick lunch in the room and meet our guide in the lobby to go have Cody's TB test read at the medical building. It was about a 20 min drive and we were in there all of about 2 min. all is ok. We then went down to the pool and Dave and Cody swam for awhile. He is really getting good in the water. It is just so cute how Cody likes to hang out with Dave. You can tell he is getting more comfortable with us. We hear him singing while he is drawing or busy playing by himself. He was even doing his Michael Jackson impersonation (the moonwalk). We met our guide at 6:00 and walked to a local Cantonese restaurant she ordered for us. Before we ordered they brought out a pot of hot water and a plastic bowl they set in the middle of the table. I had no idea why but Cody knew. We were suppose to wash our plates, bowls, and chopsticks with the water. I guess to make sure all is sanitized. The meal was very good and cost almost the same as the pizza we had delivered to our room. We are all now just gonna hang out in the room. They have music playing down by the pool but Cody just wanted to hang out in the room. Tomorrow we have a free day. I am not sure what we will do. I am sure the pool will be on the list. We may go to the park across the street and to a museum near by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Orphanage Visit and Safari Park

This is now the third time I am attempting to write this blog. I have gotten all done with it twice and it has suddenly disappeared. So I will try one last time. So today we went to visit the orphanage. We left the hotel at about 9:00a.m. It was about an hour drive. When we arrived Cody was very excited to show us around and we all received a warm welcome. Right when we walked in we saw a big picture on the wall with Cody in it. We actually saw a couple. We were led to an office where we were able to ask a couple questions then led on a tour by Cody. We brought some smarties (thanks Barb) for Cody to hand out to the kids. He also stuck a few snacks in his backpack before we left a handful of fruit snacks pack and a sleeve of Oreo cookies. All of Cody's friends were at school so he did not get to see them. There was one 16 year old girl there she was not feeling well so did not go to school that day. Cody went into his backpack and gave the girl all the snacks he had brought, it put a smile on her face. He then led us to the place where he slept it was just a room with many beds about 28. He pointed out his bed along with a couple of his friends who were recently adopted. The beds were very hard and very small. We asked Cody if he liked his bed at the hotel better and he said no he liked the hard bed it was very good. We took a few pictures with his nannies and said our goodbyes. Cody was happy to get back into the van. We went past his school and took a picture. We also went to the hospital where Cody was found. We took a picture and left. He may be interested in it one day. Then on to the safari park!!!

 

When we arrived at the safari park we first took a tram around the the driving part of the park. It is really fun to see the animals just wandering around while you drive through. The giraffes just walk all around and right in front of or back of your car. Cody was just pretty much in awe of it all. When we finished the driving portion we walked the rest of the park. We fed the giraffes branches, the elephants banana's and the tigers raw meat. It was all really fun. As we were walking a couple of older gentlemen with professional looking camera's followed us around for a couple of minutes snapping pictures. Not the stalker like pictures I take but the right in your face kind. After a few minutes Dave and I decided to do some poses for them. They laughed and finally walked off. We also were surrounded at one point by a group of school age kids in bright yellow uniforms practicing their simple english on us. It was very cute. We had wished we would have had that on video it was like we were famous. By the end of the walk Cody was ready to go he was very tired. We were suppose to go out to dinner with our guide but we were all to tired and just ordered pizza. Today we will go shopping and then have Cody's TB test read. It looks good so we are not worried. Cody is doing so well. He is so cooperative and always so happy. He knows a lot more english than we thought he would. We have had no trouble communicating. He has been great. We are shopping with a local shopping guide Ann of Red thread. She will also take us to see Max's foster on Sunday.

 

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Medical Exam and Visa Photo

Today was a good day!!! We got up early. Cody jumped out of bed ready to go. I have never seen such a happy kid. He is always smiling. After we all got up and ready to go we went down and had breakfast. I really need to take pictures of this buffet. It is really amazing. This morning Cody and Dave and a kind of soup Cody showed Dave how to pick out your kind of noodles and all that you want in your soup and tell the server the server then sautés it and puts it into a broth for soup. Dave said it was very good. I had to have traditional breakfast not lunch for breakfast. After breakfast we came up to the room, relaxed a little and skyped with family. Dave and Cody went down and swam in the pool for about an hour while I tried to nap. I am stilled so messed up with the time change. I feel like I am running on empty a lot of the time. Cody had been asking to swim from about 6:00a.m. on. He is surprising us all the time at how much english he does know. Dave and Cody ate some Chinese noodles for lunch. We then met our guide at 1:00 in the lobby to go to Cody's medical exam. The medical exam is in a new building it is very nice. Our guide is very good and got us in and out quick. Cody did very well. The only part he had trouble with was the eye exam. The dr. said he should be wearing his glasses all of the time. Next on to get the visa photo taken. We went to a building that I had recognized when adopting Max. It was a bit of a wait to get through but we had fun looking a pictures on my iphone with Cody. He saw a video we took of Dave in China town eating some wasabi and having a reaction. Cody thought it was so funny because we got some wasabi nuts at Walmart and Dave eats them and Cody laughs at Dave's face each time. When it gets too hot to handle they shout out WASABI. It is pretty cute. You can really tell that Dave and Cody are bonding well. I love the way Cody just looks up at Dave literally. He really gets a look of awe in his face. After our day of medical and paperwork we came back to the hotel and ordered a pizza well actually our guide ordered for us. Cody choose a pizza with shrimp and crab on it. I did ask for just cheese. He really loved it. He is a really good eater and I do not think we will have a problem when we get home he likes lots of american food. I just hope Max follows his lead. I can not wait to get home and all bond as a whole family. I miss everyone. I am looking forward to tomorrow. We do not have any appointments or paperwork. We go meet our guide in the lobby at 9:00 a.m and head over to Cody's orphanage. I brought some candy (thanks to Barb) to give out to the kids at the orphanage. After the orphanage we will head to the safari park. We will spend the rest of the afternoon there. I am sure Cody will love it. It has been a great da!!!

 

 

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