Home and Adjusting

Hi everyone!  We are back home as of Friday night around 7:30 pm. We had a long and tiring trip home from Hong Kong, including missing our flight from Chicago to Charlotte.  The kids were troupers on the 14 hour flight to the States and then as we waited in Chicago for a later plane.  


We were greeted at the airport by my folks, sister and nieces, and many of Ting Ting's grown brothers and sisters. It was so, so good to see and hug everyone after 2 weeks away. TT suffered from motion sickness as we landed in Chicago and on the last flight, but it wasn't as bad for her as we had feared it night be. She was cautiously enthusiastic about meeting the extended family and we had a lot of fun watching her explore her new home once we made it to our house.  


However, TingTing has had a REALLY hard time since we have been home.  She is extremely homesick for her ayi (nanny), friends, and home in China. We knew it could be a hard transition for her despite the good times and attachment we had while in China.  It has been very very rough for the entire family, and even though we thought we were prepared it has been  even tougher dealing with the grief and rage than we thought.  The culture shock, the changes in her life, and jet lag have all contributed.  The first two nights we were up until 6 am with her as she screamed and cried for home.  Last night she had a shorter bout of grief in the nighttime, which is progress in its own way.  


Mark and I see small victories here and there which is encouraging.  She is often very sad but we see glimmers of the happy, funny, spunky girl we met just 2 weeks ago.  We are clinging to the Word, each other, and the knowledge that things will get better for her in time.  We are taking things day by day and trying to establish a simple and predictable routine.  My folks are staying with us and are able to help and provide support for Mark and me as we try to get over the jst lag and meet the needs of both the girls.  I am struggling with some anxiety about all these changes and also how it is affecting AK, but it is getting better day by day.  All of your prayers are felt and so appreciated! 

Countdown

• 5 more sleeps to TingTing  (AK's way of counting down)
• 4 packed suitcases (but I think we're going to have to suck it up and pay for 5 checked bags in China.  It's HARD to pack for both snow and 75 degree temps, plus all the gear needed for a 3 year old and a 10 year old!)
• 3 excited people ( me, Mark, AK)
• 2 exhausted parents  (Who needs sleep?? )
• 1  more day until we leave for... CHINA and our Olivia Ruth YuTing!!

Olivia Day should be Monday, 2/28!!  

Happy birthday, Ting Ting!

Ting Ting's tenth birthday was last Thursday... just one week before we are scheduled to leave for China to meet her and bring her home.  

We were blessed to receive new photos of her birthday party-- on her actual birthday, can you believe it??--  and a letter she wrote to us just after the New Year.  She was rather chatty in the letter, and told us all about a big snow they had in Hunan and how much she ate at the celebrations for the Spring Festival.  

The best part, though, was when she said she was happy to be joining our family. 

We've wondered how she felt.  After all, the nerves and excitement are about equal for Mark and me, and we are not leaving behind all we've ever known to start a new life.  It's one thing to wish for a family, and another to be facing the inevitable changes and challenges.   We are happy, and praying that she will be, with us. 

We are so excited and thankful to be Ting Ting's family.  Only FIVE more sleeps (as Anna Kathryn would say) until we meet Ting Ting!!!