We are Home

Bethany, Caleb and I arrived home to a warm welcome Wednesday night at 9pm. We were so happy to be home. The trip went pretty well, but was extremely long (over 30 hours start to finish). Caleb actually had a fever when I woke him up the morning we departed China. I ended up taking him to the doctor this morning (Friday) and he is now on antibiotics. He probably has a sinus infection as well as a small skin infection on his finger. Our first day home we were running on adrenaline and so excited that we did fine, but today we had to crash for a nap this afternoon and are still dragging a bit. But, Caleb seems to be very happy and enjoying getting to know his growing family. He is shy when meeting new people but often warms up after a short time.
I just wanted to thank my parents for staying with our other sons while we were away and for taking such good care of them and the house. I didn't worry about them at all and they sure enjoyed the gourmet food and extra grandparent attention and time. It was a huge blessing.

Lunch with new friends

We met up for lunch today with another family adopting that we had met on the internet and an American woman who lives in China. It was some great fellowship and time of sharing together. Caleb is doing well, but not eating as well as I would like to see him. I figure when we get him home, it will be easier to introduce new foods and control his diet a bit better. He certainly can eat carbs like rice, cheerios and bread, but we need a bit more variety. Bethany has been working very hard to finish up school assignments before we return home. Our consulate appt. was this morning and our guide called us to say all went well this morning. Tomorrow afternoon we will go and take an oath and receive Caleb's visa. So, it will be very soon now that we will be boarding an airplane and coming home. Please pray for a safe trip and that Caleb will handle the trip well. It will not be easy, so I think I will try to rest up before hand. See you all soon. Thanks for your comments and prayers. Love,
Mary Ann

Sunday in China

We heard from George this morning, Saturday night your time, and he was safe and at home. We went to a worship service in Chinese/English this morning and just stayed for the singing. We met some Christian young Chinese women and one in particular touched our hearts. She told of becoming a believer and having her family not allow her new friends, going to church, or reading her bible. But, she has finally won their acceptance of her new faith, although, they still remain Bhuddist. She is trying to get a visa to study in American and live with a Christian family she met at the church. Please pray for her, her English name is Vanessa. We ran into her again when heading to our hotel and we gave her a hug and told her we would be praying for her. Very sweet. It was great to sing praises to God in China, some songs in chinese and others in English. Caleb was actually very quiet and seemed to enjoy it. We cannot wait to get him home to meet all of you. Bethany, Caleb and I are still enjoying shopping and eating more delicious Chinese food. Last night we went to a new restaurant near our hotel and we ate three large dishes, including a large fish for just $8.50. Amazing. I think we will go there again. We also got Caleb in the pool again today before his nap and he loved it. Bethany goes in with him and he just loves the water even though it is very cold. Well, I better go. Just wanted to check in with you all. I have no computer, so no photos (except for one George added from a few days ago). Sorry. Love you! Mary Ann

Day at the Zoo

Today we took Caleb to the Guangzhou Zoo. It was a very nice zoo with all the typical animals, like monkeys, lions, tigers, bear, giraffes, elephants, etc. Caleb really enjoyed the animals and the gardens were beautiful also. We took a taxi both ways and made our way back to the hotel with no problems. Caleb was exhausted by the time we got in the taxi and promptly fell asleep in Bethany’s lap. We were all extremely hot and sweaty and anxious to get back to the hotel and try out the rooftop swimming pool. But, Bethany was quite alarmed when she got out of the taxi and discovered Caleb had done a little more than sweated on her. He also wet his pants. We were quite a sight walking/running to the hotel trying to hide Bethany’s very wet pants. We did get to try out the pool and even though Caleb has been terrified of the baths, and even though the water was very cold, he got in and played with the girls, even sticking his face in the water repeatedly trying to blow bubbles. He squealed with delight while splashing and playing. We think he will be a swimmer by next summer!
We enjoyed a final dinner together tonight and have been packing tonight. George and Noel leave tomorrow morning for Hong Kong over night and then head back to the USA. It is hard to see them go, but we are sure our last days here will also fly by and all of us will be together in Del Rio again. I will not have a computer but will try to get onto the business center computer or a local internet café nearby to post. Bethany, Caleb and I will depart Guangzhou on 15 November.

Exam Day

Well, Caleb has been challenging his Mommy a bit more today. He suddenly wants to be very contrary, refusing the bib at breakfast, dropping to the ground like Bethany used to do when he doesn’t get his way. Noel told him at breakfast, “Don’t bother trying, Caleb, Mom has experience--me.” But one moment he is acting like a terrible two-year old, and the next moment he is charming us and making incredibly cute faces that are irresistible. Obviously, he is still emotionally fragile. So, we are really enjoying loving him and giving him as much security as possible. We have finished most of the adoption activities, but our guide will be running paperwork around to get the rest of it completed. We plan to go to the zoo tomorrow, and then Noel and George will leave Friday morning for Hong Kong for the night and then fly home to the US on Saturday. Bethany and I will do a bit more shopping but mostly just enjoy some rest and quiet days along with a bit more great Chinese food.

This morning, Caleb had his medical exam. He handled it really well. Throughout the day, he seemed to do much better. He really is attaching very well to his sisters; in other words, he's becoming more secure with his new family...at least as much as a two-year old can at this stage. We took him on several more walks today. The picture above is inside one of the hotels near where he had his exam.

Orphanage Visit

Today we traveled about two hours (one way) to visit the orphanage where Caleb has been living since he was found at two months old. We were blessed with a tour of the facility and also a wonderful meeting with the foster mother that has been caring for Caleb along with four other boys for about five months. We were not even certain he was in foster care until this visit today. It was obvious that she is a very loving and nurturing person and loved Caleb very much. She cried when we arrived and when we left. She thinks Caleb is very smart, which we of course agree with. Smile. Until we met her, he would not go to the other care givers in the orphanage. He only wanted Mom or Dad, which was very nice for us. A non profit organization named Half the Sky has been involved in this orphanage trying to make things a bit better for the kids. Caleb was enrolled in a daily “school” where he had art time and play time and planned activities with other children since he turned two. The teachers have been hired by this organization. They have also moved children out of the orphanage and into an apartment building adjacent where couples are paid to be foster parents to a group of four to six kids. Caleb was also enrolled in this program for the past five months. I believe these two programs have made his transition much easier and helped him to be emotionally healthy. But, the most difficult part of the day was seeing the baby rooms and the handicapped children room with rows and rows of cribs set up with many babies and children just waiting for their chance to have a family of their own. Most of them will never have a family. One of the adoptive fathers we have met here told me tonight that there are 800,000 children in orphanages in China and about 10,000 are adopted each year.
Caleb slept in the van all the way home. But, he has been much more fussy and challenging tonight. We are not sure if he is just exercising his will a bit more or feeling less secure after the visit to the orphanage. I think it is likely a combination of the two. We did have dinner at a wonderful Thai restaurant tonight. Tomorrow we have the medical exam for the American visa. We miss you all.

Passport Day

Today was a slow day and we spent the morning and early afternoon in our hotel. Caleb slept in until 9am and then took a two hour nap after lunch, too. He is a good sleeper. We received the adoption certificate today and applied for his passport. After a bit more shopping we went to a fabulous restaurant and for $20 we had five dishes and couldn’t begin to finish all the food. The shrimp were served with shells and heads on, but were the freshest and most delicious I have ever eaten. The chicken was served in a large pot, a whole chicken with feet, heads, and all included. But, the flavor was great. We had several vegetable dishes that were unlike anything I have ever eaten and even Noel was gobbling up the vegetables. Really, Grandma Gossman! The jelly fish skin was the only thing she picked out of the stir fried vegetables. Caleb was enthralled with the fish tanks near our table. He is learning so many words every day and fish is one of them. Caleb liked the ice cream a bit more tonight and soon will need his very own ice cream cone. Tomorrow we travel to visit Caleb’s orphanage and will see some countryside along the way. Just twenty years ago, ShenZhen City was a small village and today it is a huge city. It is a very large industrial city with many factories and companies located there.
Have a great day.


Hello! Well, Caleb is getting cuter and cuter everyday. He was saying all kinds of words today for me when we were in the taxi like car, truck, taxi, and van. It was adorable. We went shopping also and I got some stuff. Caleb tried to eat the rest of Noel’s cone but she pulled it out of his mouth. He smiles more and more everyday. You should see him and dad playing games. It is hilarious. I miss y’all a lot! Bye!
Bethany :D