We're Home...Medical Updates & Family Traditions

Last Saturday we made it home after saying a sad good-bye to Elvin, our wonderful Guangzhou guide.

Savannah Faith was a champ on the 26 hour door-step to door-step trip.  She even slept part of the time.  I wish I could say the same.

Upon our arrival in Charlotte, we were greeted by Phil, the girls and my mom.  We made quite the sight at the airport.  A mass of screaming, giggling girls, exhausted adults and overfilled luggage.

When we arrived  home, sweet friends of ours had dropped off a "Welcome Home Savannah" cake and balloon.  I was so touched by their thoughtfulness.  When you are bringing home your 7th child, it's not always celebrated...

The rest of this week, we just recovered from jet lag and ran from Dr.'s appointment to Dr.'s appointment.  The most important visit was Savannah Faith's pediatric cardiology appointment.

We discovered that in addition to her diagnosed condition of Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) and pulmonary stenosis, she also has hypoplastic right ventricle.  This means that Savannah Faith is a functioning single ventricle like Isabelle and Lily Rose. 

Dr. Bradley, here we come for another Glen and Fontan.

Of course, this is NOT what was listed on her paperwork or what we had planned, but the Lord had it all orchestrated before the foundation of the earth.  It was no surprise to Him!

We are so thankful that we've been down this road before, and that a first time heart parent did not adopt Savannah Faith thinking she was a TGA toddler.  (That typically only requires a one time surgery and is repairable.) 

Single ventricle children require two palliative surgeries and are just that...palliative.  Long-term prognosis is unknown.  That is our "normal."  So this is not new stomping ground for us. 

Savannah Faith will be in good company and will have two sisters to teach her the "ropes" of Glen/Fontan procedures.  All in a day's work!

Today we carried on a family tradition of dying eggs.  I always struggle with the tradition and how to make it Christ-centered. 

I didn't have to worry this year.  My "big" girls had it all figured out.

With pens poised...

they began writing praises to Him in the languages they know.

From left to right...Michaela put to use her Siswati which she learned recently serving in Swaziland for three months (you can read about it here http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2919769437313367323#editor/target=post;postID=4205469893230608187 ). 

AnnaGrace wrote in Mandarin.  She purchased a side-by-side Mandarin to English Bible while in China and began teaching herself some Mandarin. 

Next is Farsi.  Torie is taking Farsi in college this semester.  She hopes to go on the mission field to the middle-east, sometime after graduating from college and Paramedic training.

And finally, all our girls know some Spanish, so they included Spanish as well.


"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb....
And they cried out in a loud voice:  Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."  Revelation 7:9a,10


So thankful that Christ not only died on the cross for my sins, but conquered death and rose again and now sits at the right hand of God our Father and intercedes for me!! 


So thankful it's a message for all people and all nations.


Cause for celebration this Easter Sunday.  He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!



While I pondered the spiritual truths of Easter, and the older girls were concentrating on getting their translations correct, let's face it....

our younger girls were just making sure they got their squiggly lines and their colors just perfect!

Beautiful!

Photo Shoots: Models and Brides

When Phil and I Skyped yesterday, he asked about the model and wedding photo shoots I mentioned. He hasn't been back to China since our first adoption in 2001 and couldn't picture the photo shoots on Shamian Island. We thought it would be fun for me to post a Day on Shamian Island.

 

This morning was a typical day. First we saw a Chinese sports model posing in her different athletic outfits.

 

It seems that each model on the Island typically has a specialty...shoes, handbags, sports outfits, regular clothes. You get the idea.

Next we saw the line of purses. We never did see the purse model. Maybe she was finished with her photo shoot before we arrived on the scene. They looked like they were inventorying the bags as we walked by the area.

 

After passing the typical female models, we saw a first. A male model. He had a great sense of humor and even posed just for me.

 

 

Next we passed multiple bridal photo shoots.
 

 

Our guide explained to us that brides and grooms contract with photographic studios as far as twelve months in advance of their wedding. The studios allow the brides to borrow dresses for their sitting portraits. Strangely (to us in the States) these are NOT the dresses they will actual wear on their wedding days. The photos are taken and if for some reason the engagement is broken, the bride and groom split the photo package. Evidently this is not uncommon. 

Another interesting departure is many times the dresses are not white.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the photo shoot day, the bride and groom may pick a traditional package which includes just photos in their wedding dress and tux, or a complete package which includes non-traditional photos. We saw one bride, earlier this week, in shorts, combat boots and her veil. We're assuming this was part of her non-traditional package. Today we only saw traditional dresses.

 

 

I had to laugh when I saw this bride taking a break for lunch. Who can blame her. These photo shoots can last hours.

 

The highlight of the day was our first sighting of a Russian model. Elvin, our guide, told us that Shamian Island had become a popular place for professional Russian models. We saw that first-hand this morning.
 

I'm sure we've seen this model on the front of some magazine. Although the other models we've seen on the Island looked like professionals, this model clearly worked on an entire different level. Instead of traveling witht just a few "helpers", she traveled with an entire entourage.

 

Not only was their a photographer and light crew...

 

but she also had a complete wardrobe, 20+ pairs of shoes, jewelry and a wardrobe changing crew to help her.
 

 

She knew exactly how to pose with no coaching.
 

 

And after a 5-10 minute shoot in each outfit, she did a quick change right there on the street behind her handy, dandy black curtain that her assistants held for her.
 

 

She knew how to pose as if she was walking in a door, walking up stairs (foot in mid-air without looking awkward), leaning on the wall, etc. Just like you see in the professional magazines.

They touched-up her make-up after each outfit change which took an amazingly short time...maybe 2 minutes. It was astonishing.

 

Although I admit it was fascinating to watch, I couldn't help but think of the verse in Proverbs...

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

I pray that Phil and I will not be influenced by the world but instead will train our daughters' to pursue beauty as they run hard after the Lord and His truths. Only then will they truly be beautiful as they shine His light to those around them.

 

After watching the hoopla, we set out to take a few last photos before we leave the Island tomorrow.

 

 

After just two photos, our little princess fell fast asleep in MIchaela's arms.

 

Trying to decide what to do next? Well you didn't have to ask me twice. We went to my favorite spot, Starbucks, and got a nice cup of coffee to relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
 

 

Tomorrow we head to Hong Kong on the train for a quick night's sleep in the hotel. Then on to Chicago for a connection to home sweet home in Charlotte.

AnnaGrace's Photo Shoot

Shamian Island, where we are staying while in Guangzhou, is a popular site for model and bridal photo shoots. Not only is the atmosphere different than surrounding areas with it's lack of vehicle traffic, it's also a photographers dream with all the wrought iron and architectural details which "shoot" so well.

Our guide told us that not only Chinese models flock to the Island, but Russian models are beginning to use the Island for their lay-outs as well.

Since we were not able to get AnnaGrace's photos done in Changsha as hoped, we decided to do our own photo shoot yesterday.

We bought a traditional silk dress, umbrella and fan (thanks Brenda Scott for the great idea) and began touring the Island for good photographic spots. Although the weather didn't cooperate as we'd liked, the clouds rolled in and it began to rain towards the end of the time, we still had lots of fun!

Following are a few of my favorites....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can tell that Savannah Faith was fascinated with her big sister's afternoon events...

 

Pearl River Dinner Cruise

This trip we experienced a first...a Pearl River Dinner Cruise. Although I've heard about this excursion from other adoptive parents, our agency has never booked it for us. So this was a special treat.

 

 

 

 

The 2 hour dinner cruise began with a scrumptious dinner buffet complete with an array of Chinese dishes including spicy chicken, fried rice, noodles, beef dishes, steamed buns, fresh shrimp and too many other options to mention. Of course Savannah didn't avail herself of any of the goodies. She just patiently waited for her bottle. It's okay. I think I ate my helping and hers.

After the meal we went on the top deck and enjoyed the scenery on the river. We passed the CCTV tower, now the 2nd tallest tower in the world. It's second only to the a tower in Dubai.

 

We also passed the location of the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Asian Games. Elvin, our guide, has toured the inside of the facilities. Although quite impressive, he said they don't hold a candle to the Olympic location in Beijing, the Bird's Nest.

 

When Savannah Faith became bored, Elvin was a good sport and took a turn entertaining her. Every adoptive family who has enjoyed Elvin's talents as a guide knows how wonderful he is with the children. He now has a 14 month old son of his own. I can only imagine what a great father he is!

 

After enjoying the fresh air on deck, we were entertained by a juggling clown. The children especially appreciated her talent. Even Savannah Faith was intrigued with the show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow is a day off, so we will enjoy a little shopping around Guangzhou.

Safari Park

Today we visited the Safari Park.

 

This is always the highlight of our Guangzhou portion of the trip. Being animal lovers and annual zoo pass holders, we look forward to seeing some Asian animals in their natural habitat.

The panda bears are of course a highlight!

 

The first stop in the safari park is a 30-40 minute tram ride through the animals' natural habitats.

 

 

The park has done a fabulous job of leaving wide open spaces for the animals and yet allowing visibility for the patrons. During the tram ride we drove through African savannahs, Asian woods and open plains. No enclosures were visible which made the viewing even more enjoyable.

 

After disembarking, we began the walking tour of the zoo. We stopped and posed outside the Meerkat exhibit. I'm not sure Savannah Faith was that enamored with the idea. Although she was relieved that we were near the Meerkat's and not the monkey's.

 

Earlier we had to leave the monkey show. That was the only place Savannah Faith definitely did NOT enjoy. Half way through the show she noticed the monkeys. A terrified look crossed her face, and she let out a scream of terror. Needless to say we left the show in a hurry. That was the only time all day that she showed any signs of displeasure. Clearly monkeys are not her favorites.

We continued our walk and accidentally, after entering the "exit", stumbled into an area where you could pay $3.00 to hold a tiger cub. Needless to say they didn't have to ask twice, I shelled out the money and Michaela and AnnaGrace fed a one month old tiger cub his bottle.

 

This is my sixth trip to China. Five adoptions and one volunteer trip. Needless to say I'm not buying a lot of "stuff" this time around. You can only own so many China tea sets, traditional silk dresses for the little girls, and silk purses. Those of you have been on adoption trips know what I mean.

We're also on a tight budget this time. Every agency arranges their travel portion differently. Our agency uses CWTS for their travel. Our outings, guide, van and breakfast are included in the flat rate price we paid for our trip. Our lunches, dinners and extras are not included. Needless to say we've eaten a lot of crackers, trail mix and peanut butter that we brought from home, for meals. We've done our own laundry in the bath tub. (Thanks, Michaela, to your good training while on the mission field in Swaziland).

But one thing I didn't want to scrimp on this time were memories...so when the girls had a chance to ride on an elephant, I jumped at the opportunity. At $12.00/person, I thought it was a steal!!

Evidently they don't get lots of takers because the Chinese nationals lined up three deep at the fence to take pictures of our girls as they climbed abroad. I was trying to juggle Savannah Faith, taking a nap in my arms, our backpack and my camera. Taking photos with one hand with a sleeping baby resting on my other hip...who says mother's can't multi-task!

 

 

Really nothing could top the elephant ride. But we did stop for one more show. The African Animal show which included an impressive display of trained African animals including a man riding not only a zebra but also a hippo!

 

 

 

We got back to the hotel around 3:00 p.m. just in time for Savannah's 2nd afternoon bottle. Little miss picky will still ONLY drink from one specific bottle. Her bottle. I guess if everything in my life had just been turned upside down, I might demand a certain bottle too. A girl's prerogative, right!