China says he is ours !

Today we visited the provincial office, a notary, the police department and promised them to take good care of Andy and never abandon him and signed many papers and he gave his fingerprints and now, according to China at least, he is ours. We have to wait now until they finish processing his Chinese passport.
Andy continues to be a smiley, happy boy and he and Ric play very well together (or at least side by side).
One of the books I read (The Children, old but I highly recommend it if you are adopting) said that this is about the time I would start having worries about the uncertainties ahead. I am a pretty average person so I am having them right on schedule. Today they center around the unusual shape of Andy's head - is it from the way he slept as a baby, or could it be something worrisome?...I have been encouraged when I remember how amazingly Travis and Lindsay handled their recent concern about Henry's heart. Lindsay said "I gave myself completely over to God's plan for myself and my family." So much wisdom from such a young woman. It is the very best thing any of us can do. Thank you all for your prayers.

GOTCHA DAY !!!

After breakfast our guide, Helen, escorted us to the orphanage. As orphanages go, it must rank as one of the nicest - absolutely clean, freshly painted in bright colors, kid friendly. We had to wait a few minutes while the staff finished a meeting. While we were waiting we read a note from Andy's foster mother which primarily listed all the foods he likes which include just about everything. Then we were taken to an empty room and told to sit on two stools. The director walked in with Andy and as you can see from the pictures, he was, at first, a little apprehensive. We hugged him, handed him his backpack and he promptly got out the cars and sat down on the floor and began playing with them. We joined him. From that point on and for the rest of the day he has been all smiles. I believe he must have been very well prepared but I am still wondering if he understands this is permanent. We went out to lunch at a nice Chinese restaurant and the boys have played in the room the rest of the day. We have lots of room for balls , giant balloons and the myriad of other toys we brought. They did lay down for a short while this afternoon and watched some of Cars but neither one slept. Andy rarely speaks-when he does, it is with a very deep gravely voice. I am guessing that has something to do with his cleft which is supposedly fixed. Cheryl and Lui Bo both spoke to him on the phone today and he seemed to understand them but only sort of grunted in response. We are headed for their first bath together with lots of bubbles and letters....

Breakfast with Ric's family

Pictures from Ting Jiang

1- Sidewalk Dentistry
2- Jerry, Ric, and Chu - Beware of motorcycles while shopping
3- Ting Jiang Business District
4- Catherine Spurs the Ting Jiang Economy
5- Catherine and Ric and a Bicycle Taxi

Tianjin at last!!!

After a mere 2 short plane flights (not that any flying is mere to me) we have arrived in what seems to be western civilization. We are at the Holiday Inn Tianjin,complete with hot showers, western mattresses, flush toilets and occassional people who understand English....not to mention airconditioning!!!! It couldn't be more lovely , our guide is very sweet and totally accommodating and we are wildly excited about going to the orphanage to get Andy tomorrow.
We had a great time with Ric's family - especially yesterday when Ric's Uncle Chu took us shopping in the small town where Rics mom's family lives. We found lots of great buys for Ric and Andy and of course were total celebrities all day, being the only westerners. At night we went to a park playground where I briefly joined in to a sort of Chinese line dancing done by women and old men ( I'm not sure if this has replaced the more traditional tai chi). Of course we were fed almost constantly.Jerry is going try to add more pix - I hope he can get the street dentist working on someone's teeth.
Pray for Cheryl , it looks like we may not be able to see her because she has to make a 20 hour drive into the wilderness to take home the house parents from her first home because, apart from God's intervention, the father will die soon.

The neighborhood, the alley, playing mah jong

Today when we arrived at the Jiangs, the men were in the living room playing mahjong. Gambling games of all kinds seem to be a national passion. We walk by many open doors in our hotel and see people inside playing games. After another huge meal they resumed their game and we went back to an airconditioned room for a nap. tonight Rics grandmother, aunt and cousin (our translator) went to church to pray - the best I could understand something to do with Mary. I may have been invited, but I am not sure. We are so glad for this Christian family, even though they may be a slightly different flavor than us. Tomorrow we may be moving far across town to stay with Rics maternal (buddhist) grandparents...we may not have internet connection there so we may be out of touch for a few days...