Hi Friends and Family,
We made it home and things are....difficult. Thank you to all who greeted us at the airport, that was a real treat. Mia was so excited to see her friends and Colin seemed to join right in on the wild bunch.
Things were going well at home (first 5-10 minutes) until Colin met Chili Dog. Let's just say it will take some time for Colin to warm up to a dog. Chili, on the other hand, likes Colin just a little too much. I know the tides will turn and it will eventually be Colin who is tormenting Chili Dog, but not now.
Kids are up at all different times of night (its daytime in China) so we have got to figure out a way to at least all sleep from 8-2 or 2-6. Right now it is some one, some the other and parents none (or very little). Colin is crying and threw up again yesterday morning. He has a cold and this may have something to do with it. I do think we had a breakthrough at nap. He went into his usual fit mode, kicking and pushing me away. But then, he stopped, reached out for me and put his head down in my shoulder and cried and cried, hugging me. I am no psychologist but think this means he is bonding or something good is happening. It sure made things easier on me, as I was able to comfort him by humming frere jacques (are you sleeping) which he sings in Chinese (I don't know how he learned this.) Anyway, being able to comfort him and hug him was an incredible feeling.
He continues to talk....all in Chinese. I am sure he has decided someone in this family has to switch languages and it is just as easy for us to learn Chinese as for him to learn English. We were saved yesterday by Angela, Madeline's friend, who came over and translated for us. It was great to have her talk with him and tell us what he wanted. Thanks to Angela, we all had a pretty good day. He did tell Angela he likes his new home (but that the dog wants to eat him.)
We are playing Disney movies in Chinese which he loves (and seem to comfort him). I am firing up the rice cooker today (thanks Koko) and we are trying to establish a routine. He continues to get very frustrated and upset, but overall I think is doing as well as can be expected given all the changes in his world.
This weekend we look forward to John Bentley from Harmony Outreach being in town. Even though we are happily focused on Colin, we know there are many orphans who need a home....a mama and a baba. Please pray for them and spread the message about the miracle of adoption.
T
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
delayed arrival until Sunday
Our flight from Shanghai to Chicago is delayed so we must spend the night in Chicago. Oh well, at least we didn't act like the lady from New York when told of the delay. Wow, she throws a bigger fit than Colin! Our flight in is now scheduled for a little after 11. Not sure if we can make it to the Well, given this delay. And, I certainly will miss my WHPC class! BTW, spoke with Sam and Koko in Xiamen. They are doing well. Sam is very busy taking care of business!
Press on,
Tommy
Press on,
Tommy
Friday, March 13, 2009
headed home!
In less than 24 hours we are headed home! We have loved our time in China. We are also excited to go home and see our family and friends in Texas.
Tonight we had a wonderful dinner with Tom Mooney and family. Colin really took up with Ian and it was good for all of us to connect up with some Austinites. I am a little jealous that Tom and Mimi are living in China for some time. What a fun time and great food we had. Colin about ate us all under the table on dumplings and we think he was ordering things in Chinese from our waitress.
Shanghai feels like NY on steroids. 19 million (second largest city in the World); 2nd tallest building in the world; a whole new downtown area in the last 10 years (pudong); and the worst traffic in the world!! We are out in a suburb with a Carrifour (think French Walmart) where many folks have cars (there is a parking garage on top of the Carrifour); folks live in houses--not apartments; dogs are man's best friend, and you can get every type of food, from Italian to Indian. But for visiting Old Town, I would not think I was in China. Perhaps that is why I prefer Xiaman, Beijing, and that little town our dear friends Hans and Faith live in. Shanghai is just too Western. Shoot, they don't even have a descent squatty potty here!
We are very appreciative of all our support! We have many stories to tell and much work to do helping our friends who are serving in orphanages over here. Pr for those 4 boys at Harmony Outreach who need families! We have learned that for 20% for what it cost for foreigners to adopt, the Chinese can adopt. Also, they can have one bio child and one adopted child. Hopefully we can assist our brothers and sisters in China in taking care of the least of these.
Press on,
Tommy
Tonight we had a wonderful dinner with Tom Mooney and family. Colin really took up with Ian and it was good for all of us to connect up with some Austinites. I am a little jealous that Tom and Mimi are living in China for some time. What a fun time and great food we had. Colin about ate us all under the table on dumplings and we think he was ordering things in Chinese from our waitress.
Shanghai feels like NY on steroids. 19 million (second largest city in the World); 2nd tallest building in the world; a whole new downtown area in the last 10 years (pudong); and the worst traffic in the world!! We are out in a suburb with a Carrifour (think French Walmart) where many folks have cars (there is a parking garage on top of the Carrifour); folks live in houses--not apartments; dogs are man's best friend, and you can get every type of food, from Italian to Indian. But for visiting Old Town, I would not think I was in China. Perhaps that is why I prefer Xiaman, Beijing, and that little town our dear friends Hans and Faith live in. Shanghai is just too Western. Shoot, they don't even have a descent squatty potty here!
We are very appreciative of all our support! We have many stories to tell and much work to do helping our friends who are serving in orphanages over here. Pr for those 4 boys at Harmony Outreach who need families! We have learned that for 20% for what it cost for foreigners to adopt, the Chinese can adopt. Also, they can have one bio child and one adopted child. Hopefully we can assist our brothers and sisters in China in taking care of the least of these.
Press on,
Tommy
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
update on Colin
Colin is fun, is learning quickly, and I believe he has bonded with us. Just one small problem. He cries and whines --all the time--- is too strong a statement so let's say 25% of the time.
He especially cries before going to bed--for nap or for night. Yesterday he cried hard for 50 minutes and then threw up. Of coures that meant a trip to the bath and he cried all through that. We are not sure what is going on here and thus far, our friends who speak Mandarin have not either. Perhaps he is just exhausted from all the changes. Of course, he thinks we live in hotels that change every few days!!
Please read this: DISCLAIMER: Tommy and Anne Broyles are not responsibe for Colin's actions until 6 months aftere the USA arrival date, March 14, 2009. So, any comments, stare downs, "poor pityful Broyles need to discipline their kid" comments bust be held until that thim. ;) If things are not going better after 6 months, we are sending him over to Craig for a lesson in corporal puishment!!
OTHERWISE, he is very charming and understands several words in English. He pops out of bed the 1st thing early morning and says Good Morning Baba!! He loves to eat and to take baths. Funny, he will NOT use Chinese potties. His orphanage had western toilets so he refuses--screams and kicks--anytime we enter a restroom with only Chinese potties. In this regard he fits right in with my girls.
Yesterday he and Mia did not get along and he was yelling in Chinese at us. A guy in the hotel said he was saying "she wants to fight me." I think this is what he yells whenever an argument begins. Mia is having a rough time. We were swimming last night and Colin kissed me. Mia saw us and I could tell she was upset---that is my Daddy! I have spent the majority of the time with Colin so we are now changing that so Mia can spend time with me. Colin was with Anne last night and kicked her out of the bed. She then got in the bed with Madeline who kicked her out of the bed. There is something wrong with this picture!! :) Mia, Chrissy and I were happily asleep next door!
Anne, Madeline and Chrissy are shopping. I am at the hotel with the two little ones. I will post pictures when they nap. Thank you for all your support and prayer!!
Last time to let us know if you want anything from China! BTW, please tell the U.S. to quit playing games off the coast.....at least until we get home!
Tommy
He especially cries before going to bed--for nap or for night. Yesterday he cried hard for 50 minutes and then threw up. Of coures that meant a trip to the bath and he cried all through that. We are not sure what is going on here and thus far, our friends who speak Mandarin have not either. Perhaps he is just exhausted from all the changes. Of course, he thinks we live in hotels that change every few days!!
Please read this: DISCLAIMER: Tommy and Anne Broyles are not responsibe for Colin's actions until 6 months aftere the USA arrival date, March 14, 2009. So, any comments, stare downs, "poor pityful Broyles need to discipline their kid" comments bust be held until that thim. ;) If things are not going better after 6 months, we are sending him over to Craig for a lesson in corporal puishment!!
OTHERWISE, he is very charming and understands several words in English. He pops out of bed the 1st thing early morning and says Good Morning Baba!! He loves to eat and to take baths. Funny, he will NOT use Chinese potties. His orphanage had western toilets so he refuses--screams and kicks--anytime we enter a restroom with only Chinese potties. In this regard he fits right in with my girls.
Yesterday he and Mia did not get along and he was yelling in Chinese at us. A guy in the hotel said he was saying "she wants to fight me." I think this is what he yells whenever an argument begins. Mia is having a rough time. We were swimming last night and Colin kissed me. Mia saw us and I could tell she was upset---that is my Daddy! I have spent the majority of the time with Colin so we are now changing that so Mia can spend time with me. Colin was with Anne last night and kicked her out of the bed. She then got in the bed with Madeline who kicked her out of the bed. There is something wrong with this picture!! :) Mia, Chrissy and I were happily asleep next door!
Anne, Madeline and Chrissy are shopping. I am at the hotel with the two little ones. I will post pictures when they nap. Thank you for all your support and prayer!!
Last time to let us know if you want anything from China! BTW, please tell the U.S. to quit playing games off the coast.....at least until we get home!
Tommy
Monday, March 9, 2009
Good times at the White Swan
Hi Friends,
We are enjoying our stay at the White Swan with so many other families who are adopting. Everyone but me went to the jade and pearl market today and had a good time. Tonight, we took a river boat cruise down the Pearl River. Very impressive.
Colin is doing better every day and can say several words in English. He greets everyone with "Good Morning" ....at all times of day. It was such a help to have our Chinese friends here to interpret for us and to work with him. He really took up with Hans and a new friend from France, Jerome (who is married to a new friend from China). They gave us a much needed break by babysitting for us. They will be such great parents.
My trip with Hans and Faith was wonderful. I had no idea how impacted I would be by those I met. I stayed in the home of a company director who has fallen in love with God. His story is one that could have been written in the book of Acts and despite facing many challenges and threats, he continues to lead. He is bucking thousands of years of Chinese culture by leading out of respect rather than leading out of fear. Few people have my admiration as much as this man, who when in his late 50's was willing to change and lead others into this change. I look forward to sharing his story when in Austin. Sam, Doug and Wesla, and Andy and Kathy are all visiting him next week.
Hans and Faith rock! They are doing so well and are full of joy. The most joyful I have ever seen them. I visited their apartment which is plenty big for a child (and very nice). I pr they will be so blessed. We all were surprised at how familiar we were....it seemed as if we see each other every week. We had good fun and productive work. I liked their city which is clean and beautiful, very tropical, and not so big. It was especially good to see Faith in good health as we have worried about and pr for her much.
I was given a Chinese name and will share it whenever I can figure it out!! :) I shared much about adoption and can see the beginning fruit. I understand things are going well at the Bridge and received updates on all of our friends. My only regret for this trip is that we will not make it to X town, to see these folks as well as 4 fish and others. It is a deep regret.
Colin is sitting in bed "reading" a book next to Chrissy. He has bonded most with her but also with the rest of us. Mia is just her normal wonderful self and she and Madeline have really enjoyed the time together. Anne is content and "taking to" be the mama of a boy. He if playful with her and she is worried about him (too close to this, be careful with that, get down from there)....typical mama stuff. She did ask that I explain to him how to aim a little better and to put the seat up and down. :) This is all new stuff for us.
I will ask Chrissy to download pictures soon. Madeline and I are headed to the day market tomorrow. Thank goodness $100 yuan = only $14!!
Press on,
Tommy
We are enjoying our stay at the White Swan with so many other families who are adopting. Everyone but me went to the jade and pearl market today and had a good time. Tonight, we took a river boat cruise down the Pearl River. Very impressive.
Colin is doing better every day and can say several words in English. He greets everyone with "Good Morning" ....at all times of day. It was such a help to have our Chinese friends here to interpret for us and to work with him. He really took up with Hans and a new friend from France, Jerome (who is married to a new friend from China). They gave us a much needed break by babysitting for us. They will be such great parents.
My trip with Hans and Faith was wonderful. I had no idea how impacted I would be by those I met. I stayed in the home of a company director who has fallen in love with God. His story is one that could have been written in the book of Acts and despite facing many challenges and threats, he continues to lead. He is bucking thousands of years of Chinese culture by leading out of respect rather than leading out of fear. Few people have my admiration as much as this man, who when in his late 50's was willing to change and lead others into this change. I look forward to sharing his story when in Austin. Sam, Doug and Wesla, and Andy and Kathy are all visiting him next week.
Hans and Faith rock! They are doing so well and are full of joy. The most joyful I have ever seen them. I visited their apartment which is plenty big for a child (and very nice). I pr they will be so blessed. We all were surprised at how familiar we were....it seemed as if we see each other every week. We had good fun and productive work. I liked their city which is clean and beautiful, very tropical, and not so big. It was especially good to see Faith in good health as we have worried about and pr for her much.
I was given a Chinese name and will share it whenever I can figure it out!! :) I shared much about adoption and can see the beginning fruit. I understand things are going well at the Bridge and received updates on all of our friends. My only regret for this trip is that we will not make it to X town, to see these folks as well as 4 fish and others. It is a deep regret.
Colin is sitting in bed "reading" a book next to Chrissy. He has bonded most with her but also with the rest of us. Mia is just her normal wonderful self and she and Madeline have really enjoyed the time together. Anne is content and "taking to" be the mama of a boy. He if playful with her and she is worried about him (too close to this, be careful with that, get down from there)....typical mama stuff. She did ask that I explain to him how to aim a little better and to put the seat up and down. :) This is all new stuff for us.
I will ask Chrissy to download pictures soon. Madeline and I are headed to the day market tomorrow. Thank goodness $100 yuan = only $14!!
Press on,
Tommy
Saturday, March 7, 2009
made it to Guangzhou
Hi All,
We made it into GZ at 2:00 a.m. yesterday! The long day at the airport and change in sleeping patters has set us back. Anne and I have allergies or a cold. Our plane was delayed out of Shenyang we think due to snow. It snowed and snowed--big huge flakes. I think I have a picture of the white out---it is not pollution but heavy snow. It was fun for about 5 minutes. So glad we live down south!
Mingzheng is doing well. He has had difficulty falling asleep, sometimes crying fitfully for almost an hour. He just tires himself out from crying. Will not let me touch him. The day at the airport was hard on us all. Funny, Anne found a spot for us behind railings for a "automatic walkway." So we had our little spot with the windows on one side and the glass railings on the other. Kept the two little ones in one spot. But, we were such a display. The Chinese would come up to the railings and stare at us. I know what it feels like to be a monkey in a zoo. Then Colin would start cyring and many would come see why the child was crying. He would yell in Chinese----for all we know he was saying, "help me, these people are crazy!!" Ha.
Most times however, he is loving, independant, and funny. We are so glad to be in GZ with our good friends Faith and Hans (and met new friends with them). They have taken both younger kids out to play. Anne and the older two are shopping. I just got back from the gym. They are helping us translate so we can better understand MingZheng. He has said that he is cold. If he is cold here I am sure he was freezing in Shenyang. We are just not used to layering like he is but will try harder for him. Also, he told one of them about us, "I do not know what they are saying." How frustrating for him and probably resulting in the tears. Faith and Hans say he is very obediant, he just doesn't know what we want.
Yesterday, I came in to the room and found Mia, Christian, Colin and Madeline all watching a moving in Chinese!! Yikes, this is not going well. :) Colin must learn English fast or we may have 4 children speaking Chinese to parents who are clueless. That would give Madaline free reign of the pack; boy would she love that!
Tonight I travel with our friends to speak to their company. I will spend the night and return tomorrow. Anne and the kids will go shopping with our adoption group to the jade/pearl factory. Here come the kids; I better go.
Tommy
We made it into GZ at 2:00 a.m. yesterday! The long day at the airport and change in sleeping patters has set us back. Anne and I have allergies or a cold. Our plane was delayed out of Shenyang we think due to snow. It snowed and snowed--big huge flakes. I think I have a picture of the white out---it is not pollution but heavy snow. It was fun for about 5 minutes. So glad we live down south!
Mingzheng is doing well. He has had difficulty falling asleep, sometimes crying fitfully for almost an hour. He just tires himself out from crying. Will not let me touch him. The day at the airport was hard on us all. Funny, Anne found a spot for us behind railings for a "automatic walkway." So we had our little spot with the windows on one side and the glass railings on the other. Kept the two little ones in one spot. But, we were such a display. The Chinese would come up to the railings and stare at us. I know what it feels like to be a monkey in a zoo. Then Colin would start cyring and many would come see why the child was crying. He would yell in Chinese----for all we know he was saying, "help me, these people are crazy!!" Ha.
Most times however, he is loving, independant, and funny. We are so glad to be in GZ with our good friends Faith and Hans (and met new friends with them). They have taken both younger kids out to play. Anne and the older two are shopping. I just got back from the gym. They are helping us translate so we can better understand MingZheng. He has said that he is cold. If he is cold here I am sure he was freezing in Shenyang. We are just not used to layering like he is but will try harder for him. Also, he told one of them about us, "I do not know what they are saying." How frustrating for him and probably resulting in the tears. Faith and Hans say he is very obediant, he just doesn't know what we want.
Yesterday, I came in to the room and found Mia, Christian, Colin and Madeline all watching a moving in Chinese!! Yikes, this is not going well. :) Colin must learn English fast or we may have 4 children speaking Chinese to parents who are clueless. That would give Madaline free reign of the pack; boy would she love that!
Tonight I travel with our friends to speak to their company. I will spend the night and return tomorrow. Anne and the kids will go shopping with our adoption group to the jade/pearl factory. Here come the kids; I better go.
Tommy
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