Re: Sunday in Taiyuan

Glenda Hill Nanna, PhD, LPCS 

Director of Graduate Counseling Programs 

Columbia International University

On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 3:27 AM Glenda Nanna <glenda.nanna@gmail.com> wrote:

I am happy to say that I am feeling much better and Brayden seems better as well.  We found a church on google and found a taxi to take us to the address.  We were not sure what we would find but we looked around and saw a cross and wondered in.  The service was completely in Chinese except for the choir special-- the first verse and chorus were in English-- it was "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus".  The pastor seemed exciting and said a few things that got a laugh from the audience. At the end several people lined the altars.  I am not sure what all happened but it was nice to be in a place where the name of Jesus is proclaimed!

 

We saw that there were a few foreigners in the crowd and we talked with them after the service.  One is an English teacher who has been in China for 13 years and 2 young girls are here from Australia working with summer English camps with an organization called Evergreen.  They invited us to lunch and we had a great time sharing about our heart for adoption and what Christ has done in our lives.  It is so nice to know that wherever we go we can find brothers and sisters.  I will post a few pics of the choir and our friends at lunch.

 

Tomorrow we will meet Brandon and have many more pics to share.  According to his paperwork, Brandon KangPing turns 4 yo today!  So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Little Guy!   I sure hope you are ready to meet us!  I sure hope he likes Mommy cause Brayden may not share his Daddy! 

 

 

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Girls Night Out


Monday night Bo ordered a pizza for himself and the boys and Sophia invited me to go with her and her friend to have some girl-time. They took me to get a massage- I was nervous- esp since the first time I ever had a massage was in 2006 when we adopted Kylee and I had thumb-print bruises down my back for weeks. Sophia promised that she would be with me and tell them to ease up if needed. And we had a really nice time together and it was a really great massage by two very sweet women.
We left there in search of a restaurant that the ladies recommended and the first one we came to was closing so we walked a little further. I found it humorous that when Sophia asked someone if it was a safe area to walk-- they said fairly safe....so I was a little unsure.
But just ahead was a busy beauty salon with lots of people around and I commented to Sophia that that had always looked like fun but I was too afraid of not being able to communicate and that it must cost a lot. She assured me that it was very cheap and that she would be with me so we took a detour and had the best time! When they shampoo your hair it is right in the chair with lots of lather and it goes on for a good 10-15 minutes. They even wash your ears and clean them with q-tips- ever so gently. They also give you a neck, back and arm massage and then you go back

Surgery Day

We arrived at 6am to check the boys in for surgery.  Brandon did very well with a minor outpatient urological procedure.  He was very cooperative and was all smiles all the way back.  I think he enjoys the attention!  He was not real sure about breathing the gas mask but did fine and was out within an hour.  The doctor came to talk to us and then took Brayden back for a fairly big surgery.  He seemed nervous all morning but did well going back.  The doctor said to plan for about 4 1/2 hours so we may be 1/2 way through it now.  We had one call to update and let us know that he was doing fine. 
Once Brandon was ready to discharge, they were kind enough to bring us back to the pre-surgery room to wait.  This way Brandon can rest and watch TV while we wait to go into recovery with Brayden.  I like being close if Brayden needs us and having a place to wait in privacy since Brandon is not really up for public right now. 

It has been a little tricky working things out with two at once for surgery, but with Bo and I both on duty (Thanks to Mom and Lindsay watching the girls) it has been manageable and I am happy to be getting it over with at once.  There are some striking similarities to adopting two at once-- more hassle, more expense, more planning to make things work smoothly.  And I think the real key is enlisitng help.  This day would not be possible without those helping to care for the girls and both of us here to take care of the boys.  At one point Brandon had awakened in recovery crying for mom and they were preparing to take Brayden to surgery and Bo had to start that and I just made it in for a quick kiss before he was out.  It is best to be prepared and have lots of help!   Still it is CRAZY! 

The boys have come so far in language and attachment and everything. I feel like even the surgery is a chance for them to see us caring for them.  Just praying we can keep up the pace and care for them both.  I did find out from a nurse that the restrictions we faced with Lily's surgery (no kids visiting) are lifted this week and will begin next week so it seems as if we came at a good time.  I am hoping Bo and I do not have to spend our 31st anniversary tomorrow totally apart- hopefully we can hang out in the hospital together...like we did the year Lauryn was born and one or two times when Lindsay was inpatient for New Year's Eve-- those were some of the crazy years.  But to be fair-- some of the amazing years were spent in-- Hawaii (just before our 5th), Colorado, Downtown Charleston, twice we were in China just prior to our anniversary and last year we celebrated in Niagara Falls.  Thanks to my AMAZING husband who puts up with me and loves me and is willing to live this crazy amazing life with me!

Please keep the boys in your prayers.  I will update you when Brayden gets out.      

Check out this blog post...

I just had to share this awesome blog post.  She really touches on the heart of what you can do to support someone who is going through the adoption process.  And since many of you come to our site because you are in the process, it really is something nice to share with your friends and family so they know how to best support and encourage you.  She has a way of telling it like it is...but read to the end-- the end brought tears to my eyes-- as I agree that we have had those moments in the last 6 months when we think-- What if we didn't listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit?  Those few special moments when I think, I might have missed this!  The past 6 months have been hard- really hard-- and yet I know and am convinced that God led us on this path and I wouldn't miss it for the world!  So here is a link to http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/11/02/how-to-be-the-villagethe blog I read and wanted to share with you.

We survivied the first 6 months!

Ok so I am a terrible blogger!  I do have some great updates and pics coming soon...I just need to get through grading papers and giving final exams and then I promise to do better!  I just wanted to say we are all alive and doing well.  The boys change daily. They are adorable and loving and yet this has been one of the most difficult times our family has gone throught.  We thought that with two adoptions nder our belt, we were prepared...but this time was different.  We have all been exhausted trying to meet everyone's many needs.  I have had to learn to reach out and accept help.  I am so thankful for my mom and my church and pthers who have stopped by to visit ad offered to help out in so many ways.  The past few days I had strep and Bo was traveling out of town and I am convinced that without friends and family some of us wold not have made it out alive!  But the meds are kicking in now, three of the four are sound asleep and for this moment all seems right with the world and I feel blessed!  That is when I want to write...so the blank spaces tell you just how tought the last few months have been. 

I did want you all to know that the China Care fondation has a 10 yr anniversary video on youtube that features our son Brandon.  He comes in three pics right after the words 10 Kangs (just after 10 Dangs comes 10 Kangs) China Care Foundation -- 2010 Celebrating Ten Years!
www.youtube.com

He is a tough one, but we all think he is gonna turn out really great once he realizes that we are really gonna be here for the long run.  He had so many people love him for a year to 14 months and then had to say goodbye so we are still on probation with him.  But give it another year and he will catch on that we are different!

Keep the prayers and encouragement coming!

Love to all,
Glenda

What a difference a few months make!

I wanted to share these two pictures.  The first one was taken around the middle of June when we went out to dinner for my sister-in-law's birthday.  The second was taken this weekend at the same place and I realized how much the boys are changing.  Their hair is growing out.  Their smiles are bigger.  They feel like they have always been with us.  We were able to manage them at dinner all by ourselves.  The family seated with us actually commented on how well-behaved they are and said that we "make it look easy"-- anyone who ate dinner with us in China with just the two boys-- could you imagine that ever happening???

Everyday gets a little better.  It was a huge adjustment and I don't think any of us realized how different it would be... but it is a good different and worth it all.  Our little asian invasion is the invasion of 4 little ones into our life and family.  They have captured our hearts and stolen our affections.  Our lives will never be the same... and I can't wait to see their futures!  They are amazing little blessings and we are so blessed to have them!

A few more differences:
1) I can blog because all the kids are asleep in their own beds!  (We may have visitors throughout the night, but this is still a huge change!)
2) Brandon smiled most of the day.  He asked to go to Chuck E Cheese and how can you say no when he can say it so well and smiles so big!  (And no I did not think to bring a camera-- glad Chuck E Cheese does have a few pics for us!)
3) Brandon lost quite a few teeth due to infection and decay.  He looks funny but he seems to be happier and not in pain!
4) Brayden is still the happy little guy, but he feels safe enough now to show us when he is angry too-- not very often- but every once in a while he is not smiling!
5) Lily and Brandon can have moments of being kind to one another.
6) Kylee is settling into the big sister role.  She is such a big help and likes having special time- like staying up a little later than everyone else.  Kylee is in big school by herself and loving it!
7) Lily did not cry this morning when she had to do her treatment.  She does not like it but she is handling it so much better.

Everyone is growing up.  Everyone is in preschool and loving the routine!  Mom is back teaching a few classes and seeing a few clients and supervises. For the first time mom can drop off and pick up everyday!  And when Dad is home it is even easier to care for everyone! We are really busy with baths and lunches to pack and all that--but it is doable and a few months ago I did not think it was possible.