More of being home

Since my body is still on China time, I figured I'd try to post an update.  Hopefully it will actually be somewhat coherent, I guess we'll find out in the morning.

So, we arrived home on Friday night around 9:30-10:00.  Jian was so thrilled and loved looking around and seeing his room (still working on the video - actually, I haven't worked on it at all, haven't even downloaded it, so, that should say, will be working on the video).  He was really excited when he saw a ripstick (skateboard) in his room (thanks Becky!), as well as balloons and a few other fun things that were left (thanks Becky and Audra :)).  He looked around and kept saying everything was so big!   He then took his bag to his room and emptied it all out on the floor.  He found a place for everything that he brought with him.  He put pictures up on his desk and walls, he had some special necklaces (with his name and a jade rat (his birthday is the year of the rat) and he hung those up under the slats on his bed.  He loved having a place to put things and was disappointed at the empty drawers.  I explained once we washed the clothes we brought from China he'd have clothes to fill them again.

Saturday morning, he enjoyed exploring outside and was excited to see all the things to do.  He's adjusting well and loving being here.  He likes looking at how spread out things are and is probably surprised to not see so many people and mopeds and bikes.  He wanted his haircut, he had said in China that he wanted it cut when we went to America, so, Jon cut it for him, I'll try to remember to post a picture, it's cute, shorter and less shaggy. 

Yesterday, (Sunday) we went to church, he wasn't quite sure what to think about all of that.  Though, he was really excited to meet people.  It was very special when he was introduced in church and brought joyful tears.  He was given a Chinese/English New Testament and looked at it for a while last night, we're excited to start reading some of it with him.  He's very social and friendly and was happy to see so many new friends.  He was really excited to meet Brighton, who is deaf and was adopted from China 3 years ago, they enjoyed some basketball and made plans for the next time they could get together.  Jian loved being able to play basketball and ripstick with his new friend John after church.  On the way home, Jian was looking outside and signed "it's blue, the sky is blue!  That's so cool!  In China the sky is black and it always smells."  We agreed, there was a lot of pollution and we rarely saw the sun.  A cute observation :)

The boys all enjoyed some afternoon bike riding to the lake while I tried to catch up on the laundry.  At meals, Jian has been watching us pray.  We've also been trying to explain basic information to him in a way he can understand.  Last night at dinner, he asked to pray!  This is the interpreted version of his prayer: "Dear God, thank you that I could fly to America from China.  Thank you for new friends, Thank you for my family and that I am adopted, Amen"  WOW!  Not a copied prayer, but well thought out - so amazing!

Our adjustment to home is going really well. He's a real busybody, so, we have to keep a close eye on him and help explain what is acceptable behavior, boundaries, etc.  Thankfully, he continues to take redirection extremely well. 

Tanner is absolutely overjoyed at having a brother.  He has tried to give Jian everything he owns, toys, money, awards, whatever he has, he wants to give it to Jian.  What a tender heart!

I need to go back and start from the beginning about how we heard about Jian - we just saw the e-mail again the other day and we'd love to share with you how this all began.

So, what do we have up for the week?  Later today (Monday), we're going to do some homework, hopefully fold some laundry so that we all actually have clean clothes to wear, and possibly head to the social security office.  I think we'll take a trip to the new HEB as well, we can make it an educational experience.  Tanner is still home today, and will go to school 1/2 day Tuesday and Wednesday, then all day after that.  Hopefully that will help his adjustment back.  Tuesday Jian has a doctors appointment just for a checkup and then Wednesday Tanner has a cardiology appointment.  His geneticist had found an abnormality in some genetic testing (unrelated to the leukodystrophy) and would like us to pursue that.  So, thankfully I just realized the appointment is here and we don't have to drive to Temple - yeah!  Anyways, enough of my blabbering on - I'll try to get the pictures/videos on later today if possible.

We continue to be overwhelmed by the love and prayers from all of you - it's such a joy to be a part of the family of God and see his presence in so many ways.