Guangzhou- March 7

Today was a day of rest for us.

Unfortunately we got up a little after 9:30 and did not have time to get to church.

The taxi ride is about 20 minutes and we cannot walk there because SiQi would get way

too tired.

So we opted for some quiet time in the room.  (Hard to do with two teens)

 

Anyway-  we really stayed in all day.  It was cold and rainy. Really a welcome change from hot and humid.

The humidity is so bad that we have had to iron dry some of our clothes.  Jeans will not dry fully and really everything takes 3 days to dry--if it doesn't smell first of mildew.  Angela took to ironing socks and underwear this morning to dry them!  It was comical.  The girls were cracking up.

 

This evening we went to happy hour and had a meat feast.  Both girls love meat.  They have had noodle bowls the last three nights so we went to the lounge tonight.  They ate fish balls, sausages that were pretty spicey, and meat (undisclosed to me) on a stick.

Brighton loved them when we were here last summer!

 

So-- tomorrow we get TB tests read---they look fine to me.  We may have to "drug" Xiao Cheng (Samantha) to get her to go inside again.  J/K

 

Tomorrow for lunch we meet the executive director from Hong Kong of the "Christian Action" foundation that is involved with SiQi's orphanage.  They are the ones responsible for educating the kids who otherwise would not go to public school.  I also think they are the reason Piper finally resolved to be adopted.  I know God orchestrated their presence at the SWI and that is why Piper is so well taken care of and loving.

 

So- until tomorrow  leave you with two photos of Angela ironing the socks and underwear.   I must say--- every time I spend time with Angela I laugh so much.  She is such a fun, joyful person.   I am blessed to call her my Christian sister.  The girls lovingly refer to her as "jie jie" now---big sister.  MMMMM--I love these girls!!

 

Blessings,

kelly

 

Below is a psalm that I read today--  Thank you Lord for all you have done for me.  I am so undeserving and, yet, you have blessed me in abundance,  I will forever sing your praises.

 

PSALM 150:

Praise the Lord

Praise God in His sanctuary

Praise Him in His mighty heavens

Praise Him for his acts of power

Praise Him for His surpassing greatness

Praise Hiim with the sounding of the trumpet

Praise him with the harp and lyre
Praise Him with tambourine and dancing

Praise Him with the strings and flute

Praise Him with the clash of cymbals

Praise Him with resounding cymbals

Let everything that has breath Prasie the Lord!

Praise the Lord!
--
Kelly Rumbaugh
Ladybugs N Love
www.ladybugsnlove.com
"connecting families an ocean apart"

dropshots site

I just wanted to tell you all to check the date "2003" for photos

My camera has decided not to let me set the date for my photos so it reverts back to

1/1/2003.  

 

Thats where the wondeful birthday sng is from the girls to me!!!

HUGS!

Kelly

 

ps-- the "funny" for the day

 we are having to iron some of the slothes we washed because the humidty

is so bad in the hotel room they will not dry.  Angela has been busy ironing socks and underwear!!!  ha ha ha ha

 

Kelly Rumbaugh

www.dropshots.com/samanthaandpiper

www.adollarforhopeandjoy.blogspot.com

 

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photo update!

I loaded 56 photos and videos on the drop shots site...

Here are a few:

waiting for luggage at the GZ airport

delicious mango!

the line at the medical exam..all US families bringing home children!

Samanth-Xiao Cheng--- having her ENT exam

Piper SiQi - eye exam

starbucks-Guangzhou

waterfall at the white swan hotel.

Xiao Cheng with her new doll. She is eating green tea ice cream.

 

 

Kelly Rumbaugh

www.dropshots.com/samanthaandpiper

www.adollarforhopeandjoy.blogspot.com

 

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Back to Guangzhou and Medical Exam

Yesterday was full of excitement and then the long flight to Guangzhou.

 

We were graciously injvited to cme to visit SiQi's orphanage and went around 8:30.

We had arned her with gifts for her 6 special friends and she went in with a smile ear-to-ear

and the bag of gifts.

 

We were warmly welcomed by the excutive director who thanked me for giving SiQi a home.  It is wonderful to see the caring heart of her director and see the genuine love for SiQi in her eyes. She was dressed in a nbusniness suit but gently hugged SiQi and gave her a special framed gift her friends had made her  We were shon around the entire SWI and every floor was explained to us.

SiQi was actually living in a family arrangment at the SWI.  She was part of an apartment there which housed 6 children and had two "mamas".  This was the setting for all the early photos I have of her.  I did not get to see her mamas --they were in meeting because their children were at school.

 

School takes place at the SWI for many children.  The children Piper was schooled with (her 6 friends) met every day in a classroom on the fifth floor.  They were all mentally capable of learning but physically challenged in some way.  They had two teachers ina room with new desks and a white board. They also had a separate area in the room with a table and an area to be more active.

 

Siqi went in this room as if she was a star!!  there were hugs and waves from all the friends. The teachers rushed to her and gave her hugs.  It was so special to see her have one last hurrah at the orphanage with her friends.  She delivered gifts and helped them all get them out of the boxes.  There was so much excitement!

 

Going ot the orphanage for her was a great experience.  it helped her have a little closure as well as let everyone know she could stay in touch.  I have now downloaded the Chinese version of instant messenger and they both already have screen names.  They play the games-  grow gardens like farmville on facebook...play other kids types of games...and most of all...both have already done the "QQ" with their friends and teachers!  I know I am seriously gonna have to limit copmputer time for these two.  They allowed Angela to squeeze in a late birthday cake for mama but went right back to QQ.

 

Most of you know my birthday was yesterday.  It is true that my greatest gift is two new daughters.  How cool to remember this birthday in CHina in later years.  I had the priviledge of listening to my girls and Angela sing Happy birthday to me in English.

both girls knew it aLready.

 

So on to today!   We had our medical appoinment today.  This is routine as part of the application for a visa INTO the US.

We go there and they are checked--basic stuff like ENT/eye exam/weight and height. They are also checked by a doctor --especially if they have a written special need.  The doctor thoroughly went over SiQi...asking her to rotate her wrists...raise her arms...looked at her feet etc...

THEN---

the shots!

 

OK-- I am seriously ready to put the "momma bear" face on and sit in front of whatever commitee to speak my mind about mandatory immunizations before being allowed a visa.  My girls both were subjected to four shots and a TB test.  This is absolutely ridiculous that they are mandatory.  Whoever is in charge of the legislation to STOP this requirement...I want them to contact me.

I am just a mom....but...these kids were terrified...and cried.  My grown up girl, Xiao Cheng hid her face while tears streamed down.  She would not talk to any of us for over an hour.  It hurt her and it hurt her feelings.  I simply cannot express how upset I am over this.  I knew it was new legisltaion that never affected me....but...I am now on a mission for the children and the parents.

 

I met a mom this morning at the medical exam whose 3 year old child needed 6 shots.  She was torn...they would give them with a few days in between but then she would have to be here another week.  I am not sure about others....but...I have never allowed my kids to have more than 2 or 3 shots at once.  I always say I will bring them back.  What about the child who then develops a fever?  a sore arm?  or leg?  My girls are doing well. (ice cream and a new doll helped)  but there were a lot of young children and babies.

ok-- enough,  Please contact me via e-mail if you know of anyone who is ready to take a stand on this subject. (thanks)

 

After the medical we walked to the bank to exchange money (OH...another thing--the shots cost me about 160.00---insurance would have been 10.00!!)  and take the girls to ice cream.  We also passed and went in to a shop that had baby dolls...about 24 inches tall...I got each of the  girls one.  Very cute.  Xiao cheng had proceeded to feed her baby ice cream and give her a bath with a wet one this evening..  She is also an expert doll hair stylist :)

 

We are now back in the room-- we got a great dinner of chiken wings, mangos, grape tomatos, and noodles.  It cost me about 10.00  Unbelievable!!  we hand picked our tomatoes and mangos at the market an dit cost me 13 yuan..$2.00!!  At least somewhere in the world we can eat healthy and not go broke.  We followed our dinner with cake!  MMMMmmmmm.

 

Thats about it here... The girls are doing great together and have slipped into the sister role very easily!  Xiao Cheng is the protector/helper and SiQi just wants to do and eat everything her big sister does!   My heart is about to burst!

 

Family:  I miss you so bad!!!  It really stinks we have to separate our family in order to build our family.  It is only for a short while and I know you are fine.  I just wanna big snuggle with mykids and hubby.  (Ya can't do that on skype)

 

Church:  Praise God for the blessing you have bestowed upon our family.  we are grateful beyond words.  Thanks for taking care of my hubby and children while I am on this mission.

 

 

We will go to church again tomorrow...yippie!!  Cannot wait to praise God with his body of believers here in China!

 

HUgs to all--- 6 more days

Kelly XC ans SQ

 

 

 

 

 

Kelly Rumbaugh

www.dropshots.com/samanthaandpiper

www.adollarforhopeandjoy.blogspot.com

 

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Bravery and Barbies

eleven years old....fourteen years old....

the decision of a lifetime.  Yes..I will go.

These girls have left everything they know to have something

they have "heard of" and "been told about"

 

Can you imagine leaving everything you have known? 

 tastes, smells, familiar faces, language, their bed, their friends

 everything....

 

I am so amazed at the bravery of these two girls I have the honor of calling "daughter".  They are precious to me already and

I have only known them for a short while.  Both girls are very independent and I know the Lord has equipped them for this.

I have to give God all glory for His provisions...Before time began He knew they were to be in our family.  Thank you , Lord is not enough.

 

Piper is doing great...she is easy going and easy to please.

She was very scared yesterday but a little humor and we got through it

The ladies were very kind and reassured her she would be ok. 

We came back to the hotel and relaxed a bit.  Xiao cheng went straight for the TV and I broke out the UNO game.

Angela helped her play the first game and then she was ready.  Beat me 2 out of 4 games!  It was fun bonding with my girl.

She was so fun and got such joy out of giving me the "draw four" card!!

We had noodles in theroom and then came the computer!!  This girl is a POKER player...she got on the "games" section of my computer and went to solitaire--then poker.  She knew exactly what she was doing.  

She had played every game when i said it was time for bed.  

I was ready for the tears as the lights went down and she began to think....but all I heard was a yawn...then her sister snoring :)

She fell alseep and rested well until it was time to get up around 7.

We went back to the civil affairs office for the finaliztion of piper's adoption.  It was quick

and painless....just had some questions to answer.

Every official always asks---why do you want to adopt this child?

As a parent I cannot fully answer that in one day!!! 

 I said  loved the Chinese children and we thought she was perfect for our family.  (and she is)

So-- it is now final--she is PIPER JOY RUMBAUGH.  She says she does not care if we call her Piper...but for now it is SiQi.

i want to respect her culture while we are here.  I told her we can call her that as long as she wishes. 

She said--I don't care-doesn't matter to me..   My kinda girl-- Go With the F-L-O-W...

 

So we went to get gifts for her friends.  We hot to the toy department and came back with Barbies galore!

The girls got some too and they have been doing hair and changing dresses since we returned!  Piper has taken to calling Samantha Jie Jie (big sister in Chinese) already!  I love it.  They are so sweet together and I know the bond of this experience wil be huge. (um,....and they have to share a room  ha ha)  Samantha is already protective of Piper.  She rolled her eyes today when someone was staring at Piper. (Her feet are clubbed and one of her knees does not bend much so she has a distinct walk.)

I asked her what was wrong....she told me...and i said-- I know.   Piper is really oblivious to the stares...she is independent and focused on herself and what she is doing.  I am very proud of her.

Well....I am going to go get some sleep.

Tomorrow we see the orphanage and then off to guangzhou!

Will "report in"   again asap!!

Hugs to all and keep thjose copmments coming.  I get them at my e-mail but i cannot "post" them from here.

I read every one and appreciate every one!!!

Thanks for the prayers---I am in heaven...(except I miss my family horribly)

Kelly, Xiao CHeng(Samantha) and SiQi  (Piper)

Kelly Rumbaugh
Ladybugs N Love
www.ladybugsnlove.com
"connecting families an ocean apart"

March 2 - good bye to friends

Today was busy for us.  We ate a late breakfast and talked on skype with daddy and grammy/pappy. 

It is amazing we can click a button on the computer and see our family so far away in "real time".

The kids were asleep already so I missed them.  --and I MISS them.....

 

We had to say goodbye to two families we have spent time with in the last week, today.

Jill and Jillian will be in Guangzhou until Friday as will the Burris family.

We met Jill and Jiliang at Starbucks for a coffee today and said good-bye to them as they left for their oath

at the US Consulate.  (This is the last step of the adoption...woohooo)

It has been so fun to spend time with them in the last three days.  Jiliang is a real charmer and JIll is as sweet as she can be.

 

We also said goodbye to the Burris family who adopted Yen this past week.  She is also 13 but is very very tiny for her age.

The girls giggled and laughed tonight while we shopped and had dinner.  We went to a grocery store that was small but had alot of packaged foods.  Xiao Cheng ran up to me with the biggest smile on her face...she has a shrink wrapped chicken wing!!  She asked for three of them anbd immediately chowed on the wing on the walk home.  Bill and I were chatting this am about how she loves hot food.  He said the first place she would go with daddy was out to get HOT SPICY WINGS!!  She will be in heaven!

 

So, tomorrow is BIG DAY #2!  We catch the taxi at 6 am and head to the airport.  Our flight leaves at 8 and is about 4 hours long.

We should have just enough time to drop our bags at the hotel and then meet Piper - SiQi at 3!!!  I am asuming that she will also want to be called by her Chinese name.  it is pronounced  Suh  chi   The suh is kinda in the back of your throat and is a sound similar to the UH sound...not exact though.  I will try to tape it on the camera and say it for you all.--NO, actually I will make Angela say it...then it will be real CHinese :)  hee hee

 

Once again, I will arm her with the camera for Gotcha video.  I can only pray that God gives Piper a peace about this adoption.

I have heard from her SWI that she is very scared and does not want to be adopted.  I know God ordained that Xiao Cheng would be with us...she will be pivitol in helping Piper-Siqi!  Thank you Lord for this provision and your mighty hand in these two adoptions.

 

So-- I leave you tonight with a request to pray for dear sweet Piper.  I can only imagine how terribly frightened she is. 

These girls are so brave.  I pray she allows me the chance to love on her and be there for her when she has any need!

 

there are lots of new photos and video on the dropshots site....go on over and see all the puppy videos :)

I may come home with a beagle in my suitcase!

 

Blessings to all of you.  I will try to write tomorrow about the gotcha day!

Thanks for all your prayers as we embark on the next segment of this journey!

Kelly and Xiao Cheng

www.dropshots.com/samanthaandpiper

 

Birthday - fun times!

So we woke to the day with us saying happy birthday to Xiao Cheng.  She did not

seem excited at all.  Nothing specialIi guess---the first thirteen years.

 

We began with a wonderful skype with dad this am.  Bill had taken the time to write out happy birthday in Chinese for her...and even tried his hand at sayng it. She smiled big and he got to see how beauitful she is through the computer.

 

We had to go to the police station today to apply for her passport.  The taxi ride there was almost more than my stomach could handle.  I was carsick and could not shake it.  We were only there for about 20 minutes than had to get back in a taxi to go back to the hotel!  I told Angela i did not feel well.  We walked a bit to catch the taxi and then drove all the way back with the windows down--wind blowing at my face!  I survived but even Xiao Cheng said her tummy didn't feel so hot when we returned.

 

We rested a bit and then wnt over to the island to pick up my friend Jill and her daughter.  There is a huge highway between us with a bridge across.  The problem is getting a stroller up and down the stairs of the bridge  We always go meet her and walk her home...at least up and over the bridge.

 

We had dinner together and we helped her make arrangements to go home a little early.  She was staying a few extra days...and now has decided--thats not necessary.  She is here alone and missing her hubby and son!   By the way--  I am missing my hubbby and crew as well.  Skype is wonderful but it also makes me want to reach through and grab hugs frm all of them.  Joey unfailingly says...

Mooooommmmmm...... I love you.  UGH...I miss them!

 

So--we finally got cake for XC at about 9 pm.  it was just the three of us at that point but...more cake for us  ha ha   Angela help the camera....I sang...(sorry) and Xiao cheng blew out her candles.  I am certain for the first time in her life.  Bless her heart...it is only the beginning of what will the first birthday of many with a mom to hug her when she goes to sleep and a dad that tries to say happy birthday in Chinese.

How is it that we are so fortunate that we have a God that would provide us the luxury of raising another child of His?  Some days I cannot fathom the goodness and love He reigns down in my life.  It is utterly amazing that He loves us this much!  Praise Him!

 

So--I leave you with photos on the dropshots site...um...and the video if you wanna listen to me sing!

Blessings to you from the very blessed momma of Xiao cheng Rumbaugh!

 

PS-- the first photo is of the Pizza hut delivery guy....bicycle and hot box on the back!

 

 

 

--
Kelly Rumbaugh
Ladybugs N Love
www.ladybugsnlove.com
"connecting families an ocean apart"

In Christ Alone----

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

I am listening to a christian station being streamed on the internet.

The first song I heard was this by Brian Littrell. 

~~~ IN CHRIST ALONE ~~~

 

These words are so true.  I give Jesus all glory for the place I find myself.

Blessed beyond words.....halfway across the world....with a new daughter.

Married to the man of my dreams---mother to many --- Thank you, Lord!

 

May you always give Him praise in the valley or on the mountaintop!

Amen,

Kelly

Guangzhou -Sunday 2/28

Photos:

the first few are of Xiao Cheng anbd the puppies

Then there is one of some giant mushrooms drying in the sun at the spice market

There are some photos of church as well. 

 

 I love the one that says GIVE THANKS....

 My heart was so full when I sang this song this morning.  It was such a powerful song to me at this point in the trip.

I have a wonderful daughter that has a very special birthday tomorrow.  Many children dread this birthday in China because it signals the end for them.  God worked a miracle for Xiao Cheng...I cannot even fathom her being set out without care or shelter.  I only pray that somehow our story reaches others and God begins to work on their hearts about adoption.  

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Hey everybody!

Another fantastic day here with my girl!~

We started out with church on the island.  I have been many times but

I still get very choked up to see so many Chinese worshipping the Lord.

I am just blown away by the sermons and testimonies given to the church congregation.

Today was no different!
Later in the day we met up with friends Jill and Jiliang Koeppe...they are so much fun.

Jiliang is three and Xiao Cheng really does well with her.  They have hit it off beautifully.

Jill came over to our hotel and was treated to a walk through the spice market and pet market.

 

We also watched some Chinese comedy on Tv and had a fantastic dinner.

I don't know if i have told you but Xiao Cheng loves SPICY food...not just hot but really spicy!!

We finally found a dish she said was hot enough for her.  It was a simple noodle bowl that was made spicy and then she added

even more red pepper mix on top.  We were all sweating by the time we were finished. YUMMY.

(That noodle bowl was for Amy Burch)

 

So..Xiao cheng is coming out of her shell little by little.   She does know some English but she doesn't want to try to speak it.

I guess she will wait until she has to...Right now she does looks to Angela for everything to be translated. She is quite the little sprite...just flitting fromplace to place...racing to the elevator everywhere...she loves to investigate...sometimes i turn around and cannot find her...she is usually looking at something she has never seen before.  This happens especially in the pet market.  She loves the dogs but also has handled rabbits, mice,gunea pigs...she is gentle with them and very sweet.

 

I must say I am getting excited to meet Piper (SIQI)--  just two days away!~

Tomorrow is Xiao Chengs 14 th birthday....I have no idea what we will do but I want it to be very speciaL.

 

Hugs to all of you----I am ready to crash!

 

Have a wonderul SON day....Kelly and Xiao Cheng

www.dropshots.com/samanthaandpiper

 

Another day in Guangzhou--meeting Jill and JiLiang!

Today was a day of rest for all of us.

We skyped early with family and headed to breakfast around 10.

We saw many families that arrived last night from the respective provinces.

Most had their medical appointments today. We just hung around the room.

 

The highlight of the day was meeting a cyber friend---Jill Koeppe and her new daughter JiLiang.

We had a great meal at the "American" restaurant Lucy's.  Xiao Cheng managaed to find a noodle

dish to her liking as well as some onion rings I shared with her.  She also had her first american candy bar tonight

which was a crispy crunch bar I brought from home.  (She says she does not like sweet things...but she

does like chocolate!)

 

So-- I leave you with more photos and not much journaling for today.

Most are from the dinner and my flash does not want to work.  The aerial shot is of the market we walk through to get

to Shamian Island.  It is only about 4 blocks but we walk through a pet market and then the spice market!  Very cool.

Angela promises the pets are for PETS... not food.  Lots of fish, turtles, birds, kittens, and puppies. Xiao Cheng really loves the puppies.

 

Hugs to all---

Kelly and Xiao Cheng

--
Kelly Rumbaugh
Ladybugs N Love
www.ladybugsnlove.com
"connecting families an ocean apart"