First Week

Well, we have been home a week tomorrow, but it feels like months since we were in China. Aiden is doing fantastic. He basically walks around like he owns the place, and we let him of course. We did have to make a trip to the doctor on Monday because he had been running a fever, and found out he had pneumonia. So we started antibiotics and he's been fever free since Monday. I had to go back to work on Monday and let me tell you it was brutal. I was light headed and nauseated most of the day. Tuesday was better, but I was so tired. Thankfully Eddie has had this whole week off, so he has been getting up with Aiden at night so I can rest up for work. Today I have felt mostly normal, so it only took about a week. Don't know when Aiden will get in a sleeping pattern. He goes to bed well, but is still waking up during the night. He loves being with his brother and sister. He cries when they get out of the car at school in the morning, and is so excited when we pick them up in the afternoon. He has enjoyed meeting all of Kyle's classmates this week at school. He is quite the celebrity there. I think Kyle and Cambrie were happy to be back at school with their friends. They have adjusted quickly from the trip. Ah to be a child again. It's good to be home again, but we really had a great trip. God just couldn't have blessed us any more. Our adoption experience this time around was so positive and awesome. A lot of that is attributed to how laid back Aiden is, but I think some of it is related to feeling more comfortable with the process, and being better prepared for "bumps" in the road. I'm so glad we did this as a family, and I cannot imagine this trip without our older kids. They were just so great on this trip, especially considering how much time we spent doing adoption related tasks where they had to just sit and be patient. I'm happy they had the opportunity to experience a different culture, and witness how hard life can be without all the "luxuries" we have here in the USA. It was quite an eye opening experience for Kyle especially, and I hope it has permanently touched his heart. Visiting Starfish was one of the highlights of my trip, and I'm truly in awe of what these people do on a daily basis for these children. We wanted to sneak a few of the babies home with us. And to think these are the "lucky" ones because they are receiving great care and love in this home. There are millions more in orphanges all over the world (not just in China) that don't even cry because they have learned that nobody will respond. It makes my struggles seem pretty insignificant. Well, enough of my soapbox speech. I'll try to get some photos on here soon. Thanks again for all of you who covered us in prayer throughout this journey. They were certainly felt by us, and we feel incredibly blessed.

Kelly

Final Post

Wanted to update quickly and let you know that we have a shortcut to our new website, so it's easier to find. Finishing up packing, and starting to feel like it's really happening.

aidenthomasrogers.com


Kelly

New Website for Travel

Since we have been told that blogger is blocked in China, and I'm not sure that the program I have will actually get around that block, I decided to set up an alternate site for our trip. You can access it at babyjellybeans.com then go to search for a website and type in Aiden Rogers. This was our lifeline for our first adoption, and I don't want to feel alienated from friends and family at home. We leave in about 40hrs, not that I'm counting.

Kelly

Insomnia and Packing Strategies

Well, only 6 more sleeps until we leave for China! At least I hope we sleep. Last night was restless for me, and for those of you who know me well, that is not typical. I have slept through many smoke and fire alarms in my life. I have begun the arduous task of packing, weighing, unpacking, and then packing again. Our in country flights only allow 44 lbs per traveler, and since I'm packing for 5 people, I'm having to be creative. Basically pack everything heavy in our carry-ons, and air in the checked luggage. That way we can get a complete workout hauling the carry-on luggage through at least 2 airports before we arrive in China. After all, we will be sitting for something like 19 hours straight, so we need to burn some calories, right?! I'm probably over-packing, as I'm known to do, but it's not clothes this time. I'm trying to pack as much "America-friendly" food as I can, since I have a 5yr old and 10yr old who will turn up their nose to anything that doesn't look familiar. This 40yr old has a tendancy to do the same, so EasyMac and Quaker oatmeal are my 2 new favorite foods. When we return, I will never eat them again. We are happy, anxious, excited, nervous, panicked, and stressed (not necessarily in that order). I admit to having a few of those "what in the world are we doing" moments in the last few days. Thankfully good friends and a patient husband have calmed those fears, and reminded me of that sweet little reward waiting for us in Xi'an. We've heard so many reports about his great personality and sweet spirit from those who have visited Starfish. We can't wait to discover these traits for ourselves. So for now, we ask that you pray for our sanity as we prepare for travel. Pray that we can focus our attention on the One who called us to this great adventure in the first place. Thanks!

Kelly

Travel Approval and Dates

Yeah!!!! We finally received our travel approval on Friday, and got concrete travel dates this morning. We will leave for China on Thursday, September 2nd and return home on Saturday, September 18th. I waited to post about the travel approval until we had the consulate date secured. I don't think I could have handled that disappointment, and I know I couldn't have typed it. Thankfully I won't have to do that. We are very excited and a little stressed about leaving in 2 & 1/2 weeks, but I would get on the plane tomorrow if I could. We covet your prayers for our safety in travel, as well as for Aiden's adjustment to his new family. We know God has carried us to this point, and he will see us through. We are thankful! This picture is from Taylor who found us on a yahoo group, and graciously sent us some pictures of our little guy from when she was at Starfish last month. Thanks Taylor!

Kelly

Article 5

Well, since my travel coordinator told me to expect our Article 5 around July 22nd, I thought I should send an e-mail to check on things. Well, I got a response today that our Article 5 was issued and all of the paperwork had been submitted to CCAA. Don't know the exact date this happened, but it means our travel approval should arrive sometime in the next few weeks. The next group leaves August 12th, and we know we won't be in that group. The group scheduled after that leaves Sept. 2nd, and we are praying we will be included with them. 4 weeks, that's what I'm talking about. I so like the idea that Aiden will hopefully be in our arms in 1 month. The kids started school today, and life should start to fall into a routine again. This should give me time to prepare for our trip. Here is a picture that another adoptive mom sent me of Aiden. She was at Starfish in mid-July taking supplies for the home there. He's looking more grown up each time I see a picture, but he'll always be my baby.

Kelly

Update

Another picture of our "big" boy. According to Amanda, this is a wheelchair that was bought with donations for a little boy at the home that can't walk. Apparently it has been a wonderful blessing for him, and he is enjoying his new independence. Aiden just felt like he needed to try it out as well. I can't believe how grown up Aiden is looking. Hate that we are missing this time, but we know God's plan is perfect for him and us. We are curently awaiting our "Article 5" (something new that I'm not sure I can explain with words). When our agency receives this, it should take 2-4 weeks for travel approval. Once we receive that, we are free to go get our boy. Unfortunately we must wait for a US Consulate appt. and for the next travel group. Could be fast (1 week) or up to a month to travel. We are preparing for school to start in 2 weeks. Kyle will be in 5th grade and Cambrie will start kindergarten. This should help the time to pass a little more quickly since we will be busy with school. I've already been praying for this new transition in our lives, as well as his. I'm praying that he will bond quickly with his brother and sister. I hope the same for his parents, but it is more important to me that they have that special bond right away. They are so excited, and have waited for almost a year to meet this guy. Eddie and I have been down this road before, and experienced the rejection (with Cambrie), so I think we can handle it, and are prepared for that possibility. Obviously Aiden will have to grieve his loss of everthing that he has known, but we pray that this is short lived, and we are able to comfort him through that time. So that is where we stand for now. Hope to post again soon with some news.

Kelly