Weenie Roast

A bad storm came through our neighborhood while we were in China and this happened in our driveway.

One of our sons-in-law and two grandsons came over, cut up the tree, and cleaned up the mess for us before we came home.  That was so, so appreciated!  (If you're wondering, no it wasn't insured for this type of loss.  Our homeowner's policy also won't cover it since the tree didn't damage the house.  Who knew?)  We're still debating what to do about the car that is pretty severely damaged.

BUT..... it gave us LOTS of branches to do this:

We're enjoying the good weather and making summer memories already!

Pat is home and doing well!

One of Pat's very favorite things to do is to play in the sand with his sisters.

We've been home for a few weeks, and it is certainly time I introduce you to our little guy!  Patrick is full of life, very curious, and pretty much always smiling.  The first few days he kind of wandered around like a little lost puppy, but is settling in to our routines well now.  He and the Little Princesses spend a lot of time playing in the back yard.

The first weeks home are always full of visits to the doctor and dentist, and of course in fighting that wicked beast called Jet Lag.

Thank goodness for dentists who allow all five kids to have concurrent appointments!

We actually traveled China with FIVE kids in tow, two of them in wheelchairs, and we lived to tell about it!  It was difficult, yes. But we made lots of memories, and I'm so glad everyone got to go. Because there were so many of us we required something larger than a hotel room, or even the two bedroom apartment we had when we traveled last year for Isaac.  We stayed in a three bedroom apartment in the area of the city where the US Consulate and the health building are located.  This also allowed us to keep more of a "normal" home life than staying in a hotel would have allowed.

Playing games in the apartment.

Watching a funny video on the computer.

 

 

Of course sometimes it is a treat to go out to eat - especially when you can get a bowl of noodles as big as your head for under $3.00!

Our agency's guide arranged for a driver and van so we were able to visit many places when we weren't at official legal appointments. 

Way up in Canton Tower!

Visiting the orphanage where we got to meet Abigail's foster mother!

Night time cruise on the Pearl River

Easter in Guangzhou, finding their "baskets" in the apartment.

Waiting for church to begin at Shamian Island

China has such fabulous parks!

Safari Park

Shopping with Ann!

Pedacab tour of a Hutong community in Beijing

Our guide in Beijing, David Wang, was wonderful!

The family in the Hutong who made us the most delicious food we ever had!

The Forbidden City

The Great Wall of China

We flew into our local airport when we went on our other trips.  But this time we saved literally thousands of dollars by driving to Chicago O'hare.

  We thought we would miss the welcome home parties - not so!  Our daughter Ruth and her husband Gerret met us at the airport.  We stayed overnight in Chicago, and stopped in Indiana on the way home the next day to introduce Pat to more of our adult "kids".  They along with several friends surprised us with a welcome home party.

  There was yet another welcome when we arrived home.  We partied all the way home!  Three states, three parties! 

The scene on the street in front of our house when we arrived home.

 

 

 

 

It is so wonderful to be home again.  We are settling into our new normal with five kids.  Pat is beginning to pick up on some English, and Isaac is a huge help in translating for us when needed. Thank you all for your kindness and prayers for us along this journey.

A thank you from the director of the orphanage school

Dear friends

. . . and I dare say family . . .

of the Bao’an Social Welfare Institute,

Hello from Sunshine Academy! My name is Heidi Olson (or you can call me Bao Hai Di 宝海蒂 – yes the same Bao 宝as Bao’an – the gift of a name given to me by our Bao’an children!), and I am the Executive Director of Sunshine Academy. In 2008 I came to China to start our first school at the Bao’an Social Welfare Institute, since that time we have grown to 5 cities! We are so grateful for the many open doors we have been given to touch our precious children’s lives!

Last month Randi Lanz came to pick up her son Pat (our dearly beloved Pat!) and she generously asked if there was anything we might use at Sunshine Academy. We gave her big wish list and to our delight and incredible encouragement she came bearing about 4 massive pieces of luggage (wow!) filled to the brim. Filled with beautiful, fun, educational, unique, precious things for our children, given to us by all of you – our extended family. She included all of the gift cards that came in the Amazon orders so I was able to read each of your names – amazed at how many of you responded!

I wish I could thank and hug each one of you – and your family members! Thank you for your tremendous gifts for our classrooms and thank you for having a vision to love beyond your family. You have selflessly given your lives, opening the doors of your hearts and homes, to welcome one (or in some cases many!) of the least of these. I admire that so much.

THANK YOU for thinking of us and for all that you have done for the children of China – our children.

God bless you!

Heidi Olson

宝海蒂

Pat is home!

We began our travels to bring Pat home on March 25.  We took all four of the kids who still live at home with us.  As is my usual while in China, I didn't get around to updating the blog.  Internet is slow (when we can manage to get it) and by the time I have a chance to sit down I'm pretty much asleep! 

I wanted to thank you for your prayers and let you know that we got home yesterday.  We are doing well but exhausted!  I'll be working on a post in the upcoming days to show you some of the things we did while in China.

Update on Orphanage Donations

A few weeks ago I invited you to be involved in donating educational materials to the orphanage school.  Take a look at what you did!

Thank you!  These things will make such a difference to the teachers and the children!

NOW I'm ready to go to China

Our bags have been ready to go for a few days now but there was one small thing keeping me from feeling ready to go.

My beautiful grand daughter, Miriam was born yesterday.  We were so hoping she would arrive before we left the country.  Ok, NOW we are ready to go.

Growing Feet...

Growing feet leads to this:

Don't worry!  Jen didn't break a leg.  She is simply outgrowing her AFOs. (Ankle Foot Orthosis)  She was casted at therapy this week to measure her for new ones.  She chose a kitty cat design with yellow foam this time.  Snazzy.....

I love how she can smile through the medical appointments now!  It wasn't that long ago that she SCREAMED when she saw anyone who vaguely resembled a doctor.