Adventure eating Chinese

We had another adventure eating out with Todd and Beth plus kids. The other night we ate at the Wee Little Bit French restaurant....

Tonight we were placed in the back room at a big table. We had the Chinese peeps looking and laughing at us via a mirror. We had no idea the proper way to eat a Chinese dinner. But we had a great time trying to do it right--but just plain ole American way. We ordered Sam's favorite--some type of egg custard. This was good for Andi to eat too. We ended up asking for more fried rice and a chicken dish which they couldn't understand that we wanted more. Tad was still hungry after we left, but we had plenty of food vs The Wee Little Bit French place..

Out front of the place, you could pick your fresh fish, snakes, bugs, beetles, frogs, oysters, crab, shrimp --- really a whole store front full of "fresh" food..

BUB--how do you like that red fish? Missing u..

Catherine and boys take eye exam

Today at the clinic were only our four families from Holt. Tomorrow there will be 60 families in this little room waiting on three stations--1. see the doctor 2. ENT 3. nurses for weight and measurement.....We had a very calm visit.

Medical Exam

There are 3 other families with us here in Guangdong province. Eight more families arrive tonight to join us for the last part of the trip. I can't wait to meet the others especially Kathleen and her family.

Andi weighed 10.2 kg. Her paper work that we got on Monday said 11.2kg..Hopefully, by the time we get home she will have gained weight.

Sam

Jack

Lilia

Andi


Tad and Karley took the morning off.....

Photos with my iphone. I forgot the camera...bummer

Prayers Answered--Enough Said

Kind of crazy

I have already posted how we came up with her name. Her name Andi seems to have a bit more history to it.


My husband--Steven Andrews--called Andy
My oldest son--E. Andrew--called Andrew
My dad---Andrew D.---called Andrew
My brother---Andrew D., Jr--called Drew

My husband's brother--Drew--called Drew

Now, our daughter--Julianne--called Andi

Curly Hair

I would have never thought that our little girl from China would have beautiful, soft, silky, curly hair!!
She did not have much hair in her referral photos.

Her Uncle Drew Godwin had curly hair as a boy. Andi's looks like his.

Todd from our group says Andi looks like Lucy from Charlie Brown in this outfit.. :)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9

USC gamecock, CLEMSON TIGER, Florida gator

I have been asked will Dad let her wear orange?


Mom--Clemson grad
Dad---gamecock fan
3 boys---successfully brainwashed gamecock fans
1 boys---officially bribed to be a gator fan
1 girl--???

Here is a photo of what John did to Andi's bed the morning we left. Original decoration was girly surfing bedding.

He also brought her a stuffed gator animal!!!

Friends and the park

Spent the day at the park with friends from our travel group. They actually took the boys yesterday to play soccer in the park. Then they offered again to take the boys during Andi's nap for a swim followed by the park..


They have been a blessing--huge blessing to our family--their kids and themselves...

I was able to have quiet time with Andi while the boys were out playing:)

Another journey

http://www.themcdonaldgangsjourney.blogspot.com/

run over to this blog..... you won't be sorry.... your heart will be filled with how glorious our God is:)

Our Hotel--The Victory

Walk this way boys

We miss Bub

Sad

Baby Andi is grieving in her way.. so sad to watch. She probably wants to go back to an orphanage for orphan life... changing caretakers, limited food, medical care probably rare, having to take care of herself.

She doesnt want to let go of anything in her hand. It doesnt matter if it is a french fry, toy, barbie, smushed (real word? wrong spelling?--u get the drift) cracker... she held onto the ritz cracker that she had when we got her for hours.

just last night she death gripped a french fry and the baby spoon even though she wanted to pick up the new french fry on the high chair.. soooo sad.... breaks this momma's heart... the french fry in her hand was all the way nibbled off so she couldnt eat anymore but she wouldnt let go to eat the new one.......

We are like her.... return to acting like orphans. trying to take care of ourselves, thinking we only need God in the big things--cancer, death.....but everyday life we have....

We would prefer to eat to eat table scraps and crumbs around the Lord's table instead of sitting at the table with the King.... We have been invited to sit with Him, to share in his riches, to be Jesus' brother, heirs with Jesus....everything He has we have...

BUT we so quickly return to being orphans... death grip on our control of life even though Life is in front of us....

But thank goodness He never tires of us having to be called back to sit with Him. To crawl up in his lap while He hand feeds us.... We dont even have to take the french fry off the dirty worn out high chair tray.....He picks us up, holds us, feeds us good things (not french fries)---living water and bread of life.....

So pray for us to return to Him quickly (because my heart is prone to wander, Lord I feel it) and not do this adoption trip alone---even the little details....

God is in the details... believe me He is....

Preaching the Gospel to my heart a fresh today.....because I have Gospel amnesia everyday I wake up and about every second of the day....

Great is His Faithfulness..... Great is His Faithfulness

His mercies are new every morning...

My sweet baby Andi just woke up.. going to snuggle in bed with 3 of her precious brothers....greatly missing dad and bub to be with us.......we are coming home soon...

Jewels and Masters' tickets

Dearest Ann, Clemson grad, currently you are winning the give away. You posted u love the jewels (good southern girl). I can bring the jewels back because a deal is a deal BUT tell Alan that I will bring that baby for you (you just let me know girl or boy and age) unless the good doc (clemson grad) comes up with a masters' ticket for me!! not for andy.. but if you want to get to then that is fine. I will share with andy.

I can get him those tickets to the Players in May.. You can come help with the baby.. so are you coming?
You havent been since you had your kids.....

Wiping her nose

BUT the boys will wipe her nose, but they act like the kleenex will kill them if they actually touch the nose snot (ok, couldnt quickly think of anything else to call it)

How do you get John to get out of the shower quickly?

YOU BRING THE BABY IN TO TAKE A BATH!!

You see John sits in the shower and plays and plays and plays... so cute.. andy and i enjoy watching and listening to him play in the shower. he just talks and plays....so innocent.

He wouldnt stay when the tub is behind the door, I am in front of the tub, andi's back to him.. no way, he was out of there.. gone like a flash.... cleared out.....

GIRL INTRUDER, GIRL INTRUDER...

How do you clear Godwin boys from a room immediately, with a happy heart?

YOU TELL THEM YOU ARE CHANGING A DIAPER!!

this is where loving on their sister ends...abruptly.....no negotiation.....not even for a reina cookie.....

Tom got the afternoon off

Thomas needed the afternoon off yesterday. He has been in charge of remembering everything that I need to remember: room number, people's name, names of shops, prices of item to compare at other shops, itinerary, what to carry when leaving room, where did i put something (which really is where did i put everything), directions,

A lot of pressure for a young man so he got the afternoon off. But he was only off a little while til he couldnt stand not being the leader so he eased back into his position.

Steven and John did a fabulous job stepping in to fill his role.. GIves a good example of raise the expectation and the kids will rise to the occasion....but we all have different roles and God given talents...

Thank you Thomas for all your hard work and dedication. Maybe Miss Sheila (the one who keeps andy straight at work) will get you a plague made for your outstanding performance.

But I love you without any performance---take all your days off if you want:)

St. Augustine resident, previous lived on Hodges

This is Katherine zangrilli
Joey. 3.5 age

They live in St Augustine now but used to live on Hodges Blvd!! They are staying in our hotel and leaving for home today. Katherine has been very helpful in giving me pointers..

Just another journey weaved together by His Hand...

She traveled alone to get Joey.. and also for her other little boy.. amazing woman.. filled with joy and love for her sons..

Go to Kathleen's page!! it is worth it, go now

Ok, the photo did not work...

now u have to do some work yourself. you wont regret going over to take a look...

one more for the night.. this makes for sweet dreams with tears of joy

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fM7-NSjDl6GYBu7apI721_0XH9Zd59cdT1ll6mwGpyIqMe-qtnmJdw7yobmnbNjrV4nL_o509-1ph92Jji0yn5pbJWD6K0bzcGI57THeSZQIHvaC9CvJGkedz8tn4yAvhXwFX2tqlQ6i/s1600/DSC_0790.JPG

This is my friend Kathleen's daughter. Her post title: no words necessary

Tears of joy flowing..... so happy for Kathleen and family.

I will finally meet Kath on Saturday... She held my hand during this adoption. Kathleen knows all the answers. If she doesnt, she will get them for me.

Her last call from the States was to me on Wednesday about noon... "DID U GET IT??"

And yes, we had just gotten our TA.. her response just fills my heart with joy... for someone to love so much and have never have met..... I tell you this journey of adoption is incredible.

Our Gracious Father, Abba Father...

I do hope this photo copies.. because i really need to get back to bed.

We are going to a buddha temple and museum. I have been warned by shelley that they will ask if i want a blessing for little andi.....if so they want u to bow to buddha....NO WAY...

My daughter is blessed by the MOst High.....enough said...

But I do get to warn my boys and talk about it before we get there.. thanks shelley for the heads up..

btw, we leave at 9:30... dont they know my family sleeps in to 8am and we like to eat, eat, and eat at breakfast.. hard to make 9:30 for us.. baby in tow, too.... oh, this bottle thing is for the birds. breast feeding, i never left the bottle on the table!! i was always prepared. i guess a way God just humbled me yet again...

An angel sleeping

Will leave you tonight with our angel.. sleeps thru the night. 8pm til 8am..
she will take over 2 hour nap if we let her... but we have had appt and places to go.
You people that know how i do my babies, know that probably is killing me not to have her on her schedule...

Well, i am good with it. We are in China.. this to will pass. we are trying to soak it all in....exhausted and all.... but we are enjoying being here...

Andi's visa photo day

Yes, that is barbie.. the barbie from the white swan.. will tell the story later..

actually, i wrote a long story and it disappeared.. I need to go back to bed...

but the story is sooo coool.... u gotta hear it.

Give away!!

Do I have to do a give away to get you guys to post??

You bloggers know what a give away is!!!! you might even could put in a request from china for the gift!!


Get to posting...

Right now, I think sweet Ann Brown is winning...

So do you want pearls, jade, silk, squeaky shoes???

how to get china grandma and grandpa upset?

Three tree-climbing GODWIN BOYS.. the grandma and grandpa came running to me. with all the language --cantonese and body language--that they could get out in 3 seconds.. "boys will fall, boys will fall, get hurt, hurt, get them down, get them down" I understood exactly what they were saying.

My boys "we werent high Mom"... well, in china climb low like chinese children would!!

The park was so much fun. The locals started gathering around me trying to communicate. I think I communicated better with them than I do with my husband!!
Grandpa was so happy and proud acting that i had 4 boys!!!!! and a girl!!! that makes 5!!

We even gave each other high 5....

The intrigue they had of my family was amazing... fun to exchange with them.. i finally pulled out photos on my iphone.....they thought andy was so good looking especially the women....and andrew-they loved how big and handsome he was.. fun time..

andi liked it too. i told one of the mom's, i thought andi was called yaya. so the mom spoke to andi and andi responded.. the mom told her to go down the big slide!! which andi did.
she really seems to enjoy the playground and climbing... tomboy on our hands? looks like it.
no fear of climbing and sliding.. almost got her to laugh doing it..

The layers are coming off everyday... her personality.. it feels like she has always been with us. she is just one of us...... period......

some believe there is a God (well, our God) by looking at creation and its design... that "wins" them over logically.. but i am telling you.... the stories that are interwoven here in adoption are clear evidence there is our all knowing, all creating, all loving, all good, all gracious, King of Kings...... creation is nothing to this!! this is big.....

So cool, that our story, godwins, is in God's story...

chinese playing cards and that hackey around thing

Boys want one of those bouncey/hackey around things.. cant spell..

boys love shopping with andi

The boys are doing things they have never done before with a happy and joyful heart---SHOP...
well, i take that back, steven loves to shop but only for him..

here's the deal

my vpn has been dropping while i wait to upload photos...i mean right at the very end when the photos are going to be published (long wait). so if my vpn goes down, the post wont go thru.
china blocks blogspot and other social networking websites...
bear with me..
but if you want those photos --- you need to comment more... give me treats to get me to perform more...
it is 2 am and i am up doing this!! so i need extra treats...
even you people out there lurking. i was a lurker... break thru and post!! it really helps.
the boys enjoy hearing from you---Z's!!!! hint, hint... and they want to know where Will is?? why posting from sam and not will.....

she got 'em wrapped around her finger, dad and bub u just wait, u r next!!

Playroom and park outside Lucy's

In wonder of Andi's beauty inside and out:) my boys, too!!!!