"I Know I'm In China..." - Borrowed From My Friend Chris

This is kinda funny...as I'm working on a blog post for a new online bible  study I started today, I came across this post in my "drafts" folder from last October.  A new friend we shared our guide with in Guangzhou, posted this on her blog and I had liked it and  wanted to share it on mine, but I guess I never did.  Now as I'm re-reading it I'm feeling sort of nostalgic.  Some of the things on this list are really funny and they are ALL true.  (#9 was an inside joke from Chris to me)  I'm sure all of you readers who have "been there, done that", will be able to relate.  Enjoy... and thank you Chris Weaver!

I KNOW I'M IN CHINA....

#1- when the BREAKFAST buffet serves baked beans!
#2- when the hotel  carpet is softer then my bed
#3- when the cashiers have to type my amount due on a calculator so i know for sure what number they said
#4- when i get more second glances then a movie star=)
#5- when I never can find shoes that fit my size 8 feet and 2x is actually a medium.
#6- when clerks are friendlier then the Wal-mart greeter @ home
#7- when I don't gasp when a car comes within millimeters of hitting our car
#8- when the choices for coffee are instant or starbucks
#9- when going to the zoo is considered romantic "hi georgia"
#10- when you see people riding bikes and wearing high heels
#11 when "duct" tape might be translated as " duck or gooose" tape!!
#12- when bouncing on the bed could cause a concusion even with out falling off!!
#13- when there is no 14th floor in a 20 story building or at least not listed on the elevator buttons!!
#14- when no tap water is drinkabe and in the bathroom theres a sign that reads "non-potable"
#15- when out of the 36 TV channels you can only understand two!!
#16- when CARP are considered a sign of wealth!!!!
#17 - when I'm glad to see pink money in my wallet. (100 RMB notes are pink)
#17- when I'm actually looking forward to a 15 hour plane flight with a two year old!
#18- when you have 2 essentials in your purse hand sanitizer and toilet paper!!
#19- and last but not least when everybody cheers and races to use the "western" toilet cuz there might not be another 1 like that today=)

Family Photos

We have never had professional photos done before but now finally after adopting Ian and completing our new family of five, we are blessed to have some terrific shots worth creating a photo wall for.  

Ian's Baptism - Exactly One Year After Our LOI!!!

So this morning as I was updating my Facebook photos, I realized the coolest things!!!! On February 23, 2012 we mailed our "LOI" Letter of Intent to adopt Yang Liumu aka "MuMu" to our adoption agency in California along with our first installment check to begin the process.  On February 23, 2013 our son Ian Liumu Jekabsons was baptized in our church as a member of our family for just over 4 months!  How cools is that?!?!?  We are blessed with our little man.  So happy he is a part of our world.  

Ian does NOT like getting water on his head

This was the picture up on the HUGE screens in front of the church during the baptism.  The girls were hysterical when they looked up and saw it.  I had no idea it was there and was telling them to stop laughing.  

Ian with Pastor Ray 

Our family with Pastor Ray (minus Sarah who was M.I.A.) 

Ian with our friend Bob... matching outfits... too cute...

Sarah's 14th Birthday, Ian's 6th Birthday and the Chinese New Year

Since Christmas

Some Things We Have Learned About Ian in the First Two Months

1. Ian LOVES food!
2. He was scared to death of Gracie when he arrived but he LOVES Gracie now.
3. He eats almost ANYTHING!
4. He LOVES water and milk. (separately... not mixed together)
5. He is quite the ham, both in front and behind the camera.
6. He is mostly very neat and tidy. (unlike his older sisters!) 
7. He is very smart and learning English quickly.
8. He LOVES to do puzzles, build with Legos, do beading and create with Playdoh.
9. He is VERY funny! (and cracks himself up regularly)
10. He LOVES to play with his sisters!
11. He likes bubble baths with his dinosaurs and his new boat.
12. He has an infectious laugh.
13. He TOTALLY fits into our crazy family!
14. It doesn't feel like Ian has only been a member of our family for two months... It's JUST SO RIGHT! 

October, November, December Updates

The timing of our arrival home with Ian on October 26th was perfect for introducing him into the traditions of Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We did cookie baking and fruit cake baking and tree decorating and of course for Thanksgiving we had a MONSTER 24 pound turkey that made a major impact on the little man!!!  During Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks we played A LOT!!!

YAY!  First day of Kindergarten!

Ian was and still is quite the celebrity at school.  This is the group that approached us as he and I tried to walk to his classroom for the first time. 

Mrs. Huey is Ian's teacher.  She is a gifted, talented and loving person.  She prepared herself and her class so well for Ian's arrival and the transition has been amazing since day one!  Ian ADORE's her!!! 

Ian's first haircut in the USA

The lollipop helped keep him still in the final moments.

Sweet boy!

Fun Friday at the bowling alley with 115 kids grades kindergarten through 5th

Crazy sibling fun during Thanksgiving break

Cookout... hot dogs and smores!

Cookie making with Emmy

Really DIGGING in!!! That is some well mixed cookie dough!

Ian is learning the art of cookie decorating

YUMMO!

Sarah helped Mommy make fruit cake for Daddy.

They came out really good! Daddy was happy!

Then she helped make pumpkin pies!

...and a pineapple upside down cake!

Here's our 24 Pound TURKEY!!!  Ian came RUNNING from the other side of the house when the meat timer went off, yelling "TURKEY! TURKEY!"

He REALLY liked his huge turkey.

His first Thanksgiving dinner

Since it was only us for dinner the girls took turns for photos

Beading with his sisters

Working on a "Search and Find" puzzle before church

Ian's first 100 piece puzzle

Reading time with Daddy

Learning to use his new trucks.  These awesome trucks have survived 3 little boys prior to Ian and now he has been blessed with them as a gift.  

So much excitement over Daddy bringing more DIRT!!!!

Ian's big sister Emmy danced with the Florida Orchestra on December 15th. She's in the white dress.

Daddy didn't arrive in time to get in the photo

Ian's soldier he made in school

Ian's citizenship certification received several days before Christmas and in less than 60 days from his arrival in the US

Ian's first Christmas tree 

Ian's Christmas present from his teacher, Mrs. Huey.

This is the AWESOME Christmas ornament our friends, the Biuk's gave us when they visited from PA!

Ian loves building things!

Ian with Grammy, heading to the barn to meet the horses

Ian wanted NOTHING to do with Champ, Grandpa's 17 hands Tennessee Walker, but with a little TLC from Grandpa he was willing to approach Buddy, the smaller horse.

Ian seeing the girls off as they started their first day of Horse Camp

This is a very good look don't you think!??!?  NOT!!!  LOL  This is an example of the crazy antics that take place among the siblings!  Obviously he is due for another hair cut! 

Ian and Mommy built one of his Christmas presents

And it has a motor!!!  How cool!!!

Then beginning of his second 100 piece puzzle

Day two... this one is a challenge

BUT... He conquered it!!!!  AMAZING!!!