Monthly archives: July, 2014

Jul 20 2014 0Commentby writekara@gmail.com

China Day 1| Beijing

Posted in T-shirts, BeTheGood

Waking up in China!

Our room was so nice but the jet lag is tricky. I woke up at 3:30 missing Hannah and WIDE awake. Adam was just as awake and we spent a couple of hours leaving funny WeChat’s. Thankful to our friends and family who helped us pass the time. WeChat is a free app. Add us if you’d like to chat!

So far we’ve managed arrangements and the language barrier fairly well. It’s helped that many in Beijing speak English. We met a taxi driver coming out of the airport yesterday. He had a van and knew we’d need it. He asked if he’d like us to comeback and pick us up this morning and just did! So far everyone has been really kind. There are some stares and it’s a little getting used to that fewer people smile back but we have that in the States too sometimes.

We are on our way back to the Beijing airport now for our flight to Zhengzhou. We’ve been told that THIS is where our accessibility challenges will ramp up so please send positive wheeler vibes our way.

Eli has just one more night as an orphan….

More to come on what was actually Day 2 for us but making sure this posts


Jul 18 2014 2Commentsby writekara@gmail.com

3, 2, 1…..TODAY we go to China!

Posted in Adoption, Travel

*TODAY* we leave for China!

Despite the months, weeks, and days of prepping, pre-packing, and list-making, somehow I once again managed my all-night pack-a-thon. It seems to never fail with me! On a bright note, it usually helps me sleep on the plane.

I think we are finally completely packed. It was not without one minor hiccup. To make a long and rather sad story short, I forgot to pick up my alterations before they closed….which included e.v.e.r.y pair of pants I’d planned to wear on the trip. Perhaps this was some suggestion or reminder that now that there will be THREE little people in our house, I really should probably learn to hem. I am, however, thankful that none of the Menchie’s yogurt patrons next to the alterations shop called the police as I banged on the door….17 minutes after they were closed:( I’m sure the yogurt-eaters were wondering why in the world someone could need their alterations so urgently! Well…..when kids, juniors, petites, or women’s don’t fit exactly right….it’s urgent! I recognized it was definitely a first-world problem, sucked it up, and went to Khol’s for some pants that fit and I can chop them off or fold them up if they are too long. If my coping skills weren’t already challenged, the cashier (who informed me 5 times it was her first day) who checked me out folded said pants and put them in their own bag….but not the one she gave me with my other items. Fearing I may commit a crime before our departure, Adam retrieved them for me. Let’s hope that is our first, last, and only hurdle of the trip!

For our flights, we’re headed to Chicago and then Beijing. We’ll spend one night there and then head to Zhengzhou on Sunday in preparation of meeting our Eli Monday!

Thanks to all who have sent messages of good luck, positive thoughts, and prayers. We can feel them and truly appreciate the support. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I am a tad terrified but this will be an adventure of a lifetime and more than worth it to roll our boy home.

In closing, I’ll share the very first picture we saw of Eli. I can’t wait to share his “after” picture once he’s experienced love, family, home, a ninja sister, and a grumpy bulldog in just a few weeks.

We’re almost there…

541348_306131922797731_388599206_n


Jul 12 2014 0Commentby writekara@gmail.com

Telling our story

Posted in T-shirts, BeTheGood

10468359_10203411500639875_92640005391714258_nFridays are always jam-packed for us. Since Adam works on Saturdays, it’s one of our only days to get a few things done and spend time together as a family. We started the day with Hannah’s last swim lesson for a couple of weeks. Her coach and friends wished us well and everyone is excited that the next time they see us…we’ll have Eli in tow!

This afternoon, we worked with videographer/journalist to start filming what will become a short piece about our family and our journey to Eli. Once again, Hannah was quite the character but she eventually calmed so much she passed out on the couch! That gave us a chance to answer several questions and talk more in depth about adoption, the rights of parents with disabilities in the US, and what led us to and through this process. It’s so nice to work with journalists who treat disability as a cultural variable. We’ll film a few other pieces together in the next few weeks and Adam and I will even be capturing footage of our own in China. I’m excited to have these memories documented in such a cool way but more importantly-I want other people with disabilities to know that parenthood-through many different paths-is possible. I can’t wait to see how the piece turns out!

We capped our night with a fly-in visit from Birdie (aka my mom). We spent the evening at one of our favorite playgrounds and enjoyed some Kona Ice. I know our lives will get a bit hectic in the next few days as we pack and make final arrangements. Still, ,we’re trying to soak up these last few days as a family of 3 and enjoy this amazing summer before our adventure of a lifetime.

 


Jul 10 2014 1Commentby writekara@gmail.com

Hannah’s Handbook

Posted in Adoption, Travel

10513441_10203398065223998_2494523346143035883_nBesides making sure we remember our toothbrushes and wheelchairs (or more accurately the flight crew remembers to load/unload those!), our most important preparations center on making sure that we’ve planned all that we can for Hannah while we are away.

In my anxious state, I’ve created a “Hannah Handbook” and shared it with the crew of family that will care for Hannah while we’re in China. I thought I’d share the headings for other adoptive families who might be preparing their little ones for an adventure of their own while their parents are in China.

Here’s what we’ve covered:

General Rules: For us, this includes the basics. Be Kind. Climbing and jumping off high objects if for gymnastics. Be a good listener and follow directions. Hannah recently informed my mom that I allow her to look under bathroom stalls “to see who’s under there” so I thought it would be helpful to clarify that we do, in fact, have a few basic rules!

Consequences: This covers how our family handles discipline. We primarily use 1, 2, 3 Magic with an emphasis on Hannah learning self-control. She’s encouraged to go to her room to calm down if needed and we don’t negotiate with whining terrorists.

Routines: This section covers our approach to morning and bedtime routines. I’m hoping little details (like the fact we read 3 books before bed) will help bring some stability and normality to Hannah’s little world while we are gone. There’s also the necessity to use her “magic” hair brush for tangles (or apparently it’s equivalent to cruel and unusual punishment).

Weekly Schedule: The bulk of the document involves a detailed planned schedule for the event. I included addresses, directions, phone numbers, and a couple of pictures for landmarks.

Favorite Outings: I’ve listed our top 3 playgrounds with addresses and their differences along with our library.

In case of illness/emergency: Here I’ve listed our pediatrician’s information along with where our medication/thermometer is located in the house. I’ve also listed vet information for our dog and our neighbor’s contact should their be a local crisis  event.

And last but not least, we’ve created and hung our Summer Fun list. I intentionally added a few activities that I know Hannah can check off during our time in China. She’ll have sleepovers with cousins, a trip to the dentist (she’s unaware this isn’t on everyone else’s summer fun list!), and she’ll make art with her Birdie (aka her grandma). And there’s the MOST exciting event-WELCOME ELI HOME!

2014-06-30 20.24.17

Now that this item (Hannah’s Handbook) is checked off my gigantic to do list, we’re on to packing this weekend!

 

 

 


Jul 09 2014 0Commentby writekara@gmail.com

Celebrating Eli Shower Style

Posted in Adoption, Family

We are so fortunate to be surrounded by so many loving and supportive people who-from the very beginning-have helped us roll Eli home. Before the complete craze of packing takes over our household, I wanted to reflect on a few recent adoption celebrations. The most recent being TODAY! My co-workers and supervisors threw me a surprise adoption shower during our staff meeting! I’m not the easiest person to surprise (or so I’ve been told) but it was so much fun to be completely caught off guard. In addition to the kind words, sweet gifts, and assurances that my recent fear a bird will fly int our plane engine is really irrational, I’m thankful that my co-workers and so many friends and family share our excitement. Prior to embarking on our journey, I naively believed that everyone thought adoption was as awesome as I always have. Everyone doesn’t. It makes me appreciate those that do all the more!

Here’s a picture from our Under the Sea themed shower at UC UCEDD (Shameless plug to LIKE our Facebook to find our more about our work for and with people with disabilities):
2014-07-08 11.53.09

I didn’t blog about it at the time, but my family also threw me a shower in early spring. With a combination of gifts and amazing gently used cloths from so many, many cousins, Eli’s drawers are full! In a couple weeks, we’ll know what actually fits but he’s off to a great start. Here are a few pictures from our family shower.
My mom made a picture book for Eli:
IMG_7304
For our super hero:
IMG_7300
Mernie the Great is excited to become a great-grandmother for the FOURTH time!
IMG_7296

And last but not least-we’re celebrating our almost-the-end-of-the-road by sharing our story! We were featured this week in the Cincinnati Enquirer. If you missed it, here’s the link: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/07/06/mason-couple-dwarfism-china-adoption/12277187/

As you can see, Hannah was pretty amused with her press coverage:
2014-07-07 12.31.51

Just 10 days until we leave!
The countdown is on!


Jul 04 2014 0Commentby writekara@gmail.com

Two words we’ve been waiting to say!

Posted in Adoption, Fundraiser

Our flights are booked (all 3 of them!).

Hotels are reserved (also 3!).

We’re braving one train and with every step of this adventure planning, my mind returns to one conclusion:We can.not.wait. to meet our boy.

In the last few days, I’ve made his first doctor’s appointments, filled out school paperwork, and set up his afterschool arrangements for the three days that I work outside the home. We’ve made progress in packing and have stocked a small infirmary to take with us. We’re list-making maniacs! If it wasn’t enough to plan for our travels, we’ve also got Hannah’s plans for our trip finalized. She’ll be with a star-studded collection of aunts, Birdies, cousins, and loved ones. We hope she’ll barely notice we’re absent but we know that’s unlikely. We’re recording a few video snippets of messages for her to see us when we might be unable to Facetime (due to the need to sleep in China!). In the event you were plotting a ransack, we’ve also got the house covered-with armed guards and/or a diligent crew of house sitters. And we can’t forget about grumpy  sweet Obie Nugget. He’ll be under the care and supervision of Birdie (my mom).

It’s been a busy but miraculous few days. After nearly 10 rejections for adoption grants, we’d begun to strategize and regroup to determine the best way to finance the final portion of our adoption. From the start, we’ve expressed our belief that there are many, many families who can give a loving home to a child in need. Most families who can afford another child (including a child with a disability) need assistance to pay the large upfront costs of adoption. We often hear from people, “I’d love to adopt but it’s too expensive.” It is expensive and very very few people can afford adoption in its entirety. It’s a leap of faith and one that’s not intended for everyone. Our family though tends to find a way/make a way. Building our family has always demanded courage. We’ve swallowed our pride and focused on our faith in interdependence of a community to make a BIG difference…and the results have been amazing. We’ve been overcome by the support, generosity, and love that has been showered on our family. We are so very thankful. From individuals to large organizations-we have been blessed. After submitting applications months ago and following up for weeks (often daily), we’ve been approved for five adoption grants in the last week!

And finally…we can say the two words we’ve been waiting to say….We are….

FULLY FUNDED! 

By the end of next week, our adoption fees will be paid!

Our hearts are already so full and so ready to meet Eli and bring him home. It is an incredible gift that we can embark on this journey knowing that the financial portion of our adventure is fulfilled. We’ve worked hard. Our friends and families have worked hard and given so selflessly. I’ve kept Eli’s dignity and integrity at the forefront of my mind in each and every effort to fundraise. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and to celebrate-we’d like to share a video we’ve received of Eli celebrating!

Here’s Eli blowing out his birthday candles we sent to the orphanage. I love his smile in the very first, few seconds. I’ve watched it round abouts 7,000 times. See you soon Eli:)