Reader’s Advisory…….this is from yesterday, Thursday July 19th…….
Our internet was super sketchy and we didn’t get to post it last night or yesterday morning for you the reader!!!
Sorry for keeping you on pins and needles…..but here ya go!!
It’s 11:30pm. Heidi is fast asleep. I’m wide awake. I thought I would help my wife out and publish the post for her today. I hope I can do it justice like she does. Bear with me…I hope she appreciates this!
Xiu Xiu (sounds like shoe shoe…it is her nickname and what we will call her while she is in China!) sleeps really well at night. One of the many blessings we get from Xiu Xiu is that she is potty trained!!!! There have been no accidents….period! She wakes me up about 2:00am and says BaBa and mumbles something in Chinese and I take her to the bathroom and she takes care of business! I am so thankful for this. One less thing we have to worry about! I believe she has a bladder of steel!
Xiu Xiu wants me to be with her all the time. From the moment she gets up to the moment she goes to sleep…there we are! Baba and Xiu Xiu. Xiu Xiu and Baba. The only break I get from her is when she is asleep. [I guess since Heidi did all the work up to this point…now it is my turn!] It gets a little tiring at times especially when you need to go to the bathroom or brush your teeth. We have joked that when we get back I will have to preach with her strapped on me in the Ergo!! BTW, I never thought I would say this but…. the Ergo carrier is the best investment we made and well worth the money! My “man card” has been taken away from me!
Xiu Xiu cries a lot! She is experiencing grief. She is sad. The only time she doesn’t want me to hold her is…when she gets down, grabs my finger and pulls me to the door crying to go see Mama and her sister. When we are in our room she goes to the door and tries to open it looking for foster parents. She looks in the closet door for them. When we are in the lobby she drags me outside all the while she is looking for foster parents. When we go for walks to the park she is looking for foster parents. When we come back to our room it is very difficult because she knows she is coming back with us and not to foster parents. So she spends time crying. Although I might add the grieving times have gotten shorter and easier.
I have sat with her, held her, hugged her, wept with her, prayed for her, sang over her, kissed her, consoled her and tried to comfort her as best as you can to a Chinese speaking three-year-old. We have had some great moments, God moments and difficult moments. Today we got a glimpse of who Xiu Xiu…Mollie…is….
The day started well.
We went to Wal-Mart…Yes Wal-Mart. We got a few items and headed back to the hotel. The plan then was for us to go to a park at 4pm with our guide and the other adoptive families. Xiu Xiu fell asleep in the van ride to the hotel. We took Xiu Xiu to the room (thank God she was asleep…when she is asleep she doesn’t cry!) When we got to our room she woke up. We have learned that the best way to deal with her grief is to distract her. So we decided to go for a walk. We went to eat at Pizza Hut. BTW, I have been here in China for over a week and I have only eaten at three Chinese restruants :(….not by choice. I thoroughly enjoyed the Chinese food. Our guides do not recommend we eat out unless they are with us.
At Pizza Hut our little daughter showed us a glimpse of Mollie.
First she walked by herself to Pizza Hut from our Hotel! (Of course I was holding her hand). BIG STEP! I am so thankful when she walks because I am the one carrying her….and when you hold her all day, everyday…it’s BIG!
She sat facing the table! That is big. She usually faces me.
She then moved to sit between Kennedy and myself in our booth. Kennedy had her iPod with her and began to take pictures of her . Kennedy’s iPod can distort images of yourself. Xiu Xiu thought that was the greatest thing ever!
SHE SMILED! Not just once. We have seen her smile. But for at least 15-20 minutes. She was happy!
Not only that but she also sat with her food on her plate like the rest of us. We prayed for our food. And Ate. She grabbed her fork and ate!
We were so excited! We saw a glimpse of a happy Xiu Xiu…a happy Mollie. We enjoyed it!
Heidi said it best….”My heart is full!”
So there was a big step or should I say big smile for Xiu Xiu. It happened at a Pizza Hut with an iPod.
Pizza Hut + iPod = Big Smile!
Here are some pictures of the day….
Trish Bogan
So happy for you all!
Sherry
Jeremy you done a wonderful job! So glad that the days are getting better. Mollie looks very Happy and looks like she can be a funny little girl(paci) so CUTE!!
Pam
Oh Pastor and Heidi!! I have smiled so much and almost cried too but I AM SO HAPPY THAT MOLLIE IS NOT CRYING AND GOD IS TURNING THE TEARS INTO LAUGHTER!!!! She is so cute I can’t wait until you get her home and she gets adjusted which I don’t think it will take long and she will be smiling and laughing. Thank you so much for this I watch for it every day when I get home from work. Can’t wait until next week when you all 5 get home!! Love Pam
P.S. Kennedy keep up the good work!! Taylor you too!!
rajeana
good job pastor j! heidi will be proud of your postings! God is at such an amazing work here! i can see and feel Him in all these posts and pics! love you guys so so much!
rajeana
Liz newell
wow,,,Miss Mollie does have the most beautiful smile..Brighter days ahead..she is finding her way to her forever family. Love you guys, Liz
Marjorie Harris
Loved it, Jeremy, and thanks for taking the time to post and give all of us a glimpse into your world right now and all the dramatic changes. How important are the ‘littlle steps’ in this process. I know that our Heavenly Father has worked ‘behind the scenes’ for months now in this process, and He continues to go before you. Have asked the Lord every day for strength for each of you, His wisdom and guidance and the comfort of the Holy Spirit to be upon Mollie. I know He is faithfully answering our prayers. She is just adorable. Best word to describe her ~ ‘adorable’!!!! It won’t be but a few more days and she is going to just gobble up all the love her big brother and sister will give her, and sounds like she already adores her Daddy. Heidi, you will become increasingly important to her, and eventually fill all the emptiness of losing her foster grandma with your love and with YOU, her God-given Mommy. Bless your hearts, all of you! Not been easy in the least, especially for Xiu Xiu, but God made the human heart to expand and make room for all that offer it love. Mollie will know in full one day of the deep love you have for her. Adoption of children on this earth is the closest picture of God’s adoption of us that there is. How grateful I am that He adopted me!! I love you five and praying daily for you. Oh the anticipation of the fun that lies ahead with your precious Mollie.
Suzanne Evans
Ok, I am crying now, thank you Jeremy!! Just joking. How heartbreaking, joyful, and beautiful all at the same time!!! May God continue to bless all of you in this wonderful journey! She is beautiful and you are both beautiful people for following God’s will in your family’s lives and adopting Molly. She is so blessed and in time your family and God will be the only thing that matters to precious Mollie. Keep the post coming. Georgia keeps asking when you will be home and when Mollie will visit the library!! 🙂
Sara Derscheid
thank you, Jesus! looking for more happy moments ahead!! =)
kim Myers
Dear Jeremy and Heidi,
She is so incredible cute… That smile! It will get you through the grief that is so very difficult to witness.
We came home last Dec. 7.5 months ago , with our Annie Kate, also 3. The word for needing to use the bathroom is pronounced “she she” Our family, including some of my husband’s co working humorously still use the word “she she” .
Thank you for sharing.
Kim
Heather
My Dear Sir, in my mind YOU HAVE NOW EARNED YOUR MAN CARD!
And she may be saying liao liao (pronounced like neow neow) for “potty/pee-pee.”