OUR13HOURADOPTION: Day 6 - Visiting Love Manor

It was a beautiful day! The day God provided for little Kalyn to say his good byes at the orphanage. We were blessed to be given the opportunity to bring gifts and share Kalyn with his teachers and nannies on last time. Our appt was at 10am. We left the hotel with Michael at 9am. It was a nice 1 hour drive. Mommy slept. Woohoo! Jeremiah held Kalyn who ended up falling asleep as well. Maybe we were both dreaming of Love Manor. We didn't know quite what to expect but have seen a few other families journey to orphanages in other parts of China. We went with a positive attitude and prayers that Kalyn would handle things like a champ.

He did! We arrived and was given a tour of his therapy room (Yes the ball pit from his December pictures!) where there is a large mat, therapy balls, & even a mini set of stairs. On our way out of the therapy room Kalyn showed us how he walks stairs. Impressive, no hands, he was so proud!

After the therapy room we walked (Kalyn was waddling on his own from room to room - Mr. Independent) across the hall to his play room and sleeping room. Kalyn was in a group setting with other children his age. As soon as we entered all the nannies (4 of them) came running up. Taking loudly and happily in chinese. Kalyn got scooped up by his nannies and passed around, given candy, sweet brownie thingys, & kisses. He was so loved. Kalyn was enjoying the attention. They talked about how they liked his new clothes, panda hat, and shoes. They said mommy did a good job dressing baby. (YES...PRAISE GOD - BUNDLED HIM IN THREE LAYERS JUST TO FOR THEM!!!!!#)

The nannies showed us his - use to be - crib and all his friends. It was nice to see Kalyn loved by all. I mean ALL. When the teachers finished with a meeting they all flocked in to say hello to Lai Lai. They kept telling us he is smart, talks very well, and looks up to male teachers.

The teachers asked Kalyn where he was going. Kalyn said, "I am going to the United States." (Say what? No way!) Or guides eyebrows went up as he translated the conversation. He couldn't believe it either. He kept saying very smart boy. Oh Thank you God for Kalyn, for the nannies that fed him and loved him, for the teachers that taught him, and for the mother who birthed him. A true GIFT FROM GOD, our little miracle boy!

Okay, tears now!

Before we left the room our family gave them the gifts we brought. Pillow case dresses from Grandma Meri, crocheted baby hats from Emma Masse, candy and sweets, toy cars/trucks/airplanes, musical toys, and crayons. ** Some of the types of toys Kalyn likes in honor of his time there.

After visiting, hugging, saying thank you, and a few hundred pictures we walked outside. I guess Kalyn loves to play outside. One of his favorite sentences in chinese....I want to go outside. Kalyn showed us his playground and even was greeted by a guard and another man passing by. Michael told us that many people know Lai Lai. SOCIALITE ALERT. Just like his daddy and siblings. Oh my mommy better get movin on this social butterfly thing so she will fit in!

Our tour of Kalyn's orphanage life was over like that! Wow! It went much better than we thought. Although we know that Kalyn WILL grieve hard someday even though he didn't outwardly express any grief today. Pray for his heart to heal.

We made a special visit to another child at the orphanage while we were there. We walked down to another building about .25 miles away. Big campus! We met a special boy who hopes to travel in the next 3 months. He is so sweet and we brought him gifts from his family back in the states. As a mommy I was honored to be given the chance to briefly touch, hear, smell, loveon and watch him as he opened each item in his gift bag. Even though he isn't my son it felt very special for the brief moments we had together. (On Dec 26 we had another family give us the gift of pictures when they visited the orphanage. Mommy made a promise in her heart at that moment she would pay it back - praying God would give her the opportunity to do so) HE DID! This lucky boys family is amazing. We are so excited for them. It's awesome knowing that the many pictures and videos i took of him will be cherished for a lifetime.

As we were leaving Michael told us that another little girl was matched with her forever family from Lifeline too. (No way! Make two mommy's happy in one fail swoop. Oh my goodness - God if only I could give you a 3 minute hug! )

**know that the boys were just observing from the sidelines as I went crazy with the camera and these kids**

So God gave me another chance to take more pictures and a video of the beautiful girl who was spunky, active, happy, and full of life. So get this.... she loved my camera. Enough that she ran up to me (dramatical me - as I was waving and saying hi) and gave me a giant hug looking up to me with the biggest smile.

God speaks through little people too!

(momma tears again!!!) So....get this....we took a selfie! No way! Yep a selfie! It was great. Another mommy moment feeling even though I am not her mommy. I was so happy to share the photos and videos with her mom whom was delighted beyond what any words can express. It's a mommy thing. Wink!

So the visit went well. Not sure if God had it planned for Kalyn or for mommy or for both. What a day. Emotion like crazy from the female side of the family at least. Closure. Amen!

So we went back to the hotel and napped. It was lovely! Then we woke up and went for supper at the same restaurant we have been in the past. Now we had a baby! Boy howdy did we get the smiles and attention. Thank you Lord that Kalyn was happy, babbling as usual and ate like a CHAMP! Pork rice with eggs & he loves hot tea! He is chinese for sure! Gotta make some hot tea when we get home. ** Earlier in the day his nannies had told us that he didn't like the formula bottle and if he is getting enough take food we don't need the bottle. & he likes pork rice. Yeah! Momma was getting worried. Gotta have more protein for our growing boy! **

So after supper we were back in the hotel room laughing over messy pants. We have had a great day. So blessed!

Thank you for praying, thank you for caring, thank you for following our journey.

Jeremiah's High: Got to go to the orphanage
Jeremiah's Low: That I was tired

Daddy's High: The orphanage - getting to see where Kalyn loves for the last 21 months
Daddy's Low: The orphanage - seeing all the kids with no home

Mommy's High: Meeting beautiful children whose families are coming to get them very soon! & that I actually got another two hours of naps in today.
Mommy's Low: My head hurts cuz I have been crying so much (happy tears - jeremiah looks at me like "Why are you crying mom? Weird"

P.S. We are still on cloud 9 feeling blessed that God chose us as Kalyn's family! He is so wonderful!

Brothers forever!

Kalyn and Jeremiah hanging out as cool dudes before leaving for orphanage

Entering Love Manor campus

Kalyn leading the way to his play room

Kalyn with his favorite nanny in pink

Teachers came to say bye bye

More came to say bye bye

Playing with friends one last time. Yep thats our chipmunk with a
brownie in his mouth

Kalyn loves to play outside.

His first sentence they said was "I want to play outside"

Our guide Michael and head nanny

Kalyn got many good byes from passerbyers

Freedom feels awesome. Kalyn on a mission to see more friends

Walking to see more friends

Meet Feng "James" who was ecstatic to recieve gifts from his family.
They are coming to bring you home precious boy! *posted with permission

The most beautiful selfie EVER with Gracie! Even if it is blurry this moment in time will
follow me forever. Gracie your family is coming very soon. *posted with permission

Photo op after visiting orphanage

The streets are decorated for the 2015 Chinese New Year

So before bed Kalyn asked something he has asked in the car so Michael translated.
Handing me the camera he says "Take a picture!" in chinese. Here is what we got. He amazes us daily
and Michael with his awesome vocab and language development.