The clothes off their backs...

When I adopted Jordan, I felt such sadness at times. The stark reality was that all she had in her life at that time was literally the clothes she was wearing. They handed her to me and that was it.




Picture - Jordan's clothes she was wearing at her Gotcha Day...

When Cindy and I (and Jordan) left her birth city to go to Guangzhou for her visa processing, I cried my eyes out on the plane. Cindy joined with me in the tearshed. Leaving the land of Jordan's birth and taking her away was somehow so sad. We were leaving her heritage and ancestry behind. We were leaving her birth parents - where ever they were, and for whatever reason they were unable to keep her. I wondered if her bio mother would ever know where she was, who she was, and that she was loved. It was sad to empathetically "feel" the bio mother's grief - but I did. I was removing Jordan (then known as Wu Tong Shu) from any culture she would have known and birthright in China.

Don't get me wrong - I also knew and believed that it was definitely more "gain" than "loss" for her. Immense love, safety, protection and opportunities here are just a few of her "gains" here. But there was some loss.

In Viet Nam, I found out about Brian's abandonment at the gates of the orphanage just a couple days after birth, and once again grieved for the loss when I brought him here. I was so much more convicted in his opportunity for "gain" though - as I guess I had developed some sense of confidence as a mother and provider. (Thank God for my blessings.)

Again, all that Brian had was the clothes he was wearing. If you look closely at the picture here of Brian's clothes, you'll see the number "8" sewn into several of his garments. I don't know what that stood for. On some of the VN Bac Ninh blogs, people surmise that it was the room number at the orphanage. Others think that perhaps it is the actual baby identification - used in place of a name.

Picture - Brian's clothes he was wearing at Giving & Receiving Day

It was just all he had to his name.

#8.

Wow.

When they are adults, I wonder what Jordan and Brian will think about these clothes. Will they frame them? Burn them? Will they be proud of where they came from or ashamed? Will they keep the clothes stored away until one day show them to their own children and explain their beginnings?

Now that the US is closed to Viet Nam for adoptions, I pray for the orphans and abandoned children who may never have the opportunity for a forever family. I am thankful that my children have these garments from their earliest beginnings. From out of the ashes rises a phoenix...

Life at Home and Away...

Have I said how absolutely grateful I am? OMG. I am having a blast, and loving every worn-out second of it.

Jordan started soccer and on the first play of her very first game, she kicked a goal - into the other team's net. It was hilarious. I am glad it isn't a competitive league! She was just so happy she scored a goal, and we were too.

Our Valentine's Day included decorating the kitchen with an appropriate heart-covered tablecloth, window cling stickers, wreathes and red flowers. Jordan wrote her name on 30 Valentines for her school friends. One of her Chinese friends had a play party at their house, and all the girls made crafts and had fun. I made sandwiches for her class Valentine Day party. We had a great time just sharing LOVE...

Jordan knows she is loved and we are both showing baby Brian as much love as we can. He is still the sweetest little thing. He is eating like a horse and within 6 weeks of having him, he has moved from only formula to just about everything in the book. He loves ravioli, beanie weenies, spaghetti and meat sauce. His top two front teeth have come in all the way, so he can eat pretty well. He is gnawing on everything he can though - I think he has some more teeth ready to pop through.

He loves Kindermusik and playing all the different kind of sound shakers to music. He loves being held, and loves dancing with his mama. He adores his older sister and smiles so big whenever he sees her! He thinks the Lord put Annie dog on this earth just for him. He already has a special bond with the dog that I don't understand. It just is. Boys and their dogs... so sweet.

The weekend before last we had our first roadtrip to prepare ourselves for lots of trips ahead - by air and car. The 4 1/2 hour roadtrip took us almost 6 to get there. Both kids were having meltdowns in the back seat. As my mom used to say, "It got on my last nerve!" I know they were tired and confined in the back seat, and they were fine when we arrived in Houston. We visited with Elaine, Mallory and Tara, (and Mal's friend Whitney) and we all went to dinner with Helen, Amanda and Davey. We always have such a great time in Houston. Carl and Aubrey came over to visit for awhile, and Jordan slept at Mallory's house like a "big girl". They had slumber parties both nights.

Tara and Brian

Helen "Hopper" and Brian

On Sunday morning, we packed up both the kids around 5:30am and left for Dallas. It took us 4 hours (nonstop) and the kids slept almost the entire way. That was too perfect... there was no way I was going to stop along the way!

So, I am learning to integrate care of two into a daily routine and special events. I don't have it down yet to a routine, but I am so thankful for Jordan - mama's little helper. We all have such a good time - playing with baby, coloring with Jordan, playing Barbies and singing Teletubbie songs for Brian. I think it is so neat how having kids teaches you how to play again. Play, play, play...

Life is good. I am so thankful and happy. I just love my kids.