Welcome Fall

My goal is to post on Sundays, but they are rare family time lately, so Monday it is. Another full week of smiles, chaos, firsts, and hints of autumn are all around. We broke out the fall decorations, because if any season is welcome at our house it's fall! Cooler days (which Sadie notices most), changing leaves, soup for dinner...it doesn't get any better than that.

Sadie's first day at her ESL class was Tuesday and we knew it was time well spent when she was ask her name the next morning and knew how to respond. She came home from school later that day and proudly wrote her name for us all. For all our children that have gone to kindergarten already it was a simple time for them, although they still enjoyed it greatly. Sadie on the other hand, works so hard each day, and I'm sure we can't fully appreciate the great strides she makes almost by the hour. I used to think kindergarten homework was easy, until I attempted it with a child who doesn't speak English. Even charades doesn't work for "Draw a bird over the hippo" or "Say the days of the week and clap on the day that is your show and tell day." I'm grateful for sweet and loving school teachers and friendship that extends beyond language.

(Savoring the end of summer eating ice cream with some of the Sweeten family.)

We don't know Sadie's education experiences before we met her, but it's easy to see she is enjoying kindergarten. She a typical six year old...repeating the days of the week, singing the abc's, and anxious to show us her school work when she gets home. Her language is so similar to a toddler in it's development, only in fast forward. She learned names of family members and pets, now is moving on to phrases such as "sorry, ok, me too, one more." Her favorite seems to be "ok", although I don't know if she understands what she's approving all of the time.

Sadie and Carson's biggest first (we are assuming for her) was a trip to the dentist. Fortunately their siblings LOVE the dentist and set a good example. They both sat through cleanings like old pros, and you'd have thought the toothbrush and toy car reward were priceless treasures.

The whole family went and cheered runners on at the Top of Utah Marathon. Two of Todd's nephews were running this year. If you ever need inspiration, go and hang out at the finish line of a marathon. Amazing people come in all shapes and sizes, but with five children, we already knew that!

It's hard to believe we've been home from China for over a week now. My mental list of things I should write about is maxed out, so prepare for a novel! First, I'd like to remember things I haven't gotten a picture of this week but will always enjoy the memory of.... The kids laughing and playing together that first morning home, with Sadie joining in like she's know them a lifetime. Sadie's facial expression when they sang the "Hello"song to her in primary and substituted the word "Ni Hao" for hello. The feeling I had sitting by Sadie as the primary sang a song about eternal families and realizing how much she has to learn. Sadie's priceless smile as she got off the bus after her first day at school and then walking home holding hands with Sara. Sadie putting her hand on her heart during the flag ceremony at Pack Meeting, and hoping someday she will love this country like I do. I tend to write about events that happened and what food we ate, but the emotions we feel each day are wide and deep in all of us as we figure out the family dynamics of seven.

The first couple of nights home were long and difficult. Adjusting to time zones, new homes, new smells, new sounds, new family members, new beds, new potty schedules...it was more than anyone should take in at six years old. By the third night I really wanted to sleep more in my own bed, so I sat and talked with Sadie the best I could to explain the kids were heading back to school, she was safe, and I was sleeping with dad. She did her best pouty face and reluctantly agreed. I went to turn the light off and she objected (the night lights weren't cutting it), but by leaving on a light outside her bedroom we all got a good nights sleep! Was it the light? Was it time? Was it bravery? We'll never know.

Days with siblings at school aren't nearly as exciting as when they are home, so we braved a few stores to find some clothes that don't fall off this tiny girl. She knows what she likes...pink, soft, sparkly, bright.....she's a girl!

We've had family members trickle in over the week, and she's warmed up to most very quickly. She gives high fives, winks, pulls on your mustache, hugs you and says "hi, hello". I can't imagine it being very fun having so many strangers come over and stare at you each day, but she takes it in stride.

We met the school teachers (kindergarten and ESL). She didn't like the idea of going to school (I still wonder if we are even saying the correct word for school). Fortunately the first person she saw was an Aunt she'd met the night before and really liked! This made it all good. She loved her teachers and enjoyed looking around the classroom after school on Thursday.

Friday was Sadie's first school day. She has afternoon kindergarten, which couldn't start soon enough for her liking. She kept looking at her backpack, and you could just feel the anticipation. She happily went right in, started playing with blocks and waved goodbye to mom and Carson. The best part of school is a girl in her class that has been waiting to be her friend for months...their family has followed our story and shared in our journey as great supporters. What more could you ask for than a built in friend your first day of school!

Other firsts include watching the boys mow the lawn, jumping on the trampoline (loves it), riding a bike (loves it, even without the abilitiy to brake), pizza (not so much love), going with Sara to friends houses, playing night games in the backyard with a dozen neighborhood kids, having cousins and friends come to our house and play, riding the bus to school....oh the fun never ends at the Snyders! Each day I just shake my head and can't believe she is still smiling, still happy and still willing to keep going.

Everyone keeps asking how the English is coming. It's not coming, it's going....into her brain. She understands more of the common demands and questions we use on a daily basis. She will use a new word or two almost each day and hasn't given up her love for mimicking all of us. I think months will go by, and she will continue to absorb until she is so full of English words they will come flying back at us. But don't worry about her ability to communicate. If there is a point to be made, she will make it! If there is a boy named Carson who needs to be told on, she will tell! If there is a blessing on the food that has been forgotten, she will remind us!


So, here we sit in the middle of September, with one of the most fascinating people in all of Nibley. The never ending supply of kids around here keeps life busy enough that boredom doesn't last long. We try new foods, we improve our chopstick skills, we celebrate with neighbors at a mom/daughter party, we pray things continue on this positive road moving forward. We realize bumps will come and hope we are ready for them when they do.

We celebrated being home one week with chinese food from Mandarin Garden. It was a hit! When I see big smiles (or big tears) I always wish I could take away this language barrier we have and just talk with her. Does she miss her friends and nannies at the orphanage? Does she like our food or tolerate it? What was the best part of the first day of kindergarten? What does she think of her room? Maybe we'll find out next year. For now I believe/hope she is truly happy. As I tucked her in bed about our fifth night home, I did the usual...brushed back her hair and gave her a kiss on the forehead...."night, night...love you," I said. Her reply was the same, just partly in a different language, "night, night...wo ai ni". Maybe that language barrier isn't as tall as I think.

Dorothy Was Right

There's no place like home! I'm looking for ways to keep myself awake at this point, in hopes of getting back on the right sleep schedule, so here goes our last entry. It's hard to believe it's over and she's an American citizen, a Nibley resident, and a very loved Snyder girl already.

We started our last day in China with our final guide Michelle. She first took us to a jade store. They create amazing pieces with intricate details using diamond "drill bits". My favorite was what they call a family ball. It's a small ball inside a larger one, and then they are inside a larger one. Sometimes they even have 4 layers, all made out of one piece of jade. Each ball represents one generation of the family.

Then we headed to the Great Wall, and tried to make up for our lack of exercising while we've been gone. We only hiked up one section of stairs, but it was incredible. It is beyond my comprehension how they created something so huge in the time era they did. I didn't realize how steep the mountains could be. Then add the heat to working conditions, and it is truly a wonder.


Next came a closinne factory, which really helped us to appreciate the beautiful vases we'd seen. Again, the detail is amazing.

Our final excursion was a Ming dynasty emporer's tomb. Beijing is very rich with culture and history, and it was actually fascinating right down to an emporer's final resting place.
We had some wait time in the airport but finally boarded the plane for America. Walking through the last gate in China really hit me. I'm taking a child away from everything she's ever known and can only hope it's the right choice. We left at 9 pm and were able to sleep quite a bit. Sadie did really well on the flights and slept more than I expected her to. Being so small helps make an airplane chair more comfortable. We went through immigration quite quickly and got her passport stamped, making her an official citizen. Throughout the whole adoption process small things really become meaningful--a paper in the mail you've been waiting for, an approval from a government, a picture of your child, etc. and the small things like a simple stamp continued to mean so much to us.

They served us breakfast on the end of one flight, then we ate dinner before our next flight. The time change this way is more confusing since we arrived in America three hours before we left China, but we'd had a 12 hour flight. Then from LAX to Salt Lake. Seeing the lights of Salt Lake from the airplane window was such a welcome sight and I was glad to feel reassured that yes, we had made the right choice, and this is where she belongs and will be loved and happy.
On the ride from Salt Lake to Nibley, we had a little problem with Sadie staying in her carseat correctly. I hate being the mean mom, but some things have to be learned. It just isn't fun sticking a child in a carseat after hours of airplanes, airport lines, shuttle buses, and cabs. We enjoyed the smooth car ride on smooth rodes on a quiet freeway roads with nothing but wide open space to look at.

We made it to our house at 2 am and finally got to sleep about 4:30 am. It's always a shock when I have to show her new things--drinking from a drinking fountain, brushing your teeth using the water coming out of the sink, how to pet a dog, jumping on the trampoline. Sara woke up for a few minutes and got a chance to say hi to her. Sadie had fun looking around the house and really wanted to go outside and play even though it was dark. The neighbors barking dog was too scary though. She seemed to like her room and was excited about the toys that were out. She wasn't very tired and cried a little when I put her in bed. I just rested on the floor and held her hand wishing I could explain this is home, you are safe and loved, and it will get better. We finally HAD to wake her up at 10 this morning, before the other kids burst from excitement. She gave each of them a small gift we'd brought from China and within a matter of minutes they were off playing, laughing and holding hands. We've almost had to set time limits for them each to have a turn. If we can keep her awake, she will sleep well tonight. It's been great seeing her happier than we ever have. I know we'll settle in, and it won't always be rosy, but today has been pretty close to perfect.

I wish we could express the thanks we feel to all those who have helped us throughout this time. Our kids are happy, the house is still standing, and we owe so many people more than we can ever repay. We are surrounded with kind and giving people and can't wait for Sadie Jiao to meet you all and grow to love you like we do.

Journey Toward Home 9/3/2009

You might be in China if.....
-- you'll willingly pay for internet just to talk to your kids for a few minutes....
-- your cab driver sees nothing wrong with speeding up when there's only 20 feet until there's a car that's not moving....
-- your bus driver drives like he's in a sports car even with 4 lanes of grid lock traffic....
-- a hamburger at McDonald's hasn't tasted so good since you were 7 years old....
-- you can't see very far in front of you from all the pollution.....
-- it seems like the sun is setting at 3:00 pm because of the pollution...
-- you can't get enough cold water and ice cream to help survive the humidity....
-- you see some amazing parks with lily ponds, flowers beds and rock creations (walls, sidewalks, decor)...
-- you automatically divide 7 into every price you're told to convert from RMB....
-- everywhere you look are extremely tall apartment buildings that look like they are inches apart from the next one....
-- the guy at the table next to you at dinner lights a cigarette while sitting under the "no smoking" sign....
Wow, it's really down to our last day here tomorrow. We flew to Beijing very early this morning and arrived at our hotel about 1 pm. We are located close to the airport but we are tired enough we probably won't even hear all the planes flying over us. We walked down a couple of streets looking for restaurants they suggested at the hotel. You feel mentally challenged trying to match up Chinese characters from a paper to the sign on the front of the stores. We finally found the place we were looking for and went inside. It was like someone pushed the mute button when we entered, and this place was packed. They wouldn't have stared harder had we been aliens from mars. I'm sure it was our stunning beauty that just left them speechless. We worked our way through ordering by pointing and a handful of Chinese words, and a kind waitress who let us know which dishes would be too hot for our wimpy western mouths! The chicken dish looked good, even after we discovered the foot that was in it, much to FuJiao Sadie's delight. Two weeks ago I probably wouldn't have touched this dish with a 10 foot pole, but today I slicked it right up, chopsticks and all.

On the way back to our hotel we passed a shoe store. Apparently the luck was just beginning with the chicken foot in our lunch, because FuJiao Sadie tried on and WANTED a pair of closed toed shoes. Of course they are silver and light up, so what girl would pass them up. We just really wanted her to have something comfy for hiking the great wall tomorrow. I bet she's never owned a pair a socks, seeing as how she'd never have needed them.

Todd couldn't face another day in a hotel so we took the shuttle downtown, followed by a cab ride. This is where the luck ran out and the carsickness began. I guess the luck returned since we had a plastic bag that was highly needed! Poor girl, drug all over China by her rotten parents. We visited Tie'animan Square from a distance of across the street. After all, it's a large cement square, so the picture from afar was fine, safer, and less walking. We tried to go in the Forbidden City, but found out it was named correctly......it's was closed by the time we got there. But we can say we were there and took a few pictures. We visited a beautiful park next door and all together walked at least 50 miles! Again, rotten parents! We didn't improve any and chose McD's for dinner. Needless to say, we had a very happy girl once we got back to the hotel.

Tomorrow we check out of our hotel at 9 am and will go to the Great Wall. Seems like the perfect culmination for a China adventure. Our flight leaves at 9 pm, so we will have another full day. FuJiao Sadie should sleep most of the way the America--we hope! So......15 days, 100's of pictures, countless cab rides, 3 Chinese guides, and 1 new Snyder later, we are coming home! See you soon!

A Day To Remember 9/1/2009

First I want to start by telling everyone thank you for birthday wishes and words of encouragement. I've enjoyed receiving over a dozen emails and they truly made my day. But, even though it was my birthday, today was about FuJiao Sadie. This afternoon we stood with a room full of adopting families in the American consulate, each with an amazing story of what brought them here this day. We all raised our arm to the square, promising we've told the truth throughout the adoption process. They handed each family their paperwork, and that was it. When we land on American soil, FuJiao will be an American citizen. I remember over 6 years ago knowing this day would happen and the culmination of it all was so simple and so full of joy. There were cheers, hugs, tears and a room full of very happy families.

We celebrated with a Chinese dinner fit for a newly adopted girl and her birthday celebrating mom. We are heading to Beijing tomorrow, which means our journey towards home begins, and this is cause to celebrate as well. We've checked out of our hotel since our flight is early in the morning. Our first flight with FuJiao was an hour, this one will be 3 hours, followed the next day by the biggie from Beijing to LA.
FuJiao and Todd have had a great time today "fighting" with swords. She's quite the Kung Fu girl. It must have been something she played with her friends. We keep saying she really likes her dad, she just won't admit it! He's fun for spinning her around, sharing chocolate, playing swords, singing songs, counting to 10 in Chinese and English, and buying barbies and movies for the plane rides....but he's still not for holding hands. Even with the cold shoulder he often gets, Todd is completely wrapped around her little finger.

Today's pictures are little things about FuJiao we love and will always remember. The silver sparkly shoes, which are already wearing out, that she refuses to take off. We'd have had to change her name to Dorothy if they were red. Her bracelet which has Guanyin on it--a female budda figure often left with children, as she is the guardian of women and children. Her necklace has a shape that represented wealth in ancient China.

Todd looked at me today and ask what my next wild hair was going to be. I told him I didn't think I could top this one.

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Thus far, I have let Nikki tell our story. She writes it up, and then I correct it for content before publication. But today, I would like to add a few observations and thoughts.

The past several days have been a tremendous roller coaster of emotions that can't be described. First, the "Gotcha Day". I didn't know until August 24 at about 2:30 that this has a dual meaning. We "got" FuJiao Sadie, but at that moment, she also "got" us ... hook, line, and sinker. The rest of that day was enjoyable, but awkward as we got to know each other better. Beginning the following day, FuJiao took to her new mother and distanced herself from me. Given all the logical explanations for this, and knowing we should be happy that she was attaching, this was difficult for me. Each day she has opened up a little more toward me, and I think it's safe to say at this point that I am her second favorite. Through this, however, we have learned that she is very apprehensive about new situations and new people in general. She hesitates going onto a playground if other kids are present, and she shies away from questions that inquisitive Chinese ask her on the street or at restraunts.

Our days here in China with FuJiao have been easier than expect by all measures. Our most difficult days likely lay ahead as we adjust to our American life style. I specifically expect attending kindergarten will be a difficult milestone. With the completion of our adoption today, we have a sense of relief, satisfaction, and gratitude. For the simplicity of today's ceremony, it brought a lump into my throat and a tear to my eye. We cannot wait to return home and share this treasure with everyone.

Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On 9/1/2009

I'd just go to bed tonight, but Todd insists somebody out there is still reading this thing! I do appreciate emails that have been sent thus far, so I will write a few lines for the die hards!

When you don't share a language with your child, you learn to pick your battles. When jean capris are the only clean clothes available, you pray a dress-loving Chinese girl wants to wear them. We were lucky, and she looked like an all-american girl today in jeans and a red, white, & blue shirt. Sorry no pictures for proof, you'll have to take our word.

We did a little shopping around the island area, and Nikki got a massage to work out kinks from long airplane rides in time to get new kinks from approaching airplane rides. It was about an hour long and cost 100 yuan, which is about $15. I'm not sure why somebody didn't tell me about this deal in China last week! Although he worked my neck over pretty good, so I may be a bit stiff tomorrow.

A stop at the playground, a little more shopping, lunch , and naps all around. Call it lazy but I think jet lag and homesickness hit at 10 days, so here we sit passing another day. FuJiao wasn't as happy today either. When we are in the hotel room she wants to leave, and when we leave she wants to go back. It wasn't anything in particular that seemed to set her off, maybe quieter moments when she is left with her thoughts. At six years of age you can think you want a family, but you wouldn't know all that implies. I wonder if she is happy with her choice. I wonder if she dreams of her orphanage family. I wonder how old she will be when she likes pizza. I wonder what she is saying when she talks on her play cell phone. I wonder what she will think of our food at home. I wonder when she will ever be ready for school. I wonder how it will feel to be 37!