Journal Entry- Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Greeting from Lanzhou,
We pray this email finds you well; we are experiencing wondrous adventures daily. Last night we ventured out for dinner and to get some air. We walked to KFC. Yes, you read that right. The Colonel is very popular here. It was refreshing to order using a number off the menu. Jin had chicken nuggets and fries along with hot milk. The Chinese are used to drinking hot milk especially children. Sally, our guide here, said that they have mild stomachs, but they can handle beef noodles for breakfast?!

Jin was happy to drink the hot milk. We also bought him new shoes in mall and found a park for him to release some energy. He is certainly going to give Jon Campbell a run for his money! The two will be twin terrors!

Our adoption agency here gave each parent a lanyard to wear as we travel about which explains in Chinese that we adopted Jin. When we show that to people they seem to warm up to and smile. Many will then fawn over him. It makes us feel better too. Sally, our guide, is wonderful. She is with us 3-4 hours during the day as we site see. She is very informative. We are blessed by her kindness and thoughtfulness. We are grateful to learn more about the Chinese culture from her as her English is very good. We have experienced the Chinese attentiveness, kindness as well as self- assertiveness.

Have we mentioned there seems to be no driving rules or laws present nor enforced here? It is every car, van, bicycle and motor bike for itself. Pedestrians be ware! We crossed the streets ourselves and made it safely. We aren't joking when we say Chinese drivers are better and crazier than New York City drivers.

Today we visited the Yellow River which flows right along Lanzhou. It is roughly 5,000 plus km long. It is very sandy too. Attached you will see a bridge which crosses over the river which is from Germany and was to only last 80 years, but it is now over 100 years old, built in 1905. It took over 1 year to be shipped from Germany.

The Yellow River

We walked along the river which is bordered with Water Willow trees. It is quite beautiful. Alongside the river's edge there is a large area for exercising. The Chinese are very conscience about exercising. The area, where they exercise, is like an adult playground. Please see the attached photo.

We tried it out too; it was great even for Happy Buddhas :)

Then we visited a historic tourist site, the Water Wheel. 500 years ago they drew water from the Yellow River with these wheels to irrigate. Please also see the last photo which shows a real sheepskin raft. These were used to float up and down the river. They are made from entire sheep bodies which have been tanned and blown up. No joke! Honestly, they were disgusting to see in person.

Come float down the river on me

OMG- they really do float!

From here we walked around an open air market not far from our hotel. It was another world within itself, you can almost imagine being in an ancient Chinese market. There was stall after stall of jade, beads, coins, carvings, brushes, calligraphy, and the like. Many people had their items displayed on the ground.

  Sally treated us to a meal of Beef Noodles. It was great. I felt Chinese myself. Many restaurants don't have actual doors to open during the day, but with it be cold; you walk thru plastic strips which block the cold in the doorway. Health codes are of no concern :) But the meal was great. (Yes, we had tetanus shots before we came!) There were 3 rows of long metal tables; we sat on short metal stools and ate our beef noodles with a little vinegar. You grab them with chop sticks bring them to your mouth and slurp! We asked Sally why vinegar and she said it makes it taste even better. Jin was in heaven. He loves them. They were mild according to Sally. Clint really enjoyed them even though he is not one to eat spicy items. The Lord has shown us a lot about ourselves and how we view people not like us. We are still getting many "looks".

Those are some spicy beef noodles!

Beef Noodles

After our afternoon rest we ventured out by ourselves. We took some clothes to the laundry then went to the grocery store and got a few things we could eat for dinner and for the educational experience. Jin carried the basket and kept throwing things in! When we emerged from the grocery store (partially underground) the street had been transformed into a two block long market of vendors selling fruits, veggies, roasted meats and such. There were so many things on sticks to eat you cannot believe it, even mini squids! All you do is pick your meat, veggie, and starch and then they cook and season it over tiny coal fired grills. It was sometimes revolting, but incredibly fascinating. We tried some delicious deep fried potatoes and some meat on sticks....what was it? We don't know but it cost 15 cents a stick!

What we thought was pineapple....it's actually made of corn.

We did not try any of this!

Our meat cooking...well, we hope it was meat?!

A few words from yesterday we forgot to mention. When we presented our gifts to the orphanage staff, one gift was a large fabric wall hanging of the US quilted by Adele's Mom, Karin. It is very colorful and attractive for children. We showed them where we live in Nashville and where another of their former children lives. They seemed especially pleased with this.

A few notes about Jin. He seems to be adjusting to us well. One street asked him if we were his mama and papa, two words we understand; he pointed to us and said Mama! Papa! He is eating very well, we have to control that he does not eat too much. He drinks lots of water and seems very happy. He is sleeping well at night and naps for an hour about mid-day. He is mimicking our words and can count to ten. Thank you for your prayers and messages of good cheer. They are gifts from God and a boon to our spirits. We thank God for you!
Clint, Adele and Jin

Journal Entry- Monday, November 2, 2009

Hello All,
This will be from Jin's Papa. I know Adele gave you the news for SUNDAY. It was a thrilling day, 3 years in the making. When he saw us he came running with arms open wide! We sent pictures to him earlier so he would know us when we did meet. How thrilled we were! He has a very sweet spirit, not unlike his brother. He had saved for us pieces of candy from the care package we sent to him several weeks ago. Can you imagine a 4 year old saving candy to give to his parents? He saved a lollipop for Jon Campbell, too! Then, as the Nanny got him ready Sunday to come to us, he asked to save a hard boiled egg from his lunch as a gift for his parents!

Today we spent the morning with notaries and an official signing papers and adding our thumb prints.

Notary, left, and goverment official playing with Jin and his Handy Manny toy during the paperwork process.  He is a charmer for sure!

With the paper work finished, we say good bye to Jin's orphange family.

The gentleman holding Jin is the orphange Director often called Papa or Uncle.  The lady pictured is an orphange employee who was nanny to Joshua, Jin's best buddy now living in Michigan.

He "signed" his name with a full handprint! Afterwards we presented gifts to various officials and the orphanage staff. We had a lunch of sliced pig fat....that is the last time we let the guides order for us! We have also had roasted buckeyes, ox, duck, lamb and other things I have elected not to inquire of their origin, animal, vegetable and mineral!

Waitresses are smitten by Jin

Tomorrow and the next few days we will see some sites here while our paperwork is completed. We are at the end/start of the ancient Silk Road, the desert being not far off. The countryside is the bleakest; yet striking I have ever seen with ancient "sandstone" mountains. Lanzhou is much different than Beijing, being so far inland. Lanzhou has little rain yearly so they irrigate daily from the Yellow River. They have planted trees along the mountain sides which don't grow very tall as a result. Your eyes are opened to have vast and diverse the world is just in a short ride from the airport to Lanzhou. We are blessed abundantly! Many people who live in between the airport and the main city are farmers; fruit, wheat and corn. There is also a brick factory in Lanzhou. The ground is so dry it is good for dust storms and making bricks. We also saw holes in the mountains. That is where the farmers rest from the heat and keep their farming tools. As our guide said, “not so rich and cosmopolitan as Beijing.” As one of only a few westerners we have gotten many looks and today were likened to Happy Buddhas! Yeah, flattering!

Journal Entry- Sunday, November 1, 2009- Gottcha Day!

Happy 95th Birthday Grandpa Adinolfi!  How fitting we got Jin today.  We landed in Lanzhou this after a little later than expected due to SNOW! That is not a type o. We had snow when we woke up this morning. I am sorry, but this email will be short because our beds are calling. We are beginning our bed time routine and schedule tonight. I promise to share everything tomorrow. In short, The Lord is so good! Our first encounter was full of hugs, smiles, tears and laughter. We hope you enjoy the photos too.

Love the Holloways-4

Grand Soluxe Hotel Lobby

We meet Jin just feet away from here 10 minutes after we check into our room.

Jin and his Papa

Jin and his Mama

Pizza dipped in ketchup is not very good?!

Listening to his new Mario Brothers toothbrush play music

Jon Campbell picked this out for Jin and he played it all the time!

Journal Entry- Saturday, October 31, 2009

Good Evening,
      Clint and I are doing great. We slept great and were up and ready to go at 5:30 AM. WOW!!!! We had a fantastic first full day in China. We experienced many varied cultural moments. Our breakfast was great.

Red Dragon Fruit

We had Red Dragon fruit. It is similar to kiwi, but white in color with small black specks throughout with a red skin. We also tried a cucumber smoothie. Not bad :)

     Our legs got a full workout as we walked thru Tianaman Square. That was a surreal moment. It was a beautiful day for walking and the sun really warmed up by mid day which was great because it was quite cold this morning.

Outside the Forbidden City

Our Travel Group- Forever Families

left to right- Braden, Amy and Mike Kellam, Clint and Adele and Brian and Melissa Coy

We then proceeded to the Forbidden City, the home of the Chinese Emperors. Talk about long.... We walked and walked.






 The architecture was magnificent.  What is seen to the left is all hand carved and constructed without any nails.  It is all tounge and groove.

Inside one of the palace buildings.

Clint and our fantastic, wonderfully sweet guide Susan.  She is an employee of A Helping Hand, our adoption agency.  Her sweet smile alone is testimate to her caring spirit and kindness.

A typical Beijing sidewalk

Then off to Olympic Park to see the Bird's Nest and Water Cube.  Vendors are all over the streets trying to persuade you to buy their wares, quite persistently!. Talk about a "new" experience. We have noted how clean this part of the city is. It was impressive to see people cleaning the trash cans and handrails as well. After a great Chinese lunch we headed for the pinnacle moment, THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA!!!!!!! This was the highlight for all of us. I will admit that some climbed more than others :) My great fear of heights and "wonder knee" hampered my experience, but one can still admire the awesomeness and amazement of the wall which spans more than 6,000 km over 7 provinces. Clint did a great job and climbed a good portion. After experiencing Beijing traffic at 5 PM we arrived back at our hotel very tired to say the least. We have a great guide, Susan, who has worked for A Helping Hand for 8 years. We will meet up with her in Guangzhou next Friday. Well, tomorrow is HUGE for the Holloways. We climb aboard another plan and fly to the Gansu Provenience to meet the little one we have all been waiting for. We fly out around 11 AM and we think we will get him between 3 and 4 in the afternoon, Sunday, November 1st.

Thank you for all the great replies.

Love to you all,

Clint and Adele

Clint survives the Great Wall

Journal Entry- Friday, October 30, 2009

Hello Everyone,
     We made it safe and sound and really without incident for the most part. Our flight was delayed 2 hours due to a Chinese deportee.  We are travelling with 2 other families, the Coys from Ohio, and the Kellems from Indiana. Wouldn't you know we know people in common with the Kellems.  Mike Kellem used to work in the same practice with Milligan alums, the Frasures and they go to church with the Nices and Bishops who are also Milligan alums.  It is a small world! 

Beijing Airport Customs & Immigration

We have a full day ahead tomorrow so off to bed with the help of Tylenol PM. I have tried accessing our blog, but having issues on the site. Thank you for the prayers! It is still a little surreal for the moment. It is cloudy, grey and wet, but we are very happy!

Our 1st Chinese Meal in Beijing

     Susan, our guide, wrote out in Chineses several typical Chinese dishes which we would recognize.  We didn't know the meals were served family style so in the end we could've fed a small village.  Oh well, you live and learn.  Regardless, the food was great!

All our love,
Clint and Adele

Journal Entry- Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Below is the 1st email we sent before our departure.  We hope you enjoy the recap of our trip to China including extra pictures.

We leave for China in the morning, central time, at 6:15 AM. If you have time please watch us on our blog too. If you reply to this email please ensure you use reply and not reply to all- Thank you

Our blog address is http://journeytojin.blogspot.com


Thank you for support, hugs, shoulders to cry on, advise, concern, love, joy and the list goes on and on.......
Love,
The Holloways (Clint, Adele, Jon Campbell and JIN :)

His 1st Haircut

Jin's 1st American Haircut

Today, Jin joyfully encountered his 1st haircut.  He got right up in the chair with a smile and loved the cape. Ashley was quite impressed that Jin sat so well.  To tell the truth, I was too.  

"Look at me, Mama!"

We celebrated with lunch at Burger King

5043 Briarwood Dr.- Where the Wild Things Are?!

     I could not resist the title... Where the Wild Things Are

     The boys are wearing Where the Wild Things Are pjs we bought before our trip.  They are adorable pjs including all the book characters.  Is it a coincidence they are a matched set?!  By the way, we did not tell them to fold their hands :) 

Our 1st Weekend Home Together

Our first morning together

Both boys woke up happy, excited and ready to play.

They played all morning long.

We are adjusting well.  Jon Campbell is learning to share first hand.  We have our moments, but we bounce back well. 

Making Music Together

     One of our special gifts to the boys were hand made calabash flutes.  We picked them up in Guangzhou.   Our guide had told us never pay full price in Guangzhou.  We should aim to barter down the price by 30%. Bartering with "Jack," the shopkeeper, was a hoot.  I was successful and Jack threw in a nice carrying case for each one.  They are made from a gourd and have hand painting scenes on the gourds.  The mouth piece is made from ox bone.  They work very similiar to a recorder.

King of the Big Wheel

     Saturday, the 14th, was picture perfect weather.  After playing inside until lunch Jon Campell and Jin played outside with neighbors Thomas, Audrey, Luke and another boy.  Jin tried out the scooter, big wheel and tricycle.  Inspite of difficulty with his foot he loved the big wheel.  He drove up and down the driveway at least a hundred times.  The kids also enjoyed a treat together- Chinese Strawberry Candy.  It was good!

Story Time with Papa

Jin is adjusting well to our family schedule.  From the first night Jin has been an excellent sleeper and was used to a strict daily routine.  Bath time and bed time are full of excitement and giggles, for sure.  We are (Clint and I especially) learning to laugh more, too :)

Rolling in the grass with Grandma

     Grandma, Clint's Mom from Indiana, enjoyed the Sunday afternoon with the boys.  It was another beautiful day so after church and a trip to Dunkin Donuts, they played in the leaves and rolled through the grass.  Then we went to Dragon Park to play on the huge playground.  Jin and Jon Campbell loved chasing each other, taking trips down the slide and rolling down the grassy hill again and again.  We ended this outing with a trip to Whole Foods in Green Hills.  We had to get a snack after all the fun.  Jin enjoyed his first taste of gellato.  He licked the bowl clean. 

     On the way home we were reminded of China's little regard for traffic safety, nor do they wear seat belts.  Jin was wearing a seat belt without a problem until he realized he could unclick the belt himself.  His big brother's "informant skills" (aka tattling!) came in handy that time as we drive down Hilsboro Road. 

First Trip to the Nashville Zoo

     Monday, the 16th, we all enjoyed a trip to the zoo.  Look at that smile!  Jin loved all the animals.  His favorite is the monkey.  He became very excited when he saw the zebras, too.  He had a ride on the merry go round with Grandma.  Oh, how he wanted to stay on that all afternoon.  Throughout this journey, many times we have been struck with the thought that Jin has never done this or that or Jin has never tasted things like whipped cream and the list goes on and on.  During our trip to China, Clint and I experienced a great deal of humility as we stood out like a sore thumb.  For awhile Jin will experience, taste, encounter and live out many experiences we have done forever.  My prayer is to remember how much we have and never to take anything for granted.  We have been given much and much will be required.  

Playing with a goat

     Jin could have played wit the goats all morning.  At first he was a little scared of the ones walking around free in the gated area, but when he saw the babies behind the fence he fell in love immediately.  He fed the baby goat straw, brushed its hair and petted it with a huge grin on his face the entire time. (Of course, he might of been thinking they are tasty with soy sauce, too!) Please note- Clint added that final line.

Arriving in Nashville, TN!

     Waiting for us to arrive in the airport was our Jon Campbell with his 2 grandmothers, Grandma and Baba along with sweet Donna and Peggy from church.  Cameras ready, eyes full of tears along with bright red, white and blue balloons bobbing in the air anticipating our descent down the steps when we introduced our Jin to his forever family.  Jon Campbell couldn't wait as he he met us half way up the stairs crying out, "Papa, Mama!"   He excitedly greeted his new brother with a hug and a huge smile and then handed him a stuffed teddy bear.  Jin in exchange gave Jon Campbell a new panda dressed in traditional Chinese clothes.

Adele and her boys

     After we arived home our neighbors, the Fitchels, came over to welcome us home.  WOW!  Jin had so much to explore and take in as did we.  Right off he dug into the toy basket downstairs and found some new treasures.  Buzz Lightyear was a hit. 

 Jin sees his bed for the 1st time

 

      Everyone was excited and a little tired, but that did not stop us form enjoying a snack together.  It had been 12 hours since we had a full meal.

 

     Around midnight we all had reached our limit and bedtime was in sight or so I thought :)  Teeth brushed;  pjs on; prayers said and in the bed.  It was a wonderful feeling to be home with both our boys as we tucked them in and passed out hugs and kisses and kisses and some more kisses.  Lights went out as Clint and I left the room.  "We love you both and no talking," were our last words.  We hurried off to bed too because the only thing holding up our eyes were toothpicks.  We were very earger to enjoy our own bed and matress and don't you know it....  We heard "Hee, heee, haaaaaa, giggle, giggle, heeee!"  There was a lull of quiet and then, " Haaaa, giggle, giggle, he, he, haaaaa!"  After 3 trips to their room of tough, sleepy, love and correction they both fell to sleep.  Clint was very confident they would fall asleep eventually.  He was right.  After 30 minutes they were out for the night.  Of course as I tucked myself in I couldn't help but to chuckle myself.  We have been waiting so very long to hear laughter in stero.  Thank you Lord for a double blessing.  

We're Back

We 3 from China

Leila, Jin and Lily

    

     Friday, November 13th, we all woke up excited to board Continental Flight 86.  Home was so close we could taste it.  Boy, we were very ready and anxious to return.  Please don't think that our trip was bad.  It was not at all.  Our trip to China was amazing and such a blessing!  The past 2 weeks felt like 2 months, we were very tired, longed to see Jon Campbell, our family and friends, sleep in our own bed and possibly eat some regular and familiar food.  Can you tell Clint is not fond of FISH :) 

     Our travel group, now 10 in total, flew from Shanghai, China to Newark, NJ.  We began our travel home with lunch from Burger King in the airport :)  Thank goodness our flight was running on time and the weather was good for the most part.  After alot of wiggle time, seat squirming and movie channel switching, Jin actually slept the last 6 hours of the flight.  It was a great to be back in the United States.  We were able to move very quickly thru Immigration as we handed over Jin's brown paper sealed Visa documents.  Minus a few pieces of paperwork, Jin Taylor Holloway is an American Citizen!  We anxiously retrieved our luggage and darted to the closest Continental Desk to confirm our connecting flight to Nashville.  We were home free; we thought.  Apparently our 8 PM flight was cancelled at 8 AM Friday morning for unknown reasons.  UGHHHH! Yes, we were tired, hungry and the hair did not look good at all and now we had no flight.  The next open flight was leaving Saturday, the 14th at 2 PM.  There was a possiblility to catch a standby flight leaving at 7:30 PM that night.  We quickly took an airtrain to terminal A along with a quick restroom stop, proceeded thru security again and husseled to our gate.  Thanks to the help of Gloria, a Continential Employee, we got the last 3 seats on the flight which should've left at 5:30 PM.  God is so good.  We were definitley going home Friday night.

USA Bound!

The Room is Ready

     Before we left for China a lot of scrambling was done to get the room ready for Jin's arrival.  After some thought and a little persuasion we decided that Jon Campbell and Jin would share a room.  All Jin has ever know was a room with other children as well as falling asleep with other children near him so we decided for now the boys would share.  Jon Campbell's first reaction to this idea was "But Jin will talk all night and I won't be able to sleep."  Kids are so funny! 

     Many of you know that Jon Campbell is a die hard Thomas the Tank Engine fan so naturally Thomas would be the theme of the new bedroom.  Baba, Adele's mother, made each of the boys a Thomas bed quilt.  New bedroom curtains are currently in production too.  Jon Campbell made a trip to Joann's with his Baba to help pick out the material.  That was an adventure.  Jin even received a Thomas the Tank Engine stuffed pillow for his bed.  The room received a painting facelift by our friend Mr. Steve along with a new fan and light fixture.  After a new rug for reading, new Thomas pictures for the walls and new sheets for Jin, the room is ready for a new brother to arrive. 

Shower of Blessings

Adele is blessed to work with a great group of volunteers in the Children's Ministry of Aspen Grove Christian Church.  Clint and Adele have been a part of this congregation for over 8 years now.  Our congregation has seen us through a multitiude of joyful and lifechanging events from our wedding, sugergy and the birth of Jon Campbell.  We are extrememly grateful to all of them for their continued love, support and life long friendships. 

Toot, Toot, Toot, the shower train arrived on Saturday, October 17th.  The theme was trains.  The boys' room is decked out in Thomas the Tank Engine decor.

Everyone had a great time and the food was wonderful!

Thank you for all the wonderful clothes, toys and gift cards.  It will all come in very handy as we prepare to meet Jin within weeks.

Jon Campbell was very excited too.  He and Jin got matching Christmas pjs.  Christmas is just around the corner and what an event that will be in the Holloway household!  Thank you friends for showering us with unbelieveable blessings of love and support.  We are very grateful.