Ringing in the New Year with Yong Ming

Jin's best buddy and playmate in the orphanage was Yong Ming.  Two newborns growing up together, there is a good chance they were in the same room.  Yong Ming, now named Joshua, was blessed with a forever family last summer.  He was adopted by wonderful people, Doug and Terrie Pilz, from Michigan.  The Pilz family had earlier adopted a little girl from the same orphanage. Her name is now Brianna and is approximately the same age. For more than a year all three of these children would have been together in the orphanage. We were told from the orphanage officials that Jin became very depressed and withdrawn when Joshua left.  Can you blame him?  He lost one of the people in his world he loved the most.  Doug and Terrie have been a blessing to us from the moment we received the first email.  Their wonderful advice, important information, wise experience and many prayers eased our anticiapted trip and adjustments with Jin.  We knew we had to meet and reunite the boys. What a blessing it was!    

We love to play

My dear, thoughtful husband loves surprises.  He is good at keeping them and this one was a doozy!  The Pilzs drove to Indiana to meet us! Yes, can you believe it?  Clint told Terrie we would be there for Christmas and wondered the possibility of meeting them half way?  After looking at the map they are only 4 hours away from goood 'ole Bluffton.  Jin was very excited and repeated Yong Ming's continuiously until his arrival.  Our entire family awaited this exciting event.  For Jin to see and spend time with his best buddy and "family" was going to be just perfect.  And perfect it was.  The boys seemed to pick up where they left off.  They played, laughed, ran around, colored, ate, hugged and read together just like brothers.  Jon Campbell didn't want to miss one bit and loved sitting next to Yong Ming for dinner.  As for the adults, we laughed, talked, talked some more and shared stories.  Yet again it was perfect!

Jin and Joshua

The sweet little girl in the picture below is Joshua's sister.  Brianna or "B" was adopted by the Pilzs when she was 14 months old.  B is from the same orphanage as the boys; it is likely that all 3 kids were in the same room as babies.    So we had a house full of 4 year olds- Brianna, Joshua, Jin and Jon Campbell. 

Merry Christmas 2009

"B", Jin, Joshua

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

TOGETHER AGAIN

Meeting more family

Jin met his Great Grandmother, Ferne Holloway, for the first time. Great Grandma Holloway is his Papa's Grandmother, and Jin's only living Great Grandparent. The mother of 12, Grandmother of nearly 30 and Grant Grandmother of an ever-growing clan, Ferne is the matriarch of the family, no but's about it.     

SAY CHEESE!

The boys with Great Grandma

OH, BOY!!!!

Clint, Jon Campbell, Great Grandma, Jin, Samuel and Uncle Clif

"Please read me Thomas."

Jin with Great, Great Aunt Marie

The boys never had a chance...

Uncle Boots terrorizing the boys

Who will win?

Our trips to Indiana must always include a visit to Decatur to see Uncle Boots and Aunt Marie. Uncle Boots is the brother of Clint's maternal Grandmother. It is always a treat to visit these dear, Godly people, full of wisdom and love.  Uncle Boots turned 90 this year, the last of his generation and one of the Greatest Generation who fought in World War II. He also has a great sense of humor which loves to banter back and forth with Clint.  Uncle Boots always wins with his zingers.  For our boys Uncle Boots and Aunt Marie represent a link to their history and heritage. AND Aunt Marie is the best cook ever!    

Uncle Clay, there are fun things to do in Bluffton!

During our Indiana Christmas celebration, Grandma made surprise arrangements for the boys which knocked their socks off!  Jin and Jon Campbell received a private tour of the Bluffton Fire Department from Fireman Tim.  They tried out Engine 101, along with the ladder and rescue trucks.  They absolutely loved the tour topped off with a ringing of the fire bell.  Jin was amazed while Jon Campbell was full of questions and added his own fire details from his classroom fieldtrip. 

Bluffton Fire Department

Jin and Jon Campbell with Fireman Tim

READY, AIM, FIRE!

Steps of the Bluffton County Courthouse

The Holloways hit the BIG SCREEN!

With it being so cold in Indiana, going to the movies was a great choice.   WOW!  Jin's eyes were as big as saucers when he saw the movie screen.  The theater was full for the showing of Alvin and the Chipmunks- The Squeakquel so we had to sit on the second row.  Sam was very excited as well because this was his first big screen adventure.  Armed with drinks, pretzels, crackers, a lot of popcorn (emphasis on a lot) plus soda, the boys were glued, for the most part, to the screen.  Those chipmunks are hilarious and Grandma enjoyed them too.

Simon, Alvin and Theodore

Christmas in Indiana

Grandpa and the boys

"Can we open the presents now?  PLEEEEEEEEASE, can we?"

Santa came to Bluffton instead of sleeping after the big day

Grandma and Aunt Tammy arranged for a special, surprise visitor to arrive for our family Christmas festivities.  We heard a knock, knock, knock at the front door Sunday morning.  Jin answered it to find Santa  awaiting with his arms full of gifts for all the boys.  Jin was very excited!

Playing with Uncle Pookums... He is the best toy unpackager/assembler

Batman with his Batcave along with the Space Shuttle were the highlights.  The boys played with all their new toys all week and enjoyed every minute.  It was a wonderful 2nd Christmas!

The Cousins- Jin, Sam & Jon Campbell

You want us to smile for another picture?  HA, HA, HA, HA!

Being a Connecticut gal myself I love the snow and wish we had more in Tennessee.  Seeing that my wish is not often granted I wish very hard and maybe throw in a few Hail Marys when we are in Indiana for Christmas.  Although, I believe I am the only one over the moon when the snow falls during our visit.  This Christmas my wish was granted once again!  We had a blast outside throwing snowballs and catching snowflakes on our tongues!

Mama, you better duck! 

Upon seeing the snow fall Jon Campbell exclaimed, "Mama, we got our Christmas wish!!"

Jin had a blast sweeping the snow

Jin was so happy to play in the snow.  Jon Campbell tried to hit him with a few snowballs, but Jin did not retaliate at all.  Jin found a broom on the front porch and amused himself sweeping off the sidewalk and cars.  Who would've thought?! 

Papa had to hold the boys in place for this picture!

Who has ants in their pants? Aunt Tammy or Jin?

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

The boys were a glow with excitement and wonder with Christmas just a short sleep away.  Christmas Eve we spent together at church where the kids watched the latest Veggie Tales story called St. Nicholas.  Check it out, it's great.   On our way home Christmas lights are a must with drive bys of our favorite locations.  After dinner with the little ones dressed in their new Christmas pjs Papa read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and the Christmas Story from the Bible.  With the boys calmly tucked in and prayers said they drifted off to sleep awaiting Santa Claus' arrival.  Clint and I starred in amazement at our lovely boys.  Again we are amazed how this year unfolded.  Jin is now our son, Jon Campbell has a brother and God has completed our family.  THANK YOU

and all thru the house

2 small creatures were stirring

with the help of a mouse

the stocking were hung

by the cardinal tree with care

in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there...

Stocking straight from China

Christmas Twins

Papa's boys on Christmas morning

I LOVE Thomas the Train

Now Buzz Lightyear has a buddy

"It's what we always wanted...  Thomas the Train Spin & Fix!"

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

A little flour, a few eggs and don't forget the butter...

and you get yummy, delicious cookies!  Every Christmas we bake cookies together with Ms. Kim from the Dining Hall.  It is a blast and decorating them is the best part.  Although more sprinkles and icing may end up on the floor the end results in many yummy Christmas cookies.  The best part is sharing them.  This year we took a huge plate of them to the Franklin Fire Department. 

The Two Happy Bakers

Brotherly Love & Working Together :)

Yummy!

December was a very busy month!

After being home for a couple weeks many Christmas festivities and "firsts" were headed Jin's way. 

1st Taste of "American" Chinese Noodles- Not too bad!

Helping Mama in the kitchen make mashed potatoes

Our church delivers lunch once a month to the Franklin Fire Department, just around the corner from the church, and we signed up for a "side".  Jin and Mama had fun in the kitchen, without too much mess, and whipped up the creamest, smoothest, best ever mashed potatoes.  He loved helping in the kitchen.  Watching the mixer whirl around was a lot of fun.

Jin's Gingerbread Garland

Jin and I headed downtown to the library for a "creative" activity to usher in Christmas.  He loved decorating his gingerbreadmen with glitter and sticky foam designs.  I was impressed with his detailed interest and intent.  Above you will find his final creation.  Then we went to Farmer's Market to scrounge up real Chinese noodles raman style at the International Market.  Jackpot!  Jin chose Manchurian and Schezwan.  Can you guess what we had for lunch?  NOODLES :)  Jin consumed 4 cups of milk with his noodles while hardly speaking a word.  Something was wrong... I tasted his noodles and found the answer.  THEY WERE SPICY HOT!!!!!!  Poor thing, he wanted noodles so badly he was willing to eat them spice and all.

Jin visits Jon Campbell's classroom after the Christmas Concert

Here comes Santa Claus right down Santa Claus Lane...

Jin grabs another "photo op" with Santa at Thomas' birthday party.  It was a great party full of cookies, milk and  a  story read by Santa. 

Our 1st visit to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center

We listened to magicial Christmas music with visits from the Grinch and Santa Claus.  The boys enjoyed the singing, stories and the amazing orchestra.  Thank you Owens for the tickets.  The symphony center is amazing. 

Jin's 1st Visit to MY GYM

The ball pit is great!

Jon Campbell has gone to MY GYM for a year now and absolutely loves it.  It has improved his confidence and gross motor skills in a big way.  Ms. Stacey, Ms. Kristen and Ms. Lindsey do an amazing job and encourage their students to do their best and try new things.  Jin had no idea what MY GYM would be, but it was obvious to all that it is amazing!

I've fallen and can't get up!

Jin runs, jumps, skips and hops all over the place and MY GYM was no different.  He was a tad shy and nervous without his socks, but within minutes he was in the thick of it all.  Jin was born with a right foot abnormality.  He is missing all his toes and a portion of his right foot.  Inspite of this Jin functions and lives life to its fullest.  You don't know what you are missing if you never had it to begin with.

Has anyone seen Jon Campbell?

Jin and Santa Claus for the 1st time

Open House held for Us 4

Sunday, December 6th, our family was showered with love, hugs, smiles, wonderful food and gifts to welcome us home and meet Jin.  Our dear friends, Peggy Myers, Donna Cummings and Pat Moneypenny, hosted this warm gathering.  Jin was armed with his beautiful smile, great hugs and growing English vocabulary.  Jin has never met a stranger.  You realize that after he jumps in your arms and plants a kiss on your cheek.  He continues to adjust very well while his vocabulary list grows with great confidence!

Getting a smooch from Ms. Peggy

A BIG HUG from Ms. Fran

Ms. Renee and Jin reading a magazine together

WOW!

Showing Ms. Kathy my truck

Jin and Caleb

Papa and the Huddlestons

Jin and the Coulters

Thank you very much Pat, Peggy, & Donna!