Quick update

With a slow internet connection, a slow computer, and the need to get around a firewall, posting is time-consuming.  Sorry for the lack of updates.  Everything is going great!  Christian has calmed down a bit but is still very busy.  He is very sweet and affectionate and surprisingly easy to get to sleep -- a time we really look forward to after a long day of keeping up with him!!  Today we are visiting his orphanage.  He lived with a foster family, and we don't know how much time he really spent at the orphanage; so it may not mean much to him.  Please pray that it isn't traumatic. 

We have done FaceTime with the other kids several times, and he gets very excited and tells them "hello" and all sorts of other things we don't understand.  Having the older children here with us has been a huge help.  He loves doing things with them and doesn't want to walk anywhere without either both boys or both girls holding his hands.  Thankfully, he doesn't mind when they leave though. 

We're doing fine with communication.  He already understands quite a bit and is picking up English words.  One of his favorites is "Oh yeah!!" Yesterday he was singing "B-I-N-G-O" with the girls, and we've heard him count to at least five and sing something resembling the ABC song.  I think he will be fine with school if we can just get him to sit down!  He has nice manners and says "Thank you" in both English and Mandarin all the time.  Table manners are another story entirely!

We enjoyed the hotel's rooftop pool on Tuesday.  Christian was a little hesitant at first, but he soon made his way in (in the safety of Dad's arms) and loved it!!  He will be so excited to see that we have one at home! 

The kids are having a blast.  Everywhere we go in the van, they sit in the back and wave to everyone we pass.  And we pass a LOT of people -- some of them within inches of our van.  Some wave back, some stare in disbelief (probably don't see all that many blonde teenagers waving frantically from a van), and one man blew them kisses while doing some sort of dance and never missing a beat with his hula hoop!! 

Tomorrow we are switching to a different hotel.  We've enjoyed our time on the island, but two more families with our agency arrive tomorrow; and the agency wanted us all together in a different hotel.  Looking forward to a change of scenery -- and a larger room! 

We've said it before, and we'll say it again -- it's truly amazing how quickly a child can make his way into your heart and feel like he has always been there.  We have some work to do with rules and such, but he is a perfect addition to our family!!