Steve showed up at our door at 10:00 am this morning with Zane’s passport. Our boy can come home!
We finished packing our bags and were out the door at 11:00.
Zane has been so full of energy the last few days - laughing and picking with his sisters. But today, once we were in the van and on the way to the airport, he became very withdrawn. He would hardly look at any of us. He knew we were leaving Shenyang and I think he realized he was leaving home. It was sad.
We ate lunch at a KFC in the airport and started through security at 1:00. I’m not positive but it looked to me like Steve was a little sad to see us go as we walked away. He gave me his email address and asked us to stay in touch.
Our flight was at 2:05 and was uneventful, thank goodness. We landed at Guangzhou International at 5:55.
After claiming our luggage, we saw a young lady holding up another “Henderson Family” sign. She was not to be our guide in Guangzhou but had been asked by our guide to come to the airport while he got everything situated with our rooms.
She told us that one of our agency families - Gary, Blair, Ridge and Kai Miller - was already there and waiting and that the other two families were on their way. It was SO good to see the Millers again. We hooked up with them very briefly in Beijing at the beginning of our trip but then went our separate ways.
A short time later, Jimmy, Stephanie and Maddox Pirckle showed up. One more family was coming but their flight didn’t arrive until around 8:00. So guess what we did? Our three families climbed into our very own charter bus for the ride to the White Swan. I found out on the bus that all four families have adopted boys - one is 18 months, one is 23 months, one is 36 months and one is 156 months.
When we climbed off the bus at the hotel, we met our guide, Elvin. Elvin was our guide in 2007 on Karys’ adoption trip. He remembered me and gave me a great big manly hug.
The White Swan is a nice hotel but the rooms here are s-m-a-l-l compared to our rooms during the first part of the trip. And the beds are smaller and hard as rocks. Waah. Do I sound like I’m whining yet?
Once the porter (poor guy) unloaded our luggage, we made a beeline for Lucy’s which stays open until 2:00 am. Lucy’s Cafe & Restaurant is an established Western-style restaurant in the old Shamian district of Guangzhou. Carmi and I both had a hamburger, Eliana had spaghetti, Karys ate congee and Zane? Well, we bought him some fish and chips but he wasn’t crazy at all about the fish.
Carmi wanted to stop at the 7-11 across from the hotel to get some water and, since we were there, some ice cream. We thought we’d died and gone to heaven.
Tomorrow morning we go for Zane’s medical exam at 9:30. Not sure what’s planned after that. Hopefully a trip to the Guangzhou electronics market!
I had feared that Zane would be very sad - and scared - when it was time to leave. I cried (big surprise) when I read your post about that. I’m just praying that God will tell him HOW MUCH HAPPINESS is awaiting him with his forever family. Please give him a hug from us - or let Eliana give him a hug - she can vouch for the extended family! We love y’all and pray that these final days in China will be smooth and happy ones. So thankful you now have his passport!
We’ve got to work with Eliana.
Steve told us that Zane said Eliana wouldn’t leave him alone and followed him everywhere.
We may not ask her to give him a hug just yet.
The White Swan is okay, but I’ve always thought it more hype than really worth it. Guess I don’t like doing things because everyone else is doing them :)
Good thing Zane is mourning because it shows he can form bonds, I always hope for a rough transition because it means better bonds later.
Take care
Heather BT
Glad to hear you are finally in Guangzhou. We love Elvin. We were with him this past November for Lily’s adoption. Please tell him that Jeff and Robin Starnes say “hello”. I am sorry to hear your rooms are small. The White Swan was the best hotel we stayed out while in China. We will keep everyone in our prayers, especially Zane.
No, the beds are not great by any means and yes, the rooms are tiny. I remember being so shocked when I saw this, but it didn’t take me long to completely forget about that when I saw the slippers beside the bed each night, saw the AMAZING breakfast buffet and ate at Lucy’s for the first time! That grilled cheese sandwich saved my life after I had food poisoning on my last day in Gracie’s province. I can’t wait to see pictures of your group together! You guys are going to have so much fun together, especially with all of those boys. I bet Ridge will be willing to share some DS games! Please give him and Kai a big hug from their Aunt Robin! Have fun, and shop, shop, shop!!!!
I’m like Kerry, I was so sad for Zane. For him this must compare to the early American pioneers who headed West and knew that they’d probably never see home or family again. I’ll be praying for him and for Eliana who likes the boys better than the girls. (Uh-oh the teenage years are coming Doug! Get out the gear to fend off all the suitors!) Learning to give each other “space” is a lesson for all families/parents/grandparents to learn. Perhaps when you get to LA the girls can go shopping and leave the guys to themselves.
Poor Zane! Our travel group was 8 families, all waiting children. 4 boys 4 girls. Hey, when do you all arrive in home?
We loved Lucy’s too! And we loved Elvin - we were there with the Starnes in November - we had such a great time filling out paperwork with him….....I’m ready to go back
:)
Praying for you!
One step closer to home. Elvin was also our guide in July. We LOVED him. Please tell him we said hello and that Emanuiel (Feng Feng) is doing great.
7-11 = good choice. If you eat the Dove bar and drink the Coke in the WS hotel, it will cost you 7 US dollars per day. Not that I would know from experience or anything…
My heart is sad for Zane. He is very brave. And he has no idea what joy still lies ahead for him!
Praying that Zane will not have a very long grieving period. It must be harder on him being the age he is.
Did Karys remember the White Swan from when you had been there with her? Just wondering since she was a little older, but still young at the time.
Have fun at Lucy’s. We love it too and can’t wait until we get back!
My heart broke for Zane, I’m sure he’s very sad and scared. We’re praying for him and all of you! Enjoy Guangzhou!!
Our Rachel, age 5 HANGS on her big brother Trevor, 16, so I get it!! It’s just part of being an older brother with a little sissy… =) Good luck! LOL…
The Corzine’s
I remember meeting your family at that very same restaurant in china. Ahh… memories. Hope you all have a wonderful time once again in Guangzhou.
I am so sad for Zane, but know that God will help him heal through the love his new family will give him. Tell him the Eliana waited a long time for her loved big brother & that’s why she follows him everywhere!
I think that some in our travel group at at Lucy’s every night after we got back from our group dinner!!! :)
See you soon!!!
April, we get back to Charlotte on Sunday the 15th, I think around 6:30ish.
Zane was doing some better by the time we went to dinner. Back to his teasing self. He does really well with Karys, making sure she does not go where she should not, holding her hand and oh yeah, teasing her too! It is hard not being able to communicate as well as we do with the girls. Eliana did some better today about being right in his face. We made sure she did not sit right by him.
Tara, I saw a Snickers bar at the 7-11. I am going back to get on today!
It will be interesting once we get home to try to figure out what Zane will eat. He does not like sweets that much, which is good but he has also never had cheese, I have not seen any here till we got to Lucy’s last night. Some of the other boys from his SWI don’t like cheese so that will be an adjustment for me in my cooking. Thankfully I do have a Chinese cook book w/authentic recipes that my grandmother used. I’m going to pull it out and visit the Asian market at home.
It’s gotta be so hard for a child of Zane’s age to leave his home. Thankfully, you’re experienced parents and will be able to help him deal with this.
Elvin was such a great guy AND a great guide. He would probably remember our huge family with our three huge sons and two beautiful daughters, so tell him Eric and Kelly Buth and their big old family said “hi!” (we were only in his care for three days back in June/July of last year).
Glad you’re in GZ, that means you’re close to coming home!
Robin, it seems like only yesterday that we met you and Marty and Maddy. Our little girls have come a long way since that first meeting.
Will be praying for Zane! I am reliving my time in GZ through you all! Lucy’s made the best grilled cheese sandwich…or maybe it was just because I was half starved! Eat something yummy from the WS buffet for me. They had these great parfait things- not sure what it was- it was in a tall glass with some fresh creme and some kind of fruit. It was great and had one every morning. Loved Elvin, too!
I can only imagine what it is like for Zane having to leave the only place that he has ever lived for someplace so completely different. I’m sure how ever once he gets here that he will realize that we really are a great bunch of people to be around and as his Aunt I am really looking forward to meeting him. Even if we may only be able to talk through an electronic translator. I’m sure that he will catch on to English quickly. How could you have left the Snickers bar behind even if just for one day?? I hope that the rest of the trip goes well and am praying for your safe return.
Oh how I loved the WS! Eat some of their wonderful french toast for me. Would you believe that I never ate at Lucy’s? I was always so full from breakfast that I skipped lunch and ate out with the group for supper. Have fun shopping!
Praying for Zane.
I know that food was a big thing for Andon for awhile. He ate loads of KFC and McDonald’s there in China but as soon as he got here he ate little—even of McDonald’s and KFC. I know some of the food was probably foreign to him at first but I also feel that he was expressing how he didn’t feel “at home” or was uncomfortable. I would take him to the store at first and just let him pick out anything he’d eat because I was afraid he’d starve, he was eating so little. After a week or 2 or 3 of this, he finally started eating just what was set before him and now thinks I’m a great cook (telling by how much he eats now). I’m glad that he and Zane have had some chances to talk. Maybe it’ll make the transition easier for Zane. It’s a big change even for these older kids who understand a little more. We’re here if you need us. Time should go by quickly for you all now! We’re excited for you to be home.
Madison is like Eliana - she has wanted to love, hug, cuddle, etc. etc. on Macy and Macy hates it…...........really hates it…............so we have to go to lengths to keep them apart…..............it is getting a little better - Madison has learned a little restraint and Macy is getting a little more used to Madison…........part of it is that Madison waited for so long for Macy and she just cries when she tries to love on her and Macy fusses - she says “but I just want to show her how much I love her”........
Can you ask the interpreter to find out what Chinese foods Zane likes? Also does he have any favorite veggies—green beans, lotus, chinese cabbage, etc? Fortunately you have that nice C. restaurant near your home. If you would like I can make some Congee for the children and take it to your house Sunday after church.