A great dinner with a wonderful Yangzhou family..

Here is the family who so graciously hosted a dinner for Kennedy and James. They met their son David when they visisted the Language school. David lives at the school all week and than heads home on the weekend. He is not allowed to do anything but study and do homework during the week. No TV, toys etc. Those are for his weekends. David is 12 years old. They had chinese meatballs, Yangzhou fried rice, Dumplings in Duck Soup, Fried Bean and Crab Paste and Fruit for dessert. James said it was delicious. Thank you to the family for being so gracious.

Party in the Park-Puppets, Kites, Paper cutting, Lion Dances and Yangzhou Fried Rice

Here are some pictures of their fabulous day in the park

More pictures from the orphanage

Here are a few pictures of a little autistic boy in the orphanage. He wanted Kennedy to play with him..and that she did. He was very happy to meet her.



This is a picture of a poster the orphanage had made of all the children's baby pictures who had come to Yangzhou for the re-union. They had written their names in Chinese and had each girl write their names under their pictures. Kennedy's is above her head to the right and the picture with the ladies are some nannies who are still there after 13 years....they remembered Kennedy "Dongni".

Here are some pictures from the orphanage..WARNING...Kids are adorable!!

I know...don't you want to bring them all home! I know I do...

More pics to come,
Karen

I love you Kennedy...you mean the world to me! Welcome home...

My wish would be for all those children who remain in the the orphanages of the world to one day find a family to call their own. Every child is entitled to that. I know that is a huge wish but..one family at a time...a child's world changes and so does their families.

Our world was forever changed six times and we are so lucky to have them in our lives. Kennedy, Madison, Jagger, Colby, Jaden and Presley - life would be so different without you in our lives and in our hearts. We love you!!

The songs that I have included above are very touching to me...Cinderella song really hits home with me..as sometimes with day to day stuff with all the kids..we sometimes lose the focus how important each passing moment truly is..I have to step back sometimes and think that soon they will grow up and those special times that I let slip by will be no more..Cherish each moment...I try to!

Hugs,
Mom & Dad

Returning to Beijing, Kennedy's baby picture and goodbye's..

And here she is.. Kennedy's earliest baby picture....what an angel...what a beautiful thing to have.



This article was in the China Daily News, it was about the group going to Yangzhou.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-03/18/content_7588666.htm

Well James and Kennedy are relaxing in the hotel in Beijing after a quieter day. They left Yangzhou and said goodbye one more time and headed to Beijing. They left around 11am and arrived in Beijing around 1:30pm.

They got to the hotel and than had something to eat. They went shopping at silk road and than had dinner.

Now they do their final packing...are watching TV in English and just relaxing. They are now getting into ..Let's head home mode.

It has been an incredible journey to Yangzhou and we cannot thank all the wonderful people who helped to make this possible for Kennedy. She would not have experienced all she did if not for you. For that we are so greatful.

I will post more pictures on the blog once James is home and we can download them from the camera...he has 4gig worth of pics...

They should arrive at Pierre Elliott Trudeau around 10:33pm Sunday night...they start their journey home...Sunday morning 4am our time....a long way but man was it worth it.

Hopefully one day we as a family can make the journey and bring all of our children to each of their provinces and towns and let them experience a little of what Kennedy and James have. We will need to take a 2nd mortgage to do it..considering the flight alone would cost about $12,000...so we need to win the lotto first...

Thank you for coming along with us on Kennedy's trip to Yangzhou...come back and visit as I will post more pictures.




Hugs,
Karen

Handprints for the Orphanage

I forgot to share that when the kids were at the orphanage they had them all make an imprint of their hand. The orphanage indicated that they were going to make a wall with all of the kids hands on it as it was to mark their 20th anniversary and the celebration they had enjoyed together. How cool is that. Our children's personal mark will be left in Yangzhou. I thought that was touching...

Just wanted to share,
Karen