To Mrs Coppin,
Esther liked watching T.V on the plane and she said she liked padington bear the best.
I haven't seen any pandas yet but I will see some after the boat.
I bet you are getting ready for your boys.
Love from Martha xxxx
Friday 29 May 2009
Thursday 28 May 2009
An extra day in Wuhan
It's Thursday today and we are still in Wuhan. Stayed an extra day here due to a little mix up with dates on our boat booking. It was actually good to have a rest day after yesterday and we all slept soundly and didn't wake until 9am!! It has rained a lot today so we just chilled in the hotel and went for a swim. I taught Marthie to play Patience and she must have played it about 50 times since!!
We went shopping tonight so Esther could see the fish(!) and to stock up on supplies for the boat trip. We are going on a boat that is "not the one the foreigners go on"(Janet's words!) so won't have any Western food, hence stocking up on crisps and biscuits for Het. There's only so much noodles and clean rice that even this girl can eat! Marthie loves trying all the unusual stuff and has had amazing things for breakfast each morning.
Been reflecting quite a lot today on our trip to Wuxue. I keep thinking of things I wish I'd asked, but I'm confident now that if we keep up the contact with e mails and photos, future trips back when Martha is a bit older will build on all that happened yesterday. Martha has talked very matter of factly about it all....she said "the goodest bit was going on the motorbike". I'm sure her memories of yesterday will be important as she grows up and tries to understand her story.
(Note to Lesley and John.. I tried asking about Ali's foster Mum but they were very reluctant to tell me anything. They kept saying,"Yes, lovely Australian family! They came last year." )
So, off on the boat trip tomorrow. We have a 5 hour road journey to get to the boat....bit more Mulan 2 and Mamma Mia!!
We will be on the boat until Monday morning. We hope to have internet access on the boat, but if we go silent on you you'll know why! Can't wait to see the gorges and the beautiful scenery on the boat-it's the bit of China I've always dreamed of seeing.
Grahamtwohands- we have been thinking of you and hope your op went really well.
Thanks to all who have put comments on the blog...it's great to read them and brilliant for the girls to have contact with home.
Lots of love from us all.
We went shopping tonight so Esther could see the fish(!) and to stock up on supplies for the boat trip. We are going on a boat that is "not the one the foreigners go on"(Janet's words!) so won't have any Western food, hence stocking up on crisps and biscuits for Het. There's only so much noodles and clean rice that even this girl can eat! Marthie loves trying all the unusual stuff and has had amazing things for breakfast each morning.
Been reflecting quite a lot today on our trip to Wuxue. I keep thinking of things I wish I'd asked, but I'm confident now that if we keep up the contact with e mails and photos, future trips back when Martha is a bit older will build on all that happened yesterday. Martha has talked very matter of factly about it all....she said "the goodest bit was going on the motorbike". I'm sure her memories of yesterday will be important as she grows up and tries to understand her story.
(Note to Lesley and John.. I tried asking about Ali's foster Mum but they were very reluctant to tell me anything. They kept saying,"Yes, lovely Australian family! They came last year." )
So, off on the boat trip tomorrow. We have a 5 hour road journey to get to the boat....bit more Mulan 2 and Mamma Mia!!
We will be on the boat until Monday morning. We hope to have internet access on the boat, but if we go silent on you you'll know why! Can't wait to see the gorges and the beautiful scenery on the boat-it's the bit of China I've always dreamed of seeing.
Grahamtwohands- we have been thinking of you and hope your op went really well.
Thanks to all who have put comments on the blog...it's great to read them and brilliant for the girls to have contact with home.
Lots of love from us all.
Messages from the girls
Dear all my Friends, I've been to the Great Wall of China and it's really long.Yesterday I went to my orphanage, I saw my Foster Mother and had a ride on her motorbike.Wan Mae, I saw your Foster Mother.I told her that we are still friends but I don't steel your bisects(biscuits) any moor. Thanks for sending me comments I love getting them. Love Martha xxx
Deu rebecca i mis yo i can hav u pladat but one rtu China.(Dear Rebecca I miss you. I can have a playdate but only after China). luv estherxxxxxxxxxxx
Deu rebecca i mis yo i can hav u pladat but one rtu China.(Dear Rebecca I miss you. I can have a playdate but only after China). luv estherxxxxxxxxxxx
Wednesday 27 May 2009
A day in Wuxue
Today was probably the day we most anticipated with all sorts of jumbled up hopes and fears. We were glad that we were at least going with some form of permission from the Hubei province government officials, but Janet (our guide) prepared us that we might still not be allowed in by the orphanage director. The permission might at least get us an opportunity to meet them outside in say a restaurant.
The first 14 months of Martha's life have always been distant and we wanted to touch them properly - and so today was that chance.
We headed off early (8am) for the 3 hour bus ride. Thanks goodness for portable DVD's and snacks. I loved the journey. The landscape was full of paddy fields, tended by farmers with water buffalo. The red earth mixed with the green vegetation, punctuated with flat-top houses with their red couplets around the doorways. Motorbikes were ridden by men with mobile phones and sometimes more than 1 passenger. I quite fancied a go on one, but I'm not sure I'd handle the randomness of the road junctions.
When we got to Wuxue, we were taken to a hotel lobby and within a few minutes, 4 officials from the orphanage arrived. The male director, 2 'other' female directors and Martha's foster mother. It was all a bit uneasy at first, and no-one seemed sure what we should be talking about. We launched into giving pictures and gifts, and they duly took them and responded politely. Fortunately, a meal was going to help settle us and we spent over an hour sharing food and passing messages to and fro through Janet.
Martha's foster mother seemed to relax over time. As she sat next to Martha I sensed she was pleased to be here, and she shared a couple of her memories of Martha with us.
Wan Mae's foster mother also joined us for the meal, along with her daughter. (Note to Phil + Wan - Alex managed to pass on the photo's + note successfully!).
After the meal M's foster mother was about to take her to the orphanage on her scooter. We settled for a quick spin around the front of the hotel, followed by a ride for Esther as well (of course!). Although we asked several times whether we could go to the orphanage, were were not going to get beyond the front gate, so we had to settle for a final visit with our hosts there.
We were told that Martha actually spent most of her time with the foster mother, so inside the orphanage was actually not as important to see. We asked whether we could see the foster mother's house, but this was also not allowed. They promised to email photos, and who knows, maybe another day in years to come we could visit.
Being outside the orphanage was probably the most moving as this was also Martha's finding place. Just over 7.5 years ago, someone either known by or part of her birth family brought her here to be looked after. No parent can do or allow that without pain. They will always carry some sense of loss and wonder what happened to her. I wish I could have turned around from that spot and nodded to them that she was OK. We will do our best for her and give her the family you were not allowed to.
We said our goodbyes.
We travelled off for a couple of minutes. I asked to stop for a photo of the Yangtze. We climbed a ridge and could see the famous river through some houses. I hope that we can come back here again and go a little bit further next time.
Martha has not said much about the visit. She seemed happy to get back to a Mulan2 DVD in the bus. I didn't expect her to really. Today has been a lot to ask of a 7 year old.
I love you Martha and am so proud of you for facing your world.
G
Picture outside Wuxue orphanage : L to R
Foster Mother, A, E, G, director, Wan Mae's Foster Mother, M, 'other' director
The first 14 months of Martha's life have always been distant and we wanted to touch them properly - and so today was that chance.
We headed off early (8am) for the 3 hour bus ride. Thanks goodness for portable DVD's and snacks. I loved the journey. The landscape was full of paddy fields, tended by farmers with water buffalo. The red earth mixed with the green vegetation, punctuated with flat-top houses with their red couplets around the doorways. Motorbikes were ridden by men with mobile phones and sometimes more than 1 passenger. I quite fancied a go on one, but I'm not sure I'd handle the randomness of the road junctions.
When we got to Wuxue, we were taken to a hotel lobby and within a few minutes, 4 officials from the orphanage arrived. The male director, 2 'other' female directors and Martha's foster mother. It was all a bit uneasy at first, and no-one seemed sure what we should be talking about. We launched into giving pictures and gifts, and they duly took them and responded politely. Fortunately, a meal was going to help settle us and we spent over an hour sharing food and passing messages to and fro through Janet.
Martha's foster mother seemed to relax over time. As she sat next to Martha I sensed she was pleased to be here, and she shared a couple of her memories of Martha with us.
Wan Mae's foster mother also joined us for the meal, along with her daughter. (Note to Phil + Wan - Alex managed to pass on the photo's + note successfully!).
After the meal M's foster mother was about to take her to the orphanage on her scooter. We settled for a quick spin around the front of the hotel, followed by a ride for Esther as well (of course!). Although we asked several times whether we could go to the orphanage, were were not going to get beyond the front gate, so we had to settle for a final visit with our hosts there.
We were told that Martha actually spent most of her time with the foster mother, so inside the orphanage was actually not as important to see. We asked whether we could see the foster mother's house, but this was also not allowed. They promised to email photos, and who knows, maybe another day in years to come we could visit.
Being outside the orphanage was probably the most moving as this was also Martha's finding place. Just over 7.5 years ago, someone either known by or part of her birth family brought her here to be looked after. No parent can do or allow that without pain. They will always carry some sense of loss and wonder what happened to her. I wish I could have turned around from that spot and nodded to them that she was OK. We will do our best for her and give her the family you were not allowed to.
We said our goodbyes.
We travelled off for a couple of minutes. I asked to stop for a photo of the Yangtze. We climbed a ridge and could see the famous river through some houses. I hope that we can come back here again and go a little bit further next time.
Martha has not said much about the visit. She seemed happy to get back to a Mulan2 DVD in the bus. I didn't expect her to really. Today has been a lot to ask of a 7 year old.
I love you Martha and am so proud of you for facing your world.
G
Picture outside Wuxue orphanage : L to R
Foster Mother, A, E, G, director, Wan Mae's Foster Mother, M, 'other' director
Tuesday 26 May 2009
An emotional roller coaster!
We travelled down from Beijing to Wuhan yesterday(Monday). It is rainy and cool, but's actually a relief after the heat of Beijing.It felt amazing to touch down in Martha's home province and we were remembering how emotional we felt when we flew her out of Hubei 6 and a half years ago. Chris's sister Tao Qui (Janet) met us at the airport. She is just the same...larger than life and has kept us laughing! The girls were shattered and fell asleep as soon as we got in the mini bus. Once we had them in bed, Janet had a chat with us. She said that unfortunately, on Friday, the authorities had issued a decree to all the orphanages in China that no adoptions were to be carried out and no orphanage visits allowed because of swine flu. She and Chris had both spoken with Wuxue orphange about us visiting on Wednesday, but the director was afraid to disobey the rule, so we would not be able to visit. He said he would not even be able to meet us off site.
The only way that he would agree to the visit would be for us to get "special papers" from Civil Affairs giving authority for it. Janet seemed doubtful about us getting it but said we would go to Civil Affairs on Tuesday am to "plead with them". We felt so downhearted when we went to bed!!
I woke up at midnight with jet lag and had a good old cry. Wuxue orphanage will relocate and shut it's current building in a few months and so this is Martha's last chance to see it. That is why we came now.....I couldn't help feeling,"You owe her this!" I've rarely prayed so hard!
Weds
The girls slept thro for the first time and Marthie woke up full of beans, asking me excitedly...."Are we going to my orphanage today Mummy?". I tried to explain what is happening and how important this morning was. Bless her, she put her best dress and shoes on and held her head up high.
When we got to Civil Affairs, Janet set to work talking with one of the officials.(I think she told them we've been in China for 3 weeks and nobody has been ill!!! )While she was talking, I noticed a lady walking into a neighbouring office. I recognised her as the lady who did our adoption of Martha and remembered her especially because she was very caring and had told us that the adoption was special for her because Wuxue was her home town. Janet called her over and she and Martha had a lovely reunion. She then joined in the negotiation and after a lot of talking, looking at our adoption certificate and Janet telling them they were the best Civil Affairs dept in China(!) Janet was given a form to fill in. As she filled it in she looked over at us, grinned and put her thumb up. I wanted to shout out with relief.
So.... the orphanage will receive faxed authorisation today and then it's up to them if they let us go into the building. The worst outcome will be a meeting off site, but compared to where we were last night, I'll settle for that! Janet is phoning the director later to ask if we can go inside, see M's foster parents, look at her orphanage file and go to the abandonment site. For all of you who said big prayers - THANK YOU!
We spent the rest of the day chilling as we have a long day tomorrow as the journey is 3.5 hours each way. We took the girls to a local supermarket to get supplies for tomorrow. It was wonderful to watch them having their fruit weighed and choosing sweets. Martha is not put off in the slightest when people jabber away to her in Chinese - she just smiles away and says what she can in Chinese back to them, She seems so proud to be here, but I'm sure there are a whole range of emotions and feelings buzzing about. We feel pretty emotional so can't imagine what it must be like for the girls.
Het is a lot happier today and has even started saying hello and goodbye in chinese. Still off her food a bit, but that is the bit that always goes haywire if she is out of sorts. She made us laugh in the Supermarket. There were lots of live fish swimming around in tanks as well as live turtles and frogs. She was delighted and we couldn't get her away...I think she thought she was in Seapets!!
Martha says," Hope Auntie Brennie's wedding went well and I liked it at Civil Affairs"
Esther said (to Gra) "It's my fault it's raining Daddy. Yesterday when I was so hot, I said a little prayer to God to ask him to make it cold. He listens to me doesn't he!"
We all send lots of love!
The only way that he would agree to the visit would be for us to get "special papers" from Civil Affairs giving authority for it. Janet seemed doubtful about us getting it but said we would go to Civil Affairs on Tuesday am to "plead with them". We felt so downhearted when we went to bed!!
I woke up at midnight with jet lag and had a good old cry. Wuxue orphanage will relocate and shut it's current building in a few months and so this is Martha's last chance to see it. That is why we came now.....I couldn't help feeling,"You owe her this!" I've rarely prayed so hard!
Weds
The girls slept thro for the first time and Marthie woke up full of beans, asking me excitedly...."Are we going to my orphanage today Mummy?". I tried to explain what is happening and how important this morning was. Bless her, she put her best dress and shoes on and held her head up high.
When we got to Civil Affairs, Janet set to work talking with one of the officials.(I think she told them we've been in China for 3 weeks and nobody has been ill!!! )While she was talking, I noticed a lady walking into a neighbouring office. I recognised her as the lady who did our adoption of Martha and remembered her especially because she was very caring and had told us that the adoption was special for her because Wuxue was her home town. Janet called her over and she and Martha had a lovely reunion. She then joined in the negotiation and after a lot of talking, looking at our adoption certificate and Janet telling them they were the best Civil Affairs dept in China(!) Janet was given a form to fill in. As she filled it in she looked over at us, grinned and put her thumb up. I wanted to shout out with relief.
So.... the orphanage will receive faxed authorisation today and then it's up to them if they let us go into the building. The worst outcome will be a meeting off site, but compared to where we were last night, I'll settle for that! Janet is phoning the director later to ask if we can go inside, see M's foster parents, look at her orphanage file and go to the abandonment site. For all of you who said big prayers - THANK YOU!
We spent the rest of the day chilling as we have a long day tomorrow as the journey is 3.5 hours each way. We took the girls to a local supermarket to get supplies for tomorrow. It was wonderful to watch them having their fruit weighed and choosing sweets. Martha is not put off in the slightest when people jabber away to her in Chinese - she just smiles away and says what she can in Chinese back to them, She seems so proud to be here, but I'm sure there are a whole range of emotions and feelings buzzing about. We feel pretty emotional so can't imagine what it must be like for the girls.
Het is a lot happier today and has even started saying hello and goodbye in chinese. Still off her food a bit, but that is the bit that always goes haywire if she is out of sorts. She made us laugh in the Supermarket. There were lots of live fish swimming around in tanks as well as live turtles and frogs. She was delighted and we couldn't get her away...I think she thought she was in Seapets!!
Martha says," Hope Auntie Brennie's wedding went well and I liked it at Civil Affairs"
Esther said (to Gra) "It's my fault it's raining Daddy. Yesterday when I was so hot, I said a little prayer to God to ask him to make it cold. He listens to me doesn't he!"
We all send lots of love!
Monday 25 May 2009
An update at last!
Hi everyone,
We're alive and well and settling into a new time zone! This morning we were all drinking tea and watching Mulan 2 at 01:30am!!!
It's really hot, so Martha is running between bits of shade whenever we are out.
Yesterday Chris took us to the Forbidden City and Great Wall which was fun. It has been great to see Chris again and he is amazed at how the girls have grown. Chris has also got a group of Dutch families out here who are adopting....... it's like deja vous!
We have not been able to log onto the blog out here so Alex's Mum is kindly going to do it remotely for us.
We're just off to do some shopping in the silk market and then this afternoon we fly down to Wuhan. Chris has said that "a lady" (presumably at Civil Affairs) has told him..."Just go to the orphanage"...so we are going to give it a go!
Martha says....."Today we are going to Wuhan on an aeroplane and I'm going to play UNO on the way. I think China is great but a bit hot!
Mummy is the only person with blonde hair that we've seen!"
Esther says..." Today I feel a bit funny...my tummy feels funny"
( I think the shock of the journey and being away has caught up with Het today...she's a bit off her food and tearful)
Anyway, we will report again from Wuhan!
Take care
The Souths
We're alive and well and settling into a new time zone! This morning we were all drinking tea and watching Mulan 2 at 01:30am!!!
It's really hot, so Martha is running between bits of shade whenever we are out.
Yesterday Chris took us to the Forbidden City and Great Wall which was fun. It has been great to see Chris again and he is amazed at how the girls have grown. Chris has also got a group of Dutch families out here who are adopting....... it's like deja vous!
We have not been able to log onto the blog out here so Alex's Mum is kindly going to do it remotely for us.
We're just off to do some shopping in the silk market and then this afternoon we fly down to Wuhan. Chris has said that "a lady" (presumably at Civil Affairs) has told him..."Just go to the orphanage"...so we are going to give it a go!
Martha says....."Today we are going to Wuhan on an aeroplane and I'm going to play UNO on the way. I think China is great but a bit hot!
Mummy is the only person with blonde hair that we've seen!"
Esther says..." Today I feel a bit funny...my tummy feels funny"
( I think the shock of the journey and being away has caught up with Het today...she's a bit off her food and tearful)
Anyway, we will report again from Wuhan!
Take care
The Souths
Thursday 21 May 2009
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Swine flu!
We are getting packed and sorting out last minute things, but having a bit of stress because we have been told by Chris(our friend in China)that he has been informed by the Civil Affairs(the local government) in Wuhan that we will not be allowed to go to Martha's orphanage because of swine flu precautions. Bit of a blow really, as this was the main reason for our trip! We aren't giving up though,and Chris is continuing to negotiate with Civil Affairs for us. We may have to meet the orphanage staff off site, but we so wanted Martha to see the building and where she stayed as a baby, before they relocate. When we are in China, we are going to the Civil Affairs Office(this was where we met Martha when we adopted her). This will be on the day before our planned trip to the orphanage, so we might just have to BEG!
Esther had her plaster of paris taken off today(broken elbow!) and had her Hepatitis jab, so she's much more excited about the trip now! She does not want to go to visit her orphanage on this trip and "will do it when I'm seven".
So...two more days of school. Martha has a hard goodbye to say on Thursday.... her wonderful teacher is leaving at the end of the week (to become a mummy!)... M is going to miss her dreadfully!
I looked at the weather forecast forBeijing the next 5 days are 31 degrees and sunny(aka smoggy!). Yippeee!
Saturday 16 May 2009
6 sleeps to go ...
Welcome to a little journal of our family trip to China.
We love China, where Martha and Esther were born and have been hoping to go back for some time. We were inspired to go now since hearing that Martha's orphange in Wuxue is relocating this year. We are hoping to visit it together as a family for the first time.
We've also lined up plenty of other fun things including a 4 day boat trip on the Yangtze, a train journey, visit to the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, a Buddhist temple, a trip to see the Pandas in Chengdu and of course, plenty of shopping !
So a few more days at school and work, a bit of packing and we'll be off !
Hope you enjoy the journey !
We love China, where Martha and Esther were born and have been hoping to go back for some time. We were inspired to go now since hearing that Martha's orphange in Wuxue is relocating this year. We are hoping to visit it together as a family for the first time.
We've also lined up plenty of other fun things including a 4 day boat trip on the Yangtze, a train journey, visit to the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, a Buddhist temple, a trip to see the Pandas in Chengdu and of course, plenty of shopping !
So a few more days at school and work, a bit of packing and we'll be off !
Hope you enjoy the journey !
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