Our New Normal....

Dear Friends,
     It is January fourth.  I can't believe that Phillip has been home for around 5 months!  Althought we certainly have our bumps, we're amazed at how well he is doing in such a short period of time.  Our last blog post was on August 7th.  I'll try to update you on the major events that have occurred since then.

* July 25th:   We left Spokane to travel Shepherd's Field near Beijing where we met Phillip.

*August 9th:  We flew into Spokane in the early evening.  Phillip played games on the Ipad for most of the 13 hour flight.  Although Kyle and I were a little gun shy after our last turbulent flight home from China in 2010, we were able to sleep a bit.  It was wonderful to finally bring Phillip home and to introduce him to many of the family and friends that had prayed for him for 16 months.  He loved meeting the crowd that greeted us at the airport.

*August 12:  Brit and Kyle left to return to Corban University.  Phillip was sad to see them go.  In the weeks to follow, he often said, "I only one person at home."

*August 22:  Jamie, Jeremy, Grace and Lucy, and Mom came to visit.  Phillip got to go to Silverwood Theme Park and to Riverfront Park with the girls.  He loved floating in the lazy river with Grace and Lucy.  Unfortunately, he cut his foot on the concrete and that wound still hasn't healed right.  He loved the ferris wheel and screamed like a little girl everytime we got to the top.

*Our neighbors, the Blews, invited us out to their lake cabin on Twin Lakes, Idaho, where Brit and Kyle got to spend many fun summer days while they were growing up as well.  It was so fun to see Phillip laughing and playing in the water where he has more physical freedom.  We cautiously started him in the shallow water near the beach, but he quickly progressed to playing on a paddle board farther out in the lake.  He and many friends spent hours wrestling and tipping the paddle board and getting back on the board again.  We were blessed by the teens that played with him and carried him to the water and back up to the deck over and over again.  He met Dawson Blew and some other boys from school at the lake.

*September 7th:  We went to Paula's with Phillip.  She had all of the grand-doggies and the last two of the puppies at her house.  Although we just went to let Phillip play with the dogs, we ended up accepting Bill and Paula's offer to give Rusty to Phillp.  A golden retriever , Rusty adores Phillip.  If he gets in trouble, he hides under the wheelchair.  He is a smart, loving puppy and a good buddy for Phillip!

*School started the first week of September.  Prior to the first day of class, Phillip seemed really nervous and excited at the same time.  He later told me that he feared that people would spit on him because he was new and Chinese and in a wheelchair.  Phillip is really smart.  He is reading English at the first grade level and completing fifth grade math without much assistance.

September 28th:  Karl, Phillip, and I traveled to Corban University for Parent's Weekend.  Phillip got to see the campus and the dorms and to meet many of the students that had been praying for him.  He loved hanging out with Kyle and Brit and seeing their school year home.
 
*We discovered that Phillip had two pressure sores.  Phillip spent the next two months attempting to avoid putting weight and pressure on his bottom.  Karl and I bought a futon for the classroom.  Phillip could come to school, but he had to sort of lay on the futon to do his work.  We spent the next two months checking the wounds and changing the bandages twice daily.

*Theresa Skinner of Team St. Lukes loaned Phillip a more compact wheelchair and roho cushions to help prevent further pressure sores.

*October 24th:  We took Phillip to Shriner's Hospital for evaluation.  We were pleasantly surprised by the kindness, professionalism, approachability, and compassion of all of the peole that we met there. Thankfully, the doctors felt like Phillip was in good health and that the rods in his back are not a concern at this time.  They gave the green light for Phillip to participate in physical activities when his sores healed.  They felt that the bend in his arm was due to a break that wasn't casted.  They will continue to monitor his scoliosis.  We returned several weeks later to get the specs for a new wheelchair tailored to Phillip's needs. 

*November 1:  Ironically, Phillip's buddy, Samuel, shares the same birthday.  He got to celebrate with Samuel on the first and then had a family birthday party on the following weekend. 

*December 7:  Phillip had a blast shopping in the PTF sponsored Christmas Store at our school.  He bought a ton of gifts.  After about 15, I finally cut him off because he was breaking the bank, but I loved seeing his generous heart!  It was a great day for him because he also got invited to go to Dawson's birthday party and to participate in laser tag.  He had a blast and he and I thought that we were quite the snipers, but we were ranked really low. 

*Phillip got to play wheelchair basketball several times before Christmas break.  He is so busy!  Now that the break is over, he can start attending basketball practices again.  The first time that I watched wheelchair basketball, I was surprised at how physical the game is and at the number of times that the wheelchairs got tangled up together.  It is amazing to watch the athleticism of the wheelchair athletes.

*December 15th:  Brittany and Kyle returned home to the excitement and joy of their little bro.  They were incredibly encouraging to Phillip and were deliberate about spending time with him for the three weeks that they were here.  Watching a Christmas movie or a Lord of the Rings movie became a nightly ritual during their visit.                 

*December 24th:  We traveled to Dayton to visit our peeps.  Karl, Phillip, and I stayed in a hotel which had a restroom with wheelchair access.  Brit and Kyle stayed wtih Grandma and Grandpa Smith.  Phillip is usually Mr. Social.  He loves entertaining a crowd, but he was a little overwhelmed when he met the families.  He was unusually quiet so Karl and I asked him what he was thinking and feeling.  He confessed that he needed some time away from the family.  As time progressed and he got more comfortable, he became his usual loud self again.   :)

*New Year's Eve:  We went up to the Blews to celebrate with them and a lot of other folks.  Phillip, Dawson, Josh, and Victoria went sledding between our houses.  The sled run had fast spots and Phillip showed no fear.  Karl tried carrying him back up the hill once and then Scott got out the snowmobile and brought him up each time after that.  I went down the hill with Phillip once and I wished that I could put on the brakes, but he loved every second!  We went home a little before midnight because he looked exhausted from all of his sled runs.

Thank you to all of you that have been such an encouragement, support, and inspiration to our family.  Knowing that you would be there for us and for Phillp helped give us the courage to bring Phillip home.

Joni Croft

      

Quick update

Dear Friends and Family,

We completed our official business here with our consulate appt. and swearing in. Phillip entertained many of the children while we were at the consulate. Several parents asked how much he charged for babysitting. He has been genuinely excited and has rehearsed our itinerary for the travel back to Spokane repeatedly. Phillip knows no strangers.

He has made friends with an adorable little boy named Lei Lei. He gave Lei Lei one of his toys when we went on a dinner cruise tonight. He is really good with little ones.

We walked to a Mexican restaurant called Tékila for lunch. We were wary because even fast food chains like Pizza Hut don't have menus that we're used to. The food at Tékila was authentic Mexican; a welcome change for us!

Tomorrow we leave for Honk Kong. We'll just be there overnight and then we fly back HOME Thursday! We are so looking forward to getting Phillip home and to introducing him to you all!

See you soon!
KKPB&J

Sent from my iPad

Ode to Guangzhou: A Poetic Tribute to Our Current Location

Today I arose in Guangzhou,
It's a fabulous city, you know,
I gazed out the window and what did I see?
A cascading waterfall roaring for me!

After a long harried flight,
And difficult travel last night,
Our breakfast was YUMMY!
So good in my tummy!
A true gastronomic delight!

This hotel is extravagant, really!
In fact, we kinda feel silly.
These are such ritzy folks,
And they don't get our jokes,
We're the Clampitts, the Guangzhou Hillbillies.

This evening we all hit the street,
To find something yummy to eat.
We found Pizza Hut,
And we all filled our guts.
Now it is time to sleep! HEY!

By: Joni, Brittany, and Kyle. The product of sleep deprivation, stress, and excitement :)

A bit of a rough day...

Dear Friends and Family,
      Thx so much for lifting us up.  We went to a pagoda and to a market where you could bargain for goods today.  Phillip didn't enjoy the trip out.  It was hot and humid so he was not in the best mood .  Again, Brit and our guide waited with Phillip when areas were inaccessible for the wheelchair.  When we got home, Phillip and Kyle watched a video while we waited to receive some official paperwork.  After our guide brought it, we walked a long distance to an area where we could eat and have ice cream. Karl and Kyle had to carry Phillip and push his wheelchair up awkward stairlike ramps on the way.  The elevators in the mall weren't working.  On the way back, we had to walk in the street because there was no room on the sidewalk for the wheelchair because cars were parked on it.  We ended up having to cross a very busy uncontrolled intersection in the dark.  (Those of you that have been here probably understand this best...)  Although it was a rough day, it just makes all the more eager to get Phillip home where mobility will be much easier for him and where we hope he will experience less stares (and stairs, ha).

We ended our evening by taking Phillip swimming in the hotel pool which he LOVES!  He is getting the arm motion down and can get around much better.   The lady who hands out towels at the pool is quick to put a towel on his chair when Karl or Kyle lift him out.  That compassion was a cup of cool water for us this evening.

We hope that you are doing well and we will be eager to hear what you have been up to when we get back! 

Joni

Xi'an!

Dear Family and Friends,

     I'm writing from our hotel in Xian.  Yesterday was our official "Gotcha Day."  Our guide from Lifeline met us and took us to the CCCWA offices.  Although we were somewhat intimidated about the whole process and about actually being there, the process was pretty casual.  The office is temporarily in an upper floor of a museum during remodeling of the CCCWA building.  We just signed paperwork in duplicate and answered some questions. 

   Afterwards, our guide, Sherry, took us to stock up on water and to buy ice cream to celebrate. 

   Sara from Shepherd's Field was with us throughout the process too.  It was sooo nice to have her with us.  She is really determined to get answers when she is advocating, but is a a tiny person with a big heart.  It worked out for her to stay in our hotel room with us.  She was just like part of the family.

   It was really hard for Phillip to say good-bye to her.  He wouldn't look at her at first and then he practically knocked people in the lobby over trying to get to her to give her one last hug before she caught a taxi.

   Phillip, Karl, and I went back to the CCCWA offices for some more paperwork again today.  Kyle and Brit had a nice morning in the beautiful hotel.  Phillip was like a caged animal in the offices, but the paperwork didn't take too long.  We had to go to the police station today as well.  Phillip had way too much fun getting his picture and his fingerprints taken. 

   When we returned, we picked Brit and Kyle up and went shopping to get new shorts fro Phillip.  Unfortunately, my guesstimate of his size was way off and he loses his shorts everytime that we transfer him out of his wheelchair.

    We're doing well, but are already eager to get Phillip home to some stability.

   We love you all!  The internet here seems to work consistently.  We'll try to update you again soon.

    KKPB&J

The Big Day!

Hey people,

Just thought we'd let you know we made it safely to SFCV to meet Phillip today! All our flights were really great, no problems, and not much turbulence ;) Driving through Beijing was just as uneventful as possible, which is always an adventure! And we made the most important connection of all! After like 20 hours of travel (and like 2 hours of sleep) we finally met Phillip around 6:30 this evening!

Oh man, you guys shoulda been here! He was (and still is) literally exploding with joy and excitement! He instantly started calling mom and dad "mom" and "dad" and was thrilled to do so. He calls me Kyle but he calls Britt "Grimmy." We got to take him and his buddy Joseph out to dinner with a bunch of SFCV interns and staff too. He's having a blast chatting, smiling, laughing, and getting settled in with us and we are so glad for that!

The four of us who flew today are pretty wiped so all this cool stuff is kind of a blur, but we'll tell ya more when we become ourselves again after a good night of rest. In the meantime, sleep well, ask the Father that we sleep well, and let him know how much he rocks for his goodness to us! Man is he ever faithful!

Sent from my iPad

Heading Out!

Hey Friends!

We are almost out the door! Tomorrow at 5:27am our first plane will take off and we'll be on our way to get Phillip! It is so crazy to be this close! God has been carrying us through this adoption for months and now we're finally getting to the good stuff!

This blog is gonna be AWESOME for the next two weeks because we're gonna post as many pictures and stories from our trip as possible! We want all our friends and family to be able to keep up on the blog and continue to witness the joy of this process with us. Thank you all for your support, for your prayers, and for catching our passion for our boy. We are SO blessed by all of you who love us and lift us up to Him!

If all people tend to be either more stress-prone or more relaxation-prone, I'd say we Crofts are stress-prone. It would rock if you guys could just pray that we will turn all our worries, anxieties, fears, and the knots and butterflies in our stomachs over to God. Pray we'll enjoy this trip, delight in our good God, and find it easy to let go of control so our arms are free for hugs and stuff. Please also just ask God to be glorified in our family's almost instantaneous transition. Right now we have a family of four and all of us are at home. In two weeks, we'll be a family of five with two at home, two in Oregon, and one back and forth between home and an out of town job. There's no doubt, this is God's timing and God's plan, but it looks a little tricky to us. Just pray we'll trust Him and rest.

Thanks folks, can't wait to get there, get back, and introduce you to Phillip!

Kyle

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling....Come home!

Dear Friends,

Each step of our adoption journey has brought its own challenges, blessings, and emotions.  God has peeled away layers of fears and lack of faith with painstaking accuracy.  He has whittled away at our practical perceptions of finances and has radically altered our view of the future as He has provided in ways that we could not think up or imagine ourselves.  He knew the areas where our foundations needed to be shored up.  He knew about all of the sleepless nights and the incredible mountain top highs that we would experience.  He knew the weaknesses in our family relationships that needed to be addressed.  He knew that you would be there to point Phillip and our family to Jesus himself.  He has been so faithful to prepare  us to bring Phillip home.

Lately, I've been meditating again on the story of Hagar.  At one point she refers to God as "the God who sees me."  There are so many details of our family history that clearly reveal that God has heard Phillip's cry for a family and has intricately woven the events to make that happen.  I love the picture of Phillip hugging the photo album to his chest because his expression seems to reveal tears of relief, anguish, and joy at the same time.  He must have been thinking that God finally heard and answered his nightly prayers for a family.
"We're coming, buddy, because God bent low to hear the desires of your heart and He answered."

Now that all of the red tape is complete and our travel itinerary is set, I've been imagining over and over again what it will be like when we meet Phillip at Shepherd's Field for the first time as his forever family.  My mind goes to a rush of noise as each of us releases our excitement to finally be together.  It may be a really physical greeting as we all rush to get a hold of him for the first time.  I imagine Karl and Kyle hoisting him out of his chair and all of us clinging to him.  I've imagined what I will say to him when things quiet down because I want my words to reassure him and to bless him.  I think that I will look into his handsome face and say, "It's time to come home."  Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus has been calling.....Come home!

(If you'd like a copy of our travel itinerary, send us an e-mail at supercroftees@comcast.net)