January 8 and 9: Day 22 and 23

Friday was a boring day around here. We had plans for me to go to the doctor for my eye, but Matthew woke up sick so those plans were cancelled. We spent the morning in the doctor's office so Matthew could get a breathing treatment and get his asthma back in control. After that we had to get medicine, so the whole trip took awhile. Matthew didn't have any energy, so he spent the day on the couch watching movies. I did laundry, and John did a little bit of everything. He told Rick it was a boring day. ha! I agree!

Friday night, Andrew had a science night to attend at a local school. Rick took John and Andrew. John enjoyed watching the experiments and playing with the blocks and gears. I really see a bright future for this little engineer! He went to bed at 9:30, which is a tad earlier than the last few nights. I woke up at 4:00 in the morning to check on my daughter, and John was wide awake playing in his room. At this point, it isn't worth trying to fix it. In a few days he will be back on China time. I told him he had to stay in his room until 6:00, and then I shut the door. I think he fell back asleep because he didn't come down until 7:00.

Saturday morning Rick took the boys to a pancake breakfast fundraiser for a local baseball team. (Thanks for the tickets, Doug!) The boys spent the rest of the morning playing outside. We decided to go to the movies later this afternoon to see Star Wars. I think John enjoyed it! All of the action kept his attention, even though he didn't understand what they were saying. He also enjoyed the popcorn and the coke.

Tonight for dinner he asked for noodles. Rick made him some spiral noodles and he ate them with ketchup. Let me remind you that he would not touch spaghetti... but noodles smothered in ketchup seems to be just fine. 

We have been talking about him leaving, just so it is not a surprise. I asked him how he feels and he says he doesn't know. I am sure that means he has mixed feelings. I know he is sad to leave, but also happy to get back to the "normal" of his life. We were trying to pack a few things in his bag tonight. I think some of his new clothes will have to end up staying here. I'm not sure I can squeeze it all in, but we will try. He wanted to make sure the Legos got in there. :) We can make that happen!

Building at science night

Science night

Science night

STAR WARS!!!

Anyone want ketchup on their noodles?

January 7: Day 21

Nothing too exciting happened today. I am sure John thinks that Rick is way more fun than me! We had an appointment in the middle of the day, so we did a little bit of running this morning and then got lunch at O'Charley's later in the day. On our way out this morning, I used my Starbucks gift card to get my favorite drink. John was begging me for a cup of coffee! Rick gives him coffee every morning. I ordered him a small one, and he sucked it right down. Who knew? He is a lover of Starbucks coffee!

He drinks everything with a straw. Even coffee!

We stopped in Target to get him a new bag to take back. He had his heart set on this specific bag. I told him it might be too small, but we will try it. When I told him it was too small, he told me it was "an appropriate size." I don't know how I am going to get all of his things back to China! 

There was absolutely no changing his mind.

He always carries the bags for me. He doesn't let me hold anything!

We ordered all of his pictures and started his memory book. He loves it! It ended up being really thick... one more thing to squeeze into that suitcase. I am so happy he will have a way to remember this trip. 

John was dragging today... he was so tired. He told me that he has a rest time in China. It is from 11:30-2:00 every day. Shut the front door! This information would have been useful 3 weeks ago. That is my kind of rule! A mandatory nap? Sounds like heaven. When it was time to pick up the kids from school, he asked if he could stay home and sleep. HA! Nice try, but no. He put the seats down in the car and snoozed while we waited in car line. When the kids got in, they started in with their arguing about who would sit where... and John kept saying (in English) "SHHHHH.... JOHN IS SLEEPING" haha, it made me giggle. 

This was our second trip back up to school to get Andrew after one of his clubs. He hung out the top yelling "And-a-reeeew...."

We worked on thank you cards this afternoon. So many people have given us money or gift cards for fun experiences while he is here. I wanted him to write 'thank you' on all of the cards. I am so fascinated by the Chinese characters. It is really amazing. I feel like you would have to be a genius to learn that language. 

He spent the rest of the day playing outside with the kids and tinkering around the house, what he does best. We had an interesting conversation tonight. John loves maps, and he loves to see where we are and what is around him. We actually found where he lives on google maps, and he showed us the path he walks to go to school. Very cool! Technology just amazes me. We told him that we love China and that one day we will take our family there. We told him we will go to Beijing or Guangzhou, and he said we should come to his town because it is a "good economic zone." I thought that was cute. 

He is still awake as I type this! We have been letting him stay up later in hopes that he sleeps through the night. So far, it has been working. One week to go!

January 5 and 6:Day 19 and 20

With my crazy work schedule I have not been able to update. John has had a lot of adventures over the last 2 days. 

On Tuesday, he got to eat at Long John Silvers. Get it? Long... John. He saw the sign and thought it was pretty funny that it had his 2 names and he has wanted to eat there ever since. He got a big 'ole platter of fried fish and hush puppies. Rick said it took him 45 minutes to eat it. He said he liked it, but he hasn't asked to go back. 

Not a flattering picture, but we had to document another fried meal!

The highlight of Tuesday was going to the dentist. I want to give a special thanks to Dr. Catron and Kelly from Mortenson Dental. Also a special thanks to Lisa for coordinating the appointment for us. These folks donated a cleaning, xrays, and an exam for John! Overall, things looked really good. He needs to have some teeth pulled so new ones can grow, but that's about it. Nothing was pressing, and it all can wait until he has permanent care. So thankful for these people that gave of their time and their talents to help our little friend!

In the waiting room

He was so good for them!

Getting x-rays

So thankful for the service they provided!

Wednesday was a busy day for John! They left the house around 9:00 in the morning and didn't get back until they picked the kids up from school. They started out by walking the bridge from Kentucky to Indiana. It was cold, but they still had fun.

After this they went to the zoo. It is cold outside so there was no one there. It was fun for John to see the animals up close. 

They ate at McDonald's today and it was another Big Mac for lunch. Rick said he ate every last bit of it. After the zoo, it was a trip to Cabela's and then a trip to Costco. In Cabela's they were looking at tents and John said something about sleeping. Rick said, "yes, those are for sleeping." John said, "no, I want to sleep in the car." Ha! I guess he was tired from all the walking and everything they had done. I wish he would get that tired at NIGHT!

I am noticing that he is really picking up on more English. He will learn this language in no time. Whenever Timmy starts to cry, he always says "Timmy crazy" and if the little kids are bothering him he says "please stop." Ha, ha. He got that from me. I say "please stop" many times a day with those little boogers. His #1 English phrase is "WHAT'S THIS?" He says it, on average, 100 times a day. He wants to know what EVERYTHING is called. If he doesn't like your explanation, he will look it up on Google. Told ya, he is a curious little guy.

Rick is back to work tomorrow and I will be running around to appointments with John. Hopefully we can find something fun to do at some point, but Rick seemed to cover most of them. I told John we have 1 week left. He didn't smile, or frown, and he just said "OK." Sometimes I wish language was not such a barrier so we could figure out exactly what he was thinking. 

Wonderful News

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

When we started out on this journey, my biggest fear was that adoption wasn't in God's plan for John. I didn't know how in the world, in just 1 month, we would have time to advocate for him. One of my friends at church reminded me that God can do a LOT in just 1 month... and even if adoption wasn't in John's future, He still had a plan for him.

When I adopted my girls, it was a loud and clear calling. I just KNEW that I was meant to adopt them, no matter what it took. I felt confident that God was leading our family in that direction. Every night I prayed that God would speak to the heart of John's family, and give them that same conviction. I prayed that He would take a heart that was saying "maybe" into a heart that was shouting "YES!!!"

John's story was shared in many ways throughout social media. One sweet family saw his story, and God started working! God spoke loud and clear... and this family stepped forward to lock his file. John will be living out west, in the snowy mountains. (ah...God has such a sense of humor, doesn't he? Did I mention that John is always freezing?)

John will no longer be an orphan, he will be a beloved son and brother. We are so thankful that when we put him on that plane next week, we can look him in the eye and tell him that everything will be OK! Please join us in praying for John and his future family. John is 11, and has spent his entire life in China. He will grieve deeply, no doubt.  Let's pray for his heart to be open to adoption and to a future in America. For those that have been through a China adoption, you know the obstacles and challenges that lie ahead. So many things can go wrong. Let's pray that this process will be quick, with no snags along the way. 

Many of you have been touched by John's story. Let me remind you that he is one of thousands, in just one small part of the world. My prayer is that each of you will take this experience and poor it into another child. YOU can host! Believe me, if I can do it, so can you! It is 4 weeks out of your life, and it will be a life-changing experience for that child. YOU can adopt! It will change you, so be ready. YOU can support someone's adoption. God can take a little bit and turn it into a lot when you give financially. There is so much we can do. So, please.... don't let all of this emotion for John be wasted. Make a commitment, and do something!

Please join me in giving thanks and celebrating this awesome news!

January 3 and 4: Day 17 and 18

We did a whole bunch of nothing on Sunday! John went to bed at 11 pm Saturday night, so we were hopeful for some sleep. I heard him in his room at 4:30 am Sunday, so I went to check on him. His lights were on, his bed was made, and he was busy playing Legos. Ahhhh!!!! This kid doesn't sleep. I told him to try to get some more rest. He came to get me at 5:15 am, and I told him to get his iPad. That worked for an hour, but he was standing at my bed again at 6:15 am. Alrighty then, who needs sleep?!?!?

We went to church (he slept through it again...) and spent the day at home getting ready for our school week. It was a day spent with video games, board games, movies, and Legos. I only took one picture, and that was a selfie before bed.

I always kiss him on the head and give him a hug when he is ready for bed.

We told him that all of the kids would be gone on Monday, and that it would only be Rick with him. He jumped up and down out of excitement! He went to bed at 7:30, happy as can be. Since I had to get up at 5:00 am for work, I was certain this would be the day he slept until noon.

We didn't plan well, and Matthew had to get his school clothes out of John's room, so he woke him up just after 6:00 am. I was still impressed he slept that long through the night!

Rick and John spent the morning hiking. He loved it! I can only imagine what it was like for him to see all of the scenery on that hike. 

I left Rick a long to-do list. (I know how to get things done!) John enjoyed helping Rick work through the chores. One thing that has been driving me crazy is a broken cabinet door in our living room. John and Rick went to Lowe's to get stuff to fix it today. When I walked in the door, John was so excited to show me it was fixed. He also ran up and gave me a big hug. He is the sweetest!

We took the kids to Wendy's tonight for dinner. Through the app John told us he wanted something BIG. That cracks me up. He ate another giant hamburger and fries. He was happy with Wendy's! He weighed himself tonight and he was 75 pounds. That is about 34 kg, and he said he normally weighs around 30 kg. Holla! He also told Rick he was trying to gain weight. Ha, ha!!! We still have 10 more days to fatten him up. 

He absolutely loves to wrestle with Rick. Rick will get him in headlocks and pin him to the floor (can you feel the love?) and he just cracks up. He will also hang from Rick's arms when he flexes his muscles. He loves all of it.

Time for bed! This is how we sleep at the Fischer house. (Ever seen the Croods?)

Our days are ticking away. We have a calendar where we cross off the days so he is prepared when it is time to go back to China. I showed it to him and counted the days out. He dropped his head and walked away. I asked if he was happy to go back to China, and he told me no. My heart was broken. I can't wait for the day that this little guy will have a place to call home... forever!

January 2: Day 16

Today was another early day for us. That has honestly been one of the hardest parts on this journey. We have to be "on" so much during the day, that we can't get our daily chores done until the kids go to bed... which puts us to bed later, only to get up at 6 with John. It is all short term, and well worth it. It just makes the days long and we are wearing down with the lack of sleep. 

John did not want anything I offered him for breakfast. Shocking. He asked for Oreos and corn dogs. What the heck. Breakfast of champions! I apologize to John's future family. I have created horrible habits, but I have a feeling you would've done the same thing in my position. The kid has 4 weeks to experience life!! If he wants a corn dog for breakfast, he is getting a corn dog for breakfast!

John seemed a little off this morning. So did our other 5 kids, and they spent most of the morning whining, fighting, and crying (not John, just the other ones). It was wearing me down and I guess John felt the same way. At one point he was walking around with headphones on his head to drown out the noise. Genius! Why didn't I think of that years ago? Then he told me that he just wants to play quietly, and he kept walking away to be by himself. 4 of the 5 kids got sent to their rooms to get a grip on their behavior, but shockingly Timmy didn't have to go. Timmy followed John around the house trying to play with him and saying "hey, John... hey, John.... hey, John...." John kept saying, "No, Timmy... No, Timmy.... No, Timmy." I finally had to tell Timmy to leave him alone. John ended up going to his room on his own will. He shut the door and spent several hours in there playing legos. I really think he needed the quiet and the down time. John is a laid back kid. He is quiet by nature. He is always calm. I think the noise and chaos of our big family really gets to him sometimes. 

We ventured out to see the UK game today. He loved it! We had a rocky start. Parking is always a pain, but we figured that out quickly. The weather has been colder here, and this kid has no fat on his bones to keep him warm. He was shivering and we had to walk so far! He kept saying, "I freezing...." over and over. It took us forever to find a place to eat, then we had to wait longer for the food because they lost our order, then security wouldn't let me through with my camera. Ugh! We finally worked everything out and got to our seats just in time to see the start of the game. His eyes were HUGE during the game. He was taking it all in. He gave me a thumbs down when the other team scored, and would cheer with so much enthusiasm when UK scored. It was priceless. When we left, he gave me two thumbs up and said, "GOOOOOODDDDD" which means he liked it and he is happy. 

After many failed attempts to find a restaurant, we settled with Arby's. It was so packed that it still took us 45 min to get our food. John didn't enjoy it as much as the other fast food places we have eaten.

Finally in our seats and ready to cheer on the CATS!

Oh, the joy. Every basket had this reaction. It was priceless.

Go CATS!!!

We were lucky to catch this guy as we were walking out. So thankful we got our picture with the wildcat. 

We didn't get home until late. Tomorrow is a church day, so we will all be getting up early. We will not have any fun adventures tomorrow. It is our last day of break, so we have to get things around for our busy week of school. At first I worried about John being home with just one parent, but now I am thinking it will be a nice change of pace for him. To have a quiet house to himself, and the complete attention of either Rick or myself is going to make him quite happy! 

January 1: Day 15

Happy New Year!

We ventured out to Cincinnati today to visit the Children's museum with some of our cousins and Grandma. 

I didn't think he could finish this... boy, was I wrong!

First stop was McDonald's. I asked him what he wanted, and he said a Big Mac! What?!?! We got it for him, and he ate every last bit of it. He really is an extreme junk food eater.

He had a lot of fun at the museum. We saw some animal bones, played in construction area, and played in a giant tree house. He seemed to really enjoy all of it. The museum was crowded, and we had 9 kids with us. It was a little challenging keeping up with all of them. John wanders off, so he really needs an adult with him at all times. I guess when things are so new, and you are curious by nature, he just lets his curiosity get the best of him. There were several times we looked away for a second, and he was away from us. 

a real alligator skin

at the end of the cave

9 kids... a lot to keep up with!

The tree house. Tons of fun, but really easy to lose a kid!

He built this bridge in the water area many times

He wanted me to take a picture of the museum

Swimming with the fish

He wanted to get the buildings of Cincinnati in the background. 

He got car sick on the way to the museum. We had to pull over 2 times for him to get out of the car. He was playing the iPad, and I think that is what did it. We were a little nervous about the drive back home, but he did fine. He didn't play the iPad, and that was his choice. I think he realized it made him dizzy to play in the car.

John, once again, did not like the dinner we made. It was a pot roast. He wanted chips, hot dogs... and other junk food. We told him no to everything he wanted. We let our kids eat peanut butter sandwiches if they don't like the dinner we make, and we told him the same thing. He ate a peanut butter bagel sandwich... with mandarin oranges on it. Goodness! He has odd taste in food. He ate it, and that is all that matters.

We spent the evening playing a few games and then headed off to bed. Rick asked him if he liked the museum, and he gave two thumbs up and said "GOOOOOOODDDDDDD!!!!" I guess that means he liked it. 

I wanted to mention some of John's goals. I asked what he wanted to be when he grows up, and he said, "a dad!"  I asked him what he wanted to do for work, and he said, "an engineer." I thought that was cool. This boy has dreams. The reality is those dreams may or may not come true in China, but in America, they can come true. He just needs a family to keep him focused, and push him towards his goals.