Last night we walked around a bit. Saw some cool local streets that had all sorts of interesting people and things going on. We had dinner at a local small restaurant where, I kid you not, all of the restaurant staff and family (about 8 of them) gathered around our table and stared at us the entire meal. So bizarre.
This picture is from when we first met Levi but I put it on here now because it is a good picture of how Levi has treated us the last 2 days that we have had him. Any time that we are trying to interact with him, he refuses to look at us. It has been a bit hard for me. We have been seriously wondering his mental state, not just because of this issue, but he has a few things going on. I know that may sound bad, but it's true. We knew he was delayed and so its not really a surprise but I have been wondering so much how much of his actions are permanent and just a piece of how God made him and how much is due to being institutionalized and may some day be overcome. Marc is fine and solid, of course. He says to me, "It's no big deal and it doesn't matter. We'll love him the same either way." I know Marc is right, but it is a wild thing to experience so many thoughts/concerns/emotions.....God lets me linger in my own fears for a bit and then is sooo good to whisper once again to me, "He's mine. He's mine. He's mine. Just keep your eyes on me." I really don't know how people do this without the Lord.
Mormor had a few short but sweet moments with him today. A few minutes of him focusing on one thing is a treasured thing.
In this time of emotional exhaustion, the Starbucks down in our lobby is a very nice escape.
How fantastic that Levi shares the love of swimming with all my other kids!
The kid can pretend like we don't even exist, but you put the dude in water and he just giggles and giggles and giggles. It's so cute.
This afternoon we had a quick paperwork appointment to apply for Levi's passport and then we came back to hang out in our room. Today was just a pretty chill day. A much needed chill day. Jorie and Luke have been creating their own hotel room sports to pass the time.
And then finally tonight Mr. Levi came out of his shell a little bit and was really playing with the kids. He was having fun and being much more verbal. Lots of babble and lots of giggles.
A requirement of being a Skipper brother is to love wrestling each other. Levi passed this test tonight! He loved it!
And then it was Jorie's turn to make him laugh. I thought Jorie was a bit freaky, but Levi just loved it. He laughed so hard at her.
And now tonight, I sit here updating the blog on this dreadfully slow internet, my mom is in her quiet connecting hotel room reading her book, while Luke gives me the play by play of the soccer game they are watching on T.V.
It's been a really low key nice day. Emotionally exhausting but with a sweet ending.
God is good.
And this journey of adoption is wild.
1 comment:
When you go to Shamian (you are going to Shamian, right?) make sure to try to find Jordon. He still can do your child's name in Chinese calligraphy and he has a shop but not right on the street, I think. I'll try to email you the address to try to help you find him. He may also be out and about greeting the adoptive families because he loves them so much.
Tell him hello from Tony & Sue Smith! Also tell Catherine, Phoebe and Joyce hello for us and let them know we are doing well.
Sue
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