Some Days are Just AWESOME. (aka. Disney Arrival!)

I told myself that if I can blog while meeting and bonding with my new daughter for two weeks in China, then SURELY I can hold up to blogging while at Disney.  CAUSE WE ARE AT DISNEY WORLD, PEOPLE.  I'm so happy.

Today was one of those really, really good days.  We have approached this trip with the same mindset that we approached China:  "Expect the worst, Hope for the best."

So far, so good.

Course, we're on Day One of a 9 day trip, so we'll see how things work out.

But for today?  AWESOME.

We left around 2:30 on Friday afternoon.  My post on FB as we pulled out of town Friday went something like this:

One parent/teacher conference, one 6th grade book "tasting", two tests, three haircuts, one webinar for title agents, one spotless home, four laundered beds, one full tank of gas, six packed bags, one full car, one tired Mama, and FIVE happy Powells. Next stop: The Happiest Place on Earth.

Things were busy, I tell you.

So busy, I failed to document ANY of it on camera.  Boo.

But, FINALLY, we were off!  Mary earned her place in the lineup of Powell Children Who Travel Well.  I'm three for three when it comes to kids who can go on long hauls in the car.  Thank goodness.  They all hold up MUCH better than I do.  Right about the time we hit Montgomery (about 2 hours in), I was ready to get OUT of that car, and we still had HOURS and HOURS to go.  Bleck.

About the time we got to Tallahassee, Mary had about a 5 minute meltdown.  She was SO, SO tired, but then those fingers went in and she quickly fell asleep.  We pushed ahead and made it to Lake City about 11:00 Florida time.

Saturday morning, we enjoyed the hotel's free waffles for breakfast and were out the door at 8:30.  A quick couple of hours in the car.....

That's Max.  Under his "tent".  Sometimes you just need some time alone, I guess.

Unfortunately,  I didn't get a picture of MARY under HER tent.... cause if Max does something, girlfriend's not far behind.  She took her Mickey Mouse beach towel (her blanket of choice these days) and put it over HER head.  By the time I turned the camera on, she was tired of being alone under that thing and came back out to enjoy family time in the car.

Speaking of family time in the car.  Max is into games.  Games like "caterpillar" and "the alphabet game"..... you know:  let's go through the alphabet and name Disney characters for each letter:  A: Alice in Wonderland, B: Bambi, C:  Cinderella..... you get it, right?  Well, as good parents (and a good big brother - even Jack participated), we wanted to have the family bonding and all, so we happily played along.  For HOURS.  We alphabetized foods, countries, names, movies, books, all things Disney, and ON and ON and ON.  OHMYGOSH.  I now find myself categorizing things in my mind alphabetically.  What should I order for dinner?  A:  asparagus?  B:  beef tenderloin?  C:  corn?  Heavens.  You see why I hate long car rides?

Anyhoo.  We made it.  

Once we hit Disney property, she MIGHT have crawled into the already packed backseat with her Mom.  We were literally inches away from our hotel and also from me losing my mind, so, it worked in the moment.  

We made a totally quick trip over to Downtown Disney to grab our Visa Reward card (ours had expired.... OOPS!), and spotted THIS lovely lady while there....

Mary kept pointing and squealing.... I'm hoping this is a sign that she'll LOVE the characters!  However, repeat after me:  Expect the worst, hope for the best.

We then made our way to Pop Century, our home for the next week.  We checked in with our new Magic Bands and then decided to go ahead and feed everyone some lunch.  By the time we finished eating and then unloaded the car, Mary was BEYOND.

This followed:

Poor thing.  All we'd done was had lunch and unpacked the car and she's already wiped out.  But it was fine.  It gave everyone a chance to just relax... and Mom and Dad might have taken a little nap, too!

The whole Ryan clan is here with us on this trip, and just before dinner, everyone finally met up.  Mudger pulled out a WHOLE MESS of Minnie Mouse stuff for the little girl and a WHOLE MESS of food for the big boys, and we spent a while just hanging out and catching up with them.  

We ate a quick bite of supper in the food court (we heart the Pop Century food court), then decided it was time to SWIM.

Big Fun.  And we're just getting started.

Then, it was time to settle in for the night.  We caught the end of the EPCOT fireworks from our balcony outside our room, then Night Night started blowing up the air mattress that is serving as Little Bit's bed for the week.  As I type, she is snoring (rather loudly) on that air mattress that is now sporting Simba sheets and is covered up with her beloved Mickey beach towel.  God bless her.

Watching the air mattress take shape!

Thanks, NN, for getting my bed blown up!

Tomorrow, we head to EPCOT.  

 We hope to see lots of our favorite characters 

(Pooh, Mulan, and Minnie Mouse are big on the list tomorrow). 

OOOOHHHHH!!!!  And not only was today our Disney Arrival Day, but it was also our 

REFERAL-VERSARY!!

March 22, 2013, we saw THIS face for the first time.....

I remember we'd received an email from our social worker, Karla, early that morning, that she had a file for us and did we want to see it?  I was teaching math when the file came through.  I quickly shuttled my class into the room across the hall, got Joe on the phone, and, after Joe prayed a prayer for wisdom and peace and clarity, we opened the file together.

And saw our daughter's face for the first time.

That was a Friday and I spent that night and the entire weekend memorizing every word of her file and every detail of the three pictures we received.  I made a timeline on a piece of paper highlighting the events of her life as documented in the file.  I then made a similar timeline of OUR lives during that time.... just to see what WE were doing while SHE was going through so much.  

And here we are.  One year later.  This time last year, baby girl was in Shanghai Children's Home, BUT SHE HAD A FAMILY.  March 21 - no family.  March 22:  FAMILY.

One year ago today, Jiang Rui Yang had no idea how her life was going to change.

Today, MARY JEWEL POWELL is asleep, snuggled next to her Minnie Mouse doll, under her blanket, and has no idea how much FUN she's going to have this week at Walt Disney World.

What a difference a year makes, huh?

To God be the Glory, GREAT THINGS He has done.

I'll just do it myself.

Hello, people.  This is Mary here.

 I figured if this blog EVER got updated, I'd just have to do it myself. My Mom says every time she starts to work on a blog post, that I come over and gently CLOSE the computer and then point to my toys and books.  I refuse to take the blame for this, though.  I mean, I sleep most of the night - she could totally blog then.  Excuses, excuses.....

I've been keeping myself occupied between all the ice and snow storms and going to get the boys early and waiting for them to do their afternoon stuff and such around here.  Life is just FULL, I tell you......

Such as.....

****I still have regular visits with my friend, the ENT Doc.  Apparently, I keep failing my hearing tests.  Tests are hard.  Those tubes he put in my ears are still in there and working fine, but those darn tests keep saying that there's a problem. (Don't tell my Mom I said "darn", okay?)  And maybe there is a problem.  I mean, if I am having trouble hearing, I sure don't KNOW it.  What are things SUPPOSED to sound like?  Am I not hearing them right?  Beats me.  Mom says she KNOWS I can hear SOMETHING, cause I "run like the wind" when she tells me NO.  I also come right to her when she calls me from another room.  (I'm smart like that, y'all.)  But, best I can remember, I've had a few ear infections in my past and this might have caused a little problem in the hearing department.  We'll see.  Mom says we'll keep a check on it.  Mom also says that this might be why some of my words don't sound quite right.

Speaking of WORDS... you read it right - I've got WORDS, people.  Like FIVE WHOLE ONES.  (Well, not WHOLE ones.... seems I don't feel the END of the word is necessary - whatever.)  My words are: 1.  "Mama" (for when I just NEED her), 2.  "Uh-Oh" (for when something goes wrong),   3.  "O" (that stands for OPEN.... the PEN isn't necessary in my opinion - my people totally know what I"m saying and this word is when I need for something to be OPENED... DUH.), 4.  "I" (that stands for ICE.... again, word endings are SO not my style... and I usually say this word while tugging on the freezer door.), 5.  "NO" (I use this one for EVERYTHING.)

My Mom thinks I also say BATH and DADDY and YES, but I'm pretty sure that's just wishful thinking.  Five words is PLENTY, Mom.  I'm doing just fine.

Here's a video to prove it.  (NOTE:  I usually perform my five words better than this, but it was late and I was tired and Mom stuck that camera in my face and all.  I mean, give a girl a BREAK.)

****I also supervised Big Bro Jack's first high school FORMAL the other day. It was fun watching Dad practice his valet skills helping him get ready. Jack and gal-pal, Kate, looked so PURTY and they had a super time.  They got to go out to eat with a bunch of their friends and then danced the night away. (or maybe they only danced ONCE... I can't remember....)  When I get big, I'm gonna get dressed up and do stuff like that, too. I don't know why Mom stood there with tears in her eyes..... I thought Jack looked SO handsome!!

***It snowed.  Again.  Mom says we're kinda OVER the snow. She says if it snows ONE MORE TIME, we're moving to Disney World.  (I hear that place is GREAT.)  Here's what I do in the snow.  Every.  Time. (My people get a kick out of it..... gotta humor them sometimes, ya know?)

Mom would want you to know that Daddy got me dressed on this day.  

**** Max has STUFF to do.  Like, he has a SCHEDULE.  Mom says, "When did Max Powell get growny enough to have a schedule to keep?"  But he does.  Every.  Day.  And what do I do?  I WAIT.  I WAIT MUCH.  Good thing I've got some good movies and toys and snacks in the car to keep me busy.  Here's what Max does:  Monday:  football practice, Tuesday:  cello lesson, Wednesday:  football practice again, Thursday:  stays after school to prepare for a conference he's going to this summer with some other kids and his language teacher, Friday:  football practice AGAIN.

Good thing I really like Max.  He's one of my favorite things EVER.  He plays with me and loves on me and puts my bow back in my hair and gives me treats and loves on me when I fall down and holds my hand and gets me out of my carseat when we get home and tells me I look pretty.  He's my Max.  So, I'll wait.  I don't mind.

He even lets me "WALLER" him.  ("WALLER" is a word that I think my Mom made up.)

This is what WALLER looks like:

**** I celebrated my first Valentine's Day at home!  Mom said this was the first time they've ever gotten a card with the word DAUGHTER on it.  Awwww......Mom, that's sweet........

For Valentine's Day, I got a super big Minnie Mouse doll and some candy.  Jr. Mints, to be exact.  Jr. Mints are my Mom's FAVORITE candy of ALL TIME and she was happy to see that I liked them, too.  Unfortunately, I liked them SO much, that she had to HIDE them in the pantry.  I thought that was very ugly.


So.  Yep.  That's the update.  Just hanging out, growing up, learning stuff, having fun, reading books, singing songs, making messes, eating Jr. Mints, and playing with my people.  Life is good!

And don't worry..... I'll tell Mom that she needs to do a better job keeping this blog updated.
(Psssst.... can you keep a secret?  I think my Mom is feeling OLD.  It took her a LONG time to get her hair "DID" the other day and she came back and her hair was kinda a different color.  Dad said that she had to cover up some of the gray hair.  But I acted like I didn't notice...... I'm doing what I can to make her feel young.... you know - keep her on her toes!  Stuff like running around the house and making a complete mess with my food and taking short naps and drawing on my new kitchen with a pencil I found and stuff.  Mom, YOU ARE WELCOME.)

The Celebration Continues! And another lesson in Chinese culture.....

We continue to enjoy learning about and teaching the kids about the traditions of Chinese New Year.  I told Joe we'd take it slow..... learn a little ever year, take good notes so we don't forget, and add to what we know as the years go on!  By the time Mary is in elementary school, we're all going to be well schooled in Chinese traditions and culture!

Here's what we know so far about Chinese New Year:  It.  Is.  Fun.

So much of the holidays and traditions in the Chinese culture focus on family.  Well, we like that VERY much since we all truly enjoy spending time together!  During our meal Friday night, Joe just kept saying, "This is fun!  This is REALLY fun!"  It was.  It was REALLY fun!

This holiday's decorations are also highly symbolic.  Being iced in at my house this week slowed me down on my search for certain decorations, so I sent Joe into Party City in Birmingham to look for a couple of things.  He came out with WAY more than a couple of things.  Dad got good luck banners, red lanterns, gold chocolate coins, red envelopes..... all needed in a proper Chinese New Year celebration!

Now, are you ready to know what we know?  Again, we're starting slow, and we're only participating in SOME of the activities (there is a LOT of praying to gods and cooking of duck and stuff that ain't happening around here), but we've studied the symbolism for each food and decoration and we feel quite pleased with what we've learned!

FACT #1: Before the new year begins, families spend time cleaning their houses from top to bottom.  They "sweep the bad luck out" of the house and then, before the celebration, they put away all cleaning supplies completely out of sight.  No cleaning (especially sweeping) is to be done during the entire new year festivities (15 days!!).... so that they don't sweep out the good luck that the new year brings!

FACT #2:  The biggest meal of the celebration is eaten on New Year's Eve and it involves as much family as possible.

FACT #3:  At midnight, you are to open all the windows in the house to let the old year out and the new year in!  (We didn't actually do that one..... midnight is awful late, you know...)

FACT #4:  There is a specific "thing" you do on each of the 15 days..... spend time with your immediate family, visit wife's parents, stay home all day, burn incense to ancestors, etc.  All VERY interesting and symbolic.

  The table was set with a red silk table runner, placemats, chopsticks, and embroidered napkins that we got while in China.  FACT #5:  Red is the MAIN color for Chinese New Year.  Legend has it that there was a terrible monster that came to China at the beginning of each new year and devoured anyone in its path. This monster, apparently, HATED the color red, so at the start of the new year, people put red EVERYWHERE...... red banners around their door frames, red table settings, red clothes..... in order to scare off the monster! (They also set off firecrackers to scare him off, too!)  Red is also the color for LUCK!!

FACT #6:  The oranges symbolize abundance.  Decorating with and giving mandarin oranges is part of the new year tradition.  Actually,you're supposed to decorate with mandarin oranges with the stem and leaves still attached...... but this was the best I could do.  I told Joe I desperately needed a mandarin plant... or mandarin tree.... (do mandarins grow on trees?)  Anyway.... Joe just looked at me.  He didn't actually say anything.  Not sure what he means by that.  But I was serious.

FACT #7:  Before the new year, you are to get rid of any dying or old house plants or flowers.  The fresh flowers symbolize longevity!

 "Hey, Mom!  Every time you get the pyramid of oranges JUST RIGHT, I pull out one from the bottom!  It's fun watching you leap towards the table to keep all the oranges from rolling all around!  Chinese New Year IS fun!!"

"Hey, Mom!  Is this a Chinese New Year hat?  Can I wear it?  Look!  No hands!!"

 "I'm serious about that hat, Mom."

"Hey, Mom!   There's a Mary in there!"

Look closely at the dress.  Cutest.  Fabric.  Ever.   Perfect for our afternoon of "getting stuff together for our Powell Family Chinese New Year Celebration #1."

See Buddy, the dog?  Well, this picture was taken SECONDS before he ever so gently snatched that granola bar out of Mary's hand and ate every last piece.  She was NOT happy.

But don't worry.  We got her ANOTHER granola bar pretty quick!  All was well.

Mary LOVES looking at, waving to, blowing kisses to, showing me, following around.... her shadow!

Let the party begin!  We have our lanterns, our gifts, our food, and our family!

Mary's appetizer was an apple.  Got it out of the bowl on the table all by herself.  Later that night, we noticed that she'd taken a bite out of EVERY SINGLE APPLE in the bowl.  Good grief.

 I'm thankful for Mr. Chen's Authentic Chinese Cooking.  Awesome, awesome spread that I didn't (cause I have no idea how to) cook myself.  BUT, someday, I'd love to learn to prepare some of these dishes myself.  FACT #8: Must haves for Chinese New food:  NOODLES (and they should be UNCUT - symbolizes longevity)...  and DUMPLINGS (symbolize wealth).  We also had various meats, fried rice, egg rolls, and some yummy desserts.....

All three kids had a gift and red envelope, along with gold chocolate coins, at their place setting at the table. FACT #9: On Chinese New Year, the WHOLE family gets together.... and every adult brings every child a red envelope with MONEY inside for wealth and prosperity in the new year!  

Mary opened her red envelope......

and found a TWO DOLLAR BILL!

FACT #10: Traditionally, red envelopes are presented and accepted using BOTH hands.... using only one hand means disrespect or distrust, as if you have something to hide.  Interesting little tidbit.

Max accepts his red envelope.....

And then we all chow down!  Mary's working on her dumpling here.....

.... and her plate TOTALLY reminded me of those first few days in Shanghai.  Rice and noodles.  And she ate almost every bite!  Girlfriend still prefers this meal to any other...... although she's patient and willing to try other things that I try to get her to eat, she's a rice and noodle girl all the way!

We ate on our fine china (don't think we've done THAT in 18 years.....)

And let Mary have a little soda, too!  (Caffeine does BAD things to her, but hey, we're celebrating, right?)

And while the rest of us finished our meal, girlfriend enjoyed her new Cinderella coloring book!

So, our Chinese New Year meal was a HUGE success!

Then, Sunday morning, we decided to let Mary wear her Chinese silks to church.  We got one in EVERY size and various colors while in China.  FACT #11: Traditionally, you wear red on Chinese New Year, but her silks in her current size happened to be GREEN, so we threw in the red shoes and bow for LUCK!

Her belly cracks me up here.....

And then, after church, we went back to that pretty bridge at the University for another photo shoot before the rain moved in...... 

Mary started to get a little cranky (sleepy AND hungry... bad combination)... and when Mary gets cranky, her people start trying to get her to laugh......

BUT it wasn't working.....

Cause she was SLEEPY.... fingers went in.....

And although Mom tried to squeeze out a FEW more pictures....

And everyone started making faces at her.....

She wasn't having it.....

So, we left.  

The Powell Family wishes you a Happy and Healthy Year of the Horse! 

Happy Chinese New Year!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!