Reunited

Dayu (Wren)  and Shi Toa (Ella)  were in many pictures together at the orphanage.  We all wondered how this unlikely pair communicated...Wren is totally deaf, and Ella is visually impaired, but not totally blind. 

Ella has been asking her mom and dad repeatedly to see Dayu.  They said she is the only child from China that she asks to see or talks about.  Ella's family  made a special trip to spend about 24 hours with us.  We waited anxiously for their arrival with MUCH anticipation!  Wondering what their reaction to each other would be?  I got out the photo albums, and brought up the pictures of them on the computer and explained to Wren that her friend was coming to see her!   Coming to HER house.  She seemed to understand.  Her squeal of delight was so fun to hear:)

  Thanks Mike and Margaret for making that huge effort to make this happen.  Iley is already asking if you guys can come back next week.

Getting to know each other again and checking out all the toys:)

 ...invading the boys room (they were all four driving equipment) and taking over the farm.....the door was locked soon after:) Much to Ellas dismay!  She did NOT understand why they wouldn't let her play:(  Poor baby.  Wren and Iley were not at all shocked as they are used to the big brothers saying O. U. T. out!!

Wren copying the hand signs on Mike's t-shirt.  She would notice:)

 Our 3 Zhongshan babies:)

This little doll baby is Grace, she is  Ella's younger sister, she is 5.  Her and Iley hit it off and talked about being the mei mei's....Little sisters.  Iley would lead her around, and Grace trustingly let her!  Grace is completely blind, only seeing light, and maybe some shapes.  So sweet!  We were constantly amazed at their bravery, and trusting, and resilience.  What two special, amazing little girls! 

Look at our net full of beauties:)  I'd call that a Great Catch!

Grace and Wren.

We all headed down to Castle rock to show them a little more of Kansas.  It was beautiful and green.....good thing they weren't here in August.....then it's dusty and brown...and HOT.

 The girls all wanted to hike a bit.  We were greeted by a large friendly pup....two of the girls immediately climbed the nearest person!

 These girls were amazing!  It was such a treat to "see" hiking by description.  On your left is a big wall...we are going up a steep hill, feel the rocks under your feet....Mommy how high up are we.....if you take two steps to the left you would fall a looong looong way......we are going in a tunnel now, feel with both hands along the walls.......lifting them  up, setting them down..........such total amazing trust!  If we trusted our heavenly father like this.........we would be free indeed.

Climbing and feeling......collecting rocks "to remember my trip to Kansas"  say's Grace:)

 through the tunnel, calling out to see if it echos

 "This is MY daddy."

Sad goodbyes:(  with promises to meet again, Lord Willing:)

 Thanks again Mike and Margaret, Ella and Grace for some awesome memories!  God be with you till we meet again!

Setting up the Pool

Last week Thatch called and offered to help set up the pool, but we had supper plans and didn't think we'd have time, so we waited until this weekend......and......ALL of our help had other plans!  So Troy and I set the pool up all by ourselves.  We did a pretty efficient, masterful job of it if I do say so myself:)  We didn't even get crabby at each other!  It's like a meeeracle:)

We had some help from the small brown folk.  They handed us the pins that hold the pipes together.

....and then at times our help wandered off to find more exciting things to do.

Water Angels?

 It crossed my mind.....if I left it empty.......and took away the ladder.......I might actually be able to take a nap occasionally............just a thought.

We are thankful for waterproof processors for Wren:)!!

Ash and Ella stopped by to help us.........JUST as we got done and started filling it!

 No idea what was going on here, she's a goof ball!

 

They thought it was so funny to put these baggies with water over their faces and look through them. They also skipped them across the water in the pool.  Who knew a baggie full of water could be so entertaining?

We had just pulled the girls out of the tub, and were heading them to bed when the next bunch of visitors arrived.  We told them make yourselves comfy, as soon as we get the girls settled we'll be back.

Lani

 Lindon (sp?) Lyndon? Lendon? Lynden  don't hate me....I have no idea.

 Isaac

 

Thatcher and Kyndahl were here too and for some reason I didn't get a picture of them?  Oh well, I'm sure they'll all be back:)