Day at Nicholas' Orphanage

Hi Everyone!
We are having computer trouble so we are not able to post pictures (hopefully we will figure this out soon!) but I will still try to keep you in the loop with words. We hired a car to take us the hour drive to Nicholas' group foster home, the House of Joy, in Langfang. He lived in this home from age 5 months until we adopted him at 22 months. There, he lived with about 30 other kids, nannies, and a family originally from the states who started this home. They coordinated his surgeries (repairing his cleft lip and palate) and took great care of him. We simply cannot be more grateful to them.

I was a bit worried about how Nicholas would respond to being back in his old home. We had talked a lot about it and he did not seem worried at all. But I thought maybe being there might trigger something -- some sight, sound, or smell would cause him to relive some old trauma. But, he was perfectly ok. More than that -- he was gleeful! We were greeted by Elisa, the American woman who ran his home, and he hugged her and then almost ran over her to get inside the home. We met a group of younger boys living there now who were playing with blocks at a table with some ayis. After saying hello, Nicholas ran up the stairs towards where his old room is held. I don't know if he remembered or not; perhaps he was just being his usual investigative self. I told Nicholas how I remember walking up those stairs and seeing him for the first time. His ayi was holding him and his eyes were wide open as she told him "mama, mama" while pointing at me. But Nicholas did not remember that -- he just looked into all the rooms and then asked if he could go downstairs again to be with the boys. He was amazingly comfortable and happy.

We spent a really nice morning with Elisa and her husband Mike and the boys in the foster home. Mike and Elisa are amazing people who have truly devoted their lives to helping orphans. They have 4 adult children and one 12 year old adopted from China. As we were talking one little 2 year old sat on my lap and played with my iPhone with incredible savvy. Nicholas helped me hand out lollipops and M&M's. One little boy really held my attention. Some of you have heard me talk about Elijah before. I had seen his picture in one of the newsletters sent from Mike and Elisa and just fell in love. Elijah is not only a beautiful 4 year old boy, but one whose gentle spirit comes across in photos. At one point, John and I tried to find out which agency was representing Elijah so we could adopt him (Mike and Elisa never get that information). But we could not find him to request his file. I believe that that did not work out because we were meant to find our Ellie, but at the same time, I felt a lot of strong emotions upon meeting Elijah face-to-face. I hope he finds a family soon.

Nicholas was so comfortable at the House of Joy that he even went off alone with Elisa for a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. Then, he went out to play in the yard with the older boys. I don't know for sure, but I got the feeling that Nicholas has good memories -- or at least good feelings -- about his former home. That makes me feel so relieved. And, even though a child can never get the love and care he or she needs from anything other than a family, he has done so well. He has had his share of hurdles to jump, but he never fails to surprise us in his strength and flexibility.