Heart Update and School Visit

After being away, it is so good to be back at our home in Tennessee!  Thank you for your prayers for Samantha's doctor appointments earlier this week.  She checked out just fine at the family doctor.  The heart doctor performed an echocardiogram.  Results showed that she will most likely need a minor procedure later this year to correct what is called a "PDA."  She also has a condition called Mitro Valve Regergetation.  But no valve work is expected until she reaches her 30's or 40's.  The heart physician will monitor her again in six months and then once each year beginning in 2013.  We are so thankful there will not be a need for major surgery right away!

Kyle had a chance at school today to show off his little sister and talk about our trip to China to his classmates.  I think he is proud big brother.  While waiting in the car rider line, I have seen him straining his neck to look for our car and then smiles real big when he sees his sister.  Likewise she talks and asks about him all day long while he is at school.  Kyle has been so nice in letting Samantha sleep in a sleeping bag in his room until she gets used to being by herself at night.  Of course there have been some times of jealousy and disagreements as well.  She is learning more and more English everyday. She has already had 3 parties, met a lot of family and friends, been to Bible Study Fellowship, church for Awana, Mom's Day Out, and the beauty salon!  She is learning quickly how to pray.  We prayed before our meal the other day, but I hadn't given her a drink yet.  So after I got her cup and poured her drink, she looked at me with hands folded and said "Mama, pray?"  It was the sweetest thing.

Missy

Back In The USA

Hi Family and Friends,

Just a quick post to let you know that we made it back late last night after about 30 hours of travel.  We are so happy to be back in the USA!!!!!!  We had a great reception at the airport. Thanks to all who welcomed Samantha to America.  During the 14 hour flight Samantha managed to drop her peanuts, spill a whole cup of water, sit on a chocolate bar, break her headphones, and push the flight attendant button from both her seat and the bathroom!  If this wasn't enough, a huge drink of Sprite was dumped out at one of the airports.  Kyle wasn't feeling well during all the travel so we had a plastic bag to use everywhere we went.  Glad to report that everyone is feeling much better now!  Thank you for all your prayers.  Please pray that Samantha's doctors appointments on Monday will go well and she will not need additional heart surgery.  We will post additional pictures a little later.

Missy

Back In The USA

Kris, Missy, Kyle, and Samantha have landed safely in Detroit and have passed through customs. By passing through customs Samantha officially became a U. S. citizen!

Kris wanted me to invite everyone to meet them at the Evansville airport this evening. Their flight is scheduled to arrive at 8:35pm but the flights from Detroit are often early so try to be at the airport by 8 or 8:15 just to be sure you are there when they get off the plane.

See you there!

Steve Holzmeyer

Consulate Appointment and Chinese Signs

Samantha fell out of bed twice in the middle of the night.  Actually I think once Kyle accidentally kicked her out.  Her rollaway bed is next to the couch that Kyle sleeps on.  She never cried, just made a noise.  I think she was still asleep. 

 

Today was a pretty light day.  We had our appointment at the US Consulate where we took Samantha's oath.  We receive her passport with Visa tomorrow then board a train to Hong Kong for the night.

 

Attached are some funny pix of broken English signs we have seen since being in China.  Thought you would find them funny.

 

Kris

Consulate Appointment and Chinese Signs-Photos

Happy Valentines Day!

Samantha told the guide today that she liked her clothes.  The guide told her she looked pretty and she said "Why? Is it because I have a dress on?"  She has been really close to the guides because they can speak Chinese to her.  It is almost like having a built in babysitter.  She held the guide's hand most of the day and told her "We are good friends."  Today was our lone free day in Guangzhou so we opted to go with another family to a safari park.  When we arrived, our tour guide gave Samantha a park map and brochure.  Samantha told her that those animals were not real.  We saw many wild animals up close and personal.  A train took us through the park and we literally got within feet of many animals including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, lions, tigers, bear, panda's, koala's, and many, many more (see the photos).  Kyle and Samantha fed the giraffes with tree branches and the elephants with bananas.  It was one of the best days we've had during this trip.  Kyle and Samantha loved it.  When we were leaving, Samantha asked if we were going back there again tomorrow. 

Kris has had fun taking photos of broken english signage here in China.  He will share those pix tomorrow.  He has had a slight stomach ailment since being here in Guangzhou.  As a result, he's lost ten pounds since Friday.

Tonight we had Papa John's again and swam with the kids.  Kyle and Samantha ate a huge portion of spaghetti.  A Chinese pool attendant got on to Kris for jumping into the swimming pool. 

Tomorrow we have our U.S. Consulate appointment.  At that time, we will take a citizenship oath for Samantha.  On Thursday, we get her visa, then head to Hong Kong where we will spend the night and prep for our Friday morning flight back to America.  We have had fun, but it's time to get back...and we are ready to be with family and friends again.

Hope you are enjoying the blog. 

See You Soon,

Missy

Happy Valentines Day! - Photos

Parks & Pearls

Today we visited another park.  This one was the most beautiful we had seen since being in China.  It had all kinds of decorations on display for the new year, beautiful flowers, palm trees, and other exhibits, such as Angry Birds.  Kyle was thrilled.  It was very warm outside, probably in the 70"s.  Samantha and Kyle were sweating running around.  We took time afterwards to visit a local pearl factory and outlet where we got Samantha a strand of pearls for later in life.  It was a much better day for Kris because Samantha was his buddy.  At times I think he was overwhelmed with so much love from her and Kyle.  The funniest thing was when Samantha told the guide in Chinese that she can speak English.  Another thing she told the guide when Kyle was sliding down a concrete incline was that she was not going to do that because it was not clean!  She likes to play rock, paper, scissors.  We enjoyed Papa Johns tonight in our room.  In addition to pizza and cheese sticks, the kids had spaghetti.  I had some vanilla coke with it from the 7-11 next door.  We are feeling like we are at home.  (Not really, but trying to keep it as close as we can!)  Tomorrow should be a really fun day.  We go on a safari.

Missy

Parks & Pearls-Photos

A Day in Guangzhou

I think Samantha is getting used to having her picture taken. She smiles more often for the camera. Kyle on the other hand still has his fake smile which isn't much of a smile at all. We went a couple of places this morning, including a museum, with the 5 other families in our group. I love it that many places are still decorated for the Chinese new year, the year of the dragon. We were able to do some shopping and get a few souvenirs. (Kyle and Samantha even got a light up Angry Bird ball!) We took a taxi this afternoon to get some American food at Lucy's and also drop off some laundry at a cheaper price than the hotel. We have had to get ready and go somewhere most mornings. I am very glad tomorrow we don't leave the hotel until 1:30 p.m.

We want to invite everyone to meet Samantha when we get back to the U.S. There will be a few different gatherings. You are more than welcome to join us at the Evansville airport when we arrive Friday night February 17 at 8:35 p.m. There were over 100 people gathered when we came back with Kyle and it made us so happy. Since our layover in Detroit is 7 hours we may try to get an earlier flight into Evansville but if that happens, we will update the blog that afternoon to let you know. There will also be an open house gathering on Sunday afternoon February 19 from 2-4 p.m. at General Baptist Church on Hicks Dr. on Evansville's southeast side near the Duck Inn. Samantha will have a couple of doctor's appointments on Monday regarding her heart. Tuesday February 21 there will be a open house gathering in Clinton, TN at Second Baptist Church from 5-7 p.m. in the Riverside room. We hope everyone will be able to come to one or more places to meet Samantha. We have less than a week to go! Look forward to seeing you soon!    

A Day In Guangzhou