I'm dreaming of a White Christmas!

The Knisely Kids all had a wonderful Christmas dinner at Grandpa's house. It was the first Christmas without Grandma Knisely there to run things and she was deeply missed by all. But we had a nice surprise visit by Keith's Aunt Janet and Uncle Berne. Aunt Janet is Grandpa's sister. It was nice to have the whole extended family together.

Will impressed everyone with his "Merry Christmas". He just has such a sweet little voice. We are very thankful for the blessing of his arrival. I look forward to next Christmas already, when he will understand the true meaning of the holiday better.

Will and Andy have been working diligently on an igloo. Andy wants more snow to finish it. Me, I wouldn't care if it all was gone in the morning. I'm definitly not a winter person!

I was thrilled to get a good picture of Chris at dinner. The camera flash really bothers him, so a good picture comes few and far between.

God Bless and Happy Holidays to all!

A boy after my own heart and he made the hygienist cry!

First of all, if you didn't already know there are seven of us, which means laundry, lots and lots of laundry! A couple years ago my in-laws popped in~don't you just love it when they do that?~ and it was folding day. My father-in-law asked when was my yard sale? He was serious too!

But I do have they little stinkers help with folding, you know sorting socks, folding towels and washcloths, nothing too dangerious. Then along comes Mr. Will Knisely, folding shirts like a professional. I should rent him out! He would put my Mom to shame and she worked at a dry cleaners back in the day. She really knew how to fold, but Will, some Gal is going to be thanking her lucky stars. I can't wait to get an ironing board out and see what he can do there. And my future Daughter-in-law? I'm taking all the credit, I'm LOVIN" it!

Now to the poor dental hygienist. Nohe didn't bite her, but he did make her cry. We went back today for round two of the plaque scraping. He went through like the trooper he is. When he politely asked for water to rinse and said "Thank-you", in his quiet little voice, she said she was going to cry and she really did! She just said he was so sweet, she just loved him. What a heart-breaker!!!!

The pictures are from a skating rink the boys went to a couple weeks ago. The bottom one is Keith and Will playing air hockey and the top one is Jon skating for the first time, or maybe I should say not skating for the first time. He looks like a drunken sailor if you ask me, LOL!

Santa and the dentist

Will got to visit both this week, I think he liked Santa a bit better than the dentist!

We saw the dentist on Thursday, and I have to say Will was very cooperative with both the x-rays and cleaning. He did everything we asked. He had massive amounts of plaque built up over the years. Fortunately, he had no cavities. But that plaque! He was in the chair over an hour and she still didn't get it all off. The picture is before the cleaning, I'll spare you the bloody mess he was when we stopped.

Every year, Keith's work sponsors a great children's Christmas Party. Today the boys went to it. Will looks unimpressed as he sits with Santa, but boy was he on Cloud Nine when he got that Nerf gun!!! Our dog Niko loves it too, another thing to go fetch!

Will is starting read our early reader books, he's able to advance a level almost every other day. He's learning more and more English, I know a lot of people seem to expect him to be fluent in just a few weeks, but I know that's unrealistic and he is doing great!

A Thankful Thanksgiving

First of all, we give praise to God for all His Blessings this past year. We had a nice dinner at Grandpa Knisely's, Will got to met many cousins, Aunts, and Uncles. After dinner the kids had fun playing games on the Wii. The threesome pictured are our November birthday gang, Grandpa, Cousin Ashley, and our Andy. Happy Birthday all! When we got home I used the translator to ask if he had a good time and he said,"Yes".

On Friday, Will had some sad time, he crunched up in a little ball, knees bent, arms around them, and head down. He never makes any sound when he cries, unlike my other kids who run to Mama when they shed tears, poor Will acts like he wants to just disappear. I take heart though, he lets me sit with him, I rub his back and put my arm around him. He doesn't push me away. Later that evening when he felt better, he came to me arms outstretched and reciprocated my hug. He laughed when I swung him around in a big bear hug. He really is such a sweet blessing!

A walk in the woods

Yesterday was so nice we spent a couple hours tromping through the woods. Will found an animal burrow and called me over. He and little brother Andy climbed a few fallen trees. Will surprised us by plainly saying "Squirrel!" and then trying to chase the poor fellow down. Needless to say the squirrel won that race!

My first Kiss!

Okay, technically speaking it wasn't my first kiss. But it was my first from Mr. Will, and it wasn't asked for either! I have to admit he did want a snack, which he promptly received, but a kiss is still a kiss. We also had our first complete sentence today, "Niko is a good dog." So it was a day of firsts.

Strange fact; I enjoy reading about and watching body language. The last little overnight I had, I spent reading a book on it while the kids enjoyed the waterpark(I don't fit so good in those little inner tubes these days!). But anywho, look at the picture taken at the airport, see how we all stand ? Keith and I together, the other kids together and Will all lost and forlorn looking. Remember this was after Will was awake 24 hours, had just passed out on the plane, only to be rudely awaken by a bunch of people wanting to take his picture. Then the recent ones, ignore the fact that my couch is about to implode and what do you see? Pure, unadulterated joy!

Will is doing great, except the stinker keeps trying to take off his seat belt with the car in motion.

Looking forward to a very thankful Thanksgiving!!!

doctor appointment

Will had his first doctor appointment yesterday. We were there for 2 hours and while it was stressful for us all, I have to say he was pretty much a Trooper. We had to make a choice with his immunizations. Either start from scratch or do a blood draw to send off to see which, if any, he had to repeat. Since the blood draw was necessary to do other screenings, we opted for that. For the first time I saw our boy cry. Oh, he held back until the nurses left, then turned his head and leaked those precious tears. Sweet son! How many tears have you cried with no one to care or comfort you???? NEVER AGAIN, will you suffer alone!

On a happier note, we went to his future school where he enjoyed recess outside with his brother and sister. We are trying to decide what grade would be the best placement for him 5th or 4th. I'm told he was in 6th grade in Shanghai, but we won't consider throwing him into Middle School. Will is much smaller than we expected, only 54 pounds. Size wise, 4th would be a better placement. He can add, subtract, and multiply well. We'll try division next week. The Language will be the real challenge. He says more and more every day. He's starting to say a few short phrases these last couple days.

Love yous and other good stuff!

Will is still doing really well. We have had to tell him "No" on occasion of course. He had a time today, very quiet, I think he missed his ANDY AND cAITLYN. We did some workbook stuff. He CAN ADD AND SUBTRACT NO PROBLEM. He knows his alphabit and practised writing it. Tomorrow WE SEE THE Pediatrician, we'll SEE WHAT SHE THINKS.The weather has been warm and we spend as much time outside as possible.
I have been telling Will Mama loves you, and he has said it back several times. It can't get better than that!

Airport photos

Thanks Susie for the pictures of Keith and Will's arrival! Keith is holding Will's adoption certificate. My personal favorite is the walking out of the airport holding hands with Caitlyn. Entering a brave new world together as a family.

My Boys are home!!!!!!!

I'm not writing much tonight, except to say it all went really well. Will very quickly got used to our German Shepard, which surprised me. He wowed us all with Yo-Yo tricks and chop stick eating. He says "Hello, Bye-bye, thank-you, quit(To little brother Andy) and counted to ten. He doesn't seem to mind at all when we call him Will. Except for being tired getting off the plane he's been very happy so far. I'll have airport pictures soon, a friend took those. But here are some Keith took of poor Will trying to sleep at the Detroit air port and some at home. The cake says "Welcome home Will" in English and "Welcome home" in Mandarin. That's his picture on the cake. Jane

A few parting views of our Excellent China Adventure

So here are some pictures Keith either sent me at the end of the trip or that just didn't fit into any category.

The River Cruise at night, beautiful lights.

Will in a baby crib, obviously Will found this crazy funny, I guess Keith did too, he sent me this photo twice.

More of the incredible Yo-Yo Man.

No more Leapster pictures, I understand the Leapster had a nervous break-down and pooped out. It's kind of sad because Keith was counting on the Leapster to help on the long flight home, and I suspect they frown on Yo-Yo play while in flight!


They will be leaving China in a couple hours, please pray for safety.

AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL

Yesterday Keith and Will went to a wildlife park with Jay and his Mom and Dad. As you can see they had a blast! This outing isn't part of the package tour, but well worth taking the extra time to go. They will be leaving Gaungzhou in about 12 hours to head to Shanghai for a one night lay-over. Then the fly non-stop to Detroit. They will arriving home to South Bend at 4:45 Friday.

So sweet

Keith and Will went on a night time river cruise. It was beautiful but the pictures weren't. Keith may send me more later.

But, I have another little story to share. Another couple at The White Swan are adopting an eight year old boy, as you can see they are spending a lot of time together. The couple adopting this boy are from Colorado, but are native Chinese, and can converse with Will. This is the boy in today's pictures.

They asked Will," How do you feel about your Dad?".

To which he replied,"I love my Dad,(all together now, awwww............) he is funny. I am excited to be going to America.".

Pretty cool I think! We can't wait for him to get to America too.

Yo-Yo Fun

Yesterday they had their Visa appointment, they were also able to do Will's Oath while they were there. Since they don't allow cameras in the Consulate I have no pictures of this big event.

But in an effort to enterain, we do have pictures of Will and his amazing Yo-Yo. He even gave one to his friend Jay. Good for you Will !!!

Sightseeing

Keith and Will had a free day, so they went sightseeing with the other families in their group. I can't add much as to what sights they saw, Keith sent pictures but no explanation as to where they were taken. I'm just happy to have the pictures! You can tell it's warm and tropical in that part of China. I don't see Leapster in any pictures, looks like Will is playing with a yo-yo in one photo. Keith says Will has figured out the games on the I-Pod. Smart boy!!!!

Tomorrow they go apply for Will's Visa at the American Embassy.It takes two days to process, but when they do get it they are free to go! Sadly there are no direct flights to the States, the boys will have to fly back to Shanghai, spend one night there and then catch their flight home.