Nothing like hitting the ground running! Annabelle got a good taste of the Sublett family schedule today. She ate breakfast with Sadie, but opted out when it came to the powdered mini-donuts. I imagine that she’ll learn to love them in time, but they seemed a little too weird this morning. She and the kids watched Mulan–twice–today. I have a feeling that they’ll all learn to speak Mandarin, or at least the script from Mulan. Annabelle got flowers from Kim’s sister (and fam) today, which was a thrill for her.
After lunch we piled into the van and braved the 15 degree day to go watch Sadie play basketball. I don’t know if she followed all the action, but she pantomimed bouncing a ball when I asked her if she knew basketball. Kim asked her if she could spot Sadie during the game, and she responded with, “Sadie–4” so she’s getting it.
We headed home (via Wendy’s for some free mini-frosty action, thanks Autumn Cymbor!) and the girls caught a quick nap. Then it was out the door again for the main attraction: Winter Jam! Our college friend Laurie Cleveland (wow, thanks Cleve!) hooked us up with All Access passes, met us at the VIP entrance, and took us backstage. Annabelle seemed to take it all in stride, and we had a good night.
Levi got picked by Tony Nolan to help with a sermon illustration. Tony asked Levi if he’d trade a penny for a $50. Being the ever-so-wise businessman, Levi took the offer, and promptly spent some of his new cash on a couple of cds at the Fireflight merch table! Tony Nolan and his family adopted a little girl from China over the summer, and represents Holt International, an adoption agency. We got to visit with Tony’s wife for a few minutes, and she offered some advice and help from the perspective of an adoptive mom 6 months into the homecoming. Annabelle got to meet Autumn Gresh, and we hope that Autumn will be one of the people who help Annabelle adjust to life in Happy Valley. Don’t they look beautiful together?
The music was great, and pretty loud! We were sitting close to the front, so the speakers were kicking. I wonder what Annabelle thought. I kept glancing her way to see if she was still smiling. At some point in the night, the jet lag must have nailed her, ’cause she was sleeping! That’s my girl–I always say that I can fall asleep anywhere…
Kim’s all-time favorite band is the Newsboys, and having Michael Tait front the group is a great fit for them. Levi’s first-ever concert was the Newsboys–while he was still in Kim’s belly! Levi was hoping to take a picture with the band, but when Michael Tait walked out backstage, we couldn’t find Levi…bummer dude. He did get Fireflight to sign his cd, and we snagged a photo with them.
I kept wanting to explain to Annabelle that this isn’t normal for us. We don’t run around like chickens-sans-heads all the time. Well, maybe we do. But it doesn’t always involve loud music and VIP passes. We realize that we’re in the honeymoon stage, that new siblings and a home and all the other stuff that’s new and wonderful now will soon fade. I’m sure the day will come when we have to correct her behavior, or she’ll start missing China and friends, or something else will happen to take the shine of the newness. But we’re enjoying it while it lasts, and loving every minute of this adventure…
1 Comment
Jen & Emma Taylor-Salinas · January 31, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Dear Sublett family,
Emma & I are so, so excited & happy for you all & Annabell! I haven’t been able to be at church since beginning of November due to being in the hospital with a heart & blood infection then home bound with around the clock IV antibiotics for 6 weeks.
Then today was the first day that I have felt well enough to get out of the house to attend church. I am so happy that Emma & I were there for such a special day! We have been praying for Annabell and your family since we first heard name at church. I have longed for years to adopt a child in need of a family, preferably from a country and area less fortunate of a situation.
When I was on a medical mission in Kenya in 2001 I met worked with many rural villages as well as orphanages in more city like towns. The children were all orphaned from their parents dying from HIV showed up at the church service in there prettiest dresses they had and we prayed, sang & worshiped together. Then I gave each of them a special little toy or sticker from US.
It was so difficult to leave behind all of those children whom longed for families. I wanted to be able to take them all home with me or at least be able to do something to help them and the single woman that owned & ran the orphanage. When I asked how I could help from America she said it is very difficult to receive help through the mail because the government is so corrupt that the mail is often opened and items are stolen. The best way to help is to provide money to buy food and necessary things for the children & cost of maintaining orphanage. Unfortunately I did not have any money to offer he. I have their pictures & continue to pray for them. In my mind I can still see all of their faces as we waived good-bye to them. Oh how I wanted to stay and live with them and love them and show them that people do care and they are lovable and belong.
It is still a dream of mine to someday adopt an Annabell! Emma has really taken to the idea of sdopting a child whom doesn’t have a family, to join our family. She was very moved by your family”s sharing of the process & praying for Annabell. We have included Annabell in our prayers for you. A couple of weeks ago we were in NYC for a doctor”s appointment for me at Mt. Sinai & we took Emma to FAO Schwartz & they have a large nursery set up in the store with many baby dolls and women in white as the nurses taking care of them & looking for families to adopt the baby dolls. Emma (and I) was very drawn to this and asked if she could adopt a baby doll. It was expensive. It was my birthday so instead of my mom, who was with us, giving me a present, she instead paid for Emma to adopt a baby. It was such a cool thing. The child picks out the baby from the nursery then pays for the adoption. After purchase, you return to the nursery and the nurse has the child sit in a big white rocking chair and she places your new baby in her arms. The nurse asks for the baby’s name. Emma said, “Isabella”. When she said the name I knew right away whom she was referring to…she was thinking about Annabell as we have been talking about & praying for Annabell. Emma’s new baby received a arm bracelet with her new name and then they procceded with Emma giving an oath and promise to be the best mom possible to Isabella and went over the many responsiblities of being a mom and caring for an infant, Then the nurse provided a full infant ohysical exam and showed Emma how to bathe her and change her diapers. Then after all of this was done, Emma receined the offical birth certificate and signed the adoption forms. It was awesome. We left FAO Schwartz with a new member of our family.
I thought about your family & Annabell so much during that time and little did we know that you were actually getting the answer to your prayers and were oversees getting Annabell. Then how wonderful that our first day back to church in months, we got to be there for the first meeting of Annabell to our church family. I had joyful tears in my eyes as we finally got see her & her with her surrounded by her family. Her siblings looked SO proud & happy to have their new sister by their side. In church Emma whispered to me, “Mommy I want to make a card for Annabell and I want to be a new friend to her.” Emma & I were/are so excited & we came home & told the rest the family then immediately looked up your blog & read all about your trip & experience. Great reading & pictures. Emma keeps asking me to please write to you and tell you that she really wants to meet Annabell and be her friend. I really try to encourage socialization with Emma & other children as she tends to be quite shy & reserved.
Emma loves tea & tea time & we as a family, including Emma love foods of any kind including big noodle dishes (Udon is our favorite noodle) & sushi or basically any ethnic food. The Chinese restaurant downtown on College Ave between Subway & McD’s has very authentic Chinese food with daily choice of 6 different hot dishes which you choose from & it is served in a large bowl with your choice of rice or Chinese noodle and 3-4 of the dishes surrounding the rice/noodle and a soup. All for the cost of $6 dollars! The staff/cooks barely speak English. I am not sure what exact language they speak but from what the other Asian college students getting food there say, this food is what is actually more like the authentic Chinese food they eat over in Asia as opposed to the restaurants we Americans often go to which are considered “Chinese” buffets. Also the restaurant, “Big Bowl of Noodles” which is on the same block as McLanahan’s, downstairs just before McLanahans’s. They have a good, large menu of Chinses food which again is usaully filled with Asian college students. Menues at both places are written Kanji (Chinse). So Annabell could order the food she likes herself.
Those we just some suggestions I thought of that you may already be aware of but thought I’d pass along. If you would ever want to go out together, wer wpould love to join you and have a chance to meet Annabell & eat some tasty food. Emma & my favorite food is Udon soup either with chicken or tempura & Chinses vegatables!
Anyway, I realize this is a long comment & truthfully this is my very first blog visit & blog comment! When things are more settled & timing is good for you, we Emma & I would love to maybe get together at your house for tea.
I am so happy for you! How wonderful that God answered your prayers & Annabell’s prayers. I applaud your perserveranve & trust & faith in God.
Many Blessings to your family!
Jen & Emma