Sunday, May 19, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Our Cramazing May, Episode LI: Celebration at Hard Rock
Saturday was another lovely Delhi day! It was hot but so gorgeous outside by the pool, and our fabulous, comfy, well-air-conditioned hotel/mall kept us happy.
The big agenda item for the day was returning to the doctor's office so that L's and Tom's TB skin tests could be read. In order for visas to the USA to be granted, they had to pass that test, and while it was mostly a formality, there was still some trepidation until we got the doc's okay.
By this time, we had connected with Mr. Singh, the man who would be our driver for the next few days. He was kind and had a car with AC. Both facts were greatly appreciated. ;)
Mr. Singh showed up at the agreed-upon time, and with all 7 of us crammed in his car, before we knew it, we had made it back to the doctor's office. This visit was much smoother than the first, since we knew where to go and what to expect. After making our appearance before the receptionist, we were ushered upstairs to wait for the test reading, which took all of a few minutes. Both kiddos passed with flying colors, and in no time flat, we were done with the process and back in Mr. Singh's car. It was so nice to have something be so easy for once! :)
We spent the rest of the glorious day relaxing, swimming, and enjoying each other, so grateful that we were just one step away from being able to get on a plane headed for home. On Tuesday we would have our Embassy appointment, but until then, there were no specific agenda items other than to enjoy this beautiful land from where our beautiful children had come.
After much back and forth, Hoffbeast and I decided that we simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to see the Taj Mahal, despite the four-hour drive that it would take to get to Agra. Since we had two days to kill, how could we not? We made plans with Mr. Singh for an early-morning pickup, while Scott and Karen made arrangements with another driver to move to a different hotel the next day. We would stay at the Hilton Garden Inn for one more night and join them at the Sheraton on Monday.
That evening, we decided to celebrate our victory at the doctor's visit by eating at Hard Rock Cafe. I have to say that I was very much craving a hamburger by this point in the trip and was hopeful that Hard Rock would be able to deliver.
Note to self: Don't ever get hopes up for a yummy tasting burger in a land where cows are considered sacred. Just don't.
Even so, we had a great time with our friends....another great end to another great day!
From L to R: Scott, Karen, L, Hoffbeast, Tom, me, Rex, and....our two mannequin friends. Random, right??!
These two pictures are simply to prove that not every single moment traveling with an 8-year-old was perfect. Overall, Rex did SO well, but he had his moments, as did we all. I'm not sure what was upsetting him at this point, but thankfully, it didn't last long...
Where's Waldo saves the day!!!
I love this picture of Scott, Karen, and L!
Rex really enjoyed his food!
My burger looked really good, but....um....well....the fries were yummy!
I did discover that if I was feeding Tom, he seemed to kinda like me. So we made the switch, and I started sitting by him at meals. Since he and I were going to be traveling halfway around the world alone together, it was important that he started to trust me.
He still preferred Daddy by far, but at least he would tolerate me. :) Our server was so sweet! She looked much more East Asian than most people that we were meeting, and she explained that she was from the very northeast part of India, just south of China. India is such a diverse place!
Nothing like a daddy-snuggle at the end of a long day. :)
The McF family embraced our Rex and seemed to enjoy him so much...what a blessing!
Happy, happy girl!
Happy, happy boy! (The troubles from earlier were long gone.)
To close out the night...balloons!!!
Does it get any better than an elevator and a balloon!??
I'm not quite sure why this video is sideways, but it shows us heading toward the security area that we had to go through each time we walked from the mall back into the hotel.
A couple other interesting things that we saw at the mall? People paying to put their feet in water and have tiny fish eat the dead skin off their feet. No joke! I wish I had taken a picture of it, but I felt awkward, like I was invading their paid-for space. It was crazy weird, though. Also, up and down all of the escalators were printed comic strips, most notably Garfield. I have no idea why, but it was a welcomed piece of home each time we saw one, and Rex loved it!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Our Cramazing May, Episode L: Hotel Hangout
Friday--one full week after meeting Tom--was a wonderful day, incredibly relaxing in almost every way! To read what I wrote about the day on the actual day, click here. It started with a sleep-in for me and Rex while Tom and the daddy went to get breakfast. Food times have always been some of Tom's favorites, ever since the very beginning. :)
VID00059 from Hoffbeauty on Vimeo.
As you can see from the above video, Tom was very sleepy, so after swimming, he and Daddy took a nap, while Rex and I walked to the mall to grab lunch and do a little needed shopping. It was so nice to have everything we could need right there just a short walk away.
In order to get back into the hotel, attached to the mall, we had to go through a metal detector again. Each time we entered the hotel, we walked through security...it was obvious that the hotel staff was very serious about ensuring the safety of their guests. (Sometimes a little too serious??! Keep reading...) Rex and I had gotten our lunch to go and headed to eat at--where else?--the pool! We just couldn't get enough of that place. There was a deck attendant who would come around and serve drinks...we were so spoiled--and so thankful! That afternoon, we met some other Americans who were there, so that was interesting...it is amazing how bonded you feel to other Americans when you haven't seen another for over a week, despite how different your lives may be. I remember feeling the same way years ago when we were traveling in Wales. We met a guy from Missouri at a pub who was there for some tree-climbing competition, and we sat and talked to him and his girlfriend for an hour! These folks were from South Carolina and were dear people who were so excited about our reason for being in India.
More swimming and bonding for Rex and L and then eventually, Hoffbeast and Tom made their way out to the pool, and we switched places so that Rex and I could rest. But not before the Hub could tell me about the little adventure that happened inside the hotel while we were enjoying the beautiful outdoors.
Hoffbeast was just rousing from his nap and was still feeling quite groggy as a Indian-accented voice sounded in the distance saying something like, "Please stay in your room. The hotel is being attacked by terrorists." being repeated over and over. What do you do when a voice is telling you to stay put? You go check out what's happening! As there were no panicked sounds and nothing else happening besides a recorded voice being repeated (which eventually stopped), Hoffbeast decided to venture out and go change some money in the lobby. He stepped out, looked up and down the hall, saw nothing except some other guests doing the same thing, and walked to the elevator. While standing at the elevator, he and the other guests were looking at each other, and finally someone said, "Did you hear that a few minutes ago?" They all then talked about it on the way down and exited to a completely normal-looking, business-as-usual lobby. When he handed his money to the front desk clerk, Hoffbeast questioned, "So....I heard an announcement earlier about terrorists?" "Oh, that was just a test of our emergency system. No problem. You are very safe!"
That would have been good information to have had before the announcement was made. It's a good thing my calm husband was napping at that time and not me....I would have been freaking out!
At some point post-terror-drill, we found ourselves in one of the hotel common areas....if you know Tom, you know that the infectious laugh you hear here is still a commonly-heard sound around our house. Love it! I also love hearing his little voice speaking in Oriya on these videos. No idea what he says, but it sure is cute, and no doubt now that his language ability there contributed to his quick-learning of English once he got home.
VID00061 from Hoffbeauty on Vimeo.
I'm not exactly sure when, but I did have one important order of business for this day, and that was to secure us an appointment at the US Embassy for our visa interviews. It took me an hour on the phone, but I finally was able to secure appointments for us on Tuesday morning after realizing that--another glitch--Monday was Memorial Day in the United States, meaning that Embassies all over the world are closed on that day. I can't remember now exactly which day our flights had originally been scheduled to leave India, but I believe that we were hoping to leave Monday night and be home and back in our own beds by Wednesday night. Rex would then be able to attend his last two days of 3rd grade and report to his class all about our trip. So the hardest part of this news was realizing that we really needed to split up to ensure that Rex would be able to get home that week....we really felt like it was important for him to have some closure on the school year and finish it up with his peers.
After making sure that Hoffbeast wasn't required to appear at the Embassy (since I had been the primary applicant on Tom's behalf), we decided that Rex and the Daddy would leave India on Tuesday, fly into Chicago, and our intern Noel would pick them up. Tom and I would stay 'til Wednesday, fly to Indianapolis, and spend a few days with my family before driving our car home. It was a good plan, and I'm so glad we decided to do it this way, despite being slightly nervous about the Embassy. I had been assured on the phone that his presence wasn't needed, so I was trusting the Embassy worker (Don't worry--I got her name in case anything went wrong!).
That night, the seven of us went to TGIFridays for dinner! Fridays, Indian-style, is different than going to eat at a Fridays here, of course. Much spicier, mostly....but it was yummy! I love the below picture of L trying a really hot dish--she was brave!
After that, it was time to hit the POOL!!! Now, I'm not sure if our video/pictures do the pool justice, but it. was. absolutely. gorgeous. My favorite pool I've ever swam in...ever. Tom didn't exactly love the pool at first, but over the next few days, he would become much more comfortable with it, and as long as Daddy was close, he did fine.
Rex, on the other hand, loved the fact that we got to swim so much during these few days. We did swim....a lot. And it was a great bonding time for Rex and L. L was a bit nervous at first, but as soon as Rex would get into the pool, she would come out of her shell and start playing right along with him. One of my favorite pool memories during our time there is one where L's sweet little voice is saying, "One, Two, Three!" over and over as she and Rex would prepare to jump in together again and again!
VID00059 from Hoffbeauty on Vimeo.
As you can see from the above video, Tom was very sleepy, so after swimming, he and Daddy took a nap, while Rex and I walked to the mall to grab lunch and do a little needed shopping. It was so nice to have everything we could need right there just a short walk away.
In order to get back into the hotel, attached to the mall, we had to go through a metal detector again. Each time we entered the hotel, we walked through security...it was obvious that the hotel staff was very serious about ensuring the safety of their guests. (Sometimes a little too serious??! Keep reading...) Rex and I had gotten our lunch to go and headed to eat at--where else?--the pool! We just couldn't get enough of that place. There was a deck attendant who would come around and serve drinks...we were so spoiled--and so thankful! That afternoon, we met some other Americans who were there, so that was interesting...it is amazing how bonded you feel to other Americans when you haven't seen another for over a week, despite how different your lives may be. I remember feeling the same way years ago when we were traveling in Wales. We met a guy from Missouri at a pub who was there for some tree-climbing competition, and we sat and talked to him and his girlfriend for an hour! These folks were from South Carolina and were dear people who were so excited about our reason for being in India.
More swimming and bonding for Rex and L and then eventually, Hoffbeast and Tom made their way out to the pool, and we switched places so that Rex and I could rest. But not before the Hub could tell me about the little adventure that happened inside the hotel while we were enjoying the beautiful outdoors.
Hoffbeast was just rousing from his nap and was still feeling quite groggy as a Indian-accented voice sounded in the distance saying something like, "Please stay in your room. The hotel is being attacked by terrorists." being repeated over and over. What do you do when a voice is telling you to stay put? You go check out what's happening! As there were no panicked sounds and nothing else happening besides a recorded voice being repeated (which eventually stopped), Hoffbeast decided to venture out and go change some money in the lobby. He stepped out, looked up and down the hall, saw nothing except some other guests doing the same thing, and walked to the elevator. While standing at the elevator, he and the other guests were looking at each other, and finally someone said, "Did you hear that a few minutes ago?" They all then talked about it on the way down and exited to a completely normal-looking, business-as-usual lobby. When he handed his money to the front desk clerk, Hoffbeast questioned, "So....I heard an announcement earlier about terrorists?" "Oh, that was just a test of our emergency system. No problem. You are very safe!"
That would have been good information to have had before the announcement was made. It's a good thing my calm husband was napping at that time and not me....I would have been freaking out!
At some point post-terror-drill, we found ourselves in one of the hotel common areas....if you know Tom, you know that the infectious laugh you hear here is still a commonly-heard sound around our house. Love it! I also love hearing his little voice speaking in Oriya on these videos. No idea what he says, but it sure is cute, and no doubt now that his language ability there contributed to his quick-learning of English once he got home.
VID00061 from Hoffbeauty on Vimeo.
I'm not exactly sure when, but I did have one important order of business for this day, and that was to secure us an appointment at the US Embassy for our visa interviews. It took me an hour on the phone, but I finally was able to secure appointments for us on Tuesday morning after realizing that--another glitch--Monday was Memorial Day in the United States, meaning that Embassies all over the world are closed on that day. I can't remember now exactly which day our flights had originally been scheduled to leave India, but I believe that we were hoping to leave Monday night and be home and back in our own beds by Wednesday night. Rex would then be able to attend his last two days of 3rd grade and report to his class all about our trip. So the hardest part of this news was realizing that we really needed to split up to ensure that Rex would be able to get home that week....we really felt like it was important for him to have some closure on the school year and finish it up with his peers.
After making sure that Hoffbeast wasn't required to appear at the Embassy (since I had been the primary applicant on Tom's behalf), we decided that Rex and the Daddy would leave India on Tuesday, fly into Chicago, and our intern Noel would pick them up. Tom and I would stay 'til Wednesday, fly to Indianapolis, and spend a few days with my family before driving our car home. It was a good plan, and I'm so glad we decided to do it this way, despite being slightly nervous about the Embassy. I had been assured on the phone that his presence wasn't needed, so I was trusting the Embassy worker (Don't worry--I got her name in case anything went wrong!).
That night, the seven of us went to TGIFridays for dinner! Fridays, Indian-style, is different than going to eat at a Fridays here, of course. Much spicier, mostly....but it was yummy! I love the below picture of L trying a really hot dish--she was brave!
And then....one of the best parts of the day: the carnival/play area outside in the beautiful Indian night air. Rex and L loved every minute of it, and Tom got in on the action where he could! First, the ball pit...
Then, the train ride...
Then, the strange kid-in-the-bubble ride...
(Yes, that's right. A child was zipped up inside a huge plastic bubble that was floating in the water. People acted like it was the most normal thing to see! It was really odd....but was pretty funny to watch, as the kids would try to stand up, spin the bubble, fall down, and repeat all over again.)
I am including the next picture to show what would often happen when I picked Tom up...
...and then gave him back to Daddy. Clearly, we know who his favorite was!
He also loved L....so much. I am incredibly grateful--and always will be--that we shared this amazing travel experience with Scott, Karen, and L. My heart smiles when I think of it...
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Baby pics!
I have a lot of pictures of the twins, but these are the first I am posting. Introducing Baby Bart...at 23 weeks.
Pretty astounding to me how much he looks like Beth, even at this early stage!
He was being quite stubborn and would rarely let us see his eyes. Most of the time, he was covering his eyes with his beautiful little hands...what gifts he and his brother are! Keep in mind that they are identical twins, so if Aaron were this big, he would look like this, too. Precious precious!
Caringbridge - A near-perfect day!
I know--I'm writing twice in 24 hours. What's up? I was so tired last night that I only wrote about the baby blankets, but there is more to say, so I want to say it. :)
Today was a near-perfect day...and I am grateful. First off, the weather was just the way I like it--68 degrees and slightly overcast. I slept in, saw the boys off to school, and got the house all picked up and essential housework done by 10 a.m., when the Littles and I went out to the backyard to enjoy the day. They scootered around me while I started my new Bible study called "Meet Jesus". It is a study on the book of John, and as a 13-week study, I realized that it will take me all the way to delivery and beyond. That. is. a. weird. feeling.
How am I at 26 weeks already??! It's like I've been in this pregnancy for so long and yet at the same time, the time now seems to be flying by. It's May 9th....and I'm feeling so much better than I would have imagined.
Last Friday, our ministry had our annual fund-development fellowship banquet. So many people asked how I am doing and said that they had been praying. My response over and over was, "Back on Jan. 18, I didn't even know if I would be at this banquet, much less feeling as well as I am!" It's really incredible, and I'm so thankful.
At BSF yesterday morning, we were talking about the life of Joseph, and one of the women in my group made the observation that Joseph did not waste emotional energy during his times of trial. For some reason, it struck a chord in me--one that needed to be struck, I think. Have I wasted emotional energy during this trial? I hope not....but either way, I don't want to anymore.
So I feel like yesterday was some sort of a turning point. Sorrow turned to joy. Not that there won't be more sorrow....there will, as my tears yesterday showed. I miss my Aaron already....so much. I watched a viral video tonight online of some creative parents and the way they announced to their children that they were pregnant with twins. We have one of those videos....and I will treasure it forever. There were some very happy moments early on....and there will be again. I will always miss him, as I do his big brother, Joshua, whom we lost almost 9 years ago. But he is held in the best, safest, most protective Arms imaginable. And I will see him there one day, and he will be whole and complete, with a new body and a functioning heart.
But I also want to focus on the fact that almost 4 months ago, we were given a very dire report about Bart, too, and that report has proved false. Bart is doing great, and I'm getting so excited to meet him. I watched a baby and his mama at BSF yesterday and took in the reality that Bart will likely be here soon....I'm so thankful to have the wonderful privilege of entering babyland again--the jerking movements, the nursing nights, the cooing and discovering and connecting, the hours of looking and being amazed and falling in love all over again.
The babies are kicking ALL the time! (I realize that it's probably not Aaron kicking, but it does me no good to talk that way. For as long as he's with us, I will enjoy him and remember his LIFE that is happening now.) And I love every movement.
Tomorrow, I go for my first ultrasound in three weeks. Will there still be blood flow? Is there any sign of life still in Aaron, or will it be clear that he is already with Jesus? I don't know....but I'm excited to see inside their little world again.
God is good....He has been good, He is good now, and He will remain good always.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Caringbridge - 26 weeks...heading into the 3rd trimester!
My legs are crawly (That was my granddaddy's way of describing how his legs felt at night, and Mom has passed that description down to me.), I'm tired, and my thoughts feel too jumbled to actually say much.
But my heart is full, so before going to bed tonight, I am determined to write. At least a little bit...
Something happened today....something that dissolved me into the most grateful kind of tears.
On Wednesday mornings, I attend BSF just like so many thousands of other women across the country. The majority of the morning time is spent first in a small group setting and second in a large lecture. In my small group of 15-20 women is a dear sister named Pat. A few weeks ago, Pat told me that she knits and that she wanted to knit me a baby blanket. She then asked me what color I would prefer and gave me my options.
This morning, I walked into study, and there sat a gift bag with my TWO baby blankets in it....a green one for Aaron, and a blue one for Bart.
I lost it.
And then later, when our group was finished, and the ladies wanted to see the blankets up close....I lost it again.
You see, I would have 100% understood if Pat had only brought me one blanket....we have received other gifts for the babies, but they have come only as one outfit or one piece; after all, the reality is that a second outfit or a second set of baby shoes would likely not be used, at least not by Aaron. I don't begrudge anyone who chooses to give a gift but also to be practical about the situation and its reality.
So, knowing all of that, Pat still spent time knitting TWO blankets, even though one of them will likely not be used often--if at all--by its intended recipient.
I can tell you, though, as his mother, that it will be used...by me.
Those blankets represent the reality of our sons. Two blankets made for two distinct and special baby boys.
What a gift. It was the most beautiful and tender kind of thoughtful care, poured out on this grateful mama and her family.
Pat, you have blessed me far beyond what you probably know. Thank you a thousand times.
More to come...maybe tomorrow. I'm 26 weeks along...praise God!
