Crooks Family, A bakers Dozen :): Hello from Guangzhou

Its so nice to be in the familiarity of Guangzhou, and the wonderful Oakwoood Golden Arch apartments and out of hotel rooms :) Here the kids have room to run and play and aren't feeling so cooped up! Jade continues to gain ground on a daily basis, we made it through yesterday without a single tantrum, and she slept through the night (well almost, one little wake up but no tears :). For the first few days she was so scared and fought sleep with all of her little being, this morning she was lounging around in bed and happily drifting in and out of sleep with a smile on her face, so precious...

I have to share that Jade's needs are quite a bit more then we were made aware or expected, she is very very delayed, has some autistic behaviors that scare us a little, and she has no play skills and little language. Her little eye muscles are very week, and her eyes roll around in a way that its hard to get used too. I think glasses will go a long way as she squints a lot and seems to only have clear vision up to a few feet away. I have moments of great fear, and moments where wonder if we can handle this... Then she walks up and hugs me and pats me on the back, and reassures me that everything will be ok :) Its like she knows somehow... Mike is, as always, being the reassuring positive Dad and husband he has been for so many years.... He is the best!

My children are leading the race here, they are so wonderful with her! They just grab her by the hand and include her in what they are doing, and she is loving that! She is trying to figure out what to do, and how to do what her brothers and sisters are doing. At first she would not interact with them, now she marches right into the middle of what they are doing and sits with them, or grabs someones hand and smiles up at them. The kids have taught her how to play balloons, roll a ball back and forth, and pull her little wheelie bag, she is learning fast. I have checked in with the older kids and asked if they think we can handle this, and if they are up for the hard work it will take to help Jade be all she can be, and without hesitation they all have said "of course!" They make me so proud...

Jade is so strong, and is giving this 100% of her little soul.... She is already very loved, and has parents and an army of siblings behind her 100% as well! She was so scared, and so distrusting, but she trusts us now, she loves us, she has given us her heart.... We will guard and love that little heart forever more.....