Big (or little) News

Really quick...just a little update on the orphanage. I was able to go again this week. Another amazing experience, but no tears this time. I was able to spend a lot more time with the little boy that was so precious. I just need to figure out a way to keep him...

Ok, I write to you with mixed emotions about our news. It happened...the moment I have been dreading for the almost nine years I have known Trav. The subject that we have disputed since we have been married. I knew it would happen, just not at the time of our lives when we are most transient and busy. Yes, Trav came home the other night with a puppy.

Anyone who knows us knows I am NOT a dog person (let alone a pet person) and Trav is a super dog lover. He has begged, bribed, and given favors in hopes that he can get a dog. Well, two nights ago, he took matters into his own hands and gave into the man with the knapsack of puppies outside the subway. He tried to justify it that since I couldn't adopt the little boy at the orphanage, at least we could save a little puppy from China. Hmmmm, quite the humanitarian.

I tried really hard to be mad, but just look at his face and his tinyness. I think I kind of like him. Oh, and the boys...oh, the boys are in heaven. They talk non-stop about the puppy and thanked Travis over and over. Kaleb loves the puppy, but Barrett LOVES the puppy. He has always been the more animal loving child of the two. He won't leave the puppy's side, even when he is in his box sleeping. He is so gentle and sweet. He cleans up after him, feeds him, holds him, and plays with him. If we don't hear from Barrett for a while, we check on him and he is out on the porch talking to the puppy and we even found him inside the box with the puppy one time. So, here we are...in China with a puppy. What do ya do.

Last week, the boys had their first experience at a Chinese barbershop (any barbershop for that matter). A couple of days prior, Trav and I were casually talking about getting the boys hair cut, when Travis teased that the Chinese barbers would probably shave them bald. Well, as much as we didn't think Kaleb was listening, he sucked in every word. So, one day as we were walking to our house, we spontaneously decided to get haircuts. We sat Kaleb in the chair and he just started wailing at the top of his lungs and wouldn't stop. You better believe that everyone within a five mile radius was staring at the crazy Americans in the Chinese barbershop. Come to find out, Kaleb saw the hair guy pull out his clippers and thought he was getting shaved for sure. After assuring him he would still have hair, he was ok. Here are before, during, and after pics...

Before: Two shaggy litte boys desperately in need of a haircut

During the delicate art of buzzing of the head

After: Besides the hair color, skin color, and everything else on their bodies, they looked just like the other Chinese kids with their new hair do's