Family Photo summer 2009

Jessica had been home with us for 7 months when we decided to bring big brother Jacob home for a visit from his group home. We all enjoyed Jacob in his family environment. During his visit, we were able to get a family photo taken at church! What a blessing to have everyone together for a week! Jessica continues to learn so many things very quickly! She is learning to read and write English. She is a chapter and a half away from finishing the book, Charlotte's Web. We have been reading it together all summer. She can hardly wait to watch the movie, now that she knows all the characters and the storyline. Yesterday, Jessica bought bright purple - wings to complete her bumble bee costume for the upcoming Harvest Festival celebration! She gets sooo excited about so many things!!! She squeaks when she is thrilled about something. She has tons of energy and is always ready for something fun! What an addition she has been to our Cramkids' Family!!!

New Experiences

We find we are addicted to this little girl's smile! Here we are for a first time on roller skates as a Cram Crew! In spite of the many dramatic flops, bruised knees, and blistered feet, everyone had a blast! Jessica kept signing FUN...FUN... FUN! She has been planning a second trip and we will be including her Dad this time in addition to her Sunday School teacher and a few friends! It has been difficult for her to focus on anything else! This kid is up for just about ANY kind of adventure! Her determination is admirable!

Jessica is doing great in her new routine! She LOVES going to school on the bus and coming home each afternoon! On Sundays, she attends church with the family. She has received two Bibles now both in Chinese and English. She is learning to say prayers for mealtimes and during family devotions. After four practice sessions, she has learned to recite the Lord's Prayer in American Sign Language! We are truly amazed at how quickly our precious little girl is processing language! This week, she got her hearing aids at the deaf school and excitedly raised her hand with each new sound she was able to hear! We don't yet know if she will be able to understand speech with her hearing aids, but she will be able to know when sounds are happening around her. She will likely be able to turn to her name when it is called near her. She is very motivated and eager to learn many new things. It is a joy to see her develop! She is already saving money in a savings account so that she might one day be able to fly back to China and see the people she loves from her younger years. We are so pleased that she has such positive feelings about her connections before coming to her forever family. She has a spot of her very own. We adore this little addition to the Cram Family! Thanks to so many who have continued to pray for all of us during this time of adjustment and discovery! Mama Cram for all the Cramkids' Crew!

Jessica meets big brother Jacob!

After not seeing big Jacob for 4 weeks, we were finally able to keep our reservation at the Shilo Inn in Boise where Jacob and Jessica could have some time to hang out swimming, playing video games, going to a big movie (Madagascar 2), and getting some shopping in as a family! We were amazed at Jessica's enthusiasm about her big brother who lives in a group home. There was really not an easy way to communicate about Jacob's multiple disablities, but she seemed to understand that he was really going to be more like a younger brother than an older brother. She kept signing to me, asking if I had the dinosaur toy we bought for him at the zoo in China. I told her I had it and she gave me the big thumbs up sign. She was not afraid to go inside the group home to pick him up... and actually led him by the arm to the van while I was still signing "checkout" paperwork and collecting his many meds. for our visit. She was delighted at his excitement in the van after we picked up pizza to go at Costco before making our way to the hotel. She loved watching him swim as we have discovered that they are most naturally connected by their shared love of water! She gestured for us to give Jacob a hug before we all went to bed, and when I asked her if she wanted to hug Jacob she shrugged and waited for me to tell Jacob... "hug Jessica". He had been copying her name sign after our modeling it for him and would make eye contact with her briefly throughout the evening. She bravely went in for a brotherly hug from big Jacob and he hugged her as gently as I have ever seen him hug anyone!!! The next morning, she independently signed to Jacob for several hugs herself! She continued to try to mother him by bringing him things he liked and made sure that Chuck and I each held his hands before taking him stores for shopping. They were very sweet to watch all day! ...I have realized that I have wasted so many hours worried over this single connection. We are so very blessed their first meeting went as well as it did. Thanks for those who were praying for us! We really could not have asked for a better result for their first encounter! So... now, when we talk about our family... we talk about "the five of us in our house" and one more... Jacob ... who lives in the city in the group home. Jessica seems to be more and more a part of us each day! We are all so amazed at her ability to communicate with us. While we still run into language barriers between Chinese Sign Language and American Signs... she is learning the new language quickly and has a very strong motivation for us to understand her communication as well. We are truly blessed to have her and have enjoyed our new life as the Cramkids in Idaho! Beth for the Cramkids' Crew

Picture of Jessica's Christmas Cookies!

Jessica is HOME!

Jessica is settling in here in Gooding and we are all delighted to watch her make herself at home. It was fascinating to watch her explore the home she had only seen pictures of while in China. She had written our house numbers on a paper for us during the first couple of days that we met, which made us think she knew that our little house in Gooding would soon be her house as well. After looking in each room, drawer, closet and cupboard, she settled in the kitchen and requested the opportunity to cook. We got out some Christmas Cookie mix left over from the holidays and she spent the next several hours baking and decorating Christmas cookies. Friends have popped in to say hello and to meet our little girl. She has proudly offered our visitors a treat which she had baked and decorated during her first hours at home. It has been a delight to watch her light up at the sight of family dinners together in her new home and bedtime prayers when we recall the events we have enjoyed together during the day. Jessica has been telling us that she was excited to try fishing in America when we got home. As best we can tell, she has had some kind of exposure to fishing in China, and is anxious to see how it works in America. We think the cold and snow is a new experience for her, and she is not too thrilled about wearing gloves and other cold weather attire. She was sure we were going to take her fishing the first week at home. New events are a challenge for all of us. She was terrified to start school, so we were able to use a fishing opportunity as a bit of a reward for going to school for the first afternoon. Our idea worked, as she reluctantly went to school with me for lunch with new friends and an afternoon on her own with friendly staff and students. Chuck showed up to ride the bus home with her for the first day and I stayed at school for her entrance meeting. When I got home, she informed me that she would be riding the bus with Micah the next morning and will be attending school. Chuck took her for a VERY short fishing trip, as promised. Her curiousity seems to be satisfied as she informed us that the fish were hiding because it was so cold and that the fishing would be better when the weather warmed up as the fish would be more active. PRECIOUS!!! I have been concerned about going back to work and managing the morning routine with our new little gal. Today was her first full day at school and after a few minutes to wake up, she was excited to get ready for the bus to come! WHEW!!! What a relief to know that she is already enjoying the social contact. Her communication seems to be switching over quickly as she is picking up American Sign Language. She is motivated to fit in with friends at the deaf school and to be successful with her newfound skills! We are constantly AMAZED at this little one's ability to adapt and make the best of a new situation! We feel like we are witnessing a miracle EVERY DAY! After school this Friday, we will all be making the trip back to Boise for Jessica to meet big brother Jacob for the first time. She LOVES to swim as we have found out from our time together in China. Jacob also loves the water, so we thought a hotel with a warm pool might be just the ticket for these two to have an opportunity to see each other in action. We are hoping to be in church Sunday morning with good reports of our first encounter having had all the Cramkids together in one place. Jessica has been pointing out Jacob's pictures all over the house and knows we will be with him this weekend in a hotel near the airport. Thanks for your continued prayers as we continue to soak in our kiddo while trying to overcome jetlag and re-entry in our busy work-a-day schedule. We are enjoying new discoveries EVERY DAY as we experience the newness of each event with our precious daughter. How blessed are we to have been chosen to share this journey with such a beautiful little creation; complements of our loving GOD! We are so grateful for the prayers and encouragement of so many! Thanks for celebrating with us! Gratefully, the Cramkids' Crew

We tried to communicate to Jessica that we wanted to visit her home town to tell the children good-bye before flying to America. We have pieced together bits of American Sign Language with some Chinese Sign Language, along with the help of our beloved guide, Helen, who wrote to Jessica in Mandarin. She seemed to understand that we were not going to be dropping her off. It was so comforting to see her reconnect a bit with the caregivers who had provided so much for her for so long. The orphanage officials hosted an incredible feast for us in celebration of the successful match with Xie Si! We will always be grateful for the loving care our little girl received in her home town from the orphanage, her school for the deaf, and her foster sister who gave so much of herself to this precious little girl. She has been able to connect and communicate with our family. Much of that is a credit to the care she has received in her hometown. We will always cherish the generousity she has experienced in her early years. The Crams are grateful!

What an amazing time we had with Jessica in Fuzhou! She has an incredibly playful personality and is up for high adventure! She has tons of personality and is very capable of communicating preferences within her environment! She loves physical comedy and will be a welcome addition to her fun-loving brothers! Cramboys have officially become Cramkids with a girl to lead us in a new direction! We find that we have all become addicted to her smile! Isn't she beautiful? We think she's precious!

The Cram Family in China

We have our girl and she is doing very well with us!?? The first time she> saw us she was visibly terrified... but as soon as I reached for her and> started signing, she embraced me and would not let go.? For the entire> afternoon and evening, she would not leave my side.? Since then, she has> bonded with all four of us and is often in charge of where we are going> and what the activities will include. Our first dinner together was spent> at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Fuzhou. It was during that meal (just a few> hours after we had met her) that we heard her giggle at something Joel had> described in sign language. It was music to our ears!!! She is keeping up> with the boys with personality and sense of humor! She seems to understand> about flying to America and keeps confirming with dad and mom that she> will be flying with us to America to her new house.? She is VERY HAPPY to> be a Cram now!!!? Our hearts were overwhelmed again? at her response to> all the paperwork sessions.? The people who had delivered her to us were> back for signatures on the official paperwork.? She became very upset and> confused. It was almost as if she thought we were going to give her back.?> She sat in my lap and returned to the clinging behavior we had experienced> when she first met us.? When the interpreter wrote to her and asked if she> would sign the paper work and if she was willing to be adopted by> foreigners, I bawled as she quickly used her beautiful Chinese handwriting> to sign yes to add "Jessica Ruth Cram" to her Chinese name of Xie Si? This> is our little girl... meant to be.? Our hearts are bursting with happiness> as we soak in the sights with our new little girl!? She LOVES spicy foods> and is always on the hunt for new adventures.? She can't stop signing> about the lightening speed roller coaster that she and dad and Joel rode> yesterday at the nearby carnival!!!?? Chuck has found another roller> coaster buddie!?? Look out DISNEYLAND... here she comes!!!?? Thank you so> much for all who have been praying for us.? We still have a week and a ha>> lf of getting to know our little girl as we attend our appointments to> complete additional paperwork, and fit in as much sight seeing as we can.?> She is AMAZED at some of the most simple pleasures!? She was SO excited> about a bath and the battery operated toothbrush with Hello Kitty on it.?> We find ourselves watching her sleep and wondering how we could ever> become so blessed to finally have our daughter.? When asked by officials,> "Why did you choose to come to China to adopt a child?"? We simply> answered, "This is where Xie Si lives!"? We cannot imagine not having> answered the still small voice that whispered, "This is your little> girl... now go get her!"? I have spent countless hours worrying about this> precious little one being tortured by her separation of everything she has> come to know.? She knows this:? Jessica is loved and now has her very own> spot with her FOREVER family!? We are excited to start the rest of our> lives as we officially become Cramkids' Crew!!!? Gratefully, Beth Cram

Jessica's room is ready for her! We love you little girl!

Crams are getting ready to go to China to get little Jessica! Her file name was Addison, so many of the people who followed her scenario until we were matched with her will recognize her file name as Addison. What a miracle this journey has been for our family! I received the email about this little deaf girl in China during spring break of last year. As a special education teacher, it has been refreshing for me to plan some kind of escape for spring break in order to make it through the rest of the year in one piece. For some reason, we decided we needed to just "pull in" this spring break and refresh that way. I had also planned to attend our oldest son's Individual Education Plan meeting at the beginning of that week as I had run out of personal leave to attend such meetings during school days. Jacob is 16 this year. He was born profoundly deaf and also has autism. At 200 plus pounds, he outgrew mama a couple of years ago. Helping him transition from living at home to living in a group home 100 miles away was almost more than I could stand. It was this spring break that we had decided that in spite of a placement closer to home opening up, we all felt that to leave him in his loving placement in Meridian, Idaho is the most loving thing to do to preserve the routine he now knows. Through tears of relief and resignation, we informed Jacob's team that we felt that ongoing placement in Meridian in his group home and at the Meridian High School was God's loving provision for both our son and his adoring family. We have the opportunity to visit him several times each month and hang out at many of his favorite places doing fun things as a family. It was the very next day that we found little Jessica's (Addison's) picture and story on an email from a friend. The moment I opened the email, my heart made a connection and I immediately wondered what my husband would think of the idea of adding this precious little deaf girl to our Cramboys' family. Immediately, I sensed a still small voice telling me, "calm yourself, I have this one..." I knew it was the Lord asking me if I had learned ANYTHING on my journey with my son's recent transition. I called Chuck on his way home from work and asked him to prepare his heart before he came home. I told him that there was an email I wanted him to read and then find me to let me know what his reaction was going to be. After arriving home and reading the email, Chuck came to find me and asked, "Who do we need to call? That is our little girl!!!" I burst into tears of joy and disbelief!!! From then on, I knew I could let my heart go as that was my confirmation from the Lord that this adoption was "meant to be". Chuck's immediate acceptance and recoprocity of my own desires was the first of many miracles we have witnessed since that first day. Almost immediately, we were made a match for little Jessica. We were blown away by the generosity of an anonymous donor who offered to pay what we had estimated the adoption to cost. We took this as another miracle and confirmation from the Lord that we have truly been preserved through Jacob's transition to be available to add this little one to our family. Another miracle continues to unfold as the time of our departure to go retrieve our little one draws near. My old feelings of fear and guilt that somehow Jacob might feel like we are somehow trying to replace him is vanishing. The idea that he could ever be removed from our hearts or replaced in our home is impossible. In addition to that, I am learning that he may very well benefit from the added love and celebration that the rest of us have already begun to experience! We prayerfully and gratefully, embark on a journey that will add this precious little signing girl to our cramboy crew. We readily change our familial icon to Cramkids with a bit-o -pink! What a miraculous way to expand our family! We couldn't be more pleased or excited to be so close to adding a daughter! We are scheduled to depart from Boise, Idaho next Friday, morning on January 9th, 2009. We are to arrive in China, late the following night, January 10th at 10:35pm. According to our China schedule, we will be meeting our little gal in Fuzhou sometime after lunch on January 11th. We can hardly breathe with anticipation and excitement! Please keep the Crams in your prayers as we begin the traveling portion of the mirculous journey we have been anticipating for the past nine months! We will do our best to keep up with the blog as we travel as the miracle of adoption continues to unfold in the life of the Cram family! Huge hugs from all of us in Idaho (one hanging out a bit longer in China) Sincerely, Beth for Cramkids Crew.