Our Request to All of You

I wanted to write to "prep" our family and friends who will be in contact with Ling Ling/Apollo upon his return home at the airport and around town (which won't happen too much). He is a precious, sweet, energetic (shocking, I know), generous, mischevious, considerate, busy, smart, curious, and loveable child of God. He is awesome but we need you to keep in the forefront of your mind that he has gone 4.5 years without parents and without familial rules. Due to his severe heart condition, we were told he really wasn't told "no". Can you imagine what would happen if a child was allowed to do pretty much anything they wanted for all of their toddler years? Many undesirable behaviors could and did form in that time and we are working hard to teach him what is right from wrong. He also must learn what it's like to be loved as a son and brother. Our days are not easy but they're worth it! This will likely take days, months, and even years. So please keep in mind that he doesn't know how to act like other children who have been raised by their families since birth. Please give him grace (and us too!). Our world has been rocked in the very best way and we have a long and difficult road ahead. A road that must be taken together.

We would also like to remind you that we need to teach Apollo that we are his mama and baba. This means we are the only adults who will provide for all of his needs. We must be the only ones to give him food, drinks, and affection. Please do not feed him, pick him up, hold him on the floor, kiss or hug him. Everyone did a great job respecting this request with Magnus and now he has an amazing attachment to us. It will likely be harder with Apollo because he will ask you more than Magnus. He's already tried to go to multiple other women here in China because that's what he's always done. So thank you in advance for your help because we are in a critical time of establishing our attachment and will be for quite awhile.

We would appreciate your prayers and understanding as we teach Apollo how great he is and how great he can be. We need both cheerleaders and prayer warriors; we know that we are surrounded by some of the best around!