Happy Thursday!
April 24th, 2008
Good afternoon from China! Sorry we didn’t blog yesterday, but to be honest, it was very boring here. Brayden had to go to therapy early, so we missed the docs. It was very cold and windy, so we weren’t about to go outside. Our biggest excitement yesterday was guessing exactly what type of pizza we got mistakenly delivered for lunch. We ordered pepperoni, but we got something that Jason hoped was pork with a swirl of some white sweet sauce on the top. I wouldn’t touch it, but Jason and Brayden loved it. Jack the intern came in after it was almost gone, and told us that it was probably chicken. I was thinking it was left over dog from the winter stash. Still not buying the whole chicken thing. We decided to be safe for dinner and get KFC. It is really very good. We had chicken nuggets and french fries. Jason ordered wings. It is no wonder why people here are so skinny… one order of wings consists of 2 wings. For those of you who know Jason, that isn’t even an appetizer!! He learned that the last time we had KFC, so he tried to order 6 orders (12 wings). However, the clerk said, “NO!” The most he was able to order was 6 wings total. They must have a cut-off or something.
The weather is really nice today- in the 70′s. It makes us feel right at home- 4O yesterday, 70 today. The docs did see Brayden today. He tracked the light and put his hands over his eyes when they shone the light directly in his eyes. They also said that another patient with epilepsy stopped having seizures completely after the stem cells, so that gave us hope in that department. Brayden seems to be tolerating his therapy a little better. The therapist is stretching him in full range of motion with his arms/hands and legs/feet in appropriate position. That was basically impossible before we came.
After PT, we decided to brave the local scene again and take the kids to Century Park for another picnic. We managed to give them all something to stare at again. I can’t wait until one of them falls off of their bike or moped bc they are staring at us! The park was really pretty. I don’t think the kids were all that amused, but at least we got out of the room! I was a little disappointed, no one peeing in the park! After a really long walk back, the kids were out! The cleaning lady was waiting on us. I think she has the hots for Jason. She just told me that I did good and gave me the thumbs up. Before long, we are going to start hearing knocks at the door saying “Me fluff your pillow!”
I can’t figure out some of the things they do over here. Not that any of what I am going to say is wrong- it is their culture. They are very conservative people because many are very poor. I’m sure they think we are weird and very wasteful! Some locals seem to wear the same clothes for several days at a time, and for some (the mean man down in the OR) I am pretty sure that brushing their teeth isn’t something they do everyday- or even every third day! You have to be very careful when ordering ice cream. Another family got ice cream that was actually frozen beans! They also serve sweet pickles with their pizza! Oh, and I went to the RT Mart earlier this week, and was sooo excited to find Cheetos and Lay’s Stax. HOWEVER- the Stax come in seafood, chicken, beef, cheese, or vegetable flavor. The Cheetos come in regular cheese or pea flavor!!! I was so disappointed! I grabbed some of the cheese Cheeto’s- I guess we’ll give ‘em a whirl. We did try the Pepsi and Coke, and they both taste pretty good. We found Budweiser beer, but have yet to try it out. The bottles of beer here are really big. The Budweiser products come in packs of 3.
Brayden has an IV treatment tomorrow, so pray that the nurses will hit a vein quickly! Poor kid, he has been poked more times since we have been here than he has in his whole life!! We have Saturday and Sunday off, so I think we are going hunting for the Coach purses that everyone is talking about. Maybe to the beach on Sunday. Hope you all are doing well. Please keep sending comments and e-mails. They really help us get through the days.
Love to all!
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22 Comments Add your own
1. David Groves | April 24th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Hey guys, sounds like Brayden is continuing progress and doing great! Glad your getting a chance to check out the local scenery and attractions while your there. I’m sure it helps to pass the time and get your minds off things. Stay strong! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
David
2. Brandy Russell | April 24th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Hello Johnson family! Sounds like all is well in China! So many are praying for you and hope that Brayden is doing well!! Glad to hear you will get some time off and I hope you can enjoy it! Talk to you all soon. Give the kids hugs!!! Love you all!
Love, Brandy
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10)
3. dayna ray | April 24th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
hey,Johnson family glad that everything is going well! Glad that you got to go to the park and have time off to do things. Glad that
he is following the light.
Take care and hugs and kisses to you all!!!
Dayna, Cloyd, and Chance Ray
4. Christy | April 24th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Well – the weather here in Kansas is wet, wet, wet again today! The Mercer lake has returned to our backyard!
Tell Brayden the boys are going to special olympics today. (As long as the rain stays away – supposed to get more.) We’re thinking Grady has a good chance of winning the running event — as long as he goes in the right direction!!
Think of you often, and wish I could hold your hand…
Wish I could send you some steaks (that would be beef steak – not dog steak!).
Love ya – Christy
5. angie | April 24th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Sounds like things are going well. I’m so glad. You aren’t missing much here. Raining. .. .Raining. Great weather to take a nap. For some reason 8th graders don’t have a scheduled nap time! Brayden sounds like he is being a trooper. We all knew he would. Brylie being sassy as ever?! I’m glad you have found some food. A little dog meat never hurt anyone! HA! Hope all stays smooth.
Keep Smiling~
Ang
6. Aunt TT | April 24th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Hey guys!!! Things sound good! I missed talking to you guys last night. Mom said you were pretty bored, and ready to get out. I’m glad you guys got some fresh air. Just think you guys are almost half way there. I have a running total of how many days left till you come, right next to my running total of how many days I have left of school!!!! All of my students are so interested in Brayden. They ask daily if I have any more pictures:) It is becoming more and more difficult to work, I keep getting online and checking to see the newest update. I miss you all. Take care. Love you. TT
Mark 5:36
7. Kelly Keegan | April 24th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Hello Guys~
What an adventure! Where else in the world could you go and find pea flavored cheetos??!! Come on, you know you can’t eat just one! You all are very very brave. I’m not sure that I have the guts to order take out with mystery meat. Jason what a man!
Hope you all have a great weekend out of the room. I know that cabin fever would be taking over right about now. But if you were home it would be the same thing with the heavy rain we are having. Of course the difference would be that Jason could eat himself silly on hot wings in the good ole USA!
Love,Kelly, Pat and Kendall
8. Aunt KK | April 24th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Hey guys! I missed talking to you this morning… I’m glad to hear that you actually got out your room today. I bet the kids were going crazy! I’m heading back to class just wanted to you leave you a little note saying Hey and I miss you guys like crazy! I will talk to you tonight. (Morning your time!) Love you all!
9. Abby (mesplay) Adamson | April 25th, 2008 at 12:46 am
I am glad that Brayden is still following the light. I hope that everything keeps going well. Abby
10. K Hess | April 25th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Glad to hear things are going well, I got worried when you didn’t have anything in the blog yesterday. I’m thinking I wouldn’t have tried the pea flavored cheetos either.
Enjoy your weekend out
11. Erica | April 25th, 2008 at 2:02 am
I cannot even begin to explain how much I love reading your blogs! My students have begun asking me how things are going…you guys have so many people thinking of you! Wish I could package some wings from Chatters and send you guys!
Hugs!
Erica
12. Sharon Johnson | April 25th, 2008 at 2:34 am
Hello to all…hope you are having a good day. We are about soaked around here and the clouds look like you could reach out and touch them. So happy to hear of Brayden’s progress, can’t wait to see you all again. Sounds like you are on the adventure of a lifetime over there. Thinking of calling you all the Indy Jones Johnsons…keep your faith and smiles. Hug and kisses for the kids, all my love, Nonnie
13. Kitten Gilmore | April 25th, 2008 at 3:40 am
We are so glad Brayden is doing so great. We sure did miss Brayden during Special Olympics spring games! We miss him every day too. Please give him hugs and kisses from us. Sing him a little something for us, “Honkey tonk, be donky donk…”
We love you all,
Kim, Kitten, Lacee, Shawn, Jaclyn, Brenda
14. Tracy, Shawn, Hannah, and Makenna Andrews | April 25th, 2008 at 6:14 am
You’re a heck of a woman Lorie! We miss seeing you guys at Pizza Hut on Tuesday night. I bet you’re even starting to miss the crowds of screaming children there. We are all praying for you and your family. God bless you!
15. Stacy (Maxton) Shepherd | April 25th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Hi all, I am glad to hear the Brayden is doing good and making great progress. You all take care and we will be praying for you!
Stacy
16. Trev- | April 25th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Hey all!!! I”m so proud of ya Brayden keep it up big boy!!! The weather is sounding pretty much like here at home!! We all miss ya so very much!!! Can’t wait till ya return!!
Love ya all!!
Trev-
17. Amy Johnson | April 25th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Pea flavored cheetos??? Seriously!! That’s just crazy! Glad to hear everything is going well! I love reading your blogs! Love you guys!! Take Care!!
Love, Aunt Amy, Uncle Chris, Kaitlyn, Tyler & Seth
18. collette burgan | April 25th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Hello Jason Lorie Brayden and Miss Brylie You know how importamt you are when this Auntie is determined to whip this computer to get a message to you. It was so unbelieveable to see you and talk to you. Uncle Jim and I are enjoying the blogs so much and are so happy with Braydens progress! Alberta sends her love and prayers She asks all the time. Maybe we should plant rice this year,I think you plant it in water, which we have plenty of! Will stop for now sending our love, hugs and kisses, We miss you and the prayers keep going. Talk to you soon Aunt Collette Uncle Jim
19. Laci Stump | April 26th, 2008 at 12:52 am
I guess pea flavored Cheetos are better than dog flavored ones!! No wonder we have so many foreigners, we have normal food and beer comes in a 12 pack!!
Hope you guys make it to the beach this weekend, that would be so nice. I’d love to be going to the beach myself!
Love hearing about Brayden’s progress, it is so awesome and amazing to think it’s even possible. He’s such a little stud!!
We are going to have to have a big wing fry and bud fest when you guys get back!! Lots of good ol’ normal food and family and friends to welcome you home!!
You do such a great job of giving us all a mental picture of your experience. Love reading about your days, and can’t wait to see ya!!
Love-
Laci
20. Jenni Diskin | April 26th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Keeping all of you in our hearts and prayers. May God bless all of you.
Take care–
Doug, Jenni and Trenton
21. the cobb family | April 26th, 2008 at 4:37 am
just a line to let you know we love you all. lori you are such a funny writer. so great to hear that brayden tracking the light that is great! i truly believe that there are many more great things to come for brayden and your family. well we love all of you and are praying alot for you love the cobbs.
22. Marha Duffin | April 27th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Hi Lorie and Jason and family,
This is aunt Martha. We are visiting aunt Cathy for Michael’s Holy Communion. Sara showed me how to USE the BLOG! Not too computer Savvy. Anyway, I have enjoyed reading it all. Lorie and Jason you are amazing! Continue to trust and have Faith in the journey God has sent you on. Blind Faith can lead to amazing THINGS! Blessings of the Lord are often beyond Human vision or understanding. We LOVE you all and are thinking of you…
Aunt Martha….and family…
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