What A Difference Six Months Can Make

We met the other two couples during our trip to breakfast. It was so exciting to get a quick feel for everyone. Of course due to travel & nerves I really don't think any of us had any sleep the night before. We first met Lorie & Michael who are closet to us - they live close to Chattanooga in Georgia. Then I looked up & saw Tammy coming towards me. I have to admit, I have alot of memories from that trip - but I will never forget that hug. I knew immediately that we'd be friends for life. Here we all are on the bus heading towards the orphanage. Look at that Roudy Bunch in the back.!!!!!
After a second attempt - we were there. Apparently our bus wouldn't make it in their main entrance due to the height issue. So, we had to go around the block - aka drive about 30 more minutes to get there. Once I saw the statue, I KNEW we were there. I had memorized the pics of her orphanage from the yahoo group.

want to do some reading?

I love the bright colored fishies

Our first sight of her. Oh it took my breath away.

There she is in her cool manner taking it all in, definitely not letting the stress phase her one bit.

She was the first to come into the room. She didn't seem nervous at all.

And just like now, Dad can make her laugh unlike anyone else.

I can't quite put my finger on it - but there is reservation in her eyes.
Looking back at those first few days, I know we hadn't met her true personality YET.

One last pic in the orphanage as we head to the van

Believe it or not, but we still see this quite regularly

How sad she looked there but yet still very inquisitive

This is after we had gone back to the hotel for lunch. OH MY. That girl ate sooo much that day. I ordered a Chinese version of lasagna. Andy ordered duck. HG had a bowl of noodles. She ate hers, some of Andy's & about half of mine. We had to stop her. I was so afraid she was going to make herself sick. At least she was eating, for that I was thankful.
Here we were at the police office fixing all the paperwork. We had a lot of fun just playing & waiting with all the other families. The lady at the desk asked if HG would go home with her. UH OH - I remember she said yes. At that moment, I knew I'd have to keep her just a little closer.

We were so tired that first day. Once we got back to the hotel we didn't want to go anywhere. So, what do normal Americans in China do? Order in pizza of course. And of course she ate like a champ. At the end of the trip both of our guides even mentioned how much weight she had gained. I guess she really did eat alot.

Sleeping beauty out cold.
It's pretty tiring meeting your parents for the first time.

We've had so many people tell us how much she "just fits" in with us. I am assuming that's a good thing. ;0) She has calmed down on her eating. Though all the candy from this past weekend has put quite a cramp on things around here. She is constantly bringing me a piece of candy asking permission to eat it. I guess I should be thankful that she's asking first. LOL She has made friends. She is doing extremely well with her preschool curriculum stuff. She likes school. She is fluent in English & losing her Chinese alot quicker than I wanted. She is just now willing to listen to Mandarin cds or talk to some friends who speak Mandarin. I hope the curriculum I am looking into will help her to keep it. It's just so hard when she doesn't hear it everyday. Our SW is amazed at how she's doing & I have to agree with her. ;0)
Thank you Jesus for giving us such a blessing. She is way more than I ever imagined & I can NOT fathom my life without her in it. Here's to the next half year. Oh the things we have to look forward to: (Thanksgiving, a birthday, Christmas, New Year's, Chinese New Year's Celebration with an actual daughter to take to the celebrations FINALLY, Valentine's Day, & Easter.) Maybe this will mean I'll be posting more than I have in the past. (oops sorry)