One Year Ago Today
May 8 2006 - tired out
May 8 2007 - in her2006 outfit 
(smiling her 'smile for the camera' smile)
May 8, 2006 is forever etched in our memories. (and on this blog too http://ying-er2006.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_archive.html )One year ago today Steve and I woke up in Guangzhou and madly tried to exchange some money at the bank and walked around the hotel in a daze until we boarded a bus at 2:00 pm.
One year ago today we walked up to the fifth floor of the Civil Affairs office even though it was blistering hot. We were too excited to wait for the excruciatingly slow elevator.
One year ago today we walked into the first room on the right (the one with the A/C) and waited along with the other families in group 230/231. Across the hall there were families from the US, and down the hall there were families from France and Spain. In that organized chaos our guide told us that 60 babies would meet their new families that day, and we were stuck by the magnitude of what was about to occur.
One year ago today we sat for SUCH a long time (it was probably only 15 mins) in that room in the chair beside the A/C unit until Lee (or was it Freda?) finally said, “Xiao Qing”
One year ago today we finally got to hold Charlotte Xiao Qing in our arms, and at long last we became a family of four.
One year ago today we held Charlotte up to the webcam in our hotel room so that her big sister could ‘meet’ her for the first time. We all cried.
One year ago today Charlotte was dehydrated, pale, exhausted and covered in a nasty heat rash. She was beautiful and cautiously curious. Later in the day when she began to realize the great change that had occurred in her life, she was clearly terrified. Somehow that brave little girl found the strength to trust us to take care of her. For this we are forever grateful.
I can honestly say that each day since then has been punctuated with tremendous joy. Oh sure, there were moments, but the smiles and hugs and giggles make the moments fade from memory. We can’t say that our nights have that same lovely feeling….but maybe we’ll figure that out by next May 8. We’ve come so far already.
Thank you Dianbai orphanage staff - you took such wonderful care of Charlotte up to May 8
Thank you CB and Freda and Lee for getting us there.
Thank you to our family and friends for celebrating with us and hugging us as required.
Thank you AJ for being the best big sister in the whole wide world.
Thank you Charlotte….. for accepting us as your family, and for being you.
Happy Forever Family Day
One year ago today we walked into the first room on the right (the one with the A/C) and waited along with the other families in group 230/231. Across the hall there were families from the US, and down the hall there were families from France and Spain. In that organized chaos our guide told us that 60 babies would meet their new families that day, and we were stuck by the magnitude of what was about to occur.
One year ago today we sat for SUCH a long time (it was probably only 15 mins) in that room in the chair beside the A/C unit until Lee (or was it Freda?) finally said, “Xiao Qing”
One year ago today we finally got to hold Charlotte Xiao Qing in our arms, and at long last we became a family of four.
One year ago today we held Charlotte up to the webcam in our hotel room so that her big sister could ‘meet’ her for the first time. We all cried.One year ago today Charlotte was dehydrated, pale, exhausted and covered in a nasty heat rash. She was beautiful and cautiously curious. Later in the day when she began to realize the great change that had occurred in her life, she was clearly terrified. Somehow that brave little girl found the strength to trust us to take care of her. For this we are forever grateful.
I can honestly say that each day since then has been punctuated with tremendous joy. Oh sure, there were moments, but the smiles and hugs and giggles make the moments fade from memory. We can’t say that our nights have that same lovely feeling….but maybe we’ll figure that out by next May 8. We’ve come so far already.
Thank you Dianbai orphanage staff - you took such wonderful care of Charlotte up to May 8
Thank you CB and Freda and Lee for getting us there.
Thank you to our family and friends for celebrating with us and hugging us as required.
Thank you AJ for being the best big sister in the whole wide world.
Thank you Charlotte….. for accepting us as your family, and for being you.
Happy Forever Family Day
Some shots from today's celebration:
Cake decorated by AJposted by Stephen Daze | 10:24 PM
3 Comments:
Happy One Year! I was newly DTC and waiting for my LID last year when you made your journey and I still remember the excitement of following along. You gave me so much hope. Thank you for that!
That was a beautiful post! I'm crying!! I can't believe I have been following this blog for a year! You have a beautiful, beautiful family! Thanks for sharing
Happy Forever Family Day!
Sherri
Ok, my eyes are watery and my throat is tight. Happy family day we are all so lucky.
Post a Comment
<< Home