Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Sugar Pie

Hi everyone, I still don't have acess to facebook or the blog here in China unless it's on my Blackberry but I can't post pics from it so I asked a friend of mine to help out. Thanks Carolyn!

Last night after Sugar had her melt down she slept for 12 1/2 hours. She had a pretty big day yesterday. We got up and she had a bath and got some fresh clothes on. The ones she had on from the orphanage came off as soon as we got into the hotel room. I'll wash them and put them in a keepsake box for her. I didn't put a pull up on her and she slept between Daddy and Mommy...I might have been taking a chance but I figured I'd let sleeping puppies lie ;O).

Today we officially signed the adoption documents. SHE IS OURS!!!!!!!!!! It has totally sunk in! There were four families that were there with us. 3 of them were beautiful toddler boys and then our Spicy girl. One of them was in her orphanage and it was so cute they held each others hands in the lobby while we were waiting for our guide. The paperwork was crazy, four families being switched from one room to another to sign here and fingerprint there, nannies from orphanages running amuck, someone else asking you to smile for picture, another telling you what happens next, children running the hallway.....oh wait mine was in there too...Niao Niao!!! Oh crap! She has to pee, where in the bathroom??? Someone pointed and we ran...only to find our first squaty potty!!!!! Gaaaaw! How do you suspend a 4 year old with short legs over that thing!!! I....almost dropped her in it!!!! ...a greater power than me got us threw the entire ordeal. Somehow! ;O).

We paid the orphanage director the donation and we gave her knitted hats. mitts, blankets and treats for the other children. Her orphanage holds 400-500 children and is one of the biggest ones in China, I guess Harbin having a population of 5 million would have something to add to that. This city is beautiful. Our guide was told we were not allowed to visit the orphanage which pretty much made me cry. I was really hoping to go. They said with the H1N1 they didn't want to take any chances...I guess I can understand that. I asked if they could find me any younger pictures of her and pics she might have colored or drawn. They were great to answere any questions I had.

We had one of the guides develope the pics from the disposable camera we sent in her care pkg and they are wonderful!!! She is so cute in them. I'm so glad they used it cause I have heard that some didn't have theirs even opened.

When we FINALLY finished the paper work we came back to the hotel and Shane went with one of the drivers to the airport to pic up the lost luggage. While he was gone Sugar had another melt down..I just held her and let her get it out. She settled and when she was done she walked into the bathroom and stripped down and jumped in the dry tub.....this girl has a water fetish like you would not believe! Ifwasn't enought before she went down tonight she had a third! About 3 hours later she had a meltdown again and I held her for a bit then soothed her by taking her for a walk. We went to Pizza Hut and she picked at some food. Her and Daddy shared a frozen Dragonfruit smoothy it was the sweetest thing ever to see them both with the straw in their mouth...giggling was all I could do to keep from crying....one piece of advice I got about the first couple of days was if you have the choice to laught or cry, laugh. It really is the best advice. ;O) and smiling of course.

We went for a walk with her down the river bank and people were looking and talk ing and smiling at her. I stopped to take pictures and Daddy said to warn him when I do because Spicy goes wild looking for me...I kept stopping to take pics.....I told daddy that I really want as many as possible so she can have them when she asks for them....then it hit me again.......she is leaving everything she knows.....her people, her culture, the smells, the food, her caregivers, friends, .....everything she knows......I know we will give her a wonderful life and she will never lack for anything....but when a child can't fully understand and they are in your aching arms weeping for another woman...(even if it is only her job...she still loved her...we can tell)....it breaks a part of you you didn't know was there....God has shown me with His eyes how she feels and has revieled to my heart a grace and mercy for her little heart. I love her so much..I'm in tears just admitting this.....cause yes I'm human and I wondered if I could love her as if she were my bio child......and I most certainly do..... more than I ever dreampt I humanly could. Dear Jesus.....keep this journey forever in the imagination of my heart and use it to draw me onto you when I'm ungratful or selfish or unkind to anyone. This last couple of days has transformed me inside. I'm broken but stronger than I've ever been...if that makes sence to anyone.

Bless you all, thank you for putting up with my long winded post...I miss you all, can't wait for you to meet her!!!!

Lori, We had a monarc butterfly follow us into the hotel lobby today and thought of you!
Jac, I could hear you when we tried to connect to Skype but my connection was bad, I think we fixed that problem. I love you sweety, hugs to Miss K for Nana and ya Ty too.

Sugar Pie just got up twice to pee...I'm thinking my typing close to her ear isn't helping her sleep soundly....so until next time hugs to all! Tomorrow we go to the Tiger park!!! We stay in the Van and the tigers walk around us!!! Exciting!














19 comments:

Lesa said...

OMG, she is so beautiful and cute wrapped up into one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Debz, I'm so incredibly happy for you. Can't wait to see more.

Can't wait for us to be there next!

Love and hugs

Iris said...

okay more tissue needed yet again.
Huggs
Me

Doreen said...

Thank was a beautiful and honest post. Thank you for reminding me how lucky we all are. I am in tears.

Doreen in Montreal single mom to Faith-Jiangxi & Mia-Sichuan

Chris, Tammy and the gang! said...

Oh, love the posts, the insight and the descriptions of everything that's taking place.
Love, love, love the pictures!!!

Take care,
Tammy

a Tonggu Momma said...

Getting a little teary here... and I can tell you are doing everything possible to make this transition smooth. Hugs to y'all! And yes, laughing is best! And drinking milkshakes, too, of course. ;)

Elisa...life as we know it. said...

Yeah you have a little girl plus luggage now !!!

Sounds like you are doing great, the meltdowns are hard but day by day it will get easier.

Hugs to you all.

Nadine said...

She's beautiful and now she's blessed because she is part of your family. Many blessings to you all.

Anonymous said...

OH DEB n SHANE SHe is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and wow sounds like there will be many many bath times to look forward to!!!! (ok... bath toys for Christmas...check). It is sooooooooooooo wonderful to hear from you and to hear how God is working in your lives right now! I am soooo happy for you it hurts!!!!!!!

Please please give her an eskimo kiss on the nose for me, from her auntie Lori. Can't wait to look into those beautiful almond eyes and kiss those sweet little puckery lips! and please send a picture of her dear sweet little smile!!! ahhhhhhh is this what heaven feels like? WOW

Barbra said...

Oh, How absolutely precious! I love your post. This is so how it is. We were there one year ago tomorrow so this is all just amazing to watch.
I want to ask a few things (no hurry for answers...wait until you are home!).
1) Who is the tall woman with the white shirt in the one picture (Jazmyn is being held by another caretaker that we do recognize)?
2) Is Chen Ma (Jing Chen) still the director of the orphanage?
3) Are Susan and Lynn still working in the provincial office of adoption with Lynn being your guide?
Barbra
bdking70@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hi guys! Amazing, beautiful and inspiring is what you all are. You must finally feel so complete and at peace. It has been a long journey for you and for all who have tagged along with you. I can't wait to meet your little princess, she is adorable. Give a kiss to her from her "Auntie Jo"!

Luv ya's

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I am bawling here.....I am so happy for you guys!! She is just beautiful.....CONGRATULATIONS:)

Love the photo of her and Daddy drinking the shake!!

Can't wait for the next update:)

xoxo,

Lisa

Kayce said...

Happy happy happy tears here! So glad for the update and the pictures! Just love the one of all of you and the one with Jazmyn and her daddy! OMYWORD!

Sherri said...

Oh my gosh - there she is in pictures with her Mommy and Daddy. How darn sweet is that! I'm so happy for all of you for being there and being with Jazmyn. Great pictures and I can't wait to see more of them.
Love,
Sherri

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

Arrrghhhh... cuteness overload... congrats and glad to finally see a photo... take care

geminirn said...

OMG!!! I'M sitting hear bawling!!!!ONLY HAPPY TEARS OF COURSE!!I Love the photos...she is beautiful guys!

Thank you so much deb for sharing ..straight from the heart...what a beautiful post,looking forward to the next update.Hope you have all slept well!

Hugs from Saint John,NB

redmaryjanes said...

WOOHOO! congratulations! She is beautiful!

Lisa said...

I'm with Iris and Dianne! I'm bawling here too.

I know exactly what you mean about being broken and strong all at the same time.

Kim said...

BEAUTIFUL.. love Daddy and Jazmyn sipping through straws..
I AM SOOO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS..
Love ya..
thanks for the update..

Shannon said...

OOOOOOHHHHH!! She is beautiful!! What a sweetie! Sounds as if you are doing a great job of going with the flow and getting acquainted. Great post. GORGEOUS pics of your daughter!!!!!!
Congrats to you all!