More details

My sister said she wanted more details about adopting the boy. Here you go! But, if you want another first hand account, I highly recommend the parent's blog- http://wewilllovetheleastofthese.blogspot.com/

We arrived at the place around 2:30, that's when we were supposed to pick up Josiah. Well, apparently he was going to be late, he was stuck in traffic. Not surprised. :) We waited in this huge room, there were about 8 other families who were getting their children. I saw about 4 brought out as I was there, and others were playing with them which tells me they just recently got their children. Basically, they hide out in this one room, then at a random decided time they bring the child out and hand him/her over to the mother. And then the mom gets her first experience with holding her new child. After a few minutes, the caretaker comes over talks about the child, however, we kinda assume they say the same thing about each child, since they give very standard answers and what they say doesn't always happen once they bring the child home.

Then, they take a picture with the family and caregiver, and it's done. However, I didn't mention that at random times there are tears from all parties involved. :) Even those, like me, that are not involved.

I loved being there with the family, it was so great to see!

Guangzhou

I had the privileged of going to Guangzhou this weekend and being with some American friends as they adopted their little boy. It was amazing! The things I get to experience in China are so random and so life-changing.

I met this family when I worked in Kansas about 4 years ago in the summer. At that time they had 4 adopted kids. Two from China and two from America. Since then they adopted one more from America. Now, they were adding two more to their family to make it a total of 7 kids. I got to be there as they met number 7! I don't usually cry in public, but this almost brought me to tears. To see children that are abandoned for a variety of reasons, some for very small "problems" on their body (Chinese want a 'perfect' child), being placed into a loving home, is awesome. I was the photographer and even though I took a ton of pictures, I still couldn't capture the feeling of the room.

Their "littles" ages 3, 18 months, and 3 1/2

look at that amazing face!

the whole family

It took him a little time, but we got some smiles!

Catching up

Wanna write a big blog to catch you all up on my life, but I just don't have time right now. This weekend I'm going to Guangzhou to meet a family I worked with in Kansas for a summer. They are adopting two little Chinese kids and I get to be there for one of the adoptions! I'm super excited to see them. They brought me some fun things from America so it will be an extra special treat. Before and after this trip I'm busy making up rescheduled classes. It's amazing how missing just a few days will put you completely behind...

I need to try to sleep... I hope your enjoying the spring! It's summer in Wuhan! hit 90 today!