4 Years!

Celebrating 4 years today with this little pumpkin!

Happy Gotcha Day, Joy! We love you more than words can say!

"The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad." Psalm 118:24

Guangzhou

After leaving Hunan we arrived in Guangzhou for our second week in China. Here we would complete the final phase of our adoption with an appointment at the US Consulate for Presley's visa to go home. All adopted children have to go to the medical clinic for a check-up and a TB test if they are over 2 years old. There was a lot of waiting involved, but little Presley was so brave and proved herself to be a very good patient.

We met so many amazing adoptive families since everyone has to stay that second week in Guangzhou. Our adoption agency alone had 12 families staying in our hotel along with countless others from different agencies. What a picture of heaven! We stayed in the beautiful Garden Hotel (the same one we stayed in on our trip for Joy), and it brought back so many nostalgic memories.

We ventured out on some fun planned activities which included the zoo, a pearl and jade market, and a dinner cruise . . . so fun!

 We visited Shamian Island for some shopping and classic pictures with the statues!

And, we went back once more . . . this time Presley "danced" with the statues!

We enjoyed taking in the culture by strolling through another beautiful China park . . .

 and our little energizer bunny was finally worn out!

We finished off our stay with a photo shoot of our China dolls (courtesy of Mia who was our resident photographer the entire trip!).

Priceless memories to last a lifetime!



The Orphanage

Emotional . . . so many emotions! It's hard to put into words the experience we had on the day we visited Presley's orphanage. We are so glad we went . . . our precious Presley needed closure, and the rest of us needed to see it with our own eyes. It made an impact on us in a way that we will never be the same! It was a 3 hour drive from the city of Changsha to the city of Shaoyang.

The day before the visit our guide, Amy, had told Presley that the next day we were going to visit her nannies and friends. She began to whimper and shake her head "no". It was heart wrenching to watch, but we still felt that is was right that we go. As soon as we entered the gates of the orphanage, Presley again began to cry and very quickly became distraught. She was telling our guide that she did not want to go back and that she wanted to stay with us. Oh my heart! She thought we were taking her back. We got out of the van, and the orphanage supervisor who had brought Presley to us was there. She explained that we were just visiting and that Presley would get to show her family to all of her friends. Her family! The people in her picture book that she had been clinging to for the past 6 months!

She finally seemed to understand. She grabbed our hands, and off we went.

When we entered the building, Presley clung to me. I reassured her over and over that I was her mama and that she would be with me always!

We first went into her preschool classroom, and she finally got down and wanted to introduce us to her teacher and friends. It was surreal to be standing in the same exact place that we had only seen in pictures.

 This is her best little friend. We found out that she is being adopted by a Chinese family, and we are so happy for her!

 The children are so precious, each and every one. Already our little Presley seemed different . . . an orphan no longer. She had been chosen. She was plucked out of that life and grafted into a new one. She is our beloved daughter! It was so hard to imagine her living there, without us. I could hardly see through the tears that I shed for each day that she was not with us and equally so for each child left behind. Every single one of them deserves a family . . . every single one!

 This is her special teacher who seemed so kind and so happy for sweet Lan Lan! We are thankful for her.

 My eyes are completely swollen in every picture . . . I just couldn't stop the tears!

Then we met Presley's special nanny who cared for her for 4 years. There was an obvious affection, and we are so grateful to her for her loving arms that held our girl while she waited for us!

After a couple of minutes, Presley wanted to be sure that mama was near! Her attachment was transferred! Praise God! She was now in her mama and baba's arms forever!

We saw where Presley slept, and she was sure to tell everyone that she didn't sleep there anymore. Now she sleeps with mama and baba!

We met her special nai nai (grandma) who just seemed thrilled for our precious girl!

Presley handed out  little goody bags to the children which we had prepared.

Our hearts were ripped wide open as we observed the many precious ones within the walls of the orphanage. I touched and prayed for as many as I could, and then we left.

I will never forget those children, and I will never stop praying for them and for more families to come forward to care for them. They truly are the least of these! It comforts my heart to know that our heavenly Father sees each one, and He loves them very much!

We took a few more pictures outside, and Presley played on the orphanage playground one last time. She was so happy and just seemed so relieved and carefree!

We took a final picture outside of the orphanage. We have visual memories to share with Presley someday.

It was an emotionally draining day, but it was so good that we went! Our precious baby was exhausted! I enjoyed holding her close, and I never plan to stop!

 

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40



Martyr's Park

We love the parks in China, and visiting them was a great way to engage in the culture and have some fun! On the way to the park, Presley discovered my sunglasses . . . upside down and all!

Presley walked (or rather "strutted her stuff") through the entire park! The cutest was when all the girls joined hands . . . and she loved her backpack of her very own and wanted it with her at all times!

This is us with our guide, Amy, who was such a blessing and a huge help!

And then we discovered the rides! Presley loved it . . . another little thrill seeker!

The girls had fun feeding the fish!

Finally, we finished off the adventure with a boat ride! However, we didn't realize that we would have to peddle it ourselves . . . at least we got a good workout and enjoyed beautiful scenery!

A super fun day! We visited the park one more time on our last day in Changsha . . . those cheeks!

 Presley tired ice cream for the second time . . . it was a very hot day! She likes it!!!

Special memories of Hunan, Presley's home province, we will cherish them always!