Halloween 2009 aka Jack Sparrow

And then she was mine......

Five o'clock came and went........we got word that they were still at another hotel where more little kids were meeting their new parents. Didn't know until much later (days) that Mailia's friend Sara was one of those kids. I knew Sara's parents from the orphanage yahoo group, but we had never met. Days later, while in Guangzhou, our final stop in China, we all met in person quite by accident while our girls were getting their medical exams. Coincidence? I think not. lol We remain friends to this day.

Anyway, the minutes and hours dragged by and then FINALLY we were called and told to wait down in the elevator lobby. Even then we waited and got to watch another family receive their little girl first. And then time stood still...........I watched the elevator lights as it made it's way up to our floor........the door finally opened and out stepped my daughter.

Her first word was "Mama" and her next words were "where's Baba?" (daddy) Daddy was waiting at home but we called and talked to him very soon afterwards.

We had about 20 minutes to ask all those questions I had prepared, and then the orphanage rep. and our Chinese speaking guide both left. This little girl who didn't speak a word of English was suddenly left with total strangers. Silent tears ran down her cheeks for a minute or two while I tried to hold her and comfort her the best I could. My heart was breaking for her and I was scared to death that I would not be the mom she deserved. But........

Within about 30 minutes this kid was laughing, giggling, jumping on the bed, eating snacks we'd brought, trying on new clothes I'd brought, and on and on and on. None of us were able to sleep for hours that night. We were all on a huge, huge high.....running on adrenalin.

I could write about the rest of our trip for hours, but I won't. It's just been an awesome trip down memory lane today. I remember all the feelings and emotions like it was yesterday, instead of three years.

Thanks for going along with me for the ride. LOL

I'm posting a few pictures here too:

One when she stepped off the elevator and then one taken today, 3 yrs later, in the same outfit.

Then one in the little red, white and blue dress she wore home to the USA, and then one today, 3 yrs. later in the same dress.

TOO FUNNY!!!!

3 years ago 10-29-06

Three years ago today, I woke up in Beijing on what would be the day I became a mom. The sight-seeing behind us, I was now scared, apprehensive, nervous, you name it. Would my daughter hate me? Would I really be a good mom? What have I done?!?!?!? Thoughts of what might be going through Mailia's mind on this day also kept running thru my thoughts. Is she scared? Is she nervous? Does she realize that after today she will leave all she's ever known? Is she heartbroken or is she anxious? Does she wonder why she has no say in all this?

My friend (and travel companion) Audra and I spent the 3 hr. flight to Nanchang making a list of questions to ask the orphanage representative who would bring my daughter to our hotel that night. My one and only chance to learn as much as possible about my daughter-to-be.
I wish I'd kept that list, but I remember some of the obvious questions:

Did she know I was coming for her?
Is she happy or sad about that?
What is her personality like?
What foods does she like/dislike?
Eating habits, sleeping habits, potty habits, etc. etc. etc.

It was a fairly long list but like I said...it was my only chance to ask about the first six years of my child's life. As I learned, very quickly, there was just no possible way to ask all the questions that would come up from that day forward.

We got settled into our hotel in Nanchang and began the wait. Word came that she would arrive around 5:00pm. It was only noon. I tried to eat, but my stomach was in knots. Tried to take a nap....not possible.
So we walked. And walked. And kept checking the time. It was going soooo slow, no wait!, it's going so fast. What was I thinking???? There's still time to change my mind. OMG when will she EVER get here?!?!?!?!?

Three Years Ago..........

Three years ago this week, we were tourists in Beijing.
I was not yet a mom. But oh how my life was about to change.

Cross Country

Her school hosted a neighboring school for a one mile run. She finished 11th and her best friend (since K'garten) Allan finished 12th. Guess you know he took some grief for that. lol

Mailia's "Jimmie"

Once again "her Jimmie" is on his way to the Championship. And just like the past 3 years, he is on top of the leader board. We all have our favorite drivers, and fortunately they all drive for the same team......Hendrick Motorsports, so if our own favorite is not faring well in a particular race, we ALL cheer for Jimmie. Jimmie Johnson #48. Mailia LOVES Jimmie and the 48 car. She doesn't sit and watch an entire race, but will check in periodically to see where the 48 is. When the closing laps are near she stands in front of the tv and screams and cheers him to victory. And it works most of the time. :-)
Nascar fans around the country have been complaining that the racing has become 'boring' because Jimmie wins all the time. No such complaining in this house! Five races down and just five more to go..........will Jimmie win his 4th consecutive Championship? At least one of us hopes so. LOL

Petting Farm

We finally got some cooler weather, so we headed out yesterday to a local petting farm. She had a blast. She chased and caught chickens and ducks, held baby ones, milked a cow, rode a pony. The day finished with a hay ride and a pumpkin patch. She was the most fascinated by the tractors and wished she could drive one. :-) Very nice day.