'The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy'

I am not even sure how to start putting into words my emotions from today.  I have played so many scenarios in my head over the past year about how this day might have gone.  We were fully prepared for her to cry and be unhappy and scared and not let us in for awhile.  We prayed that it wouldn't go that way but we were ready and knew that it would be completely normal for her to have any or all of those reactions.  The reality of today though?  It actually turned out to be the 'perfect' scenario that I was often too afraid to let play because I didn't want to be disappointed.  Let me try to describe the break down of the day.

We knew that we weren't meeting our guide to go the Civil Affairs office until 2 to go meet Ellie.  We woke up around 3:30 (still dealing with jet lag) and hung out for a little while.  By 6:30 we were hungry so we went down to the breakfast buffet.  Let me just tell you, Chinese hotels do not mess around when it comes to breakfast buffets.  I can't even describe to you the amount and variety of food offered.  After our tummies were happy and full, we came back upstairs and dozed off for a bit again. It was really nice to have a laid back morning and rest up before the next part of the day.

Before it was time to leave, we went back down to one of the restaurants at the hotel to grab a light lunch.  On the way in, we noticed another 'American looking' couple across the lobby.  I off handedly wondered out loud if they might be adopting too.  After all, this city does not get very many foreign tourists.  Lunch was good and then it was time to get ready to go.  I had all the cameras and bags packed for Ellie only to realize when we got to the elevator that I forgot MY coat!  Then on our way down, the elevator stopped and I got off and started walking only to realize that it was not where we were getting off.  Ai!  I was so nervous!

Nervous momma at lunch. :)

When we got to the Civil Affairs office, we started walking in and then all of a sudden, there she was.  The orphanage director and a nanny were walking her and another little girl in.  I was so caught off guard.  There was my daughter.  She was beautiful.  I had tears in my eyes and just kept looking at her and laughing out loud in disbelief as we were walking in with them that I could see her and touch her.  She was real.  :)

We got up to the room there was surprise number two.  The couple we had seen in the lobby were in fact adopting and they were adopting the other little girl from Ellie's orphanage!  We made a few introductions but were quickly distracted by the sweet bundles being handed to us.  :)  As the nanny handed her to me she was so bundled in all her layers and big yellow coat that she was hard to hold and get a good idea of her size.  Except for her cheeks.  Oh her cheeks!  They are so sweet that I just keep kissing them.  Jiao Jiao (what she is called and we will be calling her along with Ellie for a bit to get her used to a new name.  Pronounced Gee ow Gee ow) was so nervous and just taking it all in.  She kept looking at her nanny and looking at us.  She really wasn't too sure about Marcus and mostly tried to avoid eye contact with him.  She didn't have any problem accepting a sucker from her Baba though.  :)  She teared up a couple of times but she was so brave.

After we left Civil Affairs, we had to stop at the bank to exchange money.  By then she had started to warm up to me a bit more and I got the first smiles out of her.  

Then we headed back to our hotel and got to start playing.  At first, she didn't want me to put her down.  We got out the stacking cups though and she started warming up.  :)  She was still pretty nervous about Baba but little kids really can't seem to resist him so she didn't stand a chance.  ;)  Eventually, she discovered the 'knock over' game with him and thought it was about the best thing ever.  She would knock over her bottle or the stack of cups or whatever was near by and smile big when Marcus would make silly sounds and set it back up again.  She has such a sweet personality.  She loves playing and laughing and teasing.  She also loves to eat!  We had a little picnic on the floor while we played and it was wonderful.  

After dinner she was doing so well that we decided to go ahead and give her her first bath.  We had to peel off several more layers to get to her!  She did love her bath though!  She loved playing with her cups and splashing around.  I really can't tell you enough how sweet she is.  Marcus and I kept laughing in delight and marveling over how precious she is and how blessed we are.  :)

After her bath, it was time for snuggles.  :)  She checked out the tv with Baba.  Wouldn't you know it, she is as fascinated with remote controls as any other toddler.  ;)  Then we could tell she was getting sleepy after such a big and long day so I got to hold her while she had her bottle and fell asleep. The moment was beyond amazing.  I am in awe of today.  I am in awe of our daughter.  I am in awe of the faithfulness and goodness of our God.  I know that there is a high likelihood that things will not continue to be as smooth.  There may be times of her being hit by grief or being overwhelmed by it all.  She has a cough and some congestion that could turn into something more.  But for now?  For now, our day was a blessing from above and we are basking in the glow.  :)

I read this verse a long time ago and knew that it was about this day.  I am so blessed that the time has finally come to be sharing it in this blog post. :)  

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them."  The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."     Psalm 126:2-3