Mom2my4

A Few Reunion Photos

Hello! We had a great time at the reunion!!! Needless to say, we are exhausted. I will get the rest of the pictures up in a few days. In the meantime.....

Hannah Mei 3, Ellie 7, Anna, 4, Gianna 4, Lynn Mei 4, Nicole 3, Jessica 3, and Kelsey 3

Siblings: Back Row- Ellie, Anna, Gianna, Morgan (Kelsey), Hannah Mei

Fornt Row: Jane (Lynn Mei), Lynn Mei, Jennie (Ellie), Katie (Ellie), Emma (Lynn Mei), Nicole, McKayla (Nicole), Rachel (Kelsey), Daniel (Kelsey), Kelsey, Jessica  Not Shown: Anthony (Gianna)

LiYu, LiSu, LiXin, and LiCi (Ellie, Anna, Gianna, and Lynn Mei)

MeiHui, MeiSha, MeiLan, and MeiWen (Jessica, Kelsey, Nicole, and Hannah Mei)

 

Ellie, Anna, Gianna, Lynn Mei, Nicole, Jessica, Kelsey, and Hannah Mei

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Friday's Reunion Photos

Here are some pictures from our day on Friday. We went to the zoo with Hannah Mei (Karen & Rob) and Jessica (Melinda & Tony).  You won't believe this, but my camera broke!!! I missed dinner shots and will borrow other people's pictures. I am all set to go with a different camera on Saturday.

Letter from the Director!

(Make sure you read the post below this one first, so you will know what I am talking about.)

Here is a note the I received from Cindy :   I gave the packet to Director Li yesterday and he got a huge grin on his face when he saw your photos of your daughter.  He obviously cares very much.  He gave me a sealed letter to give you today.  I just wanted to know if you want the guide here to translate it for you, or if you want me to mail it to you unopened.  The guide said she would do this for us.

Isn't that great???!!! I can't wait to find out what it says. :) The orphanage is 5 or 6 hours away. They bring the children to the families and stay overnight. The next day the adoption is finalized. Director Li must have written this note from his hotel room. Isn't that great? I will post when I find out what it says. :-)

Thanks, Cindy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grateful and I Wonder

      I have always felt very grateful that Kelsey received good care while she was in the orphanage in China. Her adjustment was smooth, she was developmentally on target, and she knew how to interact with people. (Yes, she did cry and it took her a little while to warm up.) I assumed that this particular orphanage did the best they could and Kelsey benefited from that.  I have heard stories about the care that other children have received in other orphanages around China. I have also now personally experienced the difficulty a child can have when they come form an orphanage that is not as good. (... for whatever reason... lack of funds, lack of training, overcrowding). I continue to be grateful to the CangWu Social Welfare Institute (orphanage) for the care they gave Kelsey.

     We received our disposable cameras back when we picked up Kelsey. Inside were the usual "posed" pictures, but there were also a treasure of other pictures. There were pictures of the nannies smiling and holding Kelsey. There were pictures of her enjoying the cake we sent with other children at the orphanage. The nannies were smiling and the candles were lit. Kelsey stuck her little fingers in the cake and the nannies smiled with pleasure. The pictures of them holding Kelsey showed their fingers clasped lovingly around her, her snuggled in their lap, and their cheeks against her.  They were not all the standard "posed" pictures that people often receive. Again, I am grateful. Kelsey must have been loved, not just cared for.

    I requested a history report on Kelsey through China-Babies. It came after 6 months, in May. (more about that in a future post...)

   Fast forward to now.... other families are traveling to get their sweet CangWu babies. Cindy agreed to take a letter and pictures to the director from us. I am in her debt! I know that Gotcha is a busy day and for her to remember our letter means a lot to me!!! Thanks Cindy. (Check out her blog to see her new daughter with her sweet soulful eyes.) Some children grieve the loss of the only life they have known by being quiet and others by screaming! Sweet June is quiet right now. Kelsey cried for a few hours and then settled down. Rachel was in shock, refusing to move, hung her tongue out, and was limp for days! Once we got to Guangzhou, Rachel screamed and cried until we came home. (It was like she was coming out of shock.) People who have not experienced adoption often wonder why the child is grieving. They all grieve in their own way and their grief is not indicative of the care they received.The life they are leaving might not be the best, but it is the only life they know. They are sad and frightened to leave it behind.

    Click here to read the letter that I sent with Cindy to the director. The English might sound funny, but you have to make sure you say things in a culturally appropriate manner. Yes, I had it translated. These are the pictures I sent of Kelsey.

More later.....

You've Come A Long Way, Rachel!

Rachel has been with us for over a year now! We are so proud of the growth Rachel has made. Please enjoy the many faces of Rachel. You can see older pictures of her below this slide presentation. 

 

This weekend's reunion will be all about Kelsey. I wanted to take a minute and show of our youngest sweetie! (Daniel and Morgan: I know you don't like pictures, but I will show you off too this summer!!)

Traveling to Cangwu

There are a couple of familes that won't be able to make our Cangwu reunion next weekend. BUT they have a good reason to miss it! They are in China now, traveling to get their sweet little Cangwu babies. Follow their journeys... we will be following along!

June Lee (June Lee's mom is taking a letter and some photos to the orphanage for us. Two of Kelsey's caregivers are still there. )

Hannah (I think that Hannah's parents are living in Italy, but are from Oklahoma.)

June Lee was wearing the same outfit as Kelsey in her referral pictures! Below is Kelsey in the outfit.

Just a Few Photos!

Father's Day Dancing

This video is a little long for people who are not family. But... it is so cute!

Happy Father's Day!

Zoey's Birthday