Monday, December 6, 2010

We Have Them!!!

Where to begin? Wow what a day. What a sacred, blessed, exhausting, unbelievable, precious, unforgettable day. We have them! These two darlings we have worked for for so long are now ours.

This is the biggest adoption group (by far) that we have ever been a part of. There are 12 families. So today at the building where we all received our children, it was a bit chaotic. But it was way better than I expected. Most of the kids were happy (or at least not crying). Our two girls were part of the last group to arrive. So for an hour and a half we were able to watch other families receive their children. We helped video and take pictures. Christi was the lookout for vans/cars coming with one or two more kids. My dad was overwhelmed. Before we even got Sophi and Lexi, he came over to Christi and asked, “Why didn’t you prepare me for this?” He had envisioned a pretty sterile transfer of a child from one person to another. He was not prepared for the fact that when a child becomes part its forever family, the Holy Ghost is present, impressing on those who are there that this is an eternal and important moment. My dad knew that the spirit was strong when a child was born into the world. He was not prepared for the overwhelming spirit that is present when a child is adopted and meets his or her parents for the first time. When there are 12 such meetings at once, it is an amazing day!

At our request, we received our daughters about 10 minutes apart. Lexi was the first to come in. We saw her get out of the car and be escorted up the stairs by the orphanage staff. She shuffled her feet and had to be pushed in the room. Right inside the door we greeted her and led her to a nearby couch. Since we first decided to adopt Graci, I have spent hours studying Chinese. I am nowhere near fluent, but I can say enough to really help during the first few weeks of an adoption. The first ten minutes of our time with Lexi today made every second I have spent studying Chinese worth the effort. I was able to hold her hand and say: “I am your daddy.” Then I would put Christi’s hand in Lexi’s and say “This is your mommy.” I did the same with the girls. I told her I loved her. It sounds so simple, but I really felt like my ability to say these things in words she could understand helped to build a bridge and enable her to love our family much faster.

I cannot tell you how completely and immediately Lexi melted my heart. This is one special little girl. She has an innate goodness and sweetness about her. She was almost completely quiet at first, but has really opened up throughout the rest of the day. I can’t tell you how happy she makes me and all of us. Several times throughout the day I put her hand up to my face and said, “Ba ba” (Daddy). After I had been out for awhile, I came back to the room. Again I took Lexi’s hand and rubbed my cheek with it and said “Ba ba.” This time she responded. She said, “Ba ba, Wo ay nii.” That means, “Daddy, I love you.”!!! I was exstatic. Lexi is beautiful and wonderful. I can’t wait for as many of you as possible to meet her.

Ten minutes later, Sophi was brought into the room. She was a little less patient with the whole “I’m about to rip you away from everything you’ve ever known” routine. She fussed a bit at first, but quickly figured out that Christi and Graci had Cheerios and Cheerios are good. By this time I was rocking Lexi and singing to her, so I didn’t hold Sophi right off the bat. When I did hold her, she warmed right up to me. At this point, she seems equally happy with Christi, my dad or me. She doesn’t seem to like children as much as adults, but she can be good with them.

Sophi is also just precious. She has a pretty stoic expression most of the time, but from time to time she will light up a room with her smile. When one of us looks over at her after not having looked at her for a bit of time, she will give us this 1-2 second grin that makes her entire face smile. It is so cute! Christi got Sophi to walk a few steps tonight. That’s exciting!!!

All in all, today couldn’t have gone a whole lot better. Both girls are adjusting to being here and having some genuine fun. There wasn’t too much crying and Sophi and Lexi both seem to like each of us. We are truly, truly blessed. I wanted to add pictures tonight, but I have literally fallen asleep three times in the last 45 seconds. I NEED some sleep. Pictures will come soon, I promise!!!

Jeremy

13 comments:

  1. What precious memories! Can't wait to see your pictures!! Hope you get as much sleep as possible.

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  2. I first found your blog when you were waiting for Graci, and I fell in love with your family. Today's posting just melted me to tears - how wonderful is God to make it possible for you to be blessed with these children, and for them to have a loving, Christ-centered forever family.

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  3. I have GOT to stop reading these at work! The tears are flowing. I cannot praise you enough for taking the time to learn some Chinese and making the transition so much easier for these little girls. I love you all!

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  4. Hi guys- it's Brooke Davies (now Liljenquist) here. I found your blog again through Jen's and I have been trying to catch up on everything I've missed. My family thinks I'm pretty much obsessed with your family now.

    I just want to thank you for your willingness to expand your family in whatever way you feel inspired to do so. I can't think of luckier children to have the two of you as parents. Readings your posts has inspired me to be a better parent.

    I am so happy that you have these two new daughters with you. I can't even imagine what a thrilling day this was for you. Best wishes and safe travels home!

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  5. Congratulations! I can't wait to see the pictures! We're hoping to meet our new little guy in March, so I'm living vicariously.

    I hope the rest of the trip goes as smoothly!

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  6. How sweet is that moment you first meet your little one(s). I've been reading your blog and crying every day. I am SO happy for you all. May the Lord bless your family and your new girls through the coming transition. My prayers and excitement are with you!

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  7. Thank you so much for writing when you are soo exhausted...I cannot believe how strong I felt the spirit just by reading your words. Precious, tender miracles. Pictures...sooo!

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  8. That is just awesome! Congratulations!

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  9. Yes, thanks for sharing even though you were tired. Can't wait to see pictures!

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  10. Hi Guys,
    I am so excited for you all and can hardly wait to see the pictures. Have you met Director Pei yet? I do hope you can spend some time with him. Take care and rest when you can.

    The Gombold Gang

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  11. Leigh in PennsylvaniaDecember 6, 2010 at 6:40 PM

    Congratulations,I am so excited for you. I have been following you since Graci's adoption, I am just so in awe with your family. I think maybe I am jealous but then I know I would not have the patience for so many children, being an order parent that goes with the terrority I'm afraid. I am blessed to have my two girls from China who are now 13 and 9 yrs. Cannot wait to see photo of the girls.May god bless you all.

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  12. Guys - we're talking about ya'll non stop! We just couldn't be any happier for you!

    right about now ya'll should be getting back from your girls first breakfast with their forever family - if I've got my time zones right - what a great thing that is - lots of joy here!

    And your comments about the Spirit being present there....many times I know you've heard me say that adoptive parents 'get it' - that we all kind of understand that we're in this together - and that any one of us in need DEMANDS a response from the rest of us.....you said it better - the Spirit is moving in all of us - with gifts like 'understanding' - that's 'getting it' my brother!

    Marie and I are so excited about our new 'neices'- we're going to have to come see you guys this summer maybe - in the meantime - God's Blessings on all you guys!

    love and hugs - aus and co.

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  13. Now, *that's* what I'm talking about!!! (pumps fist in air)

    And please tell your dad, that I have always felt the Spirit when I witness (in writing, photos or videos) the birth of a child into a family through the miracle of adoption.

    That moment is every bit as holy (and maybe more so, since God chose it as the way to describe our relationship to Him) than birthing your bio children.

    Now. Where are our photos?? :D

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