Family Day
Today is FAMILY DAY! I am so blessed! What an incredible day. I know you want pictures so go ahead and scroll down to see them!
We met our group in our hotel at 2:30 pm. I am fortunate enough to be with two other Christian families. Dupree and Jennifer Bingham and Patrick and April Holm. Patrick and April have a little girl from China already and she is just precious. Her name is Eliana. Dupree and Jennifer have 4 children at home. They are also just adorable.
We headed to the Civil Affairs office with our guide and driver. We got off of our van and waited in the building. We pushed the elevator button and who comes in right in front of us but Maggie! I got to ride in the elevator with my daughter! The nannie recognized me, I guess from the picture book I sent, and Maggie seemed to either think I was a crazy lady or recognized me too. Once off the elevator, they wisked her away to prepare her for me. They took my and mom's temperature as well as the other families of our group. While we waited, they dressed her in traditional Chinese dress.
There were many other families that joined us in the room. It was crowded and just boiling hot! Once Rebecca called me, I walked over to where there was a little room and they brought Maggie out to me. They handed her to me and she just looked at me. She never cried, just stared at me. I am the one that turned into a blumbering idiot! Mom did a great job of taking pictures and my guide took video. I can't wait to see them all.
We stayed there about 30 minutes until we could go over all the information that they provided. I was able to meet her orphanage director, I think his name was Mr. Wu. He was so sweet and said she was quiet and a good girl. I thanked him for loving her and taking care of her and then we took a picture with him.
Once in the van, mom helped me change her into another outfit as she was just so hot. We then went to their "WalMart". Well if the child was not already overwhelmed this sure did it. We bought her some formula and food and us some water and mom some wine. I might have to join her too this week! LOL I got my first glimpse at a smile from her.
Once back at the hotel, I changed her and we played with the stacking cups. She is very timid and just really wanted to be held. What she loves the most so far is my hair. She seems to just hold it and twist her hands in it. It seems to soothe her. I just love it. We played for a few minutes then I had to go down to the business center to complete some paperwork. Mom stayed in the room with Maggie and played with her.
Around 7:00 she started getting sleepy so I tried to make her a bottle. Well I could not get the temperature right - not lukewarm, not hot. She finally got fed up, I guess, and went to sleep! I'm sure that she will be up tonight and be hungry. We will try again. The orphanage director said she ate a lot on the trip to the Civil Affairs Office. She is sleeping now like a little angel.
We get started again tomorrow at 9:30 and have to complete the paperwork back at the civil affairs office.
Enjoy the pictures and thanks for letting me ramble and journal. I am truly blessed by this sweet little girl and am amazed at her bravery. I appreciate the prayers from all of you as I could feel them half way around the world. We serve an awesome GOD! Love to you all,
Tricia
We met our group in our hotel at 2:30 pm. I am fortunate enough to be with two other Christian families. Dupree and Jennifer Bingham and Patrick and April Holm. Patrick and April have a little girl from China already and she is just precious. Her name is Eliana. Dupree and Jennifer have 4 children at home. They are also just adorable.
We headed to the Civil Affairs office with our guide and driver. We got off of our van and waited in the building. We pushed the elevator button and who comes in right in front of us but Maggie! I got to ride in the elevator with my daughter! The nannie recognized me, I guess from the picture book I sent, and Maggie seemed to either think I was a crazy lady or recognized me too. Once off the elevator, they wisked her away to prepare her for me. They took my and mom's temperature as well as the other families of our group. While we waited, they dressed her in traditional Chinese dress.
There were many other families that joined us in the room. It was crowded and just boiling hot! Once Rebecca called me, I walked over to where there was a little room and they brought Maggie out to me. They handed her to me and she just looked at me. She never cried, just stared at me. I am the one that turned into a blumbering idiot! Mom did a great job of taking pictures and my guide took video. I can't wait to see them all.
We stayed there about 30 minutes until we could go over all the information that they provided. I was able to meet her orphanage director, I think his name was Mr. Wu. He was so sweet and said she was quiet and a good girl. I thanked him for loving her and taking care of her and then we took a picture with him.
Once in the van, mom helped me change her into another outfit as she was just so hot. We then went to their "WalMart". Well if the child was not already overwhelmed this sure did it. We bought her some formula and food and us some water and mom some wine. I might have to join her too this week! LOL I got my first glimpse at a smile from her.
Once back at the hotel, I changed her and we played with the stacking cups. She is very timid and just really wanted to be held. What she loves the most so far is my hair. She seems to just hold it and twist her hands in it. It seems to soothe her. I just love it. We played for a few minutes then I had to go down to the business center to complete some paperwork. Mom stayed in the room with Maggie and played with her.
Around 7:00 she started getting sleepy so I tried to make her a bottle. Well I could not get the temperature right - not lukewarm, not hot. She finally got fed up, I guess, and went to sleep! I'm sure that she will be up tonight and be hungry. We will try again. The orphanage director said she ate a lot on the trip to the Civil Affairs Office. She is sleeping now like a little angel.
We get started again tomorrow at 9:30 and have to complete the paperwork back at the civil affairs office.
Enjoy the pictures and thanks for letting me ramble and journal. I am truly blessed by this sweet little girl and am amazed at her bravery. I appreciate the prayers from all of you as I could feel them half way around the world. We serve an awesome GOD! Love to you all,
Tricia
Tricia,
She is beautiful!! I am so happy to see you, Maggie, and Ann in the same photo. Thank you for sharing this blessed event.
We love you, Linda
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Tricia,
I am so happy for you. Seeing this precious photos brought tears (happy tears) to my eyes. What an amazing experience! I am very anxious to see more pictures and to hear more about everything. Thank you so much for sharingthis special event with us. We are thinking about you and know you are soooo happy!!
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She is beautiful!! Congratulations!! You are beginning a life of great worry and immeasurable joy!
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Congratulations! We are so proud for you! Enjoy this special time in China. Now maybe you can relax a little. Can't wait to meet her! Jeremy, Alicia, and Addie Lu
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She is so sweet - what a wonderful first day! Seeing you all together brought tears - precious baby & blessed mommy & grandma!
Don't stress about the bottle - it took Becky a while to get used to it to from me (the formula at the orphanage is a very low quality brand & it may take Maggie a day or two to get used to the good stuff!)
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oh tricia! I'm so happy for you. Congratulations, she is beautiful!
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You were standing right where I was standing when I met MayAlice. She's just beautiful. Enjoy this time. She'll (and you) will figure out the bottle.
Sharon
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OH.MY.GOD.WHAT a PRECIOUS baby...!! Remember I told you that she might be fascinated with your hair. Oh, mama you are so lucky. I know all of the emotions you are feeling. God is so good and I am so happy for you!!
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Oh Tricia! She is just beautiful! You look so happy!!
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I can't wait everyday to read about you and your Mom and now MAGGIE! She is precious! Tell your mom that I think about you all often! I know the wait has been so worth it!
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Ramble on Trisha!! I'm LOVING living this trip vicariously thru you!! I'll say it again, you have a special little girl for a special Mommy! You're doing great already at showing her God's precious and unconditional love! Blessings! Ann Marie
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Tricia, Awesome pictures. She is gorgeous and I know you are SO excited. Be safe and will be praying for you all.
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She is beautiful. Great pictures. We are so happy for you and your family. Enjoy this time. Stay safe. We will be keeping you and yours in our prayers.
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I cannot wait to see her in person! She is just beautiful!
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Tricia, thank you for sharing your joy with us. I am looking forward to meeting Maggie!
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Tricia,
Maggie is just precious and I am so happy for you, Maggie, and Gram!!! Can't wait for you to get home with her so we can all enjoy loving her!!! Take care and continue the blogging, its awesome!!! Enjoy every word and every picture!!!
Love to you all,
Leigh and Family
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Tricia, I'm beyond excited for you. The picture of you holding her with tears of joy almost had me crying tears of joy myself. I had to stop so my husband wouldn't think I'm nuts. So glad Maggie is taking so well to you. I love that she loves to play/twist your hair. How special!!! Can't wait to hear more and see more pics!!!!
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Congratulations, she is beautiful!
We made exactely the same trip in 2007 for my princess Ji Hao Rong from Huazhou.
Nothing that you have done in your life before can compare to this.
Good luck, Steph
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More tears from me! How wonderful that she didn't cry. I think God has given her a peace about you. I am so excited. I can't wait to meet Miss Maggie.
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Tricia,
So many people have been blessed with the arrival of Maggie!
Every day I look forward to viewing your blog which is great!!!
Thank you for sharing this very special moment in your life.
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