4 months

4 months ago yesterday, I was sitting on a bus in China.  Our flight from Beijing had been delayed which made us late to our destination.  We were headed to the hotel where our daughter was patiently waiting for us in the lobby.  As we pulled up in front, I looked through the big lobby windows and my eyes met those of a precious woman who had spent the last 12 months caring for my daughter.  We briefly smiled at each other as the bus came to a stop.  I took a deep, deep breath knowing I was about to come face-to-face with the child I had prayed for, for the past 6 years.  It was all surreal!  Once I walked into that lobby, everything was a blur.  I remember us walking to each other....and then, she was in my arms.  For the first few seconds, Marlee just looked around, somewhat confused.  Then, she began to reach for her foster mother.  I held Nana's hand (that's what we call the foster mom) and said "xie, xie" (thank-you) over and over again to her. That was it....the only thing I could say to this woman.  Our guide was busy with another family and couldn't come translate.  Marlee was struggling to get back to Nana and was crying hysterically because she couldn't.  Nana was smiling, knowing that this precious baby was going home.  Then it was over....our guide told us it was best to go ahead to our room, and we walked away.  Our journey was beginning.  It seems like a lifetime ago that this happened, yet it also seems like yesterday.  Marlee has come so far these past 4 months.  We're learning her personality, her likes and dislikes, and falling in love more and more each day.  I look at her, toddling around my living room in her ballerina pajamas this morning.  Every few minutes she comes up to me and flashes that beautiful smile, almond shaped eyes sparkling.  I.just.can't.believe.it.  I can't believe she's home and our family is complete.  It hasn't always been fun or easy, but this is the path God planned for us, and we are certainly blessed!


Dec. 3, 2012

April 4, 2013