Gotcha Day!!!!

I don’t know how to even put into words what it is that we experienced yesterday, but I can tell you that it was like nothing I have ever went through in my life before. Dan and I were escorted into the CAB office by our in country guide (Cordelia) at 2:15. Normally when you receive your baby it is with a large group of people and they shuffle you in and shuffle you out pretty quick so that the next group can come in and receive their babies. We were told to expect this when we arrived at the CAB office, but instead we were guided into a room filled with sunlight that was completely quiet and empty. Our guide told us that we were very lucky b/c normally she services anywhere from 6-8 families at a time on “Gotcha Day” but today she was just there with us (I knew the one to thank for that).

We heard a group of women talking really fast, excited like (outside of the hallway) and then I saw a baby being held in one of the ladies arms, all bundled up in a pink snowsuit with yellow shoes on (it was only the back of the baby’s head and body that I could see) but I knew it was Chaeli. I started to cry and shake and squeeze my hands together. I wanted so badly for them to walk into our room so I could take that baby into my arm and really look to see if it was my Chaeli. But instead they rushed back down the hall (again very excited) for a few more minutes. I later learned that what had happened was that a large group from the orphanage had come to bring Chaeli to us (usually only 1 person will come and sometimes the director will be there) but today I saw about 6 ladies as well as several of the orphanage’s office staff who escorted this 1 child to us (there were no other children there except for Chaeli). Again this was highly unusual from what I was told usually happens. And the reason why they had entered into the room and then walked back down the hall was b/c they were each wanting one more last picture with Chaeli before giving her to me. ALL of these women were crazy about Chaeli! Our translator/guide Cordelia told us that the reason all of these women wanted individual pictures taken with Chaeli was b/c she was their most favorite, loved baby in the orphanage. They told me this many times. They kept saying “She is most beautiful of all babies.”

She then proceeded to give me a photo album that they had made at the orphanage of Chaeli’s life. I couldn’t believe my ears or my eyes! An album of Chaeli’s life in China! And for me to keep! There were pictures of her when she first arrived on abandonment day and several others of her 10 month life in the orphanage. Here I was looking at my child and receiving so much love from these ladies that I felt like it was all too much and too good for me to keep it all. The ladies came in and hugged me and sat with me for a photograph and then they even gave me their address and asked me to please send pictures of their Yen Yen whom they would greatly miss.

They nicknamed Chaeli “Yen Yen” which Dan and I decided to keep for her as well (it just suits her!) They asked me to please send pictures or keep in touch in any way that I could. Again I was completely speechless b/c this is not the normal protocol for Chinese adoptions. These women really loved my child and had bonded with her Theye ven asked me to come to the orphanage and visit them all there before leaving (which we plan to do on Saturday).

When I first held Chaeli in my arms it was like somebody scooped out a big piece of heaven and put it in my arms to hold. I was looking at someone that I felt like I had known my whole life. She was so pretty and so quiet. She never made a sound, but she held me and she laughed with me, and pretty soon I was so taken I thought my heart would burst!

Our first night with Chaeli was spent kissing and holding her and singing to her (she loves music!) She is also very snuggly and loves to be kissed (and believe me she has been kissed a lot since I have had her!) Chaeli never cries and she holds really still when you love on her, like she doesn’t want it to end. When Yen Yen looks at you she literally captivated you with her big, chocolate eyes that Dan calls his black pearls.

Chaeli is a little peanut. Her feet are swimming in even the smallest socks that I have brought with me. She is a long baby though so I think I hit it right with the clothing sizes that I brought for her. I took a bath with her when we first got back to the room and she was so good. She never even cried and she seemed to like the warm water. She is laughing now and giggling and is very attached to both Dan and me (equally I would say). Laura, if you are reading this, you have no idea what is ahead of you. All of those months that we would try to comprehend what it would be like to have our daughters put into our arms doesn’t even come close to what you are actually going to experience. Even I cannot find th ewords to speak it. I am convinced that the reason that busy CAB office was cleared out for us and filled with sunshine streaming through every window was b/c there were angels in progression there to witness one of the greatest miracles in our life. The miracle of taking Chaeli home.

Remember the words from Hosea Laura and bind them around your neck. Your marvelous day of love and joy is coming for Jesus Christ has promised us that “In thee the orphan finds mercy.” Both Chaeli & Lily are covered in mercy. When you finally receive your daughter Laura, you will turn her over and over like a precious jewel in your hand. Your eyes won’t be able to take in all of her beauty, and your mouth won’t be able to find words that are lovely enough to express her. It will be something between you and God alone. Your gift. Keep on holding on Laura because it is so worth it in the end.

When I held Chaeli in my arms I really knew how much God loved me that he would give me all of this.

Love to you all!

Sheila & Dan.