We Got Her!

July 18, 2011

I have to admit both I and Matt were very nervous about today.  As it turns out we were the only family in Jiangsu meeting their child today in the civil affairs office, so some of the other stories you see and hear will be quite different than ours.  We had arrived at the Civil Affairs office and were waiting on her, it was a little past time and then I looked outside and I saw this little black head wearing an old orange shirt being led by two women.  Ying Ying (Samantha) was sporting a little red bear pack back.  I was overwhelmed when she stepped in the room and I am sure Matt was as well but I couldn’t take my eyes off of Ying Ying. 

Sarah was completely in love with her the first moments and did not want to leave her side.  Ying Ying was very responsive and came with me to find her toys we had brought.  The little play phone was a big hit!  I just can’t tell you how thankful we all for all who have lifted Samantha and us up in prayer.  God answered!  Samantha was amazing.  The women could not get over the fact that she was so at ease with us and did not cry.  After staying for a while and talking with the caregivers that brought her we finished up some paperwork and then headed out.  The women said good bye and Samantha willingly went with us.  I had many questions for them about her and they answered all of them.  So far I know she is not allergic to any foods they know of, she pouts quietly to herself when she is mad (I am sure that won’t last long) she is a good eater, not very picky, sleeps well and is still working on the potty training.  They commented that she was a very good girl.  When I asked about the foster care they comments she had been in foster care for a month when she was first found, but then returned to the orphanage.  I still wonder, many signs point both ways.

 I asked them if she understood about the adoption and they said yes, to a good extent, commenting that they had talked to her several times and she was very smart. Now remember she just turned 3 on June 22.  I will say this; you can already tell she is very smart.  She speaks a dialect of Suzhou City but also understands Mandarin.  It is so cute to hear her talk, but of course I have no idea what she is saying.  We have still been able to communicate very well and you can tell she comprehends very well.  We returned to the hotel and just played in the room. 
The girls were great with her and they played great together.  She did not want to eat, but very curious.  After a while I gave Anna and Sarah a bath first and then gave Samantha one.  She was a little reluctant, but trusting.  She did great!  Oh now how she smells so clean!  I think she also felt so good after her bath.  She decided to try some goldfish after her bath and she almost ate the whole bag! 






 We got playing and you would not believe the laughter!  She laughed for so long and hard!  After the playing I placed her in bed and said the Chinese word for sleep, she wanted to play some more and when I would return to her side to say sleep-sleep she would look at me and say “MaMa” that is also the Chinese word for mommy.  I couldn’t believe it!  At first I thought she was calling for the caregiver, but then it became evident she was calling me.  God is amazing!

 Well I looked through the pictures and all of them are Samantha and the girls as Matt and I were snapping pictures and taking video.  We will post the video to YouTube when we return.  The day was amazing and if she smiles and laughs as much tomorrow it will make our day.  Her pictures don’t really show the real Samantha.  She is only a couple of inches shorter than Anna and does weigh more.  She is not chubby, but not thin as well-just right.  Her hair-well it needs to grow so we will see what I can do with it, at this point not much.  She has the cutest dimples when she smiles; they are real low on her face.  We thought her eyes may be crossed, but I don’t think so now, they are just really slanted.  She is fair skin and she is really adorable!  She is already such a blessing.  We have to return to the Civil Affairs Office in the morning early so I will now sign off.  Thank you all for your continued prayers.  Also keep Anna in your prayers as her bronchitis is very bad here and I decided to even start her antibiotics today. 

Love to all

Matt, Shari, Sarah, Anna and Samantha

Mom’s –We are so sorry we have not been able to get the sims card for the cell phone and that is why we have not called.  We will hopefully get one soon.  We Love You!