Samantha's First Day of Church

Today was Samantha's first day of church.  She sat very nicely, except a few outburst of laughter.  We were so glad to be back and see our friends and share Samantha's home coming.



Samantha's first day of church

Home from China!

Finally an update!  We arrived home in Fort Myers, FL on Aug.29 late.  I think it took us about a week to get back on schedule as far as our time goes.  We have not made hardly any trips outside of the home due to mommy's foot injury.  I am not able to drive or walk without crutches.  I will be so glad when I can walk!  I am so grateful to my Mom who has come down to help us while I am laid up.  I honestly do not know what I would do without her!  It is also so good for Samantha to get to know her.  Samantha has clearly identified Mamaw and will call her by name.  We are having a good time being at home and bonding!

Samantha and Mamaw

First Ice Cream at Home!

Samantha is really doing great!  Everyday I watch her bloom.  Her little lips that at first seemed to turn down are now smiling day.  She is becoming very affectionate with giving kisses and hugs, something she was not accustom to, but with Mom, Mamaw and two sisters kissing on you, you get use to it!  Samantha catches on very quickly, and appears to be very smart.  She just turned 3 on June 22 and she is not delayed at all.  Anything she sees you do she will try and usually succeeds.  She is a great eater and likes almost anything placed in front of her.  She is thrilled by the cats, Molly and Lucy.  She loves watching for butterflies in the butterfly garden, when she sees one she will say "butterfly".  Today was her first time in the swimming pool and boy was she happy!  She would have been more happy if mommy and Mamaw would have let go of her and I think she may have taken off swimming, we will see next time.  Her English is really progressing.  She will say words now without being prompted and is already putting two and three words together.  Samantha is very sweet and happy.  There is the occasional struggle over who got the toy fist with sister Anna, but we are working on teaching Samantha to share and Anna and Sarah are helping her.

Showing Sarah a Butterfly!

 You can see some characteristics of orphanage behavior.  Some I wish she would keep like being very careful with her food and not letting anything go to waste.  There are times when in may appear she did not get enough to eat in the orphanage and is very concerned when food is left over.   She is also very helpful in bringing you things she thinks you need.  When I think about the last three years of her little life my heart just swells with joy that she is home.  We take so much for granted and have so much, and there are so many children to share those blessings with. 

I was a little concerned at first about Samantha being 3. I can say I have loved every age of our girls and now I remember 3, it is a great age.  If someone is thinking about adopting a child that is 3 you will find joy in watching them grow and learn so quickly.

Samantha is a blessings and I believe she is very glad to have a family.  It is hard to describe if you have not experienced adoption, but there is a little change everyday.  You start to see their personality bloom and you see how they become secure and attach to you.  What a wonderful thing to see this little life shine!

I will try and update again soon.  Thanks for sharing in our journey!