A Special Visitor on Lillie's 2nd Birthday

On her second birthday, I sent Lillie a cake and hoped that she would have a chance to share it with her friends. She was, however, blessed with some special company I knew nothing about at the time. A woman named Melissa and her beautiful daughter were in Fuling for a visit. Marie is also a Fulinger and had come to spend some time at her first home. These are just a few pictures I received a few weeks later after Melissa inquired about who Yun's family would be.





A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from Melissa asking about how Lillie was doing. I replied, telling her that Lillie was full of energy... and quite the drama queen. I told her about how funny she is and how she loves to play with her
dolls and to dance and sing. Her response was:
' I can't believe that is the same child!!!??? She was always so sad when I saw her, but clearly she has found profound happiness and joy. "
It was a powerful moment for me. A moment when I knew just how little I knew about my daughter's life before, and how much it has changed since we became a family. I thank God for the many people that have been in my daughter's short life...and for the many Fuling families that went before me and have provided support the the SWI. I only pray I can also make the same impact on another family!

Xin Xin is with her Family

The beautiful little girl standing in front of my Lillie is Fu Bao Xin. You may remember her from pictures with Lillie...they are in several together during Lillie's time at the SWI. I fell in love with Xin and have been praying that she find a family( several of you may remember my mentioning her...I even emailed a few families about her). I am excited to say that as of Sunday, she is now with her forever family! God is good!

The Gift Box Arrived at Fuling SWI

Here are a few pictures of the staff getting the gloves we sent! The woman opening the box is Director Yang. I especially love the pictures with everyone wearing the gloves! It is amazing to think that a little over 6 months ago, these were the hands that loved and cared for my daughter. Gloves are such a small gift in comparison the the gift they have given me. I will forever be grateful!

Package to the SWI

As I have probably mentioned several times, there is a very active group of families who have adopted from the Fuling SWI. They do wonderful things...from raising money for foster care to sending gifts to the workers at the orphanage. (If you want to read more about the group, be sure to check out the site... www.fulingkids.org!)Recently, 40+ families sent gloves and mittens for the nannies! We attached pictures of our children and cards or notes to the staff. Another parent, Mary, did a beautiful job of keeping track of all of the gloves and putting them all together to mail. Here is a picture of the box right before it was sent. The picture in the top right corner is of Lillie the day she arrived at the SWI. She was found by the gatekeeper, who appeared to be quite fond of her. (They were in several pictures together) Lillie and I sent him a pair of gloves as well! I truly believe our transition has been made easier because of the care Lillie received and the support I have received from Fuling Families.

Children at Fuling SWI

A family who recently returned from Fuling took pictures of the children there and put it to music. It is beautiful, and you can see several pictures of Lillie's first home, and friends who remain. I have so very much to be thankful for this year and thank God daily for bringing Lillie into my life. Even on the hard days (or hard nights), there are still so many wonderful things about this journey we are on together that I cannot imagine not having her. I have so many more posts to add, but for now, enjoy the music and pictures.
Blessings to you all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BOo3k5mGGM

Then & Now Scrapbook

I had the pleasure of delivering a scrapbook of pictures of Fulingers when they were at the SWI and pictures of the now. It was great to see how much the Vice Director and other staff loved the children and enoyed seeing the changes. It was clear that the Fuling SWI staff loves our children, and for that I will be eternally greatful.

Still waiting

I am still waiting to hear about TA (Travel Approval). Once it comes...things will move a bit quickly with regard to getting our tickets, knowing our consolate date, etc. I will definately let everyone know. There are a few new pics from families who recently traveled. Just wanted to share them with you all!

A Note from visiting PT's

Here is the information I recieved from Jenoys about the Physical Therapists visiting the orphanage:


"You know, she was really getting around quite well. The PTs said she's functioning quite well right now and they wouldn't do anything different at this point. Without a front part of her foot she'll have trouble jumping and running, and that may be what you address with a prosthesis in thefuture. She does not seem to have much feeling in that foot. Right now, she's doing great. She had your birthday card :-) I think she might be alittle spoiled by the nannies...
I will attach a photo of her foot for you. I'm sure you've seen it before, but it's the latest and greatest.
Jenoys"

Lillie makes a New Friend

These pictures are also from Melissa. Some include her daughter Marie, who was a Fulinger in her early years. Marie and her Mom returned to the SWI so that she could learn more about her history and while there spent time with the babies. Lillie was quite fond of having a new playmate... and sharing cookies with Marie! In the picture with the other babies and nannies, Lillie is leaning over her nannies leg, talking to her. It is very sweet. I must say she is one of the most beautiful children I have ever seen!

Information and Pictures from Melissa Manassee

I have attached the note I recieved from Melissa, along with some of the pictures. I am so excited to have this information and the pictures. They were a complete surprise! It ws an amazing gift and I am thrilled to have so much more information... and wonderful pictures. I LOVE the one of her with the tambourine on her head! Melissa did say she also had video and would try to send me a copy when she gets the chance. I am so excited!!!! I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do!



"I know that all of the photos I sent show her with a serious face, but she is playful. One afternoon, we played "put the cymbal on my head" game that she made up. I have photos of it that I am trying to transfer over to my main computer. I spoke with my friend Amelia Mowery, as I asked her who Yun's family was, and she said that when she was there Yun was quite timid. She has gotten more confident now. She likes to stand back and watch, and got a bit nervous when a group of high school students came to visit. She is taking it all in and is being very well cared for. I didn't notice about her foot until on the third day, a nanny showed me. She's content and I'm sure will be very excited to have a doting family. She is probably 25 pounds and is about the same size as my 2 year old son from China. She is strong, walks without a problem, and makes you smile. She is a serious little gal who is very smart and aware of her surroundings. You are lucky to have such an angel!"

April 19th, 2007

Here are a few pictures I recieved from Lillie's birthday. There happened to be someone visiting on her special day! Melissa said that the nannies also took pictures that day with the disposable camera, so there should be a few others that I will get when I pick her up! There are other pictures from Melissa's visit that I will post soon.
In the picture of Lillie with her "birthday" sucker in her mouth you can see Melissa's daughter Marie. The Fuling SWI was Marie's first home...and now she is meeting other children who are starting their life there! Lillie seems to be very fond of her new friend!





Okay, some of the pictues are sidways, but i also wanted to post a few pictures from the birthday party friends had for Lillie at the village...complete with Chinese food, a little cake and new soup bowls from China!

Updates...

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still waiting for confirmation of my LID. I have talked with Grace, my coordinator, and she let me know that, in all actuality, I am presently logged in. Unfortunately, notification of your log in does not come as quickly as it actually occurs. Which means...the wait still continues. I am hoping, however, that with the wait for confirmation taking so long, I will receive my LOA not long after I receive confirmation. All that is to say... I am hoping that the wait is getting shorter and shorter!
On another note, Janelle Ryan, who traveled to get her daughter 2 weeks ago, said Lillie is now walking independently! I had guessed that, but now have confirmation.

Video of Lillie from December!

Okay...I know it seems a bit late since this is from December...HOWEVER...It has been a long hard technology road to get them on here. It is great to see her walking...I hope you all enjoy them as much as I have.

Two of the videos have her walking and interacting...the third shows the other babies in her room. It helps tell a bit more of the story!

Pictures from Fuling

Another three Fuling girls have found their forever families! These families went to the Orphanage today and took lots of gifts for the children and nannies. They also had the chance to meet Lillie! One of the ladies, Janelle, spent time with Lillie and told her how much I loved her and that I would come for her soon. The picture Lillie is holding in her hand is the one I sent to Janelle so she could find Fu Bao Yun once they arrived in Fuling. It is good to see her looking healthy and strong! Hold on Lillie...I am coming as soon as I can!

My Daughter the "Drinker"!

I recieved an email a few days ago from a kind woman named Jean Casey. She had been to Fuling in the fall to pick up her beautiful daughter Ellen and realized she had pictures of Lillie. She let me know she would send them to me...so I was very excited to find the pictures waiting in my e-mail tonight. They are so fun! The pictures are of Lillie and her freinds at bottle time. She is in the one in the light blue outfit and she clearly LOVES her bottle! as Jean wrote..."Beware when she is older - do not send her off to a bar alone with her friends!! " That says it all! What a girl!

Another Exciting Arrival!

I had a very exciting and unexpected arrival today! I opened my email to find that Grace, my coordinator at AHH had received another update on Lillie! I have more new friend that are in China this week to pick up their beautiful daughter Zoe. On Monday, they received her from the nannies and found out she was in foster care through the SWI. They chose not to travel to Fuling, but were able to ask about Lillie and another beautiful little Fulinger named Mia (Mia is also named Fu Bao Yun, but is a little younger than Lillie, with a birthday in September). Mia is also in foster care and therefore her new mommy and daddy have received very few pictures of her. I am praying that they too will get some pictures. Kristen and Sean (Zoe's new mommy and daddy) spoke with nannies and also the Director of the Orphanage on Thursday. Here is Kristen's note about Lillie...
"Your girl must have a great personality! The two nannies we saw at Gotcha day and Director Chen both laughed and smiled with much love at your Lillie's picture! I sense she has great favor with them and is a character!! Can't wait for your travel and your take on her personality!"
It is such a blessing to know there are people who love her so much!
I also received some new size updates... apparently, she has grown since the last update I received! She is 2 feet 7 inches, she weighs about 32 pounds (that could be with all her clothes on, which would add a few pounds possibly) and her foot is 6 inches long. My girl is getting very big! ...and apparently has had another haircut!

Just wanted to share the newest! Thank you for loving Lillie!

Pictures from MaryHelen

With my new hobby of reading about all things China and Fuling, I found out that another new mom...MaryHelen, would be traveling to China to receive her daughter, Rose. It is so exciting to follow the path that each of these new families take and is always a time that I ask others to check on my beautiful Lillie. It is always with the understanding that they may not be able to travel to the SWI, or upon arriving there, may not be near her. I knew this was a possibility with MaryHelen's visit also. When I quickly checked HER blog earlier today, she told about her visit and explained she had only had the opportunity to visit 2 baby rooms. I assumed that it would be very unlikely that she saw my Lillie....so imagine my surprise when i received this email and pictures!
"i visited the fuling swi today, we were only able to visit two baby rooms but guess what? your lillie is in the same room that my rose was. i took photos and i'm attaching some photos here.
i hope i have the right baby - i took her name and birthdate and my guide went to the office to find out which baby - she's a waiting child? she has a problem with her foot? i have to say, she held her nanny's hand and walked all over so it doesn't appear to be slowing her down too much. so i'm attaching the pics. "
I must say that this waiting has been terribly painful, but again I thank God for the kindness of others and the good fortune I have had. I must say that after speaking with other waiting parents...as well as other adoptive parents....I have been truly blessed! I pray that the time between now and the Lillie's "Gotcha Day" is short and moves quickly!

Udate on Lillie's freind Michelle

I recently received an e-mail from Mimi with this precious picture of Michelle! She let me know that Michelle is adjusting well to her new family and home. She also let me know that Michelle blossoms each day and that it is hard for her not to spend every minute with a camera or video camera to document every moment! Michelle is now doing a lot of cruising around and is trying very hard to walk. I have this vision in my head of she and Lillie in their beds, each longing to "get up and go". Mimi let me know that she is sending a CD with pictures from the orphanage and the video clips...she also said it is amazing to realize how simple tasks (like going to the post office) become a major undertaking with a child! Another quick reminder that my life is about to change...
I can't wait!