Gotcha Day! (Sun 1/10)

Today is the big day!  I bolted up with the alarm at 4:30am. We had an hour to get ready, packed, checked out, and loaded in the van.  We didn't have much time but made it work (because we wanted to sleep as long as possible!). MeiLin was adorable all morning.  Everything was this is mine and this is my Sissy's.  Is this for my sister?  Precious!

Heading to Nanchang

Rocky was great, he had the hotel make up breakfast to go, and we ate it in the van on the way to the airport.  Chinese airports are always stressful for me.  Much like their driving, I can only refer to it as organized chaos.  They seem to know what they are doing, but I was unable to decipher the pattern.  Rocky helped us to get our luggage checked and the stroller loaded as oversized baggage.  Then we were off to security. Brandon first, MeiLin second, and I brought up the rear.  After they went through, the officer flagged all of our carry-on bags and brought them all to me.  "Umbrellas?", he asked.  Yes.  Apparently they were supposed to be taken out of the bags. I dug mine out but I had no idea where in Brandon's backpack of endless pockets his umbrella would be.  I am digging, when my bag flags yet again.  He just kept saying battery, but I couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Finally, I realized that it was my backup battery charger for my phone. Ahh!  So I grabbed it out of my bag and handed it to him. Now back to the umbrella in Brandon's backpack. I am searching and searching.  So finally he just carried through Security to Brandon so he could find it. Then the other people wouldn't let me through security.  They were all cutting ahead of me. So finally I had to elbow myself through. Ugh!  Brandon found the umbrella, they ran his backpack back through, we got his bag, and could proceed. Whew!  

To the gate, restroom break, found and assortment bag of 'snacks' and we settled in for an hour before the flight.  The flight was uneventful other than MeiLin asking about when she would see her Sissy every hour!

We arrived in Nanchang and made a quick stop at the restroom before heading to baggage claim. No lie, those people don't mess around. Everyone else's bags were already gone. The conveyor belt had already stopped running and there were our two bags just sitting there.  But of course we checked three bags...  I saw something peaking out of the back of the baggage carousel so I walked over. Thank goodness, it was the wheel of our missing bag (with all of our clothes and shoes).  It just happened to be inside the back wall when the conveyor stopped.  We should play the lottery with all of this luck!

Our guide, Mary was waiting for us outside and we started on our hour ride to the hotel.  MeiLin was so anxious to meet her Sissy. She misunderstood and thought I said in 5 minutes vs 5 hours (wishful thinking), so I had to clarify quickly! 

We finally arrived at the Galactic Peace hotel and it is super nice!  What a pleasant surprise. We got checked into our room and scoped out the hotel restaurants.  They were priced okay but we had Mary show us how to get to some local Western fast food joints. #1 - It is pouring down rain, so that was fun. # 2 - It was not a short walk to get there. # 3 - On the way there, Mary told us how it isn't really safe. There are lots of purse snatchers, pick pockets, and thrives so to watch our things. And that adoptive families have had their stuff stolen, so she recommends staying at the hotel. Awesome.  But that might have been better to know before she was walking us down to KFC to drop us off. Well, lunch was uneventful (other than the random sleeping man in the restaurant), and we made it back to the hotel safe and sound.  It looks like we will be seeing a LOT of that hotel room this week. Oh boy. We are going to load up on toys at the store tomorrow and have made friends with the other adoptive families and can play with those kiddos!

Then we had 2 hours to kill before we got KaiLi.  Mary had said that they were bringing the kids to the hotel between 4pm and 5pm and that she would call our room.  I was working on the blog, Brandon was playing Candy Crush, and poor MeiLin was watching cartoons in Mandarin and asking every 5 minutes when we were getting her Sissy!

Preparing for the Adoption

At around 3pm our door rang.  It was the other adoptive Mom, Courtney, with Gladney from Houston. She came in and we talked about our trips coming in, what to expect, confirmed what to pay when, and who gets the gifts we brought. Then her husband, James, and their adorable girls, Lala and Macy, came down, as well. The girls all introduced themselves and MeiLin started playing with Macy.  We all got to know one another and talked about our little girls who were waiting for us. 

Right at 4pm there was a knock at our door; it was Mary.  Both of our families needed to provide paperwork and confirm the current exchange rate for finalizing the adoption tomorrow.  Then it was downstairs to the back lobby to await the arrival of our little girls!

Confirming paperwork for the adoption with the Albright family and our guide, Mary.

Another adoptive family that Courtney had met earlier that day 0, with a different agency, had just received their little son. He was adorable and one of their daughters kept giving him kisses. Too cute!  Mary received a call and the Albright's little girl had arrived first.  She was just adorable!  Her expression reminded me of MeiLin.  Shell shocked.  The little girl, Macy, kept hugging her while the older sister, Lala, kept bringing her things. And the new little girl, Nora, kept try to to touch Daddy's beard!  Brandon had their camera and took, what we hope, were a lot of great photos!  Poor MeiLin was getting really acny.  Where is my little Sissy?  So I took one last opportunity to get down on my knee and reaffirm how much I love her and how much she will be needed as a big sister.

The Albright family and their new daughter, Nora!

Adoption is the only human tragedy where the victim is expected to be grateful.  Never were truer words spoken.  And never was this more evident than in our adoption of KaiLi.

KaiLi's Adoption Story

A little after 5pm, I felt MeiLin tug at my leg.  And sure enough, there was little KaiLi walking down the hallway.  She was just adorable!  MeiLin kept saying Jie Jie (Big Sister).  She handed her a cherry sucker (that she personally picked out) and KaiLi opened her mouth and let MeiLin put it in!  She was simply perfect!  She smiled, laughed, interacted, tried to walk over and join the Albright family (twice)!  (I think she likes the doll, so we will be getting one tomorrow.)  I was overjoyed!

KaiLi with her sucker from MeiLin!

We decided to run up to the rooms and then meet back up for dinner. As soon as KaiLi's caregivers left, it happened.  She just started screaming and crying for MaMa, BaBa (Daddy), and YaYa (Grandfather). So that pretty much confirmed that she was with a foster family.  She was inconsolable. Wouldn't eat, wouldn't drink, nothing. She just screamed and cried. Poor MeiLin kept trying to bring her stuff and play with her, but nothing worked. I kept reassuring MeiLin that she would love her.  And saying, "Can you imagine if you never saw us again?"  Basically after 1 1/2 hours, KaiLi cried herself to sleep, because she was just completely exhausted.  

KaiLi finally fell asleep

Big Sister, MeiLin, with her new Sissy!

Room service finally arrived, and the three of us ate.  I only nibbled, because I didn't have much of an appetite.  MeiLin was exhausted from the big day and started to get ready for bed on her own (a sure sign!). We set out a palate on the couch in the living room.  But MeiLin moved it into the floor.  She wanted to sleep RIGHT BY her Sissy. My heart just melted. Bringing her was the best decision!!  

Our precious angel!

MeiLin sleeping by her Sissy.

I thanked God that I didn't have a crier on the first adoption. It would have overwhelmed me beyond belief.  Though better prepared the 2nd time through, I still feel as though there is a mountain in front of us. What can we do, what can we say?  She has lost her whole world, and when she wakes tomorrow, it won't have been a bad dream.  Her Foster MaMa won't be there to caress her in that special way or to give her the goat milk that they don't even sell here in town.  Please, God, help us to comfort this child.  Please give us guidance and wisdom to help her overcome her grief and bond with her new family.  And give patience and understanding to Brandon and I as we work through the next few weeks.  God, please watch over all orphans; may they know Your love and peace. Amen.