A Special Chinese Visitor

This month we hosted another Chinese middles school student!

Gao, or Rebecca as she liked to be called, (All the students

choose what they think of as American names to use)

fit right into our family.

She loved all of our pets and they loved her in return.

She and Grace loved to cook and "Rebecca"

enjoyed cooking us Chinese specialties.

We took her to eat at various restaurants, to see movies, to tour

various college campuses, to the Science Center in Columbus, 

to see the Air Force Museum, to play Laser Tag and to try ice skating 

at Dayton's Riverscape Park.

She and Grace hit it off almost immediately and

has such a wonderful time together.

We all got a bit teary eyed when it was time for her to leave but

we will hold our sweet memories tightly and always consider this

special young lady a part of our family!

Warmly,

Susie Q

Our New Chinese Friend

Betty, our Grace and one of Grace's best friends, Sarah.

In January we hosted a Chinese exchange student for two weeks. 

She asked that we call her "Betty" even though I thought her legal name was

so beautiful. All of the students chose what they considered

an "American" name to use while they were here.

She was such a sweet girl and we enjoyed our time with her.

Here is Betty with 2 of her fellow classmates from China.

The classmates from China, Grace and other host family

friends enjoyed shopping in Cincinnati.

Betty and her best friend Nina enjoyed a delicious dinner at

a local Maggiano's! 

Betty was so shy at first but opened up a little more each day.

We learned so much from her, and she, from us. She discovered bowling,

American hamburgers and hot dogs, Mexican food, 

The Middle and Modern Family on television, going to the movies (to see "Frozen"),

 American pop music, playing Monopoly (she was so good at it!), the AF Museum, 

baseball (tours of the minor and major league teams in the area) and taking pictures

 with the camera we gave her as a gift. Her school group toured universities in 

Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati, the local Art Institute and several local historical sites.

She helped us discover Chinese Pop music, helped Grace reconnect with

her first language and culture, brought us sweet gifts and taught us so much about

China that we didn't know.  

We were all sad when the visit came to an end but we are able to stay in touch via email.

It was such a great experience that we are planning to host a longer term exchange student

 in the next year or so.

If you have the chance to do this, I encourage it! 

Stay warm!

Susie Q

Gotcha!

"They reach out empty arms. Children from another land move into them,

and people who waited months or even years for these moments think,

"Gotcha!" That memory inspires many of these parents to informally celebrate

"Gotcha Day" — the anniversary of their child's arrival, celebrated

much like a second birthday."

~Sandra Pesmen, "'Gotcha' for good,"

Chicago Sun-Times, August 29, 2005

This photo was taken of our Grace less than an hour after she was placed in our care...

I wrote this in 2008~

September 2004...Bill and I were in China and it was there, in Chongqing, that we became the parents of a little girl...a shy, frightened, sad little girl. A stoic child, constantly on the verge of tears, who spoke no English and had never seen a television, an escalator, a McDonald's or a Caucasian. She had arrived in Chongqing, from her rural orphanage, after a 5 hour bus ride. She was exhausted, hungry and scared to death.

We signed the papers in a hot, stuffy, crowded office, the papers that would legally make her our child. While we took care of these very important matters, this small soul sat in a, much too large for her small frame, chair, her body shaking almost uncontrollably. She would not allow us to hug her, hold her hand or touch her in anyway, accepting no comfort, no affection. Yes, we had chosen this 6 year old angel to be a part of our lives but she had not agreed to this arrangement. It was out of her hands. Her life was taking a dramatic turn and she had no say about it at all.

September 2008...she races back up to her room, the shrine to all things pink and fluffy and Hannah Montana, to grab her jacket. The pink one of course. She stops to hug our cat Henry, then runs back down the steps, breathless with anticipation. "Mom? What time is Kelly coming?" I assure her that Kelly will be here by 6 PM for the long awaited sleep over. Ah, a teacher's in service day is always a cause for delight! No school tomorrow means a long night of giggling and movies and Jonas Brother songs.

As we sat on the stairs this morning, I rubbed her back and listened to the non stop chatter about gym class, which boy was the silliest, Halloween costumes and

ice cream. "There's my bus Mom!" and she flew out the door and bounded down the porch

steps. She stopped, turned and grinned. "I forgot!", she shouted and ran back up to give me a big squeeze. "See ya latah baked potatah!" and she was off again. "I love you...see you after school..."

Her transformation from frightened little girl into a fun loving pre-teen has

been a joy to watch, to experience. But it is she who transformed us.

We are now a family of four. We are complete.

This photo was taken this past Spring, in Destin, Florida

~~~~~~~~~~

My heart never truly rested until the day she came into our lives.

With her arrival we became whole.

6 years ago today was our "Gotcha Day". The day we could finally say

 she was ours and we were hers.

Gotcha! Now & Forever...

Gotcha!

It was such a busy weekend and I have lots to share but today's post is a hugs GOTCHA!

Oops! I hope I didn't scare anyone!

Nah...this isn't THAT sort of gotcha. No joke on you dear friends, nor on anyone!

This is the day we celebrate our daughter's "Gotcha Day"!

5 years ago today Grace came into our lives to stay.

The 1st photo is the one that accompanied our referral from China. We were already in love with her, without ever seeing her face, but the second I saw this, I burst into tears. I KNEW her face. I KNEW this child. She was my daughter, the one I had waited for for so long. And yes. I had felt the very same way about our Daniel. It is not easily explained but they were each OURS before they were placed in our care.

This photo was the first one we took in China. Her caretakers had just arrived with her, at our hotel in China. She was already in tears. She was exhausted and frightened to death. Can you imagine what a scary moment this was for her? She spoke no English, in fact, she had never seen a Caucasian person!

We tried everything to elicit even a tiny smile. Presents, silly behavior, candy, fruit, you name it. It would be days before we saw the first glimmer of a grin.

Flash forward 5 years and look at her now. That sought after smile almost

never leaves her face. She is feisty and exuberant and in love with life.

Grace with her adored (and adoring) big brother Daniel. With Daddy on the beach at the Gulf Shores. Two *best friends forever* at The Jonas Brothers concert

Grace the cheerleader at this past week's game.

Last weekend's big cheer event...with her beautiful coach.

Her transformation from frightened little girl into a fun loving pre-teen has

been a joy to watch, to experience.

But it is she who transformed us. We are now a family of four. We are complete.

My heart never truly rested until the day she came into our lives. With her arrival

we became whole.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Gotcha!

"They reach out empty arms. Children from another land move into them, and people who waited months or even years for these moments think, "Gotcha!" That memory inspires many of these parents to informally celebrate "Gotcha Day" — the anniversary of their child's arrival, celebrated much like a second birthday."

—Sandra Pesmen, "'Gotcha' for good," Chicago Sun-Times, August 29, 2005

September 2004...Bill and I were in China and it was there, in Chongqing, that we became the parents of a little girl...a shy, frightened,

sad little girl. A stoic child, constantly on the verge of tears, who spoke no English and had never seen a television, an escalator, a McDonald's or a Caucasian. She had arrived in Chongqing, from her rural orphanage, after a 5 hour bus ride. She was exhausted, hungry and scared to death.

We signed the papers in a hot, stuffy, crowded office, the papers that would legally make her our child. While we took care of these very important matters, this small soul sat in a, much too large for her small frame, chair, her body shaking almost uncontrollably. She would not allow us to hug her, hold her hand or touch her in anyway, accepting no comfort, no

affection. Yes, we had chosen this 6 year old angel to be a part of our lives but she had not agreed to this arrangement. It was out of her hands. Her life was taking a dramatic turn and she had no say about it at all.

September 2008...she races back up to her room, the shrine to all things pink and fluffy and Hannah Montana, to grab her jacket. The pink one of course. She stops to hug our cat Henry, then runs back down the steps, breathless with anticipation. "Mom? What time is Kelly coming?" I assure her that Kelly will be here by 6 PM for the long awaited sleep over. Ah, a teacher's in service day is always a cause for delight! No school tomorrow means a long night of giggling and movies and Jonas Brother songs.

As we sat on the stairs this morning, I rubbed her back and listened to the non stop chatter about gym class, which boy was the silliest, Halloween costumes and

ice cream. "There's my bus Mom!" and she flew out the door and bounded down the porch

steps. She stopped, turned and grinned. "I forgot!", she shouted and ran back up to give me a big squeeze. "See ya latah baked potatah!" and she was off again. "I love you...see you after school..."

4 years ago was our "Gotcha Day". The day we could finally say she was ours and we were hers. "Gotcha. Now and forever."

Sweet Ones

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder ~Do click on each photo for an even better peek!~ We can see 3 sweet little faces...where is number 4? Of course, Susie Q is obsessing about it! Worry truly IS my middle name. Okay, so it isn't but it SHOULD be! But aren't those 3 faces dear? Grace says they are *yucky* right now but what do 10 year old girls know? High School Musical they know but baby birds? Nah... We will keep you posted! The front door at Rabbit Run is quite a mess, the door basket quite crooked, the front porch quite dirty and the front yard in dire need of a clean up. Mama Robin simply does not allow it! I grab the camera and run out when I see she has left the nest but she caught me this afternoon! I now have a sore spot on the top of my head. Ouch! See what I brave to provide photos for you all? Photojournalism at it's extreme! I am sure most of you are offering prayers for those in our nation who faced the weather tragedies this past weekend. I know that most of you are remembering the people of Myanmar as well. Tonight, please also take a moment to pray for the Chinese who are facing their 2nd day of fear and heartache. The earthquake occurred not far from where we visited and where our daughter once lived. Precious people...strong people. My heart is there tonight... I hope you all had a special weekend. I will be by to visit you all soon. I always love to see what you have each been doing. I send you hugs and much love. Susie Q

Of Artistic Expression And A Chubby Sharon Stone

Tonight was the Art Fair at Grace's school. She had several pieces included but this was her favorite. I guess you all know by now that the girl loves color! Deep, vibrant and rich. This painting just makes me happy! I had my hair cut and colored this afternoon and ran a few errands. Bill got home early and stayed with the little one I watch every day. She adores Bill! If she had HER druthers, Bill would be her daily caregiver. She squeals with delight when she sees him! The man has a way with the ladies I guess.... Andi asked if I had a lot of people in China take my photo and try to meet me....uh huh! It was crazy at times! My popularity was due to 2 basic things. (And I am SURE that THOSE 2 things were PART of it too!!) I am blond and I am, well, let's just say, not a small woman. I have never been so in demand! Our group was calling me *Sharon Stone*...."Ohhhh Shhaaarrrooonnn, more of your fans coming this waaayyyy"....and not just boys. Teenage girls too. We were at the zoo and a group of about 10 girls started screaming and running toward me. I had to pose for pictures with each one. I was, how shall I say this, *hit* on by some handsome young men too. With all those stunning young Chinese women, these poor deluded boys were hitting on ME! Now, I KNOW I looked quite a bit different than the women they were used to but sheesh. The looks on Grace's face....trying to decipher why this strange woman *knew* so many people in China! She asked one of our guides, "Why are all these people touching my new Mommy? They need to STOP! I don't LIKE it!" All of our group drew a crowd each time we were out. Westerners are not a common sight where we spent the most time. I was not the only blond nor was I the only *chubbier* Mommy in the group. I just had the deluxe combo! I was a *chubby blonde * The Daily Double!! Ding, Ding, Ding! I hit the popularity jackpot! Grace later told me that she had never seen a man as tall as Daddy (He is just barely 6 foot) ("He looks like a giant" she told the guides when she arrived) or a woman as, ahem, plump as Mommy. But, as she told me not too long ago, "I really like it now Mommy 'cause you are so very cuddly and soft." Yeah, that's me, the *softer* Sharon Stone. Autographs anyone?

Hugs,

Susie Q

Memories Of China

Just a few memories of China. We were there for 16 days in 2004. Wonderful food, interesting and fascinating places and history, delightful people. And yes, we did bring home something special....our new daughter!

It is almost 3 years to the day that we got the telephone call about our daughter. I will never forget the day we found out her name and saw her picture for the first time.

This was one of the first times we all went out with our new children. The Chinese people were so loving and friendly and caring. They were so sweet about us and our adoptions. We had crowds gather almost everywhere we went!

The flower market was directly across from our hotel and what a glorious sight each morning.

New flowers arriving and the prices were so low that each of us bought roses every day! What a delight!

And the children....the beautiful, precious children. Over the next few weeks I hope to do a little reminiscing about our Dan's arrival and Grace's as well. Their stories are so precious to us...as are they.

Hugs,

Susie Q