My Girl

Just a few photos of Gracie....

This was one of the first pictures we were given....taken at the orphanage, early in 2004. The day she was brought to us....this was taken just after the orphanage director and staff members left. She was terrified of us and looking at her face still breaks my heart. I had just dried her tears and given her some of the toys we brought to her. She stopped crying but I know she was confused and afraid. She had never seen a Caucasian or been in a big city, a hotel....had never used a Western style toilet or bathtub. She spoke not a word of English and our Chinese was rudimentary at best. Thank God for our dynamite guides. They are truly angels on this Earth. Breakfast the next morning and the beginning of a smile. This was our favorite server and oh how she and Grace adored one another. This was taken a month after we brought her home. Winter 2005....with our buddy T....Oh how I loved her in those pink striped overalls. She refused to wear a dress or skirt then and my. Hasn't that changed? But not her love of pink! Easter 2006....in our backyard with Daddy

Late Summer 2006....Nothing you can do could make

me untrue to my girl....my girl....

Halloween 2006

She is growing so fast and oh how there are times I just want to slow it all down. She is blossoming and glowing and such a joy. I can barely remember life before she came.

I have so many memories of our journey to both Daniel and Grace....I will begin with more of Dan's as this Friday is HIS "Gotcha Day". April 27th, 1990, our son arrived in the United States. It was the happiest day of my life....

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