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 makeme untrue to my girl....my girl....
Halloween 2006
Halloween 2006She 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....
29 comments:
I loved seeing the transformation of your beautiful Grace. What a treasure from heaven she must be! Can't wait to hear how your son came into your life.
Wow! Grace is beautiful, Sue! Thanks for sharing her story with us. I am looking forward to hearing your son's story, as well. How serendipitous that I come to your site and see all your China pics, when my hubby is there right now. He's 6'4", so they truly call him Mr. Big. I laugh because of the reference to a certain show on HBO w/4 single women in NYC. It is a beautiful country; so very different from the beauty we see here, but beautiful all the same.
You know I love the pics of Gracie. In honor of Gracie, I have posted a pic of her and I.
Take care and see you when you get back from New York.
LOve,
Terri
She has blossomed hasn't she..!
She is a pretty little girl, and appears to have a sense of humour (how could she not with you as a Mom !)
Who knew she would be such a clothes horse...LOL
OOOO what a story!She looks so happy now.
God bless you
OMGosh this is the most precious post ever Sue. Gracie is soooo beautiful. I'm so glad she and your family found each other. My best online friend, and member of my design team, has an adopted granddaughter from China. Meikina came to live in this loving, open-armed family last year. She is gorgeous and the sweetest child ever. I've done two digi-scrap-layouts of Meikina as gifts for my friend. On the first one you can still see the confusion on her sweet little face. By the second photo you can see she is finally warming up to her new family. Today it is as if she has always been with them. I hope the links work here so you can see Meikina:
http://www.kbandfriends.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3601/ppuser/273
http://www.kbandfriends.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3445/ppuser/273
O my goodness, Sue!! I had to take a minute to compose myself, before I could put together my comment!
What a beautiful child and story! The photos tell so much. I am at a loss for words!
A wonderful story of a fabulous journey home!!
Thanks so much!!
Pat
Back Porch Musings
Aww! Wow, Grace has learned so much in such a short time. She was so lucky to have been blessed with you and Bill and vice versa :)
Oh my goodness, I can't believe you're gonna make me cry this early on a Thursday!!! What a sweet, sweet tribute to Grace. She was and still is a beautiful little girl. What a blessing you all are to eachother.
She has such a sweet, sweet face. And that smile...I bet she lights up a room!
Thanks for sharing. And I'm looking forward to seeing your tribute to Dan. Too sweet!!!
Enjoy your day.
No doubt that girl is in the right place!
Sue
These pictures of Grace and all that you have been through together as a family brought tears to my eyes. Bless her and bless you.
Cherry xx
Sue, thank you for coming over to say "hi"! What a beautiful story about your sweet daughter, Grace. I'm sure she treasures you and your husband as much as you do her.
My parents (both turning 70 this yr.) just returned from spending two years in China. They already miss the friends they made there.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Suzanne
What a lovely blossoming!
You can just see how your love and care has made her shine!
(((hugs)))
What a great little girl! You are one lucky Mom!!!! She's a beauty.
That was so touching. You can see through the pictures how she has transformed through love and nurturing.
your post made me cry it is just so beautiful to see how this little girl has blossomed. She is truly a beauty and I bet her heart is just as beautiful.
My daughter turned 26 this week and it hardly seems possible.. Treasure each moment but I didn't have to tell you that-you already do that.
SuzyQ,
What a touching post "sniff" Grace is a beautiful child and so very obviously blooming within your loving family.
Your were all obviously meant to be together.
hugs!!
From looking so terrified to being so happy...what a wonderful transformation in Grace! She truly is a beautiful child and is one of the lucky ones to have found such a loving family. Now where's the tissues......xox
She is defintely a beautiful child! I know she is adored by both of her parents, too! You are all so blessed to have each other. I'm so glad you've shared that special time in your life.
such a sweet face - what's not to love!
Such a beautiful post and story!
Looks like you transformed Grace's life with your love! What a beautiful post and a precious little girl.
If ever there was a beautiful post - this is it. Pass the kleenex please - thank you sweet Sue for sharing your precious Grace with us and for sharing YOURSELF with us too. What angels you all are - I'm so touched by your story and your love.
xo,
Kim
These photos brought tears to my eyes, to see her forlorn little face in the beginning and with each new photo the joy that soon came to reside there. What an amazing experience that must have been for her and for you/Bill. The love you have for your children can be felt right through the computer screen. Thank you so much for sharing this. I now look forward to Dan's story.
XOXO
Love,
Lisa
It is wonderful to see her blosson though the years. It's all because of the love from her new family. Such a gift you all are to each other.
Your pictures tell the story so well. I am so touched. Thank you for sharing this beautiful part of your family life.
Warmly,
Lallee
okay you made me cry.
One of my customers at work has a lovely young daughter - just like you.
I don't know how long they have had the honor or being her parents - but she is about 9. Same lovely complexion, almond shaped eyes, and smile that reflects rainbows.
She comes to my desk and shows me her knew ballet dance steps, or tells me about some new adventure. I am always sad when her mom comes by when she is at school.
The mom gave me the card of the agency to give to someone I know who wants children. Part of it is written in Chinese lettering.
Grace is such a beauty and what a blessing for her and for your family to be united together. What a transformation from a scared little girl, to the one now who paints beautiful pictures and is so involved with school, and looks so happy. What an amazing blessing.
allie
www.mycozyhome.typepad.com
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