Gotcha Day

Gotcha Day


We left Beijing on Sunday morning. Thanks to our amazing guide he got our whole group to the bullet train station complete with porters to help with our luggage and a private waiting room and a chance to get on the train before everyone else. We also were given business class spacious seats. A wonderful smooth train ride that was a little delayed due to snow on the track. Once we got here it took 2 hours at the freezing cold bank exchanging all of our money. I suppose it was to get some “cold hard cash”. We then went on a freezing tour of all the yummy restaurants and a trip to Carrefour a Walmart type store. We stocked up on formula and snacks. Off to bed in anticipation of gotcha day.


The day began with much excitement! Conner was up most of the night since he was unable to sleep due to jet lag, Christian woke up at 4 and Emily and I made it to just about 6. We were all packed the night before, complete with clothing, snacks and toys. Our guide said “ you can win them with love and sugar!” At breakfast Tim called to tell me that Hudson was complaining of his head hurting and there was swelling on the back left side. Since Tim had been with him all day and he had not been hurt and since this little guy never complains about pain and since he had a traumatic brain injury at birth, Tim decided to take him to the ER. When Kayla called our neighbor to ask her to put Hudson on the church prayer chain she found out that he had fallen and hit his head at their house at lunch but since he did not cry Tim did not know he had gotten hurt. They sent him home from the ER watching out for a concussion. Praise God we found out he was ok before we meet Sophie!


When we arrived at the office to receive our children before we were even in the door they announced that Zhou Wen Hong was already inside. When we got inside the orphanage director was holding her but we barely recognized her dressed in a black coat and black shirts and navy pants and a short hair. Christian asked me why they gave us a boy instead of a girl. She tentatively looked at me but when the director went to give her to me she did not want to come to me. She eventually let me hold her and she just sobbed and sobbed. Finally Emily and I won her over with “bear crumbs” the name Wyatt gave to Teddy grahams when we adopted him. She warmed up to us and we even got some smiles and giggles. She is so sweet and charming. We are in awe that this day has finally come. The orphanage director remembered me and he even remembered Wyatt calling him by his Chinese name. He was so excited to see our family Christmas card. One of the other government employees came up to me and asked if I had adopted before. She was excited to see me too. Our guide,Danielle from wyatt and Hudson’s adoption is here and we plan to connect with her on Thursday afternoon. Thank you for all of your prayers. Her foster mom at the orphanage calls her chubby girl in Chinese and we can see why since her checks are a pound each. We weighed her back at the room and she is about 5 pounds heavier than they told us. I will get my work out this week since she can’t walk. Conner kindly took photos and videos for everyone in the group. Everyone is so appreciative.


Once back at the room we made her Raman noodles for lunch and she enjoyed eating them and when Conner came back with pizza for the rest of us she enjoyed that too. They said she is not a picky eater and that appears to be true. She loves playing peek a boo, and catch with the ball. She has a strong left hand and loves to play. We had one hour of paperwork to do after lunch. All went well. She enjoyed playing with me in the room when the rest of the kids went to the pool. However after a bit she got sad and began gesturing to the door to leave and seemed content as long as we were not in the room. Once the kids were back from the pool she seemed happy to be back. Dinner was French fries and more noodles. She fell asleep at 8:30 in my arms. She slept through the night. She sucks her thumb while she sleeps. She is just too precious. Today we have hours of paperwork ahead at least 5 at two local offices so we can get her a passport. We also will become her official parents as soon as the adoption registration is final this morning. Please keep us in prayer as we continue to bond with her in the midst of papers and constant moving around. Thank you!