A New Day

This morning I reached over to SongLian as she began to stir and I got the usual, "ahh" and throw (my hand away). It was dark still so I began to rub her little hand with deep pressure rubbing and then moved to her arms. She let me. It was a lovely 1/2 hour or so (until the boys came in from the other room). :) We set off to the orphanage after breakfast. All I can say is that it was the best thing (aside from GETTING SongLian) we have done yet. We were quickly ushered into her class room as her classmates had prepared a goodbye dance. Along the way kids piled out of the classrooms calling, SongYuhui, SongYuHui. For those of you who saw the picture of SongLian dancing before, it was the same set up and costumes (only in her classroom): three dancers in hula skirts and two drummers). Her teacher ushered her into the center and handed her a walker and they began to dance. SongLian stood there looking confused so they pulled her back so she could watch. Then she began to "dance" with her classmates a little. The classroom was amazing. Such a wonderful place to learn and grow. Lots of love. Within the building was a special art room, a library, a small store so the kids can learn simple math & money and piano music and singing floated from a nearby classroom. When it came time to say goodbye, SongLian's teacher took her to each friend to help her say goodbye. Her little friend (the girl) was SO amazingly beautiful. She kept calling to SongLian and grinning from ear to ear and even looked right at me and asked, Mama? Sweet, beautiful one: I am so thankful she has a family and hope we can stay in touch. SongLian quietly went down the line. As she was saying goodbye to the last classmate (there were 6 counting SongLian in the class)--a handsome boy who was also close to SongLian began to weep. I think all our hearts just melted (even our guide was in tears). SongLian's teacher had the hair bows and necklace on that we had given her. :) As I said goodbye and tried to express our deep, deep gratitude she embraced me and we wept together. I will forever be grateful for this lady and the care and love she has given my daughter the last two years. We can tell that SongLian was well prepared for this day. She knows she has a family now. She was taught some English words (so far we've heard, Mom & Dad (together like that most), good morning, Grandma! (yes it is said with an exclamation mark), and thank you. Amazing. It was heart breaking to watch SongLian's teacher cry and watch us go (we were crying too). We then went out to the playground (I needed to find a little boy to take pictures of for a family who will travel to adopt him next month). Again, SongLian is flocked by her friends calling to her. All these kids were "special needs" kids as they don't attend school off the orphanage grounds. They were obviously well cared for and happy. It was amazing. SongLian then showed us her bed: 17 little beds in her room. The orphanage is quite the facility: track, gym, dinning hall, giant playground, beautiful gardens. SongLian was given a special bag (it is a Victoria Secret bag:) )with some gifts from her classmates: a few small toys and candy. We were given several gifts from the orphanage as well: book about Hangzhou, fairy tales (in Chinese), a CD of pictures, and a photo book of SongLian's time at the orphanage (we will get more like this for Chinese New Year). As we went through the book it was clear how loved she was (is) and what a gem we got. Top student, top winner at the (athletic) special Olympics (um this girl is holding out because there are pictures of her running/walking). As we left the orphanage something changed. All along she has known she is a part of our family and just "fit" in. After we left I could be mom (not overly doting, but mom). She happily skipped out between her sister & brother and climbed into my lap for the ride home. Lovely. For those of you who will meet our sweet girl soon: she doesn't like being singled out. She just wants to be one of us. She is admirably independent. She wants to be just like Noah, CoraGrace, and Josiah. It is amazing what she can do. She is happy, silly, and loves to laugh. You will love to get to know her. For now, she just wants to be a Hardee--and not necessarily singled out. Anyhow--we went back to the hotel had lunch (those granola bars and fruit leather are getting old), "worked out" in the gym (while SongLian laughed at us), took a quick walk to the lake and then headed out (with the other family) to the airport. One 2 hour flight and chicken and noodle meal (complete with peanuts, a bun and pickled something) and we arrived in Guangzhou. SongLian LOVED the flight. Crazy girl. We arrived up at our hotel room and first laughed at the door: it looks like a door in Alice in Wonderland (it looked huge!). Then we came into our room (a suit for all 7 of us) and began to laugh as we see the 2 tiny beds. More laughing when we realize that the bath tub, encased by glass, sits next to the bedroom. We are all laughing hard by now, including SongLian. :)Things worked out, we got some extra beds delivered and there is an electric curtain for the bath. All in all God is good. I am praising Him for this good day (if I had blogged last night it would have been a very dark posting). :) We are all longing forward to home, but happy for the change. Josiah was a nut-head today. As he took his bath I could hear him singing, "I wanna go home, I wanna go home . . ." The kids will stay with Nonna and swim tomorrow, while Kyle and I take SongLian to the medical exam necessary for her visa. The hotel is LARGE and beautiful. This city is much more sophisticated than the last. We shall see what tomorrow brings . . .