Happy Mother's Day

It's hard to believe that already one week ago we first were introduced to Wu Hui Xuan and she to us. As strange as that encounter was, today is Mother's Day and we celebrate Willow Rae Xuan Kruggel as a child to her adoptive mother, Victoria, and we simply wouldn't have it any other way. It's certainly been a memorable and will be a cherished Mother's Day for us for the rest of our lives.

Right after posting my "Reflections" blog entry last night and feeling quite contemplative, I hit the hay with Willow by my side. It wasn't long thereafter that she began to be a very wiggly Willow, flopping and turning about every five to ten minutes or so, waking up from time to time, fussing and whimpering, only to fall back to sleep for short periods of time and then cycling into another round of pretty much the same. Needless to state, I was quickly becoming exhausted myself thinking this was going to be a long night, which would then probably turn into a long day. My thinking was right on target because when the dawn of morning arrived, Willow woke up for the umpteenth time and then proceeded to lose her cookies right on the bed. Yes, we truly had a weeping Willow this morning and pretty much throughout the day. She got sick to her stomach again and took numerous naps all through the day. Poor little thing. By supper time, she was starting to feel much better, witnessed by her voracious appetite during dinner and happy attitude until sleep time (notice the picture of her smiling face below).

Barret, Poppy and I decided it would be best to separate from the hotel this morning and let Willow nap with Mom (Victoria agreed, of course), and we went to the Guangzhou Botanical Gardens (some pictures here) with several other adoptive families. Stunning flowers, calm ponds fed by soothing waterfalls and filled with Koi Fish, sculpted shrubberies, and manicured lawns allowed us to bask in the beauty of some of the finest gardens we've laid eyes upon. When we returned to the hotel, I took care of the girls while Victoria worked on more paperwork for the U. S. Consulate.

Tomorrow we'll take Willow to the doctor for a required and routine "medical exam", a standard procedure for adoptive children leaving China. The rest of our day is free, but I'm sure we'll find some fun and exciting things to do here in Guangzhou.

Mom, Happy Mother's Day to you. I love you. Not only are you the perfect Mom for me, but you're also the perfect Grandmother for Willow (and Poppy, and Barret, and Annie, and Austin).

To the rest of you blessed mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day.

Happily in Christ,

Tom