Ni Hao from Guangzhou.We left Lanzhou at 8:00 PM, arrived at the White Swan hotel at around 11:30 PM. The flight went very smoothly except for little Willow's 20 minute-solid, "I'm absolutely exhausted but I can't fall asleep" meltdown! Yes, we were the family that everyone in the back of the plane (we were in the front) is SOoooo thankful was not seated near them! When I (Victoria) tried my turn at calming Willow, Poppy had an impressive meltdown of her own and it was pure auditory bedlam! : ) BUT, other than that we really did have a smooth trip down here (2Hour 40Min flying time).
We already miss Lanzhou and feel as if we have left the "real" China. Almost everyone here speaks at
least a little English...Starbucks is just down the street, and today we were taken to the Chinese version of WalMart where we stocked up on some supplies for the week. It is inevitable, but somehow sad to see so much Western culture pervading this area. This hotel is THE place adoptive families from the US stay as they await their consulate appointment, the legal conclusion to the Chinese adoption paper trail. Our consulate appointment is scheduled for May 15th, so as additional paperwork is done in preparation for that, we are in a "waiting" mode of sorts with many other families. There must be a hundred families that we saw today... and tonight we heard many babies crying at bedtime. It is a "deer in the headlights" experience for most families as they work at adjusting to a dearly anticipated, but completely "new" child to them. We have 
been very blessed to have a mild adjustment period so far with Willow. She is blossoming each day and is a relatively easy child with very little crying except for her pre-bedtime meltdowns. The real challenge today has been Miss Poppy Mae! She is so UNhappy to share her Mommy's affections and is acting out with determination. Please pray for our patience, as well as for Poppy's heart to open a bit wider to her new little Mei Mei (sister). We trust that all will settle with time and although we still feel stressed at times, the 22 years of parenting experience comes in handy as we know so assuredly that "this too shall pass".
least a little English...Starbucks is just down the street, and today we were taken to the Chinese version of WalMart where we stocked up on some supplies for the week. It is inevitable, but somehow sad to see so much Western culture pervading this area. This hotel is THE place adoptive families from the US stay as they await their consulate appointment, the legal conclusion to the Chinese adoption paper trail. Our consulate appointment is scheduled for May 15th, so as additional paperwork is done in preparation for that, we are in a "waiting" mode of sorts with many other families. There must be a hundred families that we saw today... and tonight we heard many babies crying at bedtime. It is a "deer in the headlights" experience for most families as they work at adjusting to a dearly anticipated, but completely "new" child to them. We have 
been very blessed to have a mild adjustment period so far with Willow. She is blossoming each day and is a relatively easy child with very little crying except for her pre-bedtime meltdowns. The real challenge today has been Miss Poppy Mae! She is so UNhappy to share her Mommy's affections and is acting out with determination. Please pray for our patience, as well as for Poppy's heart to open a bit wider to her new little Mei Mei (sister). We trust that all will settle with time and although we still feel stressed at times, the 22 years of parenting experience comes in handy as we know so assuredly that "this too shall pass".We can't wait for you to meet our little Willow! She is adorable (may I say as her proud Mama that 
her pictures simply do not do her justice!) and such fun! How these little munchkins can have their worlds turned SO upside down and adjust with such relative ease, I will never quite understand. But, we thank our Lord who has heard our prayers and has seen fit to bless us with a low-trauma union with our dear girl. He carves out our character through trials and through joy and we rest in His sovereign wisdom and ways.
her pictures simply do not do her justice!) and such fun! How these little munchkins can have their worlds turned SO upside down and adjust with such relative ease, I will never quite understand. But, we thank our Lord who has heard our prayers and has seen fit to bless us with a low-trauma union with our dear girl. He carves out our character through trials and through joy and we rest in His sovereign wisdom and ways.Annie and Austin, we miss you so much! GBC friends and family, we love and miss you all. Mom and Dad Kruggel, we can't wait for you to meet your new granddaughter...you will fall in love again!
It is a humbling and awesome privilege to be used by the Lord to give a home and a family to such a dear wee one.
With love and gratitude of all sorts,
Victoria
1 comment:
Happy Mother's Day Victoria!!!
Thank you for sharing your joy with us. We pray for everything to continue to go smoothly and for Poppy to grow as a big sister.
with love in Christ
Lisa & Steve Scott
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