What a day! Oh, what a day! After just 24 hours we've watched this little Willow sapling blossom into a yearling with vibrant color and life. There's nothing weeping about this Willow. With Poppy seeds scattered around her trunk, the pair are making for an unbelievable landscape of beauty. The timid, fearful girl we met yesterday is now beginning to show us what she's really made of; laughter, song, inquisitiveness and determination. Barret's still her favorite comforter, and it's a real joy to see the two of them bond as they are. Today I (Tom) received several kisses, which was the furthermost thing she wanted to do with me last night. Poppy and Willow occasionally hold hands, which would make any parent's heart melt. And Victoria's best mothering gifts are flourishing to their fullest. Yes, Wu Hui Xuan is really starting to feel like she's part of the Kruggel family, already.- Willow slept through the night (as did Poppy) and didn't wake up until 6:30 a.m. This may have been one of our best nights of sleep since coming to China. Unbelievable!
- We enjoyed a traditional Chinese breakfast buffet this morning, and Willow loved her native congee very much.
- We went to the Civil Affairs Office and started the long, local paper trail process of officially adopting Willow into our family.
- We came back to the hotel and I spent a good part of the day trying to frustratingly blog some streaming videos (while the girls napped; what a cute sight that was) only to discover that I think it's virtually impossible to do so in Lanzhou. We also had some wonderful chats with our Austin and Annie (we miss them so).
- The rest of the afternoon we walked around Lanzhou, receiving some of the most glaring and direct stares we've ever experienced in our lives (very culturally acceptable here). It was actually quite interesting to watch people go out of their way to come and get a close look at us.
- And dinner with the other adoptive families this evening was fabulous.
The girls are back down for the evening, sweet as can be, after getting their bath together (so sweet). Tomorrow we're off to the zoo and a local park.
So, for now, some more pictures of our last 24 hours are attached. We hope you enjoy them, and we continue to thank you for your prayers and e-mail encouragements; they're wonderful!
Gratefully in Christ,
Tom & Victoria (and the rest of the Kruggel's)
3 comments:
Hooray! Victoria and family, Willow is just perfect! We are so happy for you! How wonderful that she loves her gaga so much already and that she and Poppy are already enjoying being sisters. We can't wait to meet her. Love, Laura, Randy, Nikolas & Meredith
Dear Tom & Victoria: We are SO thrilled for you and grateful to the Lord that all has gone relatively smoothly, and that Poppy can indeed "keep her!" I (Lynn) just got your blog address from Barbara today. Didn't have any way to contact you. Mom still in hospital w/congestive heart failure and blood problems.Hope you all are feeling better from your virus. Praying for you all, and excited to meet Willow! With Love, Lynn
Dear Tom, Vicki, Barrett, Poppy, and of course...WILLOW!
This is a very cool blog that you all are doing and it really gives us the flavor of what is going on with your wonderful time of meeting Willow and going through everything! How exciting and wonderful that the Lord has brought you this far! So glad that we know Poppy a little bit as it helps in imagining what Willow must be like. You guys are our heros...that you are following after the Lord's call on your hearts in all that you are doing to give these 2 wonderful human beings a lovely home. We will be on here more and anxious to follow your progress. Many blessings and much Love,
Bill and Shar
PS: Vicki, so sorry we didn't get to talk before you left!
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