Day two (part 2)

we were concerned at how she would react when we went to the orphanage. We didn't want her to think we were going to leave her and we didn't want her to cry to stay. When we got close she started smiling and pointing, and practically jumped out of the van. ( I was concerned) she however held my hand and we played as we exchanged gifts with the orphanage. During the tour she held on tight and didn't leave my side. It was beautiful, she is truly beginning to trust us.

She seems to get emotional when we eat, I figured out if I keep her close to me she does better. We are learning, slowly all about each other. This child is so precious... I can't wait for you guys to all meet her!

Ok so for the momma/ daddy results?

I WIN!!! She said momma! Not only with her hand but her voice as well! I got so excited the whole van knew about it!!!

Love u all!
Kathy

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Day two

Ariana woke up well today. She didn't cry or get scared just slowly woke up. She has this beautiful smile that just lights up everything around her. David and I have been trying to teach her mama and daddy in sign. I was saying daddy to her all the time but reminded david yesterday to call me momma a lot too. So today in the van going to the orphanage she used one of them first. I am going to wait til the end to tell u which one. (Heehee mean I know)

We went to a kids amusement park close to the hotel, it was a lot of fun. She seems a little unsure when we leave the hotel, so we didn't know if she was gonna like the rides or not. She loved them, we took turns riding with her, except when my butt was too big for the tiny cars :). She would pull us toward the ride as we got close.

She hasn't really shown us her likes and dislikes to much but that seems to be changing. I am looking forward to her being comfortable enough to tell us no. (Cont)
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Gotcha day (pt 3)

After her nap which was short but later than normal we play some more. She want her dolls to have lots of ponytails, just like her big sister did. Oh and she is like her big brother was too, when we turned on the tv, that was it nothing else mattered, she was in the zone! We gave her a snack of some crackers, kinds like rice cakes with a little sweet on top. She is soOoooo amazing and I cannot wait until my family is all together. I KNOW they will love each other. She is very shy at first but we have learned how to pull he out and get her to play. I am so in love with this little girl. So blessed God picked me to be her mommy. This day is much like the birth of our other two kids, so amazing and full of love and wonder. I know God is holding us and answering our and all of your prayers. Thank you guys for carrying us to our daddy, He is with us, this whole thing feels drenched in Him. Beautiful perfect day! Thank u God for the 3 children u have given us.

Back to sleep now, love u guys!
David, Kathy and Lan Ariana Grace

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Gotcha day (pt 2)

She seemed a bit scared of david but not for long. We found the book we had sent her in her bag and we showed her our faces and the pictures, u could just see it on her face as she put it together. We started showing her some of the things we brought her and she wanted to hold all of the at once. It wasn't long before we started to see a smile coming across her beautiful face. David got the first full blow smile. We were laughing and playing pretty loudly very quickly. Probably disturbing all the business going on, but we didn't care! It was so awesome and so God. She thought David was soooo funny and she kept turning into me to cuddle. She has continued to connect to us all day. It is like I am her comfort and he is her favorite play partner. OH and she is already mimicking signs back to us... And we got our first kisses.

We went to walmart and got some milk and yogurt (the kids drink it everyday in the orphanage). She had never been there, I could tell by the way she reacted to the angled moving sidewalk u take to get in. She is quiet about her wants for not, being shy and not showing us if she wants a toy or certain food. Her face however gives her away when it comes to food. (I'll explain more later)

She cried a little again at lunch, I think mostly because of how tired she was and things being different than she knew upset her. She calmed quickly as I rocked her to sleep. (Cont)


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Gotcha day

Today was beautiful. We got up, ate and met vivian in the lobby at 9. We then got into a van a drove to a government office to meet our kids. As we we're getting out of our van another van drove up! Surprise it was our kids. Vivian let us know it was ok so we stood as they got out. I was scanning faces waiting for the one I had come to know and love through pictures. About the time I was beginning to think these kids were for another group, out she popped.

The aunties from the orphanage had there hands full so I immediately got to pick her up. She started crying but didn't fight me. By the time we got inside she was cuddled up close to me feeling very scared. I cuddled and patted her until she calmed down. (Cont)
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The day before

Today was a great day. Breakfast was good and a good mix of western and chinese food. It will be good for all three of us as Ariana adjusts to American food. We explored a little when we got here. Then decided we needed a map :) We got a map and another family that is adopting and went for a walk around West Lake. It is beautiful and a big tourist attraction here.

We then met Vivian and another family and went on a mini tour on the way to a grocery store. David amused us in the meat department, they eat some gross stuff. In the store was live eel and turtle among other things like ckn feet etc. I had to leave that area the smell was soooo nasty.

We then went to a toy store and bought 2 small dolls for Ariana. I cannot believe tomorrow I will hold her and see her face.

Sigh...
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Ahhhmerica

So funny how much we take for granted. Just picking up the laptop and accessing any website we want, whenever we want. Being able to look up and get answers to questions. Using our phones...calling from here is becoming a challenge (sorry mom). Anyway we rode a bus from Shanghai to Hangzhou today, it was dirty and slow, and the driver kept hocking up loogies and spitting into a bucket! Gross! Oh btw breakfast was good, I had rice mixed with egg and a sort of hash brown, a croissant and a small sweet pastry. Of course we cannot drink the water and were warned by a native that milk here is gross and NOT to drink it. So we stuck with canned Coke :) Anyway, back to the trip, we arrived in Hangzhou, which is very pretty, more what we expected china to look like, but as we got deep into the city we ran into what I call "NewYork on crack" Ppl everywhere and no order, cars run all over ppl cross the road when and however they want. Lots of honking a quick stopping. We took a taxi fm the bus to the hotel, we were warned not to take a ride fm unregistered cabs. They were very aggressive in trying to get us in their cab. It was funny, david and I and all our luggage running to a real cab and a little Chinese man was following us yelling and waving his hands over and over, he didn't want to take no for an answer! Once at the hotel, which is very nice, we met one of the other families adopting fm the same agency. We spoke to our rep and were told to rest for the night. Tomorrow we will go to the bank and to a toy store to buy toys for our orphanage visit on wed. We will meet Ariana on monday morning!!!!!! Ahhhhhh! I so miss the comfort and ease of America but now that we are in Hangzhou with other ppl and a rep I feel much better. We are still adjusting to the time. Sleeping at odd times to make it through. Hopefully tonight we will not wake up. I hope u all know we are so thankful for your prayers and support, God is definitely guiding and caring for us. I will keep trying to get updates through.

Love u all!
Kathy
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