Monday, January 18, 2010

She's as beautiful as I remember

Today was a big day--got to go to the orphanage and see my daughter again! Finally!
When I got there another American couple was just arriving also and we all went into the same room--we both had interpreters and there was a woman from the Dept. of Education there also so it was a pretty full room. When they brought my daughter in they brought her right to me saying “Here’s mama”. They said that she recognized me but I am not certain. Anyway--she came to me willingly and I got a hug. I just wanted to hug and kiss on her but she wasn’t ready for too much of that so I held back. She did sit on my lap for a while and just looked at a new toy and my photos. The lady from the Dept. of Education asked me questions while she was with me--I guess she will testify about us at the court tomorrow.
After she left our visit got better because we could move around and do whatever my daughter wanted. We played with many toys and she seemed to listen to books. She really seemed to like the photo album of my family and house--she would sit and listen to me say the names of all the people in my family and that is a lot of people. She went back to that book several times throughout our visit. They were washing and renovating the play room so the big fun toys were all stacked up on one side and we couldn’t play with them. The morning seemed to go by so quickly and all of a sudden they came to take her to lunch. She went very happily with her caregiver but it is so hard for me to say good-bye. Gosh she is so precious!
After we got back to the hotel, my coordinator prepped me for court. I think I am ready and she said I have the more pleasant judge so I hope all goes well. Everyone pray for me.
During the next 10 days I will have 2 more visits included in my fees--because the orphanage is so far away. I can go more often but each visit will cost more money so I will have to figure out my finances tonight and get in as many visits as I can afford.
I have actually met 2 other American couples here and we are all planning to go out to eat tonight--it is nice to have people that can speak English around. Because of the extreme cold, we have stayed very close to the hotel for eating--it is easy to freeze when walking too far in the dark. Fortunately there is a good choice of restaurants that are all very close.

13 comments:

Kim said...

Yay! So glad the reunion went well! The social worker visit has always made me anxious, they weren't very friendly, but they did get up and say we were great parents and she will do the same for you! I will definitely be praying for you! Good luck, you will do great!!!

Rose said...

I will be praying that all goes well tomorrow Mary. I can't wait to hear more about your little girl!

qmiller said...

Prayers are with you for court...how wonderul!!
Quaintance

Three Northern Stars said...

Hope court is smooth sailing. How wonderful to see your daughter again!!!

Alysa said...

So happy you are back with your daughter! Hope you can find a way to see her more while you are there -- that would be frustrating. Sending prayers and good thoughts for an easy and smooth court process.

Nicole Brueck said...

Yay! Glad to hear your reunion was wonderful. I know you will be just so relieved when court is done and over! I sat by Sherry at the basketball game on Friday night and we were just chatting about how giddy we are for you!

Stay warm...I just looked at the temp. GULP. I am never complaning about 0 degrees again...nor will I move to where you are. BRRRRRRR.

HUGS!

PS...I forwarded the emails on. :)

lisa said...

That is so wonderful Mary! Of course she remembers you...you are her Mama and have always been meant to be her Mama!! I am so happy for you!

Lisa

Jeff Morris said...

Good luck with court tomorrow. I actually really enjoyed it and made it out to be a WHOLE lot worse than it actually was. Thanks for updating this...it gives me something to do as we wait for our call!

Irishdrums said...

Hi Mary! So happy to hear that you had a mini reunion and got to spend some fun time together. Neat to hear how interested she was in your picture book. Thinking of you often and praying for you!

Aaron and Julie said...

So happy to hear your daughter was in your arms today!!! Prayers for court tomorrow. Having other Americans to hang out with makes the time a bit better, I'm glad you have found other families. Hugs!

Misty Clark said...

Wonderful! I'm so glad to hear you're there with your daughter! We're thinking of you and praying all goes well the rest of your trip.

teresaolson said...

Wow, looking at the time there you could be in court right now!! What a big international adventure. I'm so proud of you for your courage!!
Can't believe it's -17 and snowing. Didn't think it could snow at that cold. We had mid 30's here today. Don't want to lose all the snow!!

Kimberly said...

Mary - I am so excited for you! Your Hannah is just beautiful! How fun to follow along - and I'm so excited you get to post pictures this time!
Blessings!
Kimberly