An anniversary and a beginning...

Two years ago today, J and I sat in our living room awaiting the most important phone call of our lives. Every time the phone rang we'd jump. Finally, after lunch, the call came.

We were parents. To a daughter.

I'll never forget the anxiousness I felt awaiting that phone call. Horrible thoughts were running through my head. Maybe something was wrong and China didn't send our referral. Maybe we were wrong about our LID date. Maybe this, maybe that. I think somewhere in the back of my mind I was convinced we'd never be parents.

But the call came and we were/are parents. Parents to an amazing little girl.

An amazing little girl who started school today.

She started 2 year old preschool and did a great job. She already loves her teacher and talks about her a lot. There were tears this morning, but not from our baby, just her baby of a momma. I couldn't help it - she's growing up way too fast. It hit me on the way that this is just the first step of many.

Splish Splash, I was taking a bath!

It's been a while since I've taken any bathtub shots of E. I took about 50 pictures, and these were my favorites!!! I was also experimenting with my new flash. I was adjusting where the light was pointing and trying to soften the light.

08.08.08

Are you going to watch?

The Olympics for me are bittersweet. Many moons ago when we were getting our dossier ready my "plan" was to go back to China for a second adoption around the time of the Olympics. If things had held steady at the time, that was a very realistic timeline. Of course, things changed.

Some people think it's the Olympics that have caused the slowdown. I believe we will know by the end of this year if it's true. I honestly think things will stay the same for quite some time.

These are pictures we took while in China to meet E. Back in 2006 the Olympic symbols were everywhere. I can't imagine what it looks like now.

A new book: Silent Tears

An American woman who volunteered in an orphanage in China has written a book about her time spent in China.

I have not read this book, so I can't comment on the contents. However, I have heard over and over that it is a realistic and eyes open wide view of orphanage life for children in China.

I'm about to order the book and hope to read it soon. I'm not good at reading these books, and I'm guessing E is going to get many extra hugs and kisses while I'm getting through it. It's hard to be thankful that I have one child home knowing that I'm waiting on another. It feels like we're only halfway there.

http://www.kaybratt.blogspot.com/