Big Day, Big Tears

Wow, emotionally challenged drained is an understatement.   

Yinchan has been truly a dreamboat.  Eating well, sleeping well, seemingly happy and healthy.   Loving on us non-stop freely giving hugs and kisses. Seeking mama or baba when one isn't right there.  Testing her boundaries some which means she's starting to feel more comfortable around us. Bonding beautifully- no, really....she is!   Markedly warming up to us each day.

Naptime snuggle

Trying to get the courage up to get in the water with Baba

She sings, she dances.   (only in the hotel room...where she feels safe to completely let loose).   She's silly and has a big, hearty contagious laugh.  It's incredible how I can already see how beautifully she's meant to be part of the Rice family circus- it's like God hand-picked her for us!    We hadn't seen a tear on her face once......until today's tour at her orphanage.


Ok, I've never been at an orphange (social welfare institute)  and could only imagine what was it was like.   NOTHING could have prepared me for what we experienced today. 

We visted the foster family's apartment where shes's lived for years.  The moment her foster mom approached her, it was over.  Big tears of fear and sadness  Lots of reassurance and comforting got her through.  We saw where she ate, lived and slept.   It was a very cheerful environment and I believe she was very loved by her foster family.

Her foster care aparment. Sweet "family" pictures covered the walls!

Her foster mom.  Was so grateful to tell her "thank you" in person

She slept on the bed on the left

The foster care family apartment complex

We met her foster big brother and she wouldn't give him a hug goodbye.  The girl woudn't have anything to do with anyone but us.     I almost had a complete mental breakdown when big tears started rolling down the little man's cheeks.   Gave him some momma lovin', and was overjoyed to find out that he has a forever family coming for him.   Praise God or I think I might have had to somehow fit him in my suitcase!

Her older foster-brother

We kicked off our shoes and visited one of the many, many rooms where the children are.   My arms couldn't hold enough of them as I scooped as many sweet babies up as I could at a time.  Praying over them, I held back the tears knowing that  some of them would never find a forever home and felt a fierce passion to advocate for these sweet babies.  Yes, Lord..."break my heart for what breaks yours."  Mission accomplished. 

Oh, how she just gazed into my eyes.  I wanted to take her home!

Shoot, I wanted to take them ALL home! 

Soon after, we visited Yinchan's classroom and teacher.  It was really a super nice place and her little friends were happy to see her.

Her teacher and the classroom

The classroom play area

A few of her friends there to say goodbye

Then...the big whammy.  We were given a HUGE incredibly special treasure that we will share with
Yinchan one day in many years when the time is right. A gift that is priceless and gives us a few answers to our many, many questions.  Shocked and grateful, the big ugly Momma-tears were flowing.   Although it was a super-big-hard-overwhelming day, I believe it brought all of us some closure that we needed to move on to the next chapter.  


Today we will receive Yinchan's passport so we can hop on a plane tomorrow to Guangzhou where we have her medial appointments and appointment at the US Consulate.  Hard to believe that we will be on our way home sweet home in just one week from today!