Go ahead, scroll down to the pictures then read when you are ready!!!!
We awoke at 6:00am, took in breakfast at the hotel buffet and then out for a walk in the park. The West Lake Park surrounds the West Lake (go figure). It was packed with families and groups of men and women singing, large choral groups, flutes, strings and drums. There were groups of women dancing with large red fans; one group dancing the Electric Slide to local music; and paddleboats on the lake. It looked like a day from a Norman Rockwell painting…
It is true what has been described by families who have visited China before us, you really do “turn heads” by the local people. Kevin got stopped by two young women and asked to have their picture taken with him. Sarah smiled and began to pose with him and they shooed her away. They literally hopped away giggling after they each had their photo taken. It was brutally painful for Kevin (12yrs old)! He was polite, smiled but we knew he was secretly wishing this attention would all go away…Kevin and me (CandieGram) took one of the boats out on the lake. It turns out the one we got was gas powered. Getting off the dock was sort of like bumper cars on the water. We puttered around for a while, and then the panic set in. We could run out of gas and we have no oars. What if we miss the call that Grace is on her way? I had visions of being stuck out on this lake and having come all these months and miles AND MISS the whole Gotcha moment. So back to shore we went.
We are all showered, Yahtzeed out and pacing. It’s only 1300. We were told to expect Grace’s arrival at approximately 1600. She is to be driven from her orphanage accompanied by her Nanny and the Orphanage Director. We are so anxious to “get” Grace. At 3:30 pm our guide Katherine called, we needed to get our passports and head to the 18th floor for photocopies. Katherine gave us copies of papers from her Orphanage, and included was copies of Grace’s finding ad and history. Once finished on the 18th floor, we then head down to the 3rd floor. With anxiousness and our camera’s ready, we waited in the balcony area outside the conference room that overlooks the hotel entrance for Graces’ arrival. At approximately 4:00 pm we saw Grace come in with the Orphanage Director, her nanny, and two other individuals and head for the elevator. The minute we saw Grace being brought into the hotel lobby, our eyes filled with tears knowing that she was safe and coming to us. She was brought upstairs into the conference room for her passport photos, and then Sarah and I got to hold her for the 1st time. At that moment every trial, waiting period, and emotional roller coaster we experienced for the past 18+ months came to closure. We are now holding the most precious girl that we ever imagined holding. She is so beautiful that we could not take our eyes off her. Her nanny made a bottle for us to feed her, and she took quite well to her feeding. After a bit of paperwork we were able to bring Grace to our room and spend quiet time. It was a huge change on her part, she cried during the early night, but we were there to comfort her and let her know that she is loved. Right now she is sleeping soundly on top of Sarah and will not let Sarah put her down. We keep looking at her with amazement that she is our daughter forever. I could go on and on with words, but it would take an entire notebook to record this moment. WE GOT GRACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
