GOTCHA!!!

We've got our girl!! This afternoon we went to the big grocery store and stocked up on some groceries and diapers. Then we headed to the orphanage to pick up Valerie. We went in and signed a book, then gave our gifts to the caregivers, social worker, director, and doctor. When we walked back into the hall, someone was bringing Valerie in from playing outside. She smiled and came right to us. I picked her up and we went upstairs to her room where I changed her into the dress we brought for her. Many of her caregivers gathered around and were watching us so I handed her off to one of them and we began snapping pictures. They all held her and gave her a kiss. Then we left. It all happened very fast and was really an emotional experience. We are taking her away from the only life she's ever known. She has been loved but we are giving her a family and she has already brought us so much joy! God has answered our prayers!! We are so blessed to have the daughter that God intended us to have. She is a perfect match for our family!


She did great in the van and did not get upset at all. When we got back to the apartment, we played a while. She and Blaine laugh and laugh together. Then I got supper ready. We had leftover chicken soup that I had made for lunch. It was amazing to watch Valerie eat. I put her in my lap and fed her a spoonful. Then she grabbed the spoon out of my hand, bent over her bowl, and began spooning the food into her mouth so quickly. She didn't chew or anything, just gulped it all down. Todd handed her a piece of bread and she held it in one hand while spooning with the other. She was extremely efficient. It's obvious that she had a very limited amount of time to eat at the orphanage and learned how to get it all down before it got taken away. I'll be glad when she realizes there will always be plenty of food and she can take her time and enjoy it.


After supper, we had a bath. That did not go so well. She only gets sponged off at the orphanage so she's never had a bath in a tub before. She was scared and cried some but she finally splashed around a little. She never really enjoyed it though. After bath, we played a little more. Then I got in the bed with her and sang awhile. She laid right down beside me, cuddled, up and sucked on her fingers. She was still and relaxed but it took her about 30 minutes to actually fall asleep. She looks like a little angel laying there!

We had another Gotcha today! We finally got our luggage! All 3 bags! It was like Christmas around here today. We tore into those bags and were so excited to have all our things. Todd went to the airport and picked them up just before we went to get Valerie. Another answered prayer - Thank you everyone! It was perfect timing because all our gifts were in our luggage as were Valerie's dress and shoes. Aren't they cute? We can't wait to send real pictures instead of headless ones but we have to wait until our 10 day wait is over. We are looking forward to tomorrow and enjoying our time with Valerie so much.