Nanning - Gotcha Day

We've got Ruby!! And she is more precious and wonderful than we could ever have imagined!  I don't know that I can put into words what meeting our little girl was like.  Being in this country so far away from home and my family, but yet so close to my children here, has been emotional to say the least.  

They brought her to our room right around 3 pm.  Daniel was bouncing off the walls excited.  He just could not wait to meet his sister!  I'd like to think I was a little more contained than him.  Lol

She came in holding her doll that we had sent her, with our guide and two caregivers who were both very nice.  Ruby was quiet and a bit nervous.  She would not let me touch her at first.  I had Daniel show her the backpack that we brought for her.  She really like the magna doodle and played with it quite a bit. It only took once showing her how to erase.  After that, she would not accept anymore help.  She is very independent and knows what she wants and doesn't want. She really is very bright and knows how to play well.  It is obvious she has been well cared for. 

We found out that she came straight to our hotel room from her foster family.  I was really happy to hear that she had not been sent back to the orphanage to await our arrival.  However it was heartbreaking to know that she had just been removed from all she has ever known.  Ruby has been with the same foster family since she was 10 months old. They loved her very much. They said that big tears welled up in her eyes when they took her, but that she did not cry.  They said that foster mom told them she doesn't like crying, and will go off by herself until she feels better. They sent along a bag with a few things, snacks for her, and the disposable camera and photo album that I had sent in her care package.  They also included 2 letters.  One to "Xiao Yun" as they call her and one to us. Our guide read the letters to us and before she was even halfway through it, we were both in tears.  It was really the most beautiful and heartfelt letter I had ever heard.  They truly loved her so much and treated her as she was theirs.  They were so proud of her accomplishments, first words, and the wonderful little girl that she is. I cannot even write this without crying.  

The guide told me that the family understands that she will have a chance at a better life in the U.S. with our family, but it is just heartbreaking to hear that her foster mom will not be able to sleep thinking of her little girl.  This is bittersweet for me.  I feel so very blessed that this little girl is ours and that she had such an amazing foster family she has been living with, but yet so devastated for them. 

We will be leaving Nanning today.  We will head off to do adoption paperwork right after breakfast this morning.  Then straight to the airport this afternoon to fly to Changsha, Hunan.  We will meet Ai Ai there on Wednesday!!  

Thanks so much for all the prayers and love and support!  I really can feel it over here!  Would you please pray for us as we fly to the next province this afternoon.  Pray that Ruby will do well on the flight and that it will be a smooth and easy one.  Thank you! :)  

I will leave you with this video of Ruby.  She loves my phone and the music on it and is jamming out to it.  So cute!!!!