Gotcha Day!

Skyping with her Jei Jei's

It was a long couple of days getting here, but today Pan Xia became a member of our family.

It took 4 seperate flights, more than 20 hours of flying time, and a very short night at Beijing hotel to do it, but we got to Hohhot a little after noon on monday. We were met at the airport by a wonderful guide arranged through WACAP who, on the ride to our hotel informed us that the decision had been made to delay bringing Xia to us until Tuesday. They figured (although we are not sure who "they" are for this one) that it would be better for us to use Monday for rest so we could be fresh when Xia was placed in our care. While somewhat dissapointing it was probably for the best.

So this morning one of the nannies from Baotou brought little Pan Xia to our hotel room. And much like it was with Isabelle almost three years ago, it was love at first site. Actually, it was more of a confirmation, because to paraphrase one of Dianns favorite songs about this process "We loved her before we met her." Our guide had gone to the lobby to meet them, and Diann was waiting anxiously in the hallway. As soon as we saw her holding the nannies hands, our hearts melted.

The nannie picked Xia up and handed her to Diann, but apparently (as expected) the idea of having someone who looked and sounded to different from what she was used to was quite frightening to her, and she cried pretty hard. But after a couple of minutes she warmed up to us, and the doting began. And she has been smiling and laughing ever since.

She has such a sweet little personality. She loves the little toys we brought her to play with. And she cant get enough of the treats! She seems especially fond of the Graduate Puffs and the Welchs fruit snacks.

But its her smile and laugh that is so endearing. We were very quickly to get her to giggle.And it seems that sharing those moments have helped create a bond that has assured Xia's little spirit that everything was going to be okay.And when her nannie left the room (to be seen again tomorrow when everything is finalized after our 24 hour "trial period") she waved goodbye with a captivating smile that told us that she was comfortable where she was.

We believe firmly that the hand of God is in the details of our lives,and this experience is no exception. It was confirmed to us today that this little girl has been placed in our care for many reasons...some of which we will find out in His due time.