What a surreal statement!
It's feels like we have been waiting forever to meet our sweet Ella
and now...it's tomorrow!! Our feelings today are a mixture of
excitement, joy, nervousness, and “let's go!!” Now that we are
so close it's even harder to wait for her.
We started our day with
breakfast. Still a big buffet but we all agreed that it wasn't up to
par with some of the other buffets we've been able to enjoy. And the
coffee seems to be getting stronger and stronger!
After breakfast we went to
explore a little. We headed the wrong the direction out of the hotel
but we did end up finding a market to find some milk, soda, and beer.
So that was a win! After we dropped stuff off at the hotel we ended
out again, the correct way towards the river. My hope was to see the
yellow crane tower but you had to pay to see anything. The walk was
a pretty one though with a large park with lots of temples to see
along the way. I hope we can explore the park a little more in the
coming days. We ended up walking about 5 miles today and Ava did
great...so did Grandpa :) Ava rode in the carrier some, so I got a
great workout! Work off some of those noodles I've been eating!
On the way back to the
hotel we had McDonalds for lunch. I swear we eat far more American
fast food here than we ever do when we're home. In fact, I don't
think I've been to a McDonalds since we were last here in 2013!!
In the afternoon we met up
with Echo and 6 other Holt adoptive families! I was not planning on
that many other families since the last time we were here there was
only 1 other family in Shanghai with us. It's been fun getting to
know them this evening. And we are excited to share this experience
with them.
Echo went through all of
our paperwork with us and gathered what paperwork she would need to
help us over the next several days. She is organized and I love that
about her!
Echo then gave us a little
tour of restaurants and markets close by and then it was supper time.
A large portion of the group went to eat at Pizza Hut but we went
with Echo and 1 other family to eat at a Chinese place that has great
noodles dishes.
Once we arrived back at
the hotel we received our “red books” with updated information on
our sweet children. We saw one updated picture of Ella and lots of
good info on her current routines, likes, what to do to calm her
down, and current measurements. Wow! Ella is growing quickly. I'm
so glad that we don't have to miss any more of her changes and
milestones.
My sweet Ella, my feelings
tonight and all day today have been on a rollercoaster. And I know
tomorrow is going to be one of the scariest days of your life. I am
nervous about how you will react to us and I am praying that your
heart has been preparing for this moment without you even knowing
what was coming. I can't even imagine how it feels to be pulled from
everything you know in this world and from the parents who have been
caring for you for almost 2 years. I pray that you will know how
much we love you and that you will feel it as we meet. In the
beginning I didn't know how to love 2 daughters but even tonight, the
night before we meet I can feel my heart growing by the second. I
have loved you for so long already but now that we are almost
together it feels safe to let my heart grow even more. There will
always be a permanent spot in my heart for you. I love you so much
and cannot wait to love on you tomorrow!! Love, Mama
Ah isn't it amazing how our hearts grow to hold them!
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