Bravery and Barbies

eleven years old....fourteen years old....

the decision of a lifetime.  Yes..I will go.

These girls have left everything they know to have something

they have "heard of" and "been told about"

 

Can you imagine leaving everything you have known? 

 tastes, smells, familiar faces, language, their bed, their friends

 everything....

 

I am so amazed at the bravery of these two girls I have the honor of calling "daughter".  They are precious to me already and

I have only known them for a short while.  Both girls are very independent and I know the Lord has equipped them for this.

I have to give God all glory for His provisions...Before time began He knew they were to be in our family.  Thank you , Lord is not enough.

 

Piper is doing great...she is easy going and easy to please.

She was very scared yesterday but a little humor and we got through it

The ladies were very kind and reassured her she would be ok. 

We came back to the hotel and relaxed a bit.  Xiao cheng went straight for the TV and I broke out the UNO game.

Angela helped her play the first game and then she was ready.  Beat me 2 out of 4 games!  It was fun bonding with my girl.

She was so fun and got such joy out of giving me the "draw four" card!!

We had noodles in theroom and then came the computer!!  This girl is a POKER player...she got on the "games" section of my computer and went to solitaire--then poker.  She knew exactly what she was doing.  

She had played every game when i said it was time for bed.  

I was ready for the tears as the lights went down and she began to think....but all I heard was a yawn...then her sister snoring :)

She fell alseep and rested well until it was time to get up around 7.

We went back to the civil affairs office for the finaliztion of piper's adoption.  It was quick

and painless....just had some questions to answer.

Every official always asks---why do you want to adopt this child?

As a parent I cannot fully answer that in one day!!! 

 I said  loved the Chinese children and we thought she was perfect for our family.  (and she is)

So-- it is now final--she is PIPER JOY RUMBAUGH.  She says she does not care if we call her Piper...but for now it is SiQi.

i want to respect her culture while we are here.  I told her we can call her that as long as she wishes. 

She said--I don't care-doesn't matter to me..   My kinda girl-- Go With the F-L-O-W...

 

So we went to get gifts for her friends.  We hot to the toy department and came back with Barbies galore!

The girls got some too and they have been doing hair and changing dresses since we returned!  Piper has taken to calling Samantha Jie Jie (big sister in Chinese) already!  I love it.  They are so sweet together and I know the bond of this experience wil be huge. (um,....and they have to share a room  ha ha)  Samantha is already protective of Piper.  She rolled her eyes today when someone was staring at Piper. (Her feet are clubbed and one of her knees does not bend much so she has a distinct walk.)

I asked her what was wrong....she told me...and i said-- I know.   Piper is really oblivious to the stares...she is independent and focused on herself and what she is doing.  I am very proud of her.

Well....I am going to go get some sleep.

Tomorrow we see the orphanage and then off to guangzhou!

Will "report in"   again asap!!

Hugs to all and keep thjose copmments coming.  I get them at my e-mail but i cannot "post" them from here.

I read every one and appreciate every one!!!

Thanks for the prayers---I am in heaven...(except I miss my family horribly)

Kelly, Xiao CHeng(Samantha) and SiQi  (Piper)

Kelly Rumbaugh
Ladybugs N Love
www.ladybugsnlove.com
"connecting families an ocean apart"