A Family of FOUR!!!

Eventually, we will get back to journaling about our adventure here to Wuhan, it was a very long 27 hours of traveling, and we ended it extremely tired, emotional, and petrified about what this morning was going to bring.

We had a lovely wake up at 330am, then 5am when we all decided to get up for the day, and got the room semi-organized then went to breakfast. Matthew actually fell asleep in our arms and we traded holding him as we just waited to be picked up to head to the Civil Affairs office.

Matthew may be non-verbal, but he sure knows how to communicate his emotions and fears and he was SCARED TO DEATH this morning as we walked into the Civil Affairs office. We believe whole heartedly that he thought we were leaving him there. From him hanging on desperately to his backpack to making Chris take his shoes off to prove we were all staying with him....he said it all!

BUT, when a very upset, crying little sister was brought into the room - the big brother dove right into action and ran over starting to try and give her Cheerios....it was priceless. Our hearts broke so much for him and for Hope as she was just devastated. As it turns out her foster parents (for the past 11 months now) had dropped her off this morning to the orphanage staff and Hope didn't know them well either so she was just so upset.

What a gorgeous little baby she is, and she took our breath away the minute she was brought into the room. We immediately noticed she had a black eye under her left eye and face and they stated she had fallen a few days ago :( Poor thing....looks like a big shiner on a tiny little face! Her little leg was in a brace and she clung so tightly to her pink book - the PHOTO ALBUM we sent her!!! And, she was wearing the onesie and little slipper socks we had sent her as well. Wow...and we have 2 cameras full of pictures of her and a baby album from her orphanage as well. We got to meet the director of the orphanage and he was a very nice man.

Hope didn't stop crying really until the minute we walked out of the Civil Affairs Office. The minute we got into the van, Matthew shut the door and saluted the driver. His personality changed instantly the minute we were back in the van and he was back to our Matthew...you have NO idea what that did for Chris and I's hearts that have been breaking so bad the past 24 hours for him.

The next thing we knew Hope was giggling at her Daddy, we heard Gaga(brother), Baba(Daddy), and mama. She KNEW who we were....what a precious moment those few minutes were. We then trekked through the store to get some waters, etc. and headed back to the hotel.

Hope and Matthew have been playing, have taken a bath together, and are now resting this afternoon quietly. Daddy is asleep too, and I can't believe I am posting pictures of my TWO absolutely beautiful, miracle children......really? Has this really happened? Our guide even seemed shocked at how Hope transitioned in a matter of moments, we are thankful that the first few hours have gone well for ALL of us. We know each moment is a new adventure, we are just so thankful at how smoothly things have gone so far.

We are looking forward to playtime this evening and just spending time as a FAMILY OF FOUR!!!!!!!!

Happy 4th of July everyone....we have the most precious children in the world to be thankful for!!!!