Two years ago today

The first picture that I saw of my sweet girl.

Two years ago today, I received the call that my second angel was waiting for me in China. XiuGe was 6 months old and currently residing in an orphanage in Chongqing, China. I was expecting THE CALL that day as a dear friend of mine (thanks Kristen lol) had done some undercover investigating and discovered that a very important package had been mailed to my adoption agency via DHL. The package was coming from CCAA (Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs). Every one in the adoption community knows that "that package" must mean one of two things. REFERRALS or Travel Approvals. We were fully expecting that "the package" that was scheduled to arrive at Holt that day was REFERRALS. Especially after the false alarm the previous week LOL.

I got THE CALL at 4pm, with the video tape rolling. I was thrilled to find out all of the information about my new daughter. I was thrilled, anxious, nervous, happy. You name it, I was feeling it.

My sweet XiuGe has been through a lot in her 2 and a half years. She has had many challenges thrown her way, yet she is working through them. That tiny little fragile bud that was handed to me is now turning into a beautiful flower. We have shared many challenges, we have shed many tears, we have endured endless hours of grieving and tantrums. I am beginning to see the light. I think that Alyssa is too. A whole new world is beginning to open up to her. She is less afraid to let us into her world. She is more daring and apt to try new things. She is not as easily overwhelmed and/or overstimulated. She giggles more, she plays more, and she snuggles more. What more could I want? It amazes me how one little girl could work through so much in such a short period of time. Our journey continues. I think that the journey before us is going to be wondrous, exciting, and fun.

All of the things that a childhood should be......

Happy Referral Day, Alyssa. I love you sweet XiuGe. You make me so proud. I love every single thing about you!!!!! XOXOXOX