The day after Gotcha day

Last night, as is tradition every year on July 27th, Cara-Li and I went to bed and relived the Gotcha moment.  I tell her how it happened and she'll sometimes ask questions but mostly she'll listen to my story and how I remember it.  This year she asked about what she was wearing.  Since our pictures of our China trip have yet to be put in album (!), I decided to pull out THE box where many of her keepsakes are kept.  In there is the nicely folded outfit that Cara-Li came to us in.  I'm sure I've showed her this before but I guess it's been a while and well, she couldn't remember.  She thought it was cute (and big!) with the pictures of Snoopy on it. 

Under the outfit, Cara-Li spotted a box that was still gift wrapped. 

She questioned what was in it to which I responded that I didn't know.  It was handed to us on July 28th exactly 7 years ago when our adoption of Cara-Li was finalized.  At the time, too much was going on and then when we finally made it back to the room, too tired to think about it.  The next day, well, we decided not to open it.  We thought we'd keep it for her to open when she was older.  I had mentionned this to someone in our group to which they responded that the chocolate would go bad by then.  So I naturally assumed that it was chocolate and figured if it went bad, too bad.  So fast forward 7 years and here we were faced with the box.  Cara-Li wants to open it bad.  So, of course, I oblige...

Surprise!  Not chocolate at all! 

A little stuffed dog and a Chinese sachet.  Cara-Li was so pleased that the people from the orphanage gave her a present as a parting gift.  Both were placed on the night stand next to her bed tonight and that is a sign that she loves it!

Seven years ago today...

Gord and I were in China experiencing the happiest day of our lives!  A beautiful baby by the name of Li Cui was about to join our family and make us one.  We had waited years and years for this day and nothing could have prepared us for it.  We were frightened and nervous at the thought of becoming parents in such a foreign country so far away from home, away from our friends and our family.  Wow!  When I think back to that day, I cry every time.  Such emotions all at one time and so little time to deal with any of it.  We pretty much gave birth to a 16-month old baby in public.  Thankfully, the other families travelling with us were great and they soon became our go-to for help and info.  I will always remember C (another adoptive Mom) asking me how our first night had gone and I just breaking down and crying on her shoulder in the breakfast buffet line.  In fact, I cried for 3 days straight.  Couldn't stop.  It was just too much for me.  And once my tears finally dried up, Gord took over!  We were a mess but on cloud 9!  We had just become parents to the most beautiful and amazing little girl that we were going to love forever and ever.  What could be better? 

At the end of that first full day, C knocked on our door to see how we were doing and because I could not face anyone, only opened it a crack, only to get some cheese and crackers pushed through it on a napkin and a soft voice telling me that it would make me feel better.  Then there was S (another Mom) across the hall. I finally conjured up enough courage to ask her to take a look at Cara-Li's rash.  What do I know about rashes?  I never had a baby before!  All this to say that the entire experience would not have been the same without the wonderful people we shared it with.  And on this very special day, I like to remember them as well.  For they were the ones that were there for us when we were alone.
 
As the days progressed, things got a little better.  We were able to sleep a little and the cloud lifted!  Cara-Li also became more relaxed and we began to see her little character.  I should have known in that very first week that this child had a heart of gold.  Cara-Li would walk around with her Cheerios container and feed all the other girls before eating any herself.  What a sweetheart!  She is still like this today.

We are now 7 years later... 7 glorious years with the perfect daughter.  We could not be more thankful to whoever or whatever put us together.  Life would be imaginable without our precious girl, Cara-Li.  She may not have grown within me but she certainly grew in my heart. 

I love you more than words can say, Cara-Li, to the moon and back!

July 27, 2003

July 27, 2010

Sisters forever!

How I love these girls!

Here is a drawing that Cara-Li made tonight on her placemat at the restaurant.  Bottom half represents our family on Gotcha Day.  Top half represents our family today with the addition of Alexia. 

I think she's pretty happy, don't you?

Regatta

Yesterday was our lake's 40th annual Regatta.  It is one of the best days at the lake as everyone who has kids attends.  The entire day is based on games and races in the lake for all ages.  Alexia took this to heart and entered every race for her age group and stated early in the day that she 'needed' a trophy.  Cara-Li had to be cohersed into joining just a couple of the activities.  We found out just what a great swimmer Cara-Li is when put under pressure.  Do I see swim team in her future for next year?

Other fun things to do at the cottage:

Painting

Popping bubble wrap

Reading the paper

Doing the dishes

Hepu Reunion 2010

Yet another reunion under our belts!  This year marked our 7th one for Cara-Li's group.  Hard to believe that it will be 7 years since Cara-Li joined our family!  It was sooooo great to see all our travel mates once again for a complete weekend.  We rented 2 super large chalets that were adjoining with 10 bedrooms.  We had trouble keeping track of all our children as they kept switching bedrooms.  In the end, most of the ended sleeping with their friends.  How sweet!  Cara-Li bunked with 2 others girls for the first time.  She was ever so proud of herself in the morning!  The place was great as it had lots to do... lake, pool, trails in the woods, canoeing etc.  And the parents had a fantastic time reminiscing about our journey to China.  Always so much fun to do.  Here are some of photos of the weekend...

Shave to Raise

The day finally arrived where Cara-Li had her hair cut 10 inches and donated it to a charity that will make wigs out of it.  And to encourage her, Gord shaved his head for cancer.  Together they raiseed $2726.00!   Congratulations!

CARA-LI BEFORE

THE GROUP BEFORE

CARA-LI AS THE PONYTAIL IS ABOUT TO BE CHOPPED OFF

CARA-LI SEPARATED FROM HER TAIL

FATHER AND DAUGHTER

CARA-LI NOT TO SURE ABOUT THE WHOLE THING... TOO LATE!!

CARA-LI AFTER... BEAUTIFUL!!

IN THE OTHER CHAIR, GORD... YIKES!!

VERY CUTE AFTER ALL!

THE GROUP AFTER

Cottage fun!

We've had a visit from my sister-in-law and her 2 children, N and C, for the last week.  It's great to see the cousins have soooo much fun together!  Wish they lived closer...

See the new friend they made... a four-legged friend...