Charlotte has arrived!

Wow! What a day! We arrived slightly early at CCAA offices. There were a couple of families in the office who had just received their children. As soon as I walked into the room, the three children from our orphanage were immediately to my left. I think my heart skipped a beat and then the tears started to flow. The process could not commence until the two babies that had to travel 6 hours away arrived. I left like a child who was allowed to enter a candy store and told that she cannot touch. I just wanted to run over and scoop up Charlotte. The children sat so patiently. We’re not sure if they even understood what was going on.



Charlotte is dressed in the little dress that we sent to her through Ann at Red Thread China. The orphanage provided her with new pink shoes—I guess mommy and baby are going to share a signature colour. Well… I guess I helped that a little, as I asked Ann to purchase a red or pink dress for Charlotte and she sent one with both colours.

Once the official delivery of the children began, it all went so fast. Thankfully we hired a professional videographer to capture everything for us. We still tried to take as many photos and tape as much as we could.








After returning from the CCAA office, we had about 45 minutes to get to know our daughter in our hotel room before we had to reconvene in a meeting room to complete the necessary paperwork for today's agenda—adoption is finalized. Charlotte fell asleep in the meeting. I thought she would go down when we returned to the room; however, she didn't. For the first day since we arrived in China I was more than ready for bed. We played with her and fed her and then put her down. I was close behind her. I was able to get about 5 hours sleep last night. I have a wicked headache--partly from the sleepless nights and partly from the thunder storm we have right now. I sent Dave out in the rain to find something that is open to buy drinks and munchies—he's returned unsuccessful. Right now Dave is sitting on the side of the bed watching Charlotte sleep—he is such a good father.




Today is another big day—payment to be made, solemn oath and promise to China's official that we will never abuse or neglect our child and that we will do everything to give her the best life possible. I think today is going to be very emotional. In general, I think Charlotte is adjusting quite well—every once in a while, she has a little whimper with little tears. She even gave a little giggle to Dave last night.

We are so very blessed.