September 11, 2007 What a Jem...

We have been so blessed with such a daughter as this!
We have not had one moment of crying, sadness or distress... it is as if she was just so patiently waiting in China for her family to finally arrive and join her after seven years... we're sorry it took us so long to get here sweetheart. We have met two families now who are adopting older girls, one 5 and one 8 and they are not having the same experience as we are. The 8 year old particulary is broken hearted. I know she will be happy soon when she gets to know her family, but it is so difficult right now on everyone.
Esther and Mama are definetly the "night owls", sissy and Baba are fast asleep and Esther and I are up playing on the computer. I am showing her pictures of the H family and their new baby boy(I taught her "baby" today so she likes to say it when she sees a baby) so she will recognize them in a few days in GZ.
She and I woke up this morning at just before 5:00 am and she immediately had a great big grin on her face, grabbed my arm and hugged it to her. We cuddled, kissed, hugged and played quietly (she whispers when she knows someone is trying to sleep - without being told...thank you Jesus... if only my other children could have that gift)as not to wake up Baba and sissy... we loved on eachother for about an hour and a half... I think she was relieved to wake up and have me right next to her (she slept between Baba and I)... it was as if she was glad she had not dreamed it all and she really had her family. Then Baba woke up and he got some love too. She layed across his chest and went back to sleep while he stroked her hair. Then Mama had to ruin it when I took a picture... the flash woke her up... I couldn't resist!
We are getting to know her more today. She is very affectionate, thoughtful and considerate... she will often hold the batttery operated fan up to me and try to cool me down because she knows Mama is usually hot... sometimes she gets it too close and winds my hair up in the blade, but she's learning. She's quickly learning the phrase, "OK let's go" (she hears it alot)and she is eager to hand us the cameras and items she knows we always take when we go out. When she opens our room door with the card key she always shows Baba where she has put the card down.
We went back to Civil Affairs this morning at about 10:00 to sign papers and make it official that Esther Yi is a Walker!! We went to 4 different rooms to do various steps in the paperwork... the first was signing and swearing to always love her... they had Mama and Baba's thumbprint in red put directly over our signatures... the babies get their footprint in red put on the paper (there were several light red little footprints all over the desk from many precious feet before our Esther) But "big girls" get their handprint put on the paper... this made her smile. We got a picture of our two thumbs and her red hand... Next we were off to another room to have our official photo taken of the three of us. Then another room to pay the fees and give a donation to the orphanage. In this room the woman who was giving us our receipts spoke English and she commented on how amazed she was because Esther was so happy and at peace... she said this was highly unusual. Last was the Notary Office, we signed a few more places and the paperwork was all done (at least for today). It took an hour and a half... Baba said if it had been done in America it would have all been done by one person and be done in much less time... China Baba, China.
When we left Civil Affairs we did what any American family does... we went to WalWart! It was very interesting, very different from home... but yes, they still have someone greeting shoppers and offering a shopping cart... no little "yellow happy face sticker" for the kids... it is different in so many ways it's hard to describe, you just have to see it. We bought a toy for Sissy and a Chinese music CD for kids for Esther. We got snacks for the children at the orphanage for Esther to give to them on Thursday when we visit. When she was asked if she would like to go back to visit on Thursday she did not seem very interested in the idea. I told her it would just be to say good-bye and then she would be leaving with Mama, Baba and Sissy. She wasn't upset at the idea just not interested in going but I think she is fine with it. It will be good for her to say good-bye and give some gifts. We have gifts for two of the children at the orphanage from their families who will be coming for them soon. And we have a suitcase full of clothing and quilts.
After WalMart we had the driver take us back to the Hotel to put our purchases in the room. We asked Jacky to take us to a local restaurant and help us order.
We walked a short distance from the Hotel and had some great food... it was a bit spicy for Baba and Sissy, I liked it ok, but Esther LOVED it! She is a Hunan Spicy Girl!! She may not always get her way on that issue... she is so easy going though... sissy says, "Is there anything she doesn't like?!!" We have been eating in the Hotel because we can't read the menus and it cost triple what we paid today for a meal. I had Jacky write down the dishes we had and liked (with a note at the bottom... "not too spicy please"). We will venture out more now.
We went back to our room after lunch... the girls have been anxious to swim. We had to wait for our laundry to be delivered by Jordan first. It is his day off but he said he would get our laundry and bring it to us at 3:00. Right at 3:00 he phoned and brought it up to us. I noticed he had several pages of English phrases and words typed out and stapled together. I asked him about them and he said on his day off the front desk manager helps him to learn English. I told Baba to go ahead to the pool with the girls and I gave Jordan a little impromtu English lesson, he is a very determined young man. I admire him.
I joined the family at the pool (and joined them in wearing a silly swim cap) and the girls swam for about three hours. Esther probably has never been in a pool... she kept looking at her wrinkly fingers and toes and showing us and laughing. She seems a little nervous of the water, not scared, but nervous. She really wants to try everything, and she does it with a great big grin on her face. Watching big sissy helps... she wants to try it also.

We are savorying every moment here in China as we discover who our little girl is...