Orphanage Visit Today

We had the opportunity to visit the orphanage where Ellie Ruth spent 7 years of her life and Allie Joyce spent the last 3 years of her life. Zhongshan CWI is considered one of the better orphanages in China. The International Adoption Director, Miss Zhong is very involved with the children and truly wants these children to find a forever home. Currently there are over 400 children living at Zhongshan and 200 children living in the community with foster families. The number of children for this one city that are considered orphans is staggering... even with the amount of families actively involved in adopting one of these previous children.

I was worried about how the visit might affect the progress we have established with Allie Joyce, but boy did she surprise me! She was excited to see her friends and show us around, but she was just as excited to leave with her new family. Miss Zhong asked Allie Joyce if she wanted to stay in front of me and Allie Joyce said"NO!" and quickly ran out the door!! YEAH! That's my girl!

Many referrals of children from Zhongshan pictures are taken either in front of the play equipment or the picture of children playing. Ellie Ruth remembers her way around and led the way through the different rooms. The visit did not phase this advantageous child. She was happy to be there and then happy to leave!

I can honestly say I am so glad the orphanage visit is behind us. I tend to stress over how the visit will affect them and how the visit could potentially go very bad.

We are on countdown to leaving China. 4 days....

Take care!
Vicki

Today it is official! Allie Joyce is a Buckelew!!!

Our "Gotcha day" was very emotional with many downs and a few ups...

At first she was very happy, smiling and seemed excited to see all of us. But...then I think reality sank in and she became very withdrawn.

Ellie Ruth has been so sweet trying to draw her new sister into playing with her. She will reach for Allie Joyce's hand, kiss her cheek, put her arm around her, but Allie has remained aloft with a flat affect - especially the first day.

We have been working on drawing Allie Joyce out of her shell and we have been able to see glimpses of her true self.  I am so thankful for my son, Miles who has been so wonderful with the girls.

Today Allie Joyce received her medical examination. She did wonderful! Yeah!!!

We are planning on visiting the orphanage on Sunday, May 20th as long as Allie Joyce continues to improve and we feel the trip will not set her back. I'll keep you all posted. She really is a sweet little thing. I guess I am just too impatient for her to come out of her shell and show us her true personality.

Take care! Signing off from China.

Vicki

Happy Mother's Day from China!

We spent the day hanging around the hotel recovering from over 26 hours of traveling. Ellie Ruth, of course, has not slowed down. Her excitement for tomorrow is definitely showing. She even has shared that her stomach is excited! lol We talked about her first day with her family and how she felt and how Yi He Yu is going to feel tomorrow.

Our "Gotcha" time tomorrow is 2pm so we are going to spend the morning wondering around sightseeing and just enjoying being in China.

This is the view from our hotel room.

I could not pass this up! Ellie Ruth LOVES Hello Kitty.

And of course we could not end the day without Ellie Ruth taking a dip in the pool.

We've had a very relaxing day, our first day in China. I pray tomorrow will go smooth with Allie Joyce and she finds the courage and peace to leave everything she knows and take a chance with us.

Until tomorrow.

Vicki

WE ARE GOING TO CHINA!!!

Friday, May 11th we leave Huntsville, Alabama and arrive in Guangzhou,
China late Saturday.
We will finally be meeting our sweet Allie Joyce on Monday, May 14.


This is a short post while I experiment with emailing posts to the
blog site. I hope to keep it updated daily during this journey to
bring home another precious daughter.


Vicki

We have PA!

We will be traveling once again to China to pick up our sweet little girl. Ellie Ruth is so excited to know we will be getting her "sleep mate" from China.

Here is a picture of them together in China.

One week in China

We have been in China for a week now and Ellie Ruth has been with us for just 6 days. 6 days... She feels such a part of my life that I can hardly believe it has only been 6 days.

Her smile warms my heart.

Her laughter brings joy to my life.

Her sweet personality completes me.

With just another 6 days before we are home in Alabama, we plan to visit the Safari Park, the Pearl Market, and ride the subway.

INTRODUCING ELLIE RUTH BUCKELEW

I have just a moment but want to post that we completed the adoption today and Ellie Ruth is now staying with us. She did cry and grieved for her friends and nanny.