One year ago...

It was exactly one year ago that we walked into an orphanage in Taiwan to pick up our youngest treasure. She was not the least bit receptive to us. Here is a picture of her sitting on the floor in the orphanage. She was very upset about us being there and all the feelings of change that she must have been having. The caregivers always gave her a wet wipe when she was upset, and she would just wipe her face over and over to comfort herself.





After several attempts at first-time bonding (giving her crackers, trying to talk to her, etc), we headed into the room with the other children where we entertained them with music for awhile. Here is our angel girl looking at her new Daddy playing the guitar. She was very withdrawn, concerned, anxious as she scanned the room for her favorite caregiver.

After we said goodbye to the other children, the caregivers placed us in a room alone with our daughter in order to bond. She was not at all on board with that plan. It was heartbreaking to hear her cry because it wasn't loud or aggressive; instead, it was a pitiful cry of someone who feels helpless in a situation but is having to give in to it against their will. SO HARD to hear her cry like that! She pushed against us and cried until she was wiped out and fell asleep in Daddy's arms.

The caseworker wanted us to leave while she was asleep, so we left with our driver and headed to the hotel. She woke up once in the car and then another time in the elevator at the hotel as we headed to our room. She was disoriented and scared and confused and very sad. She would sit in our hotel room without a single sound, and tears would flow non-stop down her cheeks in a silent mourning. Not a single sound! This was a very very hard day for all of us.

Here is a picture of her crying at the orphanage, just before she fell asleep from exhaustion.

The silent tears continued for a few months as she mourned her losses. But the tears became less and less, and now they will come every once in awhile in the form of one tiny tear that will sit under her eye while she continues to play.

She is full of LIFE! She is happy, well-adjusted and has one of the strongest stubborn streaks that would simply amaze you! :)

And here she is a couple of weeks ago. While her siblings fished at the base of a beautiful waterfall, she propped her feet up (as any princess should do!) and watched them fishing while she ate her crackers and sang songs.

What a difference a year makes! What a difference a home and family make!

We are indeed BLESSED to have this Asian princess in our lives. Today marks a very special day that we will never forget.