Happy Anniversary!

I can't really remember life before Erin. However, I do know that since Erin came into our lives, we have met some very special people.

When Erin was a baby, & home not very long, David & I were both home sick. I was reading email (as usual) & there was a plea for help on one of my boards. A woman in the paperwork stage of her adoption was having trouble getting some documents notarized. I happened to have my notary stamp home so I emailed her that I'd be happy to help her out. We scheduled a time for her to come over, & the rest is history.

This family has become so special to us in so many ways. While they talk about how Kerri wouldn't have come home (Bull hockey!) without my notary work, they gave us a greater gift. That same little girl has shown David that he really can love more than one child. He seems to have this special bond with Kerri. When Viv & Corey were worried about guardianship plans for Kerri, David spoke out & told them that we would take Kerri if the need ever arose. WHOA!!! That sure blew Viv, Corey & me away.

Today is their day. Today Viv & Corey are celebrating 7 years of love, friendship & marriage together. And we couldn't be any happier for them.

We love you guys! Enjoy your special day!

Travel Group Reunion

Hard to believe it, but it's been 5 years since we were all together.

Stephanie R pulled together an amazing reunion in San Antonio, Texas! Out of the 15 families that traveled, only 6 were able to attend. And we had a total blast! Stephanie & her husband Gary really did a fantastic job. They took the time to scout out all the hotels & restaurants & places of interest for us to visit. Then they gave us choices to vote on. There is just no way for me to offer enough thanks to them for all their hard work on our behalf!

Erin & I flew in on Monday, June 16th & checked in to The Menger Hotel - a beautiful, historical, family friendly hotel. After checking in & getting settled into our room, we went downstairs to find the rest of our group. We all ended up out by the pool which was too funny. Erin sat there totally miserable since she wasn't in her swimsuit. My thought? Hey. She doesn't like water & doesn't swim. Why put her into a suit? (Reverse psych 101 works!) We ran upstairs to put on her suit & the dads took care of her in the pool. We got together in Stephanie & Gary's room for dinner since they had a suite which was large enough for all of us to meet in. Dinner was a wonderful BBQ that they brought with them from their hometown. Apparently, Texans really do take their BBQ very seriously!

Tuesday morning we all came down to breakfast & enjoyed a leisurely time chatting & watching the children. Then we got ready to walk around the gardens of The Alamo for some pics of our girls. Afterwards we walked over to the San Antonio Children's Museum for fun & games. After a morning of playtime we took the trolley over to Mi Tierra for some yummy Mexican food. Of course we had to walk off that delicious luncheon in the Marketplace. After a wonderfully exciting day, we napped & then met back in Stephanie & Gary's room for a birthday project. Yup. Stephanie again! We brought enough pics for 15 scrapbooks of our girls & stickers that represent things they are into. And now the girls have a scrapbook of each other. We even put together books for the girls who weren't able to be there. And let's not forget Gary's mother Helen (she traveled with Stephanie & Gary) & his dad Melvin who came to visit with us & brought birthday cupcakes for the girls! Dinner & drinks at the pool! Relaxation at its best!

Wednesday brought about a walking tour of The Alamo - not very long at all. Unfortunately, you aren't allowed to take pictures inside. Me being, well, me I walked over to the information center & asked them why we weren't allowed to. After all, I'm a sight seeing person & want memories of my trip. They looked shocked at my question but very graciously told me that many people consider The Alamo a shrine & get offended when people snap pics. In addition, they are concerned about preserving the artifacts & what the flashes & such will do. Alas, my memories will have to suffice. After the tour, we went back to Stephanie & Gary's room for a delicious & relaxing lunch from a local deli. More time at the pool was ordered by all the children so the adults went for it. Dinner was at Joe's Crab Shack & followed by a Riverwalk boat cruise.

Thursday most of the families left. Erin & I were alone relaxing (a nice long nap!) in our room after days of walking & touring. Amy & Mike joined us with their children Lia & Miles for dinner at The Republic of Texas on the Riverwalk. After that we went for ice cream & then Mike & Miles deserted us so that Amy I could take the girls for a hansom cab horse ride. This is a biggie since Erin has been terrified of horses, but this treat was at her insistence.

It was so much fun seeing everyone who was able to attend!

Stephanie & Gary with Emma, Lissie & Ian

Marilyn with Julianne

Amy & Mike with Miles & Lia

Theresa & Andrew with Joe & Grace

Pam & Luis with Trinity

And, of course, we did miss the families who weren't able to attend! We all had a great time & now we're planning to have another reunion in 2 years. San Antonio will be hard to beat!

Friday morning early, Erin & I left for the last leg of our vacation. On to California!

Official for 5 Years

Erin - May 2008

Erin's Referral Pic - January 2003

I've been writing all about the days leading up to Gotcha Day & can't leave out Forever Family Day. What's that? That is the day that the adoption is finalized in China.

Don't ask me what the times were. I couldn't tell you. I don't remember. And I don't care. Because they really don't matter. What does matter? The fact that on June 3, 2003 China officially recognized that Chun HuaXu was now Erin Chelsie.

When we got to the police station, our guide Cindy showed us where to go, where to sit, what to do. We were going to get all of the paperwork notarized, completed. On the Sunday before Gotcha Day, the parents went down to Cindy's room to complete the paperwork we would need to accept the children. When I looked at Erin's pictures, I got very upset. In fact, I think I may have screamed that this wasn't my daughter. David got terrified & looked at the pictures & also wasn't sure. All the parents in the room looked at their daughter's pictures & all was fine for them. Apparently Erin had done a lot of changing from the time her referral picture was taken (January 2003) until the date her picture was taken for the Letter of Acceptance (May 2003). Oops. I felt like the behind of a donkey. Anyway, apparently the police officer who was assisting David & me was also unsure. He looked at the referral day pics, the Letter of Acceptance pic & the baby in my arms & started to question everything. I was dying inside. Were they going to take my daughter from me!? There was no way I was going to let that happen. And neither was Cindy! She started to yell at the police officer that everything was okay, & it was the same baby. He signed off on the paperwork.

We went back to the Guangdong Provincial Civil Affairs Building to finalize the paperwork, give the donations to the orphanage directors & give the officials their gifts.

When we got back to the hotel, I called my father. "Daddy, she's ours officially now. No one can take her from me." My dad & I were crying.

And here we are 5 years later. Erin graduates from kindergarten Thursday night. I continue to be awed by the child that is my daughter.

Gotcha Day #5

Today is the day! It's Gotcha Day 5 years later & I just can't believe that life was any better than it is right this very minute.

David & I were so nervous about the actual moment. How would we feel? How would we react? How would that sweet little baby react? After all, we looked different, smelled different & sounded different.

Our guide, Cindy got all of the families together early enough so that we could have the special honor & joy of waiting in a room filled with 15 families waiting to be united with their children. A room with not one drop of air conditioning. Not a hint of a breeze. Even I got hot waiting! All of the families walked around the room nervous as can be. I even have a picture of Gary Ranly showing us his watch. I was snapping pics of everyone just waiting.

Art & Susan asked David & me to make sure that we took pics & videod the moment when Julianna was placed in their arms. Duh! Like I would miss out on that moment. I have a video taped segment of Art telling us "no more, we're done." (I knew that was not true.) Susan turned around to address David Scott so of course I addressed Arthur John. Who remembers why? Who cares?

All I know is that when the babies finally came in, the 6 Yangchun families were told there would be a delay. The director with the nannies & babies were facing a traffic jam or some such thing. ARGH!!! I didn't want to wait anymore. I wanted Erin in my arms NOW.

As the babies were brought into the room, I took pictures of the families being joined with their daughters. I knew that as soon as I could I would develop the pics in doubles so I could share that special moment with the families. I had a blast doing it. Those pictures sit in my photo album, & I remember each parent & the look of joy on their faces.

Finally!! The Yangchun babies arrived!! Susan was looking out the door & screamed (in an ever so ladylike tone - not) that they were here. I got my camera ready since I didn't know the order that the babies would be united with the families. As I was snapping away, Mrs. Yu called out "Hersh," & I missed it. David yelled at me to "put the damn camera down" so I could take our daughter in my arms. Thanks for getting that moment Susan!

Tears streaming down my face. My heart exploding with joy. Finally, after all the years of wanting to be a mother, I was holding OUR BABY. I was so humbled by the beauty that was my daughter. Erin just looked at me. No tears. No screaming. She just came right to me. In an outfit straight from Target??? David was looking at me holding our daughter, & never had I seen such a look of total love as I did at that moment. And then I placed Erin in his arms. And he became a daddy. All the years of not wanting to be a father, all the uncertainties of how he could possibly be a good father. They just melted away when he looked into her face.

When we got back to the White Swan, we called our parents to let them know they were grandparents. David spoke with his parents. For some reason I can't remember my in-laws reaction other than "congratulations." I know they were excited since they started us on this journey but can't recall more than that. I spoke with my dad. He & my stepmother were overjoyed. And then my dad told me how happy he was & how happy my mother would have been if she were still around.

David & I thank G-d each night before we go to sleep. We thank Him for placing this beautiful child into our lives & entrusting us with her. And we tell Erin each & every night how happy we are that we all adopted each other.

Sitting in My Office & Realizing

Yesterday morning, I was sitting in my office typing an email to one of my co-workers when it hit me.

It was Friday, May 30th. Exactly 5 years ago the day before, David warned me. We were not opening the suitcases & repacking them AGAIN. He was done. There was no more. We were getting ready to go to sleep. Why? Because exactly 5 years ago today, at this very minute, my in-laws were walking through our front door to take us to our last breakfast as a family of 2. They had asked if they could be the ones to take us to the airport when we left for China. It took us 5 seconds to say "yes" at the same time to them.

Why? Because they were the reason we were finally going to be parents. Back in the summer of 2000, they had asked us to come for a visit. Not too unusual mind you, but they said they wanted to talk to us. Huh!? WTF!? That day in 2000 changed our lives forever. They wanted to know what they could do to help us become parents. So. Erin if you want to know the truth, you were brought into our lives because of a simple question from Grandma & Grandpa. But I digress. (As usual.)

Anyway. Now it's Saturday, May 31st. And 5 years ago, David & I were on a plane headed to China. It was a hellishly long flight, & David had never been on a plane with me before. (BTW, he hasn't been on one with me since then either.) We had met some of the families who would become fixtures in our lives from this time on. My feet swell unbelievably when I fly, so I got up to walk around. As I was walking, I remember going to my travel mates, Amy, Sherry, Parris Christina & a few others. I told them that since we "were in labor," this was our time "to push." So here we were 6 or 7 women walking this huge plane doing the Lamaze breathing method saying "we can do this" for about 3 or 4 times. Talk about a bonding experience. Our hubbies thought we were nuts, & we were. We still are.

Tomorrow it will be exactly 5 years that we landed in China. And our lives changed forever.

Thank G-d!

(BTW, when I say exactly, it's because the days this year follow the days 5 years ago. See! I told you I'm nuts. These are the things that drive me.)

Has it really been 5 years?

Yes. It has. 5 years ago today at 2:45 pm I got THE CALL! 5 years ago we saw our daughter's face for the first time!

Of course, it was April Fool's Day, & I had been depressed for weeks. It had been 14 very long months since our DTC (Dossier to China) which is now known as LID (Log in Date). When Emily Jou called, her first words were "This is the call Tammie." I got so angry that I yelled at her "This is a rotten thing to do. How could you be so mean?" And I hung up on her. Talk about nuts! Thank G-d she realized what happened & instantly called me back "No Tammie. This isn't a joke. You have a daughter! Are you ready?" WAS I READY!? Hell yes!

This whole thing took place at my office. The lady who hired me, had just come in & heard/seen what was going on. Everyone there was in tears as I sat back & took the information. Because I couldn't receive attachments, I had Emily send the picture of Chun HuaXu to David. After all, I got The Call so he should get The First Peek. It was the most humbling moment of my life to hear my husband cry & tell me "She's beautiful Tam."

After we finally got our call, we had to deal with SARS. Ugh! We waited14 months to get our referral, & now China wasn't sure they wanted to let us in so we could bring our daughter home. All of the rest of The Waiting Hearts which include my dearest friends Sandra and Gretchen had been there right along with me. This was probably the most exciting time in our lives. We had spent 14 months emailing, having weekly chat sessions, cyber showers, scrapbook supplies, the sniper that hit the VA/MD/DC area. You name it, we went through it.

I wouldn't change a thing. After all, here we are 5 years later with the most perfect child for our family.

Happy Anniversary Waiting Hearts!

Today marks a very special anniversary. It was 6 years ago today that our dossier was logged in to China. Our paperchase was officially over, & the wait began.

There was nothing left to do other than make lifelong friends who would be there with me for what was an agonizing time. The February Waiting Hearts was filled with an amazing bunch of people. We had a cyber shower, online scrapbook supply swaps, & of course, Wednesday night chats. We went through the Virginia/DC sniper, SARS & so much more.

Susan & her family have become close family friends. While we don't live close to each other, we visit a few times a year. We both used Great Wall China Adoption, were in the same travel group, and adopted daughters from the same SWI - Yangchun in Guangdong Province.

Gretchen always joined in on the fun. We were able to meet in China while staying at The White Swan hotel. It was so neat to finally meet her & get to see her sweet Elise.

Sandra was the person who kept me going. I looked forward to Wednesday night chats because we always had to talk about The Bachelor - her ultimate favorite show at the time. She was my cheerleader even when she didn't know it.

All that was to get me to the most precious gift of all - my beautiful daughter Erin. I can't say enough about what this child means to David & me. I don't know how the CCAA does it, but the staff there seems to match each child to their Forever Family perfectly. Thank G-d for their insight.