Anna's "Gotcha Day" and The Clothes She Was Wearing.

Anna is from a region similar to our Florida weather, southern China. The weather was rainy and cool when the three of us went to meet Anna. The temperature was around 55 F. Anna and her caregivers (4 total) were already there and waiting in a room off to left of the main area. We had to fill out paperwork before we could meet her but that didn't stop her from running out of the room laughing and giggling. Her smile was so sweet. I clearly remember seeing her in warm black tights and a black skirt. Her legs were so very, very thin. You wanted to protect this child from the moment you saw her. When her caregivers brought her into meet us, we handed Anna a stuffed lamb and she threw it back at Phil. She was scared at this time. She did sit with us and seemed to be relaxing. That is about the time all her caregivers left and then she really got upset. She kept repeating in Chinese that she wanted to go back to the orphanage. I remember her caregiver telling us that what ever happens just make sure we get her home. She needs a family more than anything. This little girl was so scared and mad that she fought, screamed, cried, yelled, all the way back to the hotel. She had on this little coat that was buttoned and without that we would not have been able to drag her out of the civil affairs office and to the car. When we all got back to the hotel room Anna told our guide in Chinese that she couldn't stay because she didn't have any clothes so I went and grabbed her suitcase and emptied everything of hers onto the bed and said, "there ya go." She loves to tell this story over and over again. Did we do the right thing, you bet we did. She is the most loving, affectionate, and happy little girl. Here are pictures of "gotcha day" and what she was wearing that day.

Anna on "gotcha day" with all her caregivers watching

Anna and Mia's first meeting

Us with Anna's caregivers

Anna's clothes on "Gotcha Day" on a warm day

Mia's "Gotcha Day" And The Clothes She Was Wearing.

I wanted to share with you pictures of what the girls were wearing when we picked them up in China. It is important to know that they dress the children very warm and they are dressed in thick layers of clothing. They also serve warm water (almost hot) instead of cold water with ice. Most orphanages are not heated or air conditioned, even in areas with weather similar to central Illinois weather. Mia's orphanage was in a region that was very cold in winter and hot in summer. When we picked her up in December 2012 it was 40 degrees F. She was wearing a coat and three layers of clothing. The clothes were too small for her. Some orphanages ask that you bring a change of clothes so they can take back the clothes they have on but this wasn't the case for our girls. Mia remembers getting back to the hotel and I gave her new clothes to change into. She said she was very happy to wear her new clothes. Some children will continue to wear their old clothes for a week. She accepted her name, clothes, and new family very well and never looked back. Here is a picture of Mia when we first saw her and a picture of the clothes she had on. She also had the bag we sent her including the small gifts (flower bag on table).

Mia's caregiver, me, and Mia

Mia's caregiver and Mia saying goodbye to her

What Mia was wearing (not shown - her orange shoes)