A Dad's View

What an awesome morning! At 8:30am we headed to the orphanage to meet Lily for the first time. As we passed through the gate, it was very surreal. The day had finally come. After more than 15 months, it was finally time. In the reception area we met another family who was waiting to meet their daughter. They are from North Carolina and their daughter was about the same age as Lily. After more paperwork, they brought Lily in. She was holding a chocolate snack cake in one hand and a cookie in the other. We could tell right away that this girl loved her sweets. Stephanie held her in her lap and she was very calm, at least until we tried to take the little chocolate cake out of her hands for a minute. That didn't work at all. She was not happy. After a few moments of crying we distracted her and it was time to leave. We got everyone bundled up and headed for the bus. Tianjin is very cold right now. Lily did great on the bus trip back to the hotel, laughing and throwing her head back. The kid took turns playing peek-a-boo and making funny faces. It was an awesome morning. We are taking the rest of the day to stay close to our room and the hotel to spend time with Lily. Lily seems to be bonding quickly with Stephanie. She is already calling her Momma and running into her arms. It is so precious! God is so good!