Gotcha Day Details

Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! Psalm 126:3

First, thank you all so much for your comments! Tears were streaming as I read them. We appreciate your support and prayers so much! It makes things so much easier over here when we know we have people praying for us and taking time to follow our journey! Our day started really early yesterday. We woke up at 3:00 am and were on the bus to the airport by 5:15 am.
We were cutting it really close to make our flight and we were actually running through the airport following our guide at one point.

We made it to Datong around 8:00 am. As we were driving to the hotel it was very obvious we were not in Beijing anymore. There is much more poverty here and I kept wondering as we passed all the buildings where Silas' mother lived.

We got to drive past the hotel where he was left as a two day old baby. All he had was a note that said his birthday was 9-1-06.
We got the the hotel and had our fourth breakfast of the day. : ) We ate one in our hotel room (just granola bars), then we had one provided by the hotel on the way to the airport, had one on the plane and then our guide wanted us to eat when we checked into the hotel yesterday. We shared a good laugh with our traveling partners the Wilson's about how much breakfast we ate yesterday. It was a good thing, because we skipped lunch and did not eat dinner until 10:00. After we had breakfast (noodles and fried rice) we went downstairs to meet our guide and check in. When we got there she asked - do you want to meet your babies this afternoon? We all said YES of course!!! She called the orphanage to work out the details and then we went shopping. This was an interesting experience! Lots of stares and they have more employees trying to help you at the supermarket than I have ever seen. We bought some toddler clothes & socks for the orphanage to donate and also bought some milk drinks and snacks for Silas and also some water. The supermarket is also 3 floors tall and there are escalators between the floors!

After we got back from shopping, we tried to relax and wait until 2:00 when we were meeting our guide. While we were waiting it poured rain. We met our guide and were on our way except we had a big problem - all the roads were flooded due to the rain! It took us about 3 hours to get to the orphanage - it was such a long wait! We finally made it and then from there it all happened so quickly. We went into the directors office and she gave us back our cameras, photo album, toy and questions we sent in Silas' care package. There was lots of Chinese talking happening and then we went up to get our babies!

The Wilson's little boy, Jacob, was in a little room having a water break. I thought Silas was in there so I walked in and then Jason said - here he comes! I looked down the hallway and his nanny was bringing him down.

He cried just a little and then was really okay. We took pictures of as many kids as we could for other waiting families and then they wanted to take Silas to change his clothes - it was so cute. The nannies loved him so much and wanted him to come home in a brand new outfit and shoes. Our friend that we met in Datong who volunteered at the orphanage said he was the favorite. What an answer to prayer that our baby was getting so much love! When I finally took him from his favorite nanny, the tears began. She didn't want to let go of him, I can tell she cared deeply for him. He cried deep sobs - which is a good thing. We are so happy he was attached.
When we walked outside he started crying. The director told our guide he never went outside - can you imagine? The whole way home he was cuddling on me and just staring out the window. His life was so simple and so basic that I cannot even begin to imagine all of the "firsts" we will get to experience with him! I mean - we got to experience probably his first trip outside since he was an infant! We got back to the room and I set him down. He walked around a little and explored. We got out the cheerios which were a hit and he played with his little cars. He never did cry again. He whimpered a little when I set him down - he really likes to be carried and cuddled! He is doing great and is still asleep. Today we are taking a bus to Tiayuan where the civil affairs office is located and will be there until July 4. Hopefully the beds are more comfortable then they are at the hotel we stayed out in Datong. And less smoky too - I am really congested.

Again, thank you all for your comments and prayers! Keep them coming!!! We are so blessed and are so thankful that we were faithful to God's plan for our lives. Silas is more than we ever imagined.