Day 1 with Emma Yunwen

Well the some pics from day 1 posted but here is a recap. We left at 2pm and headed to the CCAA office where we would meet her. Went with two other families, one getting a 6 year old and one a 17 month old. Once there is was all pretty quick and informal. There were about 30 other families there from all over getting children so it was completely crazy. We sat on a couch for about 5 minutes, got called up and there she was, happened that fast. We stayed about 1 hour. While there Yunwen was very quite and visibly tense, who could blame her at all. We took some photos and shared a lemonade and a chocolate. She clung to the teddy vear her sister Sadie sent over for her. Fr te most part she just sat there. Eventually our in country facilitator and the lady from Yunwens orphanage came over and we talked with her. She did not want anymore chocolate as she did not want to look like me!(but she did smile when she said it.) She was scared but also very excited,
she had know about us since September and said she wanted us to come then but understood we had to wait. I think now that the moment was here and the reality of it hot her it was touch, I know we annot imagine but she stayed strong all afternoon there, She all she had that we had bought via redthread or sent to her was the lovely bag Ann made for her(which turns out has been well used and she kept with her all of the time. She also had our photo book we sent and the coat we bought for her. In her bad she had pictures of her foster family, all of her school achievement certificates, her school grades from his year and a few other items. Clotheswise, a pair of new boots, leggings and a pink shirt with a sweater on over that. We found out she gave all of the lothes we sent her to her foster brothers and sisters as gifts upon her leaving so they don't forget her. From what we gather she is an amazing young lady. Anyway she was now upset she had nothing, so
we fixed that after we left. She really started bonding with her mother and I think a round at a shopping mall spending daddy's money helped alot. We bought her two pair of shoes, black patent leather and a pair of tennis shoes. Got underclothes, a pair of pants and a shirt and she was very excited. Then the ladies went to a store and bought hair brushes combs etc. She held Deanna's hand the entire time and by the end was very cheerful. Even got a thank you in English. We also told her more stuff at the hotel and we would buy her more. At the room she was very reserved told her to look around and well the bathroom was what she needed. After that it was all good! She has informed us that she wants to go only by her new name Emma, completely her choice. In the room more gifts, loved the Barbie Doll, more clothes which she started really smiling alot , some pens and drawing material also brought a big smile. I had to leave to do paperwork for tomorrow and
get more money changed so Deanna and Emma could spend it! LOL When I got back they were sitting together on the couch, she had brought gifts for us and had given them to Deanna. According to Dee, Emma showered and they tried on all of the clothes. She settled on her new shirt, a pair of pants we brought for her, sweat jacket from her MIMI and her new black shoes(which will have to be broken in it seems). Off to McDonalds for dinner, again Emma's choice although I called this one before the trip. In actuality it was not bad. fries and burgers tasted the same. She then wanted to walk around and see things so we just walked for awhile. Back in the room we skyped home and Emma and Sadie saw each other for the first time. Emma had a huge grin on her face seeing all of her family in the US. She said hello to them all, counted to 10 in English and just started smiled and waved alot all very excited. We then called Mimi and talked but no video. Emma sat in
Dee's lap the entire time and listened and said hello several times as well as bye bye. She and I then played on the laptop on a Cantonese/English website where you click a button and says the phrase in Cantonese. we also played with the Ipod,,, she did not like Guns n Roses but liked Bob Marley alot!. The night ended up with a much much much more cheerful 12 year old then we met. She was very bouncy and excited when she put on her new pj's Climbed in bed waved at me with a big grin and said good night. Dee informed me this morning she snores as much as I do lol! So day one is down we will write more later.