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wamegomom
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| Posted: Dec 23 2010 at 3:08pm | IP Logged
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Yes, it really happened. Though we had unbelievable set-backs for the last several months (including our state vital stats computer crashing for more than three weeks just when we needed dh's birth certificate and our marriage certificate) we literally came in under the wire and I signed the adoption papers of our new daughter, Helen Grace Xiao Hong, less than 24 hours before she would have become ineligible for adoption by Chinese law because of her age on her papers. The papers say she is 14 but she swears she's 13 and she ought to know. Poor sweet angel was found on Dec. 22, 2001 abandoned outside a bank here in Guilin, thus her "birthday." She says she was 4. Despite being in an abusive foster situation at one time, she has been thriving with gentle Australian and Chinese caregivers and is their prize student in the 4th grade (she started late because disabled children are routinely not educated, and only through the generosity of a charitable organization did she begin formal education.) This sweet girl is a treasure! I am so totally in love with her. She is so generous and thoughtful, and has a tender heart. She has cerebral palsy, like our daughter Jane from Kunming, China, but Helen can walk with a cane. She's quite a "carpe diem" kind of girl. She rarely left the orphanage but since coming to me in Nanning on the 20th she's been quite the trooper. We took a 5 hour train ride through spectacular countryside (google images of Guilin, the Li River, the Elephant Rock)and she kept saying in excited English,"View,Mom!!! View!" because she wanted to take pictures! Today we fly to Guangzhou where the American consulate is, and we get to finally go home once she has a visa on Jan. 1. Yes, I have to be away from Ed and the other children for Christmas and it will be so hard. (It's Christmas Eve here now since we are 14 hours ahead of U.S. central time)We had no choice, though, because all the paperwork from OUR side of the government adoption process (Homeland Security is NOT your friend)literally only came through at 8 pm the night before I left. We bought plane tickets on faith. We just knew that she was meant to be ours.
Yesterday we were able to say goodbye to several of her friends and honestly if I could have just scooped them all up and taken them home with us, I would have! There is a tiny 4 y.o. girl with a serious heart condition (blue lips and hands, poor lambie)who snuggled up to me and I melted. Please pray that they can get permission to send her to the states for heart surgery before she dies. Another little guy I would bring home in a New York minute is a 9 y.o. who has spina bifida but it doesn't slow him down. Adorable smile, quick wit and a good touch of ornery just grabbed my heart. I already asked Ed if I could come back for him. Really, somebody needs to adopt this boy. There's just something amazing about him. This is the hardest part of adoption, leaving adorable little ones behind.
Anyway, thank you so much for the prayers that brought us to this. So many miracles DID happen to make this adoption happen. Our agency concurs. BTW, WACAP is the agency and they are spectacular.
Merry Christmas from China, and as you celebrate Mass with your families, remember those here, foreigners like me and citizens, who cannot attend Mass or receive the sacraments. Please unite your prayers with those of our brothers and sisters here.
God bless you all!
Mary Alice (Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore)
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Dec 23 2010 at 3:19pm | IP Logged
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What a lovely Christmas gift - a wonderful child to love and cherish!
Mary Alice, I'm praying for you and your family (and for safe travels, minimal bureaucracy and all the children you had to leave behind in China) during this blessed season.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Chari
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| Posted: Dec 23 2010 at 5:06pm | IP Logged
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Oh, WOW!!!!
This is truly a miracle.....from the beginning to the end! 
I am SO very excited for you.....for your family! A new sister to love! Oh, Jane is simply going to adore her!!!
I can't wait to see all of your family pictures!
Prayers for all of you during all of this time!!
Writing with tears in my eyes,
with love & affection,
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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KackyK
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| Posted: Dec 23 2010 at 9:37pm | IP Logged
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Congratulations and what a Merry Christmas it is for you all!!!! 
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KackyK
Mom to 8 - 3 dd, 5ds & 4 babes in heaven
Beginning With the Assumption
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KauaiCatholic
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| Posted: Dec 23 2010 at 10:30pm | IP Logged
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YAY!  
will be praying!
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 Viviane
Grateful mama of Jonah Augustine ('01), Sophia Marie ('05) and Luke Dominic ('10)
We can do no great things; only small things with great love. -- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Dec 23 2010 at 10:38pm | IP Logged
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What a treasured and beautiful Christmas gift for you all! Safe travels home and prayers for all.
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: Dec 23 2010 at 11:05pm | IP Logged
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This all is so amazing. You are an incredible family, God’s Grace is so evident. I bet there are a bunch of us out here who are ready to get over and scoop some of these babies up!
Praying for all of you, thanks so much for sharing!!!!
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Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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mavmama
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| Posted: Dec 24 2010 at 12:49am | IP Logged
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As fellow adoptive mom, I really appreciate the miracle of your whole journey. I will offer Christmas Eve midnight Mass for you and your family, and all those beautiful ones left behind. Leaving the orphanage and knowing there were so many still there was terribly difficult for me, too, so I understand. God Bless you as you start this new chapter in your family's life.
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Liz
Blessed by 4 wonders
dd11, dd911, ds9, ds8
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MaryM
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| Posted: Dec 24 2010 at 1:28am | IP Logged
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Mary Alice, I am so, so very happy for you, Helen Grace and the rest of the family. What a blessed Christmas gift!! Praying for a safe and uneventful return trip. God bless you for your generous heart. You and Ed are truly amazing.
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 24 2010 at 6:45am | IP Logged
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Thank you for sharing your amazing journey with us. What a beautiful daughter you have to bring home!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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wifemommy
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| Posted: Dec 27 2010 at 11:30am | IP Logged
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Congratulations!!!! Annie
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: Dec 27 2010 at 3:25pm | IP Logged
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Prayed for all of you at Christmas Eve Mass....hoping all is well!
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Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: Dec 27 2010 at 3:39pm | IP Logged
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WOW! Wonderful Christmas news!
Peace,
Nancy
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DominaCaeli
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| Posted: Dec 27 2010 at 4:24pm | IP Logged
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What an absolutely wonderful story for all of you, Mary Alice--just amazing! God bless your family, especially Helen Grace, and I will keep all those little ones left behind in my prayers (adoptive mother here too, and orphans have a special place in my heart  ).
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Blessings,
Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Dec 29 2010 at 10:41pm | IP Logged
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Happy  !!! We look at Helen's picture every day on our prayer board and I've been wondering...WOW! Mary Alice !!! More prayers and I can't wait to see picture .
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Merry Christmas from CHINA
