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We want to share some of our favorite memories of our trips to China to bring home Ellie and then Maggie with you. Not only did we receive our fabulous daughters in China but each of the trips was also an extraordinary vacation — a personally-guided tour into the heart of China. Kathy is a gem! How wonderful it was for us to travel with her each time. She took superb care of us. She took all the worry and concern out of each trip. In addition to handling the official paperwork without a hitch, she helped us with the gift-giving traditions, guided us in the tipping protocol, knew how to access medical care in each city if we felt need; arranged meaningful side-trips to fill the waiting time, and was unflagging in her support of our shopping missions! Under Kathy's care all we had to do was enjoy our babies, visit with our travel companions and decide what to eat at our next meal. Here are some of our favorite memories: Kathy's reassuring sign and welcome as we arrived at the Shanghai airport. 
Kathy escorting us to a nearby supermarket to select just the right Chinese formula for our soon-to-be babies. Kathy knowing when we needed help and support and knowing when we needed alone time with our children. Official visits were stress-free under her guidance. She carefully prepared us for each step along the way so there were never any surprises. Walking into each hotel she would simply hand us our room key with instructions on the agenda for the following day. 
Kathy helping administer a medicated bath for our babe's eczema. As we were completing our second adoption (fifth child) Kathy translated the notrary's comment to us, "Please return to China with your daughters, but no more children!" A visit to a "middle class" village that Kathy arranged on our last trip. Everyone in our group agreed it was the best part of our trip, besides getting the babies. (Even Sue Roll who lived in Shanghai for two years said in all that time she never had a glimpse of this part of China). As we entered the village we saw a sign which translated to "Please Mind the Population Control Scheme." (That gave us a little chuckle.) We were able to wander the village where we saw a woman washing vegatables under a water pump. We saw new homes being constructed and mothers with their young children. An old man gathered two young boys (grandsons?) for a Polaroid photograph. We saw babies sleeping in snug little baskets. We were even permitted to walk through a home, seeing the living room and kitchen. We felt we were seeing a little bit of what life is like for our daughter's birth families. It was an experience we will always cherish. 
And the very best memories, the two times Kathy said "Toy-zhuh, your baby." I still cry when I recall those words.
Kindest regards, << Back to Chinese Adoptions |
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