It was 4 years ago today, in Nanning, China, that a very scared and shocked Dumpling was placed in my arms. There was no crying, the water in her eyes never formed into a tear, she was just in shock.
Fast Forward and she is now a stunning 5 year-old. In the first year after she was home, she would watch the video I had made of the adoption trip. Then, somewhere after the first anniversary, she didn't want to watch it anymore and we didn't push it. But there have been issues lately that made me thing she might want to see it again. So as a way to commemorate the 4th anniversary of our Family Day, she got to pick the dinner menu (chicken stir fry with rice, confetti cupcake with icing AND sprinkles) and after dinner, we snuggled on the couch and watch the movie.
This time, she was ready. She was cuddly and asked questions and kept hugging and kissing me. And when I put her to bed, I gave her an old Chinese coin I had bought on the trip and accidentally found today in a major fit of decluttering (more on that saga tomorrow). It seemed too coincidental that I found it today, so I gave it to her. And for the first time in a very long time, her response was truly genuine. She gave men the warmest hug and thanked me, then she tucked it in a special drawer so her sister wouldn't get to it.
4 years. Where does the time go?
Congratulations on four years together. It sounds like you all had a very special day.
Posted by: Harry | May 31, 2008 at 09:15 PM
Wow, just WOW. Congratulations to your family.
Posted by: BethanyWD | May 31, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Happy, happy day! Sounds wonderful. Confetti cupcakes -- yum!
Posted by: Mrs Figby | May 31, 2008 at 09:35 PM
Sounds like a perfect night! Four years ago, amazing!
Posted by: Bobbi Jo | June 01, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Congratulations - Nanning memories are some of the sweetest in the world :)
Posted by: Jo | June 01, 2008 at 04:03 AM
Sounds like a wonderful day. :-)
Posted by: Kikilia | June 01, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Happy familyversary to you all. It is truly amazing how well our kids adapt.
Posted by: Pam in Missouri | June 01, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Happy Forever Family Day!!
Posted by: Beverly | June 01, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Happy anniversary to you all!
Posted by: Sister Carrie | June 01, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Happy anniversary from another Nanning-travelin' family. The time passes amazingly quickly.
Posted by: OmegaMom | June 01, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Happy family anniversary to you, hubby and your beautiful girls!
From a fellow quebecoise!
Posted by: Anna | June 01, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Happy Dumpling Day!
Posted by: Susan | June 01, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Sweet story. You know, as "pre-adoptive parents" we have plans. Plans on how we're going to deal with educating our children about their lives in China before they joined us. We can plan plan plan all day long. But your story proves that situations have to present themselves and most often, it's when our babes are ready for the information. Not because we planned it that way.
Posted by: Tracee | June 02, 2008 at 05:02 AM
Happy Anny!
Posted by: Johnny | June 02, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Happy family-versary! It sounds like you had a very sweet night.
Posted by: wendy | June 02, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Happy Family Day!
Posted by: paige | June 02, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Four years! The time is flying. Happy anniversary to each of you!
Posted by: Angela | June 02, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Happy Family Day!
Posted by: Judy | June 21, 2008 at 08:18 PM