Today has been an incredible day. As a Mama to a child that has missing links to her past, this day has been better than I ever dreamed! We went to the Fengcheng SWI today. They called twice on the way to see where we were! (Remember, when we adopted Sarah Hope they told us she was the favorite.) We arrived at the new orphanage to a welcoming group. We saw many faces we recognized. I spotted one of her ayis on the balcony and waved. The other ayi, the one who handed her to us was waiting outside our van. I made eye contact and waved at her. Her face lit up, I guess because I recognized her. When we got out Sarah Hope was surrounded and hugged by all. Of course she was their LianLian, their lotus flower had returned. They had a sign over the entrance of the orphanage welcoming her home. It even had her name on it in Chinese characters and spelled out! Sarah Hope was a little timid at first, but quickly warmed up to them. She was very comfortable with her ayis and let them hug and kiss all over her. They presented her with a gift.
She gave them all the photo albums we brought. She had also picked out pearl necklaces for them in Beijing. We told them she had helped choose them. They quickly became all teary eyed. The staff brought out Sarah Hope's file. The orphanages keep these on the children. It has info and a few pictures. We learned that the ayi that gave us Sarah Hope was the one that found her! Maybe that is also why they were so close. She told us she was wrapped up and in a little box beside the civil affairs building. (This was located in front of the old orphanage.) There was a note. However, we were told the police have it on file. But get this, the note actually had her birth time! June 17, 03 at 3:15 pm. The ayi found her on the 18th at 9:30 am. 
I can't imagine having to give my baby away a few hours after birth. However, we are so thankful a safe place was found for her to be placed! The file also had her tiny footprint from the day she arrived. 
Also a picture of her, with the shirt on she wore when she arrived. Dwain videoed and took pictures of each page. I am so thankful we know and have met both of the ladies that found our precious girls! During all of this Sarah Hope is charming all. She sang J. Loves Me for them. We were able to thank them for the part they had in her life. We told them we had pr. for someone to love and care of her until we got there. They were the answer. We also told them that Sarah Hope pr. for the children in China and her ayis. It really touched them. The visit was amazing. The kids were sooo good. OK, so you all know they're not always that way. Honestly, they were almost perfect! Everyone kept commenting on how good they were. They wanted to know what we did. (Let me tell you, this country we are in has extremely spoiled children. Guess that is what happens if you can only have one.) Well, Dwain took advantage of this and told them how we teach them and about our "extended" family. The ayis later shared some of their memories of our girl. 
They each held her and gave her a special message, Dwain of course caught this on video. They told us she used to love to eat chicken feet! UGH! At lunch they brought her one. She took one look and said, "What is that?" When we told her she yelled YUCK!! It was so funny. She sat between both ayis. They both fussed over her and fed her. IT's no wonder she was spoiled when we got her! After lunch we went to downtown and walked around. She and Jonathan got to ride in some little cars. They loved it. We then went to a place to have the ayis and Sarah Hope's picture made. 
They turned our great. It was then time to say good-bye again, for the second time. There were more tears, however I don't think it was as painful as the first time. We told them they would always be a part of our family. We promised to send more pictures and hopefully come back again for a visit. We got on the bus and within 5 minutes Sarah Hope was sound asleep. What a big day for a little girl. Once again, we are so blessed by our girls and for all we know about them!
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