"Today I found my words" July 8th

Siyuan woke up this morning and has been talking. I'm in heaven to hear him talking spontaneously. Nothing too elaborate, but I'll hear, "Mama, je-ge (this), Mama jou-ba (Let's go Mom)!" He's also been singing some little songs. We went to the Yun Tai Gardens. They were so beautiful and peaceful. He liked being out . But his favorite was the gold fish in the lake. He became so excited. "Mama, ga-yu (Mom there's a fish)" "Je-ge hen da! (This one is so big!)" "Hen duo yu (There's so many fish)" I was not very eco-friendly and gave him ritz crackers to feed them. He was tickled, watching all of them swarm around with their mouths gaping for food. He would giggle. I love that he's calling me Mama. That's only really happened consistently today. It's been good that Derek and the kids have been gone.

They arrived back on the train at 1:00. I was so happy to see them. They had a wonderful time in Hong Kong. The Goos were so wonderful to let them stay with them, and they were able to visit old friends from when we lived there. I'll have them post about their trip.

This afternoon we all boarded the bus with the rest of our group and went to the U.S. consulate. Sorry to say, because of security reasons no cameras allowed. I love this moment for a variety of reasons. I love that it's the last and final paperwork. Siyuan is not only ours, but we can take him home. He will be a U.S. citizen once he lands on U.S. soil.

Our funniest moment is when we received his passport back with his Visa in it. His passport picture was taken the day after we got him, his Visa pictures was taken a couple of days ago. We looked at the two pictures and split a gut--you can't believe how his face has chunked out in a week. It's all those sausages he's passionate about every morning for breakfast. I've been packing him around, and I can sure tell he's been packin' it on. Well if he loves to eat, he'll fit in well at our house!

I looked around at all the families there with us (probably around 40+ families) and thought of my time and money invested, and multiplied that by all the families who just came today, and then all those who've come this month and this year, and for years past, and who will come for years in the future. What an investment to building families, to changing the life of a child, but mostly to declare the value of these children-children who were unwanted, but now not only wanted, but cherished, worked for, paid for, prayed for. What a testament to the love of a parent, many of whom became first time parents on this journey. How all of these families will be blessed by these children. It was inspiring.

My son, my Siyuan was abandoned, discarded, unwanted, but he was found and I believe loved, and now found and loved again. When so much is wrong with the world, this is right!