Thank you momma!

Yesterday Karl brought home supper from Shanes Rib Shack. I had to run out the door to a meeting for about an hour so I hugged everyone bye, as the rest of the family were about to sit down to eat. When I got home, Karl and the kids told me what happened at supper. Karl told me that he mentioned to Jolie that the day was a special day because this time last year we were in China getting you. We had been talking about the special day coming, looking at our China photos, and openly talking about our forever family day. Karl said, that Jolie looked at him and very seriously said over and over, "Tank you momma, tank you momma getting me."

Forever Family Day 2011

Signing those official papers and sealing with a thumbprints

When he told me about it, he said it was quite touching how she said it. AND she was dead serious. I got a lump in my throat just hearing about it. Karlie said she didn't mention dad!! While  the two were describing the event to me, Jolie looked at me and repeated the whole thing. "Tank you momma, tank you momma getting me."  Although she just said momma, I know she meant daddy too.

Summer 2011

Now that lump in my throat turned to tears, as I was hearing my baby girl tell us thank you for coming to get her.

Sibling love

We are truly blessed at the Berry House, and our hearts melted into puddles last night. Thank you Jolie for being our sweet baby girl! Thank You Lord for sending us on the journey!

Forever Family Day!

She's probably thinking who is the RED haired woman!

Karl said let me hold her...and as soon as he took her the tears stopped. When we worked the baby Sunday school room years ago, he always had the golden touch...crying babies would always hush when he held them.

Here we are...all except Zach.

Daddy's Girls....We thought it was cute how she has to prop up on her arms to take a nap.

Here she is! She has given me the "stink eye" a few times, but she warmed up to me over some chicken nuggets and french fries. Our guide said that she has never been away from her foster family. She can say several words. She is wearing split pants and has actually gone to the bathroom several times for me today. The guide  took her to the bathroom and showed me how those split pants work...and then she whistled. So I have been whistling every time I take her to the potty and it works like a charm.  The guide told us the word for tee tee so when she says it we go.  She was in several layers of clothes, and earlier today she would only let us take off the vest and jacket and her shoes. When Karl put on his jacket to run out and pick up some lunch from a chicken place next door...she brought her jacket to Karlie. I think she wanted to go too. She is a very sweet girl...our driver says she is really cute.  We think so too. She is not a picky eater. She loves the elmo phone we brought. The orphanage people says she likes to shop! When she wants something she takes your hand and points to it. Her nickname is Wen Wen...so we have been calling her Jolie Wen Wen.

This afternoon, we finished taking off her layers, gave her a quick bath...she screamed through the whole ordeal, but she seems to like her new shoes. I think she is a shoe girl...like the rest of us. She really loves Karl, but she is tolerating me more. She seemed content when I "wore" her in the baby carrier when we ventured outside to buy some cokes and waters from a small store next door.

Please keep praying for us all. She is doing very well and has been very brave. Please pray for her foster family too. We are not allowed to meet them, but I would think they too are grieving as well. She is such a sweet girl who has been well cared for and loved.

More photos tomorrow!