Monday, February 5, 2007

Making Plans for Chinese New Year

Things have gone so well since we returned from China with our new baby girl. I'm pleased to report that the whole family is adjusting well to the changes in our lives. Zara is doing beautifully. She has attached to both Paul and me. And I can tell that she thinks her big sister is the best. Both girls are now attending the Children's Center in Steiner Ranch and LOVE it!

We are making plans to celebrate Chinese New Year next week. Just got back from the MT Supermarket, Austin's first large Asian grocery store, with banners, ingredients for Chinese New Year cake, red envelopes for gifts and a large golden pig full of candy.

When we returned home and opened our mail we found a wonderful envelope full of photos of Zara beginning at 3 months of age. Apparently Families Through International Adoption, the organization that makes foster care possible in China, carefully monitors the kiddos in foster care and takes a photo of them each month. I am going to start donating to this wonderful cause as they are expanding their foster care program and I would like to make this available to as many children as possible. It's such a wonderful cause.

I'm also reading the wonderful book The Lost Daughters of China: Abandoned Girls, Their Journey to America, and the Search for a Missing Past. I really connected with the author. The similarities in our experience were amazing and she writes of all the same concerns. I find myself crying often while reading the book.

Make sure you take a look at our wonderful new portraits of the girls.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I'm so glad things are going so beautifully, Pam and Paul! The girls are both so beautiful - and I'm SO glad to hear Zara looks up to Alina!

Lisa, Joey, Max and the rest of our furry crew

Welcome Home Zara

Welcome Home Zara
Alina paints a banner to welcome home baby Zara.

Meeting Zara

Meeting Zara
Here we are at Civil Affairs to meet Zara for the first time.

Good Dog

Good Dog
Fantastic book.

Zara Lan Xin

Zara Lan Xin
Zara's referral pictures received on 11/2/06.

RIP Boo

RIP Boo
We'll miss you sweet Boo.