After what seemed like one delay after the next:
Four months ago tomorrow, on December 9, 2013, our sweet Zoe toddled into my arms, and life has never been the same. She is such a joy to all of us! It feels as though she has always been ours. What a precious gift from God! I am so in awe of all that God has done to bring this precious little one to our family. I often catch myself just watching her. I love to see every little thing she does, and every little expression that passes over her precious face.
This was the moment! She recognized us from the pictures we had sent, and she had been so well prepared by her sweet foster mother and nannies, that she began taking steps toward us when we walked in the door. However, once I saw her, I was across that room and had her in my arms in a millisecond!
I was scared to death when we left the hotel to meet her for the first time. It still makes me cry thinking back. My heart still breaks for her. Her little life was about to be turned upside down. We knew it was for the best, and all part of God's plan, but my heart just broke for her knowing she would be scared and uncertain of all that was happening.
This is us leaving the hotel.
You can definitely tell she was worried in this picture. She was bundled so much she was sweating terribly, but the beautiful Chinese outfit she is wearing will always be a treasure.
We were thrilled to have her as a Bohlinger, but I am not so sure how she felt about it yet!
Later that evening we finally got our first genuine smile and giggle. It made us all just laugh out loud which made her smile and giggle more. To be honest, this moment brought my heart so much peace. I had loved this sweet baby for so long, even before I knew who she was. I was just aching for her to know we loved her and that she was safe and loved. She is just amazing. She is so loving and funny. Her laugh and smile just brightens our world.
Our trip was amazing! I think we all fell in love with the country and people of China. We did some local touring in Zoe's province as well as Guangzhou where we spent a week getting paperwork prepared to come home.
My favorite trip was to Zoe's orphanage. I really do not have words to describe the feelings of being where my sweet baby had spent the past year of her life. I wanted to soak it all in so as to feel as though I had somehow been a part of that year. I still cry when I look at this picture of Zoe's foster mother, Zoe, and me. I love this precious woman so much. She loved my baby for me until I could get there. Every time Zoe gives hugs and kisses and snuggles, which she does often, I think of this precious lady. Without her tender love, my sweet Zoe would not be as loving and affectionate as she is.
It has been a time of adjustments for sure. But we were so well prepared by our amazing agency, that we have been able to celebrate challenges and each new stage we have encountered. She has grown so much in just a few months. It is overwhelmingly wonderful to experience new things with her. I love this picture of Frank teaching her how to lick the spatula after making cookie dough. This is an essential skill around our house!
To our knowledge, this was the first snow she was ever out in. She did not want to put her little snowball down when it was time to come in, and was terribly surprised when it melted quickly in her hand. This picture is very special to me. She is wearing our niece and God-daughter, Mackenzie's snow suit. Please read our first post if you would like to know more about Mackenzie and her precious life. I am just in awe of God's faithfulness. How HE can take our pain and make something so beautiful grow from it never ceases to amaze me. HE alone receives all GLORY and PRAISE!
Her sisters have taught her to play dress-up, which she loves!
Her brother is trying to teach her chemistry! She just loves her brother and sisters. It doesn't matter what they are doing, she just wants to be a part of it.
At this point, Zoe is doing great. She is growing and thriving and bringing joy to our home every day. She has grown 2 inches since December and has gained about 3 pounds. She is bright and curious and loves to climb anything! We love to hear her trying out new English words. It seem like there are dozens of new ones every day. Occasionally she will still sing in Chinese, and I will be so sad if this ever stops. It feels as though when I hear her little Chinese songs I have a window into her little life before she toddled into mine.
Zoe has some medical special needs that we knew about and a couple minor ones that were a surprise. Please join us in praying for her complete and totally healing. She is seeing a number of physicians and specialists. The latest development is that she will need to wear a brace for severe scoliosis (we knew about this, just not the severity). The doctor feels at some point she will need surgery, but we are praying and believing that as she wears this brace and continues to grow and thrive, that God will do a healing miracle in her precious little body. We know we serve a miracle working God or we would never have made it to China to bring Zoe home. We know her healing is in His loving and capable hands.
Thank you to all our friends and family for your continued love, encouragement, and prayers. You are such a blessing to us.
