Today we got to meet EmmaLi!

Today a year ago I was fighting a migraine after flying forever and arriving in Beijing we were told to be back up at 5a.m. for a flight out and we would have to meet govt. officials to adopt EmmaLi. I remember being confused about the whole process and not understanding we would actually get EmmaLi when we arrived in Nanjing that day. We were rushed out of the airport by a guy holding a sign with our name on it into a van. Then we had a Chinese woman with us who was dumped out of the van (it seemed randomly) and we picked up another Chinese man on the street (who ended up being Fred our guide). I remember him being very concerned about the govt. officials being upset with us for being so late. He said there was nothing we could do, we came directly from the airport and had caught the first flight out so, it would have to do but, I could feel his anxiety about the officials. When we got to the building he literally jumped out of the van and starting running into the building. I abandoned my family (not really because Jessica ran with me) I was not gonna lose this guide and ran after him. (I know I don't run but, I did) and ran into this cold building. It was nothing too fancy. There in the lobby was the tiniest little China girl playing with a little toy on a coffee table in front of a Chinese woman. It took me a minute to register this was EmmaLi! NO fan fair, just there she was! She was sucking down these chocolate mints her nanny gave her and I knew right off, she was a Hirschi! The orphanage officials I remember were snapping pictures of us before Jon got there (he was back at the van I think trying to get a video camera out) and the first few moments of our life with EmmaLi had begun!
My mind is flooded today of people who helped us, people praying for us, family and friends bringing money,clothes, and just mainly love to us during this incredible time. As life has settled into a routine (somewhat) it would be easy to lose sight of the miraculous experience but, I hope to never forget how truly blessed and enriched my life is with 2 beautiful little souls that are enjoined to me eternally. I know that they will not be with me forever here on this earth so, I do hold them both so tight (probably too much) and love them so much for the time I get to be apart of their everyday lives. I want to so badly express my emotions of this day but, I can't seem to put them to words and not sure anyone can understand except I know my Heavenly Father does know me and the depths of my gratitude for my precious girls. EmmaLi is a gift and though there is no birth Mom to thank personally I think of her today as well. She gave her precious daughter life and saw to it that she had the best chance at life when she left her to be found at the hospital. When we got to visit the hospital even though it was no special building it just seemed sacred to me. I can't imagine the depths of sorrow yet tremendous courage to leave EmmaLi there. She was found with money and clothing and her birthday pinned to her. The police report read "there is rarely possibility to be alive". She was 0.7 kg (1.5 lbs.) and had lived with her birth family til the 11th day of October (her birth being in the end of September).
2 months later, EmmaLi started her life at the orphanage. The report said "due to severe weak body, and long time fed in bed, her development are delay, and under the excellent (care), her body and the physical condition got great progress and the letter goes on ending, "we are happy to see that she grows healthily". EmmaLi continues in that pattern. I can't imagine anyone loving her more than we all do and she is progressing-she runs, tries to jump loves primary and preschool. The primary song she sings is "Hello, Ho la, Hello, Ho la we welcome you today, Hey!" Her laugh is so wonderful we end up torturing her with tickles just to hear it but, she does laugh and smile and she is speaking more and more to us. We love our EmmaLi and thanks everyone that had a hand in getting us to her! She is our little Miracle!!!

Just some cute pics to enjoy of the cutest kids!

Some days feel like ...ETERNITY

Warning: Whining AHEAD!
Today, was just one of those days! I woke up grumpy~I admit it, I was not Happy and choosing to let my family know. I was frustrated with my sweet EmmaLi and her lack of attachment (in my eyes~future post on attachment coming) and so, I chose to hold EmmaLi for a little while which got her and I very upset! NOt a good choice! Then I knocked over a glass picture frame of EmmaLi on the floor~shattered right by her and luckily no one got hurt. Then I decided I didn't want to chance the little cough EmmaLi displays once every 6 hours shouldn't be ignored because of a busy week coming up. I take her to the Dr. and feel totally stupid and angry for an expensive visit to be told "she's great!" (I'm very glad she is well and not sick just mad at myself for the unneccessary visit and co-pay!) Then on the way home I decided to stop at Costco for the upcoming reunion items. BIG MISTAKE!!! I make another brilliant decision (not) to put EmmaLi in the basket part of the cart because she was fussing in the seat and when Jessica and I were looking at something we hear a Mother's nightmare a big THUD! EmmaLi falls out of the cart and is screaming on the ground. Luckily their was a nice elderly man who was demoing across from us and came right over and said, "I'm sorry that happened but, come try the pickles over here!" (I kid you not) I was and am still sick about it and spent the rest of the night watching EmmaLi's hard to see pupils to see if they were dilated properly. I did call the dr's office (that we had just left) and they said watch for eyes dilated differently and nausea and any odd behavior (chinese toddler having odd behavior~mmmmmm?)They also told me to wake her up a few times tonight to make sure she is o.k. I did once and Jon gave her a blessing (also, tortures her) and everything seems to be o.k. so even though today was not a good day there was still many a blessings! At least EmmaLi seems to be o.k. what a blessing that is!

Happy Daddy's Day!

Haven't posted for a good long while again~sorry to all the fans and I want to post more pics of the cutest girls in the world but, for now I just had to post this because it is one we recently took and I love!! Both my girls love their Daddy so much and I know why. He is awesome!! He loves his girls and takes great care of us! We love him and wish him the best Dad's day ever!!

EmmaLi

Fallin' asleep wherever she can (only cuz she won't sleep at night!)
EmmaLi has only recently figured out "CHEESE" for pictures (this is her version)

Worth the Wait!

Ok, we made it!!!!! It was harder than I thought and every plane ride we took we were running the airport to catch and boarded at final call. I truly thought the LA airport we were not going to make our flight. We had some trouble every step of the way-Immigration, luggage and security but,... another miracle we made it!! It was not easy (have to admit crying with EmmaLi but, only once)! Jessica was singing "Highway to Heck" (thankyou Megamind) on the way home and I thought to myself, sort of appropriate for this trip! Not that the destination was anything like heck!!! HOME, is so wonderful!!! We came home to family at the airport banners, posters and signs from family and neighbors at the house. We came home to a yard that had been mowed, weeded and pruned. We came home to food in our fridge. We came home to treats and flowers on the counter. We came home in time to hear the gospel talk from a nephew leaving on a mission. (We love you Rulon and you truly filled our empty spiritual tank with your talk!) We were able to take the Sacrament today after 3 weeks of missing it! The blessings just keep on flowing!!! We are completely exhausted and waking up at 2 a.m. this morning but, so glad to be in our own beds in our own kitchen with air conditioning (HIP HIP HOORAY)and food we actually dare eat!!! Oh, and if I never have to use a squatty potty again it'll be ok with me! (yes we did it!!)Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the prayers, all the kindnesses, we are truly blessed beyond measure. On our way home from Rulon's mission talk we saw on a liscence plate Always late but, worth the wait! We laughed but, then I thought of EmmaLi and she is totally worth the wait!!!! Can't wait for everyone to be able to meet her! She met a few family members yesterday but, gets overwhelmed easy so, we have to take it real slow! (big sis doesn't understand that yet, but it'll be ok!) The pictures I posted are of downtown Guangzhou (had a New York feel to it) and of the promised picture of church this is what a woman was baptized in while we were there and of course the other 2 you can figure out!

Handle with Care...

We are overwhelmed with the kindness and support that family and friends have been and want to let you know this has been an amazing trip and we are not ungrateful for all the wonderful things we have seen and done! With my recent whining, I wanted to make that clear! We know even in the midst of challenges there are blessings! We know that to be true! It will always be that way because we have a loving Father in Heaven! Hooray for that knowledge!
O.k. now, a huge favor we must ask of everyone....(it seems awfully selfish to ask but, you must understand some things about our EmmaLi) We love you all and want to see you and are sure all want to squeeze her and hug her and love her-we so wish that were possible!!! Unfortunately, EmmaLi was raised differently than all of us. She does not know the meaning of "family" and will not understand this for a long while. She still considers us as care takers. She wants me most of the time but, will not look at me and will not let me hug or squeeze her. She will not let us be loving to her yet but, has learned we do feed her and clothe her and play with her. (We do sneak our lovin' in when we can). She hits for survival and throws things alot and calls for Mama and it is not me. Attachment is critical to her well being and for our family to progress. Instincts would have you pick her up when crying or love her but, we ask you not to do this for a long time maybe even a year. We don't know how long this will take and we know it is asking alot of especially family who have waited a long time for her. I promise to work as hard as I can to help her in attachment so, that she gets your love and hugs and squeezes as soon as possible. She needs them so much but, she needs to learn about her immediate eternal family first. We love you and hope you know we don't ask this for any other reason than for EmmaLi's well being (for that has to be first for now).
If EmmaLi needs anything and you are around we ask you to direct her to us and save your kisses and hugs for her when she is ready! She is like China's porcelain: Handle with Care! Thank you so much for all of your support and understanding!
We love you all and can't wait to see you all soon!!!
Kim, Jon, Jessica, & EmmaLi