We're Home

Thursday, July 4, 2014 ”As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen.” This is how our blog started and what an adventure it has been! So many people have asked, “When are you going to post an update. How is Qian doing?” To be honest, I wasn’t ready to post after coming home. The transition has been so difficult. I emailed a dear friend who has also adopted and said, “I feel like I’m in a stormy sea and I can barely keep my head above water.” She responded, “Keep treading water, Momma...whatever it takes...just keep your head up. You will eventually spot land and then reach it. “I have held onto these words. So…how are we doing? We are still treading water, but the waves are not swallowing us up! Every behavior has ________. This is a test question I give my students every semester. The answer is purpose. For the past four weeks we have been trying to find the purpose of Qian’s behaviors and manage them while nurturing her soul. Qian lived in an orphanage for five years and it’s going to take time for this beautiful ‘flower’ to blossom. She needs lots of sunlight, water, and we are slowly plucking away the dead petals. Even though it has been tough for us, we know that it has been even harder for Qian. We often wonder what is going on in her five year old mind. As bad as the orphanage was, we know that she misses her friends. We know that her little body is also struggling to process the world around her and even simple touches. Her body went so long without hugs, kisses, and pats on the back, that she often experiences sensory overload and a very silly body. Hopefully, Occupational Therapy will help. We also know that she is trying to figure out this thing called, family. She’s not quite sure how it works. Everyday we tell her, “I love you” in mandarin. She often shakes her head and says, “boo,” no. We smile and say, “yes,” and tell her, “Qian, good girl.” She responds, “You good girl.” Yes, our girl has some sweetness in her! We hope the storm settles soon so that we can swim to shore and stand on our own two feet – hand in hand, looking into our daughter’s eyes and softly say to her, “We made it!”

Having someplace to go is HOME,
Having someone to love is FAMILY,
Having both is a BLESSING.
~Donna Hedges

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