Quick Update...

Quick update...

Things have been going ok.  Poor Emily is truly broken hearted & sooo scared.  We get SO EXCITED to see her smile!  We hope & pray that she becomes more & more comfortable with us soon.

Yesterday, we went and visited her orphanage and was able to meet her foster Mother there.  I had put in a special request that we meet the foster mother separate from Emily.  She is grieving SO HARD right now, that it seemed extra cruel to reunite them, only to be taken away again.

As soon as we met the foster mother, I burst into tears! We are SO THANKFUL for her & how much love she gave Emily.  You can tell because she is crying for her soo much.  The foster mother had also packed a backpack full of snacks, clothing & diapers, along with a small gift of money for US.  We were sooooo touched!  I've never heard of a foster mother doing this before!

We also learned that she is single...which means Emily hasn't had a lot of exposure to men, which makes sense why she is terrified of Mike.  Poor guy.  Time will help...

We knew we weren't going to be allowed to get a full tour of Emily's orphanage & we'd heard all the rumors why.  However, Mike & I both felt the staff that we met genuinely had a love for the kids & we could hear kids around! So, that made my heart extra happy.

It was a long hard day, but I'm so glad we were able to go.

Today we left Nanning & took the bullet train to Guangzhou.  It feels good to be on familiar territory (we stayed here the whole time for Roys Adoption).
We really enjoyed the beautiful scenery.  China truly is a beautiful country.  I was wishing I could've taken more photos, but I had a sleeping baby in my arms! 😁

Tomorrow is her medical appointment - which is never fun. The kids hate it.  She will also have to get a tb test (which I think they draw blood). 🙈 poor dear.

Please keep 🙏🏻, we ALL need it.  Maddie had more stomach issues this morning before we took the train.  Never a dull moment w/our family!!

I've been having issues w/uploading pics, so hopefully I can get another post up later.

Love, The Rettews

Glimpses of Emily...

So...we are seeing glimpses of the true Emily.  After breakfast today, we saw SMILES & even a few squeals!!  I think when she forgets about her grief for a bit, we see the real sweet girl ready to bloom.   It breaks my heart just how hard this has been for her.

Tomorrow we visit the orphanage & I had to ask for a special request that she NOT see her foster Mom.  I know the foster mom will be disappointed, but we have to do what is best for Emily.   Mike & I will get to meet her and give her a gift & ask her LOTS of questions about Em.  I can’t wait.  Jana will watch the kids for us in a separate area.

It’s been a tough few days...but seeing the glimpses of her true self come out is very encouraging!!  One day at a time!

Today we went to Qingxiu Mountain, it was so pretty! We really enjoyed walking through the orchid garden.  It was breathtaking!! I thought of my Norman Grandparents-they would have loved it!! They had such a love for all flowers.  I wish they could have met my kids.  October 16th is their wedding anniversary.  That is the same day that Mike and I will take an oath at the US consulate, swearing to always love & protect Emily. ❤️❤️ I think that is pretty special.

Please please keep 🙏🏻 for Emily’s peace & all of us really.  This is so hard on her.  So hard to watch.

Love from the Rettews!

A few details about gotcha day...

Here are a few more details about yesterday.  When we arrived at The Civil Affairs office, Emily & her orphanage workers had already arrived.  We saw her immediately!  She was smiling & happy as could be!  They ushered us all into a smaller room where we could do paperwork. 

While Mike & I were signing paperwork, Maddie & Roy began to play with Emily.  There were squeals of delight!!! Emily immediately gravitated towards Roy. It was adorable.  When he tried to stop playing with her, she immediately grabbed his hand & made him play again. ADORABLE!! 

Things were going fine until her orphanage workers disappeared.  Oh the tears & screams started coming.  She has been beside herself.  It’s the most heart breaking thing to watch.  She has every right to be terrified of us.  She has no clue as to what is going on. 

She has been struggling hard core since then.  The only times of quiet are when we have pulled up Chinese lullabies on YouTube or finding random cartoon shows in the hotel.  Her heart is just soo sad.   This is normal & in time she will learn to trust us.

This morning (10/9), we took her down to the breakfast buffet.  We thought for sure she would be delighted to have some delish warm Chinese food.  Nope! She wanted nothing to do with it.  Back in the room we went.  

Shortly thereafter, we went back to the civil affairs office to complete the adoption.  In China, they give you a 24 hour period to decide if you are happy with the child.  Of course we are!!!  Anyways, she was soo excited to see the orphanage workers for a short bit.  We asked them if they could get her to eat something.  Up until that point, she refused all food from us.  I think she is afraid we’ve poisoned it! 🙈 They were able to get her to eat one small pastry. 

After signing all the paperwork & stamping our thumbprint & her footprint, we began a small ceremony in a separate room.  They asked if we will always Love her & never abuse her.  We of course said YES! 

After that, the orphanage workers gave us a precious album, full of photos of Emily.

Shortly after that, the orphanage workers left, more tears from Emily came.  Poor poor dear. It makes us sooo sad to see her so upset.

We then went to the notary, bank to exchange money & then back to the hotel.  Jana went to the mall & brought back Burger King for lunch.  Well, are thrilled to say that Emily ate from us!! She has French fries!! Baby steps! Baby steps! At least (for now) we don’t have to worry about her being soo hungry.  

I’m trying to get her to doze for a nap right now. She is in my bed, watching some Chinese cartoon.  Hopefully she dozed off soon. 

Please pray for her heart!! My goodness! 

Thank you!! 

We have her!

We have her!  She is absolutely precious!!!She was so brave & doing soo well until her orphanage workers left.  She's been grieving intensely for hours now.  Please pray for her dear little heart.  She ADORES Roy!!!  I'm happy for him.  She's terrified of us right now.  Very understandable.  We look forward to the days where she learns to trust us.  

Please keep praying for Maddie - she is extremely sick.  She had an incident in the car on the way to meet Emily.  She's been dreaming of meeting Emily for months.  I can assure you that it never involved being this terribly sick.  ;-(

Thank you all!!!  

Pictures from Sunday October 7

The kids wanted a picture with the beautiful hostess at the breakfast buffet.  

The beautiful "Butterfly Bridge" in Nanning.

Mike & Roy took a fun ride in this little contraption!

Heaven!  This boy is in heaven here!!!

Some photos from the cultural museum.  Roy says that the dragon is his favorite animal.  :)  

Maddie & Roy were baffled to see kids & babies on scooters - with no helmets!  

Maddie & Roy have both been enjoying the morning breakfast buffet!  I'm so impressed at how much Maddie is using chopsticks!

Hello again!

Hey all!

So we are counting down to meeting Emily!!!!  We meet her at 4pm today (4am your time).  After two years of paperwork, we can’t believe the time is finally here!!!

Yesterday was pretty low key day - we went to a heritage museum.  It was interesting, but our kids didn’t think so.  😏

Maddie has been pretty unwell - she was up all night with intense coughing fits/severe wheezing.  She has every symptom listed for bronchitis.  Poor girl.  We made the choice to give her the antibiotics we brought along.  We are hoping that was the right decision, but it’s scary hearing her wheeze so much.  She had a long steam shower & that helped some.

Our dear friend Jana who came with us is also under the weather.  She has a stomach bug of some sort.  She stayed back at the hotel yesterday while we went to the museum.  

Please 🙏🏻 for everyone!

Roy is still enjoying his time here immensely! I’m so glad we brought him. 💙💙

He & Mike went for a little exploring while Maddie & I stayed back & rested.  I’ll attach some photos in a separate post. ☺️

We made it to China!!

Here we go...

Roy fell asleep waiting to board our 1:45am flight

Two happy travelers! They loved the game/movies in the headrest. 

Having fun in the Guangzhou airport!!

This was the flight attendant that was smitten with Maddie!  She couldn't stop squeezing & pinching her arms!

Jet lag is so hard!!!!

The pool requires swim caps!!

Morning views from our hotel room

Another picture from the Guangzhou airport