Monday, October 15, 2007

My Girl

The girl child and I had a weekend of serious mother/daughter bonding thanks to the male half of our people doing their own form of mano e mano up at Lake Mead.

Because we could, we watched Steel Magnolias, ate donuts for breakfast and discussed wardrobe options at great and sometimes painful length.

We visited with friends...friends who, I might add, have a big box in which lives every Disney Princess dress and so a fashion show of sorts was had... a fashion show that mainly consisted of running at full tilt boogie through Shelley's den as: Belle! (there were almost blows thrown about Belle) Cinderella! Mulan! Snow White! You get the idea.

There was Internet Super-twin Salsa action (as well as several other families of just precious and gorgeous children) a lovely evening that included such highlights as many nice people and maybe my accidental twin napping (blame the inability of the host of the restaurant to distinguish from: large group of people with Chinese children vs. large group of people with Spanish children.). As Eva was allowed to be the photographic representative, using my cell phone no less, I, not surprisingly, have no documentation of the fun.

I am now up at the crack of dawn because every single one of our 4 dogs is reminding me that when a person forgets to buy the regularly eaten and canine approved dog food and instead grabs the only thing on the shelf at the market, no matter how enthusiastically the new strange kibble is devoured, there is bound to be payback.

And so, as I sit here with windows and doors open, airing out the toxic gasses, I see the date and realize that today is the 3 year anniversary of our referral of EvaJun. 3 years ago this little dolly baby was stamped and approved as: daughter to Kristin and Hugh, sister to Jake and Jack - come get her please.

I have to remember not to be surprised by such a thing as referral day... that some official in China sat at their post revolution issue desk and created for me this wonderful, never to be fully comprehended, blessing. It's more like she is Athena and has sprung, fully formed, from my head... or maybe my heart.

And so my girl, on this day, 3 years ago, sat strapped to her foster mother's back, a place where apparently much of that first year was spent... explaining perhaps the early distaste for hip slings, Baby Bjorns, and even strollers, unaware that her life, had just taken a turn that would lead her away from the land of her birth and to the land of mine... and as she sat there, taking in all that a 10 month old can receive... the coolness of an October day in her rural village, the sing song rhythm of her foster mother's voice, maybe the sight of other babies, I, on the other side of the world, cried great sobs of joy and relief and thanksgiving.



EvaJun, December 2004

35 comments:

Shelley said...

OMG - Look at the sweet little pea! I'd be a sobbing mess too.

And then flash forward to today where she has become the Belle of the World ...and owner of one of the most exquisite designer shirts evah!

I love your girl madly. She is a pistol and such a little doll. My girls simply can't stop talking about her.

Thanks for hanging with Char and I this weekend. I'm gonna make a Trojan football fan of you yet, girl. ;)

Shelley said...

BTW - The shirt is mine when she's outgrown it.

There has got to be a way I can repurpose that thing to fit a ...ahem ...much larger frame. :)

ditzymoi said...

Theres nothing quite like doggy gas is there?

Happy referral day Kristin! It's amazing how fast time goes by and how much shes grown. I'm glad the two of you got some girly time :)

Anonymous said...

and as she sat there, taking in all that a 10 month old can receive... the coolness of an October day in her rural village, the sing song rhythm of her foster mother's voice, maybe the sight of other babies, I, on the other side of the world, cried great sobs of joy and relief and thanksgiving.

Reading THAT makes me want to sob. Beautifully written. Happy Referral Day, sweet friend!

trampoline design said...

Tit for tat, I suppose. Now I'm the one crying. Beautiful!

Tuesday Girl said...

What a great, happy day!

Anonymous said...

like she is Athena and has sprung, fully formed, from my head... or maybe my heart.

Kristin, that is just beautiful.

Kayce said...

Happy referral day!! Love the post Kristin!!

BTW...get the tattoo!!!!

Amie Adams said...

What a wonderful anniversary indeed! I'm so happy the two of you were brought together. It was obviously meant to be. I know that as an adoptee myself.

Jennifer (Jen on the Edge) said...

What better way to celebrate such a special day than with a house full o' dog poots?

I think it's wonderful that you remember and you rejoice. It's a major part of your life and a cause for celebration.

Hugs!

carrie said...

I was going to say something about the fact that our puppy ate unfamiliar food (and too much of it) yesterday and I am also paying the price . . .

but, then I got all weepy for you and Eva.

*sigh*

Phoenix said...

Beautiful post Kristin. Happy three year refferal day. Love the baby EvaJun Pic.

The Catharine Chronicles said...

It was a privilege meeting you all yesterday. Thanks for letting me sit in and absorb the glow of your lovely children. As I told Shelly, I thought it was most generous of Amy to bring a spare baby, so I wouldn't feel left out. :)

Kristin said...

Catharine,

The pleasure was all mine as it was lovely to meet you!

Tori said...

Kristin

I remember the day...so well. I was walking the dogs and you called me sobbing and you said you had the referral.

Then we saw this photo and we wanted to squish her little serious lips.

What joy she has brought us little Eva Jun. Her little voice from the back of the car the other day...(on telling me she was to pick out a gift from the treasure box at the dentist the next day....)

"Tor-wee"
"Yes EvaJun"
"I go to de dentist tomorrow, and I get to pick out one gift fwom the treasure box..."
"One gift Eva..."
"Yes Tor-wee...one gift....
I repeat....
One gift..."

I couldn't stop laughing...

This beautiful child has enriched our lives so much, our whole family worship her.

And it was three years ago we caught our first glimpse....
I repeat...
Three years...

Joannah said...

Happy anniversary! You are so blessed!!!

Jenny said...

sniff sniff. that was so moving a post 3 years later!

Wendy said...

Happy anniversary!

Anonymous said...

I just keep reminding myself that someday, I will be writing a post like this and the nightmare of this wait will be far, far behind me.

kitchu said...

From your heart, without doubt, as I sit here with tears streaming down my face.

Happy 3 year referral anniversary.
What a beautiful post.

Rach said...

What a beautiful little girl...inside and out.

M3 said...

Oh happy of happiest anniversaries to you and the whole family. What a beautiful tribute -- that last paragraph just made me weepy (in a good way).

It was SO awesome to meet you and Eva. I wish we lived closer so I could hang out with you guys all the time. I would be such a pest, calling all the time and begging to get together. :-) Hugs to all.

Anonymous said...

Aw, that's beautiful how you've put together the words to describe the moment Eva became yours.

So glad you had a girls' weekend.

S. said...

oh she is just gorgeous in that picture! Happy Referral Anniversary!

Los said...

Wow - 3 years already!!! It's gone by so fast ... thank goodness the dog gasses reminded you so early in the morning!

Jen R. said...

I'm so envious of all the socializing going on...

As always, hearing about referrals to that extent breaks my heart a little given our situation, but I am so glad she is yours, my friend.

Anonymous said...

I'm sobbing with you! What a touching story. You are lucky to have each other.

OhTheJoys said...

It's amazing, really.

Thanks for your kind thoughts last week. They did help.

xo,
OTJ

Anonymous said...

Happy referral day! She's such a doll!

dgm said...

Happy anniversary of the day of referral! She's a blessing to you, and just imagine what you and her dad and brothers are to her.

Pendullum said...

Happy Happy referral day....
What a gift you have in each other....
Glad you had some great gal pal time....
It sounded magical... that is minus the dog gasses...

Lisa said...

She has changed so much since then, yes? It is so very apparent that she's the cherished and more adored princess of your family.

Happy Anniversary K.

Lisa said...

more adored? I meant most adored. Sorry I'm typing on sleep deprivation.

And the dog thing? I feel your pian. Gah.

oh crap I mean PAI. PAIN. Geez louise. I can't type today.

Bonnie B said...

What a love bug! I'll bet she's the Belle of your world.

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