Humble Beginnings

Our day started out by going back to the orphanage for more "drops" as the
Chinese like to call it.  Please do not think that Addie is sick because that is

not the case at all.....she is doing amazing but the orphanage feels the need to

carry out their traditional ways of treating what we would call a common cold. 
Addie's little friend and her family were also there with us this morning. 
Since Dr. Lillpop kindly gave suggestions and asked questions yesterday, we were

told today that we would need to wait in the "waiting room"  during today's
procedure. 

So we were laughing this morning because the Americans got put
in time out and had to wait in a separate room.  Whatever...it's all good!!! 

Some of you are probably wondering why Addie has so many clothes on....well the
Chinese strongly believe in wearing layers upon layers of clothes.  They want
the babies to have 4 layers on top and at least 2 layers on the bottom.  We are
learning this the hard way and if we do not layer her up when going out the
older Chinese ladies will stop and point.  We have no idea what they are saying
but it I am sure it sounds something like "Put some clothes on that baby...you
crazy people."  That is why you will often see Addie with a blanket wrapped
around her.  This morning the orphanage director told the guide to tell me that
the "baby needs more clothes"...we just smile and nod our heads.

After we left the orphanage we set off to find Addie's finding spot.  Jack and
our driver took us to the exact town approx. 30 min outside of Kunming.  We were

able to find the exact park and the exact location according to what had been
written in the ad.  We got out of the van and found the restrooms in the park. 
According to her ad she was left right outside of the restrooms next to the
wall.  It was a very emotional, yet peaceful time for us and we were able to
take

lots of pictures and video.  We walked around for about a 1/2 hour just taking
it all in

and by that time it was getting close to lunch.  There was an open steamed bun
shop across the street where our guide Jack had gotten something a little
earlier to eat, so the 4 of us and Addie decided to cross the street and get
some steamed buns w/pork.  We stood on the sidewalk eating our buns and taking
in some more of the sites when Jack our guide walked next door to get a drink. 
We all decided that we were thirsty as well and followed Jack in the store. 
Just so you know....we were showstoppers in this area because it is more rural
and they do not see alot of white people.  While we were in the store the lady
at the checkout asked Jack "Why are these Americans here?"  Jack explained to
her about our adoption and that we were here to see the finding spot of our
baby.  The lady then became very excited and said, "This baby....I know
her....she was found right over there (pointing to the park) next to the
restrooms...she was found in a box on a cold morning at 8am.  She was very very
hungry and very angry when she was found.  She was left with formula sitting
next to her and some older lady in the park got some water and mixed it with the
formula so

that she could eat before taking her to the police station."  That is all the
lady knew but it was just enough and she seemed so please that Addison had
been adopted and she kept looking and feeling her chubby thighs.  Today just
gives me chills and lets me know that God is walking every step of this journey
with us....He has not left out any detail and He keeps showing himself in
various ways.  We are so blessed to have gotten to SEE where our beautiful
daughter so bravely took some of her first breaths.  Remember she was about 3
1/2 lbs when she was found and her finding ad has a picture that reflects the
conditon she was in at that time.  God is good all the time!!!!!!!  Giving
thanks for Addie today

and the decision that her birth mom made.
 
Picture 1:  Addie chillin in her PJ's
 
Picture 2:  Playful Addie
 
Picture 3:  Addie learning to explore food
 
Picture 4:  Outside of the orphanage with some of the staff.  (Lady on the far
right is the director)
 
Picture 5:  Addie's food at the orphanage....rice porridge with eggs.
 
Picture6:  Our family picture at her finding spot.
 
Picture 7:  Her finding spot outside the restroom in the park.
 
Picture 8:  At the park with our guide Jack.
 
Picture 9:  The store where the lady knew all about Addie.
 
Picture10:  The park where she was found with Uncle Steve and Auntie Lisa