Monday, November 10, 2008

Referral day and video...

Several people have asked where Lauren's province is in China. You can see on this map, where the Guangdong province is and where Maoming is.

Here are some recent photos I found of her social welfare institute...


Last week, when the call came in it felt like it was out of nowhere. That morning there were rumors that referrals were starting to arrive in Europe, so I figured our call would come the next day. I got off work at 12n and stopped to pick up some lunch. By the time I got home and turned the laptop on it was about 1pm. The first message I saw was from Stephe saying that she just got her call!! Since she's with our agency, I knew this was it. After running around for a few minutes thinking...OMG, OMG, OMG...I called Joe...no answer...called mom...no answer. OMG, am I going to get the call all alone?? What the heck...they are supposed to be on red alert! Finally, I get my mom on the phone and all I had to say was "Stephe got her call...get over here". She was here in a flash. I finally got Joe on the phone and said "this is it, you've got to get home". About 10 minutes later, the phone rings and the caller ID is the agency!! OMG, this is it!!! I picked up the phone and mom started the video. My agency was able to conference Joe in on his cell while he was on the way home. As soon as our agency rep said "you have a daughter", everything after that was a blur! It was so surreal and thank goodness I have my notes and the video so I actually know what he said after that.

Once he was done with the details he had, he said "I just e-mailed you photos"...OMG, OMG, OMG...photos of our daughter and Joe isn't here yet! Luckily, by this time he was only about 5 minutes from home. As soon as he walked in the door, I was pulling up the e-mail and mom had the video rolling...



After we stared at the photos for a little while, I started making phone calls. My brother and his family came over and my sister-in-law brought everything to make dinner for us. My nieces and nephew brought a gift for Lauren...a panda they made at Build-a-Bear named Precious Joy. My niece, Emily, brought me a special gift she had been waiting to give me. It's the Angel of Patience from Willow Tree. We placed it in the nursery watching over a photo of Lauren.

It was such an amazing day that I will never forget! We feel so blessed to have been matched with Nan Qi Qing and can't wait to hold her in our arms.

35 comments:

Sheena said...

Aww, your guys' reactions nearly made me cry :D Congrats to you! She's beautiful.

Here's to a safe journey to China and Lauren. It's an amazing country to visit!

mskajlc said...

OMG your mom is priceless! That is so adorable how she couldnt wait to see the pictures, what an awesome Grandma she will be.

Love the video, its wonderful! Now pass the tissues....

OziMum said...

I LOVED your video! Gave me goosebumps from head to toe! My favourite part was the first time you saw Lauren. Absolutely priceless.

OziMum said...

Oh! I forgot to say, I've been hoping our little one is in Guangdong too! We have a friend that lives in Guangzhou, and I loved Shenzhen, when we visited there, in April.

xxx Another beautiful Guangdong baby!

Nate and Brenda said...

I loved watching your first moments of seeing your daughter!!! Precious!!! She is beautiful!

Kim said...

Okay.. I am getting ready for work and crying..
Lauren is BEAUTIFUL..
Love the video..
The frame is sooo pretty ..
Have a Great Week..
Hugs..

C's Mom said...

Awwww....that just made me cry. I am so happy for you!

Mike and Rhonda said...

Very sweet! She is adorable, just adorable!

Somewhere In The Sun said...

I should know to just have the tissues ready when to I come to your blog now! What a priceless video. And your mom's reaction was so great!

~Lynn

Jennifer said...

That made me cry too. Congratulations. I hope she's in your arms soon!

Stephe said...

Okay, you're making me cry!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!! The video is GREAT!!!

Anonymous said...

I was crying along with you! How special and great that you have that on video. She is adorable and we cannot wait to meet her!!

Melissa said...

your referral day brought tears to my eyes and brought me back to my day! Thanks for sharing and I love the video, I am wiping the teard away! I am so happy for you and Joe (and your mom!).

Colleen said...

I have to go re-do my make-up now.

Anonymous said...

I don't know whose reaction touched me more. It was wonderful to see - and hear Grandma's voice after her posts on my blog over and over - so nice! So happy for you and Joe and the whole family.

Carol said...

Aww that is so sweet...ok we didn't video, but that's ok because all you would have heard was me screaming!!!!!!

I think Grandma was more upset than you guys!!!! :)!!!

So happy for you!!

Carol said...

ps sent you an email!!

Eliza2006 said...

So sweet...I was crying right along with you! Yes, they did make another good match!

Tiffany

Shelley said...

What a beautiful moment. I sitting here watching it and Charlotte is asking me, "Mama, why you cwying, Mama?"

I'm so happy for you all. Thanks Grandma Linda for capturing it so nicely. :)

a Tonggu Momma said...

Donna and Joe ~ I never tire of seeing these moments. Thank you.

Lisa and Tate said...

Oh Donna- I watch the video at least 5 times.... I am sobbing. The look of shear joy on your face and Joe's is so priceless! What a perfect match for you two!

Lisa

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing! It's watching moments like these that help me hold on. I was tearing up through the whole thing, but at the very end, when your DH said "worth the wait" I lost it.

Ann

Diana said...

That was BEAUTIFUL but your husband made me SOB..the look on his face when he was looking at the pictures and then when he said "worth the wait" was beautiful. I am soo happy for you!!!
You both will be such amazing parents.

Middle-Aged Moi said...

I'll never get tired of seeing that either. Such joy and love. Sigh. That's just perfect. Thanks for sharing!

jeanette said...

I didn't realize she was so far south!

I needed tissues after watching that video. that is priceless...your reactions were so sweet, so tender..Lauren is one lucky little girl.

Kim said...

I'm so, SO happy for you all. You're all incredibly blessed.

Jacquie said...

Thrilled to pieces for you! Hang on mama, you're in for the ride of your life!

Thanks for sharing the video. I loved living through that with you all.

Anonymous said...

What a great video. I am crying here in Guatemala with joy for you and Joe. CONRATS MOMMY! ;)

SARA said...

ok now I am crying hysterically. loved your video thanks for sharing! she is absolutely beautiful!

Anne said...

Ok, I'll say what everyone else has said, your video made me cry! So sweet!!
Anne

Anonymous said...

I don't think theire will be any dry eyes watching that video...what a special memory and you'll always have that on video. I can't wait to see the China video!! I am so happy for you both and I'm so glad you've chose to share your journey with all of us.

Love,
Karlene

P.S. I can't get over how big Jimmy's children are...it's crazy how time flies!!

4D said...

What a beautiful video!

Keep smilin!

M's 玠玠 said...

Congratulations! Lauren Elizabeth is just so beautiful and precious! I am so happy and excited!
Keara

Ladybugsmom said...

Donna you already have that "Momma" glow, thanks for sharing your princess. I can't wait to follow you to China...email me your address I have a phone card for you that works only in China.
Emily

Christi and Abbey said...

So wonderful!! I am so glad your family "gets" it and is fully celebrating with you. Watching you watching her is so sweet. What an incredible gift you've been given. I love what Joe said at the end. She is truly worth the wait and worth everything it's taken to bring you to this point.