Isabella Danielle: March 11

Today we went to the zoo. Just can’t imagine Coty chooses not to go on any tours with us!! ANYWAYS, any day spent with Kelly the guide is a good day for the girls. Second best thing is riding the bus. Guess which one picks the front seat…….. The offical greeter Isabella. After walking around for about ½ or so we had about 1hr left to walk on our own. Isabella was soooo excited to look for monkeys that she could hardly look at anything else. The girls said they had never been to the zoo and this one had elephants, tigers, lions, hippos which are something I never see much of. They also have dogs which feels kinda funny. Well after the guide left us on our own, the girls got so sad. They no longer wanted to look at ANY animals and Isabella in fact covered her eyes. Did I mention she is strong willed? Well after a short sit with snacks we headed back to the bus to wait for the last hour. Isabella cried and cried, and Keira just got sad. Very hard to watch your child so sad and crying and not being able to comfort them. Thankfully the guide was back early and could talk with Isabella and even got her to say sorry and give me a hug. Think that was the second one I have received.
It seems like every morning they wake up missing the orphanage director and renew their quest to not like us. By evening they are so much better for us and we spend evenings laughing and playing with them. But then again every morning starts new again being sad/mad.
But while counting blessings today, top on my list is that my daughter sat on my lap. Yup, very big deal. It was not in order to play the computer but just because she wanted to. Ok, I fought the urge to rub her back but am thrilled that she sat on my lap. By the time it was bedtime, she finally gave me a kiss on the check and told ME she loved me. The other nights it was only to Stacy, Coty and Keira but tonight I got the first I love you said to me from this child who is so incredibly precious! Felt like my birthday!! Then at bedtime Isabella even put a arm on me!! Incredible !! I hated to get up and start our packing. Step by step she is she is starting let me in her world. More is coming I am sure but she has to make her way through her feelings in her time. No matter how hard I want it to happen, I will be patiently (ok, some time not so patiently) waiting for her heart to soften to me as she shows so much love to others.
Funny things from the girls today. While waiting for a taxi, I asked the guide to tell her that at home I will drive. The use mainly city buses, subway and taxis for their driving here and thought she would find it cool that I drove. She looked at the guide and asked “well then where is her car” YUP, packed it in my suitcase and took it to China !! Also they wondered when we get home, who will they follow. We always follow the guide places and how will we know where to go without a guide!! Also, they wondered if our new house has 10 floors (thinking like the hotel) Poor things, we only have 2 and that is if you include the basement!!
The pictures below are just a few of our evening. They get so much better happier with us in the evening than the mornings. The girls also have started to calm down and actually play with things. I just LOVE to see them play dolls. Judging by how they like to care for the little ones in our travel group, I’m sure they helped care and play with them at the orphanage.
Well got to get some more packing/shuffling done before bedtime. We leave Friday for Hong Kong. Then early Sat. for HOME. Starting to get nervous and excited. Praying for good plane rides for the girls especially on the long one from Japan to Detroit - we fly economy which actually means cargo.
Here is the flight schedule:
Hong Kong to Narita Japan - 4hrs
Narita to Detroit - 12hrs
Detroit to GR - 1hr
We arrive in GR on Sat. March 14 at 4:19pm.
Night for now,
tammy
Precious little hand