Almost Home

(this is Kim, Marianne's sister-in-law, posting again. The pictures and information I post are coming from Marianne's e-mails because Mare can't access her blog from China. So...when some of you posted encouraging and caring comments I sent her a copy. Although there have been more added that I missed. When you read what she wrote in her e-mail you'll understand why I'm explaining that tid bit of information to you. Anyway, Jarrod, Marianne AND Lola are almost home and doesn't Lola look you could just sit and laugh with her for a long time? Her smile radiates!)
Here's Marianne's e-mail:
(Her response to the comments from friends and family) It’s a slice of home that we really appreciated today! We travelled most of yesterday and right now have to get to the medical clinic for her physical and TB test.
Lola is doing so much better. She loves to “entertain us” and seems to be liking mama now. She bragged to the guide yesterday about her pants that her momma got for her. She was so proud !! Superficial I know, but it was a good sign. She is THE spunkiest girl and so joyful..all the time! She is fascinated by all she sees and smiles A LOT! She and Mia will be quite the pair. I can see her and Bryn and Mia having a great time playing dress up. THREE bosses!! Hmmmmm we’ll see?!!


Jarrod is wrapped around her little finger which is so dear to watch. Let’s just say “What Lola wants….Lola gets” ..lol! We are in Guangzhou now and we feel so at home here. We love this island we are on and feel very at home. We even had real live American fare last night for dinner at our favorite little restaurant here called Lucy”s. Lola loved it. She loves Ketchup!! She is now liking “feeding mama”. She also spent two hours rubbing lotion on my hands on the plane ride yesterday…so cute...
(Kim again: They must have gone to the zoo! I know they didn't return to the orphanage as originally planned because it would have been very hard for Lola and caused some emotional hardship. We meet her soon...they come home Thursday. That's just two days away)

Silent Auction for my China Doll

We are getting down to the last few months before the big trip to get our little girl. I have been doing side jobs( food coaching) and a garage sale to help with the orphanage donation .......that being said, we are still trying to find ways to bring our daughter home ie. the required orphanage donation of 5,000.00 . I have decided to do a car wash this Saturday at Stokes Fresh food Market! If you don't need your car washed then come down for some yummy chocolate cake( yes my famous Aunt Kerry's recipe) and other goodies. The Orphanage donation has gone UP by a couple thousand dollars since our last adoption and is on top of the other adoption expenses. These orphanages don't have heat, rationed food many times, few luxuries to say the least and my daughter has been there for 3 nd a half years! I cannot wait to hold her in my arms and bring her home, and will willingly and gladly leave that donation behind for the children I am leaving behind , and there are many.
Also on that note, I am having a Holiday Open House in October where there will be lots of goodies and items to help get you started on your holiday shopping. If you would like to donate items to sell, I would SO appreciate it! There will be lots of fun baskets and candles and Pampered Chef and Jewelry, and other tables, so plan on coming out! I will post more on that later:)
Thanks for being so supportive.......I have the best family and friends ever. I know, through many sleepless nights and prayer, that she is meant to be in our family. It's a long story, but we both feel , and have felt for some time that someone is missing when we kneel around the couch for family prayer or gather around the table for dinner. So crazy as one more will be, it's right for us and we are very happy to get her home where she belongs.