Walk in the Park...

First...thank each and every one of you for all your support and encouraging words! We really appreciate it and every word feels like home to us. Shawn helped me out a fews days posting because after all the traveling and dealing with a little broken-hearted soul, I have been physically and mentally wiped out...I wouldn't have been able to make logical sentences! But it's the magical "third" day since we have had Kate now and she is making great strides. The first couple of days were a little rocky, she has had bouts of grieving and bouts of giggles and smiles evenly. It has been incredibly hard to see her go through what she needs to in order to let us in her heart.

We are crazy in LOVE with this precious little bird. She's absolutely beautiful in every single way. She can do some incredible things already with her hands..it blows our mind. She's amazing and we are so lucky to have her in our life, she''s going to teach us all so many lessons!

Kate prefers to be held by me most of the time still. She really loves Leah, comes from behind and just gives her a huge bear hug. Leah is a fantastic big sister...I mean FANTASTIC in the biggest boldest lettering I can find. She's patient and tender with her, makes her laugh and has put Kate at ease numerous times...I am so glad that we made the decision to bring her, it was the right one without a doubt. She's helped not only our little Kate, but the other babies in the group transition better. She's deserves a metal of honor for her ability to know just what to do to make the babies feel safe.

Today we had a paperwork-free day and went to the local park...it was gorgeous! We have a few days left in Zhengzhou so we can't wait to go back tomorrow, there was an amusement park that was also there that we didn't get the chance to see yet. Many people stopped to ask us about the girls and with Shawn's basic mandarin that he's learned they were able to figure out our story and they were just so sweet and encouraging to us, it's been such fun for me to see Shawn experience what he missed the first time.

All the locals that we spoke with told both girls how beautiful they were numerous times, and Leah has picked up a little mandarin as well from those conversations and says "Ni Hao!" to anyone that comes up to greet her, she's not at all scared to talk to them. I think she has a much better feel for what China and the culture is and this trip will stay in her memories for many years to come and help answer questions she will have about her own story.

There was a calligrapher in the park and invited Leah and Shawn to draw with him on the pavement, so Shawn drew his signature Mickey Mouse face, and with that, he gathered an audience of lots of thumbs up and laughter, we made a lot of friends with this universal symbol...it was so cool! We are feeling very, very blessed on this miracle day, our little family is starting to mold together.

Here's some photos from today's adventures....