About Emma

I know my posts have been pretty short and sweet this time, but between two little ones and internet problems I haven't been able to much more. I wanted to take a minute and share some more about Emma before I'm interupted again. I really am always amazed at how our China kids leave all they've ever known and embrace us the way they do. I look at my own struggles with new things and change and have nothing but admiration for how brave they are. Emma is no different. I know she has so much she's experienced before us and that all those things will always be apart of her. She has been such a little trooper in all of this. I do see her "coping" with all these new things in the only way she knows how. Sometimes it might be a shove, withdrawing, or anything else that might test this new family and the world she's been thrown into. Other times she's just wanting to hold a hand, share something with us, or comfort Isaiah when he's sad (which has been several times over the past 2 days).

She is really funny, but in a much more covert or quiet way. She was playing stickers with Isaiah today and he put one on a blank page. When he turned to get another one, she turn the page over. He looked at the page with this question on his face and Emma quickly turned it back over and giggled. Isaiah and her both just started laughing. They'll definately give each other a run for the money.

She has struggled in her relationship with me, but we have made some headway. Last night was really good for us. I was listening to my Chinese words and phrases CD and let her listen. She really liked it and would repeat all the phrases, but added to "boo shir" (no) to most of them. I would say it like she said it and she would laugh. Pretty soon she was sitting next to me and calling me mama, which hasn't happened since the first day (she's pretty much ignored me). It so blessed my heart. I know it must be so hard for her to just let her guard down and embrace, when she doesn't know that this is really forever and is still grieving the loss of her Jinhua family.

She also grabbed my hand today when I was walking down the hall and held it until we reached the lobby, so I know we're making progress.

We toured the lake this morning and it was really beautiful. We also ate at a really good Chinese restaurant. We hope to visit the silk market tomorrow before we leave. Our flight doesn't leave for Guangzhou until 6:30 and we have to check out of our hotel at 2pm, so I'm praying the girls do okay during the wait. I would just continue to ask for prayer for Emma to be more settled and that we can communicate without her getting too frustrated.

I apologize for not getting pictures posted from the orphanage visit...they were erased from our memory card by accident, so I'm really thankful Shanoon was with us. I may not get another post up until Guangzhou.

Much love--Leigh

(the above pictures were from our visit to the lake and with our guide, Peter)