Dongguan

Today we traveled about 1 1/2 hours outside of Guangzhou to the city where Anna has lived since she was 9 months old. True children's home is the place she spent about 9 months in while she had her surgeries and the transitioned to foster care through TCH. The drive was neat, there were banana groves along the sides to the road. Once we entered Dongguan, you could see a transformation. The city was absolutely beautiful, landscaped like a city would be in South Florida. We were told many factories like sketchers and other clothing are made here. It really looked like a booming town in the states. As we drove to the hotel, my heart breaks for what Anna is leaving her culture and all that is familiar. Once we arrive to the hotel, Jenny the executive director met us in the lobby. She's from south Carolina and has been in china for the last 9-10 years. Her husband and child live in this hotel, their room was basically like a 2 bedroom condo. We met her husband Max who was super nice. He played with the boys while we all visited. Rebecca our guide, Jenny and myself went down stairs to meet her foster mom and Rose the medical director. We meet in a separate sitting area so Anna would not hear or see her FM. I was quite nervous and really didn't know what to say but Rebecca and Jenny facilitated our conversations. Her FM is the shortest lady I've ever met, she made me look tall. I shook her hand and tried to hug her but she was a little stiff about the hug. Jenny said she was sad. She began sharing about Anna, she said she was a very outgoing child who was loved by all the people in the village. Where they lived they could keep the doors open and Anna would run down to other children's houses to play. She also said Anna preferred her foster dad over her mom. Ha Daddy's girl. That her FD would spend time playing with her in his lap. At night time they would all go to the village square and listen to music and Anna would love to dance. She also told us everyone at the market loved anna and will miss her. It was very apparent she has been loved by this family and it was very hard for her FM to come today. I told her about where we live and she would have lots of friends her age to play with. I also told her how much we appreciate the love she has given our girl. She told us Anna can go to to squatty potty all on her own, has been taking showers and loves rice,veggies and fruit and drinks milk.
I had a special present for her FM and FD. I asked her to open her gift and explained my friend Ginger made the necklace I gave her and it was my way of saying thank you. She accepted it and put it on. We then took a few pictures together. Mike and the boys went to meet her next. The boys only said hello but mike stayed and visited for a while telling her more about our community and our backyard were Anna will play and be safe. That seemed to comfort her. We were told while we were switching her husband called wanting to know if she got to see Anna and she said no and cried a little. Jenny told us the dad probably was too attached to her and just could not bear the day. Rose also told us how funny Anna is and how she would play hide and seek when she would visit their home. Rose would make weekly visits to each home to check on the children.
What a wonderful blessing meeting this lady who put so much love into our daughter. This was their 4th child to foster and have a 14 year old son. I also got her email to send updates and pictures to her.
We spent a little more time with Jenny and her husband. I can't say enough nice things about them. Wonderful people. They plan to move back to the states in July. I can't wait to see them again. The boys got to try Chinese Oreos at their house and play with all their little boys toys. They loved it.
It was an emotional day but so glad we were able to see her foster family. One day I know she will cherish those sweet memories.

Tomorrow is her medical visit.

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