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Still writing the last Travel Entry

Now posting on the Home Updates page 01/31/09

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China Time:

 


Travel Date: 1/18/2009
Subject: Our "Naughty" Spicy Girl

What we did today:
I know that I’ve journaled about some of the misbehavior and antics that Keziah Hui Dong has been treating her parents to. I hope that I have also let you see the wonderfully sweet, happy girl that we also have with us.

We have been so blessed. Keziah Hui Dong has not shed the tears of grief and agony that some of the other children in our group have experienced. She is so warm and open with herself towards us. As small as these things may seem, she lets us touch her and hold her, kiss her and hug her, and she reciprocates and initiates these loving moments. From day one, she let us bathe her and put on lotion after her baths. We can play and laugh together. We already have silly rituals and games between us. These are all so important.

She also has singled us out as HER PARENTS. She is jealous of our time and attention. She doesn’t openly share the same intimate touching behaviors with others in our group or strangers. She is still friendly to the others in our group. She recognized them when we were all out shopping and would shout out “Hallo” in English, not “Ni Hao” in Chinese, to them when she saw them. But she only wants her Mama and Baba.

Even as we were shopping today, while she was clinging to me like a monkey, a store clerk asked her why she wanted her Mama to carry her. He translated what he had asked and then her response. It’s not that she wants to be carried so she doesn’t have to walk. It’s not that she wants to be lazy. She told him that she wants her Mama to carry her because it is warmer and so she can feel more love. Okay, yes, that made me feel horrible for all the times I don’t pick her up and carry her around…but we’ve got to find a loving balance between us or Mama and Baba will have hunched over backs very soon…either take or great arm muscles.

As bizarre as it may sound, all of her misbehavior is a really good thing right now. You know how kids always behave worse for their parents and at home than they do out in public? (Yes, Dad I really do know this fact) Well, Keziah Hui Dong is trying out her parents right now. She doesn’t have six years of trial and error experiences to draw from so she is not only demanding LOTS of hold me snuggling time but also lots of “Will you still love me if I do ______?” and “Will you love me enough to stop me when I ______?” There is also a lot of boundary exploration, “How far can I go before you stop me?” and “What can I get away with?”

Doesn’t that all sound great?!? She is cramming six years of missing us as parents into every moment she can get. Love me, hold me, and say no to me all rolled into this precious little girl.

She is totally our daughter, totally Wade. We haven’t even made it home to the rest of the family and already I can tell you that she is a perfect fit – strong-willed and no fear. How did I manage five for five? I even traveled half way around the world for number five. God has such a sense of humor.

Keziah Christine Hui Dong Wade, we love you more and more every day! You are our spicy girl! And you are simply perfect just the way God made you!

Photos... (click image to enlarge)