What an awesome day!
It started out strangely familiar. Sophie, Bren and I got up, got ready and went down to breakfast. Soon Mariah, Sloan and her parents showed up, then in came Susan, Sam, Lily and Mary Catherine. After hugs we all sat down near each other and chatted. The funny thing was that it felt just like we were having our breakfast in China again! Of course the girls have all grown so much and the conversations were all about parenting, development and attaching, but it felt so comfortable, like we had all been together just yesterday for breakfast...just like we were still in China together.
After breakfast we met up with 3 more families. After more hugs and tons of catching up (and of course lots of pictures) we went to the Atlanta Aquarium.
Brendan was such a great sport all day. He was so polite, friendly and SOOOOOO helpful. He and Sophie really enjoyed looking at all the fish. It was a pretty impressive aquarium.
After naps we meet in the lobby for some play time. It was so amazing to watch the girls play together. They all got along so well. Of course there was a little push here and a toy stealing there but there was never any actual fighting, no crying, or screaming, just lots of giggles and smiles. It was so awesome and truly the reason we came. We want our kids to grow up together. To be sisters and to look forward to time spent together so that they can rely on each other. When no oneelse (mom and dad) understands how it feels to be Chinese in our (in most cases) very white worlds they have each other. This "family" is vitally important for the girls...and for us too. The shared experience, the trials of parenting, attaching, and rude people, bond us, but even more we actually like each other. We are so blessed.
After play time we went to dinner. Sophie and Lily sat together. They colored, shared books and danced through the meal. They might not remember this weekend but I know it is a beautiful foundation we are laying together.
Tomorrow we all go our separate ways and though its sad that none of us really live close, we are already talking about next years reunion. God is so good.
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