Birthday Care Package

Shi Lin's birthday was on February 26, and we sent a care package on the 16th, but since it took 3 weeks and one day to arrive in China, she still hasn't actually gotten it yet.  Ann at Red Thread China emailed to let me know she got it, and then she added the items we ordered from her to it and took a picture of it all.  She mailed it a couple of days ago, so Shi Lin should get it within the next couple of days.  She said in the email that she would get her birthday cake after she got the package. 

In her package, I included a couple of outfits, one 3T and one 4T, and in the note to Shi Lin's foster mom, I asked her to photograph her in the outfit that fits her best.  That way, I'll have a better idea of what size she wears, and what size clothes to bring when we go to China.  I also included two wrapped gifts for her to open; one is a little jeweled crown and the other is a little set from Fisher-Price called Precious Places, Willow the Woodland Princess.  It's a really cute set with a tiny little princess, a hat, a tea set and some chipmunks.  I chose Willow because she has black hair and brown eyes, just like my girl!

In the package, I also put another photo album, with more photos of extended family, and a framed family portrait of us.  The birthday package we ordered from Ann included a doll, candy, a camera and a birthday cake, and then I added a bag for her to put her belongings in when they bring her to us.

I can't wait for Shi Lin to get her presents, and wish I could be there to see her open them.  I also can't wait until sometime within the next week or so when we'll probably get new pictures of our little princess!  I put in the note to the foster mother to please take pictures of her enjoying her presents.  I also put a self-addressed, postage paid envelope in the package, and asked the foster mother to write me a letter telling me all about Shi Lin.  I really hope she does this!  I got the idea from a friend who did the same thing, not expecting to actually get a letter back, but did!  It may be hard for a lot of people to understand, but when your child is thousands of miles away from you, every little tidbit of information you can get about them means the world to you.  So that letter, if it comes, will be something I'll treasure forever.

I'm still hanging on, thinking that any day now we'll get a call or an email telling us our travel date.  I'm still sewing outfits for Hannah, and now I'm crocheting too.  Waiting for her has really reawakened my creative side, and that is such a blessing!  I used to be a more creative person, but had gotten so burnt out between college and then my portrait business, but now I feel revived!  My little China doll is already bringing so much good into my life.