The hand off is complete - Sarah becomes a Vreman!

Kimberly shows Sarah a few of her new toys!  

We can't believe what a happy baby she is!

Sarah is ours!!!! Yeah!  She is adorable!  (I'll stop using exclamation points, otherwise every sentence will have one...)   Today was the big day.  In the morning Kimberly and I joined 9 of the 13 families as they went to the local government office to meet their children.  We were one of the remaining 4 families whose children would be brought to the hotel at noon.  Kim and I were able to help film and photograph the families receiving their new kids.  It was wonderful!  I teared up just watching the other dads with their new son or daughter.  As noon approached, we got word that Sarah was waiting for us at the hotel.  All the families were about finished up, so we headed back to the hotel around noon, not sure if we would see Sarah right away, or what.  Well, we walked into the lobby, and sure enough, there she was with her nanny.  Because we had not yet done the formal paperwork, I could only sit a few feet away, admiring her beautiful face!  I had to run up to my room to get the necessary paperwork, so Kimberly stayed with the group.  I came back and we had an incredible first visit with her!  She has a great personality, and did not cry until we took her out of the bathtub a hour or two later (her caretakers had described her as active and obstinate;  we can see why!).  She giggles, she squirms (alot), she has explored the entire hotel room, and she is currently fast asleep after such a whirlwind of a day.  We praise God for such a wonderful gift!   She seems very healthy, has a little buddha-belly, and a great set of lungs to boot. 

 

Kimberly has been fantastic!  She is very helpful, an easy roomate, and even puts up with knowing that half the folks we meet think she's my wife! Ha ha!  So I make sure to introduce her as my daughter every time!  I'm so grateful to Denise, who is at home diligently taking care of the boys.  I know it is extremely hard having to wait two weeks to meet her new daughter, but we are grateful for Skype.  Denise was up at 2 in the morning just to be able to see her new little girl via the computer. 

 

Of the 13 families, there is one little girl that has cried often.  You can pray for Rob and Joanne, the girl's new parents...  We have been blessed to be part of this unique experience with the other families.  Many of them love the Lord, and so it's great to hear how God led them to come to China.  Tomorrow we all head to the registrar's office to make the adoption official. 

 

Well, it's off to bed... not sure when little Sarah will decide she wants to get up.   Thanks again for all your prayers!

Martin