5 Years Ago I met Shi Ping Huang

January 21, 2003 was Referral Day. After 14 long months, the day I became a mom finally happened. Here is the email I sent out to everyone the next day. The title of the email was "Guess What, I'm a Mom":

Yesterday I got the wonderful call. My social worker called at 11:24 am on my cell phone. My coworkers knew right away what was going on. By the time the call was over, I think there were 10 people behind me. But, I had to call my Dad before I told them anything. Dad was at the grocery store but I left a message. Then my boss let me go home - so I went to Dad's and called my aunt Joanne and my brothers Kevin and Jim. I also talked to my sisters in law, Doreen and Pam.

I scribbled notes from my social worker but don't know more than her Chinese name is Huang Shi Ping and she was born 4/03/02. She is in the Pingxiang Anyuan District Social Welfare Institute in the Jiangxi Province. That province is in the southern part of China. This afternoon Dad and I will go pick up the translated documents at Children's Home Society which should include her medical information and 3 pictures. In one she is sitting, in another she is laying down and the last is a mug shot. My social worker said she is a healthy baby with a good temperament.

I can't wait to see her sweet face!


It was an amazing moment that I will never forget. Dad and I got Elizabeth's pictures the 1/22/03. I also found out her birthday was 5/3/02 instead of 4/3/02. There were other families at the agency doing the same thing.

I can't describe the feelings I had the first time I saw my daughter. It was surreal. I knew the little girl in the pictures was my daughter and couldn't wait to hold her, but it didn't seem real. But, the anxiety I had been feeling was gone. A weight was lifted and I could show a real smile again. That last Christmas had been hard and the wait was getting really difficult to deal with. I was snapping at people and being a big old grouch. That ended 1/21/03.




Elizabeth - I feel blessed to be your mom and can't wait for all life brings us. You have brought so much joy and happiness to my life and I love you more than words can say.



I love you, Yes I do, I love my Elizabeth Yes I Do - Forever and Ever ... AMEN!!

(a song I sing to Elizabeth that uses the melody from Barney's I love you)