I didn’t think it would come again so quickly.
In fact, I wondered if we might have to take her back to Shamian Island, to the same shopkeeper, to get another one out of Miss Poppy.
During our normal (normal for China, that is) morning routine – right in the middle of breakfast in fact – it happened again.
With a little under-the-arm motivation.
She tried to stop herself, but she couldn’t keep it in.
And the skies parted.
And the birds sang.
At least in this neck of the woods they did.
What an incredible blessing to watch Miss Poppy, bit by bit, begin to blossom.
We just got back from the Pearl River Cruise and I’m too pooped to upload the pictures from tonight. Those will have to wait.
Must. Sleep.
Evidently, getting up at 4:15 will do that to you.
But I just had to share these of her smiling with y’all before turning in. And now, my job is done.
Nighty night.
Suzanne Rowe says
What a great way to begin my Monday…seeing that beautiful, beautiful smile on that beautiful, beautiful face!
Yay, God!
Sleep well!
Blessings,
Suzanne Rowe
Erin @ One Particular Kitchen says
What a precious thing to wake up to this morning! I’m crying over this. Yay Poppy!
Chris says
Precious, precious, precious!!!! ๐
Emily says
I am in tears just seeing that smile!!! true, real, heartfelt! Praise God, and I’m sure He rejoiced even more than her Mama!!!!!
Heather says
The best way to start my week! What a beautiful and heartfelt smile! Love it!
elisabeth says
Beautiful! So happy for you and sweet Poppy! Praise God!
Diane says
I am crying right here, right now, in the middle of my kitchen! This is just beautiful! God bless you all, and enjoy your day with your sweet little girl!
kelly says
Tears, tears, tears,,, of pure joy! Good things come to those who wait… May God continue to bless all of you.
Surely an excellent way to begin any day. Kudos to you! What a cute, cute grin! She certainly knows how to brighten up a room, am I right?
Enjoy the day and thanks for sharing!
Ali says
Made my Monday! My heart has been aching for yours as I watch you keep that beautiful smile hiding all your fears. Hoping and praying this is the turning point and she will open up even more to you and Zach. I know it has to be hard for him to see you struggle. LOVE that smile!
Snick :) says
Oh happy day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Poppy looks positively radiant in your arms!!!
Esty says
And your shirt says: “Beauty from ashes”. Perfect. xoxo
Lisa says
Love it, she feels safe in her mommas arms…Poppy was beautiful not smiling and she is even more beautiful smiling! You are an amazing momma…you were patient and loving and knew in Gods timing Poppy would open up!
Blessings
Dusty says
So precious! And to see that smile next to the “Beauty from Ashes” quote on your shirt…amazing! God is good!
Becky says
She looks like a totally different little girl with a sparkle in her eye and a smile on her face. Her dark brown eyes are gorgeous and with that smile………
Katie says
Oh my gosh and what a fantastic smile it is ๐ Happy to see it Miss Poppy!
Katherine says
There are tears falling on my breakfast plate right now. Very happy tears. ๐ Praising God and continuing to cover you guys with prayers!
Gwen says
She is absolutely radiant when she smiles!!! Good therapy for a mama who has been waiting patiently to see her true sparkle shine through. And I’m sure it’s only the beginning!! Wait till she meets all those siblings at home!!
Suzanne says
Rejoicing with you. What a beautiful smile your baby girl has! I look forward to many more photos of her smiling!
Kathy R says
Oh, instant happy tears seeing that smile picture. So, so happy for y’all!
Rita says
Hallelujah! I can hear the birds singing from here! ๐
Emmy Fusilier says
Ahhh happy day!! And do I spy a dimple on that sweet little cheek?!?!
Sally says
Beauty from ashes, indeed!
tish says
fantastic! praise God!
Colleen says
Ohmuword! I love seeing her sweet, sweet smile. And this one is for YOU this time! Not the shopkeeper. Praising God for this little miracle!
Love you!
Doreen says
….and what a beautiful smile it is! Miss Poppy seems to be succumbing to her wonderful mother!!!!
Jennifer says
Every time I see her smile I get goosebumps from head to toe! She’s a gift!! ๐
Kristiana says
It is beautiful to watch this little blossom unfold. God is good!
Grace says
What a beautiful smile she has!
I can’t wait to see more smiling pics in the coming days.
Alyson says
What a beauty! Gorgeous smile with adorable little teeth!!
Kim says
All I can say is…Praise you Jesus!!
Sarah says
oohhh…beautiful girl!!!
Kristi D. says
So. very. HAPPY for you both!!!! The sun is now shining and the forecast: Little Miss Poppy’s future is looking mighty darn bright!!!!! ๐
Maureen Wagner says
YAY! the birds are singing here too!!!!!! How beautiful is she????
Kaitlyn says
Awww, YAY!!!! That is great!
In our sea of love
Aus says
She was beautiful before – she’s a heart stopper now!!! HOORAH!
Great joy for you here in Louisville (daughter’s wedding day!!) hugs – aus and co.
Football and Fried Rice says
She sure did try to hold that grin in!! So glad the Lord has that girl’s heart! And slowly, you are getting in! She is darling!
Shelley says
Oh Stefanie~Her beautiful smile has made me cry! What a privilege God has given you to watch Miss Poppy as she learns to love and trust. Celebrating with you today!
Kimberly E says
What a beautiful smile it is! I have to admit, it made me cry too ๐
j-chin says
So happy for you, so happy for poppy, so happy for your family. God bless surely~
Leigh T. says
Love is opening up the little Poppy flower! ๐ Love seeing prayers answered!
Angie D. says
Tearing up as I see Poppy’s precious smile! Oh, how we’ve all waited and prayed for that! Confident that many more will follow! Praise be to God!
Bev Gayman says
What a beautiful smile!!! So happy that the walls are slowly starting to come down.
Keeping you all in my prayers!!
Michelle says
Yeah! God is Good! made my day to see her smile!!!! praying for you in Athens, AL
Ashley says
And what a beautiful, precious, adorable smile at that!!!!!
Blessings! Ashley
Ellen says
She’s just lit from within! What a gorgeous smile she has, I’m so glad she’s feeling comfortable enough to share it with you now. May peace and happiness reign over you three for the rest of your trip!
Kirstie Bikakis says
Look at the grin on her face!!! It makes her look even more beautiful! And it just lights up her face! (:
Seeing her smile like that totally just made my day! <3
Diana says
She is soooooooo ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The best things truly are worth waiting for!!!
Love,
Diana
Keri says
And what a beautiful smile it is. I’m so happy she is beginning to open up a bit. What a beautiful girl.
Ruby says
It was definitely worth the wait ๐
Nathalie says
This is a miracle of unconditional love. Yours and His. Poppy, your precious little flower, is blossoming and opening up as she feels the power of unconditional love. How wonderful! How beautiful!
Wendy says
Look at her blossom! Yay!!!!!!!!
Judy says
Tears literally came to my eyes when I saw that smile! Definitely worth the wait. Poppy is just breathtakingly beautiful!
Jennifer says
After looking at that last picture…..now I can’t stop smiling!!!!! Hooray!!!!! Thank you, God!!!!
Jennifer says
Oh….and the shirt you have on is perfect for that moment!
Sarah says
Ahh she is awesome!! Baby steps! ๐
stacey milchman says
Yippee! So happy to see things are coming along. She is truly precious. Keep going…
April Z. says
I love the pictures of beautiful Poppy! That smile is perfect!!
Nancy says
**Awesome** smile and you also have an awesome photographer/travel companion!!!
Mayme says
Positively Beautiful! I know your heart is so full!
Rebecca says
She is gorgeous and that smile is amazing!
martha says
love seeing those pearly whites!
Brenda Perez says
That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen all day. Just perfect!
Sharon says
Seeing her smile has me beaming from ear to ear!
Kim says
Yay, Poppy!!!! So happy for you and hope the rest of your trip is joyous!
Amy Meeker says
Totally worth the wait ๐ YEAH Poppy.
Wendy says
Wow! That is an amazing, beautiful sight!!
Sarah says
Seriously… just when I thought she couldn’t get ANY cuter!! What a lovely lovely sweet one you have. Her smile is such sunshine. SUCH a gift!
Di says
way to go Miss Poppy!! I have been hoping for this moment…..but not as much as you I am sure!
Krissie Murphy says
YEAY!!!! Wipes the tears away and smiles back at Poppy and to you and Zach!
Heather Peterson says
Amazing! If that doesn’t get you I don’t know what will!
Eva says
What a glorious sight to see your beautiful Poppy smiling! Just melted my heart. :). Love it!!!!!
Kim says
That is amazing!! I love that she finally smiled. It can only get better from here. Good luck! I pray every night for you and your family.
Lisa O says
I’m so thankful that God is opening up your sweet little Poppy flower and letting her blossom right in front of your eyes. I have a feeling once she starts, she won’t stop.
So happy for you!
xo~
Lisa
Chris Nichols says
Praising the Lord with you!!! What a beautiful smile. ๐
Brenda says
Oh Stefanie, reading your post made my day!!!!You can see the joy in both of your sweet faces! Your a wonderful mom! Continued prayers that each day brings more joy and less grief! You must be on winding things down now…Can’t wait to hear your on your way home!
Jean says
What a beautiful site- like an unfolding of a flower!
Thank you for sharing this with us!!
carrie says
Amen!
Allie says
Seeing her smile made my day!! I had to comeback to make sure I didn’t imagine it ๐
I am so glad she’s smiling!! It’s the most adorable thing I’ve seen!! I hope you get to hear her laugh or talk sometime soon! But for the meantime her smiling is a milestone alone ๐
ps. I want to join the So Loved group? How do I do that? Email me the info please. I am also adopted like poppy. And I’d love to support So Loved.
alexandra11tennyson@gmail.com
Campbell says
I am positively covered in goosebumps from head to toe. Tingling with joy for that sweet blessed child! What a thrill. The joy is in there and it cannot be contained!! God Bless you!! (KUDOS to Zach for taking such fantastic shots!!)
Jennifer says
Beautiful little girly girl. That smile was all the more worth it because of the wait!
Ali says
So anxiously waiting for a Poppy Day 9 update!!
TanyaLea says
Oh man! That sweet smile she gave to the shopkeeper melted my heart in two!… but this one… this one she tried so hard to keep in, but just couldn’t hold it… this one she gave, and GAVE BIG to her MAMA… THIS ONE melted me to PIECES!! And in exchange for all that sweetness on my screen, tears are welling and fogging my ability to type any longer. She is precious, Stef! Absolutely, breath-takingly PRECIOUS! …and I am SO glad to see her in her mama’s arms of love, knowing very well that God Himself is holding both of you in His mighty arms of love! Oh how excited I am for the day when those giggles flow freely from that sweet, sweet face. SOON. He is working on her heart, and it will be so worth every painstaking moment of the wait.
love and hugs,
~ Tanya