Today was the day.
After several false starts and heart wrenching delays, Clementine day has arrived.
The day started out slowly as we readied ourselves (much like we did yesterday, as that was supposed to be the big day) and silently braced for the possibility of another late morning phone call with news we did not want to hear.
But, thanks be to God, no call came.
And at 11:00 our guide arrived to pick us up to take us to meet our girl.
At last.
Sweet Clementine had a much more anxiety-laden morning.
She was released from the hospital in Langfang, then endured a two hour drive to the airport in Beijing, a 2.5 hour flight to Changsha and another hour in the car to meet us.
Because of her hospitalization on Monday, we needed to accomplish two days of paperwork in one. Which meant doubling up on everything.
Instead of meeting at Civil Affairs, we met at the police station to get Clementine’s passport photo before they closed for lunch. And then we would go to Civil Affairs.
Sophie and I, determined not to miss her, kept watch at the front window. But suddenly, being carried right past us, there she was.
She was promptly placed on a cardboard box to have her picture taken.
And then, without warning (or even a camera standing by) she was in my arms.
Oh my. Finally feeling the blessed weight of your long-awaited child in your arms is a sweet, sweet moment.
We made the short drive to Civil Affairs and completed all the adoption paperwork in one day. No need for a 24 hour harmonious period.
This little love is ours no matter what.
After the official paperwork was complete, we needed to wait for her passport photo to be processed so we could apply for her passport. So we grabbed a quick lunch.
Where Clementine proceeded to eat her body weight in steamed egg and rice. And we celebrated her obvious improving health.
Then back to our room for a bit of a bottle, some medicine and a clothing change.
And an opportunity to just behold her.
She is absolutely precious.
Very rattly in her chest and clearly still very much recovering from her illness. IV port still in her foot.
But she is playful, curious and oh-so-silly.
And goodness gracious, those eyes.
All her paperwork said she was especially easy-going and sweet. That she rarely cried and was almost always content.
And so far, so good.
I mean, if Chris and I don’t make her cry, she’s solid.
So very excited to get to know this precious little soul.
And see all that The Lord has planned for her. And for our whole family as we grow by this one very special blessing.
Please continue to pray for Clementine’s healing. We are so thankful that she was able to be released from the hospital – but we are not home yet. And until we do get home, we won’t be able to give her all the care our fragile girl needs.
Incredibly blessed by y’all’s prayers on her behalf, I cannot tell you how very much they have been felt.
Thank you.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – Psalm 139:14
She’s just beautiful. Congratulations on finally having Clementine in your arms. Prayers for healing and an uneventful trip home!
I woke up praying for you and your girl, and these pictures are certainly an answer. I am celebrating with you!
What an amazing blessing!!! Congratulations!!!
What a little love she is! Congratulations! Those eyes….you are so in trouble! She will have everyone wrapped around both little fingers in no time. Hugs and prayers for healing and a smooth transition into her forever family. She is precious!
First thing I did when I woke up was check your blog. Yay!!! Oh she is perfect in every way!!! Praying for your journey home! So so excited for you friend!!!
What wonderful news to wake up to! Best wishes to your family and beautiful Clementine.
Congratulations! She is beautiful! I do hope her health contines to improve!
Shelley, Ontario, Canada
Oh, Stefanie, Clementine is beautiful!!!! I praise God that she is in your arms, and we will continue to pray for her health. Last night we prayed for her, and then each of my littles asked how she was doing before they went to bed.
I couldn’t sleep cause I’ve been thinking about your day and how things were going. We are so excited for you guys! Clementine is beautiful! We will continue to pray for her health and your safe journey home!
Thank Heaven for that beautiful little girl finally with her amazing mom and dad!
Congratulations!!! She really is a beauty. Love watching your family grow!
Congratulations and best wishes for a safe trip home.
Oh tears of joy! She is stunning! SO praising God that she is feeling better! Continued prayers for all of you! xoxo
She is so very perfect of course!!! Praying for all of you!!!
Congratulations! She’s beautiful! Prayers for her health and healing as she makes this big transition.
She is so precious! Congratulations! Will continue to pray for her health.
What a glorious day ~ congratulations and many prayers for improving health and safe travels.
Eeeeek!!! Her eyes are amazing!!! Congratulations on your new precious addition!!! I know what shirt I am wearing today!!!! YIPPEE!!! Another beautiful gift from God is ONE LESS!!!!!! Love, Diana
Prayed for ya’ll all day yesterday for you and your girl, and might have stalked your blog waiting for the update. So happy for you and this sweet addition. Will continue to pray for her healing and easy transition. Thanks for sharing so much about adoption the good, bad and absolutely adorable to those mommies waiting for the time when it’s our turn too. Blessed by your transparency.
PRAISING GOD!!! Thank You Lord Jesus for this gift of a precious baby Clementine to Stefanie, Chris and big sister Sophie and the rest of her family waiting at home.
SHE IS PRECIOUS AND SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Heart Hugs,
Leslie
PS. From a heart Momma perspective she looks GREAT!!!
Tears are streaming down my cheeks. What a beautiful baby girl. I am so thankful God has given you this precious gift. She is absolutely perfect in every way.
I stumbled upon your blog yesterday. The first thing I did this morning was to see that prayers had been answered. I am just starting the adoption process and you are an inspiration. Congratulations!
Your story brings tears to me eyes! Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us. Your faith continues to inspire me.
that last picture– oh my word– how gorgeous is she??? soooooooo happy for you all!!!!
Be still my heart! Clementine looks so good, especially after bring so sick! Praise out Almighty Lord for His work in her to bring her to you. Enjoy Changsha as best you can and if you go to the hotel’s playroom, feel our love and prayers there. My Changsha cuties and I worked to make it a sweet place for families to enjoy on their adoption trips when we would visit each year. We can picture you there! You are bring prayed for without ceasing!
can’t. stop. crying. SHE’S BEAUTIFUL. JUST SCRUMPTIOUS. Will be in prayer for her and her rattly little chest today and tomorrow and till you say it’s clear. It’s such a joy to see her sweet sweet face.
Oh my goodness!!! She just looks like she belongs in your family perfectly already! What an amazing answer to prayer. God is good all the time! Continued prayer for her health coming your way!
love you, sweet clementine!!!!
Prayers answered! Praising! What a beautiful Clementine!!! Congratulations!!
You made my day sweet Clementine! Feeling so blessed to see your sweet baby girl with her Mamma, Babba and Jie Jie. We will continue to pray for her.
“precious little soul” oh yes she is. tears of joy. praying that your sweet baby girl continues to get better. xo ellie
So thankful you have Clementine! Congratulations
so so happy for you! Oh she is beautiful!! I can’t wait to read more of her story!
God is good
A blessing
Love the pictures
thank you for sharing
Continued prayers
Hope, expectation, J O Y!!!! Prayers answered, sweet, beautiful baby girl DELIVERED!!!!
Such JOY!! Hugs to all the fam and your sweet angel Girl!
EEK!!!!!! She is stunning!!!!! So thankful she is in your arms!!!! I can still remember that feeling! Congratulations!!
She is Absolutely Adorable!! Hope the rest of the trip goes smoothly!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the picture-filled 🙂 post for those of us with no more adoptions coming – we can still experience it through you! Congratulations!!!
yay!! she is adorable.
Oh my heart! Her eyes are breathtaking! I love her daddy in the background with her lying on the bed. So precious!
She is so beautiful! You can see her gorgeous spirit shining out from her eyes.
Stefanie, she is absolutely gorgeous!!! Will be praying for her health. Can’t wait to see her surrounded by all her siblings!
So happy for Your family. She is beautiful. Soak it all up.
OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a precious, beautiful face!!! Oh my Stefanie! Tears of joy for you and continued prayers! Love Annie
She is beautiful and looks so sweet! Congratulations!
So beautiful- I have tears streaming down my face. Thank you for giving me hope while we wait for our baby boy. Prayers for sweet Clementine’s health and adjustment.
shoot. i just have to post again– her lips are precious!!!!! and i just can’t get enough of those eyes in those last pics– love the one with your husband hand on her back… 🙂
She is SO beautiful! So happy for your family & will pray for great days in China and easy travel home for precious Clementine! <3
OMG! Congrats! She’s precious!!
Praise God. We enjoy praying for you! Clementine is beautiful!!
I am so happy for you all Stef!! Clementine is beautiful and she looks at peace. Praying for health and healing.
XOXO
Kim
She is so beautiful!
Our daughter, Megan, also has DS and she often had problems with croup, etc. for the first years. We had several trips to the ER/hospital. After about age 3, she outgrew it and has been so healthy ever since. She is now 27. Kids with DS are usually very content. Megan has always been content. She just accepts whatever comes her way and is so trusting.
Absolutely precious. Congratulations to you all! Sending good thoughts for a safe journey home.
Oh my. What a beautiful baby! She is just precious. Those eyes are gorgeous and that beautiful little face. God is so good. God bless you all and pray for Clementine to continue to improve with her health.
Praising God in Olive Branch, Mississippi! LOVE that GORGEOUS girl. God bless you all!
Oh my goodness. Congratulations! What a beautiful little girl. She is breathtaking.
I’m so relieved that she is yours at last! What a beautiful child!
she is no nice, s cute !!! tears are in my eyes ! Let’s pray for her ! No doubt,she’ll be loved !
Tears of joy over here in Phoenix! Elated she is now with you! Praying for your journey and Miss Clementine’s health. She is beyond beautiful.
By the last 2 pictures I burst into tears and a smile- What a sweet little flower! I remember our day of meeting our little teasure. ( 13 yrs ago!) Surrounding you with prayer for safe travels and health.
So wonderful!