Just a couple of recent photos of Samantha. The glasses need no explanation. In the others I tried to document her after playing with sidewalk chalk.

Since I wasn't able to be with my dad today, Samantha and I went to Hunstville yesterday, bearing Father's Day gifts. We were also able to take him to lunch, along with Mom, Linda, Kylie and Carson.

Pops, thank you for all the oil changes and other auto repairs, time spent tossing the softball, silver dollar pancakes and driving lessons. Thank you, too, for all the books you've read to Samantha and the manner that you love and care for her. I'm thankful that you are a part of our lives, still watching out for us.

Pool fun

Jeff bought a pink (is there any other color?) pool on Friday. Here is a short video of Samantha having fun.

On Monday, May 26th, the Jowell Family celebrated the 24th birthday of Christi. Here are some pics that Jeff took to document the occasion.

Happy birthday to you!

The day started way early. Our bodies were exhausted from the previous day's "tour of death, yet we couldn't sleep. We had to have our luggage ready to be taken to the airport. Even if that weren't the case, the anticipation and adrenalin doused any chance of relaxing. After years of longing and months of waiting, this was the day that we would finally meet Zhang Yu, our Samantha.

I don't remember much of the morning or the afternoon, for that matter. We flew from Beijing to the Lanzhou airport.

Sadly, the airport is located over an hour outside Lanzhou proper. The ensuing bus ride seemed neverending. The desolate landscape didn't help matters.

I wanted to keep asking, "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Can this bus move any faster?" Even after we reached civilization, we still had quite a way to go. Finally, we arrived at our hotel.

We were told that we had 30 minutes before we were to be upstairs to meet our children. We lugged our luggage to our room and did some quick settling. I finally had the need to unpack Samantha's thngs. One of our travel mates, Jane, shared some dry pedialyte so I prepared a bottle. Then we headed upstairs.

Several other families had already gathered in the hallway. Directors, nannies and children from the two other SWIs (Social Welfare Institutes) had already arrived and were in the conference room. Not much later, five ladies carrying four little girls and one little boy came walking down the hallway. There was Samantha! They had dressed her in the outfit that I'd sent to the SWI! Even without that I would have recognized that sweet face. She looked perfectly content, smiling as she took in everything around her. Jeff and I hugged each other and we burst into tears. Jeff went down to the conference room with the video camera. He pointed at Samantha and then himself. The nanny holding her lifted her up so he could she her better.

Then each family was called one at a time to received their child. Out in the hallway, you could tell when each transfer was being made by the wailing. Finally our name was called. I don't know how I made it down the hall. We came bearing gifts for the SWI staff, our passports, the video camera and the paperwork stating that Zhang Yu was to join our family. After everything was verified

and the gifts were given, Samantha was placed into my arms.

I expected to cry. I expected her to cry. Instead, I had the greatest sense of elation and she just grabbed on to me and peered around with her inquisitive look. I said "Xie Xie" (thank you) several times and we made our way out of the conference room and back to our room. I stared at the tiny, beautiful little girl that was in my arms. We'd been instructed to quickly check out our little ones physically and be back on the bus in 15 minutes. As I undressed Samantha, she started to cry. I found the absorbing cloth was wet, as was her outfit. I diapered her and put a soft pink outfit on her. The 6-9 month onesie was way too big for her, but once she was dressed she stopped crying. I offered her the prepared bottle and she quickly drank it down.

The we were off for our first family outing - to have Samantha's photo taken for her passport. We were the second family to complete the task so we just sat on the bus and started to get acquainted with each other.

Today Samantha had water day at school. After lunch Jeff picked her up and they drove up to Palestine. They watched "Kung Fu Panda" followed by some play time at a park. Next they headed back and we had supper at our favorite Chinese restaurant. I took my camera to document the occasion but forgot to get the battery from the recharger.

Powdered Donuts

What can I say?

One of our church families has a number of blueberry vines. Yesterday we were invited to pick some. Blueberries happen to be one of Samantha's favorite fruits. When she was younger she would pitch a fit if she asked for some and Jeff told her that there weren't any at the store, as they were out of season. So you can imagine her delight at getting to pick her own.

Fruit inspector!

Beautiful child, beautiful smile.

The best part of picking - eating!

Afterwards, we had supper at a mexican restaurant.

Samantha and her daddy.

Playing tic-tac-toe.