April 21, 2010 - A day we will always remember for it was this day that we first saw the face of our daugther born in China! They day was sunny, bright! Not much different from any other day in Alabama and yet the event that took place set it apart from any other day yet encountered and ever to occur again. It was five to 11 a.m. and Ainsley (3), Anniston (1), and I were in the van driving to pick Annalise up from pre-school. Most days I am just in a rush and focused on getting Annalise picked up on time, but this day as we were pulling out of our sub-division, I found my thoughts turning towards China and a child I knew was out there waiting for us. As I stopped and pulled away from the STOP sign, I began praying, "Lord, you know my heart. You know my desires. You know the love I have for a child I have not yet met but know exists. Sometimes I become so impatient as I wait for this child to enter our lives and join our family, but Lord, I know that Your timing is "always" perfect and I want the timing of this child to be "Your" timing and not mine. But Lord, I do pray that if it be "Your" will that a child referral will come through soon." Not more than five seconds had passed since I uttered those last words (just strides from that STOP sign:)) that my cell phone began to ring. As I was driving, I was fidgetting in my purse trying to find my phone. By the time I located it, the phone had stopped ringing. I quickly scrolled through to see who placed the call to find that it was our adopting agenct - HOLT International! My heart leapt! I quickly dialed back the number only to find that Masha Ma was on the other line. I left a message and as I pulled up to get Annalise, quickly called Nate at work. He was so excited and we rejoiced together! We were pretty confident that we knew what the call was:) Masha Ma called me back while we were on the road leading to our sub-division and I will never forget the conversation as she told me that they had a possible child referral for us and that pictures and information would be sent to our e-mail within the next hour! She said that it was a little girl named Gang Hao Mei. She was nine months old (with a birthday of July 23 - Nate's and my anniversary is July 24 and Anniston Rose's birthday is July 25!) and had congenital heart disease. Masha Ma said we would need to meet with our chosen doctor - who deals with international adoption pediatrics - to discuss the severity of her condition. Was there any doubt that this was our daughter!:)