Day 5 Gotcha Day

Ai Jun (Gage) is just the cutest, sweetest guy! We are overjoyed and I can't even describe how it felt when the elevator doors opened and there he was! He was very shy and reserved at first, but he has really warmed up to us fast. He is crazy about Jake! They bonded instantly and Jake has been so great with him - truly taking Gage under his wing. After paperwork at the Civil Affairs office, our driver and guide brought us back to the hotel. Our guide Kathy (the best) brought us up to the room and made sure we were settled. She said Ai Jun is accustomed to napping after lunch, but he had zero interest in doing so after we went to McDonalds where he ate two chicken sandwiches, fries and a coke. He insisted on cleaning up the table and he has been so sweet to open doors for me and carry my briefcase.  

We went in a few stores and we bought him a battery controlled car that he admired and a sweatshirt. The clothes I brought for him are too big, at least the pants are. We are going to go clothes shopping when Kathy comes back to get us at 4:00. He also needs shoes. He was wearing long underwear even though it is in the 70's here.

Those of you who are coming over here to adopt older kids, be sure to ask for their current school work (Thanks to Lisa for that idea.) We did ask and he brought a ton of school books and things in a back pack. The middle school in California had asked for anything that would indicate at what levels he has been working, and I'm sure this will be very helpful to them. He told us he is in 5th grade although he is 12 and I don't know what the grade equivalents are.

Jake and Gage have gone to the play room in the hotel. It helps so much to have Jake interacting with him because he might find us a little boring. They are on the go every minute.

Tomorrow we will go back to Civil Affairs for more paper work at 9:00 and then take the 11:40 bus to Dalian. Ms. Pan said Gage was feeling car sick on the bus in from Dalian this morning so I am glad I brought bonine for the journey tomorrow. I'm sure he was more than a little nervous this morning as I know we were.

God has had such a mighty hand in our journey to Gage. Ms. Pan (orphanage director) told us this morning that he had been matched with another family in 2006, but the woman got cancer and couldn't go through with it. We are so very blessed to have him! 

I'll post more pictures as soon as I can get Jake to do it for me!