Reunion Part 2

Awesome view from Aunt Jacqui' and Uncle John's deck, our gracious hosts

Aunt Jacqui reading Marie the book she gave us at the baby shower

Daddy and Marie blocking Momma from the Ann Taylor store on Michigan Avenue

Some pals at the American Girl store. Bought nothing but Jim dug the babydoll hair salon

Marie's favorite dish at the Chinese restaurant

We had a reunion with 7/9ths of our Jiangxi Travel Group AKA The Lin Sisters (all the girls originally were named Lin something). It was in Chicago and, as we are expecting to write a check soon to South Korea, we opted out of the hotel and stayed with friends. This would've saved us money if I hadn't clipped the tail light of a Ford Explorer on the way back from the zoo...it was a good plan, at least.

We met up with the group on Friday morning at the aforementioned zoo and I was in shock for a good hour, I think. Marie too. It was hard to absorb that we were all together again. We didn't do anything major other than just hang out and play all weekend. It really was overwhelming emotionally and we made a committment to continue with our reunions. We are thrilled with that.

It was amazing to see how well the girls were matched to their families, the Hand of God. The tiny petite girl with quite the expressive personality was in a family of petite, expressive women. The always-on-the-go-girl-who-never-takes-naps was with a stay-at-home Mom who has enough energy and patience to parent her. And on and on...of course, we already knew that Marie was meant to be our daughter!

I don't know how to describe the weekend. It was especially nice to come "home" each night to Jacqui and John's...Jacqui being my best friend from 3rd grade on. To tell them about the day made it even better. Thank you again for allowing us to stay!