An introduction from Hadley's Foster Mother

When we prayed for Hadley to be placed in a foster home, and not in an orphanage the thought behind it was for her to receive the best care she could given the circumstances we were given. Someone to love her as their own, show her how to trust again and how to love. Show her that she is loved and wanted!!! I never thought about praying for the person who would be filling this role as "foster parent". How ashamed I am at that fact, but it is the truth. I never thought about the pain and grief they would encounter while caring for my child, knowing that they too would be letting her go when the time came.
    This woman is my hero! She has spent the last 1.5 years caring for Hadley. Doing everything a mother does. Loving her, feeding her, teaching her, supporting her every need. She is a solider of Love, an example of how we all should be. Selfless, when it comes to serving God......... Not ever placing herself or her feelings first......I don't think I could ever repay her for all she has done for our baby girl, but I can pray for her. I will always remember her and my daughter will know of her too.
   Words from her Foster Mother

"What an amazing blessing to have such a large family! I printed the photos you send and am making a flip book so Hadley will know her family a little before you meet in person. (She actually doesn't know her name. We call her Jiao-Jiao, which is her Chinese nickname.)

Hadley does not speak yet. She signs (American Sign Language) very well, she knows about 20 signs (although she is very selective about when she uses them). She is very expressive and is very good at making herself understood. She has been exposed to English for the past 1.5 years.

She is wearing anything from 18months-24months in clothes. She is quite petite. Her shoes are a 21. I don't know what that is in American sizing. She has a whole wardrobe which you are welcome to take home with you. When she travels to her home province to meet you, we can send anything you would like with her, if you do not come to Shanghai first. 

Her favorite food is yogurt closely followed by white rice and cheese. She also likes chicken, apples (and apple sauce), and macaroni and cheese. She loves blueberry muffins and goldfish crackers. She eats a mix of western (when I cook) and eastern (when our housekeeper cooks). 

Her favorite toy is her stuffed cat, by far. It goes everywhere with us. EVERYWHERE! She loves to play with blocks. She likes to build, but she prefers to knock down. She likes to play with balls. She is working on her throwing and catching, mostly she plays "fetch" with anyone who will let her. Recently, she has gotten much more confident in her walking and her push-toy has become her number one activity. She likes to play with play dough. She loves books- looking at pictures and being read to. Her favorite book is Good Night, Moon. She has a well loved copy. We also have several photo books of her life from when she came to Shanghai to now that she loves to look at over and over. 

Hadley sleeps in a crib now because she is not mobile on her own. She is very particular about her sleeping arrangements. She will only sleep in a crib, not in a stroller, not in your arms, etc. She has two blankets and two cats, all of which need to be with her or she ends up crying herself to sleep. Other then her particularities, she is a very good sleeper, calm and happy. 

I am so excited for you to bring Hadley home. If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to ask. We are praying for you and thank God that Hadley has such an amazing family."

 

Thank you Rebekah for everything, we will never forget what you have done.........