Sending a "We Love You" Package

After we got our letter of acceptance (Dec 10), I used a shoe box to send gifts to Alison. I tried to think of what I should send to her for her immediate pleasure and to know we are preparing for her. I also wanted some memories for her. So, we sent two disposable cameras. I found a Chinese/English adoption memory book (http://www.sharpbooks.com/about.htm - Maureen Sharp [collector182@hotmail.com]). It is nicely bound and has English questions on left side of book and on the right it is the Chinese translation. The letter that is with the book asks to orphanage to answer the important questions that have been marked (by me). I hope they take the time to do this. I included a small notebook with a pen (hoping her friends might write her a note). I included our email and address in the book.

I sent a 4x6 photo album. I had pictures of her on the outside front and back so she knows it is for her. Inside I put a picture of Lynn and I. I had a Chinese hard back baby book that had a picture of Mom/Dad and the names in pinyan and Chinese characters. So I made copies and put ma ma & ba ba on our pictures. Then I got pictures of our whole family. I put number 1-3 on Tammie, Angie and Michelle and used the Chinese words for "elder sister". I included pictures of each of the girls with their families and repeated the elder sister with their corresponding number (1-Tammie, 2-Angie, 3-Michelle). We have one picture of Nikki (our dog) with Lynn. I have a picture of our kitchen, living room, her bedroom and our bedroom (I didn't want her to think we all sleep together). I included one outside picture of the front and one of the back (with the pool). I did not want to overwhelm her with a lot of house pictures. I wanted her to know she is coming to a nice place and she has a nice room.

I put lots of bubble gum and two small containers of M&Ms. Three pair of "fun" socks, a lightweight duffel bag (to carry any personal items when we meet her). I bought a silver heart necklace and put it in a small tin. I wanted her to have something she could wear everyday to remind her we are coming. Then a Webkinz, cocker spaniel so she will have something to play with.

I should have taken pictures of what I sent. I put her picture on the outside of the box under tape so when it arrives, they will know who it is for.

It was nice to be sending something tangible to our daughter. We sent it thru the post office and had it tracked. It took two weeks to get to final destination. Her box was pretty heavy with the book and all. I really crammed it in. The cost was about $40 to send and we did not insure the package (what was the point). Lynn found the address on the internet and it was confirmed by others who have traveled to the Zhu Hai City SWI.