Jessica is HOME!

Jessica is settling in here in Gooding and we are all delighted to watch her make herself at home. It was fascinating to watch her explore the home she had only seen pictures of while in China. She had written our house numbers on a paper for us during the first couple of days that we met, which made us think she knew that our little house in Gooding would soon be her house as well. After looking in each room, drawer, closet and cupboard, she settled in the kitchen and requested the opportunity to cook. We got out some Christmas Cookie mix left over from the holidays and she spent the next several hours baking and decorating Christmas cookies. Friends have popped in to say hello and to meet our little girl. She has proudly offered our visitors a treat which she had baked and decorated during her first hours at home. It has been a delight to watch her light up at the sight of family dinners together in her new home and bedtime prayers when we recall the events we have enjoyed together during the day. Jessica has been telling us that she was excited to try fishing in America when we got home. As best we can tell, she has had some kind of exposure to fishing in China, and is anxious to see how it works in America. We think the cold and snow is a new experience for her, and she is not too thrilled about wearing gloves and other cold weather attire. She was sure we were going to take her fishing the first week at home. New events are a challenge for all of us. She was terrified to start school, so we were able to use a fishing opportunity as a bit of a reward for going to school for the first afternoon. Our idea worked, as she reluctantly went to school with me for lunch with new friends and an afternoon on her own with friendly staff and students. Chuck showed up to ride the bus home with her for the first day and I stayed at school for her entrance meeting. When I got home, she informed me that she would be riding the bus with Micah the next morning and will be attending school. Chuck took her for a VERY short fishing trip, as promised. Her curiousity seems to be satisfied as she informed us that the fish were hiding because it was so cold and that the fishing would be better when the weather warmed up as the fish would be more active. PRECIOUS!!! I have been concerned about going back to work and managing the morning routine with our new little gal. Today was her first full day at school and after a few minutes to wake up, she was excited to get ready for the bus to come! WHEW!!! What a relief to know that she is already enjoying the social contact. Her communication seems to be switching over quickly as she is picking up American Sign Language. She is motivated to fit in with friends at the deaf school and to be successful with her newfound skills! We are constantly AMAZED at this little one's ability to adapt and make the best of a new situation! We feel like we are witnessing a miracle EVERY DAY! After school this Friday, we will all be making the trip back to Boise for Jessica to meet big brother Jacob for the first time. She LOVES to swim as we have found out from our time together in China. Jacob also loves the water, so we thought a hotel with a warm pool might be just the ticket for these two to have an opportunity to see each other in action. We are hoping to be in church Sunday morning with good reports of our first encounter having had all the Cramkids together in one place. Jessica has been pointing out Jacob's pictures all over the house and knows we will be with him this weekend in a hotel near the airport. Thanks for your continued prayers as we continue to soak in our kiddo while trying to overcome jetlag and re-entry in our busy work-a-day schedule. We are enjoying new discoveries EVERY DAY as we experience the newness of each event with our precious daughter. How blessed are we to have been chosen to share this journey with such a beautiful little creation; complements of our loving GOD! We are so grateful for the prayers and encouragement of so many! Thanks for celebrating with us! Gratefully, the Cramkids' Crew