Gracie and Elizabeth Update

I've been meaning to post updates on Gracie and Elizabeth from New Day Foster Home. Gracie is so fat. :) She is living with a foster family in the village close to NDFH. For Mother's Day this year I sponsored Elizabeth in my mom's name. Elizabeth was left at an orphanage at 8 years old. Bless her heart, can you imagine? She had a serious heart condition and recently had surgery.


Gracie’s foster mom wrote this update: "Gracie did not go outside to play this morning because the weather is fairly hot these days. She goes outside to play usually from four to five in the afternoon when it is a bit cooler. This afternoon we took Gracie with us to a meeting we had at the Foster Home. Although it was a bit warm, she was still energetic and enjoyed herself, especially when she saw Grandpa Wang, whom she is very familiar with. She was very happy to see him and let Grandpa Wang hold her. Although the other nannies are strangers to her, she is not afraid at all. She even talked nonstop with them while we were there. She is very cute. After the meeting, we had to wait for dad to pick us up to go home so I held Gracie and we stayed for a bit longer in the Foster Home."

Elizabeth’s nanny wrote this update: "Elizabeth is back from the hospital! The operation on April 30th was very successful. Our little Elizabeth recovered in just eleven days and was released from the hospital. She is now more beautiful than before. Her skin has turned from dark to fair. Her fingers and toes are no longer purple and black from lack of oxygen and circulation. When we picked her up from the hospital, she said I want to go back home to the nanny “moms.” Although she can’t do a lot of exercise right now and she tires quickly from still recovering from her operation, taking care of herself is not a problem. She is an “older sister” who enjoys taking care of the younger brothers and sisters. I believe she will fully recover and play outside with other kids in no time at all!"

Isn't funny what Elizabeth's nanny said about her skin turning from dark to fair? She described it as beautiful. Americans (well most) prefer tan skin and the Chinese want lighter skin. When I visited China last fall, Carrie took us to a Chinese Spa. We were there for about 5 hours and I spent around $35. What a deal! We relaxed in different pools... a green tea pool and an aromatherapy pool. As we were relaxing in one of the pools Carrie noticed a sign that described what that pool was helpful for... it was to lighten your skin. I removed myself from that pool as fast as I could. I'm not sure it's possible for me to be any paler. Ha Ha.