Day 4

Today was the final goodbye at SMSS. We had to return to get the Vaccination record translated. It was good to go back one more time. The kids were still happy to see us but they've seen us so much that it was a bit more calm this time. We waited for the person we were to meet with in what seemed to be the "group" room. The girls were all sitting in front of a tv watching a movie. I felt like we got to observe them in a more normal setting because, as I said, they were used to us by now and didn't pay us quite so much attention. We sat and watched the movie with them and throughout, at any given time, any particular girl would come up and want to touch us, hold our hand, smile at us, play with my hair, etc. But then they would go sit down to watch the movie and another would come up.
The girls also had alot of the little ones in the room with them. They would pass the babies around and coo and play with them...I got to hold several of them too which was so fun!!! It struck me how much love and attention the small ones get from the older girls...so good for their development.

Finally, our meeting took place and we got the docs tranlated. Usha had sat and watched the movie for awhile and sometimes getting up to play with someone. But, when we went into the office she went with us and didn't leave. Finally, they told her that this was her last visit and it was time to go. She went to each caregiver, kissed her hand and touched their foot (this must be some form of respect) and had a moment with each. She was wiping tears but never fully cried. I have no idea how I held it together (I cry at commercials...just ask my boys they know I'll cry at anything...you should have seen me at Marley and Me). So, even though I was tearing up I somehow stayed strong for her. She then hugged the directors and spoke with them for a few minutes and then we walked to the car. We were all waving to the kids and adults, smiling and saying goodbye over and over. We wanted them to see how happy we all were and leave on a positive note. In the car there were no tears but she looked deep in thought. We hugged and kissed her and taught her how to play "thumb war"...you know, "one, two,three,four I declare a thumb war". She loved it and was soon laughing again.
Back at the hotel she wanted to swim and by the time we were done swimming she was back to her playful, carefree self.
I am amazed at how well she has done. She is happy, loving, affectionate. She hugs and kisses us over and over. She REALLY loves daddy...I mean she doesn't want him out of her sight and she copies him constantly. She sits like he does and says what he does. He had jeans on so she wanted her jeans on...mind you I don't know if she's ever worn jeans before but she only wants to wear her "western" clothes now. She seems to be done with dresses.
We have had to scold her a couple of times and she didn't like it. But again, she recovered quickly and bounced right back. She's figuring out she needs to listen to us and she especially obeys daddy. His word is gold to her.
So, now we leave for Delhi on Sunday evening. I really hope I have all the forms and paperwork needed for the Embassy. I have a huge stack so hopefully I do. I'm nervous about it but I think we'll be okay....More later....