In July of 2006, we received one of 4 surprise referrals.  It was our Shaoey!   A wonderful friendship developed with these mommies and with the mommies of several others who received referrals shortly after us.  Although we all hoped to travel together, it wasn't to be.  But after we all came home with our daughters, we continued our friendship.  We soon became the ChattyGirls.  Our friendship has deepened and grown.  In our CGG, one family travelled this summer to bring home their 6 year old son and four of us are waiting to go back to China for another child.   

The day before we received Grace's referral, another ChattyFamily, one from the 4 suprise referrals of '06,  received a referral for their precious little girl in Jiangxi. 

We have known since day 3 that our Grace was at Philip Hayden Foundation.  For almost 2 months, they have believed that their Kate was at her original orphanage.  They received an email from someone to look at PHF's photo albums, they thought one of the girls was their Kate...and it was!!!   Our girls are together at the same orphanage!!  Grace and Kate (aka Vira and Shia at PHF) were even living in the same house (House of Peace) for a while until Kate was moved to House of Love to help accomodate several new children with more severe special needs.

So, I want you to think for a second. Think of the thousands of orphans in China alone. Think of the thousands of families that are adopting from there. Think of all the orphanages in China. Yet somehow, in our group of 15 "chatty girls" 2 of the girls are TOGETHER! Yes, TOGETHER. How amazing is that? I just cannot get over that fact. He never ceases to amaze me.