Kalee is home.

That's Kalee (kay-lee) Weber, new daughter of Brent and Renae Weber. Brent grew up in Fayette County; his parents are Ginnie and John, you've probably met at least one of them.

In a January column, I wrote that friends and family had showered Renae and the as yet unseen child who would soon be her daughter. I recorded Renae telling what it was like to adopt a Chinese baby. The government there is trying to curb its runaway birth rate by limiting each family to one child, unless it's a boy, needed for industry when he grows up.

Unwanted children are often stockpiled in orphanages and foster homes, many bound for America. The Chinese, as we have been brought up to believe, like to string things out, to get all the U.S. dollars they can and it will be close to two weeks from the day Renae and Brent left Cumming before they'd be back.

As if that endless flight weren't daunting in and of itself.

Brent's e-mails to his parents have conveyed so much joy and excitement. When his folks e-mailed some to me, I asked if they minded my sharing them with you. Wish I could include the photos, but you'll just have to imagine this exquisite 15-month-old with jet black hair and eyes, held by her new Scandinavian poster parents.

Brent wrote:

Wednesday morning you wake up, and I officially have more or less sleep, and become a dad that interviews potential dates with responsibility: shotgun (or pepper spray at a minimum)!

Below are a few things we have learned in the past two days:

Pedestrians do not have the right of way, and I have the video to prove it!

Renae is a walking Barbie over here. I've never been stared at so much in my life. My American instincts make me paranoid as if I'm waiting to get jumped at any time.

It snows here about three times per year, and we're here during one of those times.

I constantly convert km to miles, and cm to inches, and dollars to Yuan's. I'm fortunate to be an analyzer. All I do is math.

Firecrackers ward off evil spirits. There must be a lot around here. A combo meal at McDonalds costs $2.50 U.S. Now that's a deal.

Up to 27 family members may live in one house that is approximately 1200 sq. ft. You'd sure better love your family.

Wall outlets U.S. 220 volts, not 120. If you get shocked here, I guarantee you'll wake up at the pearly gates.

I have eaten rice and noodles for breakfast three straight days.

We've gotten to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. I've included a few pictures for all the visual people like myself.

Once again, if you remember to pray, we greatly appreciate it. My next email should be with Kalee in our arms. Boy, that's incredible to think about. Talk to you later.

February 16, 2005 8:18 a.m.

Subject: Life Just Changed.

It's absolutely surreal! What an experience that is nothing but joy. We have begun to suck tiny little cheeks and stare in a daze in amazement that we have a China doll. Kalee was handed to us at 2:45 a.m. (your time) with only a pudgy little face showing through three layers of clothes, as she and all her baby friends screamed their heads off in absolute shock and fear.

We could only imagine the fright within of being taken the night before from a foster family into an orphanage, then to be handed over the next day to someone new, and who definitely doesn't look anything like you.

Renae (being the experienced mother she is) had [the baby] quiet and on the bus within 10 minutes. Kalee shook and trembled in her arms for the entire bus ride