Day 12: A little piece of America: our flag and a great bathroom

Today is Monday, January 25th. We have one of our last steps to this adoption process today, our consulate appointment. We had to meet our guide at 8:50 am so we ate a quick breakfast and got to the meeting place. We were on our way to the US consulate in China. We were very excited to finally reach this goal. We gathered our documents and started walking toward a very crowded area filled with many Chinese people. They were in line to try to get a Visa to visit the US. The first thing I noticed was our beautiful flag blowing in the wind. Those colors never looked better! As a US citizen, our line was very short and we walked right in to wait in the adoption area. There were many other adoptive families waiting as well. It just felt like yesterday when we were in that very same room adopting our little Toby. Two years ago, he was running all over that room not caring at all about obedience, respecting others, or sharing. Today, he still had some of those issues, but I did see a different boy.  I even talked to him about when we were there with him and he asked me "Did I improve?" I smiled and said "Yes my sweet boy..yes" Bringing Toby with us was the best decision! Yes, he is still a handful, but he is growing as a person by seeing where he has come from to where he is now. He is also really taking Talia under his wings and teaching her alot of signs.
My favorite thing in that entire room was the bathroom. Real American toilets!!!! I was thrilled!!  It was clean, had toilet paper AND paper towels.  They even had instructions on the wall on how to use it and how to not use it. Quite interesting, but after two weeks here, that is necessary to do. (:
Our number was called and we started the process. We ended with raising our right hand and taking an oath. This appointment was to get Talia's visa and her immigration all lined up so she will become a US citizen upon arrival into the US.
We went back to the hotel, ate a quick bite at McDonalds and then met the group to go to the Guangzhou zoo.  We arrived at the zoo and mapped out our plan to see our favorites. ..giraffes, elephants, and the giant panda. Upon arrival of the panda area, the kids were very excited,  but just like many zoos, there are more disappointments because of the lack of enthusiasm of the animals. Well the giant panda was a disappointment. He was in a glass enclosure that no one could even see through.  Oh well..
Our kiddos were pretty tired and grumpy by the end of the trip so we took a break in the room . We headed to dinner at a highly recommended place called Jo Mao Jo.  We had a great meal with some new friends that also adopted this week.
The weather was sunny and cold,but we will take it. In 12 days, there had only been 2 sunny days so today was a treat!!
Two more full days here in China before our voyage back home begins. Looking forward to proudly display my American flag when I get home and enjoying my bathroom. (:

Day 11: Cruisin down the river with our Maoming Princess

Yawn....woke up at 6:30 am because I had to. I actually set my alarm for the first time.  I think my internal clock is officially used to China time. Oh how I dread the jet lag when we come back.. At least it will be all four of us experiencing this so my older three can help us out. Right, kids?

We had our usual breakfast. It's good, but I sure could go for some Crunch Berries right now. (:
We met our guide at 9:15 am to go to a Chinese historical site called Chen Clan Academy. It was very old and the wood carvings were breathtaking. However, it was so cold, that it was hard to enjoy. It was sleeting here in Guangzhou!  Our guide said that hasn't happened in 50 years! We could have passed on this big day in history because I did not bring any winter stuff and I was FREEZING! 

After the academy, we went to a jewelry wholesale market. Amber Rohrer, you would have gone crazy! (:  There were 200-300 shops with jade, pearl, silver, amethyst, necklaces,  etc...So many of the same in the same place. It was overwhelming.  I think we spent more time in the bathroom however then browsing. Talia has to go potty every 30 minutes and as much as I try and avoid the bathrooms, she forces me to have to go in and hang onto her for dear life so she doesn't fall in the toilet hole.  And did I mention that it's pretty gross? Yep!

We came back to the hotel and went to a place called the Hot Pot. It is pretty popular around here. I wasnt too impressed, but Tali was a pro at eating the food,sauces,and using chopsticks.  She put me to shame! She was in her element though. I guess we will be ordering more Chinese food when we get home. Toby doesn't like it so we never had to really get any for him. Not so, with our Maoming Princess. 

This afternoon,  I walked to a couple of stores to check out some winter gear. Everything was on clearance or on sale so I was able to get some deals. (: I love me some deals!!

This evening we went on a boat ride with a dinner.  We wanted to avoid the dinner,  but our  guide assured us that everything was safe.  It actually was pretty good except for the chicken heads laying on a plate..um I passed on that!   The kids LOVED the ride.  There were so many LED lights on boats, buildings, bridges,and the tower. I had been on this ride with my 3 olders two years ago. I thought of Bethany, Luke and Cassidy the whole time tonight wishing they were with me again.  We had a blast together and made special memories.  It was VERY cold in the night air as the boat was cruising along at a pretty good pace. Luckily, there was an indoor area as well so we weren't freezing for too long.  We even had some entertainment.  We had a blast and yes we went to several squatty potties on the boat....that girl! (: 

Tomorrow is our consulate appointment.  We are almost done with this process so we can leave on Thursday morning (China time). We have a layover in Seattle and then head home on Friday night around 7:30 pm. Can't wait to see my babies. Overall, this has been a fantastic trip and we are really enjoying our time here in China. Talk to ya tomorrow.

Day 10: Warming up on a cold, rainy day!

Well our Saturday (January 23rd) is just about over and our timezone is just waking up to their Saturday...except my kids who are probably sleeping in. (:  I would LOVE to sleep in again. I have a feeling that will not happen for a very long time. We did get a few more winks this morning though. ..730. (:
 We didn't have alot to do today so we could take our time getting down to breakfast.
We met some new families that traveled down to Guangzhou to do their consulate appointments so that was good.  After breakfast, we came back to the room for bathtime and playtime while I went to a paperwork meeting.  There are so many details that have to be in place for everything to go smoothly.  After going through this process twice now, I feel very comfortable and this adoption has been so much easier than the first one.
We walked to Pizza Hut so Tali could try pizza for the first time. She loved it.  I tell you ..this little girl is such a good girl.  She is not picky with food, she obeys, she is affectionate  (slowly with David), she is potty-trained for day and night, she loves clothes, she loves to be clean and have her hair just right and she is just plain adorable. My Cassidy and Bethany are going to adore her.  What a little blessing she is! She loves Toby and I think she is going to love her big brother, Luke too.
Since the temperature here is in the 40's and blustery, we had to go buy some winter gear. We went to the clearance rack to find some gloves, hats, etc.. We did not come prepared for cooler weather because this is a tropical city. We even brought shorts, but unfortunately have not been able to wear them.  Everyone here is bundled up like they are ready to hike Mt. Everest. I only have a light fleece jacket, but I wish I had my coat. Brrr..So much for the flip flops I brought.
This afternoon, we watched Frozen. The kids watched it all the way through, but towards the end, Talia started to cry. I still don't know why because she can't express too much yet. My guess is that something triggered her memory of her foster mom and people she loved. I comforted her and she did warm up to me.  She also started warming up to David after he played a little game with her at dinner. That was a first!! Totally made his day!!! Slowly but surely, she will come around.  
Tomorrow we have a free day to go sightseeing and shopping.  It will be nice to do something different. In the evening, we have a boat ride on the river.  Toby missed it the last time we came, so I'm sure he will enjoy it...if the weather cooperates. ..Have a great day everyone.

First bite of pizza

I got a impromptu kiss. (:

She loves to shop.  She also picked a perfect shirt.

Watching Frozen

Day 9: "but JOY comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

On Friday, January 22, we actually slept in until 6:30 am.  Hallelujah!  I may be a night owl, but I love my sleep. The kids rested well too.  When I woke up, Toby was playing with our Nabi (a kids ipad) with Talia. They were both laughing and smiling. It was a sight to see. We had an appointment at 9:15 so we had to quickly get ready, eat breakfast and meet our guide. We were supposed to go sightseeing to a museum today, but we had a change of plan.  All children who leave the country have to have a medical exam before they enter the US.  It is a very general exam plus a TB test.  Since our consulate appointment is on Monday, our guide thought it best to do our medical appointment today instead of on Saturday. So we got our documents ready and headed to the medical facility.   On the way there, Toby and Talia were playing around with the arm rests and laughing their heads off. It was delightful to hear her laughing and smiling. I had not gotten a reaction like that all week.  She is starting to feel the love of a family and beginning to feel joy!! Joy did come in the morning! (:
 Talia did great at the doctor.    She did her TB test with zero tears just like Toby when he was here. Two years prior, we sat in this same area with a VERY fidgety Toby ( just ask my older kids) and tried to keep him in line.  Impossible!  Today, two years later, he was still fidgety, but I did see some improvement when comparing the two timeframes.  He still has a long way to go.....bless his heart, but I love him soooooo much.
Talia on the other hand is alot more calm and compliant  (for now ). Hopefully, Toby won't influence her too much on how to get into everything. (:
We left the medical appointment,  and decided to go to a Chinese temple.  This was not a tourist attraction,  but a real temple that people came to worship Buddha.  There were several stations with statues where people would bring candy, fruit, money and flowers to lay down in front of these idols. After leaving the gift, they would light incense, pray and go on to the next station. Because we were with another Christian family, we decided to silently pray for these precious people to find Jesus. As Christians, we believe Jesus is the true Savior of the world. We believe He came a long way from heaven to die on a cross for the sins of the world.  We also believe He conquered death and came back to life on the third day. We believe Jesus did this for ALL people. He loves the world.....and has room in His big family for EVERYBODY. He loves all nations!
As I was standing there watching these people worship Buddha, the thought struck me that no other world religion has such a beautiful story to tell as Christianity does. It really is Good News. It's so beautiful that God decided to use the language of Adoption to describe this beauty.  (Read it for yourself in the book of Ephesians)

Because the weather was in the 40's and rainy,  we were very cold. We left and went back to the hotel to warm up. We chilled out in the room and the kiddos played together. They are going to be best friends forever. We met some friends for dinner at Mr. Pancho's Mexican restaurant.  Loved it! Oh the Salsa!!!! And Chips!!  Now I want Moes!!! And Chick fil a sweet tea!!
Walked back to the hotel, and gave the kids a bath and got them in bed. Talia did not shed one tear today!!  Praise the Lord that healing has begun.
 One week from tonight, we will be flying into Dayton.  We are excited to get back home to see our big kids and did I mention MOES and sweet tea?