These are just a few of...

...my favorite things

She's just one of the gang

This is a sweet story.

This is Joy's bendaroo craft. See the flower she drew at the bottom? Now see the 3 stars around each? Those represent her & 2 of her new sisters. The blue star is for Kya & purple is for Autumn (because she already knows those are their favorite colors) & the red is for Joy.

I found this very touching that she's made herself one of the gang even in her artwork.

Church on Shamian

Church on Shamian is always nice to attend.

The 11am service is in Chinese & English. This was Joy's first experience with Church and she sort of just thought it was another "tour" and wanted to leave.

I translated to her that I am a follower of Jesus and this is "my family here" so she stayed put. She had been thinking my meal and bedtime talks to him were just some sort of chants, so I am hoping today with it in Chinese she understood it more.
 

She got her first Bible today. Just a children's Bible. I bought one for Kya 7yrs ago and now Autumn loves it very much. I got the same one for Joy.

They were 45RMB which she thought was a lot of money and seem to understand it was very special . She can read Chinese and it's in both languages, so she can now read about him herself.

I said to the lady in the bookstore "She doesn't understand at all yet." And she smiled, pointed up and said "He knows her though."

So right! He does know her and he loves her. He first loved us. Now, with time, she will also know him.

Pearl River Cruise

Pearl River Cruise

What an amazing experience, what a memory....to cruise the Pearl River in China. Amazing.

Joy was elated. After the dinner show, it was still raining a bit, but we went up on the observation deck.

She began to dance and twirl with her balloon to the music, with the rain, the wind all blowing in her face, she was...joyful. And all I could do was sing to her, even though she had no idea what I was singing, she swayed and danced and smiled:

When the rain is blowin' in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.

I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong.

I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawlin' down the avenue
No, there's nothin' that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love.

Though storms are raging on the rollin' sea
And on the highway of regrets
Though winds of change are throwing wild and free
You ain't seen nothin' like me yet.

I could make you happy, make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the Earth for you
To make you feel my love.

Pretty Pearl

A pearl in the making....

Saturday in Peaceful Guangzhou

Saturday in Peaceful Guangzhou

I am so happy to be back on the island.

So many special memories here with Dale, Kya, Autumn and my mom and stepdad, and a few friends that became lifelong friends. As we walked out our hotel this morning and passed some familiar shops, I literally almost cried. I could see Kya as a baby again.

I could see the blue stroller, I could see us buying 20 pairs of squeaky shoes (that now 7yrs later Lily is wearing).

I could see our 2nd visit, introducing a toddler-Kya and her new sis Autumn to Jordan (who is longer here). All the memories came flooding back. This place holds very special moments for so many families, ours inclusive. There will be no red couch photos this time at the White Swan. There will be no Jordan and no group dinner at Lucy's to say farewell. But I hope that Joy will enjoy the memories we make here together. I know she can't possibly feel what I feel, she doesn't have my momma's heart and the memories I carry with me, she can't miss the baby stage of Kya and Autumn. 

But I hope to impart some of my love for this place upon her. I hope to come back one day, with all my China girls and my Guatemalan Prince & Princess to visit this place on a Heritage Tour.

I have never stayed at this hotel before and I like it quite a bit. I probably would have stayed at the WS if it had been open but I'm glad in a way it isn't. I'm glad for the new experience. I am in the West Building, which is right next to Jennifer's Place and Cow&Bridge Thai (our family fave!!!).

This bldg is peaceful and serene. It's just a short walk to anywhere on the island. We are in an "executive room" so it's nice and large with a balcony. I would highly recommend this room. Our balcony overlooks Starbucks (not bad!). The breakfast buffet was not as extensive as WS but it was still very nice (with an automatic espresso maker). WS is so beautiful with the waterfall and ponds yet was so busy, this place is so less ornate but peaceful. I have birds chirping on my balcony right now. (smiles!)
 

So you know the medical exam is now off the island. I went by the old one and took photos for Kya and Autumn. Again, almost cried standing there remembering my "babies". I didn't even want another baby at that moment. I just wanted "my babies" to flash back and be "babies" for just a moment. I just wanted to relive part of thier "baby days" for just a little bit. Anyway (I'm beyond emotional today!).....

The new med exam bldg is really nice though. We were the ONLY adoptive family. That was super strange. Normally you fight for a seat. Not today with the trade fair going on. They did say 10 other families (max) had been there this morning though. Joy, unlike a baby, knew what was going on and was not happy about it. She argued with every dr and then ran from the room where she needed to have her TB test. I had to carry her back to the room kicking. The guide held her down while I held her face so she wouldn't wrench her head back and forth. Poor thing cried big alligator tears and in 2 min it was over, she was fine. We go back Monday for the reading. Tuesday for the Consulate Appt. The visa will be ready at 3pm on Wed and we leave in the a.m. on Thur.
 

We walked the island for a bit today. It's so hot here, which reminds me of FL and I'm fine with (except my hair, oh my hair!), but Joy has never felt such humidity. Thankfully there area has a few 7-11's and she was able to get an Icee. Of course we went to Lucy's!!! My girl ONLY wants french fries, coke and ice cream. So much so that it was actually a Mom-Success-Moment to get her to eat the fried apples from the apple pie. Then I withheld the french fries until she had 1 quarter of the Club Sandwich.

And I made her drink apple juice. She kept spitting it at me, scrunching up her face. Oh, joy! She's quite the handful. Parenting this strong-willed child may not be the easiest thing I've ever done, but I'm up for the challenge and thankfully I have a fantastic husband/helper!
 

Well, it's 5pm here and we are off to have Pineapple Fried Rice at the Cow & Bridge. I know my hubby is envious right now. Sorry babe! Love you!
 

We made it!

We made it!

After quite some last minute running around to get our finalized adoption papers and Joy's passport (and a huge ordeal to get more cash) we made it to the airport in time.
Where we happily (and stupidly) sat having a coke and a candy bar (since we had no lunch) all while our gate was being changed to another concourse (of course in Chinese!!). When I realized something was wrong we began running through the airport, caught a bus and were taken out on the Tarmac to catch our plane. Good times!

Keep in mind Joy has never been in 'organized transportation' so she is so mad at me in these photos for not pushing everyone aside and squeezing through to get a seat. And every time I pulled her back she got more mad at me! Poor thing finally relaxed when we sat down.

But she/we are out of Xian. She is ours! The adoption is over! The homestretch is in sight and this is where we breathe a sigh a relief and do a victory cheer! Success! Success! Success! Thank you J-man!!!!

Enjoying the Victory Hotel & Shamian Island very much! It's good to be back! (I know all you former adoptive parents are jealous! You can live vicariously through me this week.)