We're here!!!

Well after a rather adventurous trip consisting of 3 flights, an extra 4 hours in a lay over and about 1.5 hrs of sleep the first night here; we're all doing great!!! I have to brag on the girls, they were EXCELLENT on all three flights, the extended layover, a brief nap the first morning here and sleeping upright in the airplane. I couldn't asked for better behaviour, cooperation and mood. Anna cried once when she woke up suddenly and needed to go to the bathroom. They really are angels!!

We arrived at our hotel in Guangzhou at 4 am. I was pretty wired knowing we had to leave our hotel at 10 am the same morning. I rearranged our suitcases, took a much needed bath and slept 1.5 hrs. Then we got ready, ate a very quick breakfast and we're in the lobby ready to go when the beautiful Connie arrived to take us to the airport. We paid a small fortune for our luggage weight and we were off to Anna's SWI. We arrived and then there was a small problem with Audie's adoption...the SWI didn't know it was happening on Monday!! Who else does this kind of stuff happen to??? We must have a sign on our forehead!! ;) Luckily everything got resolved about 3 pm China time with 2 hours to spare! We dropped everything off at the hotel, gathered my donations for the SWI and a special gift for a special girl and we were off. I dropped off all of the donations at the office and we we're taken on a very special tour of Anna's second SWI. All of the teachers and teenagers remembered her. They were sooooo happy to see her. It was amazing they all remembered her, one of her Ayi's noticed a small scar Anna has on her face that she got over a year ago. It was very, very clear that she was well loved. They try to get as many kids as possible the wonderful gift of adoption. I tell you, you will NEVER be the same person once you visit an orphanage. There were several new arrivals, not more than a week old crying. Oh, how I would love to have spent hours in there rocking, feeding and singing those sweet babies. The toddler room, where Anna spent a lot of time in was wonderful. The kids were soo cute and very eager to check us out. Anna and Avery were very interested in all of the kids. It was eye opening, saddening, and wonderful all at the same time. It was very clear that all of the kids were very well loved and cared for, yet that can never replace parents and a home. The wonderful lady who guided us told me that they want all of the kids to have wonderful parents who love their kids like we love Anna. It brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it. The donations and gifts for the Ayi's were very well received. All in time for the CNY. We gave some money for the older kids to get KFC~their favorite and some money that we we're told would be used to help buy CNY outfits for the kids. It is very important to receive new clothes at the CNY. I cannot wait to see pictures. Then I had the honor of meeting a very special young girl who will soon be adopted to give her special present from her family. It was beautiful!!! Wendy, I have video and pictures I will give you when I get home!! :)

Then we went to McDonald's for the girls and back to the hotel as we we're all EXHAUSTED!!! I think I had had about 4 hrs of sleep over the last 48 hrs in broken pieces. We we're all asleep by 7 pm!!

The next day we traveled to the original SWI where Anna lived. She was blessed to have been brought to her (second) SWI that did her adoption. It was heart breaking. We finally found the orphanage (SWI) and were told we cannot go in. We brought some small gifts for the Ayi's and cleft bottles. First, we were told that she was even more beautiful than before, then it has been a very long time and they didn't remember her and then they came after she left. This was all from the same person. This is a very small SWI and I know there were few, if more than Anna who was taken to another SWI for adoption as this SWI does not do adoptions. I don't have anything else to say about this. We then went and did a little sight seeing and ate at a very traditional Chinese restaurant. I am NOT an adventurous eater. I don't even eat meat off of a bone. All kinds of interesting things were served, not sure what everything was but I do know that chicken feet was one of them. I tried my best to eat a little(dumpling, rice and noodles) and make it look like I ate more than I did. Whew, then there the sound of heaven rang in my ear as I ordered a pepperoni pizza for dinner at Pizza Hut!!!! Back at the hotel we had a pj and pizza party. The way I look at is I liked American Chinese (PF Changs) and I know most Chinese would not like American Chinese. It is just different. But, I tried and didn't gag (that was noticeable)!!!

To say that we have received a lot of attention is an understatement. Everyone stares and some comment. No one can understand how an American woman has a child with blond hair AND a Chinese child. Some will keep staring as if you are not there until you say Nihao, which usually reminds them that you are real. ;0 Avery has been a HUGE celebrity here with her blond hair and "big eyes". Many smile, want to touch her hair and take her picture. Including our driver who took a picture of her trying to eat noodles with one chop stick!! Our guide has answered many questions, I just try to smile and to keep going.

Today we are going to go do some shopping and then we fly to Hangzhou. Tomorrow is Family Day for Audie. The girls and I are so excited to meet him. They keep telling me all they want to do is go get Audie and are we going back to Kansas today??!! We are less then 24 hrs away to meeting Audie!!!

Hopefully I can get the laptop working in Hangzhou, apparently I am not equipped properly to do this myself. ;) I will post when I can, depending on how hard Audie grieves and the mercy of some poor unsuspecting victim who can "help" me with the computer. Then I can post pictures.

Becky