Our Last Night in China

We begin our journey home early tomorrow morning. We are looking so forward to coming home. Our flight comes in around 10:45. So we have a long journey ahead of us. I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, milk (haven't had it in 2 weeks) and chocolate chip cookies! Most of all, we can't wait to see our kids!

Today we went to the US Consulate to be sworn in and pick up our last bit of paperwork. It rained most of the day. In the afternoon we did a little more shopping. All the families met tonight and had one last Chinese dinner together. We will miss the families. We feel so blessed to have shared this awesome experience with them.

We have 3 flights ahead of us and 2 long layovers in Beijing and Newark, NJ. We are hoping and praying for smooth flights and that Mollie will do well with all of this. Thanks so much for your prayers and your support.

Thanks again to everyone who helped out at home!

Andrew, Emily, Nathan & Grace ~ We love you all very much! ~ Only 24 more hours!

~ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

David, Barb & Mollie

Playtime with Daddy

We had to spend time in our room this morning. Michael went to the US Consulate with all of our paperwork. We needed to be near the phone in case there were any problems or any questions from the Consulate. Mollie and Daddy had some playtime on the bed, which was great for bonding.

Swimming with Daddy

Tuesday ~ A Free Day

The park near the Pearl River
Mollie's first taste of ice cream
The desserts we found
Mollie choosing which dessert she wants

Mollie at breakfast Tuesday morning
The courtyard at our hotel
Our princess
Mollie and Daddy
A walk in the park

Today (Tuesday) was a free day, no paperwork or meetings. After breakfast, we decided to put Mollie in the stroller and go for a walk. We of course did a little shopping. We walked through a beautiful park that is right on the Pearl River, very close to our hotel. It was full of people dancing, playing games and just relaxing. The flowers and all the palm trees made me feel almost like we were at the beach. Shamian Island is beautiful. Many couples come here to get married. We've seen at least one couple everyday since we've been here taking photos for their wedding. There also a lot of really neat statues on the island. There is a playground also that we haven't made it to yet and a Starbucks. We may try to fit that in on Wednesday.

After a little shopping we stopped at a little deli/bakery where we found Haagen Dazs ice cream!YES! I said Haagen Dazs ice cream. It tasted so good. Mollie had her first taste of ice cream and didn't much care for it. I think it was probably the cold she didn't like. We could tell she had never had it before. They also had wonderful pastries that we will try another day. We've never seen desserts like this before in China. (so much for losing a little weight while I'm here) Their idea of dessert is watermelon.

We headed back to the hotel for lunch then a nap for Mollie. She slept about 2 hours (a good little sleeper). When she woke up (always wakes up happy with a smile) we decided to head up to the pool. The Vogel's, Nancy and Dan, were their with their three little ones. They are such a sweet family. They have 3 older sons out of the house and 3 beautiful daughters Julianna 5, Grace 4 and their newest addition 2 year old Annie. We enjoyed swimming with them. Mollie absolutely loved the water. I at first didn't get in the water, so Mollie loved going to David in the water. He loved it too! She would hold her arms out to him and just giggle. She is such a happy baby!

We are looking forward to coming home. Only a couple more days here in China. It's kind of bittersweet. There are so many things I will miss here in China. But more than anything, I miss my 4 other beautiful children! Only 2 more days and we begin our (long) journey home!

I am so thankful to God for all He has given us!

~ Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We love you all!

David, Barb & Mollie

A few more pictures from Monday

Like my hair? Mommy braided it for me

Out for a walk with some friends

Catching up on the daily news
Now let's see, where are those comics?

Lunch with Daddy

Mollie had noodles for lunch with Daddy. She absolutely loved them. She must've had them at the orphanage. This was the first time we've tried giving them to her. They are similar to Ramen Noodles at home. Emily, you have another little sister who will share them with you!

Busy Day

We had a busy day today. This morning was spent getting Mollie's visa photo and then to get her medical exam. She didn't much care for that. We were in the office about one hour. (very hot) Most of the time we were just waiting our turn. She weighed 22.5 pounds. The doctor said her heart sounded good and there was no murmur.

In the afternoon, we (or should I say I) did about 2 hours of paperwork with the other families. David and Mollie took a much needed nap. This is actually the first nap she has taken since we've had her. (other than little cat naps in the stroller or on the bus) She slept about 2 hours. Once she is asleep, she is a good little sleeper.

After Mollie's nap, we decided to go out and do some shopping. We found some cute little matching outfits for her and Grace. And of course, some of the squeaky shoes. These are a must! ( the squeaker can be removed ~ they can get a little annoying after awhile) We ordered her a chop (stamp) with her name on it in English and Chinese.

We later met Michael and 2 of the other families for dinner at a really good Chinese restaurant. Michael had eaten there before, so we just let him order for all of us. It was all very delicious and very reasonable.

Tomorrow is a free day, so we aren't sure what we will do. There is a Starbucks that we will probably visit. There is also a playground and the pool at the hotel. We heard that the high tomorrow is supposed to be 99*. It is very humid here.

Mollie is adjusting very well. She is beginning to talk (or what we thought was babble) more. We were in one of the little shops today and the girl there told us she was saying hold me (she was in her stroller). So for all we know, she is speaking lots of Chinese :-) She is letting David do a little more for her each day. She is such a cuddle bug. She loves to be held and hugged. She stays very busy and loves to get into everything. I'm thinking about everything that I need to put up and out of reach at home. She keeps us on our toes. We love her so much and are so thankful for this precious gift!

Andrew, Emily, Nathan & Grace ~ only 4 more days! We can't wait for you all to meet your new little sister! You are going to love her as much as we do! We love you all very much!

Thanks to everyone helping out at home!

~ Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; His love endures forever. Jeremiah 33:11

Love ~ David, Barb & Mollie

Pictures from last night after her bath

Monday Morning ~ Medical Exam

Sunday morning we were up early (we had to wake Mollie again). We had breakfast at the hotel with some of the other families. Three families joined us here in Guangzhou on Saturday. Their children were from another province. We are all working with Michael now. Two of the families just the dads traveled (they are doing great) and one family is adopting their 3rd child. Their other 2 children are 4 & 5 years old.

We did some sight seeing today. Lots of walking! It's very hot and humid here, but at least not raining. We went to the Guangzhou Yuexiu Park. It was very green, lots a beautiful tropical plants and very old trees. It was originally a fortress that guarded the city. There was a museum with 5 floors and at the very top were very large cannons. Next to the park was a huge soccer stadium. Soccer is big over here.

After the park we went back to the hotel to rest and cool down a little. We wanted Mollie to take a nap but she wouldn't. I guess that's why she sleeps so well at night. In the afternoon we walked to the pearl market. To get there we had to walk through many road side markets. Lots of people selling teas, roots of all kinds, dried snakes & a lot of things we weren't even sure about. (smelled really bad). They use all these things for healing. Later we passed markets where they were selling pets. (dogs, cats, turtles, chipmunks) One little boy had a frog on a leash. We eventually made it to the pearl market, where we bought a little something for Mollie when she is older.

We ended the day with dinner with the Roeske's at Lucy's again (western food). We found out that Mollie loves spaghetti! We kind of let her feed herself. She had spaghetti sauce from head to toe! Ralf and Carol are so much fun to be around. They have a great since of humor. We will miss them! Their daughter, Shuang Bi, is a beautiful child and is adjusting quite well.

Mollie absolutely loves her baths. When she sees me start to run the bath water, she starts trying to take off her clothes. She loves to brush her hair. She's learning a few words and knows where her nose is. She understands some of the things we say to her. She laughs all the time. She has the cutest sense of humor. She loves to tease us. I can tell she really feels comfortable around us.

Today (Monday morning) we go for her medical exam. They do a very quick checkup. We'll find out her height and weight. In the afternoon we will do paperwork for the adoption. (the US part). As far as the China side of it, the adoption is complete and she is ours!

~ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down rom the Father, James 1:17

David, Barb & Mollie