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

We're in Guangzhou

We are in Guangzhou and it is beautiful! Our flight left Jinan Saturday around 12 noon and we landed about 2pm. We got settled in to our hotel and rested a little bit. We met the Roeske's for dinner at Lucy's Saturday evening. Our hotel is on an island with lots of palm trees. The sun is out the morning and the sky is somewhat clear. We are planning some sight seeing for today.

Friday was spent doing laundry and just relaxing in our hotel. We used that day to pack and get ready for our fight yesterday. We were up early Saturday. We had breakfast in the hotel and said our goodbyes to the hotel staff. It was a little sad, leaving her province. Mollie seemed to enjoy her first plane ride until about the last 15 or 20 minutes. She pretty much screamed and wanted off the plane. As soon as we were off the plane she was happy. I hope this isn't a glimpse of what our flight home will be like! She is a good sleeper so we are hoping that she will sleep most of the fight. :-)

She is doing great. We are seeing more and more of her little personality come out. She is a bit strong willed and has a little mind of her own. She has had a temper tantrum or two when she doesn't get what she wants. She loves to give us kisses. She laughs a lot. She is taking her time warming up to David. She never interacted with males before. All her caretakers were female at the orphanage. She takes her bottles from David and loves to play with him. She is still eating good and sleeps great at night.

We are so thankful for what God has given us. It just amazes me where He has lead us. I am thankful that He gave us the strength to trust Him with all of this. We are on the last part of our journey and look so forward to coming home.

~ I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Love~David, Barb & Mollie

Orphanage Visit

Mollie in the hallway of the orphanage.

Outside the orphanage. The characters on the rock mean "heartfelt love".
Saying goodbye.

Mollie with the Ms. Jiao and her little friend, Annalise, who will soon meet her family.

We woke up this morning around 6 and had breakfast in the hotel again. The breakfast is pretty good and we really aren't getting tired of it yet. We met Michael and the Roeske's in the lobby at 9:00 to visit the orphanage today. It wasn't too far from our hotel, maybe 15 or 20 minutes. As we came to the gate of the orphanage I began to get anxious, wondering if we were doing the right thing by bringing Mollie back here. The director, Ms. Jiao, met us right outside the doors. Once inside the building, we took the elevator to the 5th floor to her office. We first explained to her that we wanted to meet with some of the children who had families waiting back home for them. They allowed us to and we were able to get pictures of their little ones. I remember how important this was for us when we were waiting. It was realy special to meet them after seeing them only in pictures for the last several months.

We later asked to see Mollie's bed and the room she slept in. They suggested that I put her in her bed and take a picture. But I had a feeling she would cry and she did. I of course picked her up right away. She smiled at all the nannys and allowed most of them to hold her. I didn't let her out of my sight and took her back from their arms after a couple of minutes. It was quite obvious that they all loved her and that Mollie felt close to them. Her favorite nanny was the director, Ms. Jiao. It was easy to see. She would always go to her but always came back to me. We met again in her office and was able to ask questions. We were also given a dvd with all the pictures they had of Mollie since she had been there. She then gave me a little pink hat that she had on when she was found. It brought tears to my eyes.

The orphanage was very clean and decorated very brightly. They were on a strict schedule with the children. It was soon time for us to leave. We passed the playroom where Mollie played during the day there. She recognized it and so we let her play there one last time. Ms. Jiao walked us out of the building where we first came in and we took a few more pictures with her. Mollie told her goodbye with hugs and kisses and we left. She never cried.

I am glad that we decided to take Mollie back with us for the visit. I don't know how much, if any, that she will remember. But we have good memories and pictures to share with her when she gets older and when she has questions. We've prayed for her for the last 9 months. God put her in just the right place, where she would be loved and would get everything that she needed while she waited for us. We couldn't be there for her, but He was. Grace prayed everyday that Mollie would have enough food to eat and milk to drink. We can tell that she did. (She has chunky little thighs!) :-)

~ For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, Psalm 91:11

Andrew, Emily, Nathan & Grace ~ We love you all! Only 8 more days!

Thanks again to everyone who is helping out with the kids. Thanks too for all your prayers! We love you all!

David, Barb & Mollie

Thursday Morning

Mollie has been doing very well sleeping at night. Wednesday night she decided (or maybe Mom decided) that she wanted to sleep with us. She didn't kick much and both David and I slept most of the night. Here are just a few pictures of her first waking up Thursday morning. She can be such a sweet little cuddle bug. No tears this morning! YEAH!

More Pictures From Wednesday

Andrew ~ Just thought you would like to see the boat we purchased over here. We got a good deal! We are expecting it to arrive via UPS in about 3 weeks. Break out the skis!

This is the boat we rode on to get to the island on Da Ming Lake.
Mollie at Da Ming Lake.
Mollie looking out our hotel room.

The bathing beauty getting ready for a dip in the pool.