Tuesday, August
28, 2007
BREAKFAST, BARGAINS AND BOO-BOOS
It is Tuesday night here and Tuesday morning for our family at
home.
That means just three more days until we see everyone again or
three
and a half for them. While I am thrilled to be in China, I
cannot say
how much I long to see my boys again. For a mother, being
separated
from her children for two weeks can feel like two years.
Especially
when they are older and have busy lives like our sons.
As I have mentioned in the past, our hotel is filled with
families who
have adopted children recently. This morning at breakfast as I
looked
around the dining room at all the “new” families; I wished that
I
could
take a picture of each table. If I did, then when I was having a
bad
day I would pull one out and look at the faces of the parents
and
grandparents in the photo. That dining room has got to be one of
the
most happiest places on the planet. The adoring gazes, smiles,
and
delighted chuckles are endless. New parents discovering joys and
babies
charming their new Moms and Dads. This I will truly miss. But
even when
we are gone from here I will hold the magic of these moments in
my
heart forever.
After breakfast we began the hunt again for that perfect gift
for those
special people in our lives. I must say that I can shop until I
drop
normally, but the heat here makes it rather a labor of love. The
highlight of today’s shopping was going to what our guide called
the
doll store. To me it was rather like an eight story dollar
store.
Aisles and aisles of “stuff”; only in China I guess.
Later in the day we had a chance to purchase pearls for
ourselves and
our daughters. While I was looking at these beauties, Daddy was
upstairs with our little beauty. They did very well most of the
time he
reported to me. But then when Ju-lie decided to help Daddy push
the
stroller out of the way, she fell and scraped her eyebrow and
got a cut
on the corner of her eye. When I got back from shopping I was
devastated to say the least!! Daddy felt horrible, I was upset
and Ju-
lie was fine. All little ones go through these moments, our big
boys
certainly did. I was just hoping it would be a long while before
something like this happened. Not on day eight of having her in
our
care. We took her down to Der who cleaned her cut and assured us
all
would be well. We felt a little better, but are still
traumatized by it
all.
Then it was on to dinner, picking up our laundry (for the third
time)
and a few last minute gifts. Tomorrow our paperwork is turned
into the
US Consulate so the babies can get their US citizenship. We do
not have
to go to the appointment, but we do have to wait in our rooms
until we
get the clear. This way if there are any questions, they can be
resolved over the phone. I like that, the babies can be peaceful
and
Moms and Dads too. Then in the evening we are going on our
dinner boat
cruise. Our entire group is really looking forward to this. It
surely
will be a lot of fun.
So, good night/good morning from Guangzhou, once again. We are
going to
bed early after this trying day.
PRAYERS: That Ju-lie’s cut
and scrape on her eye will heal nicely
with
no bruising or scarring. That our paperwork will be accepted
without
delays at the Consulate tomorrow and that Ed will be feeling
better
soon. He’s had stomach distress for three days now. That time
will go
by quickly as we anticipate going home to our boys. But not too
quickly
as we enjoy our last three days here in China.
PRAISES: That baby Christina is back to herself, and
Mommy and Daddy
are rested now. For the joy in seeing all the new families here
at the
White Swan. For the new friends we have made on the wonderful
journey.
It is a bond like no other, sharing these precious days
together. That
our sons are safe and healthy back home, Dad too. Thanks
everyone for
the diligent prayers, they are such a blessing to us all. |
|
View of the Pearl river at breakfast
By the canal
Fiddler in the park
Playing in the White Swan Room
Daddy and Me
New Friend |
