Off day pictures

With a new card reader we are back in business with pictures for your enjoyment.

 Boys playing with their Trustmart purchases.

 Chef Jack

 Sick Julianna :(

 Napping everywhere BUT the room...sigh

 After sitting and excusing ourselves from the Italian restaurant, the dads take a look at the menu and prices at the Mexican restaurant before all 11 of us take a seat.

 With the Hasting family. 

Ice cream cone...yum!

An off day

Up-front disclaimer: this is a post for only the most faithful of our followers, since there are no pictures. So sorry. We did take some, but we have a technical difficulty between the photo card and computer, and our tech princess is not feeling well at all! We hope you will still read our brief update...  :)

Today we didn't have any appointments or planned outings.  Yippee!  So Peter, the boys, and I made the trek to Trust-Mart (like Wal-mart) where we hunted for more diapers and wipes. We also picked out a few very inexpensive toys (made in China) for the hotel room.  Jack and John-Nathan played well with their new things side by side. It was sweet to see! 

We headed out for lunch with our new friends the Hastings (from Nashville area). They adopted a little fellow who also spent some time at MBHOH. We have really enjoyed their company. John-Nathan loves playing with their kids.  We went across the street to an Italian restaurant, but after our eyes popped out at the menu prices, our group of 11 actually excused ourselves from the table and sheepishly, but giddily, hastened out of the restaurant.  We ended up at a Mexican restaurant instead, which worked for us, but of course came with its own set of stories to tell... After that, we slipped into a McDonalds for a 50 cent ice cream cone for the kiddos--no doubt the highlight of the afternoon together!  Since Jack had slept through most of the Mexican meal, we did the unthinkable: we bought him a Happy Meal (a first for our family -- really!)

Julianna still has a fever, so she feels pretty yucky. We are thankful for a family physician that is in our travel group. He made a "house call" :). So we have started the antibiotic that we brought along, and we're keeping the ibuprofen going. Please pray for our girl!  We recall that she took ill the second week of our trip to adopt John-Nathan as well.  I could use prayer as well for my stomach that is feeling a little "iffy."

Peter took the boys for a long walk and outing to the playroom this evening while Julianna and I watched some Pride and Prejudice. :)

Overall, it has been a more restful day, but we do miss home more and more.  Thankfully, we are just a few days away from making that trek. Please keep praying us through...for health, bonding, safety, and SMOOTH travel both through the skies and in our hearts and minds!

Guangzhou Zoo

Today we were off in the bus with our travel group for a quick trip back to the medical clinic to have all the little folks' TB tests read. Of course, that put us out and about at Jack's preferred nap time--again!  This time, he spread across our laps.

                                 

When we arrived at the clinic, I just scooped him up and he continued his nap. He never even knew that someone had looked at his arm. We're grateful to announce Jack's test was negative! Thanks for praying.  From there, our bus took us all to the Guangzhou Zoo.

                                 

At first, we rode around the zoo for a quick tour in the motorized carts. That was probably the highlight of the trip since it was shaded, there was a breeze, and we were sitting on padded seats!

                                

Jack perked up with excitement and exclamatory utterances at various times, spotting different animals here and there.

                                

The ride did stop for us at the panda exhibit. Fun to finally see a real live one!  He was chomping away on bamboo that he would select (inspect) from a pile before crunching on it.

                                            

                                

They are even trained to pose for pictures with visitors to the zoo!  After the luxury ride, we began to mosey around with some others in a rather miserable 90 degrees and about that much humidity! We were soaked with sweat. We only made it to a few exhibits...I think even the animals felt like us, as they were not very active.  The chimpanzees, however, were more lively, and we'll have to tell you about the lady who talked to them...

Can you spot the tiger? 

Just before the melt-down, literally and figuratively!  To his credit, Jack was the only one who honestly expressed his feelings at this point (though Julianna was a close second -- but we didn't have to scoop her up off the ground)... He was hot and tired and he let us know it.  See the little sweaty head?

So we were all in need of a cool treat. Great diversionary tactic.  Jack enjoyed his strawberry something ... seriously have no clue what it was ... maybe a frozen yogurt type thing?  But it was tasty, and Peter was thrilled to get three treats and two bottled waters for less than $5 -- at a zoo of all places!! 

Back at the hotel, we made some PBJs for the PCJs :). Jack enjoyed his, along with leftover noodles (he really likes noodles!). We enjoyed some downtime; Jack comes alive when we are all together in the room -- he does so much better here than being out on the go.  

Peter and J-N headed to the pool for awhile, along with a dozen other adoptive families. I kept the little fellow in to play and take a bath. He liked playing in the tub. 

Julianna does have a touch of something. She thinks that it's a rare Chinese disease, but we think otherwise. Please pray for her and ALL of us!  Six more days, but who's counting?!?!?

Happy Mothers Day

Wishing all our family and friends a Happy Mother's Day!

Life is full and Celinda's momma arms are full :) 

Today was a shopping day...not our favorite thing to do, but we went along for the ride. It got us out for a bit, but definitely posed its share of challenges as well. 

Shopped for some Chinese outfits for the boys -- but poor little Jack: this is just not the way to nap.  It has been catch as catch can.  Looking forward to home for many reasons, especially for routine!

Mommy got a little break, but not for TOO long.  This little guy loves being held by his mommy--and it usually has to be standing up!

Pizza Hut AGAIN!  Julianna was not at her peak today, and we would appreciate prayers for her health.

Jack seems to do best back in the room.  We can sit and play and bond.  He LOVED playing catch with the squishy ball.

Big brother in golden silk with dragons.

In the hotel lobby before dinner.

Our two little emperors.

Which brother is tackling which?  (Actually, John-Nathan was trying to dress Jack.)

We went to this restaurant tonight with our travel group.  Not a good move.  We were there long enough to order, receive our food, take a few bites, then ask for boxes and our check.  We knew ahead of time that it would be a stretch for our family, with Julianna not feeling well and Jack being overly tired.  We really just needed to be back in our room again tonight.

Riding the escalator up to the restaurant.  It went downhill from there.  But the Lord is good and He is our help.  The children are asleep, and we hope to follow them soon.  

(Keep reading below for an earlier post from today -- you won't want to miss the video at the end!!) 

Guangzhou - Day 1

Today (Saturday) we headed, along with many other adoptive families, to have Jack's visa medical  done. It is always quite an experience. Very crowded...it is just plain crowded ANYWHERE in China!

Jack was his cute self while moving from station to station.

Giving sister a smile for the camera!

Cool Jack! Yes, we have borrowed a stroller from the hotel for the week. It is helpful at times...

...but maneuvering the streets and side walks is tricky.

We just took him out to go down through the subway (just using the subway to get to the other side of the street...our guide didn't want us attempting to cross the street in front of the hotel! Believe me, we have already had some interesting street crossings. It really is like the game Frogger! Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way even at crosswalks. ) 

This particular outing was just to get a taste of America :)! It is a lot of work to "hunt" for food. I must say that Peter has been a very good hunter this past week and a half!

                                              

Back at the hotel...

Peter did the visa paperwork. A good man! 

We have truly been encouraged and blessed by the comments and e-mails. We feel your prayers! Jack is adjusting well. We all remain tired, but upbeat for the most part :). A week from today we head HOME! Keep praying for those details. (CR)