{China #12} Last Full Day

This will probably be my last post, since we come back tomorrow and I will be too exhausted to post then.  Hopefully by the weekend, I will post about our travels and a little about adjustments with Aubs and Abram meeting Emerson.

Lately, Emerson has been waking up in a good mood.  Whereas before, she would wake up sad and slowly warm up to us during the morning.  She does much better with letting me dress her (doesn’t cry as much) and change her diaper.  

After breakfast, we skyped one last time with Aubs and Abram.  Can’t wait to see those two again!  We then headed out on the Metro and went to a flea market.  We didn’t find what we wanted, so we went back to the Shamian Island.  We made our last purchases and headed back to the Hotel.  Emerson was pretty happy and delightful the whole time that we were out…a bit wiggly/squirmy, chattering, smiling, just overall happy.  This is a huge change from one week ago.  One week ago, when we’d go out, she wouldn’t make ONE NOISE, nothing, quiet as can be, still as can be.

{The bridge to Shamian Island}

{Flea Market}

One thing here…I’ve already said it before, but I am seriously SO proud of Jeff for figuring out the metro.  It’s a quick and inexpensive way to get around the city.  There were times that once we were on the other side of town, I would be SO turned around, but I’m so thankful for Jeff’s sense of direction.  He was always able to navigate and figure out where to go.  Even when my senses told me else-wise, I kept my mouth shut, because Jeff was usually right…and he was!

As we rode the metro back, one man ask me if she was my daughter.  With a smile, I replied, “yes”.   He seemed a bit confused and asked if she was Chinese.   I nodded, “yes”.  His English wasn’t really good, so I didn’t bother to explain that she had medical needs.  I wondered if he thought we were adopting a perfectly healthy child, like every Chinese family wants.  But we were getting off soon and I didn’t know if I could have explained her medical need, when she looks and acts completely normal.

After lunch we all took naps and had some quiet time.  Chase worked on some extra homework…homework that won’t be graded.

Jeff still isn’t feeling the greatest, but not “out of commission” either.  I’m worried that I might be coming down with the same thing, but maybe I’m just paranoid right now.

Our guide called this afternoon around 4:15 with the last of our documents and Emerson’s visa.  NOW, we can travel!

{With our tour guide after getting Emerson's visa}

It’s been a bit cool today and windy, but at least it wasn’t raining.  We walked to the park late this afternoon.  Jeff and Chase played some ping pong after 2 kind gentlemen gave up their table to let them play.  It was fun to see so many Chinese people there, playing ping pong, too.  It seems that they come with their own paddles and ball and play with whoever is at the park.  There’s a sense of community at the parks that we’ve been to, here in China.  Sometimes there will be music in one area with women (or men) dancing (for fun and also for exercise).  Anyone can join in.  Young and old, they are all active and seem to be having a good time.  This is one aspect of China that I will miss.

{Jeff & Chase playing Ping Pong in the park}

{Walking in the Park}

We ate at a café across the street from our hotel tonight.  It had the atmosphere of Panera and a good variety of western foods.  I wish someone would have told us about this place sooner.  Since it was called the Coffee Club, we had assumed it was just coffee and muffins.  We laugh…back on Friday night, when we arrived, the only restaurants that our guide informed us about was KFC, McDonalds and Starbucks….as if that’s all us American’s eat!  As we are about to leave tomorrow morning, we finally feel like we know the area and what are good restaurants.  But truthfully, I’m looking forward to eating at home.  I’m sick of eating out (someone remind me of this when I start to complain about cooking!!). ☺

As we look forward to traveling home tomorrow morning (it will be 7:20pm Wed evening IL time), will you please pray for our safety, health and that we will make all of our connecting flights?  Our last flight, we are a bit worried about making since we only have 2 hours to get through customs & immigration, change terminals and re-check in through security – yikes!  I REALLY want to get home as we originally planned.  If it doesn’t happen that way, I pray that I can “roll” with it, hasn’t our entire trip been like that, anyway?!

{Hotel Lobby}

Also, please pray for our children, not just Emerson with all her adjustments and maybe confusion with the LONG flights, but also for Aubs and Abram.  Chase has had the privilege to get to know Emerson these past 1.5 weeks and Aubs has been WANTING a sister for SO long.  I’m afraid that her expectations might be too “rosy”, even though we’ve tried to prep her.  Really, I don’t think it will take long for Emerson to warm up to Aubs and Abram.  

Once again, THANK YOU for each and everyone’s prayers these past 2 weeks (and beyond)!  Thank you for your encouragement with all your comments, too.  You have blessed us so much!  We can’t wait to see you back in the States!!

-Jeff, Chelby, Chase & Emerson