Getting to know Shamian Island

It is three in the afternoon and we are back in the room after a great morning. After breakfast we checked out the workout room. Haha It really is something....Video of Brian working out later!
After our good laugh we headed out to check out the island . Abbie had instant looks and people touching her. She became a bit overwhelmed with the attention. We ran into a group of school children who were looking for Americans to practice their English.They were awesome! Their goal was to ask us What our favorite food was, favorite color , where we live and animal we liked best! Then we were asked to sign their autograph book. It was great fun and we loved meeting them .We have video of them singing a song in English to us as well. As a thank you they gave Abbie a piece of Candy.........she has a huge pile of candy because each kid in the group would want to ask and then give a thank you.

As we walked on we saw photographers taking pictures of brides everywhere! This was very interesting to me so we would have to stay and watch.....one bride saw Abbie and wanted her in her bridal pictures.....No way- Abbie was having nothing to do with it! She was very shy - So the bride settled for me and Abbie in the picture!
Next I was trying to take a picture of a group of 60ish men and women playing hackeysack- Unfortunatly I did not see the police officer in the back ground........Lots of yelling at me-oops. I quickly showed him I was sorry and deleted the picture and kept saying sorry......He was not happy with me-Note to self REMEMBER THE RULE ABOUT NOT TAKING POLICE OR MILITARY PICTURES!!!!!
Then onto the white swan for a quick peek. While there we walked to the back parking lot. We saw the Pearl River and a crazy guy swimming in the middle of it.The Pearl River is like the Detroit River except with a strong smell of sewage....At least where we were standing! Anyway a bell hop came up to us and told us we had to leave.......I think there was a code 11(American in the wrong spot or something.) We were kinda in the back where employees would enter. I guess they don't like that! We did see Brian's number 119 on a sign so had to get that in a picture as well as other interesting signs we saw.
After getting kicked out of the employee entrance of the White Swan we walked into a park area and people watched. Abbie was bored but Brian and I like watching the people just be the interesting people they are!
We headed back to the hotel and now Abbie and Brian are napping. Abbie is tired but we are really doing great as far a time change goes.
Breakfast was good. We are happy with the Victory although if i had smaller children i would go back to the China Hotel or the White Swan . The playground and pool are more small child friendly at those places.
Well that is our Saturday in a nutshell- Oh I forgot contact solution.......Cannot find it anywhere? Zhu Hai moms where is a grocery store around here? 7-11 does not have any and the pharmacy is closed?

Ethan, Zach and Nolan-
Do you have power yet? Poor Grandma! Welcome to my chaos...NEVER a dull moment!
Hugs to all,
Steph

Abbie- New photographer!

Before we left we gave Abbie an early birthday present- Her first camera!
WE have many pictures that may not make it to the blog.......but here are a few of her first that turned out ! We need to work on not shooting up at ones face. Mommy does not appreciate the view inside of her nose!!! Or the up close neck wrinkle!!! Those shots will have to be quietly lost from the camera........LOL

Brian just returned from the gym. I think works outs will be walks. Gym about 40 years behind in equipment! Maybe some yoga????
Off to breakfast-

Ethan - Are you feeling better? Mom did he have a temp?????

miss you so much boys.....xoxoxoxoxox

We have arrived!

We have arrived in Guangzhou! It is amazing and we are so excited to be here! It is 1:23 in the morning here and we have been in our room about 45 minutes......Long flight!
Note to self for next flight........Do not buy the largest suitcase and fill it with really heavy stuff!
At Detroit check in I had to UNPACK 20 lbs of "stuff" and put it in a box.........Backed up the check in and was a bit embarassing to unpack all of our goods and decide what was safe to put in a box and not in our luggage and then pray the luggage was atleast 70 lbs. We paid the difference to get it from 90 to 70...they prefer 50lbs....OOPS!
Brian just crawled into bed, I mean boards with blankets on top! He He not very soft but we are happy to be off the plane and saftly here.
Abbie did great.We all slept jsut a little . We wanted to be really tired when we got here and WE ARE!!!
Not much more for now- too tired.More tommarow or night for you!

hugs and love.
Steph and Brian and Abbie

PS -Ethan how was your Field trip? Did you win your game?
Nolan - Mommy loves the present you gave me.I made a chinese friend on the plane and I showed her ! She loved it too!
Zachary, Did you have a better day? Mommy loves you so much and It feels so good to see YOUR CHINA again! I had lots of rice on the plane!!

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Testing 1 2 3

Testing 1 2 3

Details, Details........

Wow, this is a ton of work!
Ok final plans are........we have to stay another week!
UHHHHH! we took a risk on saving airfare and did not get the consulate appointment when we wanted. So now we are in China three weeks total!
We would not mind being in China that long if it were not for the fact that we will be away from the kids for so long. This will be a tough one to tell Ethan.
Wendy has agreed to take the kids memorial day weekend and Kip and Lee are back on duty week Three!!
Thank you so much wonderful family . I do not know how we would do this without you.........
So the plan is leave Detroit metro Thursday at 3 arrive Guangzhou China Friday at 11p.m.- Stop in Tokyo for short layover.

We get Audrey Hai Ping on Monday afternoon of the 12 and process paperwork the whole week after. Still working on details of orphage visit. Fly to Gulin Saturday the 17 -20 and then back to Guanzhou. We do not have a consulate appointment until the 27th. Swearing in ceremony on the 28th. We are free to leave Guangzhou at 4p.m. but can not get a flight for all of us until the 30th with out paying thousands in penalties . So we take a train to Hong Kong that night and stay one day and then fly home on the 30th.
It will be joyous, emotional , tiring and heartbreaking to be gone from the kids that long. Abbie will miss three weeks of school. I am trying to remind myself of all the good that will come of this long trip. On that note, I find my self welling up up in happy tears all day at the thought that I will have Hai Ping in my arms in just a few days!
Ms.Zhong told our China guide that she is so excited and ready for us!!
Blessing and MANY thanks to all who are helping us on this long journey-
Steph

Travel approval is here!

The LONG AWAITED TA is here! We leave Thursday afternoon and arrive in China Friday night at 11:pm ! It is a LONG flight but oh so worth it!
We are beyond excited , in fact reality has settled in - Where did the time go? It seems I have a million things to do to get ready- Why Oh why do I procrastinate?

Ethan is not so good.........A bit overwhelmed with mom leaving........We knew he would struggle but I had hoped he would make it a few days before he missed us. This makes it of course harder on his mamas heart.

WE had a heart to heart tonight- Talked about the lonely feelings he is already having, we talked about HaiPing and how she is feeling.
I had asked our guide to contact Ms.Zhong and check on Audrey Hai Ping .I was worried about the transition she is about to go through......Ms.Zhong the director replied back that Audrey will be emotional, and overwhelmed........Very much like her mama and her brother.

It helped Ethan to think about how Audrey may be feeling- So much is about to change in her life. It did not help me so much.......I do know I am a good mama, I do know God has a great plan for Hai Ping and our family. I am so humbled by what is about to take place........
Such a great job I have been given...To be a mommy to the lost, and now the found.
I pray for strength and courage for HAi Ping and her road ahead. We are not unaware that the road may be bumpy even rough at times. We are confident enough with His plan to jump on a plane and fly across the ocean to claim another child as our own.........

This may be my last post before we go.....So I ask with great favor that you please keep our parents in your prayers as they watch over the boys while we are gone. Juggling the chaos we have created. Please pray for Ethan's loneliness to be forgotten in the fun of having Mimi, papa and grandma over.
Please pray SUPER prayers for our Hai Ping, leaving behind everything she knows to go into the unknown. Pray for courage, a soft , open heart ready for a loving family- And if you have time while at it maybe a quiet little prayer for a safe flight and calm nerves for the scardy cat mama who HATES to fly and the daddy who has to put up with three girls on a 15 day trip!!!!

More of this journey later in the week-
Steph

sending love your way...Mommy,Daddyand Abbie are on the way!