Another beautiful day!

We had a great day today......they just keep coming. The weather is perfect here! Around 80 degrees and no bugs! We had our consulate appointment and then headed to the park nearby. It was just beautiful! Willow XiaoSi rode her first amusement park rides and I couldn't believe how brave she was! We strolled around the lake, bought some snacks and feather balls (more on that later) and took lots of pictures. The Chinese people have a true sense of community and it felt privileged to have shared in it.

Later we met up with our group and did some shopping. We went through some of the old Chinese markets and it was enchanting.......

I have to tell you all that we are so happy and feel so blessed. These two girls have been amazing.......truly amazing.

Some photos of our day...

Just Sayin'

Look out America, here we come!

Ming's day!

On Friday we visited Ming's orphanage and the boarding school she attended later. She was so excited the night before she could hardly stand it. She gathered every gift and snack she could find in the room to take with us. There is another girl being adopted from here at the very same time. We have been on the same schedule and ran into them everywhere. It was great for Ming to see another friend.

Once we got to the boarding school we met some of here teachers and then we took several of her friends out for lunch at McDonald's. She just soaked it all up. I kept thinking what a perfect day for her. She was so happy to have a family and she was able to be with her friends too....to be in China with all the familiar smells and sounds and food. This was the most perfect day for her. It makes me sad to know that things will be tough for her once we are home...at least for awhile. Living in a world where nothing makes sense and everything she has ever known has changed completely. Being in China helps me to appreciate how It will be for her at first but I am focusing on the big picture and I know that she will have a better life in the states.....more opportunities.....and most importantly, a family who loves her. Some photos of her perfect day.

Orphanage visit

Yesterday we visited Willow's orphanage in Zhongshan. It is very well run and the director and staff seem to genuinely care about the children...but it is an orphanage all the same. Willow XiaoSi wasn't sure what to make of the visit and was very serious with few smiles. This wasn't the same smiley girl that is in our hotel room. I have seen so many of these children in photos and videos from families that traveled before me and many of them belong to the parents in my yahoo group that are just waiting to bring them home. I feel like I know them and it was hard to leave them all behind....really hard.