Parks & Pearls

Today we visited another park.  This one was the most beautiful we had seen since being in China.  It had all kinds of decorations on display for the new year, beautiful flowers, palm trees, and other exhibits, such as Angry Birds.  Kyle was thrilled.  It was very warm outside, probably in the 70"s.  Samantha and Kyle were sweating running around.  We took time afterwards to visit a local pearl factory and outlet where we got Samantha a strand of pearls for later in life.  It was a much better day for Kris because Samantha was his buddy.  At times I think he was overwhelmed with so much love from her and Kyle.  The funniest thing was when Samantha told the guide in Chinese that she can speak English.  Another thing she told the guide when Kyle was sliding down a concrete incline was that she was not going to do that because it was not clean!  She likes to play rock, paper, scissors.  We enjoyed Papa Johns tonight in our room.  In addition to pizza and cheese sticks, the kids had spaghetti.  I had some vanilla coke with it from the 7-11 next door.  We are feeling like we are at home.  (Not really, but trying to keep it as close as we can!)  Tomorrow should be a really fun day.  We go on a safari.

Missy

Parks & Pearls-Photos

A Day in Guangzhou

I think Samantha is getting used to having her picture taken. She smiles more often for the camera. Kyle on the other hand still has his fake smile which isn't much of a smile at all. We went a couple of places this morning, including a museum, with the 5 other families in our group. I love it that many places are still decorated for the Chinese new year, the year of the dragon. We were able to do some shopping and get a few souvenirs. (Kyle and Samantha even got a light up Angry Bird ball!) We took a taxi this afternoon to get some American food at Lucy's and also drop off some laundry at a cheaper price than the hotel. We have had to get ready and go somewhere most mornings. I am very glad tomorrow we don't leave the hotel until 1:30 p.m.

We want to invite everyone to meet Samantha when we get back to the U.S. There will be a few different gatherings. You are more than welcome to join us at the Evansville airport when we arrive Friday night February 17 at 8:35 p.m. There were over 100 people gathered when we came back with Kyle and it made us so happy. Since our layover in Detroit is 7 hours we may try to get an earlier flight into Evansville but if that happens, we will update the blog that afternoon to let you know. There will also be an open house gathering on Sunday afternoon February 19 from 2-4 p.m. at General Baptist Church on Hicks Dr. on Evansville's southeast side near the Duck Inn. Samantha will have a couple of doctor's appointments on Monday regarding her heart. Tuesday February 21 there will be a open house gathering in Clinton, TN at Second Baptist Church from 5-7 p.m. in the Riverside room. We hope everyone will be able to come to one or more places to meet Samantha. We have less than a week to go! Look forward to seeing you soon!    

A Day In Guangzhou

Medical Exam and White Swan Hotel

This morning we took a bus to the island where we had to have Samantha's medical exam done. She weighs 35 pounds and is 43 inches tall. She did an excellent job as they checked her over, took her temperature, listened to her heart, and gave her a TB test. During the TB test she just looked at the needle going in and didn't flinch a bit. Kyle was more concerned that he would have to get a shot. We also got to visit the White Swan Hotel where we stayed in 2007 when we got Kyle. They still have it open for visitors but no one can stay because of renovations being done to the rooms. When we got back to our hotel, Kyle was so excited because there is a McDonald's right next door. We had a meal there today and will probably be eating a lot more there over this next week.

We just about had a close call yesterday. When we got off the airplane and were walking down the jetway, I asked Kyle if he had bulldog because I didn't see his head sticking out of Kyle's backpack. Kyle had a look of panic on his face and we made Kris run back to the airplane to get bulldog. Kris said the pilot and flight attendants were laughing when he was walked off the plane with a stuffed animal in his hand.

A few more English words Samantha has picked up on are: Kyle, bulldog, come on, potty, and brush your teeth.

I have to throw in another Pizza Hut story. During our last Pizza Hut meal in the previous city we were in, after we tried to order, they told us they didn't have Pepsi and didn't have large pizzas. What?!?! We ended up with 7up and 2 mediums.

We have noticed here that Chinese people do not go to the pool to play or have fun. They swim laps and excercise. The high today couldn't have been out of the 50's and we saw 2 men swimming laps in the outdoor pool.

I am so happy to report that Samantha slept in her rollaway bed by herself all night long. The previous nights she has wanted me next to her when she went to sleep or woke up in the middle of the night. I think her foster mom slept with her every night. I knew this was one habit we would have to break and she has done well. Maybe it helped that Kyle was not far away. We are looking forward to getting some rest tonight!

Missy

Medical Exam and White Swan Hotel-Photos

Travel Day # 3

Well folks, we made it to Gquangzhou about two hours ago.  Flight went well.  Very smooth.  No pix today as we just stayed at the hotel and then boarded a flight here.  Will have plenty of pix tomorrow though.  Samantha did well on her first flight.  She was kinda sad for a while as she knew she was experiencing her last few moments near her home town.  She is old enough to realize what is happening and she cried quite a bit about it.  She is laughing and playing now, however, in our hotel room.  And we just caught her drawing with a pen on the hotel bed sheets...

Talk to you tomorrow.

Kris