Tenth Day in Guangzhou - Pearl River Cruise

We had a day to ourselves, with nothing planned until evening.  So, we headed to Aeon right after breakfast.  We found some awesome toys to bring home that will remind us of China.  By the time we finished shopping and came back to the apartment, it was time to head to TrustMart.  We did a LOT of shopping there!!  We bought a food for lunches, a few last souvenirs, treats for tonight, snacks for the plane and a suitcase to bring all of this junk home! :)  The Locals got a big kick out of us trying to fit all of our groceries on the tiny little counter (no conveyor belt to unload here) and then packing it all in the suitcase to transport back to the apartment.  We hit KFC for the last time on the way back for lunch.  First time they didn't question 6 boxes of popcorn chicken (I used the Chinese one handed symbol system).  We entertained there as we waited 10 minutes.  The stares we get!

After finishing off lunch, we still had 2.5 hours until the cruise.  So, we headed to the swimming pool again.  The kiddos LOVE it!!  There was a grandma there, she only spoke Chinese, she kept giving me the thumbs up.  She joined me at the Kiddie Pool and sat with Greyson, while I played with Kaitlyn, Kristyn, and Jayson.  She pointed to her necklace (Jesus on it) and to the sky (Heaven), as if to ask if I was a believer.  I said yes!  And did my best to use hand gestures to explain that Mark is a pastor.  She was so happy and just loved the kiddos!! :)

There's our boat!

A thunderstorm rolled in this afternoon and we had to make a decision about the cruise.  We decided to gamble and go for it!  I am glad we did.  It was raining too hard to spend time on the top deck, but the rain also kept the crowds away.  The boat was only about 20% full at most!  It was GREAT!  We had the kiddos eat ahead of time, but there was so much food, we let them try stuff.  They enjoyed it!  Even Brayden tried some stuff.  Mark got slightly nervous after seeing the chicken head on the buffet.  The kids loved all of the lights, and with the light crowd, they could go up front and sit and look out the windows.  The kiddos loved the clown too.  It was such a neat experience, I am so glad they got to go!!

The Girls' Table

The Boys' Table

Mark and I rarely get a pic together.  This one was compliments of Brayden.

There's that chicken head...

Brotherly love!

"Trailah"  Jayson is trying to get Greyson to smile

It worked, but then Jayson wasn't ready

She is always entertaining!

Jayson was the first to balance the ball... He was clapping the loudest for her! :)

Greyson was next.

Then Kaitlyn

Then Meilynn

Brayden had a turn

Can't forget Kristyn!

Mark braved the rain to get some pics from up top

No, we don't have that many moons... the water drops collected on the lens

Tomorrow we go to the Consulate!!  We made it!  Our last appointment!!  After that we will come back and change.  Then, we will have a traditional Chinese lunch and go to the zoo! :)  Wednesday will be a packing day and then... HOME!!!  :)

Stuck Between Two Worlds

How does one live with a heart that is torn between two worlds?

I long to be home and hold my sweet Addi and Ry in my arms.  I want to have the convenience of Meijer, my full kitchen, more space, the ability to let the kids loose in the backyard.  However, a piece of my heart longs to stay here.  To soak up the culture, people, sights, sounds, feeling, and essence of China.  When I step off the plane here, I feel like I am home.  It is such a difficult place to be.  Preparing to leave and preparing to come home.  

I pray that my kiddos have learned to appreciate China.  I pray that their worlds are a little bigger.  I pray that their compassion is a little stronger.  I pray that they have more of an understanding of God's desire for our family.  I pray that they have more mercy when their newest brother and sister have an "episode".

Ninth Day in Guangzhou - Shamian Island shopping

After breakfast this morning, we headed out for touring.  Our lobby had been transformed once again.  This time there is a candy theme.  Check out the centerpiece with giant lollipops.  We seriously wanted to start singing the "Lollipop Guild" but decided against it.  The rain picked up, so we decided against the zoo (after going around a circular round-about two times).

Sister Love!!!

Now Greyson will do the boxing pose...

Love these kids (and our little action hero)!

We headed to Shamian Island for some shopping.  It is so different, but still sooooo much fun to shop on the island!  The kiddos had so much fun trying to see how far their souvenir money would go.  They found t-shirts, jewelry, muscial instruments, passports, and legos.  I found some new dresses, scarves, and jewelry.  We also had lunch at Lucy's.  Mark really doesn't care for their meals, but I LOVE their sweet and sour chicken.  I have to admit, it wasn't as good as I remember, but I think it's more of a nostalgic feeling!  Kristyn had her breakdown on the island, in the rain.  Poor baby!  It was hard to watch it, but it is so common.  She still has her moments.  She loves with her whole being, but can have quite an attitude!  She is a little bossy with Kaitlyn and Kait's going to have to learn to assert herself.  She does adore Kaitlyn though.  We also took pics by the famous Shamian Island statues.

One of the main walking streets on the Island

At Lucy's, after Kristyn's breakdown... Baba can always bring a smile!!

They just don't have tables big enough for all of us here :)

Always willing to ham it up!

Little Mark, the clown!

Such a jokester

Waiting for mama to get done shopping

Kaitlyn joining in the fun

The famous "big-boned" woman and her dog

Everybody has to ride the dog

Everybody

Literally everyone :)

Kaitlyn wants to play too

Learning to dance

Looking forward to adding Addi into this beautiful little crew!

A shop owner gave Greyson this toy for free.  Ugghhh, the most annoying little thing ever!! It looks like a peanut, however, inside are two birds.  When you open it up, they chirp.  On the bright side, it kept him occupied and quiet the whole day...  Now, one of the bird's springs broke, it won't shut, won't quit chirping, and apparently has the best batteries we've ever seen!

When we got back, we were so hot!  It was over 90, but felt more like 100!  We were drenched in sweat!  No wind and VERY humid.  So, we were in the pool again today for an hour.  Greyson prefers to sit on the side, the water is pretty cold.  Kristyn is a water bug, she LOVES it!  Then, my dear Brayden (McDonald's companion), joined me to go get dinner.  I love that he wants to come along and help.  We have some good conversations on the short walk there and back.

Tomorrow, as relaxing day and dinner cruise in the evening.  Our time is drawing short!  I will miss China!

Eighth Day in Guangzhou - Chen Clan Academy and Pearl Market

Breakfast :)

View of the pond, gardens, and waterfall

Greyson's favorite place on an elevator.

Today, we did some familiar sights and a little shopping (okay, mostly April did the shopping)!  We started with the Chen Clan Academy (Guangzhou Folk Art Museum).  Mark and I were a little less than thrilled to see this AGAIN, for the 4th time.  However, it was neat for our kiddos to experience it.  There are some pretty neat artists and artwork on display.  We love watching the gentleman that uses only his hand, fingers, and fingernails to make the most amazing paintings!  This is also the place we buy chops (stamps with the kiddos American and Chinese names on them) carved out of stone.  They will arrive at our hotel tomorrow.  All of our kiddos, including Jayson and Brayden, have them now.

No brush used, only hand and fingernails

We then headed to the Pearl Market.  I needed to get Kristyn wedding pearls, so that all of the girls would have something from China for that special day.  We took awhile finding the perfect strand that wouldn't break the bank (not even close, I'm not paying a fortune when I don't really know what I am doing).  Then, it was time for fun shopping... Cheap jewelry!!  I love to find $2-$3 bracelets!!

Floors and more floors... ALL jewelry!! :)

Stringing Kristyn's wedding pearls

Kristyn's pearls and some cheap jewelry for mama!!

Yesterday was boxing, today the lobby was set up for the "Adventures on the Silk Road Ball"!  It was really cool.  We took a few pictures early on.  When we set out for dinner tonight, the guests were arriving.  Talk about feeling under-dressed!!  They had beautiful gowns.  We decided to sneak out the entrance and walk the long way around to get to our destination.

Couldn't quite capture the beauty in the lobby!

Some of the staging earlier in the day

I tried to get an idea of the ball gowns.  They were spectacular!

When we returned, we decided to try an evening swim.  We were the only family at the pool for the longest time.  Then, one other family joined us.  Their newest addition is from Kristyn's orphanage, so they were enjoying seeing each other again.  We decided they were comparing how crazy their new families were! :)  It was beautiful swimming!  It is an outdoor pool.  The pool lights were on, the buildings around were all lit up and planes kept flying way overhead.  Absolutely awesome!

Ready for swimming

Always ready, until he discovers how cold the water is

Ready to go!  She remembers what the life jacket means!

Headed to the pool

Tomorrow we go to the zoo or Shamain Island.  It will depend on weather.  Getting so close to coming home!! :)