We really miss you! We love the Shaimain Island but we can't wait to see you all soon! Our day started with the breakfast buffet where Abby had her bowl of congee, smashed bananas, and cheerios. Our guides Tracy and Judy took us on a tour of the Banyan Pagoda. This is a world famous ancient temple. We had the babies blessed by the monks and it is really fascinating to watch the local people come and worship here! Next, Judy took us to the pearl market which is in a mall which is multilevels of nothing but jewelry! My nieces would be in 7th Heaven here! I got a strand of pearls for myself and the girls! They are just exquisite and we enjoyed watching them string and knot each individual one!
When we returned to the hotel, a group of us took the babies for a swim. Abigail loved the water and was splashing, kicking, and laughing up a storm. Her personality has really come out today and she is amazing! She is belly laughing and making the sweetest little sounds.
Tonight for dinner, the bathing beauty group ventured down to 2nd street and ate at the steak house! Thanks to Staci and Roz for highly recommending it! Emily and I both had Filet Mignon and baked potatoes for dinner! It was delicious! I have to tell you we are eating really well!!! We still aren't sure as to whether we are supposed to be tipping or not! Tracy told us we didn't have too but we feel so guilty not that we usually do!
On the way home from dinner, we stopped and picked up the Laundry from Lucy's place and then I bought the girls matching PJ's! Abby fell asleep at 6:00 pm and has been asleep since! She didn't have a nap today, so hopefully she will sleep through the night as I literally shopped till we dropped!
She is doing really well and tomorrow we take them for their Visa pictures and medical exams. I am eager to see what she weighs. I am guessing around 18 lbs. I am so lucky and thankful to God to have been blessed with two adorable daughters!
We heard from Tina that referrals are on the way for late June group! Congratulations and we promise we will follow along your news from China. Almost everyone here except the special needs children or expedited children filed their paperwork in May and early June 2005. There are a lot of families and I mean a lot from Australia, and Europe! We all have remarked about how long the wait grew on us and that it seems like an eternity ago. But you know what, we also are so grateful that everything lined up the way it was supposed to!
As a single Mom, I didn't really have much say in what agency I worked with! As you know their is a quota placed on agencies which regulates the amount of paperwork submitted from single parent applicants! At anyrate, I was able to obtain one of the few single slots with FTIA in February 2005 and I couldn't be more thrilled with them! I am so blessed to have this opportunity! They are a first class agency staffed by true professionals and I am very grateful to Keith Wallace, Nikki Bilderback, Ellen Rice (Cherub International, homestudy agency) and Tracy our in-country coordinator! It has been an absolute pleasure to work with them and what a wonderful feeling knowing that you are in such good hands!
Good night and God Bless!
Love,
Kathy
Emily and Abigail
