Apparently I have a sign on my forehead that says "Talkative American" that attracts reporters! Holy COW! A reporter from the Wall Street Journal interviewed me this morning after breakfast for like 20 minutes! I was a little leery (because WSJ has done articles on adoption before that were less than flattering to the interview-ees), but I didn't really say anything that could be considered controversial. I am sure that my answers were entirely too boring for her and she won't even use what I said.
We had a pretty laid back day today. I seriously needed some rest, so I sent Anna and Amber down to the pool for a little while and talked to Chris on the phone. There is certainly something about hearing his voice that calms me.
Anna took her "happy nappy" and then David (our guide) took us to a tailor to make some us some clothing! How exciting! I took the kids measurements before I left home and decided to have some GOOD quality dresses made for the girls and a "pajama" outfit made for Austin (pajamas are the two piece pant and button up jackets that are silk). I found a beautiful dark red fabric with beautiful ivory dragons on it! I absolutely can't wait to pick them up next week before we head home. Amber is having a jacket made and I am also having a jacket made. The fabric choices were endless! It is going to be great to have one good piece vs. the ones that we got last time that fell apart after one wash.
After the adventure at the tailor, David insisted on taking us to the electronics district. Oh boy! Chris isn't even here and I can't avoid an electronics store! There was stall after stall of the newest cell phones, PDA's, cameras, TV's, speaker systems... I know Chris is drooling as he reads this! Amber and I were less than impressed.
Then to Dim Sum. I must say, David is usually a pretty leisure walker, but we had to make it to the Dim Sum place (Landmark Hotel?) before they stopped serving at 4:45! He was almost running! It was so funny that I was laughing so hard I almost couldn't keep up! It was good and definitely the most adventurous cuisine we have had so far.
I am very excited that my friends Alan and Wendy (along with daughter) are coming to Guangzhou tomorrow! They will receive their son on Monday! We traveled with Alan and Wendy when we got Amy (along with Brad and Kim!!!). We are very bummed that it was not meant to be for all of us to be here again together, but are thankful for the chance to meet their son soon!
Anna continues to adjust. It is pretty hard to watch her play and be so happy and then turn on a dime and be pensive and angry. I am a pretty tough girl and know how this process goes, but it is hard sometimes to hold a child that is so angry at me, when I have four people half a world away that miss me so much. I just keep telling myself that a month from now - when the jet lag has passed - this will all be a memory.
I was talking to Chris this morning about how the days are just so long... I remembered how Janell (at our agency) told me that it would be about 4 months from our log in date until the day we got Anna. I just cried the day she told me that - how could we possibly wait that long? You know what? It WAS four months - to the DAY! And we survived the wait - one day at a time. So that is how we will do it - one day at a time - for Anna to adjust and for us to be a family of six.
July 8 --
I decided that maybe it was best today to start my post before I was too exhausted after a long day, so I am starting it just after noon... and just after we got back from church here on Shamian Island.
Wow.
.... Backing up to just before church this morning...
I am terribly homesick. I saw the kids and Chris this morning on the web cam and could do little more than sob. I know that didn't help the kids AT ALL, but at the same time, I hope they know just how much I miss them and wish we were together.
Anna was already getting tired and ready for a nap at 10 this morning (she doesn't lay down until noon) and was very fussy and out of sorts. I had one of those moments where I have no other choice but to throw my arms up and ask GOD for help. I even questioned if Anna would make it through the service and if it was really worth the effort. We decided to go.
As we walked over there, I was SO emotional. The previous, Chinese service has just let out and the flood of people walking toward me were leaving. And smiling. That is just something I haven't seen enough of.
We found a seat and a young Chinese man (17 years old) sat next to me and wanted to practice his English before the service started. We talked and then the service began. We sang "Heart of Worship" and "Day by Day" and I was bawling like a baby! GOD had indeed heard my cry and met me there. For those that don't know the words to "Day by Day" - here are the two verses we sang this morning...
Day by day and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here; Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, I've no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what He deems best Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me with a special mercy for each hour; All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me, He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure is a charge that on Himself He laid; "As your days, your strength shall be in measure," This the pledge to me He made.
Wow. Again, I am tearing up at the Father's love.
So…. Yes - this is so difficult. Yes - I miss my family. But we will do this - day by day. I told my sweet Amy before I left that the reason our hearts hurt so much is because we love so much. I am so blessed.
