The Story Of You - Journey To Carmen!

Please email us......

Thanks so much for visiting us during our journey,
Danny, Sally, Daniel and Carmen!

March 2, 2009

Hey!! Today is Monday and after breakfast we finally walked over
to another park nearby. It was about 9:30 a.m. and it was FULL
of people----mostly retirees I think, but looked much younger.
People were gathered everywhere in groups doing a variety of
things. We first came upon probably at least twenty groups of
four people each and they were playing this little hacky sack
game they have here. (Looks like a cross between a hacky sack
and a Badminton shuttlecock.) They kick it back and forth with
their feet and knees (sometimes even behind the back) and it’s a
form of exercise. We watched for a while then Danny just
walked over and joined a group. He has GOT to come out of his
shell! They put him to shame (ha) but he had fun. It was great
video and Carmen just laughed at him. Then, there were many,
many people doing Tai Chi and some doing another organized
exercise with two paddles and a ball. Someone later told me this
was a new game and couldn’t remember the name… There were
also several groups of maybe 30+ people with Chinese ballroom-
type music playing and they were dancing. It was so beautiful.
Of course, after a while Danny couldn’t stand it and took
Carmen out there and twirled and danced with her too! Their
first dance together about made me cry…again. OH-there was
another group the size of a choir who were playing some
instruments but mostly just singing at the top of their lungs and
it was so sweet to the ears! Others of course were doing other
types of exercise and just enjoying the day. A group of Japanese
people came up to us to talk and I don’t think they really knew
that Carmen wasn’t our biological child. It was funny. Anyway,
this was an amazing morning to just see these people in normal,
everyday life. They are a very, very happy culture. I made the
comment to Danny that my face was hurting from smiling and
laughing so much. It was great!

We checked back in at noon as scheduled to see if Shiyan had any
issues from the Consulate for us and everything was a-okay so
we are on schedule.

Once Shiyan returned, about 15-20 of us went to the Folk Art
Museum here in Guangzhou. It was at the previous site of a
huge temple ground where the buildings were over 400 years old.
The detail, carvings, gardens and architecture were beyond
belief. The skills of those who have labored here are amazing
and just breathtaking. I won’t even begin to try to describe this
place because just like China itself, I don’t know enough
adjectives for it!

Tonight we went to a Cantonese Chinese restaurant with the
entire group for dinner. It was really good and I think I’m
beginning to like some Chinese food. I can’t believe it!! At home I can’t even walk in the door of one! The Cantonese food is
a little spicier and not so sweet. Very good! Of course, the first
and last person eating was Carmen. She doesn’t let up. Shiyan
told us that the more comfortable and secure she feels with us,
she won’t eat so much. This is a security mechanism with her.
Sweet baby!! She has come so far that you wouldn’t even know
it’s the same child as one week ago today when we got her. It
certainly feels like it’s been a lot longer.

Tonight we have started our packing. It looks like we’re going
to be okay with it but the packing has worn me out and everyone
else is snoring so maybe a short post this time.

Hope you are enjoying the little bit of our journey we are able to
describe and show. We’d love to hear from you as it is really a
boost for us but also, we will record each e-mail along with this
website for Carmen one day. I’d love for her to know that you
were following along!

Also, Danny made the comment today that it seems our 3+ year
wait just disappeared. He is so right. Again, God just erased all
of that anxiety, impatience and longing and replaced it with this
little girl who couldn’t be more perfect for our little family. We
cannot wait for all of you to meet her….especially big brother,
Daniel! Daniel, we miss you and talk about you ALL day long.
We’ll be home soon buddy! Love you all!