Today was a free day here in Guangzhou for us! Joe and the other 3 dads left for Xuwen at 6:30 this morning! They were going to visit the orphanage and each girls' finding spot. We were so excited that they were going to get to do this! I was just a little envious that the moms did not get to go too, but with an 8 hour drive one way it would have been too much on all of us! Thanks for all your prayers on their behalf! We all went last night and bought toys and clothes to send with the guys as presents to the orphanage. Amy, our guide, told us it was a very poor orphanage and they didn't have many clothes or toys. We just wish we would have know about this trip sooner and we could have brought many things with us to give to them! We are so anxious to hear all about their trip tonight when they get back! We heard from our guides Amy and Lineaker around 7:00pm that the trip went
GREAT! They got to visit the orphanage and see the girls' room - which they were told that they would probably not get to do! They also went to each girls' finding spot! They are supposed to be back here at the hotel about 10:30 or 11:00 tonight! I am so excited to hear all about it! I am so glad they got the opportunity to do visit! They are the first foreigners to visit this orphanage! I will post all about the trip tomorrow on our site!
All of us girls- the 4 moms and daughters went back to Shamian Island to shop! (Go figure! ha!) It was fun to just walk the streets and see all of the other adopting families here in Guangzhou. The shop owners remember you and call you by name! I love it when you try to bargain with them and they say "you're killing me" or " you're giving me a heart attack" or the best one "my boss will fire me". It is so much fun!
The weather has been very cool- unseasonably cool for this time of year. It is great , but I mainly brought sleeveless outfits for Klaire to wear. I had to buy another jacket for her because she has spit up or food on the other ones!
We continue to fall more and more in love with Klaire everyday! She is
just so sweet! She is starting to recognize her American name now and turns when you call her by name. Yan Yan is what they called her in the orphanage- so we use that as her nickname. She is still sleeping through the night, but wakes up a couple of times and just cries out. We pat her on the bottom and she goes right back to sleep. She absolutely adores the girls and loves to play with them. She loves to splash in the bathtub and kick her feet which usually drenches me.
Please continue to pray for us as we still have a few more days left here in China. Our Consulate appointment is on Thursday and we pick up Klaire's visa on Friday afternoon! We are really enjoying our time here and it seems to be going by pretty fast- I can't believe we have had her over one week now!
Pray that Klaire and all of us will continue to be healthy. We are
looking forward to introducing everyone to little Miss Klaire! She will steal your hearts as she has ours! Thanks again for all the e-mails! It is a highlight of our day to wake up each morning and read the e-mails people have sent to us!
Good night from China with love,
Joe, Julie , Karlee, Kassidy and Klaire
Ready for the girl's day out!
Look, I can sit in the stroller- just not for long!
