Our first day in Guangzhou.....our first day without SMOKE!  People smoke everywhere here except in this particular hotel where it is not allowed - at all.  It is wonderful!  Ahhhh.  We began our day with the required medical examination for Maddox.  She was a trooper.  The only hint of sadness came when they laid her down to measure her length.  Her little lip poked out but she never made a peep.  The doctor did note that she has a heart murmur.  This was not something we were expecting but we will lift her up and pray that it is something that will heal all on its own. She is a complete doll!  

Following our medical excursion, MK and I went on a "girl date" and purchased the cutest shoes ever.  Of course they are all her, shiny silver with big pink/brown polka dots.  In every store we entered, the storekeepers gave her something to bring back -  a free gift.  We came home with a fan, stickers, dolls - she had a successful trip.

Soon after lunch, we joined our guide for a day at the safari.  Again, I did a little research before coming here and we decided to do a trip that we had not experienced on our trip before.  The safari was a hit.  We saw red pandas, white tigers, baby elephants, large elephants, twin koalas and, of course, panda bears.  The boys fed baby tigers and the elephants.....a treat indeed.  And, of course, China would not be China without our boys meeting people and being asked for a photo-op.  They have experienced this quite a bit!  The one pic of the koalas....the mother koala is actually holding the baby koala - you can see the baby's eyes if you look closely.  

Then, it was time for our first jaunt to the one and only Lucy's for dinner with our group.  We have several GWCA families that have joined us in Guangzhou.  They are all really nice and we are enjoying our time getting to know them.  Maddox, our little peanut, ate a half of a hamburger and a plate of fries for dinner - so glad she is eating! Until later.....

We arrived in Guangzhou late last night.  Our flight was horrendous, we bumped around a good bit but thankfully it was a short flight.  Maddox did great!  She is such a happy little girl and giggly.  We just adore her!  Later this evening I will try to post about our day.  Once again, we had a little adventure and loved it!  Thank you all for prayers, comments and emails.  Though we cannot view your comments on the blog here, we cannot wait to read them when we arrive home!  Until later.....

No trip to China is a trip without the full Wal Mart experience.  The crowds are quite impressive and the delicacy selections are amazing....we have chicken feet, grab what you would like; we have eel, again take what you want; we have alligator; meat that you just pick up and bag yourself - again, it is the way of life here.  Did I mention the crowd? It is slight madness.  Alas, we have been thankful to be within walking distance of Wal Mart during our stay in Guiyang.  We haven't had any problem obtaining water, baby supplies, toys and Snickers while we have been here.  Did I mention this particular Wal Mart is underground?  On top, there is a large open grass area where people fly kites daily - it is a sight to see and it is beautiful to see the kite display from our room.  

Yesterday we took a short walk over to a temple that is a symbol of Guiyang.  It was under renovation so we were unable to get a full tour but the walk was nice.  We were also able to get some good pictures of our hotel - it is the tall, slender building with the cone shaped top.  At the top of our hotel, there is a restaurant that offers spectacular views of the city in the evening.  The city is nothing short of New York....there are large screen tvs on every corner, there are lights on buildings that flash and sparkle with different light shows.  For anyone who may be traveling to Guiyang for an adoption, we highly recommend the Sheraton Guiyang.  It is a great area, there is an indoor pool that we have thoroughly enjoyed despite having to wear silly little booties to go in, there are cute shops all around, the staff is great - it has been a most wonderful stay here.  We laugh because if you ask a non-English speaking staff member a question and they don't understand then they immediately take you to someone who does speak English.  Last night at dinner, Colin was taken to three different people before it was understood that he was requesting parmesan cheese.  We all got a good laugh and we enjoyed the parmesan cheese.  On a different note, I took Maddox to a local children's shop yesterday to purchase a jacket for her.  The girls in the store do not speak English at all.  It was quite comical to try to ask them for sizes and prices....they even had a calculator that they would type in the price for me to see and I laughed because it translated the numbers into Spanish - doubt they got that.  In any case, I left and they were all in stitches laughing at the crazy, blonde American woman.    
Today is our last day in Guiyang.  In fact, we will check out at 3 and then make our way to the airport for our 6:15pm flight.  Please pray for safe travels for us to Guangzhou.  The children continue to do well.  Maddox has decided that maybe eating isn't so bad after all.  She does not eat a lot by any means but she is eating more.  Ryan calls her  "the bull in a China shop" as she is very curious and loves to explore.  When we give her the opportunity to walk, she gets down, spins around and takes off!  She is so sweet!  She is waving bye-bye and clapping a lot.  And she laughs all the time!  MK and the boys are taking it all in.  I think we are all going to enjoy a change of scenery in Guangzhou though our time in Guizhou has been quite memorable and special.  We have really enjoyed getting to know our travel buddy, Laura, and her daughter, Allison.  Allison reminds me so much of MK - she loves to eat, laughs a lot and loves to entertain!  The boys have especially enjoyed her.  

Prior to our Wal Mart journey, we walked over to a local coffee shop that is American owned.  It was nice to have a taste of home. We indulged in hot chocolate and coffee and enjoyed the downtime.  As we sat there talking, a bike road by and on the back was a basket full of live chickens.....then a cart full of all sorts of fruits.....then we observed the school children out and about during their noon break.....the little stand next to the shop was full of fresh produce and meat just sitting out waiting to be cut.....and babies playing in the alley.....the sights and sounds of Guiyang, my daughter's birthplace.....I am so thankful for our time here, for the experiences we have had, for the journeys we have taken and for the memories that we will be able to share with her one day.  Until later.....

Celebrating MK today!  Three years ago, our baby girl was placed into our arms in Chongqing, China.  She has gone from one scared little baby to a very confident, loving, happy little girl.  She makes us all laugh, she is full of life and she LOVES to talk!  Have I mentioned how she has grown up in just a matter of days?  She has stepped up and is really taking her role as the big sister seriously.  She sees it as her soul purpose in life to protect and direct her little sister.....it is sweet now, we shall see how it continues :)  We made it a point to celebrate her today by having hot chocolate at a local, American owned coffee shop and by giving her extra loves and kisses.  And, we have told her stories of her Gotcha Day as well as the early stories of how she used to play hide and seek or peekaboo with us....she loves to hear the silly things she did as a baby.  She is amazing and we are so glad that we were chosen to be her family!  

Let me start by saying that we have seen so much during our stay in Guiyang, China.  So much so that I am going to have to continue blogging about our China trip even when we arrive home.  We have had the opportunity to experience firsthand what our daughter/sister's life would be like had she not been adopted.  From an American's side of things, I would say it would be a sad way of life.  Thankfully, the people here do not seem sad.  Instead they seem very adjusted to their lifestyle and know no different.  Therefore, they are content.  With that little tidbit said, let me share with you about our journeys yesterday.  First, we visited Qianling Park aka "The Monkey Park."  The drive there was half of the journey as it was a very rough drive on a dirt road.  The streets in the city are fine.  Once you leave the city, you enter into a different world of travel and it is an experience in and of itself.  I mentioned to Ryan that the driving here reminds me of a game of Chicken.....drivers just go and go and go, it doesn't matter what is in front of you or beside you or if there is a bigger automobile coming towards you, one just drives until they chicken out.  At that point, the "chicken" driver immediately slams on breaks and applies his horn.  So, back to the monkey park, we arrived, ventured in and observed some traditional gaming and dancing taking place.  One particularly interesting game consisted of this man, a spintop - can sort of thing and a whip.  The spinner thing would spin and then the guy would hit it with the whip.....if he succeeded, the spinner continued to spin, if not, the spinner stopped.  It was quite entertaining and loud.....we stood at a good distance :)  Then we boarded the bus and drove further into the park.  Eventually we slowed and just outside our bus there were monkeys EVERYWHERE.  Little ones, big ones, baby ones, some were swinging in trees while others were busy scoping out the area for food.  No kidding, we watched as one man gave a monkey a wrapped piece of bread.  The monkey took the bread, bit the plastic wrap off bit by bit while spitting it out of his mouth and then he took the bread and consumed it.  Amazing.  Ryan says the zoo will be boring to our children after this experience.  It was very cool.  

Following a little break, our family boarded our bus for yet another out-of-city journey.  Before we traveled to Guiyang, I did some research on things to do in this area. Guizhou Province as a whole is very mountainous and there are a lot of caves. Guiyang is not known for tourism and therefore, there is little to do.  Knowing my gang the way I do, I sought out some tours that are not usually arranged unless requested.  We decided to tour an area called Tiahne Scenic Pool Area. There are caves and waterfalls and the countryside is beautiful. Again, with our afternoon tour, the drive there was half the journey.  I took a picture of what we drove through - literally a construction site, no road, just mud - and we bumped and bumped and bumped.  Upon arrival, our guide stated that we must first board this battery car to take us down to the dock to board our boat to ride into the cave.  Now, I must say that I knew little about the battery car and its power until yesterday.  I simply thought we were going to take a peaceful golf cart style ride to our boat loading area.  Oh no, not the case.  Instead, my boys and MK jumped on the very last seat, with me sitting next to them and Ryan with Maddox in the seat in front of us.  In a matter of seconds, I realized that my peaceful golf cart ride was not going to be the case.  We blasted off, the boys and MK laughing and saying how much they loved the car - it was like a roller coaster ride for them!  Ryan was just taking it all in stride, hanging out.  Me, I was praying.  It was so fast, we went left, we shifted right and then  the brakes were applied and once we returned to our upright position, we were allowed to get off.....it was crazy.  We then got into our boat, road through the cave.  It was beautiful.  After our tour by boat, we got out and walked through different sections of the cave as well.  The afternoon was remarkable.  So glad that we took this opportunity to see more of China's landscape.

We had a great day today!  I will blog more later about our exciting adventures - there are two pics that contain hints of our outings.  Definitely not a boring day by any means.  With that said, we are off to bed!  However, I did want to post some pics upon request :)  Donna, the one of the girls was not an easy task but I managed, for a moment, to get them both still enough to do a side by side just for you!  

On another note, I must type this now as I am likely to forget in another post.  We happened upon some tasty dessert suggestions.  Our favorite?  Steamed Snow Fungus - anyone want to give that one a try?  We are sticking with the trusty Snickers bar for now :)  Until later....

Some interesting things about our stay here in Guizhou.  Our room comes equipped with not one but two gas masks.  Honking of horns means move now or you will get run over.  No one speaks English except our hotel manager and our guide.  We asked for a plate last night at dinner and they brought us an entire plate of bread - same but different.  The boys ordered Coke in a can, they received Coke in a glass - somehow MK managed to swing a Sprite in the can.  We ordered two kids pizzas and one larger pizza for us to share.  The kids size pizza was as big as one large pizza that we are used to so we had a lot of leftovers to throw away as there was no way to keep it fresh. We visited the hotel pool and we were required to put these beautiful little booties on over our shoes.  However, the maintenance worker was allowed in the pool area minus the booties - I wonder whose feet were dirtier.  Whenever we speak to someone who does not speak English in the hotel, they immediately pick up the phone and dial the manager to translate for us. 

Today has been great!  Maddox has come out of her shell quite a bit and we have all enjoyed watching her blossom.  She has laughed at all of us, she took two bottles, she had a good nap and she has explored.  She is quite the explorer.  Ryan and I stated that we have gone from one extreme to the other.....MK always wants to be with someone and does not entertain herself very well.  Maddox entertains herself too well!  She is a mover and a shaker.  Ryan says we will be closing a lot of doors when we arrive home - to include the bathroom!  We figured out today that she was most likely allowed to walk around when taking a bottle.  She doesn't particularly care to be held when having a bottle, she would much rather be on the move with the bottle in her mouth.  We are in survival mode at this point and we have allowed her to do this but there will be an awakening in her world once we land on US soil :) MK is LOVING her role as big sister.  In fact, as I am typing this, MK is telling me, "Don't worry mom I can take care of her.  I will tell you what she needs.  You don't need to keep checking on us!"  And the boys are wrapped which was totally expected!  She will reach out to them to be held and they gladly pick her up!  So all is good in Maddox - land for today!
About our day.....we woke to snow!  Unbelievable!  We are told this is not the norm for this time of year.  It is supposed to be as cold tomorrow if not colder.  YIKES!  We visited a local museum which I will blog about in the future.  After the museum, we rested for a bit in our room and then took a trip over to Maddox's orphanage.  Though the orphanage is responsible for the care of around 400 children, only 100 live on site, the rest being in foster care.  We were allowed to take only a few pictures, one being the room where Maddox slept during her brief stay there.  We were also allowed to take a picture of the footprints on the staircase.  The footprints are painted on the stairs so that the children know to stay in their line.  And then I took a picture of the outside of the orphanage as well as directly across the street.  I cannot describe to you the way I felt during our drive there, the sites that we saw, the poor conditions of the buildings and streets....there were moments that I thought surely we were not going to where my baby lived, surely the driver was lost or taking a shorter route.  But he wasn't.  I have never really thought of our adoptions as a way of "saving" a child until today.  And the children in the orphanage, the handful that we were allowed to see - they were all so full of life, all had special needs.  The boys gave candy to the children and one little guy said, "Xie Xie, Gu Gu" which is "Thank you brother."  And there was this little girl.....oh I could have just scooped her up - she was oh so proud to show me her beautiful artwork.  She was precious!  And there was a tiny little baby with a newborn cry, a cry of hunger.  The nanny prepared the bottle but instead of cuddling the baby, she put the infant in a seat with little support, she turned over a bucket to sit on and she fed the baby its bottle.  I was tempted to say, "Please, I will feed him/her" but I knew to keep walking.  The nanny was doing her job and the baby was getting it's immediate needs met.  So sad though. To say our day made an everlasting impression on us all would be an understatement.  I am glad we have our Maddox.  I am glad she will know a different life.  I am glad that we have friends and family who have supported us from day one and made her possible.  

***The one pic is of two little girls playing in the mud....there was mud everywhere.  The other random pic is of the motorcycles complete with umbrellas.  It rains almost daily here so the cyclists have to be prepared.  

Please continue to pray for our health and safety.  Thank you all and we can't wait to introduce our little girl to you soon!