Sunday morning take two.

This is take two for this post. I typed it all up in the Beijing airport and then lost my connection. Thought it posted but not. I will try my best to repeat what I think I shared.

Saturday morning started out with breakfast at the hotel. It was okay. There was bacon, ham with pineapple, sausage and rice. You can never have enough rice in China. We always try and fill up on breakfast as it is the most western food that you will see for the day.

Our first stop was Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden city. Funny thing, I've been to the Forbidden city 6 times now. Doesn't seem all that forbidden does it? It is a really cool place but much nicer in the winter when it isn't 100 degrees and thousands of people. I think the agencies like to take you here first to introduce you to the Chinese version of personal space, none. It really was incredibly hot and we filled up on waters (shui, sh-way). I didn't really take a lot of tourist type photos this time. I think we got a couple hundred the first time we were here.

Next stop was lunch at the jade factory. They gave us our own room and a table big enough for all of us. I think we had 14 or so total. The food was good, fried fish, rice (of course), fried yogurt (I couldn't have passed on that one), sweet and sour chicken and garlic shutes (I think, which were good). It was a good lunch.

We then proceeded to the jade show room where they were going to "knowledge us" on jade. They have some of the best sales women anywhere. They definitely know how to sell. Debbie was able to pick out two bangles, one for each of the girls. Sales girl was funny she says not to worry price. Just find what you like and the she will talk to manager. He did come over and actually did give us a good price plus some freebies (don't tell anyone). The bangles really are nice and I'm sure the girls will love them. They don't actually get them until their wedding day which I hope is many years from now.

Next stop, the Great Wall. So again this is my sixth time here and you know what I learned? It's still great. They you make it to the top of one of the towers you are a hero. Well, I've done that once before and didn't really feel the need to be a double hero. It was pretty hot here too. We walked for about 5 minutes up and 10 minutes down and then found some drinks and shade, and then back to the air conditioned bus. This was actually nice because we were able to spend sometime with Grace, our guide. She's was pretty nice. We had some fun joking around with her.

From the Great Wall we went back to the hotel, driving past the Olympic village. The. Birds nest is still really cool. We got to see the water cube as well. I was able to see that in 2008 at night and they light it all up from the inside with different colors. Really, really cool.

So, what was the highlight of this day? It was Debbie complaining about not being able to use the Internet in the room. She's not obsessed, she just new a good 8 to 10 hours per day (just kidding). This got me to google Apple stores and see if by chance there was one around us. Guess what? There was and it was only 2 miles away. So we hopped in a taxi and had a fun drive (differing opinions on that) to the Apple store. This was AWESOME!!! Two story store with probably a hundred people inside. All glass on the exterior walls. Really cool. We were greeted right away by several different associates and they got us what we needed in no time. I have no idea what I spent and I'm sure it isn't anything that I could live without but come one, Apple store in China and Bill not buy anything. Yeah right. We even figured out after all that how to get a taxi back to the hotel with no problems. Bring it on Amazing Race!

So that pretty much wrapped up our day. As usual for me in China dinner consisted of chocolate oreos and coke. for some reason they taste better here. There was a McDonalds close by but after out fun adventure Debbie though it best to stay in doors.

So that brings me to now (well several hours ago, now) sitting in the airport waiting for another flight. I think this has been the hardest trip for me. This is the most scared I have ever been in any of the adoptions and I can't really seem to put my finger on why. There are tons of little things but not one big thing. I general just knowing that the girls are older and that they have a say in this whole thing is scary. I now in the end that the reward will FAR out weight anything else.

You know I was sitting around last night thinking how amazing and crazy it is that one of the dateless wonders (yeah, mom thought that was a funny nickname) would be getting ready to have six kids. Me, Bill, six kids. Can you imagine? Then the fears set in... Will the girls like us... Will they want to come with us... Will we meet up to their expectations... Will they bond with us... Will they call me ye ye (grandpa)... (the campers got a kick with that one). In all seriousness these are the things that have run through my mind. I know what we are doing is really good and that we are helping two more children to grow up in a family with a mom, dad, brother, and sisters but don't get me wrong it is very selfish too. The feeling that you get from doing this is so addictive. Being able to give out this love and the get it back is just amazing and the first time they look up at you and say "I love you!" is just priceless.

We have had so many families come up to us in the last months and talk about how they have considered adoption and to be honest most have said that if their husband was on board they would do it. I have to tell you men that you can do this. You can love a child that is not of your blood. I was right there with you and the one day God opened my eyes to what is really important in this life.

We have been able to meet so many families over the last few months that are adopting older children that, in some people's eyes, nobody wants and it's been amazing to hear their stories. What is amazing is how close the adoptive community is also. I barely talk to me neighbors but I can meet a stranger on a plane or in and airport half way around the world and talk for hours. That's what has been cool about this trip is how we were able to meet a couple on the flight into China and talk to them several times. They were just here in February adopting and older child (12 year old girl) and now here they are again. They were able to give us excellent advice and encouragement and we are truly grateful. We know without a doubt that God had put them there to share with us. We hope to meet up with them again in Guangzhou. Or then the family that we met yesterday that is adopting and older boy (12) that we are also going to meet back up with in a few days. It's just all planned out and yet I worry so much. It is just so neat to see these things that we worried about and yet they were all for a reason.

So there, typing about all of this to you all was my self therapy to help me calm down and let Him be in control of this whole thing.

I guess I didn't really say much about today. (boy is this post getting long. Is there a character limit?). We are in Hefei. Holiday Inn. Shelley is our guide here. She is very nice but looks like she is twelve (sorry). I thought that was bad but maybe it will end up being good. Maybe the girls will trust here more. The hotel is nice, clean and very close to a shopping center and KFC so we should be good. It's weird. We are sitting in the room and there's this cot off to the side that will have girls sitting on it in less than a day. I guess that is a about it.

Oh, no, I forgot to mention about the 60 year old boy on the plane next to me. It was so funny. He tried to talk to me in Chinese and when I said I didn't speak he then tried to write the words on his hand and then type them on his phone. What was fun though was that I don't think he has ever flown before. Once we took off he was all excited and looking out the window talking to himself and then I think arguing with then 10 year old I front of him where his house was. Just kidding but it did sound like that. One thing that isn't that fun though is landing and them opening the doors. They are very serious about getting off of the plane as soon as possible. It's best to just stand aside.

Anyway, that is truly about it now. I am getting really tired and that pack of chocolate oreos is staring at me. Thanks again everyone for everything.
We love you Tiffi, Abby, Jadyn and Ethan and is you very much!!!

- Posted from my iPad :: Bill out.

Location:Beijing China