China Day 13 -- TB check, Zoo, Pearl River Dinner Cruise

    YES, today was a busy day.  We needed to be up early so we could shower, Skype with the kids, eat breakfast and arrive on the bus by 9:00 am.  WE DID IT!!!  We were a tad rushed at breakfast but we did it!!!

     We needed to go back to the clinic to have the TB test read.  This is actually very quick BUT it was crazy inside the clinic.  There were TONS of Chinese people!!!  We waited in line for just a few minutes.  Thankfully, we were at the beginning of our group this time and we were in and out -- too fast for Matt to even get a good picture :)  The TB test was NEGATIVE for us and EVERYONE in our group.  YEAH!!!

She's waiting AND ready for them to check her arm.
 

The craziness in the clinic.
 

    Once everyone was loaded back on the buses we headed directly to the zoo.  When we stepped off the bus Elizabeth got so excited.  She said that she had never been to a zoo before.  First, we took extended golf cart tours around the zoo.  Oh my, she LOVED this.  She was so excited.  It is really one of the first times we saw her come out of her shell with the full group.  

The zoo!
 

She's so excited about going in!
 

Still excited!  We got the back seat :)
 

Sweetness!
 

     The zoo was very clean and nice.  The little tour was nice to see where everything was.  After the tour we were given about and 1 1/2 hours to walk around.  This certainly was not enough time but we made the best of it.  We headed back by the cats -- the lions, tigers and leopards were great!! They even had a roaring match while we stood there.  AWESOME and LOUD!!!

Fun 'cat' pictures
 

Playin.
 

In front of the elephants.

     We also saw the elephants, zebras, monkeys and pandas.  BUT the best by far for us with the giraffes.  We even got to feed them.  It cost 10 yuan ($1.50)  BUT it was so worth it.  Elizabeth didn't want to get too close but she still did it!  MD and I even got to pet them as we fed them.  

Me feeding the giraffes.  LOVED this!
 

MD petting and feeding!
 

Elizabeth getting closer -- she did eventually do it.
 

     We went back to the hotel.  Matt and MD went and found some great take-out!  NOT fast food!!!  Elizabeth has started to do a bit better at meals AND today she even tested how much she could do.  She started walking around a messing around with her food in the room.  Daddy put his foot down that she had to sit and eat at the table -- wow -- her feelings were hurt and big crocodile tears fell!  Thankfully, it didn't last for long!!   After our lunch I took a nap.  I'm pretty sure I have a cold coming on OR it could just be that I'm really tired.  I just feel a bit icky.  I can still do stuff but I feel a bit like I'm dragging.  Elizabeth talks in her sleep and sits straight up in the middle of the night.  So, I have been up 3 to 5 times a night.  SO, a nice nap ALONE in bed was great!!!   They woke me up in time to get ready for the dinner cruise.

     We all loaded the buses around 5:30 to head to the Pearl River.  I was really a tad unsure of this BUT still looking forward to it.  When we walked into the office area the smell of caramel corn was amazing.  It smelled like something in the USA!  Yep, the guys got some.  Next, we went out on the deck which was very wavy.  I was a tad nervous.  Although, Elizabeth got so excited.  Again, she said she had never been on a boat.  When we got on we had a reserved table and Elizabeth went right to a window seat.  Oh, she was beside herself excited!!!  One of the girls in our group had a birthday so, they served birthday cake to everyone in our group as soon as we sat down. 

The traffic -- all the time!

 

Our table -- Elizabeth is soooo excited!

 

Trying to open MD's Coke.  

 

Yummy birthday cake.

 

     Once the boat took off from the dock the had us start dinner immediately.  NOW, this was crazy -- the Chinese people attacked the food bar.  Yes, there was PLENTY of food.  BUT these people were crazy.  It would be like at SRBC (our church) when we are all eating together -- that everyone gets up at the same time and rushes the food and pushes and shoves.  They all forgot about getting chopsticks and kept pushing back in and they piled the food so high -- YES, you could go back more than once.  CRAZY!!

Pure craziness!

 

The food.

 

     The food was interesting but good.  There were things I would never have ordered when I was out so, it was nice to try some new things.   They even served ice cream for dessert.  ALTHOUGH, they acted like they had no idea how to scoop.  One of the guys in our group started scooping to help them out :)  Yes, our girl has been sugared up today.  She had skittles on the way, cake and ice cream.  WOW!!!

Eating time -- catch the noodles hanging from Elizabeth's mouth.  She loved this meal.  

 

Licking the ice cream.  

 

     We were very blessed to have a window seat.  It was beautiful.  All the buildings along the river are all lit up at night.  So, when we were finished we went to the top deck to really check it out.  It was pretty chilly so Elizabeth and I stayed up for just a bit.  Matt go some beautiful pictures.  Many of the buildings change colors.  All the bridges are lit up as well.  Really, it was gorgeous.  

One of the pretty buildings.

 

The four of us on the top deck.

 

Pretty lights!

 

Yes, it's freezing up there!

 

Guangzhou TV tower -- tallest TV tower in China.

This continually changes colors.  

 

MD!

 

There were some great looking bridges.

 

Another great view.

 

     As soon as the boat turned around they started a little entertainment show in the dinner area.  This goofy clown came out handing balloons to some of the kids.  Elizabeth got a real cool flower.  Again, she was SO excited.  The Chinese clown did a juggling act -- with VERY loud Mexican music.  It was pretty funny!  

Elizabeth and the balloon the clown gave her.

 

     The cruise lasted about 2 hours.  It was nice.  Both Matt and I commented how good we felt on the boat.  Actually, that was the best I felt in the last few days!  We loaded the bus and headed back to the hotel.  We have a early day again tomorrow -- so, Elizabeth got ready for bed and laid down quickly.

     Tomorrow is our Consulate Appointment.  This is a US thing!  We have to go to this so that we can get a VISA for Elizabeth to come into the USA!!!  Actually, when we land in Chicago she becomes a US citizen.  So, the Consulate Appointment is very important -- YOU CANNOT BE LATE :)  We leave at 9:00 am!!  In the afternoon we visit Shamin Island to do some shopping.  

     My take on the day :)  Elizabeth is really starting to feel more comfortable with us.  She has tested some BUT nothing abnormal.  She doesn't really like others talking to her and still avoids eye contact with them.  ALTHOUGH, we are getting good eye contact.  She will cuddle a bit with BOTH Matt and I.  She loves to mess around with MD.  All is all she is making great progress.  BUT I do have to say -- being honest -- this process of adopting and being in a foreign country is hard.  I have done it three times now AND it's still hard.  The schedule is busy -- food is crazy -- appointments and appointments with people who don't speak my language -- a new child -- TIRED!!!  BUT God has been gracious to us in many ways:  1.  So, many people are praying for us -- we couldn't do this without!  2.  Wonderful friends and family holding down our life at home --- especially, for our kids!  3.  Elizabeth -- she is doing well!  4.  MD is with us.  He is so helpful -- not just to carry stuff BUT playing with Elizabeth and comic relief :)  5.  Our health -- we have some people in our group that have been very ill -- even to the point of going to the hospital!  We are so thankful we have been protected!

     We so appreciate your continued prayer the last few days of our trip.  Please rejoice in our praises and bring the requests before God!  Thank-you!!

Praises:

1. A fun day!!
2. Elizabeth is continuing to progress -- her personality is coming out!
3. BaJabs had a great birthday EVEN with us in China -- THANK-YOU to everyone who helped make it possible!
4. Safety 
5. Just a few more days and we get to go HOME!!!

Prayer Requests:

1. Our continued bonding with Elizabeth.
2. For our family to mold together perfectly when we all get back together :)
3. The LONG flight -- It will be Elizabeth's first ever!!!
4. Safety and Health!!  Good Blood Sugars!
5. Our children at home.