Day 8 -- It's getting better :)

     Today was a NO paperwork day.  YEAH!!!  So, our guide gave us a lazy morning.  We did not have to meet until 10:30 am.  So, we slept in a bit, had a nice breakfast, Skyped with the kids, exchanged money and made it to the bus EARLY!!! I know, amazing for us :)  We were the 2nd ones there.

 Early morning (for us) Skype visit with the kids back home.

 Elizabeth getting ready!! She LOVES those hair pretties.

 A glimpse of her 'natural' fun smile :)  LOVE IT!

     We went to a botanical garden.  It was a beautiful place.  Elizabeth had been pretty quiet all morning.  Breakfast in the hotel tends to be a bit crazy and we sat in the midst of the craziness.  She seemed a bit overwhelmed.  So, I was hoping this trip would be ok.  Well, it was.  Our guide explained everything in English and Chinese at the beginning and Elizabeth was great.

A layout of the gardens and MD.

 

Beauty as you enter the gardens.  There are stairs on either side to get to the rest of the gardens.

 

Four of the Woller family.

 

MD being crazy (with some help from dad)  Don't worry he's not really drinking the water.

 

Nice picture of us in the rose gardens.

 

     It was a bit wet at the gardens.  AND at times it sprinkled but all in all it was fun to get out and walk around.  Elizabeth likes to do some things on her own AND while going across a little creek she slipped and her little foot went in.  It did not bother her at all.  Thankfully, it was not too cold.

She's so sweet.

 

Love how she takes MD's hand :)

 

Another great picture of us BUT the tree was awesome -- one of MANY!

 

     This garden has the highest point in Guangzhou.  Matt and MD climbed all the way to the top.  Elizabeth and I just did some more walking around.  

 A view from high.

 MD -- I made it!!!

 On the way down.

 Walking with mama.  

 They had a whole FULL size Angry Birds set-up in one of the gardens.  Joel we thought you would like this :)

Having a little ice cream before we board the bus.

 

     We loaded the buses and headed back.  We went back to the room.  Matt and MD went to get some lunch and I started to teach Elizabeth how to play cards.  We played memory.  It took a few times but she caught on and did very well.  When the guys got back we ate and then continued to play.  MD joined us for Crazy 8's.  I LOVED seeing her sweet personality start coming out while playing.  She loved playing games.  AND we played for hours.

 Memory.

 Go Fish - she's really thinking.

She got the hang of it quickly.

 

Love this face :)

 

     Later in the afternoon we took a very long walk around the hotel neighborhoods.  I still can't get used to all of the people and traffic.  It is unbelievable.  Elizabeth doesn't seem to mind and loves doing this.  We went into a shop or 2 but just really went site seeing around.  We ended up by one or our favorite Thai restaurants so, we decided to order out.  We went back to the hotel and when we sat down to eat Elizabeth kinda clammed up.  She ate fine but her face and actions were very different.  Finally, I just took her in my arms and cuddled we her.  She totally let me and even had a few tears BUT cuddled even closer and slept a bit.

 Cuddle time with mama.

     We Skyped again with the kids and then crawled into bed to watch the boys play a game.  BUT both of us fell asleep.  She fell asleep in my arms.  LOVE IT!!!  I am now awake for a bit :)

     There was much progress today.  She does not seem fearful anymore.  She holds MY hand most all of the time BUT goes through times where she refuses Matt and sometimes even MD.  She loves to play around and has the prettiest little smile BUT can certainly turn it off and go blank at times.  Since she is a bit older I was surprised that she allowed the cuddling so soon.  She even let me rub her face and kiss her :)  She would not give any eye contact at first but later before bedtime when we rocked in the chair she did.  I really thought today went well.  BUT I would like to see a little more progress tomorrow BECAUSE Friday is the orphanage visit.  I'm still not convinced it is the best to bring her back for the visit.  Please be in prayer about this decision we have to make.

Praises:

1. A relaxing day.
2. Elizabeth is starting to come out of her shell.
3. Matt is feeling better.  Diabetes control is pretty good -- my sensor keeps acting goofy, though.
4. Kids at home doing well.  JM did well on his test.

 Prayer Requests:

1. Orphanage visit coming up on Friday (Thursday night your time.)
2. Elizabeth to continue bonding with us.
3. Our health (we are not SICK but just blah) and our safety 
4. Our kids at home (and mommy as I'm getting a little home sick -- I miss the kids)