"Mommy, you're alive!"

Those were Conner's first words to me in the airport last night. After 18+ hours of time spent either in an airport or an airplane, I felt barely alive. It was all worth it though. Charli and I couldn't be happier to be home. Our amazing journey to China is finished and our journey as a family is just beginning. She is ours forever and always!

I want to thank everyone who has helped us along the way. Your love and prayers have literally carried us along the path to becoming a family. I especially want to thank Ayi Julie for sacrificing 12 days to come along with us. We miss you already!

I'm going to focus my blogging efforts back to my original blog, ClickSwish. Follow us there as our journey continues.

Last Day

This is our last day in Guangzhou. We go to the Consulate to take the oath today at 4:00, then take the train to Hong Kong. We fly out of Hong Kong tomorrow at 12:45. Our flight lands in Birmingham at 7:50 pm. I can't wait to get home. Chad, have that Dr. Pepper ready. I will see you soon!

Koi pond at the White Swan.

Best Chinese Food Ever

Yesterday after our consulate appointment we ate at a very traditional Chinese restaurant. We were by far the youngest customers and the staff didn't understand a word of what we were saying. Thank goodness the menu had pictures! We ordered water for Charli and they brought out a glass of steaming hot water. This isn't the first time this has happened in China. But this time we couldn't get across to the servers that we wanted bottled water for the baby. Finally the precious waitress lost her patience with the dumb Americans. She poured the hot water into a bowl, blew on it, and gave it to Charli with a spoon. Charli must have done this before because she slurped up the entire glass. Our meal was delicious. We had beef and noodles, pork dumplings, and scallion pancake. We avoided the whole fried birds and pigs feet the other guests were enjoying.

On to something more familiar: The Guangzhou Starbucks is my favorite Starbucks of all time. Charli enjoyed more steaming water this time over ice.

More Guangzhou

We also visited the Statue of the Five Rams, the famous symbol of Guangzhou.

The climb to the statue. It was HOT, but just like at the Great Wall, Charli climbed it all herself. Strong girl!

Julie poses at the mall with a Houston Rockets jersey. Yao Ming is of course a hero here.

Guangzhou is covered with whimsical statues like these. Such a beautiful city... I hope we can see it again some day with the WHOLE family.

Liurong Temple

Easter Morning in Guangzhou was spent at the Liurong Temple. The name means "The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees." At first I was apprehensive about visiting a Buddist temple, especially on Easter Sunday. However as I looked upon the statues of Buddah an amazing thought came to my mind. How blessed we are to serve the Living God. As I placed the incense in the canister I gave a prayer of thanksgiving to Christ: first for Charli Grace, then for the beautiful nation of China, and finally for the gift of Easter and all it represents. Have a blessed Easter everyone HE is ALIVE.

Beautiful Guangzhou

Everyone who told us that we would love Guangzhou was right. It is beautiful and the people are so nice. The shop owners are friendly without being pushy. And oh the bargains we have gotten! We are going to a Christian Easter service today and then sight seeing with our guide. Charli is going to wear her Chinese Easter dress I bought in the shop yesterday. Reagan, I got one for you too! I'll post pics this afternoon.

The White Swan Hotel presented Charli with a "Coming Home" Barbie.

Julie took these photos on the way to the medical center for Charli's check up.

Our View from the White Swan