Thursday,
November 22, 2007
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
We ate our first Thanksgiving meal as a family tonight. It was
NOT what we are used to in the great USA . We ate at the hotel
restaurant with our new friends Andi, Michelle and baby Alana.
There was turkey, and it was good, but we all agreed it was
obviously not the same as being at home.
By the time you read this, you all are probably enjoying
everyone’s company and great food. Eat some apple pie, mashed
potatoes and a big beverage WITH ICE for us! (Since you cannot
drink the water and ice is made from the unpleasant water, we
don’t drink anything with ice.)
Things are getting better everyday with the girls. They are
starting to show their true colors more and more every day. It
is hilarious to watch them play together, take care of each
other and squabble with each other. Their little tempers are
beginning to show as well. I loved it tonight at dinner
(although Rett scolded me for laughing) because they started
throwing food at each other. It was sooo cute and hilarious.
As we were packing today they began playing with many of the
things we are leaving behind like empty boxes and an empty
Pringles can (Pringles are VERY popular here…we ate barbeque
steak flavored ones). A small box quickly became a step stool
for Laney so she could get into more things. The Pringles can
was a hit. It was better than any toy we have purchased for
them. They fought over it and we had to break up squabbles more
than once.
Today’s big trip was to the “People’s Park” located in the
middle of the city. It is a beautiful park. What we quickly
discovered is that people here truly treasure and utilize the
green space provided for them. It had everything from beautiful
walkways, wonderful landscaping, to a small amusement park area.
We found one man reading a newspaper in a hammock and there was
a gentleman playing an accordion along one of the paths in the
park. He was not doing this for money, but just because he
wanted to do so. We stopped and watched. He quickly enjoyed our
company and played us a good ol’ American tune, “Jingle Bells”.
Michelle let him know that she too played the accordion and he
quickly took it off and let her play it. She did a great job!!
It was a really great experience. Later on, we found a man
practicing his violin in an old green house…again, they
appreciate their parks here. Mary told us the park is a peaceful
place for the residents. I believe it, the girls were sound
asleep by the time we left.
After we left, we stopped by an area that was lined with
porcelain shops. Jiangxi is known for its porcelain. We
purchased the girls small tea sets and some other small
porcelain trinkets. We wished we could have purchased more, but
we are limited on luggage space. The girls were so tired, they
slept through the entire shopping experience.
When we arrived back at the hotel we had a picnic in the hotel
room. Nothing like you would expect, but we all sat on the floor
and ate lunch, it was fun. Then we started packing. We leave
tomorrow for the last leg of the journey and we fly to Guangzhou
. It is there that we will finalize the US side of the adoption.
Packing was tough for many reasons. The first is obvious, space.
The second reason it was tough is because I had to pack the
clothes the girls were wearing when we received them. Although
it was just Monday, it seems like forever. It brought back all
the memories of that day and although we are not real fond of
this area of China , it is the girls’ home and it feels strange
taking them from it.
We are 90% packed. We leave the hotel at 1:30 PM tomorrow to
head to the airport. Please pray for safe travels and patient,
well-behaved, little travelers named Abby and Laney. Our hands
will literally be full as we negotiate the airport tomorrow. I
am still not sure how we are going to do it, but Rett keeps
saying we will be fine, so I am trusting her on this one.
Enjoy the pictures, enjoy Thanksgiving and stay tuned. The girls
are asleep and I need to be as well. I need to rest my back. I
do not have the “daddy muscles” fully developed yet.
See you soon! |
People's Park
People's Park
Mary our guide behind Rett
Smackdownover the Pringles can
Thanksgiving Dinner
Today's outfits thanks Nancy Ann
Wedding photos in the park
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