Thursday- A much better day.

Thursday (today) we opted out of the group trip to the zoo. Everyone slept in and lounged in their pjs until we finally made it down to breakfast at 10:15am.  Our guide saw us there and let us know the visas were ready a day early, and they were on their way to pick them up. We briefly discussed the possibility of leaving China a day early but decided to stick with our planned departure.

Instead of the zoo we took a short cab ride to Shamian Island. It is hard to notice that it even IS an island, but it was owned by the French and British in the mid 1800s or so, and it looks very different from China, full of colonial buildings. The main road is a wide boulevard with two small roads on each side. There are bronze statues scattered throughout and many bridal and other photographers using the beautiful setting for photography. There are also a few great shops and we hit each one, crossing off the rest of our shopping list.


Christmas card! :) 

Cute one :) 

 Boys playing chess with themselves :) 

Selfie attempt!

While walking we stumbled across the Catholic Church on the island, Our Lady of Lourdes, and we walked in to say a quick prayer.  I could not have made it through a single adoption without knowing that God was walking next to me, and her we were in His house at last.  Sitting in that Church with my three babies and husband around me was the most incredible moment, and it was all I could do to not break down in a puddle of tears of gratitude and peace.

Little girl, big God

We stopped at a Starbucks for drinks and a treat and to enjoy some American-ness, complete with Christmas carols in the background.



We finished off our shopping and caught a cab back quickly. After dropping off our gifts in the room we headed out to try a nearby pizza place.  I tried putting Gemma in the stroller (the first attempt had been a fail) and she loved it!  It felt GREAT to have a moment not having this little lady strapped to me or me chasing her down.

Snack before pizza

Turns out I got this. 

We got a lovely seat outside and enjoyed some pretty good pizza.  A week ago Gemma was not able to eat pizza at all, so I had brought other food for her, but she surprised me this time by eating almost a whole slice!

We went back to our room to work on packing, as tomorrow is our last full day. Gemma, who screamed in the tub the second day, demanded a second bath :)



Saturday we leave bright and early at 5am for a van ride (Friday US time 3pm) we take off at 11:30am Saturday  in Hong Kong and arrive at O'Hare on Saturday at 11:30am!! It will be a LONG 14.5 hour flight but we cannot wait to be home!!!!

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