I'm back :)

Wow, it seems like forever since I have been able to sit down and blog about something. After I made such a big "to do" to each of you about posting comments so I would know you are reading I sure haven't come through with the good blogging, have I? I'm very thankful to my mom, my sister, Emily and Hollie for keeping you all updated. I think they have done a pretty good job :)

Right now it is our Sunday afternoon and we just returned from a BIG day of shopping. The boys all went down to the playground/park area and the girls are in the room blogging (well, YouYou is playing w/ stacking cups while I blog :) Emily, you would have been proud of your brother on this big shopping trip. He didn't complain once, in fact he encouraged me to buy a few things I wasn't planning on purchasing. We finally found some more shoes to fit Clara! YAY! We also bought LOTS of DVD's and some Chinese children's music ($2 USD each). My most favorite place though was the pearl market (and that is actually where Aaron encouraged me to spend a little more). We bought Clara a necklace and bracelet to give to her when she is older (and matching ones for me), and one small bracelet for her first Forever Family day anniversary gift (the celebration of the day that she joined our family - January 12)

There is so much I would like to share with you all, but I think I'm going to have to just keep it to the facts right now - too much emotion for me to handle otherwise. I will be honest though and say that this is so much harder than I ever imagined. And I really thought I had prepared myself? I don't know how we could have done this without our family, or without your prayers. We continue to need your prayers. Aaron is still feeling sick (it comes and goes). He already has a Dr.'s appointment when we return but please pray that he can somehow make it until we get home. We are scheduled to go to YouYou's original orphanage tomorrow, and he has already ask my mom to go with me because he is not sure he can make it through the 5 hour drive (and this is something he really does not want to miss). We also need your prayers for YouYou in the evenings. She is really struggling, and it is hard to see her so very sad.

Our last night in the China Hotel Marriott we ate dinner at the buffet in the hotel. This young man was a famous Playdough artist and he was making little creations for all of the children. I'm not sure you can tell, but the detail is amazing.

Our time at True Children's Home was such a treasure. Jenny and Katrina were so kind to show us all around and have lunch with us. This is the entrance to the apartment building where TCH has two rooms for the children.

This was Zhan WeiYou's bed during her time at TCH (before she was moved to foster care).

The apartments have a wonderful playground area...






On Saturday we had to take YouYou to her medical exam. She was not at all impressed with the doctors and nurses. I think they even cut the exam short because she was crying so much because they did not do some of the things with her that they did with Kim and Tommy's little girl. So the entire exam was listening to her heart, looking at her arms, looking in her ears and mouth and weighing her.



Michelle, YouYou loves this little book you gave us. And I was finally able to get a picture of her little scrumptious toes!

This was taken at the park near our hotel on Shamian Island. Kim and I were doing paperwork with Rebecca while the rest of the group enjoyed their time outside.

I really hope to spend some time checking email, etc. very soon! Aimee, I'm soooo happy to hear about your TA!!! You will be here so soon! Love to you all...