Travel Buddy

  

Dear Travel Buddy,

 

We squeezed hands on the airplane flying over the ocean toward China and promised each other we'd do this crazy trip together.   And what an adventure we've had.  7 Chinese cities, 5 hotels, planes, trains, boats, vans, taxis and buses.  What a gift it has been to have you with us. 

 

Not going to lie, we waffled big time about bringing you. You have a strong little will and we just weren't sure.  Something in my gut though told me that you would step up.  That you needed this. 

So glad we said yes. 

 

Most importantly, you have been a bridge with your little brother and sister at a time when they were so frightened and so unsure of what was happening.  You've made them laugh, held their hands, pushed a stroller, played with them, taught them to take baths, held them, carried things for them, shared with them and sacrificed for them.  There have been lots of waiting in meetings and airports and you've been so patient. You might have even been there to give a hug to your momma just when she needed one. 

You've seen art, learned history, soaked in culture and been a celebrity everywhere you've gone.  We have hardly done the schoolwork we brought, but we are quite certain the learning has been immense. 



You've really seen China.  We like to be travelers rather than tourists and you've done just that.  You've eaten noodles for breakfast and acquired an appreciation for dumplings. Squatty potties are just part of the fun, right?! (OK, that might be a stretch.) Walking the backstreets of China, seeing real life, has widened you.  Your heart has gone global. 



Your little 6 year old self has walked on the Great Wall and shopped in backstreet markets. 

 We just know that you are forever changed.  Walking the halls of an orphanage and holding fragile little ones at Heartbridge will do just that.  Our late night conversations about birth parents, abandonment and all things China have been evidence of your heart change. 

It seems as though you might have grown up a couple years during these four weeks.  We've had our tears and our grumpy and tired moments, but I think they are part of it, don't you?  We are so far from perfect, my girl.  Remember that our hearts fail, but God never ever does...no matter where He takes you.  This wild ride together falls among our favorite memories with you. 

 

So proud and love you more,

Mommy and Daddy

Guangzhou Martyrs Park

 Big city life is fun, but our team craves outdoor time.  Finding the Guangzhou Martyrs Park was JUST the gift we needed this week.  Another gift?  Borrowed strollers from the Garden Hotel.  What, what?  Our backs are grateful. 

 China knows how to design a park, and the Chinese people know how to enjoy them. 

This is a beautiful park with a lake and beautiful bridges,

paddle boats and a well used exercise area. 

We were there on a Saturday, and the park was full of life. 

 We love that in any community area, you can find people singing and playing instruments, walking and actually having conversations.  Such a sweet way to live in community. 

Groups playing cards could be found all over the park, and every bench was filled with men playing mahjong.   (We must learn to play this game!)

We love so many things about China, 

and we have a thing for blossoming little Chinese girls. 

The Great Wall of China

Our team has some serious Asian persuasion going on.  All things Asian have always been a fascination.  Then, we got to travel to get Claire, and we were smitten with China.  It IS a hard place, but it is also a place of such great beauty and such incredible culture.  We've longed to return ever since.  Now, here again, we are amazed at the gift and trying hard to soak up every moment. 

 

 

Today, up we went to the Great Wall, and we walked...climbed...in total awe. 

 

 "Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

2 Samuel 7:18

Retro Lunching

After spending the morning on monastery grounds,

our bellies were a growling! 

So, we met up with Janie and headed to a

local diner/soda fountain for some eats. 

With our stools spinning,

we ordered up some ice cream for lunch.

My hips are thankful that this little retro eatery is not near us. 

Check out stage one of the girls' ice creams. 

The tall glass dishes filled with just enough space left

at the top for an inch worth of chocolate syrup.

Are you drooling, or is that me?

Smiling so hard that we lost sight of her eyes,

Little Bear dipped out mouthfuls of delight. 

Yep, this is how we roll. 

When finished, we aren't neat, nor tidy, nor polite. 

Clothes, hands, and chins are drizzled with sticky chocolate. 

With great intention, we throw our heads back in order to suck down every last drop of sweet,
melted good stuff. 

And the container of pimento cheese that I walked away with? 

It might be long gone, but it still causes my mouth to water. 

Soda fountain delici-ocity.

Thanks, Janie, for a super fun, Mayberry throwback lunch!

Dinner in the Serengeti

See these people?

They are happy.  Really happy. 

Why?

Because we had dinner, here...

and got to see this out huge glass windows while we ate...

this...

Team kudos to Disney for creating the amazing Sanaa restaurant within the Animal Kingdom Kidani Village Lodge.  This dinner will rank among our top family memories. 

We dined on African and Indian food that made our stomachs oh so happy.  Oh so happy.  (Wait, did I say that twice?)  The girls ate like champs, trying all sorts of new foods. 

And the fact that all these adventuorous foods was topped off by chocolate cake (with Mickey Mouse sprinkles) won mommy and daddio some points in two little love banks. 

It was a beautiful night. 

In a beautiful place. 

And before we left, we continued the cultural experience by participating in an African drum jam session with some native Africans leading us.

Oh, so happy.  We heart Africa and we heart Sanaa.

Afternoon Dip

Every afternoon, after a morning full of Florida fun, we took an afternoon dip.  They swam.  They splashed.  They jumped in after a count of three. They giggled.  They snacked.  They went back to the room and crashed.  They snoozed for hours.  Then, we peeled them out of their beds for evening fun!

"Shampoo" the Whale

Team shout out to Sea World for free admission for military families. 
We had serious aquatic animal fun for free!  Woot, woot!

The highlights of our day were taking in the shows.  (It was pretty hot while we were there, so chilling out under cover was a big bonus. ) 
The dolphin show rocked two little worlds.    

We pet sting rays, and saw sea lions, manatees, sea turtles, dolphins, and more. 

As we were leaving, we talked about our favorite parts of this super special.  Soph's fav?  Seeing "shampoo the whale".  Hee, hee. 

Her souvenir?  One squashed penny with "shampoo" on it that she was THRILLED with.  Can we keep her this size forever?

Little Farmers in the Dell

Our next Orlando area attraction?  Why a petting form, of course!  After a few days on our own, "Daddio" was able to steal away for some petting fun.  Little Claire is completely enamored by all animals, so she ran at warp speed, entirely too busy for the momma-razi.  Loving every minute of it (minus the bird poo).

Check out what dads do for their girls.  He's smitten I tell you.  Only two little girlies could make Mark catch a duck with his bare hands.  (A little TOO tight there, Daddio!)  The funny thing?  Daddy holding a squirming waddler in his hands was not enough for Claire-Bear.  She gave her best effort to try grab one of these guys for her very own!

As you can see, the littles loved these little horse statues.  If the farm had just had these, they would have still been happy. 

Statues are cool in all, but the littles got to ride the real thing!  This was Claire's first time in the saddle, and the sweet little thing grinned the entire time. 

Another cool thing that dads do?  Break all the rules and let you get up close and personal. 

Our fun time ended with a leisurely train ride.  These three sweaty, happy campers loved making memories down on a Florida farm.