Update!!

It is a beautiful day here in Guangzhou, probably about 25 degrees. We are in t-shirts and passing folks on the street in jackets. Our guide tells us that in the summer it is between 35 and 40 degrees.

Julianna eats anything and will be the least picky eater in the house. It really is quite interesting to watch as she shovels it in.

We had a lovely walk this morning Julianna travelled in the carrier we brought. She wasn't sure about it at first but after the first 5 minutes she was fine. We stopped at McDonalds for her first ice-cream cone and of course she loved it. And as soon as she was finished around she went behind ba ba (Daddy) to get on his back again.

We have of course drawn a little bit of attention as we walk about. Several folks have asked if she is a "China Baby" and when the response is yes this is met with approval and a thumbs up. Lots of smiles!

Across the street from our hotel is a park with exercise equipment and a green area where people work out and also congregate to sing and play instruments. Daily exercise seems to a natural part of the day here. Each piece of equipment works a different muscle group.

As you walk along the streets there are speciality shops of every kind. No shop sells the same item, there are shops for silk, electronics, wire, batteries and believe it or not christmas decorations etc. Many decorations, huge Christmas decorations, santas included. According to our guide Becky, who has been just wonderful, the younger generation having started celebrating Christmas. We even heard English christmas carols in the market yesterday. It is called Carrefours or Walmart and is on 3 levels.

Our hotel looks out on the Pearl River and has a wonderful view. Although the smog rather overshadows some of the scenery. Many of the locals wear masks to combat enhaling too much pollution. The spitting habit that was mentioned during the olympics is alive and well here. Although it could very well caused by the pollution.

I continue to try with great frustration to upload the pictures. The internet is working at a crawl here. Hopefully it will decide to work soon or Saturday will be the day of many pictures.

WE HAVE HER!!

We are now the parents and brothers of a little girl. We signed the official papers today. Yesterday was just crazy so didn't get the chance to update. The transition is going amazingly well and we thank everyone for their prayers. She hasn't cried yet only when she bumped her head. She is busy exploring her new world. I am trying to upload some more pictures. Hopefully it will be successful soon!

PICTURES

Well here are the pictures I promised. This is the guys at the Vancouver Airport just before our flight on Thursday.

Here we have the frozen Russian Siberian tundra This one we took out our window. A machine had ripped up the pavement earlier in the day. After that men arrived with shovels, picks and this man was taking care of the dust with his state of the art broom. Branches ties together with twine.

Lastly, we have the recyling man taking his very large stack of cardboard and plastic bottles on his bicycle. It was quite amazing to watch!!

WE HAVE ARRIVED!!!

Well folks I am now talking to you from Beijing, China. We are here safe and sound. There were four families on the flight in our group. The other 7 families arrive tonight and we all head out bright and early Monday morning to fly off to the provinces where we pick up the newest additions to our family. Then we will all meet up together again on Friday. The next 2 days we are planning to rest up and explore a bit. Everyone is in recovery mode.

A couple of interesting facts so far: Beijing is a city of 17 million people.

Beijing has 10 million bicycles.


Will try to post a few interesting pics we have taken since arriving on our next post.

VANCOUVER AIRPORT

Its already 11:40 and we have been up for 7:30 hours. We have reached the Vancouver Airport and are sitting in the gate area waiting for our flight. Everyone is extremely excited and anxious to take off. The next time you hear from us we should be in China.

2 MORE SLEEPS

It doesn't seem possible but 2 days from now we will be on the plane to Vancouver. The boys continue to count down the days each morning, in awe that the time is almost here and we are really going. For me it seems amazing that within 6 days we will have Julianna and she will officially be part of our family. Then all the waiting, preparing and packing will be forgotten.

Look forward to updating you all on our travels. Hopefully, the internet will work properly on the other side of the world.

Anna

Julianna's Birthday Party

Hi folks,

Had a wonderful surprise this morning, we received some new pictures of Julianna at her birthday party at the orphanage. She looks so well taken care of; which is such a blessing. Don't you love the flowery hairband.