China trip - Day 8

Giddy up sissy!

Mei woke up this morning and said "wen e wen" which means kisses or hugs (can't remember which) and ran to me.  I got the biggest hug and snuggle.  Lainie held out her arms and got the same, as did Daddy.  She wouldn't go to breakfast today without wearing the little bead bracelet her Daddy bought for her yesterday.  It is a bit big on her wrist.  We'll have to remove a few beads and retie the elastic to fit her.  I weighed her on the hotel scale yesterday.  She is 42 pounds.  Short, but definitely bigger than I expected.  The size 5 clothes fit fine, but she'll probably move to size 6 soon, at least in the waist.  That's still pretty small for a 7.5 year old.  I think I mentioned that there is a group here on a homecoming trip, visiting their orphanage after being adopted about 10 years ago.  All the girls are about 11, and TINY.  They make Kailee look tall.  I've seen very few milk products on our trip.  I have to wonder if it is the limited calcium that affects their growth, or if it is shear genetics.  Maybe a combination of both?

Fun in the pool - no fear!

Today we pick up Mei's passport and adoption certificate and head for Guangzhou.  It's been a wonderful time in Nanning.  Such a beautiful city, and a wonderful memory of becoming a family of six.  But I gotta say, the breakfast buffet is getting a bit old.  We actually broke down and had the guide stop at KFC on the way back to the hotel yesterday.  Jad got a mixed bucket of chicken.  Supposedly it would feed a family of six.  Oddly enough, the veggies and bread were a bit slim.  They gave us one half ear of corn and one breadstick.  The crispy chicken was extra spicy - really good!  I guess we are missing something that tastes like home.  :)  I had to grin when I heard the instrumental version of "thank God I'm a country boy" at breakfast this morning.  I suppose they are trying to accommodate the Americans.  LOL  We're also looking forward to meeting up with other families from our agency. They all went to different provinces to pick up their children.  It's amazing how everyone's lives have changed in just a week.  :)  

As I began packing our bags, Jad planned a trip to the park with the little girls.  Mei wasn't interested in joining them, which I thought was odd.  She never turns down an adventure out of the room.  Perhaps she sees the suitcase and knows we are going somewhere?  She helped me load the suitcase for her and Lainie and then proceeded to play in all the carry on luggage.  Please pray for an easy flight to Guangzhou.  Hopefully that will prep her for the long trip home.  

The girls enjoyed swimming again yesterday. Here is a picture of the fun, and also one of the girls playing in the room.  :)

Please continue to pray us home!

Love to all -