Goodbye Beijing

We leave in two hours for the airport. We are saying goodbye to Mia's birthplace. It is bittersweet.

This is where she was born.

This is where she was left and we will never know why.

This is where she was found for another mother's arms.

Only He can turn ashes to beauty.

Thank you Jesus.





He will bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3

Sun Park

I am not sure why, but Mia was having a rough time this morning and it came and went all day. Have you stopped praying!?! =) This evening, however, was our best yet with some great play time with Daddy. =) Our only outing (other than lunch) was to a park today which was nice for her. When we arrived, we realized it was much more like an amuzement park. It was empty. Tom said that it would be and I still don't understand why. You have to pay to get in and then you buy tickets for the rides; carousel, bounce house, bumper cars, tilt-o-whirls etc. Inside was a place where kids were fishing for goldfish. We sat and watched and then Steve started tossing in Mia's cheerios. They started swarming like crazy which Mia loved, but I am not sure we were supposed to "feed the fish." He's such a rule breaker. Although we certainly couldn't read the signs.

After the fish feeding, I asked if there was a playground area or slides that Mia could play on. Tom pointed us in the direction. We had to pay to get into that area too (about $4 US) but it was well worth it. It was great to watch Mia in such a kid friendly environment. She was very cautious and somewhat nervous. She was not a big fan of the swing and would not get on the large trampoline. There was a sandy area that she went in, but by the way she walked on it, it made me think she had not been on sand much before. She went right up some steps and down a little slide (as best she could because her hot skin only squeaked down the slide). =( There was another huge slide that she climbed up to the very top on. I'm sure that I would never have allowed Caleb, Luke or Chloe to "go up the wrong way" like that, but it was very nice to see her physical ability and she was completely safe. Mia really has very little delay with her gross motor skills at all. Once she got to the top though she was very nervous and did not want to come down. I climbed up the back way through tunnels and we went down together. =) She also liked the Little Tykes cars. We were able to get some fun pictures & video of her playing which was nice.

After lunch we picked up her passport - Yay! Tonight we will pack everything up as we head out by 11 am tomorrow for the airport. We will fly to Guangzhou - further SOUTH. Which means even hotter and more humid. Ironically, the day after we leave Beijing the high is supposed to be 77. =) And we will be headed to 100s again in Guangzhou (same latitude as Central America). This is obviously Mia's first flight. It will be 2 hours and 40 minutes. Please pray that it goes smoothly for her and the other children. We are also supposed to have thunderstorms tomorrow so you can pray for a safe flight too!

On another note, I had asked our guide to please try to find out when Mia had been placed in her foster family. We have asked a number of times. We had no idea - we assumed it was sometime after some pictures we had of her from about 2 years ago that were taken at the orphanage. Today he spoke with the orphanage director and shared with us that she was placed with her foster family in June of 2006 (when she was 2 months old) and returned to the orphanage in June of 2010. That means she was with them for 4 YEARS. Really her whole life. She was born 3/31/06. Found 4/5/06. In the police station from 4/5/06-4/19/06. At Beijing Children's Welfare Institute from 4/19/06 until June when she was placed with her foster family.

I know that is why she is doing so well developmentally. She probably had a lot of attention. I am grateful for that. But I am just devastated that we were not allowed to have any contact information of her foster family. All we know is that she had two teenage foster sisters. I think they must have loved her very much. Mia always smiles at young Chinese girls (teenagers) when we are out and reaches to say hi to them. She does not do that with anyone else. It makes me understand that her grieving is probably very deep even though they likely prepared her for her adoption.

I have asked a lot of questions about adoption within China (domestically) and the foster care system and I have learned a lot. I understand that the foster families are screened and have to be able to educate the children. They cannot be poor, rural families. Most often the families have older or grown children. They are paid by the government. If they want to adopt the child they can do so very easily. Most do not. The vast majority intend for it to be temporary.

I am so shocked that Mia was not adopted much earlier. I know that it is because the Lord had intended her for our family all along. This whole process has been nothing short of a miracle. I know that it was because the Lord had been working on us first. Preparing our hearts to be open for a special needs child. Preparing our hearts for an older child. And then Mia became available. Many of you know that Mia has a diagnosis of epilepsy. We were given next to no information about her diagnosis. We were told she had a normal EEG and normal brain MRI and her epilepsy "did not seem to affect her intellect."

We prepared for the worst. We prayed & hoped for the best. Many times Steve prayed for complete healing. We really had no idea what we were walking into, but the Lord made it very clear that she was our daughter. And we both felt, we will do whatever it takes. The longer we are here and with her, the more we believe that it is possible she may not have epilepsy after all. We already have appointments made for our first week home to meet with the international adoption specialists and the pediatric epilepsy team at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee. We may have more answers then. It may also be that her seizures are just controlled with her medication which she takes 3x/day. Depending on the doctor's recommendations, we may begin weaning her from them or decreasing the dosage/frequency. Either way, we are absolutely praising the Lord for a better case scenario than we could have imagined medically (at least so far). Obviously, we still have a long road ahead to help heal her wounds emotionally, care for her dental needs and also find the answers to her medical needs.

It may take a long time.
By God's grace and in His strength, we are ready.

She's our girl and we are so thankful that the Lord has finally brought her home to her family. She is so bright. She is such a survivor. I know the Lord has great plans for her life. Thank you for walking along side us in this journey. Thank you for being faithful in prayer. While the road has not always been easy, there continues to be blessing and confirmation all along the way.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Olympic Village

Before agreeing to the sightseeing today, I asked our guide if we could skip the silk factory and just do the Olympic Village. I asked if we could have lunch by noon and back to the hotel by 1:00pm. He agreed that was possible. One family stayed home altogether and one family came because the schedule was adjusted. It went SO well. We literally walked into our hotel just minutes before 1pm and Mia is getting another great nap. We really wanted to see the Olympic Village, but planned on not going if it was going to be more of the same difficult schedule.

The Olympic Village was pretty cool. Tom (our guide) shared how excessive amounts of money were spent in preparation for the Olympics - cleaning up the city, planting trees and flowers and buildings. They began moving people out of their homes and began the building process 10 years before (assuming that they would be awarded the games). Almost 1/2 million people were "asked" to leave Beijing during the games and strongly encouraged anyone else to move out if they were able. Driving was restricted to every other day to reduce pollution. [Even still today everyone has a permit that restricts them from driving 1 day per week. He said that the government does not want to restrict the buying of cars so instead they restrict the driving of them. Currently, everyone has one day where they will be fined if they drive. He said soon that restriction will need to increase to 2 days per week.]

Today again was CRAZY hot & humid. It has been so hot here (during our entire stay) that if it were this hot at home we would not leave the house. =) As we sat in the Bird's Nest dripping - no air movement at all, I asked if it was this hot during the games. Tom said this hot or hotter because it was in August. As I looked down on the track, I could not imagine running in this heat. I had a new level of appreciation for the Olympic athletes. The Bird's Nest now is largely unused - such a shame - because it is apparently very expensive to rent. Occassionally a high level soccer game may take place there a couple times a year. The bathrooms (which of course I saw with Mia) were air conditioned - total luxury - and there were about 6 regular toilets in addition to about 12-14 squatties! Praise the Lord. I was happy to enjoy the perks of an Olympic athlete. I think I should write a book ranking the sqatty potties all over Beijing. The other 2 children are in diapers so nobody else has experienced them like me. =)

Mia did fantastic and having this schedule the last two days has been so much better. By about 7pm she starts to have a hard time, but then she goes to sleep without any trouble. Steve has been so great. He continues to initiate love with her and sometimes she receives it - other times she does not. It is very unpredictable, but I can see that she wants to love him. Whenever he leaves (our table at the buffet or our room) she says where is Baba? Come back Baba. (in Chinese). Steve has been a rock for me too as I have definitely had some major tears after bedtime for Mia some nights. We are a good team and I am so grateful that this hard thing has brought us even closer. The Lord is good.

Tomorrow we will have a free day and I hope to do some shopping along the local streets. Tom will pick up the passports for the kids in the afternoon tomorrow which means we are all done in Beijing. I am very much looking forward to Guangzhou as everyone says it is a much more relaxing pace for the families there. We fly there on Saturday. As difficult as it has been, because Beijing is Mia's birthplace and where she has spent her whole life, I think I will be a little sad leaving too.

A special thank you to Brad and Jess who have moved into our house and Derek & Christy who are helping out big time with the VCrew at home. My parents have passed on the baton to them and I think were sad to leave. The kids know the schedule well - the Bretls and Boyds, then Team Williams (Aunt Kathy & fam), then Grandma and Boppa are back and then MOM & DAD & MIA are home! We are forever grateful to all of the help that we have been getting for the kids at home. It is so reassuring to know that so many are praying for them and looking out for them at VBS and in the neighborhood. We really appreciate it.

That's all for today. Miss & love everyone more than you can imagine.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Enjoy the photos...You can probably see the sweat glistening on our skin. =)

Tea Market, Beijing Zoo & Acrobatic Show

Today has been a much better day. Thank you for your prayers and all of your encouraging messages. The day started with great talks with loved ones back home which is always sweet to us. Then we headed to the Tea Market. They sat our group in a room and told us all about the different teas, symbols, good luck this & that and gave demonstrations, etc. (This was the same at the jade & pearl markets). Today after about 15 minutes, I decided to leave with Mia. I could tell she was exasperated. She was not making a sound, but I know she is so sick of this. So today - I gave myself permission to be a mama first and we got up and walked around the store. You see, after the demonstration, they take us into the store with incredibly "persuasive" sales people. Today I would have none of it. (I think China may make me a little assertive after all). I wasn't rude, but was not interested. The prices are crazy and I am definitely feeling like we get cattle prodded to all the government run shops to spend ridiculous amounts of money. I am convinced there are kickbacks going all around. This girl is done with that. I had seen the same teas and tea sets for TEN times less two days ago- not $10 less mind you. Like, I saw it for $30 at another store and here is was $300. And I am not kidding. Steve has been quite impressed with my new found confidence. =) Just watch out - I'll bet I could even get my fruit weighed at Carrefore in under 20 minutes.

So then it was on to the Beijing Zoo. When we arrived, Mia got right up and started heading off our van without holding one of our hands (she had never done this). We asked our guide to ask if she had been here before. She had. Her foster family had brought her there. I think that is a good sign that she was in a good family. She said again that she did not miss them - I don't know if she is giving the answer she thinks that she is supposed to give or if she really has already grieved them because she was returned to the orphanage over a month before we came. Probably both. It was hot again (our guide told us this is record breaking consecutive days of 100+ heat), but the China VCrew is doing well. Steve has been a real cheerleader and is keeping us laughing which I totally need (since we don't have Brad Bretl along to be making wise cracks for us). =)

We, of course, saw the pandas. Mia really enjoyed seeing the tigers and lions. The conditions for the animals are pretty awful - insanely small cages. It was tough to see. When we finished with those areas, the guide directed us toward the bears and monkeys. The whole group was ready to go. I told him that we were all ready for lunch so as not to repeat yesterday's events. He was surprised, but honored our request. It made the rest of the day wonderful. We had lunch by 12:15 and were back to the hotel by 1:30 (instead of 3). Mia was able to have a great nap - over 2 and a half hours. Praise the Lord.

We left for the acrobatic show at 4:30. It was really impressive. It lasted 1 hour. Mia did well - I was nervous about all of the flashing lights and lasers being a trigger for her, but she had no problems. Answered prayer. I would love to share photos from it, but we were not allowed to take any pictures. It was really amazing - the physical therapists in us cringed at some of the extreme stresses on their spines and joints in the countless pretzel-like positions they held with layers of people on top of them doing the same, but it really was unbelievable.

Just a side note: last night when we skipped the dinner out - we ordered Pizza Hut in and Steve ran to get McDonald's shakes. The pizza was different, but pretty good. And the shakes were SO delish! Mia had clearly never had pizza before, but she ate it and seemed to enjoy it. She is not at all picky which will make coming home SO much easier. I was worried I was going to be making 3 meals - one for the boys, gluten-free for Chloe and rice and congee for Mia. Praise God!

We have now had Mia for one week and here are some of the things we have learned about her:
1. She loves tofu.
2. She loves stickers and uses and reuses the same ones.
3. She hates getting her hair washed, but doesn't mind the bath.
4. She is really bright and is practicing saying words with us.
5. She has a hard time negotiating steps and jumping (though she has already shown much improvement).
6. She enjoys listening to music & likes to be sung to.
7. She sleeps like a champ, 11 hours at night and 2-3 hour naps.
8. She likes having her back rubbed at bedtime.
9. She loves sweet & sour pork.
10. She has no understanding of smiling for the camera.
11. She can swallow pills whole and does 3x/day.
12. She LOVES gum.
13. She enjoys putting on lip gloss.
14. She goes potty a ton during the day (which has given me plenty of opportunities to enjoy squatty potties all over Beijing) but stays dry all night.
15. She enjoys brushing her teeth.
16. After 7pm life gets pretty rough for her.
17. She masks her pain with anger.
18. She gives great hugs.
19. She wakes up happy.
20. Her first waking moments seem the least guarded and give us a glimpse of a sweet, tender, loving little girl.

That's all! Love you like crazy and miss you a ton! Keep praying - for perseverence and that Mia will feel more & more free to allow us into her heart. Also pray for me, my fear has been so good up until now. Now I have new fears of introducing the other 3 - may there be sweetness between them.

Pearl Market, Summer Palace

This morning we headed to the Summer Palace. We first stopped at a pearl market. We bought a few special things for Mia and Chloe as they get older. The Summer Palace was interesting and our guide is so good at sharing all of the history. We went on a boat ride from the Summer Palace across Kunming Lake. The architecture was quite beautiful and the history fascinating. If only there were bright blue skies. Today I asked our guide if they ever see the blue sky, white puffy clouds or sunshine. He said a few days of the year - especially fall or winter if the wind is blowing strong enough to blow away the pollution. Wow. I will never again take for granted the beauty of blue skies.

Mia and the other kids did very well again through the heat and long day. We didn't leave from there until 2:30 and still had not had lunch. We always have snacks with us and Mia had a banana, orange and some cereal. When we finally sat down for "lunch" it was after 3pm. All of the kids started forcing the food in their mouths. It was so difficut to see. I knew Mia was not hungry, but I think throwing off the routine was very difficult on her and the others. She had also not had a nap other than about 10 minutes on our van. She had some tears and difficulty at the restaurant and I was all done too. We have decided to skip dinner tonight (everyone did) and we'll just get something on our own. This schedule is not very kid friendly. If it weren't that tomorrow is the zoo, we would be skipping the sightseeing altogether. The pace is getting to me too- just need some down time.

I did some laundry in the sink last night and hung the clothes with clothespins on the shower line. It may sound funny, but when I took the clothes down this morning the familiar smell from our detergent was such a joy to me.
It's the little things. =)

Hope this post did not sound too negative. It was just a tough day. We are all getting spent - almost halfway home. I don't want to wish it away, so I feel very conflicted in even saying that out loud. I need some time to get in The Word and listen to worship - too much time with my eyes off the King. That is where I am headed now. Continued prayers for perseverence would be much appreciated, as well as, Mia's ability to freely give and receive love and affection. She has also at times been quite jealous of my affection toward Steve. Most often she is so guarded - as to be expected. There are times that I feel such anger over how she has been sinned against. It is a tragedy that there a buildings filled with children all over this country and around the world who just need to be loved.

May every one of our hearts break for the orphans of this world.

It is real.

Right now I am loving this real life little girl and there are millions more. The word orphan has a face to me now. And gorgeous brown eyes. And sweet little hands that want to be held. Mia will never be alone again, but what about the ones she left behind - the one's whose eyes cried out as we walked passed them with Mia in our arms.
I will never forget those longing eyes.

This has been a tough day.

















Miss you all like crazy!

So grateful for the words of Jesus, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

Finding Spot, Police Station and Civil Affairs

Today we had a free morning. It was nice to have a long chat with the kids, Grandma & Boppa, Steve's mom and his brother & Leslie (sister-in-law). It was also nice to organize, clean and catch up around here. I need something to feel like home! =)They keep us very busy with our schedule.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Mia's finding location is one block from our hotel. It was the first place we went to when we arrived in Beijing (before we got Mia). We took some pictures and I just tried to take it all in. The area is a tree lined park that is narrow and long running between two city streets with lots of traffic. All along the park are benches to sit on. There were a few people walking here and there, but it is a strangely peaceful setting in the midst of this congested and busy city. I tried to imagine what her birth mother must have been feeling almost 4 1/2 years ago. I prayed for her. I pray that she has peace to know that her baby girl will be well cared for. I pray that Mia's birth mother will know Jesus and that someday they may be reunited in Heaven. Until then, we will love her and care for her and teach her about Jesus as if she was from our very own flesh. It already feels like she is. We plan to go back again before we leave with Mia for some more pictures. I will post some at the bottom.

After Mia was found, she was taken to a police station nearby and lived there for 2 weeks before being placed in the orphanage. This is very common and there are living quarters there. The police station she was taken to is 2 blocks from our hotel so we headed there today. I asked the hotel clerk to show us the way and he also wrote down in Chinese requesting Mia's file for her stay while she was there. I knew it was a long shot, but I wanted to try. Quite an interesting experience. They looked up her info and dates of stay and looked like they clearly found a file on the computer. We had to return a second time with better "proof" that we were her parents. We made the very short walk back to our hotel to get some more documents and returned within 15 minutes. We were asked many questions as to why we wanted the file. I explained that I would like it so that I could share with her this part of her history in China. After much waiting, loud discussion with many official looking people, being moved to other rooms, more questions and more waiting the original officer returned. He said - "We have no file." I was a little stunned. I knew that he was clearly lying, but there was nothing else we could do. I am glad that we did our best even though the effort proved to be fruitless. We were at least able to get some photos of the police station where she spent 2 weeks of her life before being placed in the orphanage.

We spent over 4 hours this afternoon in appointments. We were all getting pretty crazy and slap happy. Mia again did exceptionally well. We first went back to Civil Affairs to pick up our adoption certificates. Lots of waiting in a waiting room. Finally after getting them, we went to a notary office to get the certificates notarized. TONS more waiting in a large conference room. Then we headed to the police station where the kids got their photos taken for their passport. More waiting. You would think I would be used to that by now. =) We made the best of our time and Mia, Steve and I did a LOT of her sticker word book (Kathy that has been AMAZING!). Then I started showing her the english letters that were hanging on the wall in the room. She was repeating the sounds after me - it was remarkable! We got in on video and I am so glad.

Now we just need to fill our time in Beijing waiting for the passport to be ready (Friday). Tomorrow we go to the Summer Palace. It has been so good to hear from so many of you and "chat" on facebook. What a blessing technology has been!

Overwhelmingly, I am so amazed at how well Mia is doing. We prepared for the very worst. Her medical needs up to this point have been non-existent other than taking her meds 3x/day. God has been so good to us.

LORD you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6

[Below are photos of Mia's finding location, the police station, Steve & Mia in the Civil Affairs waiting room popping bubblegum together and the infamous squatty potty - a rather clean one actually]

Great Wall, Jade Factory and Mia

After breakfast, we took our van to the Jade Factory and the Great Wall. Another crazy hot and humid day. The Great Wall is pretty unbelievable...with its vast size. The smog/haze due to all of the pollution makes it hard to appreciate the views as good as they could be. (There is a constant haze, grayness here - never see the sky or clouds or sun due to the extreme pollution.) Nonetheless, it is completely impressive and stretches for 3000 miles in total. I know that it won't surprise anyone to hear that Steve was planning to climb to the top. We went up past the second tower - very few people anywhere near up that high. The steps are so steep and straight up in many sections. Many of the steps are 18 inches high! Steve carried Mia the whole way. We were dripping all over again.

Mia is still doing very well. She is the most patient kid. I don't know a single 4 year old that could handle all of this sitting and walking and touring, but she is very well behaved. Her acting out usually happens back in the hotel room and she does really well if she just gets some snuggle time. I continue to be very grateful for that.

She loves to listen to my Ipod with me. We have also been tossing the beach ball back & forth with Steve to help with bonding. We've been coloring and doing stickers and looking at her photo albums. She says please & thank you Mama & Baba very well. She is also practicing Caleb, Luke and Chloe. Its really cute. Continue to miss everyone like crazy. Keep praying! Praying for Highland today and sad to be missing fellowship this morning. Enjoy the photos!

Tiananmen Square and other things...

*Please feel free to go straight to the photos...my post is long so that I can remember all of these things once we get home and for years to come* Sorry! =)

Today we went to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the Imperial Palace & Gardens. It was very interesting to learn about the vast history there. I could have listened to our guide all day (maybe with air conditioning). =) There is a lot of symbolism and "lucky" numbers. One of the 3 gates in the Forbidden City is lined with golden buttons - 9 rows of 9 because it is said to be a lucky number. All of the people touch the buttons because it is believed that doing so will bring good luck in life. What I am about to say I mean with great respect - I am so grateful that I don't have to rely on golden buttons. Thank you Jesus. I have prayed much for this city and country. He is The Way, The Truth and The Life.

It was incredibly crowded and HOT - 100 degrees and so humid. We were all soaked with sweat. Mia was unbelievably good. I cannot imagine how exhausted, hot and bored she was, but she did not whine or complain one bit. We were there for about 2.5 hours or so - and got poked with a lot of umbrellas, especially Steve as they were right at his eye level. =) Every one uses them for the sun. Our guide, Tom, is very good. He has been quite forthcoming in telling us about the history and culture here - including the controversial things like the one child policy, child abandonment, abortion and the Tiananmen Square protests. He did ask us not to speak about that while we were there, which of course we honored.

We skipped lunch at the restaurant as everyone was SO HOT and dripping. Shannon was pretty overcome by the heat and we just needed to get her back to the hotel. She ended up getting really sick and we felt terrible for her. It was good to have a longer break before dinner. Mia napped and Steve headed out to find us some lunch and purchase a few things. While he was gone I had a precious opportunity to reconnect with the Lord. Psalm 16 is ministering to me immensely. I also had time to listen to some worship on my Ipod. It was good. Every time we speak to someone back home it brings me to tears. It is not that we are not enjoying ourselves - we really are, but I take for granted the sweet balm of relationships back home. That is why everyone's notes, emails and comments are so wonderful to us. Thank you. Thank you also for your continued prayers.

After Steve returned, we headed to the pool. Mia was very nervous. I could tell she was trying, but she had a scared look on her face. She got in and held on very tight. We didn't stay in long. We'll have to venture again...I'm sure once she sees her brothers and sister being thrown around by Daddy & Boppa in Door County she'll be a fish in the water.

Tomorrow (Sunday) is the Great Wall. I was hoping that we would be able to go to church here so I am disappointed. Beijing International Christian Fellowship looks wonderful - and it would be such a cool experience to worship here in China. Only international passport holders are allowed to attend. Breaks my heart. Imagine having to bring your passport to attend church and only foreigners being allowed to do so. I am so grateful for our freedoms in the US. Unfortunately, the Great Wall tour was moved to Sunday and I feel like we cannot miss that so we'll go to church in Guangzhou.

From a bonding standpoint, Mia is continuing to do better than we could have hoped for...still moments of acting out usually at bedtime, but many spontaneous hugs. She also fell today in the Imperial Gardens, cried and reached for me to be comforted. It sounds so insignificant, but that is a great sign of attachment. Many institutionalized children don't even look to be comforted by another person. We continue to be so thankful. Keep praying!

I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." Psalm 16:2

Busy days

We are so busy, but things are going very well. Mia and I shared some special bonding moments as we each shared one earbud and listened to some praise and worship on my Ipod. She seemed to enjoy the music - I figured we better get started so it starts to sound famiiar at our house! =) We also painted toenails and braided hair. She had a little bit of nail polish wearing off her toes when we received her. I am sure it must have been from her foster family. We learned that she returned to the orphanage about a month ago and the wear on her polish looked about right. =) She had 2 teenage foster sisters so I'll bet they loved on her! She knew just what to do for pretty toes. Again, she'll fit right in. =)

We also visited a supermarket, Carrefore. It is like a HUGE Walmart. It was SO stressful. Aisle after aisle of unknown items. We looked at a lot of pictures and guessed. There were also many things with familiar packaging just in Chinese - like Lays Stax, Chips A'Hoy cookies, cheetos, etc. The flavors were interesting - shrimp flavored stax chips. Yikes! Also, many strange things in the "meat and seafood" area. Live turtles, fish, eel, unknown urchins - and they were not for pets. I was slipping on random fish heads on the floor and with all the people and craziness, I was all done. Mia did very well and seemed to have been in a store before with her foster family. She knew how to sit in the cart and was very patient. She was definitely pointing to and requesting all kinds of sweets - not unlike the other 3 at home! =) When we got fruit there, we had to get it weighed and have a sticker printed out. There are no lines and people just push to the front, around and behind you and put their things on the scale. I was so incapable. I just couldn't get in there and be assertive - 30 people must have pushed ahead of me and they just kept coming. I couldn't figure out how I would ever get it done - and nobody was concerned that's for sure. =) Steve thought it was hilarious and somehow I managed after WAY TOO long. =)

We have been having wonderful meals. I feel like we are constantly eating. Mia has had a cold, runny nose and cough since we got her so pray for that. She also seems to have diarrhea. I don't know if it is a bug or if it is the change of food. Either way - that over a squatty potty, slipping around in flip-flops is not one of the things I'll miss. =)

Mia is continuing to do very well. Some acting out and some mild rejection of Steve. She lets him carry her, but she is not real thrilled with his kisses. That is really hard. We have been Skyping with the kids and I am emotional afterward every time. I miss them so much it aches. There is no way we could do this with them here, but it sure is hard to be away. They are doing SO well with Grandma and Boppa and it is wonderful to see their big smiles and get their email letters. Thanks Mom and Dad! Today when we were Skyping they were all at the pool in Door County and in walked Ken and Tina Moberg!!! (Our executive pastor and his sweet wife and my friend, Tina!) They recognized the kids and came over to say hello to my parents and then Skyped with us!! How crazy! They are staying up there for the week. What a small world. Thank you Jesus.

Today we will go to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. It has been really hot yesterday and today 100 degrees. Please continue to pray for our bonding and for Mia's transition - especially when we add the other 3 to the mix. I am anticipating Mia having a very hard time sharing Mom & Dad. He has gone before us. May I keep my eyes ever fixed on the Lord.
That's it for now! Enjoy the photos!