Happy Anniversary....

Happy Anniversary Uncle Rick & Aunt Stephanie!!!

Love

Anna

Temple, Shopping and Pizza Hut...

We got up on Monday morning a little later than usual. I guess we will start adjusting to the time now that it is nearly time to leave. We had to leave the hotel lobby at 9:00, so we rushed to get ready and try to make it in time to eat breakfast.

Honestly, I don't know how much more of the breakfast I can take. I thought of it nearly makes me nauseous and food just doesn't sound good anymore. I guess that could be a good thing for my weight loss plan...but I am starving here!

We had the usual and I got one of those little roll danish things, except I got the square one instead of the round one. I tore it in half and started to stick it in my mouth when I seen this black thing...I let out a yell...it scared me. I don't know what it was. It was some kind of filling, but initially, I didn't know and the thought of it almost going into my mouth totally weirded me out! I was done.

Our guide arrived and we headed for the Six Banyan Temple. As we arrived at the Temple gate, we were shown where the large Buddha and Generals statues would be at the entrance, but it was the time of year that the gold is "redone" and so they were not there. She told us that Buddha in Chinese culture has a large belly that symbolizes that he can take on all your worries and cares...she said like James. Okay, I was cracking up...she compared Rodney to Buddha!!! We all started laughing and I told her about the boys calling the Buddha at Beijing Restaurant, "Daddy". She laughed and said, "yes, with no hair". But WE ALL KNOW, she was also implying the belly!!!!

The Temple was originally built 1500 years ago. But, there was a fire that did damage to the original temple about 600 years ago and they rebuilt the temple. It was built exactly the same as the original. There appears to be 9 levels from the outside, but there are about 15 levels inside. Nine is significant in ancient Chinese history. Nine was the highest number and therefore, the 9th floor was the highest attainable level in building and in life. It was really a cool structure. The ornate trim and the shape of the roofings on the Pagoda were amazing.

We then were shown what looked like a big decorative "pot belly stove". I know, using Kentucky terminology to describe ancient Chinese artifacts...but when I saw it that is what I thought. The hole up at the top was used for people who were praying for financial blessings. They would stand and toss coins up at the hole. If it went in, then they would become rich. Our guide said that during the Festival of Buddha, people line up all the way past the gates trying to throw in coins.

When the temple was damaged, the Cantonese people donated money to have the temple rebuilt. This is a listing of the damage that was done, the rebuilding process and the names of people and the amount of the money that they donated.

The Six Banyan Temple was named by this man. He was a great teacher and calligrapher in China. He wrote these characters when he came to this spot and it was named the Six Banyan Temple because of him.

People come to them temple to pray to Buddha and they bring offerings and incense. They believe that they need the incense because Buddha is in the heavens and therefore cannot hear the prayers of people on earth. So they make their prayers and then send up the incense to the heavens so he can hear them. As well, they bring offerings usually of flowers, apples, oranges and/or peanuts. Flowers symbolizes purity, apples I think symbolizes knowledge (okay, how bad is that, I think is symbolizes knowledge, the only one I can't remember for sure...I need a few apples), oranges for wealth and the peanuts are for fertility. Connie said that because the peanuts have 2 nuts inside, it symbolizes 1 boy, 1 girl. She said that even though China now has the 1 child policy, it is still a good prayer.

We were then taken to the Heavenly Room. It is called this because they believe that this room belongs in the heavens. It was a room with 3 huge Buddhas, offering tables and a place for monk prayers.

The first on the left symbolizes the past, center is present and right is future. You can tell by the hand positions. The statues are huge and made from bronze and then overlayed in gold. Each statue had an offering table in front of them. You can't see in the pictures very well, but the center Buddha has 7 smaller Buddhas above his head. This symbolizes that he can take the form of many things and has many powers. The past and future Buddha has 1 above their heads...again we see 9.

The small cushion seats were for the monks that will come each morning at 5:45 am, ring a bell and then pray. They come again at 4:45 pm and beat a drum and pray again.

This was the room where the monks would read from the Buddhist bible and bless the children. We opted out of that and left the room.

We then went to the place where the only female Buddha is represented. She is believed to be very compassionate and powerful. She is the one that women come to to pray for children. After the child is born, then it is traditional to bring the baby back to visit her and thank her for her blessing.

We then walked to the "back yard" of the temple. There was a building there where people would come for a lesson. Connie stated that ordinary people cannot understand the Buddhist bible and so they come here and a Master Buddhist Monk would hold lessons and explain the bible.

It was time to leave the Temple and head to the porcelain house. Connie was taking us here because I had requested to purchase something for Anna from Foshan. She said that Foshan is very famous for their porcelain artistry. We arrived at the shop and there were beautiful pieces. Figures, dishes, tea sets...they were all lovely. We watched a woman, from Foshan, painting pieces there in the shop.

I found a very nice piece of a young woman playing an instrument. Anna seems to love music, so it was an obvious choice. The fingers and flowers are soooo delicate and tiny. I pray it makes it home! Next, I got a tea set. It is very very thin and almost transparent. Honestly, I think it is just beautiful. Rodney was very good and didn't fuss at all. He said it was a once in a lifetime...so I had to move, quick!

We then went over to the jade counter and Connie helped us pick out a nice jade pendant for Anna. We opted for a circle, which symbolizes a family and will be something that she can keep forever. Obviously I know nothing about jade, but thankfully Connie does. There are apparently different grades or classes of jade - A, B, C, and D. The darker the green the cheaper the jade. She said that the dark green is usually dyed or colored...the best jade has little green and appears very transparent...totally opposite of what I would think. I think jade and I think green...but not so. So we got her a nice - little - class A jade pendant...much more expensive than what we had seen in the shops on the island, but they were dark green and apparently class C and D. Rodney is now getting worried.

Next is the pearl market. There were pearls everywhere. Literally. Bags, bags and bags of pearl strands everywhere. They weren't guarded or watched very closely. We walked into the back room of Mao Sheng Jewelry and just started going through stuff. We bought some pearls for Anna and myself. When we were talking to the sales clerk, we had been told that we could bargain, so Rodney started. She said that they were wholesale, so she couldn't, but she would give us a bracelet for Anna. Our guide came over when we were getting ready to pay and asked what discount she gave. When we told her none, she started saying stuff to the sales clerk and was saying no, no. Connie then told me to go pick out another bracelet for me. The girl was saying she couldn't because she wouldn't make money. Connie told her yes, because she didn't give us a discount, we were taking 2. I was laughing. Connie is a trip.

Honestly, we haven't spent much money at all. So, don't think we are blowing money over here. But I did want to get her a few nice things from China, since we may never be back here again and we can't afford the same things in the U.S.

Next, was Rodney's most anticipated stop of the day - Pizza Hut. We had a Works Edge Pizza. It was like a thin and crispy crust with spicy chicken, pepperoni, sausage, peppers, onions, and tomatoes....Yummmmmmm! It was soooo good.

We headed back to the room and Anna played for a long time. She is doing so so good. She didn't cry at all the entire time we were out. She whined only a little at the temple and at the pearl market when she got hot...but a little bouncing and she was good. She was in the carrier the whole time, so that was huge!

We think that Anna is putting on some weight too. She eats like a little pig now. She will eat an entire bottle - 8 oz and sometimes will eat another 4, 5 oz on top of that. She was not eating well at the orphanage, I know.

She is still showing more affection towards us and is making more and more eye contact everyday. She is playing much more with toys and is allowing us to sit her down more. She sat in a chair for a couple minutes in Lucy's before she started crying. We know that she is just a tad spoiled already. Obviously, we are still giving in to her every whim, but she knows what she is doing. She can whine or yell out and she knows that she is going to get her way....not one tear sometimes. It will take us a while to undo the damage that we have done over the last week :-)

Boys,

Anna is doing much better than before. She loves playing "rough". Daddy will roll her around and she loves it. I told Daddy that I know Carter and Jacob will want to pack her around all the time. She is a little monkey and you all are just going to eat her up. She is starting to throw things off the bed and then whines for us to pick them up. She is a little nut! Cannot wait to see you all again. I think of you all the time. We only have 3 days left and we are counting them down! We dread the flight and hope that Anna does well. She likes to be held, so hopefully she will do good and sleep!!! Talk to you soon. Love to my 3 boys!

Happy that we only have 3 days left until home and sending love to my Parker, Jacob and Carter

Much Needed Lazy Day...

Sunday was a free day...a much needed lazy day. Anna woke up ate a bottle and played. She played with her toys again. The baby bottle that goes with one of her dolls is probably her favorite. She loves to scratch the bottom of the bottle and puts it up to her nose and mouth like she is drinking it.

She took a small morning nap, another bottle and we got ready to leave the room around 2:00. Rodney and I hadn't eaten anything except a pack of peanut butter and crackers and were ready for some food. Rodney wanted, yes Lucy's...the thought about made me sick, so I asked to just eat in the hotel. They have really good fried rice which sounded good to me. So, he agreed.

Anna is doing so much better. We tried a highchair for the first time. No one else was in the restaurant, and we gave it a try. It lasted maybe 5 seconds. She started screaming. So, we'll try another time :-)

She did allow me to sit her down in the floor. She stood right by me for a while, then she took a few steps over to Rodney and stood for a while longer. She must have been feeling pretty good about herself and walked over to a plant and played with the leaves. A waitress came over and talked to her and she was okay. She would throw looks our way, but she stood and played really good.

We left the restaurant and went to a couple of shops. There were some things that we had seen that we wanted to get. Rodney and the shopkeeper like to aggravate each other. We had gotten some of the hand paintings from her the day before and she remembered us. She and Rodney were bargaining again and she was asking for $3 usd more. Rodney would shake his head no and she would say, "please just $3...you are rich I know." We both started laughing and Rodney said, "no, no, I'm a poor man." She said, "people who say I'm poor is rich and people who say yes, I am rich are poor...I know...I am very rich," and then started laughing. I told her than we were rich too. She was really funny and sweet. She gave Anna a stuffed Panda holding bamboo which she loves. She likes to flick the bamboo, over and over.

We came back to the room and was worthless for the rest of the day. We feel asleep early and it was nice.

Boys,

We were such lazy bones. We were so tired and needed a good day to catch up on our rest. We got you all something really neat today. It is something that you all will be able to keep for a long, long time. Not a toy...don't get too excited. But, something that is traditional in China. Today we are going to the Six Banyan Temple, a porcelain house and the pearl market. It is pretty fun to see the new places here, but we are ready to see some familiar places at home. Only 4 more days!!!! Love you bunches bunches!

Hoping Rodney and Anna are in a shopping mood and sending love to my Parker, Jacob and Carter

Another Milestone...

Anna woke up Saturday morning in a very good mood. She laid on the bed for a while playing and then let us know in her sweet, but demanding cry she was hungry. She ate her bottle and it was time to get ready for the medical examination visit.

I was dreading the visit because I knew that they would likely be poking and prodding and Anna would go nuts. She does not like to be sat down anywhere except the room and sometimes not even in here. I decided to try another outfit from home that looked small and it worked. She had on cute little denim capris, red and white polka dot cherry shirt, and her new brown shoes. She was just too cute. She let me put in a red barrette in her hair and didn't try to pull it out. She was a doll.

We met our guide in the lobby. She was hobbling in the door with her arm in a weird position. She had tripped over a chain trying to catch a cab to the hotel and scraped her elbow, leg and hand. She told us that she had laughed at her friends many times and now it happened to her. Connie is really a great person. Very funny and seems really genuine. I like her a lot.

She told us that because the background for the passport pictures that we had taken the other day was blue, we had to have another set made for the visa, because they have to be white! So before the clinic we had to go to another photo shop, within walking distance.

We only had to walk about 2 blocks to the photo shop. I figured Anna would throw a fit inside, but she did really good. She let me sit her on the stool, I sat right beside her and flash, it was done. Rodney and I were so pleased that she did so well. She is obviously much more comfortable in other places than she had been earlier in the week.

Right next to the photo shop was the medical clinic. We walked inside and it was busy. People everywhere. Thankfully it was cool. There was probably at least 25 adoptive parents/couples with their new babies. They were all so sweet. Many crying and upset to have just been examined. It was funny to see some of the parents sweating. I had to laugh when I seen one woman with her little girl who had obviously been crying. The mother's hair was wet with sweat. She had red blotches on her face and I think had been more upset that the little girl. It made me wonder if this was her first child. It was funny...I'm not being mean, but you could tell that she was totally stressed out.

We filled out our paperwork and then got in line. We had to go through 3 stations. The first was a room where the doctor did an overall physical check. She measured her head and then looked at her legs, feet, trunk and her bottom. Anna did really good. She fussed more over her head measurement than the exam. She was reaching for me while on the table, but the doctor was very quick and we were done. We then went to wait for the next station.

We then went to be weighed and have her temperature taken. She weighed 16.3 lbs and her temperature was 98.5. We were next for the last station. It was the ENT room...this was going to be good. The physician came in turned on music and Anna started bobbing up and down. He took squeaking toys to each side of her head and she turned to each side when he would make them squeak. Her hearing was good. He then looked at her ears - all good. Then he looked in her mouth. He confirmed the cleft palate and we were done. I had to hold her head a couple of time for the ears and throat exam, but she did really good. I was only a mean momma for a couple of seconds.

We were finished with our exam and everything went much much better than I had anticipated. We were free for the remainder of the day. Our guide was going to stay and help the doctors translate the examination. So we were off to find some food!

People play here all the time

Hmmmmmmm, where would we go...I know - Lucy's. It has become the obvious choice. We walked to the diner and again pigged out. We ordered a few things and shared. We got chicken quesadilla, grilled chicken wrap with fries, sweet and sour chicken with steamed rice and an extra order of fries. Unfortunately, we forgot to tell them no mayo on the wrap, so I was out on that one. I had 1/2 the quesadilla, which was so good, fries and sweet and sour chicken and rice. Rodney pretty much finished up everything else! We had just a little sweet and sour chicken and rice left and Rodney finished that up after we got back to the room.

I don't know why he has to look at the menu...we have only been there 5 times!

Lucy's fries make him mad

When we were leaving Lucy's it started raining, hard. We stood outside waiting for it to stop for what seemed like forever. It finally slacked up enough that we headed out. We got back to the room and had a major milestone with Anna. She and her daddy were in the floor and she started playing with toys. It was the first time that she actually played with anything other than a napkin, the headboard or Rodney's necklace. She would touch her baby doll, packed around the baby's bottle, touched the carebear, and loved the rattling ball. The only bad thing, she takes the plastic ball and hits her head. We have shown her that she can shake it to make the noise, but she prefers to bang her head with it. Rodney will tell her no and move her hand, but it comes right back up.

After we stayed in the room for a while, waiting for the rain to stop, we had to go get some more cereal for Anna. We decided that she was not going to nap and finally the rain stopped, and we got ready to leave. We got the backpack ready and Anna had fallen asleep on the bed! I put the carrier on and she went right in without complaining. We hadn't even left the bedroom before she was asleep again.

We went out and did a little shopping. Rodney is loving the whole bargaining thing. We were in one of the shops and gathered all the things we wanted. She gave us a price and Rodney counter offered. She started laughing and told him that he was funny, a silly man! I was laughing and she asked me what I would give. It is really funny to watch him and these little women shopkeepers bargaining. He is hard core and so are they. But, he came out of there with a satisfied price and saved 140 yuan...which about $17 usd...plus she was a lot cheaper than some of the other places we have been w/the exact same things. Her shop is out of the way, so her things are cheaper. We got Anna several traditional dresses in different sizes.

We then went to Beatrices market for some cereal and Sprite and headed back to the room. After waking up several mornings very early, I was just exhausted. I washed some of our clothes, hung them up to dry and told Rodney I was clocking out. Thankfully, he hesitantly agreed and I was out. I slept until 5 am this morning, which is a good night's sleep for me.

This is a really cool process. The artist has a dish of ink that he dips the side of his hand in. He then makes pictures using the sides of his hand and fingernails. We bought a set of these for Anna's room. They are really neat.

Today is a free day. We are planning on taking it very easy today and doing a lot of nothing.

Boys,

We are missing you all. We can hardly believe that it is almost over. It seems as though we have been here forever in one way, and yet it has passed very quickly too. We leave in only 5 days...and can't wait. We send you much love, hugs and kisses.

Watching Anna kiss her daddy and shower him with spit and sending love to my Parker, Jacob and Carter.

An Emotional Day...

First, I want to thank everyone for the e-mail messages. I don't get to respond to all of them, but we are loving them. I read them aloud to Rodney and it makes us feel so much more connected to home, which is incredibly nice!

I woke up Friday morning very early. We are not adjusted to the time as well as we originally thought we were. But we are napping with Anna, so I really don't mind if we don't fully adjust. Maybe it will make the transition back home easier....I hope. Anna is sleeping all through the night. It takes her a while to go down, but then, out like a light. She sleeps very peaceful.

Rodney and I started getting ready for the day and Anna got up around 6 am. She opened her eyes, no crying, no whining. She was ready to play for a minute and then ready for her bottle. She is eating so good compared to the first couple of days. She doesn't want to hold her bottle. Rodney says that she is already spoiled to me feeding her. But honestly, I don't remember her really trying to hold her bottle. She would pull it away from her mouth, but she was never really active in her feedings in the beginning either. I contribute part of that to her small size. I honestly don't think she ate much.

We all were ready, after a small bath scene. The easy bath on the first day has not been repeated since. She cries now. She is fine as soon as I get her out, but she gets mad. We went downstairs for breakfast. I had my usual, fried rice, fried noodles, oranges, and a slice of bread...yes, I am a nutrition nut (ha ha ha). Rodney had watermelon, oranges, boiled eggs (grossing me out!), fried onion cakes, curry dumplings, and oranges. He makes me about sick at breakfast with his combinations!

We hurried through breakfast because we were leaving for the orphanage visit. Our guide, Connie, arrived, helped us get our things loaded and we were off. The drive to Foshan Nanhai Social Welfare Institute took about 45 minutes. We enjoyed the drive. Getting to see new things and to see how far Guangzhou goes. It is huge. Buildings on top of buildings. Huge bridges. Traffic. Construction. It was amazing. One thing that really sticks out to me is the trees and landscaping. Even though some of the places are very cramped, there are trees - everywhere. In the median of the road there is shrubbery and flowers. Below bridges there are huge designs made with different shades of green shrubs and grasses. And they are all manicured. It is odd to see these huge buildings piled on top of one another, people, bicycles, cars, trucks everywhere and then a huge, old trees probably pushing 100 years or more. It really is a sight.

This bridge stretched as far as you could see

We were on a large highway and Foshan Nanhai, SWI was pointed out to us. I recognized it from pictures I had seen in the past with the huge red Chinese characters on top of the roof. My stomach started turning. I was so nervous. I didn't know how Anna would do. But I felt that this was so important for her later on. We had already agreed that if she acted uncomfortable or getting upset, one of us would leave with her. Although we both wanted to see, it wasn't worth losing the ground we had made with Anna.

Foshan Nanhai SWI with the red roof and large sign on top of the roof

We drove past the front gate entrance and drove down by the iron and brick fence surrounding the complex. We saw the apartment type buildings that housed the "old peoples". It was like a small retirement community/nursing home. We got nearly to the end of the fence and pulled into a small drive and up to a door. This was the entrance to the orphanage. We were greeted by the Assistant Director, the lady that brought Anna to the Civil Affairs on Monday to meet us. It was clean inside and warm. We were pointed to a room where children with physical disabilities were given physical therapy. We were told that there was "professional doctors" that would help the children.

Next, we were taken upstairs to Ms. Tang's office, the Orphanage Director. She was on the phone and greeted us with a wave. She motioned for us to sit. Anna was flip flopping in my arms, as she does not like small rooms or to get hot. It was a small room and very hot. A young girl, probably my age, but looked so young, came into the room and spoke some words to our guide. When she left, Connie told us that it was a tradition at this orphanage to fix returning babies a bottle of their formula and congee. The young lady returned with a bottle. Anna would have nothing to do with it. She began to fuss. Our guide and the director began speaking and trying to get her to take the bottle, again she refused. She was getting really hot now and I was getting nervous. I turned her around got the bottle that we brought and she began to drink. They said something, don't know what and put the bottle down.

The director told our guide she was sorry she was so busy, but they had just gotten a new baby with "mental problems". The Assistant was going to take us on our tour. Connie said that since Anna didn't want the bottle, we could go ahead.

She lead us down a hallway and we stood outside the doors of the observation room, infant room and the food preparation room. The observation room is where children are kept that have just come into the orphanage. It is like a quarantine area to keep the children separate until they have been checked out okay to join the other children. The infant room was obviously the room for babies under 5 months. We could only see a small little head through the screened door. The food prep room had a sink area and multiple rice cookers. We were told that the babies got a different flavor of congee everyday. Beef, chicken, fish mixed with their formula.

We were in a hallway with all the rooms to our left and to the right was a screened area looking outside. We could see a river from the windows, but there wasn't a breeze to be felt. It was so hot. Anna held on like the little spider monkey that she is, turning from side to side looking around. We walked into the play area for the babies Anna's age. There was a little girl walking around with a pink ball. A nanny was playing with her in the play area. She seemed so happy and incredibly cute. We were told that she was a special need because she is so small. No physical disabilities, nothing shown up on her "brain test", just small. She watched Anna and myself. She would look and smile. I don't know if she thought I looked different, aka funny, or if she was just wanting the attention I was giving her. I could have scooped her up and brought her home too.

The nannies tried to touch Anna and talk to her, but she would turn her head and pull away. Which made me feel good, but also made me wonder. She acted as though she had never seen any of them before. We stood right outside the room where Anna was kept. I could see a familiar face standing up in a crib and I was anxious to go inside.

Anna's former crib

We were lead to the room and shown the crib where Anna slept. We were given the name tag from her bed for a "souvenir". I didn't know how close I was allowed to get to the babies but I was ready to go see the sweethearts. I scanned the room looking for another baby that I was familiar with. I seen her sitting in her crib with another baby. She was so sweet. I approached the bed and rubbed her foot. She looked at me questioning my intentions. I rubbed her chubby little leg and then her hand. She pulled her hand away and I returned to her foot. I told Connie to tell the nannies that I knew her mommy and she would be called Annabelle. The guides all laughed and liked that I knew she was going to a home. She finally let me rub her hand and arm, then her face. I whispered to her that her momma was coming soon and loved her very much. All the other babies were looking my way and I felt pulled to each one.

As I stood in the room, my heart was breaking. I was biting my lip trying so hard not to let out that first tear. My chest was so heavy for these babies. If I started, I knew I wouldn't be able to stop. As I walked from crib to crib, touching each one, telling them that they are loved I prayed for God to save them. They are being taken care of, yes, they are being clothed, fed, changed, but Oh God...they need a mother. Someone to love them as their own, to have dreams for them, a home for them...there are so many, in so many places around the world. How it must grieve God.




There was one baby in the back corner that just watched me, everywhere I would I go. I approached the baby...I don't know if it was a boy or girl, I'll say he. I rubbed his face and he just smiled. He had the cutest little teeth and a chubby little face. The more I rubbed his face, the more he would grin. Finally, he let out a laugh that was so sweet. He grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. He kept pulling me to him. How can you pull away from a motherless child? I stayed at his crib for a long time playing with him...but there were so many more I wanted to show attention. I gave him a final touch and hugged his little body and moved to the next crib.

The other baby that I recognized was standing the entire time we were there. She was very attentive to everything that I done. She would smile at me when I would just look at her. She was very soft and sweet and didn't make any noises, but was very responsive to my touch. I took many pictures of these two babies to send back to their families waiting for travel.

While I am traveling from crib to crib, Anna is not making any sounds, just holding on to me. Looking around and seeming very content to be there. She didn't act nervous or upset, but she didn't want me to let go of her. My back was wet and I could feel sweat running down the sides of my face. It was so hot in there. As I was walking around the room, the nannies started bringing in bottles to the babies and it was sweet to watch them eat. They would lay on their backs and hold their bottles at the bottom pushing it against their faces. I could have stayed for hours playing and giving attention to these children. They were all so sweet and I pray that somewhere that are mothers out there looking for all of these children. I will never forget their faces.

We left the room and walked back to Ms. Tang's office. There I met another family that had just received their son on Monday as well. They were there to tour the orphanage. Rodney and the mother had their pictures made together with Anna and Micah, their son. I was talking to the director and our guide about another child. I had an incredible experience in her office that I will share later.

Ms. Tang and Anna reaching for her Momma :-)

I do believe that the children are taken care of there. It is not ideal, but much better than other orphanages that I have read about. I am thankful that Anna was cared for until we arrived. But nothing can replace a family. No matter how good or how well equipped, how well staffed an orphanage can be, nothing is better than a family.

Rodney, Anna and myself got into the van while the driver and Connie got some directions to our next destination. I began to cry inside and have cried many times since. I pray God sends a burden to people for these children. I would have brought them all home if I could. As we drove away, we told Anna to say "Goodbye", and that she would never have to come back again.

We were headed to the Yuban Hospital Clinic. The abandonment spot where Anna was found. It took about 20 minutes to get there. We got out of the vehicle and it was sooo crowded outside the hospital. We walked through the gates and up to the front entrance.

Once inside, we turned to the right and down a small hallway. The hall was filled, on both sides of people holding children receiving IV treatment of some type. They were all watching us, wondering, I'm sure. We were taken right outside of the injection room, which is where her papers state that she was found. There were so many people there, I can see how someone could slip in and out without being noticed.

I had such mixed emotions there. I was so happy to see how crowded it was there. I wanted Anna to see and know when she is older that her birth mother took her to a place where she knew someone would find her. She couldn't have been there long at all before her cries would have been noticed. Plus, she took her to a hospital where she could recieve medical treatment. I am sure that having a cleft baby would be frightening, especially if you were young or it was your first child. But, then I was extremely sad as well. This was the hallway that her birthmother walked. The pain and emotion that she had to be feeling to walk her newborn baby, with a birth note pinned to her clothing, knowing what she felt she had to do, down a hallway, laying down her baby, and turning to walk away. I cannot imagine.

I think that many people get a feeling of hostility towards the Chinese people regarding the many children abandoned. But once you are here, holding one of these children, your not hostile at all. You are thankful that they gave their child a chance. There were other options Anna's birthmother could have taken that no one would have ever known of her existance. But, she didn't. And because of her, we have a beautiful daughter and I will forever be grateful to her memory.

We left the hospital and Connie told me that Foshan was very famous for it's porceline artists. She is going to take me to a porceline house later on to purchase something for Anna that was done in Foshan. We arrived back at the hotel and put Anna down for a nap. She is such a precious gift and we are so thankful for being able to be a part of her life and for her to be such a big part of ours.

Boys,

You would have loved all the things that we seen today. Huge buildings and bridges, cars and trucks everywhere on this huge highway and then a man on a bicycle riding right along side cars. It was funny to see. There was also this tiny truck that we were coming upon and I pointed it out to daddy. When we passed and looked back at it, it was a motor tricycle with a small truck on it. It was really funny too. We may be coming home with a stuffed peacock if it doesn't hush! We also seen that there is an emu inside that cage too. We could see it's head sticking up over the edging. We love you all very much - 6 days and counting!!!!

So blessed by my experiences here and sending love to my Parker, Jacob and Carter.