Tuesday in Guangzhou

This morning we went with our guide Elvin to the Six Banyan Temple.  It was 
similar to the temple in Fuzhou, but not as large.   After we went to a shop 
that had different items that are unique to this area and looked around.  We 
came back to our hotel and rested and then went to the pool.  Chloe enjoyed the 
water again today and was a little more comfortable.  We got her a swim ring and 
she LOVES it!  Wanted to sleep with it tonight too. :) 
This afternoon we decided to head to the circus that we hear so many wonderful 
things about.  It is about an hour taxi ride, so we decided to try the subway 
once again.  It took us about 35 minutes and it takes you right to the park area 
and buses shuttle you to the different areas.  (They have a safari park, 
amusement park, water park, etc.) When we FINALLY found someone that spoke some 
English, we found out the show that seats 7000 was SOLD OUT tonight!  Ugh!  We 
spent the next 30 minutes walking and trying to go to another area to see if we 
could purchase tickets for tomorrow night.  We were not successful with that 
either.  We made it back to the subway, this time it was MUCH more crowded, and 
came back.  By this time we had been riding the subway back and forth or walking 
for 3 hours.  We were tired and hungry so we went to a local pizza restaurant.  
Jeff and I enjoyed some pizza while Chloe ate some minestrone soup.  She LOVED 
it!!  Ate the potatoes, carrots, green beans, everything and loved the broth 
too!  She had finally worked up an appetite.  I think we will all sleep good 
tonight!  

It is Tuesday night here, but Tuesday morning back at home.  Today was the kids 
first day of school.  I can not believe I have a 7th grader, 6th grader, 4th 
grader, and 3rd grader!  Wow, they are growing up WAY too fast!  For all of my 
friends that are teachers or work in the school system... I hope you have a 
wonderful first day!!  

Much love to all of you!
Jeff & Katie

Monday in Guangzhou

We had a great day today!  Jeff and I both agreed this has been our best day 
yet!  This morning we were on our own so we took a taxi to Shamian Island, about 
a 20 minute ride from our hotel.  This is where the US Consulate use to be and 
the area reminded us a lot of Savannah, with historical buildings, lots of trees 
and a park area that overlooked the Pearl River.  There were people dancing, 
singing, and playing their version of hacky sack, models and brides doing photo 
shoots and a few shops along the way.  We stayed there for a couple of hours and 
then headed back to our hotel.  Chloe napped and we rested and then decided we 
would try the pool here.  We were delighted to find several other families that 
are here adopting as well and ended up staying and talking for 3 hours.  One of 
the families we met are from Atlanta!  It was like we had known each forever.  I 
am so thankful God had our paths cross, and he knew just what I needed today!  
It was a great "pick me up".  Chloe wasn't to sure of the water at first, but 
ended up dancing and playing.  She did not want water splashed in her face, but 
overall she seemed to really enjoy it and she played on a slide as well. We got 
a recommendation that the Irish pub here was good and so we went there for 
dinner.  Chloe was better today, not 100% but improving still so we are 
thankful!  Her new "toy" of choice tonight was the paper coaster from the Irish 
Pub.  Maybe she is bringing it home for her Uncle Gordon? :)) 

Once again I was reminded to NOT worry.  God is ALWAYS on time... I need to 
TRUST HIM! 
Our HOPE in Him,
Jeff & Katie

The Pearl River

 Hacky sack in the park

 Photo Shoot

 Model

 STARBUCKS

 Chloe in the pool

 Dancing in the pool

Sunday in Guangzhou

Last night Jeff went out to get food for us.  He went to several different 
restaurants trying to find something that I would eat too. :)  He settled on an 
Italian restaurant and brought us back some lasagna.  It was different, but ok.  
He was approached (and followed) by several different people asking for money or 
food.... which means, I can't go out by myself here I guess, or at least not at 
nighttime.  One lady followed him with her child across the street and spoke 
enough English to keep saying "food".  Once he hit the hotel and she saw the 
security guard, she turned around.  He felt bad for her but we don't want to be 
known for giving stuff out, and it's not like we don't stand out.  ha ha! He 
wanted to help her but just didn't know if that was the right thing to do or 
not.  

Today was a scheduled "rest" day for us, but we are feeling a little cooped up, 
so I think we will venture out on our own this afternoon.  Chloe is on the mend, 
and finally ate some food this morning for breakfast! We found out she likes 
bananas, the soft foods we know she can handle.  Last night was the first night 
since we have been here that I slept more than 4 hours without waking up for a 
long time.  I feel MUCH better this morning!  

We were able to go down to breakfast this morning together, the first time since 
Thursday.  The breakfast buffet is huge here too and has a decent variety of 
western food along with local favorites.  This girl is CRAVING some fruit and a 
good salad, the first thing I am eating when I get home!  I have never been a 
big meat eater but a good burger sounds good too! ha! :) or the famous chocolate 
chip cookies made by our friend Noelle! :)  

There is a garden area outside the hotel with a view from the restaurant area.  
It is beautiful and peaceful.  We took a walk around and you will see from the 
pictures that Chloe wasn't too sure about it.   You go into the area by stepping 
on large rocks and crossing over the water.  Even thought she was being held, 
she wasn't too sure about it.  She wouldn't even look at the camera, she kept 
her eyes on all the fish that were very hungry.  :)  

One week and we will be HOME!  Excited to spend this week with my girl, and as 
my friend reminded me, it's like an extended hospital stay after you have a 
baby.  A great bonding time!  I like her perspective, and we have missed out on 
6 years of her life, so this one on one time with her  has been good.  I know 
she is going to LOVE her brothers and sister though... and I can't wait for them 
to meet her.  

Much love to all of you!  


Jeff & Katie 

Chloe loves this bag of colorful rubber bands for her hair!  She tends to carry it around wherever they may venture to!

 A waterfall on the hotel grounds

 The Garden Hotel in Guangzhou, China

A New Day

A New Day:
The last 36 hours have been worrisome, exhausting, and down right scary, but we 
think we have turned a corner.  Chloe got a little sick in the taxi on our way 
back to the hotel.  We thought it was from being car sick or hot.  She slept 
through the night but woke up Friday morning crying and then she started 
throwing up.  Thankfully we did not have to go anywhere until 2:30 when we had 
to check out of our hotel.  We began praying, and praying, and praying.  At 2:30 
she was still sick.  Our guide came to pick us up and was worried that she 
didn't need to fly.  She said we needed to see the doctor so we agreed since it 
was located in our hotel.  The doctor said she probably wasn't adjusting to the 
food changes (which we knew) and that she just needed to eat something and drink 
some hot water.  She said if she wasn't better by the time we got to Guangzhou, 
we needed to head to the hospital.  She also gave us some type of medicine for 
her, that smelled very strong.  They said it tasted bad but would help, but 
honestly the smell was so strong I couldn't bring myself to give it to her.  
Plus, I didn't know what it was.  We traveled to the airport where we waited for 
4 hours for our flight, and then boarded our airplane for our 1 1/2 hour flight.  
Chloe's first plane ride, wasn't so fun. :( Five outfit changes, multiple bags 
(thank goodness for ziplock bags! they have a new use now!), and hours of 
crying, whining, or moaning, and we arrived at our hotel in Guangzhou a little 
after 10:00 pm on Friday night.  The people here were very kind and trying to 
help by bringing her hot water, she was thirsty and wanted it, but would gulp it 
down and then it would come right back up.  They were so worried that one of the 
guys that worked with the airline came over to us and said he didn't think we 
should fly with her.  Um, you should have seen the look on Jeff's face.  He 
replied with, no, we HAVE to go on this flight.  Chloe was so thirsty but we 
were trying to give her stomach a rest that she jumped up and grabbed another 
ladies water bottle!!!  The lady wanted me to give it to her, but I kept shaking 
my head and just picked her up and walked away.  I have to give it to Jeff.... 
he was wonderful throughout the entire day.  No one likes dealing with a child 
that throws up, and certainly do not want to be thrown up on.  I was already 
feeling queasy before this started and by the time we got to the airport and we 
had not eaten anything all day but crackers, I really was feeling bad.  I am so 
thankful that he was with me through it all, and really cleaned up more times 
than I did, carried her through the entire airport, held her on the plane, etc.  
Neither one of us ever got food yesterday (other than crackers and granola bar), 
but he handled it all much better than I did.  

She slept through the night without throwing up, but moaned, whined, and tossed 
and turned the entire night.  We were up and down all night.  This morning we 
had our doctor visit for the adoption which included a picture, ear, eyes, 
weight check, and blood work.  We tried to move our appointment to another day 
since she was so sick, but we couldn't so we headed out praying that she would 
be ok.  I am happy to report that she did not throw up and although she is weak 
we made it!  They wouldn't let us go in with her for her blood work (Mommy & 
Daddy didn't like that, and Jeff said he hoped she threw up on them... ha) but 
she came out mad that they had put a bandaid on her.  As soon as we took that 
off she was fine.  (This sounds like her sister Anna Kate who use to not like 
bandaids either :) She kept pointing to the different places that they stuck 
her, apparently they weren't successful the first time.  As much as I dreaded 
going in fear she would get sick, the room was filled with many, many children 
being adopted!  What a precious sight.... LESS ORPHANS all around us!  Although 
we didn't know a soul in there, it felt like we knew them all.  

It is Saturday afternoon now and we are back at the hotel.  Chloe has been 
sleeping off and on all day, but has had some more sprite and just a few bites 
of some broth with noodles.  We are thankful she seems to be on the mend.  
Please continue to pray for her that she continues to improve and get her 
strength back.  

We were very sad to leave our guide Penny yesterday.  She was very knowledgeable 
and kind, and she was the one that introduced us to our daughter!  Jeff was able 
to write down some bible verses for her and share with her one more time before 
we left.  She said, "I think this will be good.  I am sad sometimes and I think 
this is what I need".  Please continue to pray for her.  

The hotel here in Guangzhou is beautiful!  We have a suite, so the little extra 
space is nice.  :) Our guide in Guangzhou is Elvin and he seems like he is going 
to be wonderful too!  The driving here is much better, just busy like Atlanta.  
He said that Fuzhou is one of the worst places for driving!  We weren't too 
surprised by that. :)  Tomorrow is a "rest" day for us.  We plan on just hanging 
out here in hopes of Chloe getting well before we start another busy week! 

In closing, I read this today and found it very fitting in my life.  Maybe you 
will too! :)

 God has perfect timing; never early, never late.  It takes a little patience 
and a whole lot of FAITH... but it's worth the wait!! 

Our hope in Him,
Jeff & Katie

Thursday in Fuzhou

Thursday in Fuzhou:
This morning we headed out with our guide to the market street.  We walked in 
and out of the shops and enjoyed learning about the unique items special to 
their province.  Fuzhou is known for their fish balls so our guide wanted us to 
try them.  For those of you who know me well, know there is NO WAY I was trying 
that.  My stomach was churning at the thought so I very politely declined.  Jeff 
on the other hand tasted them and liked them.  It looked similar to a wonton and 
had minced pork inside and then was floating in some liquid, oh I mean it had a 
broth that surrounded the delicate fish balls.  :) 
After the market we went back to the hotel room and rested.  I went downstairs 
to run on the treadmill while Jeff stayed in the room with Chloe.  I sure miss 
bootcamp back home, but it felt good to run.  (Side note - Chloe woke up at 4AM 
today!  Not sure what was up with that, but she did not get up, didn't even sit 
up, just hummed for 2 1/2 hours until we got up and told her to get up.) We knew 
she would be tired this afternoon and she ended up sleeping for about 45 minutes 
and then we woke her up because we didn't want her to not sleep tonight.  She 
was a little ill when she woke up but quickly snapped out of it.  We went to a 
different mall (only place to go that has air conditioner) and the taxi ride to 
a from was another wild ride.  I got to experience my first squatty potty 
(EEEKK!) and no soap anywhere!!  After awhile, purell just doesn't seem to get 
the job done.  On the way back from the mall, Chloe got sick.  She threw up a 
little, luckily more like spit up.  Not sure if she was car sick, too hot, or 
both.  She took a bath and is happy again.  We have decided to wait until we get 
home to try new foods with her.  I think her little body is going through lots 
of changes and the different foods might be a little too much.  The first 5 
years of her life she was fed with a bottle, bottle only so I'm sure digesting 
some of the stuff she has tried with us is a little difficult for her.  Praying 
that she is not sick and it was just car sick.  
Tomorrow we do not have anything until we meet the police man at 3:00 so he can 
verify our passports and give us Chloe's visa, then we head to the airport to go 
to Guangzhou.  We are looking forward to going there! 
Our Hope in HIM!
Jeff & Katie 
P.S. - Please keep Jackson in your prayers.  He goes tomorrow morning to the 
orthopedist to rule out a growth plate fracture in his foot. :(  I do not like 
being so far away and not being able to help my kids when they need me.  I am 
very thankful that my mom and dad (and wonderful friends) have been so gracious 
to step in and take care of things while we are gone.  I know he is in good 
hands and I am thankful for those that have helped us getting things taken care 
of with his foot!

Day 3

Last night we ventured out, this time taking a stroller with us.  Chloe liked 
that much better and we ended up walking a total of two miles round trip to 
McDonald's.  Oh the stares we got... we literally are the only Americans here.  
Ordering was interesting, we were hoping the had numbers but only pictures.  
They finally got what we were saying and pointing to and we got it just as 
ordered.  (no onion = happy momma) We were told Chloe did not eat much and the 
foods she would eat were only soft foods like noodles or rice.  We ordered her 
chicken nugget happy meal and pulled the crispy edge off and broke the chicken 
into tiny pieces and she ate 3 of them! She watched me dip a fry into ketchup 
and then picked up a fry and dipped it too.  At first she shivered as if she did 
not like it and then she proceeded to dip and dip, you know the typical kid 
thing where you eat more ketchup then fries.  It is gross to me but I let her do 
it this time.  :) The toy (just a rabbit figurine of some sort) has not left her 
hands since. :) 

This morning we met our guide and went to the West Buddhist temple.  It was very 
beautiful, the detail of the buildings is amazing, all the while sad to me that 
so many really believe in these different statues and look to them for luck, 
peace, health, happiness, etc.  Jeff began to talk to Penny our guide about her 
beliefs and was able to share some about why we believe what we do.  She was 
very open to hear God's word.  Please be praying for her to continue to be open 
to the Holy Spirit and that we will have more opportunities before we leave to 
share or answer more questions that she has.  

She then took us to the oldest folk hero house in Fuzhou, followed by a visit to 
a tea room.  There we were able to taste different teas and even taught the 
proper way to hold a tea cup. :) Chloe was a trooper but just got too hot and 
was a little whiny and ready to go back to the hotel.  When we got back to the 
room she went straight to her bed.  She does this often and we have to keep 
telling her she can get up and play.  She fell asleep in no time.  We have found 
that she likes the room dark and no lights on.  As soon as you do that she is 
out like a light.  

Once she woke up Jeff made her some noodles and then we decided to be 
adventurous and  take a taxi to the mall.  Our guide wrote on the back of a card 
where to take us and off we went.  The smell of the taxi was enough to make me 
sick, that coupled with the driving I really wondered if I would survive.  It 
was about a 15 minute trip there and I was relieved I made it there without 
loosing my crackers that I had for lunch.  Ha ha  The mall was very clean, and 
cool! We walked around for about two hours wondering in and out of stores.  Not 
that I have ever wanted to be a star of some sort, but I am thankful I am not 
famous.  The stares we get become annoying.  You can not walk or go in any store 
without people looking at us like we are from Mars.  Some will stop and turn 
around just so they can stare at you.  Little kids almost run into things 
because they are looking at us. If you are in a store the rush over to you to 
help you, nice, but I do just want to look.  Chloe LOVES mirrors.  If she sees 
one she stops, laughs, makes different facial expressions, and even dances.  She 
had us laughing several times as we were pulling her away from yet another 
mirror.  I think we will be getting her one for her room for sure!  That and 
some blackout curtains and she will be good to go! :) All and all we enjoyed 
just being out, being in a mall made me feel a little bit like home and we made 
it back without any problems.  Oh, and the taxi there and back was a total of 44 
Yuan which is 7.18 US dollar... not to bad and you do not tip them because they 
include that in the price.  

Tonight we are having our guide order pizza from a local pizza restaurant.  She 
said it is similar to Papa Johns but cheaper.  Hopefully I will like it! 

We are thankful we have been healthy, Chloe is happy and continues to amaze us 
with what she seems to understand.  For a girl that can not talk she seems to 
comprehend a good bit.  I made a countdown for the kids so they could countdown 
until the get to meet Chloe.  I should have made one for myself to countdown 
until I get to see them!  :) Since 11 days seems to long, I will start with only 
2 more days in Fuzhou and then we fly to Guangzhou! I can make it!  

Love to you all~
Jeff & Katie

Red Ink and Panda World

Tuesday, July 30th:
Monday night we ventured out to a local Chinese restaurant.  We had rice and 
Jeff ordered some beef something similar to Mongolian beef at home.  Chloe had 6 
bowls of rice! I finally told Jeff we would have to cut her off after that 
because I didn't want to see it again.  They were small bowls, like a small 
dessert bowl, but still I thought that was a lot for her little body.  We walked 
the streets and when in to some shops and then headed back to the hotel.  The 
heat (even though I was warned about it) is like no other.  The humidity is 
terrible and practically unbearable.  Poor Chloe was soaking wet she was so hot.  
We got back to the hotel, gave her a bath and played for awhile and then she 
climbed into her bed on her own and went to sleep.  She is a great sleeper!  

This morning we met our guide at 9:30 and headed to Panda World.  Hot it was but 
we saw some pandas and then watched a little show where they had  red pandas 
doing different tricks.  Chloe seemed to enjoy the show and her lollipop that we 
gave her!  :) We left there and headed back to a supermarket to purchase some 
more water and noodles for Chloe.  We drank 8 bottles of water yesterday alone.  
I can't get enough water.  
Now we are back in our room and plan on resting for awhile and COOL off!  We are 
going to attempt the pool later this afternoon and then venture out later 
tonight for a walk in the park.  Chloe has adjusted amazingly well.  She can't 
talk but understands a lot of what we say, and even chooses to ignore us when it 
is convenient for her, but what 6 year old doesn't have selected hearing? :) 
We know so many of you are continuing to pray for us... and it makes such a 
difference! Keep them coming!:) 
Much love to all~
Jeff & Katie

 It's official, red ink and all:)

Chloe Hope

 She loves to be in her daddy's arms!

 One hot, sweet girl!

 Panda World