Shamian Island~

Breakfast was the best so far with both girls eating so we took them out to feed the HUGE fish~

Took a few photos of our cute girls~

Played in the room for a while and then were off to Shamian Island~

It was wonderful to be back and loved seeing both Michael and Jenny... not to mention all the models in photo shoots and eating @ Lucy's~

We came back for naptime then decided to get dinner in before the storm... we had just finished when the bottom fell out and we had to wait about an hour for it to let up then made a run for it~

Needless to say it was a very fun run back to the hotel. You never heard such laughing coming from two little girls!!! 

Tomorrow is our Consulate Appointment... the last official business before getting Holly's visa and the long journey HOME!!!

Can't WAIT for our family to be back together again!!!

Choosing Joy and Counting Blessings~

Today began with a few tears as Holly woke to find she was still with us but after potty and turning on the tv, she began to play with Evie and all was well with the world. 

Down for breakfast and we all made plates to eat together... BIG improvement!!!

Today was our travel day so nothing planned but hanging out... Holly decided Dad was pretty cool too~

It was a beautiful day with no smog so we did lots of walking to keep the bitties happy~

Down long stretches of sidewalks and through parks~

and it was HOT~

This photo was just sweet because Evie is constantly taking care of Holly as if she is a baby... wiping her messy hands~

Around 2 we piled into the van for the flight NO ONE wants when traveling with little ones much less as an adult~

We made it to the airport in plenty of time and THEN it was time to go through security.

IF you think security in an American airport is scary, try China.

They come at you with the wands and check every single part of your body.

I go through first and little girls follow. They have me stand up on  a box with my hands stretched out.

Evie's eyes are big as saucers and LOL now Scott is on a box and Holly is walking back and forth through the security door making the alarms go off.

THEN the officers want to frisk Evie... did you hear on American soil?

Ummm yes, she screamed so loud she scared the scary officer and she just let us go.

Maybe you have wondered why we have the girls in the stroller instead of carriers... this is where they feel the safest... both strapped in we moved onto the hottest area in the airport to wait but we found chips and diet coke... made the wait happier!!!

SO we then have to load onto an overcrowed bus with two kids, two backpacks, a carryon, and the big stroller... to ride all the way around the airport, get off to climb up the stairs with all that into a loaded plane~

This is probably the happiest we would be the whole trip because between the girls one of them cried pretty much the whole way but what could you expect...

we sat in the plane on the tarmac for an hour, flew for two and half hours to find a huge storm in Gaungzhou and hover for another hour!

Think it can't get any worse??? ummm we had to load another overcrowed bus with all our stuff and two overtired girls to ride around the whole airport and get off and find our bags.

Choosing JOY...

~ we found our bags and stroller

~ our sweet guide was waiting for us

~ made it to hotel and had girls in bed by 10:30

~ all got a good night's sleep

~ HUGE step closer to home

Today is our 28th anniversary and we are off to the medical exam for Holly.

Won't that be fun??? haha

Choosing JOY!!!

Scripture from a sweet friend~

Psalm 77:14... You are the God Who works wonders!

Goodbye from China~

We leave today @ 1:30 from Guangzhou to Seoul to Atlanta landing @ 6:40pm. I can't imagine what relief I will feel when we rise to the top of the escalator and here the cheers coming from our family! Wanted to leave you with a Goodbye from China. Tried to get a family photo... Evie was not in to it~

 Photos from our 16th floor hotel room~

 And the last photos of the two littles before they meet their sibling~

We look at these two and see miracles!

 

Thank You Jesus for every moment shared here in China.

Thank You for every prayer spoke over us.

Thank You for every message sent to us.

We give You ALL glory and praise for this journey!  

Be with us as we travel home and bring our family back together.

 Immeasurably More!

Shamian Island~

The paradise island of Guangzhou. Our first trip to Guangzhou in 2006 was spent on this island @ The White Swan which is now being renovated~

 We asked our two FAVORITE shop keepers when it would be done and they both said... WHO knows???~

Jennie~

  

and Michael... both here all the times we have come~

 Shots from around the island and our travel group~

 

We were all going to eat @ Lucy's but wouldn't you know they were closed for renovations and would be open tomorrow SO we opted for a snack @ Starbucks which made for the perfect photo op~

Our precious babies... we are still in AWE of God's blessing!!!

On the way home Miko took the dads to a local market to buy each of a wok!!! Can't wait to try it out!!! Scott took the camera and shot a few photos on the way~

 A wonderful day for sure!!!

HOME tomorrow!!! Yay!!!