We are just starting our last full day here in China as I type this (Wednesday). We are VERY excited to get home!! We cannot wait to see the other children and introduce them to Eliza. Sykpe is just not cutting it anymore. I can’t wait till we are all together again!!

Yesterday morning we hurried down to breakfast and then straight from there onto the bus to the U.S. Consulate to swear an oath and finish our paperwork for Eliza’s visa. We were not allowed to take a camera (or much else for that matter!) with us, so I do not have any photos of our morning. It was HOT (which is the theme here), but not too bad overall. Eliza looked very patriotic in her red, white, and blue!

We got “take-away” for lunch yesterday and then let Eliza nap during the afternoon. After nap time we played for awhile. This girl is “fashion forward” (as they say here in China!)!

Our guided tour didn’t begin until 5:30 p.m. (which is why this post is late!), when we met to go on the Pearl River Cruise. We really enjoyed the boat ride, and everyone said the food was good too! It was fun to spend time with our friends here. We all agree it is going to be hard to say goodbye. Thankfully we will not have to say goodbye to three families until we are in Chicago, because they are on the same flight as us! How neat is that?!!!

Eliza LOVED the cruise. She was such a sweetie, and even walked around the boat on her OWN TWO FEET. She usually doesn’t let her feet hit the ground unless we are in our room!

The sunset over the water was amazing. All the while we were waiting to get to Eliza, the Lord blessed me with the thought that she was seeing the same sun and the same moon that we do in Wisconsin….yet half way around the world.

We went up to the top level of the boat to see all the beautiful lights of the city!

As the boat turned around to go back, they had a clown show for the children. It was so sweet! The kids loved it.

Eliza had a rough night last night. It breaks my heart to see her so upset and so angry. I just keep loving on her, using a soft voice to comfort her as the Lord instructs us in His word…”a soft answer turns away wrath.” When I bring my voice to almost a whisper, her countenance changes and she starts to calm down. We have come SO, SO far, but still have so far to go. Please continue in prayer for us.

Illness is flying through the families here, and Addie Mae woke with a very sore throat this morning. We are starting her on the “just in case” antibiotics we have for her, and are praying that we can all stay healthy enough to handle the long trip home!

Well, I know that some of you did not get to sip your morning coffee with us earlier this morning because this is late….but I sipped my coffee with you today as I typed!! Today we are off to ShaMian Island for some SHOPPING!!!

We had a sleepy girl this morning! We were even skyping with the kids back home before she woke up. We had to rush through breakfast to meet all the Lifeline families in the lobby for a group photo. We love these new friends of ours! (Addie volunteered to be the photographer!)

We opted out of going to the Guangzhou Zoo in the 110 degree heat today. We have been hanging out in the room, strolling around the hotel, sipping Starbucks, and playing together. A very relaxing day today!

Have to share one adorable moment with Eliza last night before bed. She found this hair tie on the dresser, put it in her mouth, walked over to the mirror and started to do her hair! Do you think she has seen her foster Mama do that before? Too cute!!!

This evening we went back to Tekila’s with three other families for dinner. Tomorrow morning we will have to scurry hurry to get to our early U.S. Consulate appointment. We are more than happy to though, as it is just another step into getting what we need to bring Eliza home!

Thank you for praying! Our piece of paperwork that was being expedited (because of a mistake on the one we have with us) is AT THE CONSULATE TODAY!! Praising Jesus!!!

I have shown you how the children at home are passing their time (besides all the work, that is)……and we are just passing the time here as well (minus any work at all). We pass the time as we wait for all of Eliza’s paperwork to get done so we can be handed her passport and visa and head home!

Thankfully we have an AMAZING guide who plans things for us. Not only to pass the time, but to allow us to soak up as much of the Chinese culture as we can before we have to say goodbye to where our daughter started her life.

We have successfully been to the breakfast buffet with Eliza two days in a row now! She is getting much more comfortable in our routine here. She usually carries something from the room to breakfast with her, which she exchanges with me for a yogurt! She still loves to eat, and has eaten everything I have given her.

Today, Blake and Addie got the same noodles that Blake had already gotten and cut up for Eliza. Eliza was gobbling them up! Addie took one bite and her mouth was on fire – they were SO spicy! Our girl definitely loves the food of her culture.

After breakfast Blake and Addie went on the guided tour. I stayed behind with Eliza today, because I just wanted one whole day where we didn’t rock her world. It was a GREAT choice, because Blake and Addie came back with the news that today is the hottest and most humid day yet. I. cannot. imagine.

Eliza had a bath (she sat down for the first time!!) and played in the bubbles. Then we played, read books, colored, walked around the hotel in her stroller, skyped the kids at home, ate some lunch in the room, and played some more before it was nap time. It was a wonderful, wonderful morning for me!!

Blake and Addie had a wonderful morning too! They shared the photos and told me all about it. They went to the Chen Family Temple, also known as the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. I am SO thankful that they bought a calligraphy scroll that they watched a man make with Eliza’s Chinese name, her American name, her date of birth, and the day she was placed in our arms all on it. It is BEAUTIFUL!!!

They watched another man paint with his hand. What beautiful artwork.

They also got to experience the Liwan Market, where pearls, jade, embroideries, and traditional Chinese dresses are sold. It looks like it was amazing!

This evening we walked to a German restaurant with our friends and had a wonderful time of fellowship. I heard the food was good too!!

The girls were gems at dinner! Eliza is changing BY THE MINUTE. It is such an incredible thing to see. Today she started calling me Mama, and also says the words bye-bye and blows kisses whenever we are leaving somewhere. She is a hoot!!

Praise Jesus with us!! We are in awe of our sweet little daughter!! What a gift from God.