Last day in Zhengzhou

We made it through our last day here in Zhengzhou. We are VERY ready to be HOME!  We are feeling some better but still congested & Loden is still running a low grade fever.  We stayed in most of the day, but headed out to McDonald's in the afternoon.  We cut through a nearby park & found a small carnival.  The boys really liked it.  It seemed somewhat like home.  The sights, sounds, & smells on the way to & from, however, are NOT like home, and are beginning to get to us. We are VERY ready to be HOME. Things are VERY different here.  We seem somewhat like celebrities - lol.  We stopped to take this pic & at least 20 people gathered around to stare at us.

Then the same thing when we stopped to buy Naomi a balloon.

And then there are sights like this everywhere...

And this...

And they actually let them utilize this freedom anywhere they would like in any way they would like..... Let me just leave it at that.  We saw more today than we care to remember seeing.....  I'm honestly surprised we are not more sick than we are!  (I told the boys we are burning our shoes when we get home!!)

Did I say yet how READY we are to be HOME??  ONE WEEK FROM TODAY.... HOORAY!!

It was about 70 degrees outside today, but it had to be at least 85 degrees inside McDonald's.

                                         

This was a really beautiful park.  Too bad it is not kept cleaner....

                                      

And the carnival fun :)

Love this one :)

She was a Daddy's girl today :)

LOVE this one too :)

Notice her little arm :))

And they love the outdoor exercise equipment...

We did have a great day & are praying things will be even better in Guangzhou.  We fly out tomorrow around noon.  Please keep us in your prayers that all is smooth as we travel & that Loden will wake up WELL! :)  Thank you :)  Oh & btw, in case the pictures don't show it, Naomi is doing GREAT! :)

Naomi's 4th Birthday at Maria's Big House of Hope :)

Happy 4th Birthday to Naomi! 

We had a wonderful day at Maria's Big House of Hope.  It truly is a magical place.  You can feel love as soon as you walk in the doors.  Naomi's sweet pre-school teacher, Rebecca, made her a brownie cake & threw her a little party :)  

She is precious & loves the children so much.  We are thankful for her.

Not many words tonight, as we are not feeling well.  Please remember us in your prayers.  I started feeling bad yesterday.  I thought the smoke & smog were getting to me.  I've sneezed at least 1000 times.  I'm congested & just achy.  Tonight, Loden began running a fever.  He's congested & achy too.  We are taking it easy tomorrow with another free day.  Praying we feel better before we have to fly to Guangzhou on Sunday!  Thank you again for all the sweet comments! We are reading them all & are so thankful for each one of you!!

Shaolin Temple

We had a great day today at Shaolin Temple.  It was A LOT of walking, but the boys really enjoyed it.  We saw a Kung Fu show, saw monks, & the different Buddha's.  It was quite interesting.  I think we were the most interesting thing there though.... I bet 25 people took pictures with us (mainly Jeb :)..... It did get a bit old to me today.  We finally started telling people no.  People wanted to know why we Americans had a Chinese child.  Our guide, Vivian, would tell them we came to adopt & they would say.... Ah, such warm heart.  I can't tell you how many people came up to us & literally COUNTED our kids! And then they would look at us & hold up the 4 fingers!  YES, we have FOUR children.  It blew them away. lol  They are custom here to only one.  It amazes them that we have so many.  Naomi was a bit tired today & a little cranky.  She took a nice long nap on the ride home & then came alive when we got back to the room. :)  She played with the boys & ate a TON of pizza!  This girl likes to eat! :)

This is our guide, Vivian.  We were waiting to watch the Kung Fu show.

One of the many photo opts....

The car knocks her out!

Then back to the room for pizza & fun with brothers!

She loves her some chopsticks too! :)

Playroom fun tonight :)

Maria's Big House of Hope & BIRTHDAY FUN tomorrow!!!!