Catching Up

We visited Ai Li's city, Zhuhai on Thursday. A most tropical, gorgeous place. The weather was perfect and we had about 20 minutes on the beach. The kids thought it was so cool to be touching the South China Sea. The orphanage director came with us and we took her out to lunch. It is so obvious that Ai Li has left family and friends, and it's no small wander that she's pining for them. After a long drive back to the hotel, we had a very early night.

Got to the airport on Friday morning for our trip to Guilin (gway leeng). Flight cancelled. No reason - just cancelled. Next one out at 8:00 pm. The airline put us in a bus and sent us off to a hotel in Baiyun to hang out. They also provided us a meal of roasted duck and rice. Not bad for a flight problem!! The transportation collected us and drove us back for the flight. We were very thankful for such wonderful treatment.

I truly think that if Mother Nature could apologise to the people of China for the squallor, filth, poverty etc. by giving them a spot to find one day, She did it by providing Guilin. It is beautiful, cleaner than any other city we've seen and just different. Our boat cruise on the Li River was a gift that if anyone can ever enjoy, they should. It was a four hour lunch cruise through mountains and small villages. The weather was wonderful. I have tons of photos, but cannot find my gadget right now, so words will have to do. Our next day was spent touring caves and climbing and being served the most delicious meal I personally can remember having enjoyed. We visited the night market and then crashed. Flew back to Guangzhou this morning and here we are.

Ai Li is doing much better. She's really developed a monkey-ish relationship with our kids and has just discovered how much fun a big brother is. Store keepers everywhere keep telling her how lucky she is that Mama took her out and brought her into the family and she's less than impressed with Mama. I am to blame for everything that is wrong with her life right now it seems. She will let me take her to the bathroom and give her medicine. That's it. At least she has someone or something to take it out on, and tag! I'm it. Sure wish those store keepers would shut up or at least drag Dad into it too!! Time will help, I know. We had an episode with car sickness today and she did let me help and then hold her. Finally got checked back into this hotel and she let me help her into the shower. 30 minutes later, and the water still going, I went in. She'd plugged the drain and was having the swim of a lifetime in there. Her impish smile can move mountains, I assure you and she and I shared a private giggle before she remembered who she was giggling with. Ha! Mom got one in!

Like Molly was for ages, Ai Li is either totally happy or totally blank-faced. She's picking up words we think. Although she's not saying them, she knows full well what we're talking about sometimes, which is wonderful, because Mom acting out the potty manoeuver in public is not the prettiest sight!! Now she understands 'bathroom'.

Cody's had one night of being sick and sleeping next to the trashcan followed by one low-keyed day. That appetite is back and in full swing now! Steve's having his turn with the tummy grumbles today. So far KNOCK ON WOOD the girls are holding strong! As we've all had the same food, we're wondering if the men's room may be the culprit.

Zhuhai families - I have other photos for each of you, but posted the best. It takes a long time for me to load them (this is dial-up). We ask that everyone still pray for our little one who struggles with her place in her new family. Thanks.