Chengdu Traffic

Here are two videos of the traffic in Chengdu that I wanted to post while in China but could not. I can just sit and watch for what seems like forever. There seems to be a sense of harmony and people here really do not get to upset at each other like we do in America while driving. Sure they honk their horns once in a while but then go about life.

Desk Run on Fathers Day

While my Mom was exchanging money the girls were running around but we were told not to do that and when they went close to the little water pond the guard would go over there.

Fathers Day Lunch Video

Here is where we had lunch for Fathers Day Yesterday. No, did not eat any bugs.

Going Up There

Rick and Simone getting ready to go up there in the tall temple.

Buddha Introduction

Here is a little Buddha' Information from our Guide Sarah.

By the way, Sophi you better get ready for our photo shot with you and Sophie Wei. I need to do a post about why she was named Sophie after you and why we are keeping her first and middle given name, Shi Wei as her middle name. Thanks for the sweet email Lisa!

Chengdu Traffic

Becca, I added this video via blogger by clicking on it in the library and then posting it that way. Can you view this?? If not I will post my normal way?

Happy Fathers Day!

If you turn up your volume you can hear the waterfall in the background. This morning we got to sit right next to the swimming fish and water fall. The restaurant was packed because of Fathers Day.

Since the girls gave Rick his fathers day framed brocade pandas I gave him his gift today. I found a Terracotta Warrior Book since he is very interested in them. He purchased him self a little Miniature Terracotta set yesterday so I was glad that I got him the perfect gift.

Three Pandas

One of the highlights today on day three together was the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. I will post more photos about this later.

I have to finish packing for our flight tomorrow so this will be the last entery for now until we arrive tomorrow in Guangzhou. Enjoy the videos.

Breakfast and Where Are We Going Today Video

The girls have been so much fun to watch during breakfast. Here they are talking about where we are going today, DAY THREE together!

Sophie Wei Walking Videos

Here is some video of Sophie Wei walking. She does pretty well although she falls down a lot.

Sisters

Simone and Sophie are loving each other. All Simone wants to do is pick her up, ALL THE TIME!

Sorry this is short but now that every thing is working I will post details tonight. We are now off to sign the official adoption paper work.

xoxo US!

See My Sister In A Couple of Days

Simone will see her little Mei Mei in six days and we will have our little girl in our arms!!

This morning I started out with some very good conversation with two of my friends from work, Sharri and Jessica C. It was what I needed, friends to just listen and share some stories of their own with me.

As I started my day I was thinking well, no call around 9am so it may not happen today...maybe the will wait another week to open back up the adoptions???

Today at 11:05 I got a call at school. I just started my first grade class when I heard the phone ring in my office. I also had a close family friends child, Reagan, as my student in that class so it was very special. I asked my class to sit down while I ran as fast as I could to the phone. (I was thinking to my self, maybe this is it???)

It was......We got approval today from the CCAA to go to China to adopt Sophie!! I told her I was right in the middle of class so I would call her back. I called Rick and told him. He was on the way to have lunch with Simone at her pre-school...... Enough said....

I had my two fifth grade PE helpers, Rio and Alicia run down to get my friend Andrea L. to see if she could cover her class for me? She could and did not mind so I called my case worker back. Thanks Andrea!!

My case worker then he also gave me a number of a travel agent to call for ticket prices. I also called NW to find out their prices. We ended going with the travel agent....Tomorrow we will get our in country plan.

Then I asked my other friends Meghan and Arun if I could have them hold their PE time so I could purchase tickets and make plans. THEY DID and they are so good to me!!! Thanks girls.

It was fun at lunch when a bunch of my fourth graders came in to visit me while I was making plans.....Alexis T., Baylee(she gave Sophie a gift today, a blue bear), Katelyn, and Nicole.

I then received a special gift from my friend I work with Diane B. and her daughter Rachel. It is a Wish Upon A Star medallion. It came with this poem and it is so fitting for today:

My Child - I can't always be there to help see you through, So I'm wishing for an angel to watch over you!

I also got to make a quick call to my sub and my teaching partner was in for a meeting so that worked out well....So much to do.

Becca and Kimi were able to help me this evening do some more shopping. We purchased a light stroller to take with us....While doing our shopping we ran into a Restaurant in a parking lot of Babies R Us.......Guess what the name was??

Wei Wei

It does not get any better than that!!!!!!!!

Package for Sophie

On Friday, May 16th, 2008 we mailed Sophie another package.

Small Tiny Cabage Patch Doll
M & M's Candy for Sophie
Two Disposable Cameras
Andes Mints for the Ayi's
One family photo (I added Sophie's photo in with ours and put the words family on it.)
Short note saying, "We love you very much and can't wait to bring you home! Love Daddy, Mommy and Big Sister."
Price of mailing a 1 pound package $45.00 via United States Post Office.
Seeing Sophie opening the package and having photos of her family and friends at the orphanage. PRICELESS

Once again we struggle to mail Sophie another package. Especially after the earthquakes when they are short on diapers, formula, milk, blankets and now in need of Tents. We wish we could just rent an airplane and fill it up with every thing they need. I almost feel bad mailing her these things as I am sure the Ayi's are so busy right now but I feel that if I don't do it for Sophie I would regret it later.

I wanted to say thank you to Jessica (Simone's teacher at the Chinese Library, when we go during vacation) for translating the sentences and short note.

I keep telling my self that God is watching over her and I pray for Sophies safety and all of the people that are in the Sichuan area.

(Simone dressed up as a Mermaid today at Preschool. She informed me that the beauty mark was "not a beauty mark, it is a Princess Mermaid Mark." Some of the boys got "pirate mustaches." That is why she has so much make up on. We appreciate her teachers so much because they are always doing extra things like this for the children! What a blessing that Sophie will get to one day go to school here too!)

Introducing My Little Sister Sophie

Introducing My Little Sister Sophie!!

We Feel Like Dancing

We feel like Dancing!!