Last Day in Beijing

We are already packing to leave in the morning for Urumqi (pronounced ooh-doo-moo-chee by Rocky). Grace is probably falling asleep for her last time at New Day and will leave bright and early in the morning just a few hours before we do. Please pray for her as she travels. Little ones often have a tough time with landing and ear popping and then there is her oxygen issues. I'm so thankful for the woman traveling with her and of course we know the Lord is with her so she is in good hands all around.

We woke up bright and early this morning and were famished. After breakfast (thank goodness for melon, omlettes, sausage and french toast) Rocky picked us up and took us to see the Olympic Village, home of the 2008 Olympics. The buildings constructed for those Olympic games are really quite impressive.

 On the right is the "Water Cube" and behind it is the "Birds Nest". It was very hazy this morning so the pictures were sort of faint. The opening and closing ceremonies were held in the birdcage.

Rocky has been our guide for our entire time in Beijing. It's hard to believe we will say goodbye to him tomorrow. He has been amazing.He has advocated on our behalf to expedite our adoption, he has taught us some Chinese, he has taken us to wonderful restaurants and planned our entire itinerary.Today he spent most of the drive talking to Air China and China Southern to make sure we don't have a disaster with the oxygen machine and batteries.  He is also very funny and we have had the best time with him.

After the Olympic Village we visited a jade factory that is run by the government. Seeing how the artisans carve such intricate figurines, jewelry, and sculptures out of jade was really interesting.

This is called the "Happy Family Ball". It's four layers of  carvings from one solid piece of jade. The outer layer has a dragon (symbolizing husband) and a phoenix (symbolizing wife) and three layers inside (symbolizing 3 children). 

Next it was time to see the Great Wall of China - or at least part of it. Pictures just don't do it justice and the hazy day didn't help but I doubt we will need pictures to remember our time there. It is magnificent.

It is every bit as steep as it looks. If not steeper. No two steps are alike and they are not the least bit even.

We were warned that locals might want their picture taken with Jake because of his golden locks. So it was at the wall today. He was gracious and smiled and nodded for the man. We tried not to giggle. We failed.

Hi Mom!

 After a very looooong drive from the wall back to the city we stopped for lunch at a local place and then headed to the Forbidden City.Over  900 buildings comprise this site it seems to go on and on and on.

We finished our day at a KungFu show and then started nodding off because it's *that time of day* when we hit a wall. We had to stop for formula, diapers and wipes at a local grocery store which was more like Chinese 3 story walmart. Thank goodness for Rocky!

Now after a hair cut for Jake (in the shower with the scissors purchased at Chinese walmart - good grief) and some easy mac with bottled water boiled in a hot pot - I'm blogging and the rest of the family is packing and re-packing. Our suitcase that we took to New Day filled is now able to shuffle other things. Rocky is going to hang with us at the airport and make sure no one gives us a hard time with the oxygen machine and batteries tomorrow morning. Thank you for praying about that. We aren't through the woods yet, but it looks good at the moment. We will spend some time in the security office pleading our case and sharing the medical information from our referral. It will be really great to get to Urumqi tomorrow afternoon at 1pm China time. We have nothing planned the rest of the day (someone say Glory!!) so we will enjoy our last hours without Grace and relax.

36 hours until our family changes forever.

I can't wait to write that blog...