Another Pair of Little Shoes at the Door

Avery is officially a McDonald

Day 2 looked much different, thankfully.  She woke up happy and hungry.  We ate breakfast in the hotel and she ate Congee (a type of runny grit looking porridge).  She sat with Keith and that was a big milestone.  We got our first smile as she played with chopsticks.  She bangs them together loudly then softly as she makes music.  Avery loves to hum, sing and dance we have discovered.  She fits right in with all of us.

After breakfast, we ventured over to the nice mall nearby to explore the toy store/ baby store.  It is similar to Toys R Us, but much smaller scale.  The boys wanted to find a souvenir and we needed to purchase diapers to donate to the orphanage on our visit.  We get lots of stares here as an American family of blonde, tall people, but even more now with an Asian daughter.  Women call out to Avery as mae mae (little girl) which is ironic as that is what all my nephews call me.  She usually responds to them with at least a look their way.  It was truly nice to have a child in the store that didn't want anything in the store.  Avery wasn't interested in any doll or any toy we showed her.  I am certain that won't last long as Matt purchased a Power Ranger with his money and Eli purchased a Star Wars light saber/gun set. We did, however, purchase a Chinese Barbie doll dressed in traditional Chinese clothing to put up for her. In China, the taxes are included in all that you purchase and stuff is so stinking cheap (probably more like what it is actually worth).  We can eat out as a family of 5 for under $40 at white table cloth type restaurant.  We can eat at KFC for under $20 easily.  That has been a complete blessing to us since we have to eat out every meal.  After our mall adventure, we came back and ordered room service which is inexpensive as well.  Avery had wonton soup, Eli had seafood fried rice and Matt had a burger.  After lunch, we decided I should try to let Avery nap as we were scheduled to leave the hotel at 2pm for the Adoption Center.  She napped on me for about 30 minutes. 
At 2pm, we climbed into the van to go back to the Adoption Center for our official paperwork to be signed and our adoption ceremony.  The driving here is worthy of a post itself.  The culture here is based on drive and determination to get ahead, so just as they walk they also drive cars.  By this, I mean, there is no "excuse me" or "waiting politely" for someone to pass before you cut in front of them.  No, it is blow and go and get run over if you pause.  I saw a man pulling a wooden wheelbarrow almost take a lady in a skirt and heels out on the sidewalk today because he didn't slow down for her.  Literally, Keith has a photo of a lady standing so close to our van as we pass that I asked him when he met her as I looked through his pictures.  He said, she was just standing there as we went by.  We laughed so hard at this.  There are lanes marked on the roads, but I guess as suggestions only because its like a race out there.  Anyway, back to the Adoption Center.  Avery was much more energy filled and happy as she walked the room with her light up shoes.  She spoke to the women workers there and they knew her by Fei Fei (pronounced Fay Fay).  We went into the little room pictured above to take our oath to love and educate her well.  We answered a few questions and were given her adoption certificate with lots of photos and tears of joy.  She is the 35th adoption of the year 2015 which is not a very high number considering there are 500 children in her orphanage alone.  If you have ever had a notion to extend your family through adoption, let me encourage you to pray fervently about it.  These children are waiting for a forever family and God is waiting to expand your heart for them.  If we can encourage you or pray for you in anyway, please don't hesitate to ask.  

Our group after the ceremony.  Praise God for 3 less orphans!  (funny about this photo, Avery kept hitting Eli in the head)

 We went back to the hotel afterwards for some playtime and dinner.  The bath was no better tonight as I put her in the tub, she cried for her Mama again.  We got it done, but it hurts my soul.  Bath time with the boys was such a great time for us, I looked forward to it almost every night.  I pray she will grow to love it too.  Avery ate well all day and didn't even take her night time bottle.  She slept with us and slept all night with only 1 episode of whimpers.  Much progress made today, glory be to God for fighting for families and fighting harder for orphans. 

Psalms 32:8-11 has been my focus today.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.  Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.  Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord."
"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!"