Update on our trip

Sorry we have not given an update for several days.  We have been non stop on the go and we are exhausted.  We had Hudson's medical visa appointment yesterday morning.  They had him checked at three different stations.  One station is with the doctor to go over the medical special need they did a quick check of his reflexes, they listened to his heart and checked him over briefly.  At the next station they did a height and weight check and at the third station the doctor checked his ears, nose and throat.  It was easier this time than with Wyatt.  Wyatt had to also have a blood test to check for TB....thankfully Hudson is under two so no TB testing necessary.  

Once we got back to the hotel we had to complete the final paperwork.  Both boys had lunch and baths while TIm was doing the paperwork and Wyatt even managed to take a nap.  

At 3:00 we went for a walk to the park across from our hotel.  It is called the 5 Ram Park.  We enjoyed visiting this park with our friends the Speers and Melingers last year.  We went there twice last time and enjoyed time with sweet Beckah's family there too.  This year we enjoyed walking through the park with the Nelson family.  They live outside Chicago.  They adopted a sweet boy named Shao Shao.  They also have a biological son named Gabe who turned 9 while he was here in China.  We enjoyed walking for 2 and 1/2 hours through this huge park.  We fed the fish, we listened to a concert and Tim, Conner and Wyatt went on a pedal boat.  It was fun to take photos at the same spot that we took photos last year.    The park was all decorated for Chinese new year.  Since Guangzhou is known as the city of the goat or ram and because the park is the 5 ram park and since 2015 is the year of the sheep the whole park was decked out with paper lanterns and amazing sheep and character displays.  It was fun to walk around and take photos!   

We enjoyed delicious Chinese food at the hotel restaurant for dinner!   I ordered this yummy bread that someone shared with me last year.  It had sesames on top and was baked with cheese and sweet onions inside....so yummy!!!  I will want to have it again before we leave.  Conner loved the sweet and sour pork.  

Today we enjoyed a shopping trip to Shamanian Island.  I was able to purchase almost all of our gifts at three of the little shops.  We also had lunch at Lucy's a western style outdoor restaurant.  It was fun to eat outside.  It was a wonderful morning.  Our friends the Nelson's even managed to visit a government church service that offered the service in both Mandarin and English.  We knew that taking the boys there would be a challenge so we just walked around instead.  

We have our US Embassy appointment tomorrow morning Monday and will get Hudson's visa on Tuesday afternoon.  We then leave for a 4 hour van ride to Hong Kong and then fly out from Hong Kong on Wednesday and 15 and 1/2 hours later we land in Newark NJ on the same day.  So amazing to leave on the same day that we arrive home!  We miss our kids so so much!  Please pray for these final few days of travel till we arrive back at home.  We appreciate you all and your prayers for us!  

Hudson is doing well.  He is getting increasingly more comfortable with us.  He is a busy boy!  He has the sweetest smile and giggle and also an extremely strong will!  He keeps us on our toes.  He prefers Mommy but will allow Daddy to comfort him. 

We can't wait for you all to meet him.  Many blessings to all of you!   

Dawn

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