Balancing Life w/Boys

Day 2

Good morning (evening). Today was a jam packed day! First and foremost my calf is 95% better. Huge Praise because today we did allot of walking and stairs. A wheelchair would not have worked well. Our tour guide kept us busy! We started our morning visiting the Temple of Heaven which is one of the most famous places in China. It was the venue for Emperor's to worship heaven. We then visited a 4th generation Chinese family. We were able to see where they live, take a tour of their home and any ask questions we might have about their culture. The mother played a beautiful song that was played in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on a instrument that resembles a large harp. They had grasshoppers as pets, I took a picture for Rylan, I am sure he will want us to have one too ;-) We can just add that to the other 7 pets we have.. After our visit we rode on a Rickshaw through the tiny alleys (Hutong)  looking at shops and small houses.  We then went to see the Birds Nest and the Watercube at the Olympic Park. For lunch we ate a nearby KFC and it was delicious ;-) Our last stop was the Summer Palace, it has many gardens and palaces. Mostly a recreational park that is on Kunming Lake. We took a dragon boat on the lake and it was a beautiful sight overlooking the mountains. (If I could only post a picture) it was gorgeous!
We finished around 5pm and came to our room to rest before heading to Pizza Hut for some very fine dining (here in China it is not considered fast food). We ate some pizza and enjoyed the familiarity it brought. We bought dessert at the corner of our hotel in a bakery. Tiramsu never tasted so good!!!

That was our day! We are really enjoying the culture and everyone has been very friendly. I am surprised at how many people don't speak English in such a large city like Bejing. Crossing the streets is frightening and so is their driving. I showed the other family pictures from Brooklyn's birthday party and we realized their daughter Lucy is in the pictures next to Brooklyn. So sweet knowing her friend will be with this sweet family we have gotten to know. Denise (mom) saved the day and brought Nathan and Daniel Ramen noodels as a snack for them. The snacks I brought are going quickly. :-) I have been able to check on the littles and they are having so much fun! I even got to see sweet Rylan's face on facetime and it made my day (thank you Jennifer)!

Day 3 will consist of touring the Great Wall and traveling by plane to Kunming which is about 3 hours from Brooklyn's orphanage. We will meet up with 2 other families in Kunming.  The day is getting closer and I am beyond excited. I may have to send the Gotcha video or her pictures to a friend to post on here for me!!!

Please keep the prayers coming!! We love you all!!!

Blessings,