March 14, Amusement Park

Today is Friday (is that right??). We went as a group with the Hs to the children's park, and it was a slow-paced hour and a half of fun. My kind of amusement park, no roller coasters :) Kambry and Kaeleb are learning to communicate a little more. Still not sure what they're saying to each other, but sometimes it's very sweet. Here she's holding his hand.

Yep, April is in her element, amusement park! I love this picture. Clayton was trying to catch Kaeleb and I as we came around, and each time he just got April: "It's me again!"

Max's favorite ride besides the stroller, the teeter totter.

Kambry enjoyed the panda ride.

Wheeeeeeeee!

I love my bubba, most of the time!

Kambry update: she was feeling much better this morning, but by afternoon not so good again. I'm glad we started the antibiotic. Still lots of Bungee Bugars but as long as we have Kleenex and Motrin, we can survive.

Kaeleb update: he spends a lot of time quality testing things. So far, very few items pass the Kaeleb Quality Exam. All boy! He is waking up from naps much happier, less confused.

Daddy update: he's trading the dumplings for the fitness center :)

April update: she seems to be getting the upper respiratory thing again. We had planned a massage this afternoon, but she's not up to it. She's started her antibiotic to nip this thing in the bud!

Mommy update: I'm healthy as a horse ~ somebody's gotta keep this crew going :)

Three or four more Small World and Lifeline families flew into Guangzhou today and will join us in the morning for the medical exam. So we've gone from a single family van, to a 10 passenger van to a bus! We're going to Cow and Bridge for chicken and noodle soup tonight. Blessings from GZ!

March 13, Baiyan Mountain

We celebrated that Kaeleb spent a few minutes in the high chair at lunch time before melting down. He is doing so well!
Cheerios are good! Though he still doesn't chew, the cereal will eventually dissolve. He pockets food in his mouth and eventually it must come out!

More beautiful scenery at the Baiyan (White Cloud) Mountain today.

Our little group, including Rebecca and the H family. Tomorrow four more families will join us, including the Hills and Madi!

Daddy and Kambry watching the dancers from this perch on top of the mountain.

Going to supper.

I think it's official ~ we've tried everything on Lucy's menu, except the squid and prawn. We'll save that for someone else :)

Kambry and April being silly at supper. We really are tired!

Kaeleb continues to progress and bond. We are amazed each day. He will now respond to "Kaeleb." Neither of the kids ate well today and were not themselves. We've started Kambry on antibiotics because she is sick. Please pray that she recovers quickly and no one else catches the upper respiratory infections running rampant among the families. We are going to make a priority of getting the $12 seventy-minute massage! I feel like I've been sleeping on the ancient wooden bed with porcelain pillow! Sorry this is so short. April has an awesome detailed post about today's activities on her blog. We love you and miss you! Clayton, Connie, April, Kambry and Kaeleb.

March 12, Liurong Temple

You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3I am really very tired, but there is so much I want to share, so I'll keep it short and sweet (or try to, anyway). Today we visited the Liurong Temple and climbed most of the 17 flights of stairs. At the 7th level I became fearful of tripping and falling with Kaeleb, so April and I decided to go back down and let Clayton tell us about the view from the top!

Even though we visited the temple as tourists, we were very uncomfortable watching people worship the bronze statues, burn incense and offer fruit, nuts and beautiful flowers. It is very sad to see people who don't realize that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Even though our business here is adoption, our prayer each day is that we would be salt and light. Also, that we would remain alert and sensitive to the opportunities placed before us. There have been many, and I praise the Lord that halfway around the world He would use the three of us.
This is a view of the pagoda within the temple. Amazing!

This is a view from the top.

Wash me (in Chinese)?!? Okay, so you had to be there.

It was 82 today so we spent an hour at the pool. We met a very nice family from Minnesota who are traveling home tomorrow. They shared their adoption testimony with us ~ awesome! The water is cold, but Kambry doesn't mind.

Kaeleb was more reserved but eventually splashed and put his feet in.

The profile of a girl who lights up a room with her smile!

The profile of innocence :)

April's favorite food ~ dumplings! She and Clayton are the Apple Dumpling Gang - dumplings for breakfast, lunch and supper (ewwww).

What could be of interest within these walls???

This is how we sip hot tea while holding a monkey.

Today was another amazing day for all of us. Kaeleb wakes up smiling and looking for Mommy! He loves to hold my hand and walk down the hallway, stopping to tap on every "exit" light and inspect the patterns in the carpet, then after a few minutes he reaches up to me, and I feel so obligated to pick him up ~ ha! (I love it!!!) He is still eating meals on my lap and sleeping in our bed. As for the high chair, he hates being restrained, so we'll work on that once we're home. And I think he just needs the security of having us nearby when he sleeps, so we will continue to help him understand we aren't going anywhere! Kambry continues to be the center of attention in a crowd. Her baby jibberish is turning into real words! We have six more days, and we want to make the most of them, but please know we are ready to go home, regardless of the chaos that awaits! Tomorrow we are climbing a mountain for a view of the city and getting the final fitting at the tailor. We love hearing from you! We read every email and comment ~ thank you! Blessings from Guangzhou, Clayton, Connie, April, Kambry and Kaeleb.

March 11, Porcelain and more

Daddy and his girl going to breakfast.
They'd rather be running than posing ...

Kambry and April talking on Skype

I can't believe I didn't mention the items the nannies saved for Kaeleb. We sent two care packages, and when we received him last Monday they handed us the photo album we sent, one loaded disposable camera, his blanket and his lovey. We were surprised when we took his clothes off and found that underneath he was wearing the dinosaur PJs we sent him!

We went back to the Chen Family Academy today for two reasons: We picked up the beautiful "Panda" sand paintings we'd ordered. Kambry is from Xiushan in the Chongqing Municipality, and it is known for the Panda. We also visited the tea shop and had tea. We took more pictures of the beautiful gardens.

Then we went to the Porcelain shop and finally purchased a beautiful tea set, something I've wanted for a long time! Thank you, Honey!

All a girl needs are shoes ... and an escape from little brother!

They love the bath!

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. Isa 25:1
I am so happy to report Kaeleb's progress! Today he seemed to enjoy the Ugli Snugli and napped in it during our tours. He also came to me, even as I was putting it on, preparing to settle him into it. Tonight he was waving "hi" and "bye" and making different sounds for each. He also blew kisses! And at bedtime he smiled at me as I gave him the bottle. He and Kambry are learning to share ~ a huge step in the right direction. They have these little "squeal fests" where they will take turns squealing at each other and then laugh. Then she will say something very serious to him, hands on hips or used for emphasis, he will just look at her and then grunt and giggle! I think he's already practicing selective hearing. He seems to be walking better too. It's been an amazing day! We are exhausted from touring and keeping up with the kids, and tomorrow will be busy too. We're visiting a mountaintop. I don't know the details but I anticipate great pictures! I want to say again, April has been so much help, we really appreciate her! She pushes the stroller, carries a backpack, changes a diaper, carries Kambry, whatever is needed while I run around in a frenzy trying to keep enough bottles, hot water and diapers on hand. We are really enjoying the weather here and the extra time to bond with Kaeleb, but we're all very homesick now. Ladena emailed pix of the kids today, and it was a huge blessing just to see their faces. Goodnight from Guangzhou ~ Clayton, Connie, April, Kambry and Kaeleb

Where we were; where we are!

Hey, the Ugli Snugli isn't so bad!

Behold the sweetness!

How many more days???? (She's a trooper!)

Beautiful Magnolia blossoms at the Chen Family Academy

Entrance to the Chinese Theatre at Chen Family Academy

So many beautiful porcelain vases

Intricate carvings throughout the academy

Ice cream at Lucy's ~ yum! Our evening stroll after supper.
Today we dropped off laundry, made a diaper/wipes/formula run and then visited the Chen Family Academy. It was a beautiful day, perfect for strolling outdoors. We saw beautiful artwork, porcelain, ivory and bone carvings at the Academy. Then we came back to join another family for lunch at Cow and Bridge. They received their son this afternoon, and he is a doll! Congratulations to them!

I really can't believe we've had Kaeleb for a week already. Clayton and I reflected today and tried to give perspective to the progress he's made. One week ago he was quiet and very reserved. He only laughed when he tickled him. He tolerated us, but that's it. He wouldn't open his mouth very wide to eat, and he couldn't chew. He was scared to death of the bath.

Today he is eating congee, oatmeal, small noodles and mashed potatoes. While he likes to show his temper if he doesn't get his way, he will eventually settle down. He babbles and sings. He loves the bath and doesn't want to get out. He no longer cries when we get in the vehicle. He only throws a small fit when we scrunch him into the Ugli Snugli, then he loves it. He imitates peek-a-boo and clapping. He cries when I leave the room (yes!). He still won't sit in the high chair or sleep in his crib, but I'd say he's doing amazingly well! I think he knows these pasty white people aren't going away so he might as well make the most of it :)

Thank you for following along, for praying and for leaving comments. We are past the halfway point in our trip ~ 8 days left! We miss the kids and home. Blessings from China ~ Clayton, Connie, April, Kambry and Kaeleb

March 9, Church in China

...ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. 1 Chron 16:29

Today we worshiped in the Shamian Christ Church. What an awesome thing to see people praising God in this country!

Kambry clowning aruond in the afternoon.

She is really very happy in this picture ... can you see it?!?

Having a serious conversation about her daddy with this cute girl.

This is/was the car Jo gave Kaeleb. It has been driven, thrown, sat on and finally revived with duct tape! Oh duct tape, how many ways can we use thee?!? Kayden and Kenzie, stay out of Kaeleb's line of fire. Kolton, I beg you to be a positive influence on your little brother ~ he already knows enough naughtiness. Kuyler, no matter how many times Dad asks, under no circumstances can he move to Norman with you :)

A necessary but unpleasant act, brushing teeth

Playing in the Swan Room

Top off the day at Cow and Bridge ~ yum!