Disclaimer for all of these China posts: I realize many details we're including may not be interesting for anyone except for us :), but this is also serving as a journal for us so we'll know exactly what we did on this special journey to get our sweet girl!

Sunday, October 13th

We had not needed alarm clocks since we've had EK with us.  After getting up at 5am the day before we would never imagined we would have started off our day by oversleeping, but we did.  We were supposed to meet our group in the lobby at 9:20am and I cracked my eyes open at about 8:10.  That would have been perfect if it was just me to get ready, but to get everyone woken up, dressed and ready (with only 1 small bathroom to share) and have everything (diaper bag) packed for the day and to have all of us fed at the buffet and finished up by meeting time made for rushed morning.  Go Ellie Kay for sleeping in!  (Even if it was due to lack of naps from the day before).

At the meeting place in the lobby, we met the last 2 couples from our group who had been in a different province: Steven & Lori and Jason & Nicole. They each have precious little boys - one being 10 months like Ellie Kay.  All American couples have to end up in Guangzhou, because the US consulate is here.

We all loaded up on the bus and went to Six Banyan Temple which is a Buddhist temple (named for the beautiful, 500 year old banyan trees in the courtyard of the temple - even though there are only 2 left).  We had one other experience days ago in Beijing with a Buddhist monk trying to sell us a golden card for money and he could not understand any English at all.  They worship on Sundays as well so there were lots of people worshipping. They were placing oils, fruits, nuts, and money on the altars in front of the Buddhas.  They also lit incense and waved in front of the Buddhas as an offering.  Our guide offered to have babies "blessed" by a monk, but no one in our group took her up on her offer. The Buddhas were much huger than I thought they would be (like maybe 20-25 feet tall).  We saw a ceremony from outside of some monks singing, chanting, and playing instruments during a service.  Our guide in Beijing had told us 80% of Chinese have no religion, but Buddhism is the top religion practiced here.  During the service, I prayed for these sweet souls and was very thankful that we worship the living God, who directly hears our prayers through Jesus Christ.

Afterwards, we visited the Old Chen House (also named the Chen Clan Ancestral building). It is the best preserved Qing dynasty building in the Guangdong province, being about 110 years old.  It was gorgeous!  The roof and house are covered with colored porcelain, wood carvings, and lime sculpture.  Nowadays, it holds all different kinds of Cantonese folk art exhibitions. (FYI - Guangzhou used to be the ancient city of Canton, so the people still speak Cantonese here).  There were super detailed carvings from wood, ivory, and limestone, as well as beautiful works of colored porcelain, Chinese art/calligraphy and embroidery.  We ended up getting  pretty painted scrolls for our house with our whole family's names on them painted by Master Chen.

We next visited an arts and crafts shopping center, but we didn't get a whole lot there because we felt they were overpriced.  We hope to visit Shamian Island later for cheaper shopping I hope!

We returned to the hotel for Pap Johns delivery and Ellie Kay's nap.  (I don't think pizza has ever tasted so good). The boys watched a movie while she slept since we keep it pretty dark and quiet in the room when she sleeps.

Ellie Kay is a complete doll baby.  She has really started to share her personality with us.  She still growls and laughs, and tries to beg for food if she sees you eating or drinking anything. She still adores Matt, but I can't blame her because I do too.  She crinkles up her little nose when she smiles big. She is really a good baby.  She has been such a trooper with undergoing so many changes, and doesn't cry anymore for diaper changes. She is such a blessing from God. It's amazing how much we love her already.

After nap yesterday, we explored around our hotel a little bit and after grabbing quick, convenient fast food, we also found a 7-11.  Besides for selling pretty gross things like vacuum packed chickens feet, there were some familiar things.  The boys
were super excited to find they had slurpees.

We returned the hotel for much needed showers for the boys and a bath for EK.  She did so much better during this one.  I got in with her again and she only fussed a tiny bit.  She is getting more used to us and our strange American ways.  :)