We’ve blessedly arrived in Guangzhou. We had an awesome time in Guilin and were sad to leave this afternoon. But it’s always wonderful to arrive in Guangzhou.
It means our next stop is home.
Most of our day today, like yesterday, was spent with the Trower family. We met at 10:30 and drove to the wholesale market to buy winter coats for the children at An Orphan’s Wish. Kirsten and her girls, Gabrielle and Lily, know each of the children at the Unit so well, they are like one large, loving family. Each coat was handpicked for color and style based on the needs and wants of each child. It was incredibly touching to see such love and care go into each purchase for the very special children in the CPU (cerebral palsy unit).
During our shopping excursion at the wholesale market, we happened upon some pretty cute stuff. Unfortunately it was either too large to cram into our already packed bags, or wasn’t the right size or color for Miss Vivi. Her mood proceeded to swing from jubilation at all the goodies abounding at the market, to complete frustration and aggravation at not being able to have every single thing.
It’s tough being a two year old.
Finally, the shopping and crying and laughing and shopping wore her out. She fell asleep at last. And she didn’t rouse until we had arrived at the restaurant for lunch.
We sat and talked for a while after lunch, it was wonderful to hang out with the Trower family (who are from Australia) because they are not only incredibly kindhearted and inspiring people, but they’re just really nice. Plus, they took us to one of the best restaurants in Guilin, twice. Thanks, guys! 😉
At 4:00 we met our guide at the hotel and headed for the airport. We were able to get our boarding passes and through security without Vivienne’s passport, which was a huge blessing because it could have been a nightmare.
The flight left on time despite some insane fog. And, on landing, there was only a teeny tiny bit of motion sickness for Asher.
Vivi did beautifully on her first flight. She acted like a seasoned traveler and barely even noticed that we weren’t on the ground anymore after takeoff. She was too busy throwing back some pistachios and yan yans.
And she slept through the landing.
I think she’s going to fit in pretty well around our house.
We’re all settled in at the Victory, it’s great to be back in such familiar territory. Tomorrow is the medical exam, first order of the day.
And then I have a very pressing engagement with a Starbucks Frappuccino.
Fabulous!! Glad to see everything is going well and you are one step closer to home.
~Branda
I'm so glad your trip is going well. Love the sleepy pic — adorable!
Have fun in Guangzhou!
Stefanie,
How is the Victory now?
We are leaving next week and our agency wants us to stay at The Garden instead of the Victory due to the renovations there. ???
How is it?
Thank you,
Lynda
lyndastrite@comcast.net
http://blog.john1418.com
one step closer to home!!! she's such a doll.
She is just the Sweetest! And you make this trip look like a trip to the park or something. Wow.
Can you write a book to help others? Maybe it's all centered in prayer.
Praying you home and off to a great start with the entire family together!
You're getting there!! Almost home!
Glad everything is going so well!
Love that photo of Vivi sleeping…sooooo precious!!
Yeah…that Vivi is stunning asleep or awake!
LOVE THE HAT!!! : )
Yay for GZ!
You're really close now…wow, I can just imagine that homecoming: SWEET!
Stef you are just so blessed with beautiful little ones! Loving the pictures and glad to read that everything has been going so smoothly for the three of you 🙂
I must admit that Vivi's sweet face isn't helping my ticking clock any! She is just too cute for words!
Have a safe trip home! (and goodluck to Asher on the longer flight!)
Glad to hear that you arrived without any troubles for the lack of Vivi's passport. PTL!
She is just ADORABLE in that hat… too cute!
Enjoy your week in GZ…can't wait to see all the new photos of your time there, too!!
hugs,
Tanya
Hi Stefanie:
I've never left a comment on your blog before but have been reading it for quite awhile now and am much inspired by you and your family. I am glad things are going well with Vivi, but was sorry to read about Asher getting so sick on landing. I went on the internet for some advice on what to do and here is what I found: don't drink orange juice, try to stay away from heavy or greasy food, ginger or peppermint both seem to have a calming effect, Dramamine or Bonamine at least an hour before landing or Benadryl. These last three options all have the possibility of causing drowsiness, which may be less than helpful when trying to get through an airport. 🙂 Continued prayers for a safe trip!
I'm so happy to see how well you guys are doing. She looks so content, and man is she ever adorable in that hat!
Vivi's hat is too cute!! Love it!!
So happy things are going well! Congrats son making it to Guangzhou! Your almost home!!
Vivi sounds incredible! Such great photos, as always. Love the hat! Her big brother looks like he is doing a fabulous job. Wait until she sees what is waiting for her at home.
while you were at An Orphans Wish did you see "My Baby Girl" Emily 4 years old walks with a little limp (like Chester on Gunsmoke) i sent her a package yesterday an apron(not a Scarlet Threads) color pens& writing tablet toothpaste and of course M&M's i guess it would have been asking too much to put on a big hat&dark glasses on her "Oh! this is my neice she came with us!!HA Blessings YeYe Donnie
So glad you made it to GZ…Have fun!!
Blessings,
Amy
Glad to hear you are having a great time! Sound like everything is going great. The pictures of Vivi and Asher are soooooooooo cute!!! I bet he will always have a special place in his heart for the sister that he went to bring home. He looks like a GREAT big brother!
I can't wait to see pictures of your whole family together.
Hi Stef!
So glad you are now within walking distance of Starbucks!!!! That was one of my happiest days when I had my first big Venti there!! I am so thankful that your trip is going so well, and that you are closer to being home!! I hope you meet Kristen and Zoe. If you do, will you girls send me a pic! Have a wonderful time enjoying GZ and shopping!!!
Hugs,
Diana
My heart is singing!
I'm so excited for you! Vivi is absolutely gorgeous! Love it!!
Loving your photos and that HAT…too cute! Glad you're in GZ–we always feel like GZ is our second home. Everything is so familiar and relaxed. I love that part of the trip. Make sure you try the new Italian restaurant on the Island. Their pizza is the best–I'm still craving it. 🙂
I am so excited to see God grow your family one more time. And Vivi is so very beautiful! I am pretty sure when I get to Guangzhou, Starbucks will be my top order of business.
So glad to hear Vivi and Asher both did well on the flight! Hooray for Guangzhou.
Closer every day! Love that pink hat!
Enjoy that Starbucks!
Glad to hear you had a good flight after a long day. Please have a Cappuccino for me!
We've been out of town for casting and just got home and had to run to the computer to catch up with y'all. Vivi is sooo beautiful! Let me just tell you, I too was so happy to get to Starbucks. Enjoy!
So happy you have reached this stop and you'll soon be home +1!
Enjoy your two babies and all the beauty of that country (while sipping that Starbuck's of course!)
Dita