Sad stories and Going Home Barbie

We had another day of shopping today. We had to stay in our room from 9-12 this morning while our guide went to the US consulate on our behalf to turn in Maeve's paperwork for her visa. He called us at 12:15 and said all the "paperworks" went fine, so that is good. After that we walked all over the island to get some more deals on some "must have" items. We found a great shop here called "A Gift from China." This is a store that sells all hand made items and 100% of their profits go to sponsor special needs (waiting) children in a foster home that was started by the owner. It is a very special place and we bought lots of great gifts from them. I think you can also order online if anyone is interested at: http://www.agiftfromchina.com/ There is such an amazing need here in China to help these children. I know there is a need everywhere and all orphans deserve help, but we have been called to this place and feel the need to speak for these children. We had an experience today that reinforced our excitement that Maeve is coming to America where she can lead a wonderful, happy life.

We were shopping in one of the stores and the store owner asked us if Maeve was healthy.

We said "yes."

Then she asked how long we waited to adopt her. We said "2 years."

She then asked why some families said they waited 3.5 years while we only waited 2 years.

We then told her that Maeve was a "waiting child" and showed her Maeve's hands. She then winced her face and said, "Why you tell me she is healthy, when her hands look like that. Why you not wait for normal child?"

It was sooooo aggravating and just shows the mindset in this country that any physical abnormality makes the person "unworthy" of life. How annoying!!!

Another interesting story came from a family we met who toured their daughter's orphanage here in Guangdong province. We were not allowed to tour Maeve's orphanage in Yulin, but she was in a foster home most of time. Anyway, this family told us how sad it was to see crib after crib lined up with babies. The director of the orphanage told the family that the children who do not get adopted have two options in life. They may stay at the orphanage as a nanny caring for the other children or they may leave the orphanage for life on the streets and a job at a factory working long hours everyday for pennies. It is unbelievably devastating to see the poor here. This child's nanny was crying and telling the child that she was so happy the child would have a life better than the nanny. Wow, how powerful!!

Tomorrow we take Maeve's oath to treat her well and give her a great life in America. That should be an emotional day. We are so ready to head home and start our lives. Aidan, Cian and Fintan...we are almost there. Only 2 night-nights left!!!!
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The beautiful pool at our hotel. Unfortunately we didn't get any use out of this, but it looks nice!
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The courtyard of the White Swan.

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Maeve can SHOVE her mouth full!

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Lunch at Lucy's again. This is becoming our daily ritual.

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This is where we did our laundry (well, they did it) and stop by the 7-11 daily for snacks!!

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The "corner" in Shamian Island. You can't walk by this place with out the vendors yelling at you from the stores. "Pretty baby, please come in and look around." "You want pretty dress for your pretty baby?"

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Maeve outside the White Swan.

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These statues guard the Forbidden City in Beijing and are replicated all over China. They were in Nanning and are outside of the White Swan here in Guangzhou. This one symbolizes "mother."

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This Barbie was brought to our room today as a present from the hotel. It is a mom and her Chinese adopted daughter. The back of the box reads, "This souvenir is presented by Mattell (HK) Ltd to adopting parents of Chinese orphan children staying at the White Swan Hotel, Guangzhou, China." Every family who stays here goes home with one of these Barbies. A very great gift from a very great hotel. We will definitely miss this place!