Having Fun in China!

Today was not as good of a day for Mariah as yesterday. We had to wake up early and be in the lobby because it was Walmart day. I can not believe how excited I was about Walmart day! It seems that each time we go to the lobby and wait for the tour bus, something triggers in Mariah's mind about the day we met her and I instantly felt her hand in mine turn to a limp noodle. She was all tears and I don't know if she thinks we are taking her back, or wishes we would, but it would bring a grown man to his knees. It actually did!!! She was very quiet all day and really didn't communicate at all with me and most of all Chad. She gets very timid around him at times, which we were expecting, but today just seemed very hard for her. I think she woke up realizing this is forever and she needs to come to terms on her time. It is such a hard process that I can't even imagine going through at 5 years old. She is a brave little girl, that is all I can say. Oh, and did I mention she is very smart??? ha ha!! Only about a million times. But I can't help it, she is amazing. Today she wrote all her ABC's in English, and showed us some Chinese writing. She is so delicate with all her strokes and makes them perfect.

Back to the Walmart trip. It was very different to our Walmarts, and very huge. We were absolutely lost and there was so much stuff that we could not find alot of what we needed. But we let Mariah pick two outfits out, pink of course! Then we stocked up on Chinese DVD's and CD's. She watched a Barbie movie tonight and loved it. It is nice because she can understand it. We also got some interesting snacks for Ryan and Marissa to take to school for their classes. Both classes have been following our trip to China, which makes us feel very special. I miss the kids so much!

We also went to the People's Park about 8 blocks from our hotel. It is the most amazing park I have ever walked through. It is huge and beautiful with thousands of trees and flowers, birds, a lake. That is the place that we took the pictures of us on the rides yesterday. Today we just walked the park. We saw monkeys too! It was fun, but we did not get many smiles out of Mariah.

Well, we are hoping for a brighter day tomorrow for our little girl. It is all so unpredictable right now and until we get back home and into a routine, I don't truly think we will get to see her personality shine. All in good time!

I hope all is well with everyone back home. We miss you all and can't wait to be home in just one week! Wow is it going fast!

Love from China!
Mary