Quick update in snapshots and captions

Our guide, David, has just been the best. He is so good with the kids. He is very considerate of LiYun and checks in on how she is doing leading up to Gotcha Day. And he has spent a great deal of time with us, especially taking us to fantastic Chinese restaurants where he orders for us. We have thoroughly been enjoying the food. Yesterday (Sunday), he took us to a place called Xiang Jiang Hui which is essentially a tapas restaurant. Because he knows the manager, we were given a private little room (which was a huge blessing given that Carter ended up having some meltdowns.)

We enjoyed several different kinds of dumplings...this one was pork and shrimp.

Pan-fried vegetable dumplings...

Mushrooms in a wanton wrapper (delicious!)...

Fresh cucumbers soaked in a savory, spicy sauce

...and more. You can see how much the kids love David.

We spent Sunday morning at People's Park...a park with a lake, amusements rides, and all kinds of fun for kids.


The kids' favorite activity at the park was these harnesses that allowed them to jump super high on trampolines.

Thanks to my sister-in-law Noelle for taking a lot of these great pictures!




Carter and Grace attracted attention everywhere, and we were stopped frequently by moms who wanted to take pictures of their child with them! :)

A car ride at the park


Feeding the fish at People's Park


This sweet little boy wanted to hold Grace's hand.


We knew that Carter would be quite the celebrity with his curls and blue eyes. At the park while jumping around on some large rocks, his "performance" suddenly triggered a crowd frenzy. Nearly 30 people gathered in less than 15 seconds, murmuring, snapping pictures, and pointing and wondering. One Chinese lady said to me, "You are very lucky to have such a beautiful, little guy."


A vendor area near People's Park

The kids bought these solar cooling hats which have fans that start spinning when the sun hits the solar panel.

We've been thankful to have some down-time in the hotel room so we could rest up and fight the jet-lag. Here, Grace was balancing on Scott's back. She's been putting on, in her words, "tiny shows."

We have been watching movies, playing games, and skyping with the grandparents.




A view of Nanning at night

LiYun's foster mom had called David yesterday morning to say she was doing okay but had cried a bit in her room the night before. She realizes the magnitude of what is happening and it's just hitting her that she is having to say goodbye to her foster family, friends, and all she knows. To be honest, I am thankful she is grieving a bit rather than just ignoring her emotions.

While we were in the van on the way back to the hotel, LiYun called David on his cell phone. My heart did flips when I realized it was her on the phone! She was telling David that she was doing okay. And she wanted to know if we looked pretty in person. :) He was going to call her back after we were dropped off, as we were literally pulling up to the hotel. I wonder what all he told her about the Brown clan. :) But it was so crazy to be that "close" to her. I felt like how I did on my wedding day when I wasn't supposed to see Scott yet but he was right on the other side of the door.

We did learn that we'll be able to skype with the foster parents after we return home to the US, so that should be helpful for LiYun, especially in allowing her to keep up her Mandarin.

It's Monday morning here, and we won't leave for the civil affairs office until 3 pm. I've been praying for her nonstop. And I have been so touched by all of you who are praying as well...people I don't even know but who care about our daughter and truly desire for her to have a smooth transition. Thank you!

I'll be back with pictures and an update in 24 hours! Wow! I just got really giddy! :)