What Day is it?

Hi all
Thank you so much for all your comments. I have spent quite a bit of time replying to them. However, I think you may not be getting them because they are automatically generated from the blog site. So when you post a comment, type in your email address and I'll be able to reply. I have my laptop with me and it doesn't have everyones emails saved in the address book I guess.

Anyway, Marta asked how Pat and I are doing. We are doing pretty well. Pat had a stomach issue and has been generally tired but happy. I have been an emotional wreck. It is such a happy time punctuated by such overwhelming emotions. Caitlin is still very standoffish to me and even though I know she is adjusting to this change it still hurts my feelings. I know how silly that sounds but it does. Never the less, we are settling in more each day.

This morning we travelled to Jiaozuo to complete the adoption process. It was about an hour and half away. Riding on the roads here is completely unbelievable. I tried to keep my eyes closed most of the way. Never have I been so in need of a seat belt. We were on a three lane highway with no painted lines. Cars come from cross streets and never stop, they just pull on in. If our driver wants to get around someone he just lays on the horn and swerves out and around. It is too much to even explain. At one point on the highway a truck was coming towards us in the wrong directions and just buzzed on by...obviously the other side of the road was too far away for him! At one point our driver wanted to get over a cross road so rather than going around on the road her drove over the elevated brick median.

Besides the drive it was a hard journey for Samantha (Caitlin stayed at the hotel with G&G Hayward) because we had to go back to her orphanage. She was only there for three weeks but she definitely recognized the building. Then our driver whisked her out of my arms and brought her inside, even though I was waiting with her outside for Pat to return to the vehicle. Apparently babies are fair game for anyone to hold here.I followed right behind him and he took her inside where she pointed out the directions to go and of course he was obliged to take her wherever she pointed. You couldn't go too far as the babies rooms were locked and we finally made it back to the van. Pat returned not too long after that and said it was nice and clean and that he thought it appeared as if they cared for the children well. he also said he saw a teeny tiny baby and one of the other families with him commented on how he should just wrap her up in his coat and take her too. No matter how well taken care of these babies appear it is not the same as having a family.

I think each time we go anywhere that is familiar to Samantha she thinks we are taking her back and each time she hears someone speak Chinese to her she is attracted to them. I can't wait to get out of this province so the people are less familiar. We were with the nanny who brought her to us again today at the Notory office so I can't imagine how confusing this all must be for her.


After a quick lunch of PBJ's (yes they sell Skippy brand here!)we walked to a nearby park and had a nice walk and threw around a little ball we managed to pack. We left after about an hour because we had generated quite a crowd. Caitlin has been attracting a tremendous amount of attention since the very first day. People walk up and want their kids pictures taken with her and they want to touch her hair. She was pretty freaked out in the beginning but our guide in Beijing explained that they are just curious and friendly.

Tomorrow is the first day in Zhengzhou that we have a free day with no paperwork so we are planning to find some fun.

So our journey continues one day at a time and with God's good grace we'll be home soon.

Love You all and we miss each of you so much. Enjoy the pictures...