A day at the Zoo & an EARLY VISA ARRIVAL

 Jensen Family Children and Avay (Maran)

 She reminds me of my sister in this photo.  She is NOT happy about the bow and the dress for that matter.

 Lil' Miss Sassafras about ot come crashing off the wall.

 ZIU LAN (pronounced Shiulon) and Avay (Maran) in their Traditional Dresses

 The Jensen Family. Joel, Sandy, Jade, Kyra, Ziu Lan, Taryn from Utah.

Our guide Helen who has been an incredible HELP.  She made it all happen once we got to China. From taking us to the grocery store to speaking to our children in their native tongue and making sure we have some yummy dinners not full of that "STREET STUFF".  She is an Angel on Earth.  

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As if our blessings have not been enough we found out this morning that we are getting our Visa early.  That made us feel so relieved.  Not sure that we can come home early but if we can make it work then we will.  We have my boss Mr. Lecil working on it so hopefully he can pull some rank and get us HOME!  I will sing Michael Buble's HOME the entire way and promise there will be more tears when we land than ever imaginable. 

Spent the day at the zoo.  They have a SUPER GREAT Zoo here.  So if you are heading this way.. Check out the Zoo!  Avay (Maran) loved it.  What made it even better was that we spent it with the Jensen's. (not sure that I have spelled that right).  They are such a wonderful family. Four kids all wonderfully behaved and two parents that are just fun loving.  They have been so nice to be around.  As I said before it helps to be around their children.  What a special family whom we will always remember! 

Red Couch Photo was done this morning.  If you adopt from China you have to have a picture made on the RED COUCH at the WHITE SWAN HOTEL.  There is a special police force group that will not allow you out of the country until this photo is done. Well, not really but just about.  So pretty much ANYONE who has adopted from China has this picture done.  So another check off the ole' list for us!  Going to have a late afternoon snack and then some dinner and then onto the really important stuff... PACKING SO WE CAN GET CLOSER TO HOME!  OH PLEASE if there is a way to allow us to land even THREE HOURS earlier than planned let it happen!  Never having TOTALLY BEEN HOMESICK before I can say that this is the pits. (I was homesick in college but this is a different feeling).  Nammy and Pop Pop have done such a great job with Luke.  We are so thankful for their unselfish time given to him.  It allowed us both to come and get our daughter.  We could not have done it without them.  We know how incredibly exhausted they are from their youngest grandson... he is a mess for sure!