Happy Birthday, Silas!

Good evening from our hotel in Guangzhou! 

First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our brand new seven year old, Silas! He has a big day planned with Uncle John hooking him up with breakfast, he will then have friends over, a football game, and then a sleep over. Shout out to big brother Sam for being a cool bro to his 'lil bro. It isn't easy sometimes.

Well, today was the day that all adoptive families want to get through quickly; the medical checkup. We went to the local hospital; Sarah Jane had three check ups and finished with blood work. Not exactly a happy, fun time. However, she made it and lived to tell the tale. We will find out in a couple days if any health flags appear. We are praying for good results.

"Uhh....Mommy, I'm not so sure about this!"

We then went to the local supermarket and loaded up on groceries and stuff for the week. Ramen noodles were purchased.  So, this city is very different from Xi'an. It has more people (13 million), less smog, traffic rules apply, very little honking, no motor cycles/mopeds, tropical weather, and much cleaner. Looks like a clear winner to me. Xi'an was amazingly crazy with the traffic. It was comedy/scary while in it, but we never saw a wreck! About a hundred ridiculous near misses though. My nephew, Brien, would enjoy the challenge. 

"Hey, this m&m guy is pretty funny!"

"I'm loving this shoe shopping thing!"

SJ enjoying the scenery on the bus ride in Guangzhou. 

After the clinic and shopping, we came back to the hotel and the Hall family crashed for the afternoon, only to wake, eat and go back to bed (I'm the lone Hall still awake). Miss June is toast. A bit of good news recently: SJ reluctantly went in a shopping cart and eventually realized she liked it. June was able to give her arms a much needed break.

"Taking off my new shoes for bedtime is SO last year."

Sarah Jane continues to find new ways to entertain us. She helped do laundry in the bathtub with mommy unprompted... June's adoring shadow. SJ ended the evening with a nice bowl of warm congee. Sounds tasty, huh? Nope, it's not, but she loves the stuff. June is going to have Ms. Chang (family friend) show her how to make it like a native when we get home. 

"Just helping out with the laundry, y'all!" Can you believe she says "y'all" already??? Ok, not really. But she will. 

"I love my panda! And I love congee!"

"Hey, panda. You want some congee? Here ya go!"

Thanks again for the prayers. God is good, life is great and keeps getting better. God bless and good night from China.

-Bud, June and SJ