Hanging out in GZ

Not too much new going on right now.  We are just sort of hanging out biding our time until it is time to come home.  We have done some more exploring around town which is always an adventure.  :)  This morning, we had our consulate appointment in which they basically just needed to make sure all of our paperwork was in order for them to be able to issue Ellie's visa to come to the States.  We get to pick that up tomorrow and then on Wednesday we pack up and take a flight up to Beijing where we will stay over night before catching our flight home on Thursday.  We are on the downhill swing now for sure!

 I can't believe that we have only had Ellie for a week now.  She fits us so perfectly and seems to be understanding that we are her momma and baba or at least ok with being with us.  What an answer to prayer!  We are still going to need to be cautious about certain things when get home though just to make sure she really understands that we are it for her.  Not just anybody can be momma anymore.  Because she changed foster moms in the past couple of months, and now has changed who 'momma' is again, we want to make sure that there isn't any confusion that any woman who is nice and snuggly can be the one to take care of her.  That means that we aren't going to have other people holding her for awhile or doing basic care type things.  It is just going to take a little time to establish and cement her understanding of the sort of hierarchy of relationships for her.  Please don't be offended if we ask that you not hold her or ask her to come to you.  It is just the best thing for her right now.  Thanks in advance for your support and understanding!  ;)

Here are a few pictures from the past couple of days.  We are so excited to be starting to think about transitioning home!  :)  Though I am not looking forward to going through that jet lag again!

The party bus we have been traveling around in with the other families.  :)

We went to a King's tomb (didn't end up being as cool as it sounds) and Ellie at least thought that the kids room was fun.  Especially the box of pebbles- until she tried to eat them.  ;)

The daddies playing on the stairs with the girls.  :)

The CRAZY busy streets we had to navigate.  There are no words to describe
the craziness of this experience.   Your senses are assaulted in about every way possible.
I am definitely just a small town girl.  :)

So thankful for friends while we are here.  :)

Little friends hanging out.  It is so cute to watch them learn things from each other.  :)

Getting Ellie's visa.  She is soon to be the newest, cutest little American citizen!  :)

Exploring the beautiful Shaiman Island.

Ellie with one of the most famous statues for adoptive families on the island.
She fits right in. :)  Whenever we stand still for very long and especially if we stop and
take pictures we end up drawing quite a crowd.  Within a minute of snapping this picture we
had a group of people around us taking pictures of her and us as well.  So weird.

So much cuteness!

Eating pictures are just so cute :)

Sleeping pictures are even cuter!  :)

We braved the streets again in search of dinner. (I know it is blurry but it just captures
the chaos of it that much more accurately)  ;)

When all else fails....  ;)

The girls just chillin' in their strollers together.  :)