Folks, we have a swimmer!

 The pool at the Guangzhao Marriot.

Walking home from dinner.

Today we went to Shamian Island.  It's not a real island but it feels
like you have been transported to the Carribean or Key West.  All of
the architecture is French and English.  This is home to the White
Swan Hotel where many adoptive families stayed because the American
Consulate used to be there.  We stayed here for the whole 2 weeks when
we adopted Andrew because he was from this province.  Everyone who had
spent a week in other provinces would come to the island and say,
"You've  been here all along?  You don't know what it's like out
there.  This is heaven!"  The streets are lined with tropical trees,
flowers, little parks and quaint shops.  Many of the shop owners speak
a little English.  It's relaxed and safe.  So much different than the
rushed, urban pace of most of China's cities.  We did some shopping
and ate at the famous Lucy's Cafe.  Not great food but nostalgic.  The
White Swan has been under construction for years and based on what we
saw today won't be open any time soon.  The consulate moved, so much
of the adoption traffic did too but many families come by bus or taxi
to see what it's like.
 
Right now we are having nap time.  Then we will try the pool again and
go to dinner.  Tomorrow is our consulate appointment.  We will go to
turn in our paperwork and swear that we will raise Luke as an
American.  They will give us his visa to go home and as soon as we go
through customs in Newark on Friday night, Luke will be an American
citizen! I wish we could go home right after the consulate appointment
but they make us wait for 36 hours to leave the country.
 
I know you have been praying for Xiaoyang (I wrote Chaoyang before but
it was wrong, same pronunciation, though).  He was actually smiling
today and hasn't cried at all so far.  Big progress!  Thanks for your
prayers.  Luke is still coughing and now his nose is involved.  A few
times, he coughed and sneezed at the same time.  He looked totally
confused and then started to laugh!
 
He is showing an ornery side.  He gives a little grin that makes his
upper lip disappear and you know he's up to something.  The only time
he has been stubborn is when we try to get him to eat.  He gives that
grin and won't open his mouth.  Today, I would stop trying and start
to feed myself and he would yell, "Mama!"  When I would look at him he
would open his mouth wide and then slam it shut as soon as I got near
him with the food.  He would laugh along with the whole family.  They
all got in trouble for this!  We have some table training to do when
we get home but we won't worry about that now.
 
Thanks for your prayers.  They are life-savers!