We ventured out on our own.

Starbucks!!

We are sending different pictures of today.  Feeling adventurous, we decided to venture out and stroll around the city of Guangzhou with some new friends we have met here.  They are from Washington state and just adopted a special needs girl that is 21 months.  We all just wanted to see the city and so we thought we'd all go together.  Of course, the taxi ride came first.  Oh what fun!!  First stop was the "Carefor"; this is equilvalent to Walmart or Target.  Again, lots of stares from the "native" people.  They even have asked us to take our picture.  Several teenage girls came up to us and asked to take our picture with them  They thought we were a "beautiful American family".  I informed them that they made my day.  We bought more formula, baby wipes and a few DVDs in Chinese for Ruthey.  Hopefully, she'll enjoy these.  We then walked about 20 minutes into the city square.  It looked very similar to Times Square in New York City; only smaller.  Everywhere we turned there were people!!  After a little while of taking it all in, we saw a Pizza Hut and well.... you know us, more "American" food... we had to stop in.  The restaurant was in a HUGE mall.  I hate malls,  especially big ones!!  We ate and left.  Of course, Greg and Brady had to go to the bathroom.  They both came out gagging.  Must have been pretty gross.  :(  Next... you guessed it... THE TAXI DRIVE BACK.  Oh what fun.  No rollercoaster we've been on can measure up.  Problem is:  there are other cars driving the same way all around you. 

Ruthey is doing great.  She didn't feel too well after the shots yesterday; however, this afternoon she seemed to perk back up.  Hopefully she gets a better nights sleep tonight.  She woke up at 3 this morning and had 1 nap today.  We are praying for sleep tonight.  I really think the shots just made her feel yucky.  After hearing other parent's stories, we feel blessed that she only had to get 3 shots.  Some children had to get 8 at one time!  Poor things. 

Hope all of you back home are doing well.  All of us are ready to be back home.  This has been a wonderful trip, but we are missing home and all of you.  :)

p.s.- I almost forgot; we had Starbucks today. 

"Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered."  Proverbs 21:13