We've had two more really good days with one hiccup. We had an appointment to get Jackson's passport photo taken. We were part of a group of at least 40 families in the process of getting passports for their adopted children. It was really neat to see so many children being adding to these families. After the meeting, we took Jackson swimming for the first time. Looks like he will fit in with our family there as well, he seems to enjoy being in the water.
We had no appointments today so it was a free day for us. We talked our guide into taking us for some "local shopping". Nothing touristy, but where she would shop. We started at an electronics market. Sort of like a high tech flea market - department store style. Lots of open booth type setups selling very similar stuff. We then went to a grocery store. Without Grace (guide Grace) we would have been lost all day. She helped us haggle and told us what we were looking at at the grocery store. Huge help there. Lots of stuff at the Chinese grocery that you would not see in America. Like chicken heads and feet for one.
After the shopping, more swimming. For the first time we saw Jackson without a smile. It appeared as though he got really frustrated at the swimming. Maybe because he was swimming with "floaties" and not able to swim like us. He has studied all of us closely and mimics what we are doing, how we eat, drink and how we wear our sunglasses, etc. We had been playing with several beach balls and at one point he began hitting them with force. Not at us or anything but he looked like he was angry and was taking it out on the balls. After the beach ball incident, back to the smiling. Who knows?
The only really hiccup we have had was one we have been waiting for. We knew it was going to happen but didn't know when. Grace had her first big sister melt down today. After being an only child for almost 11 years she is feeling a little left out. I think she understands why things are happening the way they are but it is still hard on her, it has to be really. Even though Jackson has been great, Grace's help has been a huge blessing. He bonded with her so quickly. Lisa and I are working on trying to use this teaching moment wisely. We would appreciate it if some prayers were sent Grace's way. She could use the attention.
Otherwise the largest struggle we have is communicating with people at some of the restaurants. Some are not the most willing to offer assistance, but what can we expect. We are 7,000 miles from home. We'll just have to use the ones that want our business. This is a pretty small issue in the grand scheme of things. We prayed so many times for a health and happy child that would be willing to become part of our family. Right now Grace is doing homework, Lisa is watching volleyball on TV and Jackson is playing cars on his bed and occasionally jumping off and making his mom worried sick. Sounds like a pretty normal family to me. Things are great here in Guangzhou.
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