Experiencing China, Discovering Xi'an...

Sorry for the late entry and keeping you all waiting on updated news! The past 3 days have been a blur of excitement! Between going shopping for boots, sightseeing, dad warding off souvenir hawkers, visiting Cory’s orphanage, adjusting to having another little one, tasting new foods, meeting amazing Chinese people, and traveling from Xi’an in Shaanxi Province to Guangzhou in Guangdong Province, the adventure continues! Every time we turn a corner, I am amazed to discover that what little we have seen of China is just a glimpse into their daily bustling lives! I have yet to be bored, although Hannah and I are greatly missing our friends and lifestyle back home.

Both the little ones are being the best troopers! They never complain and do whatever they have to in order to make this trip more pleasant. Cory and Merriella are still joined at the hip and one can’t go anywhere without the other. I almost feel as if Merriella has stepped into the age group of Hannah and me because whenever we are with her, I feel like we are the best of friends. She is letting this little boy enter our family so easily and with such minimal jealousy, that one would wonder if she was feeling quite alright. Mommy and Daddy are being shared as equally as is possible between the 5 children, with the 2 youngest being at the forefront of their attention, of course. We realize this is very necessary in order for Cory to adjust properly. Cory on the other hand is very possessive of his mother (very different from our experience with Merriella) and doesn’t appreciate sharing Mom as generously. Colin is still Cory’s little buddy and is eagerly sought after at all times. Our overall experience so far has been entirely positive and we only have positive updates!