Our Last days in China (wow...that was over a month ago!)

     Time does not stand still:)  I had such hopes for being a better blogger, but life has happened and I have gotten sooo behind.  But the important thing is that I pick up and finish this for Hudson and the family.  So let's see what I can remember...

 

     I believe that I left off in Guangzhou.  Our last full day was Thursday, August 8.  We had the opportunity to visit the local zoo.  I knew that Hudson would probably not even be really aware of the animals, but my thinking on this was "now how often can you say that you have been to a zoo in China?"  I think what was just as interesting as the animals was seeing the Chinese families there.  School was out, and the zoo seemed like a very popular place to be.  Nathan noticed that there were SO MANY little girls there.  It seems apparent that the preference for "boys only" is definitely changing.  Many people still think that only girls are available for adoption.  We have gotten a lot of comments on Hudson being a boy - people not familiar with today's Chinese adoptions always ask us how did we ever get a boy?  The face of China's orphans has definitely changed in the last few years.  A program once known for healthy baby girls is now full of boys and girls...most of them "Waiting Children."  A "waiting child" is a child with a special need or needs, or an older child who may be considered harder to place because of their age.  What China considers special needs can seem so minor to us...being premature, having some birthmarks, or having had ANY surgery, to name a few.  I do have to admit that signing up for the waiting child program was scary at first, and took a LOT of praying.  But once you see these children (and have one!), your eyes are opened and they are JUST CHILDREN who need a loving family.  I know that I am rambling and have gotten off track here, but I just have to share that there has not been a day since we have gotten Hudson that I don't stare at him in awe and marvel at the fact that God blessed US and allowed US to be his family:)  

 

     So back to the zoo.  Most of the animals that we saw were animals that you would probably see at most zoos in the states.  Except for pandas!  The zoo boasted two of these bears...they had been away but had just recently returned to Guangzhou.  Unfortunately for us, the two of them decided that it was just too hot to be out.  They stayed inside their home and would not come out for us to see:(  However, the black and brown bears were very impressive...

 

  

 

Unfortunately, their habitats were not.







Next were the majestic tigers...even a white one.

 

 

 

Here we are at the end of the trip...Hudson was just barely hanging on here.

 

     These next two pictures are kind of funny.  One of the attractions at the zoo was a wading pool area for the kids.  Imagine our surprise when we noticed that bathing suits were optional!  So many differences here...don't worry, no one from our group participated. 

 

 

     After a much needed nap, we were free to spend our last afternoon any way we pleased.  After shopping for a few last minute souvenirs we decided to take some pictures of Hudson in his consulate appointment outfit.  There had not really been a good opportunity to take any at the consulate, so we went to a small park that was connected to our hotel.  If you have read previous entries of this blog, you might remember this special outfit!  Ladybugs are a symbol of good luck for Chinese adoptions.  I never guessed I would find a boy ladybug jonjon.  And holding American flags!  I think God has a sense of humor and sometimes surprises us in silly little ways like this:)

 

 

 

     We finished our evening with room service and packing.  At one point I thought that I would be very emotional getting ready to leave Hudson's homeland.  At this point though, I was just so ready to get the dreaded 30 hour trip over with and to see Henley and Griffin.  And even though Nathan swears he will never be visiting China again (he is definitely an Alabama boy), a small voice in my heart thinks differently:)

We left our hotel at 6:00 am the next morning, and took a van to Hong Kong.  From HK it was off to Chicago and Birmingham, AL!  Praise the Lord for a smooth flight with Hudson...it was better than I had dared to hope.  Now on with this new chapter of our lives...as a family of five!!!