Last night I was NOT feeling well.  I don’t know if it was something I ate, but my stomach was pretty upset.  However, the girls were hungry so we stepped out to find some food.  Luckily, we found a street vendor not far from our hotel who made the bread we have become so fond of eating!

I wasn’t feeling up to eating yet, but Kelly and Riley more than ready for a little nourishment!

They enjoyed their snack on the way back to the hotel.

Later in the evening we went down to the noodle shop in the hotel for a little dinner.

I still wasn’t up for eating, but everyone else enjoyed their meal.  I’m not really sure what Jessie was trying to do in this picture!  Is that a smile?  A grimace?  I have no clue!

This morning I was feeling much better as we drove to the government center to pick up the girls.  While we waited for them to arrive from two different orphanages, Kelly and I did some paperwork.

And then Peyton was the first to arrive!

She did not seem too sure about this situation!

But she warmed up pretty quickly once the plastic tractor was brought out!

And then Madison came rolling in!

She didn’t seem to have the same concerns that Peyton had!

Peyton and I worked on the basics of survival in America … the first bump.  She doesn’t quite get it, but she is getting better.

And Kelly received instructions, translated through Riley, on how to best take care of Madison.

Kelly took a picture with Madison and her China mom along with another lady that came with her.

It was very obvious that this “china mom” was more than just a caregiver.  She loved Madison very much.  This day was going to be a difficult one for her also.

Riley stepped right back into her relationship with Peyton!

We had to take the required family pictures that become part of the official file.

Then it was time to say “good bye.”  It was a pretty emotional time.

Kelly always feels such a great sense of gratitude to these ladies that take on the responsibility for caring for these orphans until we can adopt them.  She spent a few minutes telling Madison’s how much she appreciated all her love and care.

Loading Madison into the van for the first time was a little challenging, especially since she wanted Kelly to carry her and not me.

But we got everyone loaded up and happy before too long!

At the hotel we gave the girls some presents.

The rain pretty much kept us indoors, playing games…

… and painting nails!

Cameron