I Wish You Were Here...

I'm talking about my guitar. Just kidding! I'm talking about my three boys! I really miss you guys and can't wait to see you again. We have talked to the boys, (except for Zak who is visiting with a friend on vacation), a couple of times and they sound like they're close but of course so far away. I know we made the right decision in not bringing them for various reasons especially for the first day with AL. But I know the guys are in good hands and they sound like they're enjoying themselves. I hear they have a score to settle with a fish called the "nibbler" that keeps eating their bait! Spencer said "they're going to get him!" I think Noah is going to be an experienced marskman in archery by the time we get back. Yesterday was a really good day. The visit to the zoo was much needed by all of us even though I thought heatstroke was going to take me we had a great time. I think it was a very good time out for AL with us. She loves to go out. On the first day we had her we went to a store which is similar to our Wal-Mart, (Yes Wyman, even in China), and the way she shopped had me in fear for our financial future. Any time she sees a place to buy things she gets excited! We'll have to have a discussion about that further down the road... We might try to go to a guitar store today. We were going to go the other day but it didn't work out. If we get a chance to go it would be interesting to see what they are like over here. I also thought it would be something I could relate to AL with. She likes music and maybe it would give us a connection. When we get on an elevator with other guys she calls them "BaBa." The Chinese name for Daddy. I know it's only been a few days and it will take some time before she fully understands and accepts me as her Daddy. Still, it's a little different. But let me tell you, she has accepted me better than I could ever had hoped. She calls me BaBa and wants me to pick her up. She says "up" now and jumps into my arms. When it's time to go she yells "BaBa" and gets my shoes and pulls my arm. I have been amazed at how content she seems to be the past couple of days. I hope it continues but I know there are still going to be times of adjustment that are going to be tough. Let alone the normal tantrums of a girl her age. I think she will really enjoy the boys and they will enjoy her and I am looking forward to those days. By the way, we have been reading the comments you have been leaving and please keep them coming. It's comforting to know we have people back home that care about us and will be there for us when we are back. Being away from my Family so far away and seeing AL go through her difficult changes has been a hard thing to do. It will be worth it. I know this is a long post but speaking of worth it, someone is going to have a birthday in China this Saturday (China time). My Wife has been the best on this trip. All of her research into adoption has paid off and it doesn't hurt that she has raised three wonderful but crazy boys. I don't know what I would do without her even though she has made me more adventurous than I really am. My trip to the noodle shop to get some take-out didn't result in the food she hoped I would bring back to the room. It seems my Chinese is a bit rusty, (are you sure those are spring rolls?). I hope that we will be celebrating her birthday in Guangzhou. We are ready to move on to some different scenery. Now, about missing that guitar...

- Ric