Thursday!

This is our last day in Hohhot. We are making the most of it! We went down to breakfast and you did ok. You love yogurt.. I can't explain how much! You awoke and would have no part in taking off the Mongolian robe.. so it stayed on .

We met with Cindy and had a 15 passenger van today because of regular driver is out of town today.. so no shag carpet today. Lol. We went to the National museum and learned more about Mongolian culture.

We walked to the booth to buy two adult tickets and they needed our passports. It's the only day we left them at the hotel in the safe. Cindy forgot that they needed to see them. We found a police officer and a woman to let us use their ID cards. It worked 😂😂😂😂😂. We have two Chinese names on our tickets. Hysterical. We went inside and I was overjoyed almost to tears... a free stroller with a place to put snacks in front of her and a basket underneath. Seriously. Almost cried. We went to the desk and they turned up their noses at you and said only babies to age three. Cindy explained that you were wild and would hurt herself. They said no. Cindy spoke very strongly and finally they gave us the stroller. My heart was pounding... we had to have one!! She sat in that stroller and never once moved. We put some snacks on the tray and would give you bottled water some.
You did your first ASL sign today! DRINK! I was so so proud of you!!!! Hard work pays off. So, we toured with no pulling, no collapsing, no running off... ahhhh, a break. Here you are with a Mongolian wild horse... since that is your new nickname.

As we were leaving, a mob "attacked" us. A school group of elementary age kids and teachers wanted photos. Here is SOME of the mob. Then several people throughout the museum wanted photos as well.

It kills us that they all want photos with Anna. Everyone. It's her worst nightmare and we just laugh and laugh!!!!

Only the long walk to the van was tough.

You sat both ways in the bus without pulling away. You liked to look out the window. Maybe we will get you home via plane. We do have a four hour van ride, 12 hour plane ride to LAX, then to dallas then to Nashville then a 2 hour drive home. I'll die. I know it. I watched you on the bus for a while and you wanted Baba.. I fell asleep. So did Ezra and Eli. It was -2 today and we came in the room from touring to find my window was open from housekeeping. Freezing!!! We all rested and just hung out for a long bit. I headed down at 5:45 to spend time with just the boys.

We played foozeball for a bit until it was time to meet Cindy in the lobby. I dreaded seeing Justin come down with you and girls because we had to walk a mile to the mall to shop for a new suitcase and to eat. I mean I severely dreaded it. You held our hands and never pulled once or collapse!!!! There were a few times when you were looking behind yourself and stumbled , but it is because you are amazed at everything outside the orphanage walls. There are so many people, so many lights, so much music, cars honking, scooters zooming. Our quiet, country life will be good for you. Two giggling girls handed Ezra and Eli pinwheels on the street.. that made their day. What did they do? They thanked them and then when out of sight both boys gave one to the little sisters. Oh, my heart!!!!! So we got to the mall to get the suitcase. You like escalators and handle them so well! We went to a donut shop that Justin, Anna, Ezra and Eli found last night.

Justin and Cindy left us to go get the luggage and I had five kids alone. I got myself, Anna and Ezra the white chocolate and coconut, Ezra got the lemon heart-shaped donut, Joy got a strawberry one and younhas the plain one with a little cream filling. We found a spot to sit and enjoyed our dessert BEFORE dinner. This never happens, but while surviving... it's ok. :-). Cindy and Justin came back twenty minutes later an we headed to the fifth floor to the Korean BBQ place. I was nervous about it.. and it was probably our best meal yet (we keep saying that!!!) You order thin slivers of meat and cook it yourself on the table! They give you some vegetables and cloves of garlic to sauté and big leaf lettuce to wrap it all in. We ordered fried rice (best yet) and two orders of dumplings (best by a mile as well). We got beef, chicken and pork meat and Justin and Cindy got an array of sauces that were all delicious. They gave us cooked peanuts (soft) and sticks of cucumbers and carrots, salad, and some hot cabbage that I should know the name of but I can't think. It was almost like sauerkraut but with a hot sauce. is it kimichi? I'm too tired to remember/. The Korean tea was strong , but very good as well.

We all ate way too much and realized we had to walk the mile back "home". During dinner, you sat on my lap the whole time and never moved. You snuggled some with me and also grabbed my face and puckered for the first time ever. You didn't know what a kiss was three days ago, but you've learned! You initiated the kiss and my heart exploded. We left and headed home and you walked perfectly. I couldn't believe it . You've been testing us and when you see that we are consistent, you are learning to obey. We got to the hotel and started packing. We are flying out to Guangzhou tomorrow! We are excited , but I am extremely sad. I love Hohhot and I don't want you to leave your province! Ugh. So so hard!!!! While packing, you saw your swim suit and you dug to find your swim cap. You stripped naked and put the suit on with brother's help after you put his hands on the suit to show him what you wanted. .. so funny. When we were wrapping it up for the night, as we watched fireworks out our window, you signed "sleep"! I caught it on video!!!! I cried with excitement. In 6.5 years you've had zero communication! You're picking up so well on them! Go, Evie! You were extremely proud of yourself! You laugh at yourself all the time - just like Mama! ;-). You crawled into bed with me and immediately fell asleep... no fussing , no fighting. As I watch you sleep, I look out the window at Hohhot and dread leaving. I'm taking you away from everything that you know. I keep wondering how your birth mom and dad might feel if they knew you were leaving. Wow.. what progress in three days. We get a lifetime to grow upon this. As i wrote, I am sitting here staring st you and sears in my bed and wondering how on earth I get to be yours and the others Mama. Too much for me to handle - my heart may sputter out soon! Here is Eli relaxing before bedtime - Asian style!

Tomorrow is a big day, Evie! We get to head to Guanhzhou for your final adoption paperwork! We love you!

Can't wait to see your smile tomorrow, Mama