After the Great Wall, we ate a delicious lunch and went to the Jade Factory. There were beautiful carvings everywhere! Michael bought me a Jade bangle at the factory. It is a special type of Jade that is called Jadeite. It is almost as hard as a diamond. Basically, that translated to Michael that I could not mess it up (since I am accident prone). The Jade bangle is a traditional piece of jewelry that mothers wear on their left wrist. The longer you wear it, your body oils and body temperature cause the Jade darken in color. I love it! It is going to be my favorite souvenier! One day, when (if) Naeleigh gets married, I will pass my bangle on to her. The sales associate that helped us received hers from her mother--and the bangle was passed on 3 generations before her mother. I thought this was very special. We also got Naeleigh a pair of Jade earrings to wear one day.
This last picture may seem strange--Michael took a picture of the sun attempting to break through the smog. I cannot tell you how awful the air is polluted in Beijing. The smog is unbelievable. Not to mention, there is cherry blossom pollen floating around in the air all the time! Thank you, Lord for Benadryl and Zyrtec!
Oh, and we received a Red Book today that had more detailed information about our daughter. In the orphanage, they call her Fen Fen or Fen BB. Fen is the second part of her Chinese name (no idea what the BB is about). They also told us that she likes sweets! So, the Dum Dum suckers and Peeps we brought should help when she is upset. We are preparing ourselves for her Gottcha Day. We have been told that she is attached to her care giver and is somewhat afraid of strangers. Please say a prayer for us as we meet her. Pray that she recognizes us from the photo album we sent. We expect crying---but pray that she will adjust to her "Mama" and "Baba" quickly. We love you all!
Tomorrow we will visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square!
I remember following the same journey to Liana.....excitement is rampant! Your smiles say it all. God is surely smiling with you as He works out these last details to your precious little Naeleigh. I can't wait to meet her. My prayers are with you!
ReplyDeleteJanice (Susan's mother)
Yes, He has worked out every detail. It's good to hear from you! Glad you are following us!
DeleteI love the Jade bangle tradition. So special! I can't believe y'all are in China! Only 3 days to Naeleigh! She and Jake will get along wonderfully. They can eat sweets together. ;) Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
I had no idea about the bangle tradition either. I wanted one immediately! We love ya'll too!
DeleteDon't you love your Red Book!! We saw Liana with a slight smile for the first time in a photo they had in our Red Book for her!
ReplyDelete,,,They call her "Fen Fen?" We love it!! :) We cannot wait to see you meet her... and we are all praying!!
The Great Wall is amazing! One day you will have to return to take Naeleigh with you to see it! That's what we want to do with Liana one day! ...The jade bangle is a beautiful tradition! She will love it!
Susan & Erik, Gabriel & Liana
I love that they call her Fen Fen! It's cute. I am dying to meet her...the anticipation is agonizing. :) Thank you for the prayers!
DeleteOh, I meant to ask. Will y'all use Fen Fen in her name somewhere?
ReplyDeleteHer Chinese name is Ke Fen. That is her middle name. If we had known before yesterday that they called her Fen Fen---we probably would've just used the "Fen" as her middle. I think it's a cute nickname.
ReplyDelete