Market adventure and the red couch

Today, Tuesday November 10th was a big day.  We ventured across the bridge off Shamian island into the market for the locals.  It was possible to buy dried snake and sea horses, water bugs, and many many unidentifiable edible (to the locals) goods.  I did buy some saffron -- 10 bottles of it for about $4.50 and the couple we were with bought a big bag of goji berries  -- the back alleyways were full of people, dirt, and even blood from slaughtered chickens. 

 

We also took the traditional red couch photos where all the babies in the group get dressed in traditional clothing and take a photo together.  It was chaos and it was evident that the photographer had no children b/c he was waiting for all the babies to be calm and looking at the camera at the same time....yeah, right......

 

I saw some photos of Silin from a week ago-- honestly, she looks a year older now....maybe its all that food she's eating....

 

We went by bus to the US consulate today and had to sign a document in front of the clerk -- we also took an oath to certify that all our paperwork was correct -- Silin's visa will arrive on Thursday and once we land and get through immigration in San Franciso, she will be an American citizen.....the journey is almost over but our life with Silin has just begun.... when she saw the boys on Skype today, she blew kisses to them and said "Guh Guh" over and over (Chinese for brother) -- I really think she's going to be excited to meet them in person and I know that the bigger boys are really excited to meet her as well....(as far as Micah goes, he is just too young to get it but ultimately I think that she'll be a good playmate for him as well)

 

We really are missing everyone back home -- just a few more days to go.......

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