Wednesday

I am a little late with my post this morning. It is 5:00a.m. I was trying to send some pictures of Pam,Rick, and AJ to their family. They didn't bring a computer. I have to make the pictures really small and at times they still won't upload. That was the case this morning so I will have to try again later.

Yesterday, we went to the Xi Chian Temple. It was very interesting. Lots of incense, chanting, monks, beautiful buildings,etc. Grace and Julia both took an apple off the altar. Kids are allowed to eat the holy fruit. Statues of Buddha were in several rooms. One room it looked as if a young couple may have been receiving a blessing. All the monks were kneeling and chanting with the young couple in the back. Katherine, said Grandparents come once a week to pray but people her age come once a year because they are too busy.

Next we went to the Tea Musuem. It was a small musuem of a famous man. I think he may have started this tea factory. Then we went in a small room Three types of tea were prepared for us. I was surprised the boys liked it. We were given instructions on how to make the tea and how to hold the teacup. Grace particularly liked the tea.

On to the dress maker. We were able to choose out of a book of over 100 fabrics material for the kids to have traditional outfits made. Julia and Grace are getting butterfly dresses-one pink and one red. Zahary and Nicholas chose fabric for outfits too. I loved the fabric Zachary chose,it was an Olympic fabric. Katherine called us later and said it wasn't available. We should get these before we leave on Friday. They are handmaking them for the kids.

We then went to West Lake Park. It is a huge park with amusements,boats,and a zoo. We can see it from our hotel window. Katerine basically just ran us through it. By that time we were all soaked with sweat and were ready to be done anyway.

About 11:30 we arrived back at the room. Slim Jims, chips, crackers, and trail mix for lunch. Julia and Grace took a nap while the boys went to play ping pong. Later we met Pam and Rick at the pool. Dallas and Rick took a taxi to get KFC for dinner. We all ate together in the boys' room. It has been so nice having them here and getting to know them better.

Grace had a rough day. I think part of it is she is having gas pains. I couldn't let her down for more than 15 minutes all day. She wouldn't cry as long as I held her correctly. She did have her first bath and wasn't very happy about that. We are thankful she is still eating and drinking very well. I am sure she is still trying to figure out what is going on and grieving for the ones she loved.