Day 11: Our last full day in Beijing!

Last night we went in search of an Italian restaurant that The Rock had seen on one of his walks. When we got there we found that it had been closed down for awhile so we had to go find another option to eat. We decided on this little Pizzeria where again we had the problem of getting a stroller through. I guess because of the large population they just pile tables and chairs into these restaurants and there is no way to get through them. We ended up having to sit on the enclosed patio with the smokers.....yuck! Cherry Blossom had her first taste of spaghetti and loved it of course. I had the pizza and it was ok, but definitely better then the noodles I have been eating.

Before we went to eat we got our first big tantrum from our Cherry Blossom. This was a throw self on the floor, snot everywhere, drool everywhere, screaming/crying session for 25 minutes. It all started when I took the cereal off of the coffee table and apparently she was not done with it. We know that this was not the real reason, she just needed a big cry. She would not let us touch her or give her anything during this fit. We just laid on the floor by her and just let her cry it out. After awhile I began to blow some bubbles and she became our very happy little girl again. It was like nothing had happened and she was just smiling. We all need those cries now and again, but when it is from a little girl that does not speak your language or understand what is going on it just breaks your heart. Cherry Blossom has been with us for a week now and tomorrow will be her first plane ride and it may be scary for her. Please pray for peace and understanding over us tomorrow. We fly out of Beijing at 1:00pm which will be midnight in Nashville.

This morning our Cherry Blossom did not let her mama sleep in like she normally does. This week we have had to wake her up at 6 or 7 am in order to skype with family and friends. This morning she was wide awake at 4:30 am so mama and Cherry Blossom got up and went into the living room and let daddy sleep. Mama should be taking a nap with Cherry Blossom now, but has to make sure everything is packed for tomorrow.

Today she is wearing her ladybug dress her grandma and grandpa bought her. Before we knew that Cherry Blossom was going to be our daughter we knew that we were going to adopt a little girl and I wanted to do the nursery in lady bugs. Lady bugs are a typical symbol of Chinese adoption so everything was going to be lady bugs in her room and grandma had already begun shopping! When we did see Cherry Blossom's picture and found that her Chinese name meant "to grow as beautiful as a cherry blossom" my whole theme changed! So, now we have a few ladybug dresses that I love because she is my little ladybug!

Today our last experience as tourist was to the Temple of Heaven. This happened to be a large park that has changed since the Ming Dynasty. The building's architecture and colors were very similar to the Forbidden City and were actually built during the same time. The Temple of Heaven was the place that the emperor felt that he was closer to the gods. We were able to see inside some of the buildings and walk along the walkway that was only reserved for the gods back in the day. I did not know that the number 9 had special meaning to the Chinese. At the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven many things were created in groups of nine. Ex. a staircase of steps would have 9 steps then a terrace and then another set of 9 steps. At the top of the terrace there was a center stone and the emperor believed that if he was standing on that stone then he was actually closer to god then anyone else. We took a picture upon this stone as a family, but I know that I do not have to stand on a stone to feel close to my God.

Within the park we saw many groups of people playing a type of hackysack game, singing, chanting, playing instruments and dancing. Along the walkway there were multiple groups of people playing cards, dominos and chess. Two people would sit on the narrow bench with the cards or board game between them and then 6 or more people would stand around them and play with them. There was at least 20 games going on! Tom said that many of these people are retired and this is what they do all day everyday. They will even pause their games to go eat lunch and then come back and continue to play. There was also groups of women knitting or beading. It was a great way to spend an afternoon I believe, but I would be bringing a camp chair :)

One of the things I was looking forward to was the dragon tree which is called the 9 Dragon Juniper tree because it looks like many dragons swirling up together to get to the sky. It is over 500 years old! We also laughed at the sign of what was not allowed when you entered into the park. Just like at the school where I teach I saw many of the rules being broken :) A theme that I saw on all of the buildings that we have visited over the past week was the dragons either in a line on the corner of the buildings. I was finally able to get a close up picture of one of these dragons down below and I loved the bluish/purplish color!

Cherry Blossom was worn out after early rising so she fell asleep on mama on her way home. It is the few times that I feel like I actually get a hug from her. She is always asking for kisses from us now, but I cannot wait for the day when she comes over and hugs us. Baby steps!!! Hopefully I will be able to post tomorrow with part of our day hanging out in an airport. Warmer weather here we come!