Zhujiajiao Water Village

Yesterday we were able to visit Zhujiajiao, an ancient water village located on the outskirts of Shanghai. Historic stone bridges and buildings, water canals and tiny walkways lined with shops and restaurants gave us a peak into ancient China. We were able to see the village by boat as we traveled through the canals. We also walked through little alleyways and saw shops selling every local delicacy imaginable, as well as touristy kitsch. An unexpected stop to the Kiss Spa was a crazy experience that John and I will never forget! See pictures below for our experience with the "kissing fish!" Our visit to Zhujiajiao was a true highlight for our group. 

Kissing Spa, where little fish are literally "kissing" our feet and eating off the dead skin. This was the craziest thing we've ever done in China! Apparently it is quite popular, as we passed more than one of these little spas on our tour of the village. Our laughter and craziness brought a lot of additional business to this shop owner!

 

We enjoyed lunch on a rooftop overlooking the canal.

It's Official!

Yesterday we signed all of the adoption paperwork and William FeiJia Contant is officially our son! He slept for most of the day as we visited several office buildings to complete the paperwork. He's a very quiet content baby, but I suspect he will learn to find his voice when he meets the rest of his siblings, especially his two little (big!) sisters who are prepared to meet his every waking need (whether he wants them met or not!)

First stop of the day- getting our family picture taken for our documents

Our travel group- ready to sign paperwork!

 Fingerprints- Liam didn't like this too much

 Making this official!

Waiting while our paperwork is being processed....

Liam, welcome to our family!

After we completed our paperwork we walked on the Bund and got to try a local favorite, Xiao Long Bao, which are steamed buns (dumplings) filled with meat or veggies and a soup broth. They were SO good. We need to find where to get these in Chicago!

  

We are a family! Can't wait to have five other special people join us in this picture!

Tristan, Ella, Aidan, Maeve, and Mairéad, we love you and can't wait for you to meet Liam!

Liam!

We have our little boy! He is precious and we are so thankful to have him in our arms. He's very tiny and fragile. We are hopeful to see what love will do. Thank you for your prayers- please keep praying!

 

After meeting Liam we were able to visit Shining Star Foster Home, a wonderful home for orphans who have visual impairments. We were hoping Liam would be able to go here while he waited for us to come. We met Julie, the director, and her amazing staff. It was such an honor to meet these women and learn about the work they do at Shining Star. We were treated to a lunch that was amazing! It was such a special experience for us to celebrate Liam's adoption day with them.

We're in Shanghai!

We made it! Shanghai is a beautiful city and we were able to enjoy a day of sightseeing before we meet our little boy tomorrow! Today we saw the financial district, the Bund, ate lunch at a fabulous restaurant, visited a fabric market, and did a lot of walking! 

We are so looking forward to meeting our son, Liam, tomorrow morning. Please keep us, and especially Liam, in your prayers. This is such a special day for us, one that we've waited for and prayed about since March. We know, though, that as wonderful as this day will be for us, it could be quite traumatic for Liam as he will be leaving everything familiar. Please join with us as we pray for calm hearts and a clear sense of God's presence. Tomorrow one precious little boy will be an orphan no longer, but a treasured son. John and I are humbled and truly grateful. 

Liam

John and I are excited to welcome home our new son, Liam! We are leaving tomorrow for Shanghai and will meet our little boy on Monday morning. Thank you for your prayers and support while we are gone- it is so appreciated. We will will be home the day before Thanksgiving, completely tired out from travel, but definitely with much to be thankful for.