A Better Day. And A Great Wall.

First off, I want to give the biggest shout out ever to everybody that reached out to me- it was many & you have no idea how much I needed it and how much it meant.  THANK YOU.

Yesterday was a dark day.  But today was a much brighter one.  I made a tough call to reach out to my agency about 2:30am this morning (1:30pm that time).   The owner of the agency gave me a call and talked me through some serious adoption therapy!   She also contacted the in China rep (who's our guide at our next city) who called me in the morning.   He talked to our guide here in Beijing as well.

All that combined really made the support I needed to get through that so very hard day and on to today.

And you know what, it's been a very good- best of the 7 we've been here- day! Maybe it's because we got out of downtown Beijing.  Maybe because I got to visit one of my 'bucket lists' .  But probably because my little girl had so many great 'firsts' today.

Whatever the combo.  Whatever it was.  It was good.  It was real good.  It was a bit of what this momma's soul needed.  And a bit of what a little Charlie girl's soul needed too!

Today- was Great Wall Day.  My first 7th wonder of the World!  And what a wonder it was!!

I have to say- again- Kurt has NOTHING on the Chinese drivers.  NOTHING.  I honestly can't even look or I'd have a heart attack.  I'm talking... light turns red, it's a two lane road, there are two cars stopped at light in front of us, our driver just decides he's gonna use the other lane to pass them to get a head start on the light.  

I'm talking taking passing cars on curves of a 2 lane without a single slow down.

I'm talking playing chicken with cars, people, bikes- whatever.  Oh. And guess what- no one believes in seat belts.  Or car seats.  Or silly things like that.

We did arrive, somehow, here..............

It was breathtaking.

But before you go up.  Please remember this:

I have no idea what the fire-forbidden area was.  So I just decided to not use fire at all.  Good choice I think.

On our way to the cable car to get up, we passed this guy..and took a picture.

And then right after passed the sign that said "taking pictures of the camel is not free".

Um.  Oops.

The cable car to the top.

Kurt and Meifang share the same fear.  Heights.

This moment may have brought back memories of my dear brother in law in a cable car to the top of Mount Pilates in Switzerland... :) Karl.

But Kurt decided it was worth it at the top!

You guys, I am totally entering a weight lifting contest when I get home.  And I will win.  I climbed the freaking great wall of China with a toddler attached to me.   Kurt and I had to trade on and off as the wall was - well, steep! 

In case you are wondering what treasures made it to the Great Wall- it was a snack cup, A Disney princess & the hotel room service door hanger.

We took some rests...and little girl got brave and walked a tiny bit of the Great Wall.  This is a big 'first'.

The views made the climb so worth it.

Since little miss was willing to be put down and walk just a little.  Momma took some pictures of her on her Great Wall of China!

Momma took a picture with her....

Another family picture.

The Great Wall concluded with my first purchase of a souviner for my girls and Bella.  First off, I WAY overpaid.  I suck at bartering.  I know what you told me Shuping.. I know.  But I still sucked.  Even my guide told me I sucked!  But wait till the girls see what it is- oh boy- it's a winner.

Then we had the long drive back.  Baby Girl was tired.  And though tried to resist settling into me...just couldn't in the end.

Sigh. 

See, good day.

Oh, and she woke up..and she took some water from a water bottle.  Another first (she was scared of it before).

Please disregard the very unsightly double chin.  Not the best angle.

We somehow made it back to the hotel- with lots of near misses on our life.

Also, when driving.  Don't.  If Tired.

Back at the hotel- to unwind with a little 'smallness' for the rest of the evening.

She's running around & playing & folding our towels. 

And peeps- we are down to 2.5 days left in Beijing.  Amen!

Again, big huge thanks to all you who reached out.  You will never know how much I needed it & how much it meant! 

Becca & Sarah- have a great, most wonderful first day of 2nd & 5th grade!  I will never miss anothe first day of school!  I love you both to the moon and back!

Oh, and I was finished writing that up- little miss just ran up to me and gave me a big hug. 

Yes.  Better Day indeed!

Over and out from China!