Sunday, June 29, 2008
SHOPPING DAY

Today is going much better than yesterday. Philip is more even-tempered so far. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

We went shopping as a group at the Jade and Pearl markets. The Jade Market was just a large one-room store, but it had some really neat things for sale such as porcelain, Chinese writing, and jade pieces. Then we went to the Pearl Market. This is like nothing we have ever seen before. It is a high-rise complex that houses nothing but store after store of jewelry, much of it pearls. We did find one store on the bottom level that was an embroidery store. We purchased a silk Chinese outfit for Philip for the famous “Red Couch” photo with our group. Every group of adoptive families who stay at the White Swan takes a parting picture of their new children on the red couch in the lobby. The children all wear Chinese outfits.

Philip tried on his new outfit when we returned from shopping. He felt like he looked fine. He was very pleased with it and gladly posed for pictures. Tonight we are meeting with his little friend from Philip Hayden. That will be fun. It has been more relaxing today, and tomorrow promises to be even better. Nothing doing until the evening when we take a cruise down the Pearl River on a dinner boat. We are looking forward to that. Thanks for all of your prayers for a smoother day. They are working.