The Great Wall, Summer Palace.....and more
Today was a very busy day!! We technically woke up at 1AM, 2AM and for good at 5AM....Nate and I were starving at 1Am so we got up and had some snacks then went back to bed......5Am came and we went ahead and got up for the day. Needless to say, we are having a hard time adjusting to this 13 hour time difference....but we are confident that we will.
This morning we visited The Great Wall and it was fascinating! How surreal to be climbing this incredible piece of history! Nate was a trooper...in fact, I was more scared (of the steep steps) than he was. We climbed until we could climb no more (the handrails ended). We enjoyed that a lot, and it even snowed at the end! We then went to lunch at a local restaurant and browsed around at a store nearby. Nate was quite a hit everywhere we went. Girls would just come up and start taking pictures and picking him up and hugging him......he loved every minute!
We also got to visit Summer Palace today. Our guide knew a lot of history about the emporers and the living quarters....it was very interesting......and HUGE!!! We walked the majority of it.
We also got to visit a few Olmypic venues which was so awesome!!
We are currently hanging out in our hotel room....we were off to have some dinner and Nate fell on the sidewalk, so we opted to come back in and get him some ice for his bump on his head (which is now fine) and eat in the room. He made it til about 7:15 local time and crashed. Joel and I are so proud of him....he has been quite the trooper this whole trip!! He woke up this morning and first thing wanted to know WHEN we would get Naomi.
Tonight has been a bit more challenging....physically and emotionally. Fatigue is starting to set in and we have another very long day tomorrow of sight seeing and a flight to Hubai. Joel called our guide tonight and asked if we could have a later check out and lighten our day tomorrow (after I completely broke down in fear that I would be this exhausted when we went to get Naomi Monday). I am just so tired and don't want to be THIS tired when we get our baby!! I hope he understood and more that he is not offended, but after the level of fatigue we feel right now and the height of emotion I am going through, we felt it best to try and not do as much as today (today was 9 hours straight of sight seeing, with 4 hours of that riding in bumper to bumper traffic)
All I got for now. Please pray fo physical and emoional rest tonight as we prepare for a long day tomorrow and BIG day Monday.
Much love from Beijing!
more pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=39128&l=d457c&id=605614827
This morning we visited The Great Wall and it was fascinating! How surreal to be climbing this incredible piece of history! Nate was a trooper...in fact, I was more scared (of the steep steps) than he was. We climbed until we could climb no more (the handrails ended). We enjoyed that a lot, and it even snowed at the end! We then went to lunch at a local restaurant and browsed around at a store nearby. Nate was quite a hit everywhere we went. Girls would just come up and start taking pictures and picking him up and hugging him......he loved every minute!
We also got to visit Summer Palace today. Our guide knew a lot of history about the emporers and the living quarters....it was very interesting......and HUGE!!! We walked the majority of it.
We also got to visit a few Olmypic venues which was so awesome!!
We are currently hanging out in our hotel room....we were off to have some dinner and Nate fell on the sidewalk, so we opted to come back in and get him some ice for his bump on his head (which is now fine) and eat in the room. He made it til about 7:15 local time and crashed. Joel and I are so proud of him....he has been quite the trooper this whole trip!! He woke up this morning and first thing wanted to know WHEN we would get Naomi.
Tonight has been a bit more challenging....physically and emotionally. Fatigue is starting to set in and we have another very long day tomorrow of sight seeing and a flight to Hubai. Joel called our guide tonight and asked if we could have a later check out and lighten our day tomorrow (after I completely broke down in fear that I would be this exhausted when we went to get Naomi Monday). I am just so tired and don't want to be THIS tired when we get our baby!! I hope he understood and more that he is not offended, but after the level of fatigue we feel right now and the height of emotion I am going through, we felt it best to try and not do as much as today (today was 9 hours straight of sight seeing, with 4 hours of that riding in bumper to bumper traffic)
All I got for now. Please pray fo physical and emoional rest tonight as we prepare for a long day tomorrow and BIG day Monday.
Much love from Beijing!
more pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=39128&l=d457c&id=605614827
posted by Joel and Lee-Anne at
6:28 AM
12 comment(s):
Hang in there these first few days are hard but it will get easier when you adjust and get a few days of sleep. Send the boys out and try and nap. Don't forget your ambien girl. Praying you fall asleep like a rock and wake up renewed.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father...that according to the riches of His glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being. eph 3:14 Love, Julie
By
Julie Gould, at
7:20 AM
What a day. This day will be etched in your memory forever. The history of her country -- so beautiful. It is unfathomable how old it all is. Wish I was there with you.
Hang in there. I think they make you REALLY busy the first day just to keep you going so you aren't tempted to take a 5 hour nap and continue to mess up your days/nights. Hopefully you will get a good night's sleep tonight after all that walking and tomorrow will be a new day.
Nate - we are so proud of you. You are being so good for your mom and dad. Way to go, buddy! Only a little more time until you get to finally be with Naomi!
We love you all.
Kristi
By
Eric and Kristi Peterson, at
7:29 AM
What an amazing day you've had! So cute about Nate and his superstar status :-) Glad his head is better too, ouch...
Just in reading your post I can only imagine your exhaustion. We'll be praying for rest, physical and emotional, and that God will use ALL things, including your exhaustion, to reveal Himself to you on this journey...much love, the Davis'
By
Anonymous, at
7:31 AM
Sleep well loved ones!
By
Unknown, at
8:12 AM
Amazing pictures on FB! Joel, I can tell by your eyes you are sleep deprived...hope you three get some good rest soon! Thanks again for keeping us all informed so we can share in this wonderful journey. Nate - YOU are going to be a big brother soon - how awesome is that?!?
By
mtotte, at
8:14 AM
Praying for rest! The pictures are spectacular!!!!!
By
Darby, at
8:46 AM
What an amazing day you all had! I pray now that you will have a wonderful night of rest & be renewed in the morning! Sweet Naomi dreams to all.
By
Anonymous, at
8:58 AM
Praying for the rest you need & that you'll get that energy back soon! What an awesome day you had exploring Naomi's country..the stories you'll have to share with her when she gets older..amazing! Nate IS a trooper & what a great experience for Naomi's big brother! Hang in there & thank you for all the wonderful pictures you've shared! We love you & praying for you four!
By
jasonandkaren, at
9:29 AM
Fascinating pictures!! Thanks for the updates."Be strong and of good courage, do not fear...for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Dt. 31:6
love,
mimi
By
Anonymous, at
10:15 AM
As I type, I pray you snooze (and given how wordy I can be, perhaps the timing will actually be similar . . . heh heh heh). Annyhowwww -- I know weeks, months, and years from now the fatigue will be long gone but the memories will be fresh and powerful. Praise the Lord for that. How wonderful that Nate will share those with you (especially as the photos serve as vivid reminders . . . priceless). We love you people . . . may God's strength continue to sustain (you ". . . can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens." Phillipians 4:13).
Later -- Bec
By
Anonymous, at
12:45 PM
The pictures are so good and I have been so excited each time you post and share. I love getting to "see in" on this amazing journey you are on that will lead you to your precious daughter.
We are praying for each of you and I have reminded my bloggers to do so as well.
By
Kim, at
3:04 PM
We love seeing the pictures! What a great experience this is for Naomi's big brother! We can't believe she will be in your arms forever in less than 36 hours. God is so good! Love, the Daniels
By
Anonymous, at
7:46 PM
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