As wonderful as being able to be here and learn, grow and figure out what a Chinese American family is all about, there are natural consequences that we actual do share with Levi.  Loss.  We will never be the same family again.  I know, you said that. (Sandra)  Being away from friends and routine for Blake and Ethan are tough at times, and that's OK even if what we are doing is the chance of a lifetime!  It all comes with a cost.  Levi seems to be especially struggling somewhat now with maybe a realization that his little world is somehow very different.

You see it in his food preferences.  He devours familiar foods to him.  Congee, which is a very bland rice soup is a real favorite.  Limited nutritional value, but he will eat an entire bowl.  At first he did great on the rice and formula, but it seems that has gotten old quick.  He also for dinner devoured a small bowl of these little thin noodles which we have to get the name of and hit the Asian supermarkets at home.  He loved them and with a cleft sometimes food can me messy.  Not with this little guy.  He does not miss a noodle or grain of rice.  Makes you wonder if that was survival.  Here there is Dannon plain yogurt on the breakfast buffet.  Not flavored but it is sweetened unlike plain in the states--yuck.  Anyway--we tried that with him and he made a terrible face but opened his mouth for more--and more until the cup was gone.  He may have never had yogurt before, be he liked it.  Maybe he misses all the other children--some of which are caretakers for the younger in the orphanage.  At dinner tonight there was a large group with several children--elementary age and Levi saw them and it was as if he was looking for a familiar face.  There were none that he knew, but they were all familiar to him unlike looking at us every day.

We had put a out a prayer request for his health and what seemed to be an upset stomach.  This evening he is much better and we have been giving him more food that he is accustomed to eating.  Comfort food is a big deal.  I know all too well it is for me,  So for now we'll keep searching out comfort food and bring home a grocery list.  Maybe we will learn to cook Chinese!  It will have to be American Chinese,  I honestly cannot handle salmon heads, mutton stomach, ox tongue, pig toes, or a few other unidentified cooked objects. (UCO's)  Chinese must think our food is extremely bland.  But I guess there's only a few things that are truly "American" after all.  That's a striking difference here.  This country(China) is not a melting pot.  As powerful as Western culture may be, it is not the answer for everyone, and it is not the source of Hope.

Getting out for Levi to hear familiar sounds, even if he has never been to a park, are really positive things to do, so we did just that.  West Lake Park is a beautiful park across the street and our guide and the boys went boating on these electric boats.  Loved it.  Enjoy the scenes from today's park excursion.  Must have been good for Levi.  Even though he had never been in a stroller, the hotel's stroller seem to be just right for him  Nothing like taking a nap in the park.

Cindy is working hard to bond and figure out how to best meet Levi's needs.  Pray for her to have the stamina, insight, wisdom and strength to make the right decisions as we chart unknown territory.  This is it!  This is where it all begins for Levi and Levi's family's transition in his journey to home.