Day #6: Photography By Autumn

The Big News: Lexi survived a Chinese "squatty potty" today. You'll have to ask her about that experience. (No photos available!) Lexi also caught this cute photograph of Autumn today...


Since our itinerary tomorrow includes what we anticipate to be an emotionally challenging visit to Autumn's home, we decided to pass up the optional tours and spent the day just playing with our new daughter. (Though the Chinese art museum was awfully tempting to our three teenagers!) We taught her how to play Wiebel's Golf, took her for her first experience in an arcade and just hung out! Our one big venture was to the book store where we thought Autumn might like a music cd or two. She jumped up and down when we told her we were going, but told us through Lisa that she did not want music only a book. Imagine! Thinking of a book as a treasure like that. She has almost devoured the first one so we'll be taking her back for more.

Today Autumn decided she wanted to be on the other side of the camera. We thought you might want to see things through her eyes. Here are a few of her photographs.

OK, this is not my most photogenic moment, but I love the photo. Why? Autumn asked, "Can I take a picture of my ma ma and ba ba (daddy)?" We melted and posed in front of a bamboo tree.




We attended a traditional Chinese tea ceremony tonight. Autumn snapped several photographs including this one of the beautiful tea server. (This is this woman's most photogenic moment, thought I imagine she has a lot of them. She was flawlessly beautiful!)


This is Mei Hui, the beautiful daughter being adopted by Ed & Barbie De Velasco. We feel as if we are family to them. Watching them receive her was so holy and pure and good. It was like being in the birthing room with them. Lexi keeps saying we need one just like her!




Today Lisa asked her how she is emotionally and Autumn said "I am very happy but sometimes I feel sad because I miss my family, but I don't want to disappoint my ma ma and ba ba so I don't tell them." We quickly told her that it is OK to miss them and that we want to help her to stay connected.