My "Gorillas in the Mist" Moment

I have seen gorillas several times during all my visits to the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park. It is one of my favorite things to do each visit. They are just so fascinating and hilarious to watch. They really do act like humans.

Yesterday I had a amazing moment with one of the gorillas at the zoo. He was lying on his back right up by the glass playing with his feet. He looked like a giant baby rolling on a blanket in the middle of some one's living room. It was awesome to see his feet and hands so closely. The best and most amazing moment though was when he turned and looked directly into my eyes. There was this indescribable connection. His black eyes were so deep. I just could not stop looking into them. I wanted to know what was going through his mind. I thought...this must be what Dian Fossey felt like living amongst these amazing creatures in the jungles of Rwanda. I understood how she could fall in love with them and be completely captivated by them.

I never stop being amazed by God's creation. Such small differences really exist between man and gorilla but the ones that do exist are incredible. God chose to give us a soul. A soul that would live forever.

Birch Aquarium

Bank of America offers 2 days a month for its customers to visit participating museums for free. The 2 in San Diego are the New Children's Museum downtown and the Birch Aquarium. Saturday was a free day so we went down to La Jolla and checked it out. Emma had a great time. Her favorite parts were the sea dragons and playing with the sea creature puppets.
They have an amazing Sea Horse display. I couldn't stop thinking of the look on Matt's face when he ate one in Beijing. I don't think the Birch Aquarium would approve.

Duh dum, duh dum...

Emma checking out the surf.

The jellyfish were incredible!

Hello Grandma!

My "Go To Mom"

One reason we are so excited to be back in Southern California is that we get to be close to our dear friends the Landinos. Matt has known them for years and was at the births of most of their kids. They are such an amazing Christian family and an example of what we hope to be as a family. Over the last 4 plus years we have been on the amazing journey of Chinese adoption together. Craig and Julie adopted Ivy just a few months after we were home with Emma. What a bonding experience for our families. It is such a blessing to me to be able to have such a trusted, amazing mom to talk to about issues with Emma. She can understand me in a way that my other friends just simply can't. She has been through the journey. She has heard the cry and seen the face of an orphan in the middle of the night in a hotel room in a foreign land. I was given some great advice while we were waiting for Emma. Someone told me to find a couple of moms who have children that you love and that you want your children grow up to be like. She said to make those your "go to moms." Call them to celebrate, to cry, to ask advice, etc. Julie has become my "go to mom." I just adore her children and I love how she and Craig have decide to run their home. Matt and I feel so blessed to have them in our lives and are so excited that Emma and Jack will grow up near them.

We were able to spend Memorial Day with them. It is always a blast for Emma to go there. She loves playing with the girls and seeing "Baby Ivy." They are only 6 months apart but for some reason Emma calls her Baby Ivy.

Julie, Ivy, Emma and I in January. This picture pretty much sums up how we spend our time together...laughing!


Emma and Ivy Fu reading books to each other.

Ivy, Emma and Clare enjoying the water.

Emma loving the water!

Ivy's contagious smile!

I still can't believe they are only 6 months apart. You would think they were sisters.