Day 9: Last day in Nanchang, You Min Temple and Shopping on Shengli Street

It just wouldn't be right if everyone who has read my blogs and enjoyed our pictures didn't know that my daughter, Laura, has taken almost every single picture. She has worked so hard to capture every single moment of China and of Ava. She's such a good photographer and it has made it so easy for Craig and I not to have to worry about that. This whole trip has obviously been focused on Ava, as it should be, but we have had so much fun as a family, and it makes me so thankful for my 2 beautiful older daughters and for my sweet husband. There's nothing like camping in a 5 star hotel for 9 days so far to draw you closer! We still have 6 more nights to go, so hopefully we will still love each other then too!!

We started out the day by going to You Min Temple. A place where people could come and worship all the different Gods and Buddas.

People would light their incense sticks and wave them around so the gods could hear their good wishes.

This is where everyone would put their sticks.

You Min Temple.

We are still quite the celebrities, having a little Chinese baby!

This is the largest Bronze Budda in the world. It was actually beautiful. Note the kneeling stools in front of Budda. We saw many people come and kneel before this big ole statue. It's so sad to see this and know that these people believe with their whole heart that this bronze statue is going to save them. They are so lost, these people need to know that God is real and not some dumb idol. They need to know that there is only one God, and not hundreds of different ones. Who is going to tell them?

Ava was really warming up to me today!!!

More Buddas.

Close up shot. You weren't allowed to take pictures when you were inside the temple, so Laura was able to zoom in.

Kisses for Christine!!

Serious face...

So Mom, maybe you're not so bad after all!!

Next we headed out to some shops on Shengli  Street. This was a nice place to come because there were no cars, bikes or scooters allowed so we didn't have to worry about getting ran over!!

We found Ava some new shoes. She can walk so much better now.

Back on the crazy streets!!

I just have to steal the show today!! Ava was very loving today to me. 

She was cute when she picked up the chopsticks and tried to use them.

Our last night at our favorite restaurant!!

My sweet girls!!

What a heavy load! I bet his neck hurt.

We had to leave our hotel at 3:10pm to head to the airport to fly to Guangzhou. The flight was only 1hr and 20 minutes. Ava sat between Laura and Craig and did very well. She didn't really like her seatbelt, but I think she did great. We arrived in Guangzhou around 8:30pm and was met by our guide. She brought us to our hotel, The Garden. It's a beautiful 5 star hotel, but we have a little bitty room, much smaller than Nanchang. But we'll manage! We had a great week in Nanchang, and it was a very bittersweet feeling putting Ava on that plane and flying her away from the place where she was born. But a good feeling, too! One week down, one more week to go!

Fyi, it has taken me FOREVER to post this blog, and I'm a couple days behind. But I will post as I can. Ava is thriving each day.