Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is a huge tradition in China. So much so, that it brings in the greatest influx of people (mostly Chinese returning to see family) than any other holiday in the country. We got to experience this first hand as we were leaving China as the Chinese New Year was about to begin. We just barely were able to make the trip because all government agencies and most local businesses shut down for the festival. The festival begins on the first day of the lunar calendar, which is the first new moon between January 21 and February 20. This year it began on February 8. We celebrated with a Chinese meal, authentic Chinese tea in a tea set that we picked up from a local market in China, and the customary Chinese attire that we brought home for the kids. We found it amusing that before we ever felt called to adopt, we have always acknowledged the children's Chinese New Year characters from the years that they were born, even commemorating them with a pair of soft soled shoes (Robeez) for each of them as they began walking. We have them stored away with their keepsakes. God always new this was our path.
2016 is the Year of the Monkey.
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