Consulate Appointment...

Wednesday was our U.S. Consulate Appointment. Our guide had helped us fill out all our needed paperwork for the interview process and was going on our behalf. She asked that we remain in our rooms until she called to let us know that everything was okay.

We got up late, we are finally adjusting to the time now that it is time to leave, and I ran down for breakfast while Rodney stayed in the room with Anna. Then we switched. Around 11:15, Connie called and told us Congratulations, Anna passed the interview process and everything was fine. YEAH!!!

Our oath ceremony is Thursday at 4:00 at the U.S. Consulate. No cameras or camcorders can go inside, so unfortunately, no pictures to illustrate that experience.

We spent the remainder of the day pretty much in the room. It started raining, again! There has been really bad flooding in the Guangdong province. There have been many deaths in the province due to the rising flood waters. The Pearl River that runs around the island is much higher than when we arrived. It has rained about 3 or 4 times a day for the last 4 days. And when it rains, it rains.

We ordered in Papa John's pizza for a late lunch, early dinner while Anna was napping. It was sooo good. After I ate it, I got kind of sick on my stomach, but probably because I made such an enormous pig out of myself. The rain finally stopped around 6 pm and we went out to pick up somethings we had ordered.

While we were in the lobby exchanging some money, we ran into another couple that we have seen many times in the hotel before. They adopted a little girl who also has a repaired lip and cleft palate. We were talking about when we were going to leave. They are leaving on Friday night and told us their itinerary and what time they would be arriving in Nashville. I asked where they lived and they live in Goodlettsville! How crazy is that? Come to find out, the father's mother lives in the town that Rodney grew up and Rodney knows his mom. We only live about 35 miles from each other. What are the odds of meeting up with practical neighbors in China...some 8,000 miles from home? We exchanged contact info and hope to have a play date one day for their McKenna and our Anna.

Because of the rain, the shop was closed...I hope they are there on Thursday!!

We walked to the island's Starbucks...beautiful! I don't know why we hadn't been there before...it smelled just like home. We had a coffee and split a piece of their New York Cheesecake...and yes, it was REAL CHEESECAKE. While we were there, Angela and Olivia, Livi, came in too. We had a little chat session and it was fun to see them again. It has been great being with them here in China. Angela is a hoot and Livi is just a doll!

We then came back to the room to get some sleep before our FINAL FULL DAY IN CHINA! I am so excited. I have started putting things in our suitcases and cannot wait until we land in Nashville Friday night.

Boys,

I missed our talking today...we will have to catch up in the morning. We are so excited about coming home and seeing you all. Daddy is more exciting about coming home than opening day of deer season...you know he's excited!!! We love you all very very much and we only have 1 day left!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ready to wrap this trip up, bring our daughter home and sending love to my Parker, Jacob and Carter