Farewell China...
I am so happy to be posting this final entry from China. It is a 8:45 pm and we leave the hotel tomorrow morning at 5:45 am. Our bags are packed and we are ready to bring our daughter home!
Today we had an early lunch because we skipped breakfast. We ate at Lucy's, yet again. After lunch, we came back to the room and Anna took a very short nap. We had to wake her up as we were meeting the family that adopted from orphanage at the White Swan for a red couch picture at 2:00. We were also meeting our guide at 2:30 at the White Swan for a red couch picture of Olivia Mei and Anna Mei.
Micah, Olivia and Anna were just too cute in their traditional Chinese attire. Anna and Micah initially didn't want to be sitting on the couch, but it wasn't long before they were holding hands and loving on each other...it was so cute.
After all the pictures, we got on a huge bus and headed for the U.S. Consulate. There were several families going, so we all rode one of the White Swan buses there.
It amazes me every time we go somewhere in Guangzhou, just how big it really is. There are 9 million people living in Guangzhou, which I know is a lot, but we drove for at least 45 minutes and the buildings never stopped...the traffic didn't thin. And the buildings aren't little 2 story here, 1 story there...they are huge 20 stories +, one after another. And the traffic is 3, 4 lanes each way, bumper to bumper. Pretty amazing.
We arrive at the U.S.Consulate and go through the security protocol. We go in and have a seat and wait to be called to the window. Our guide gave us a copy of our passports to give to the officer when we approached the window. He looked at our copies and then our faces, initialed and we had a seat again. Finally, an immigration officer came out, explained the process when we arrive in the first U.S. city, and gave the immigration oath. YEAH!!! WE ARE DONE!!!!
We got back on the bus, rode to the White Swan, walked to our hotel and started packing. We are finished here in China and now can begin our long trek home.
We leave China at 8:20 am, arrive in Tokyo, then Minneapolis where Anna will become a U.S. Citizen. When the CIS officer opens her "brown envelope" she will automatically become a citizen. It is a really cool thing and is very exciting to me. Her becoming a citizen is one of "those moments" that I have so looked forward to. It is one of those "official" moments where her new life begins. After our MN stop, Nashville here we come!! It will take about 2 hours to fly to Nashville and then we will drive about 1 hour home.
It will be interesting to see how Anna does in a car seat...can you imagine? She can hardly do a high chair for 10 minutes. She has never been in a car seat. I am sure it will be an experience for all of us :-)
Rodney and I are so thankful that God has allowed us to experience this adoption journey. We are thankful that He has lead us to our daughter and He has brought us safely thus far and have the faith that He will take us home. We cannot express what this journey has been for us. It has been filled with excitement, anticipation, sadness, hurt, joy, happiness, worry, concern, and an unexplainable love and peace. We will never neglect to give thanks for this child and the journey that lead us to her.
Thank you all for sharing in our joy and the words of support, love and excitement for our family. We appreciate your prayers and ask that you continue to remember us as we begin our new Journey with Anna Mei. We will be taking Anna for medical consults regarding her palate and pray that God will give us wisdom in making decisions for Anna.
With our guide, Connie, on the "red couch"
We are too excited right now! We will be getting on a plane headed for home in less than 12 hours. We hope that the flight goes by quickly and can't wait to see the 3 most beautiful boys in the whole wide world!!! I can't wait to hear random facts from Carter and his sarcastic charm. I can't wait to see Jacob and his cute little grin and uncontrollable laughter when Carter tells a silly joke. I can't wait to hold Parker and hear "I ummmm you!" We love you boys soooo much and will see you very soon!!!!!
Farewell from China and sending love to my Parker, Jacob and Carter.
