Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Post Wed. 6-30 GZ

Our routine for morning continues to be about the same. Showers then everyone headed to the breakfast bar downstairs. I think we sleep a little later than some of the other families but then if you are late to the bar, some of the good things are gone. This morning we decided to stay around the hotel. Chuck and I listed the things we have bought and calculated what we had spent so when we go through customs we will have a little idea of what we have purchased to claim. Later we had another lunch at McDonalds and then boarded the bus for the Amercian Consulate here in Guangzhou. Poppy went with us and about 5 or 6 other families. Of the 16 families here with us, each day a few go and today was our day. The fun part about traveling anywhere is the traffic. I do not know how these bus drivers do it. There is a lot of honking at each other but to move a bus to another lane, the driver just sneaks his nose in and goes for it and somehow the car behind wedges in as close as possible and another bus is so close that Chuck could see himself in the review of the other bus....To me it is funny to be face to face with people in another bus literally. They all stare at us and keep staring...guess we are just an odity here. There are so many people in all the chinese citys that we have been to...all the housing just goes on and on. I do not know how on earth you would ever know where to go if you lived here. Only in the finer retaurants and hotels and maybe businesses do people even understand English. Even here in this hotel we have to explain ourselves over and over, but I think we have been here so long we are getting use to it and sign language helps with a lot of things. So this afternoon, we entered the consulate and waited for Shiloh's Chinese name to be called and we stepped forward to a window and they had Chuck sign and then verified our passports and we sat back down. (They called us first out of the 47 or so families...so everyone was watching and you know I hate being on display, but we got everything checked quickly and sat back down. From there we waited for all the families to do the same. Then we all stood and took the oath together. I thought I would be OK for all of this but for this part I teared up. Holding this little girl who had been left on the side of a road in northern China, who now has the most infectious laughter...what an amazing journey to this point. As quickly as we completed the oath with all the other families at the same time, we were done. So now all our paperwork and checks are complete. Perhaps the other mothers with tears were like me....this child is finally ours and she will never wait again for one minute of love. Now tomorrow afternoon we will get our "brown envelope" which we are not to open and are to deliver to immigration in the US! Once we have this and Shiloh's Chinese passport we are free to leave...Our flight home is Friday morning here....but puts us in Atlanta July 2, at 10:10pm. We were not allowed to take any pictures of the happenings at the consulate so that is kind of sad. Poppy was just upset that there were no American Military Men around being that he is a veteran. There were armed guards here and there...kind of placed sporatically. Later we returned to swim for a while. Shiloh got in the water with a little coaxing and what a hoot. She then became a dare devil and jumped in the pool to Chuck...we will have to watch her around water until she can swim. At dinner afterwards she sat in the high chair and did just fine. She is so comical. She used her chopsticks to dip in her tea to drink and she takes a piece of meat and puts it in the chopsticks and then tried to eat it. We skyped with big sister and Nana again as we have most days. Dakota seems fascinated with Shiloh and Shiloh tries to feed Dakota M&M's on screen. We are just so ready to come home. Tomorrow is a free day so we are going back to the island to pick up a few orders and then shop a little. Don't know how we are going to get everything home, but we will find a way. I will post some pics from today and then again for tomorrow and then that will be it and we will be on our way. Shiloh will be an American citizen once we touch down in New York at JFK! I do wonder about some things. In the reports on Shiloh that we recieved most had pictures of her not smiling and there were statements that she didn't smiles much. I don't get it, while I am sure it scared her to death to be left with us at first..she smiles and laughs all day long. She is a little shy around others as it stated but I wonder who didn't spend enough time with this little person to even discover her silly personality and sense of adventure. She may not speak our language yet, but hugs and kisses need no words and neither do smiles and giggles. I see so many families with these younger babies and while they are just as in love, these little ones cry and need diaper changes and formula. I was worried that toddler adoption would be harder as we often hear...this hasn't been easy but we got a really cool kid who opens up a little more to us each day. I would encourage those of you who are interested to think about a toddler...so far this has not been as hard as I thought. She has done so well. There will still be challenges and issues but we will do just fine. More later...

6 comments:

Tracey said...

Oh this post just warms my heart. I was very teary when we did our oath with Van so I am sure it will be the same this time...what a moment huh? Certainly one that stays with you...I got chills just reading this. So so glad to hear that your Bataou beauty is such a love bug. I completely understand the toddler love...we were so very lucky with Van and certainly hope that Zak has the same spirit. They flourish before your eyes and Shiloh is already doing that with every picture you post. I know you can't wait to get home to Dakota and let the sisters bond...that will be awesome. I am sure to bombard you with lots of travel questions in the next few weeks as we get closer to our journey...so be ready! Safe safe travels home.

Anonymous said...

I got choked up just reading about taking the oath...can't imagine how moving it was for you. She is so cute and I can't wait to meet her. I know that she and Dakota will be fast friends within minutes of meeting. Have a safe trip back!

Love,
Diane

Cousin LeAnne said...

Between our trip to Tybee Island (no big shakes compared to your trip!) and the twins' birthday, I've only been able to follow your blog sporadically. Your trip sounds amazing--so few Americans will ever experience such an interesting and exotic trip--not to mention the live souvenir you'll bring home! What wonderful parents and grandparents little HongMei is getting. (I hate to admit it, but I love her Chinese name!) I'm so impressed with your patience, enthusiasm, organization (especially in a foreign land), and energy. We can't wait to see you--hope you'll have a big party when you get home. Love, LeAnne

Cousin LeAnne said...

P.S. I may have to get you or Chuck and HongMei to visit my world history class. Our students would love to talk to someone who's actually been to China--not to mention meeting someone who was born there!

andrea said...

kuddos to you for your heart felt posts...when i read about the emotions and tears you shed that makes my heart smile ;) she's YOURS forever and always Praise God...Jesus You are truly amazing.
my prayer has been since october 09that shiloh would have a familiarness to you & chuck...God answered that prayer...from photos of a little girl who didn't smile to a little girl who is blossoming right in front of your/our eyes...it truly is amazing.
i know your ready to go home but try and remember china the smells, the people, the places you've visited, take it all in...you'll never have this experience again.

asking God's blessing for safe travels back to the good ole U.S.A. HOME!!!

i will have a surprise for you at your house when you get home ;)

andrea

Anonymous said...

Kim.........I had a vision of ya'll returning to the USA with boxes of "stuff" you had bought strapped to the top of the plane!!! :-) Remember our trip from MB when we had to literally do that we had so much "stuff." Such fun! Shiloh is a doll and I am amazed at the pictures because you guys are a family already! And you have already taught her to smile!! So excited and cannot wait to come see you all SOON!! I know Dakota is missing her Mom & Dad but just wait til she meets her sister!!! She will be as in love with her as we all are already...Love to you all....Dennie