Adventures in Guangzhou--Monday, 3/30/09

Today was an odd combination of stress and relief!! Our guide presented our paperwork at the consulate on our behalf this morning at 9:30 a.m., and she had instructed us to wait in the room between 10 and 11:30 a.m. She had indicated that she would call around 11:30 to let us know if she needed any other paperwork. After breakfast, we returned to the room to wait, and we let Britti, Chelsea, and Emmy go out to the shops for more souvenirs so that we could focus if we needed to find or clarify anything. They returned around 11:45, but we still hadn't heard anything. Around noon, Roger, Emmy, Chelsea, and Ellie went down to the Swan Room while Christie continued to wait for the call. When they returned around 12:45 p.m., she was still waiting. Although we were pretty sure that everything should be okay, it was still nerve-wracking to wait and wonder what was up. At 12:50, Roger decided to call to see what was up, and we learned that everything had gone fine. Although it was a little frustrating to be kept on hold for so long, we concentrated on the great news that we were through that last hurdle!! Christie headed out for a much needed work-out, and Roger got Ellie down for a nap.

When Christie returned from her work-out and showered, Roger went out to get some exercise and explore the island, and the girls went shopping. We bought cute little Chinese dresses with tutu skirts for Ellie-Kate, and Britti bargained with one of the local storekeepers for a good deal on a new purse. How are we going to get all of this stuff home??

We went out for dinner to a nice Italian restaurant. It was terrific. Once again, Ellie proved that she LOVES pasta and pizza :)

Although this trip has been the adventure of a lifetime, we're really looking forward to being home and introducing Ellie-Kate to everyone. She's just a doll!! She's very easygoing, happy, outgoing, and loving. She also is really connected to her parents. Even though she loves her sisters, she prefers to be held by us, indicating that she's definitely attaching to us. We've met some kids in the Swan Room who will reach up their arms to anyone. Ellie certainly knows her family, especially her mommy and daddy. Especially given the challenges that we've read about before our trip, Ellie's reaction to us is great news. Praise God that she's fitting into our family so well!!

Tomorrow is our last full day in China, and we've set up times to take pics with other families and their children that we've met during our trip. We'll share those pics tomorrow night. We also have our last adoption activity-- taking the oath that we'll never abandon her. We can't wait for all of these steps to be complete so that she's our daughter and a U.S. citizen. What a big day for her and for us!!