home  |  about isabelle  |  trip to china  |  coming home  contact us  |  sweet sophie


Trip to China
May 23
  |  May 25  May 26  |  May 27  |  May 28  May 29  |  May 30  |  May 31  |  June 1  |  June 2  |  June 3
June 4  |  June 5  |  June 6  |  June 7  |  June 8   

Wednesday, June 8

Normally the update begins with the trip to the breakfast bar or Isabelle waking us up or something along that line but today's big event was too special to relegate to the middle or end of the update.  Today Stefanie and I, at 10:15 a.m., took the oath that allows Isabelle to get her US VISA, travel to the US, and become a United States citizen.  IT IS OFFICIAL!

The swearing ceremony was not as big of an event as you would think but the assistant consular general did do an awesome job of explaining that the Guangzhou consulate processes more than one-third of all international US adoption VISA requests which translated to over 7,000 last year and more than any other country with Russia, Guatemala, and South Korea following.  It was cool with all the families in there thinking that there were so many new American citizens.  When we left, there were more people coming and that probably continues every day except on weekends -- utterly fantastic.  The assistant also said, congratulations on making it through the most paperwork intensive process in the world.

We did wake up and we did eat at the breakfast bar; last time for the french toast because we leave at 6 a.m. tomorrow.  Isabelle was in a great mood but that rapidly disappeared because she got up too early so following breakfast she drank her formula and then went to sleep.  It was perfect because she was able to get a nap before our consulate appointment.  After the effects of the consulate appointment wore off we came back to the room and then I was off to the toy market.  It really is a mall that is 6 stories tall and has everything imaginable.  It is the wholesale market and I was witness to
capitalism at its rawest.  I actually was able to watch a woman take her wares, package them, display them, and sell them all right there.  She placed the goods in the plastic and stapled it closed.  It was really neat.  I was able to get some Gameboy Advance games that the boys and Angie and Bob's girls should like.  While I was away at the toy market Stefanie and Tori got everything separated so we could pack it all up.

I came back and took an hour nap while Isabelle slept in her crib.  Then it was time to head downstairs and get Isabelle's passport and visa.  Grace passed out the children's visas and then I told the other families goodbye.  We are staying through until tomorrow but most families depart the same day that they get their visas.  The fact that we aren't departing did cause one problem.  The hotel keys did not work and that issue was finally resolved by the time we returned from dinner at Lucy's.  Lucy's was the first place we ate dinner on Shamian Island so it seemed right to have our final dinner there as well.

After dinner we needed to get a suitcase for all the additional purchases we have been able to make while in China.  We finally decided on a medium sized suitcase for 120 RmB (about $15 USD).  She wouldn't guarantee me that the suitcase would last forever but I just hope it lasts to Atlanta.  While there Stefanie and Tori decided that some DVDs for the return trip would be a good purchase.  Unfortunately we had run out of money so the final item for tonight before we turn in is to exchange some more US dollars for RmB and then buy the movies.  We are all packed except for the last pieces we still need tonight or in the morning.

We will wake up at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning so we can get our bags out in the hall by 5:50 a.m. and then check-out and depart at 6 a.m.  We depart for Tokyo at 8:20 a.m. on the 9th then to Detroit (11 hour and 40 minute flight) and finally into Atlanta still on the 9th at 7:10 p.m. -- just a short 26 hour day.

Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement!  Please pray that our return trip will go well also.  God bless and a final good night from China.

 Tori keeps Isabelle company while we pack.



"What is your best price?"



Isabelle puckers up



Dinner?



 Three gals at the Falls.



First pic was so good we tried again.


Web site by
myadoptionwebsite.com