Trip to China
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Thursday, August 28, 2008 Our last day in Guangzhou -- more of the same, with a few twists. Breakfast buffet, check. Last minute gift shopping, check. Daniel surreptitiously purchasing CDs with our dwindling stash of Yuan, check (the CDs are incredibly cheap here, four or five dollars for a double CD -- assuming they play on CD players in the states). Colette feeling sick with an upset stomach and fever and chills? THAT wasn't supposed to happen! But it did, and now she is sleeping comfortably (I think) in the few hours before we have to get up and head to the airport. Also, right before bedtime, Eva also seemed to be getting sick, although it was hard to figure out whether it was her stomach, teething (she has two more just about to come out), or something else. She is also sleeping now, and we are really hoping she will feel well for the long journey ahead. Many of the other girls have been under the weather over the last few days, and some of the grownups as well, but we were hoping we would emerge unscathed. Hopefully whatever everyone has will be gone by morning. The big thing we did today was take a bus to the U.S. Consulate where we took the final oath necessary for our daughters to be allowed into the U.S. I think the oath was on behalf of our little girls, swearing that we/they have filled out all of their immigration forms truthfully and correctly. I say I think because the oath itself went by so fast I didn't quite catch it. Nevertheless, it was an emotional moment for many of the families, the very final step that meant everything was official, and that our three year journey to get to this place was over. No cameras allowed in the Consulate, but I think each of us who were there will always remember it. Now the moment all of us have been both waiting for and dreading -- the marathon three-flight journey home -- is almost upon us. It is midnight here, and bags need to be put out in the halls for pick-up at 5am. We get on the bus to the airport at 5:40. This will probably be our last transmission until we get home, unless one of us sends a dispatch or some photos during our layover in Detroit (Eva is travelling on her Chinese passport, and she will become a U.S. citizen after we go through customs in Detroit. I think this might mean I have to raise her as a Tigers fan, so I may go in search of a hat before we catch our plane to Dulles).

Not sure when we will Post next, but I'm sure we will try to soon after we get back. Thanks to everyone who has sent us such nice messages about Eva, our trip, and the blog. Louis and Nathaniel, we are super, Super, SUPER excited to see you tomorrow!!! Love to everyone, Colette and Daniel

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