Wednesday, July 20, 2011

"Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave"

Today was the day we'd been waiting for . . . for me, it was filled with such emotion.

We had an early start - - our group had to be on the bus at 7:15 for the 45 minute ride to the American Consulate office. A very different experience, I should add, from our last adoption journey, when the Consulate was just two blocks from the White Swan.

The Consulate is now located in a large office building in Guangzhou. We found our way up the escalators, though security and into the Adoption offices. The officer first led us through the oath, stating that all our paperwork to apply for our children's visas was true and accurate. Then one by one we had our short appointments with an adoption official, who went through the many forms, checking things over. You stand at a window and speak through the glass, much like at a bank. Our official was so nice, asking Adrienne and me questions and commenting on Anna Kathryn. When he pushed through the final paper to me and said "Congratulations", I started to cry . . . and so did Gramma B, who was standing with me, holding Anna Kate. Such a wonderful feeling, to know that we are done! As we turned to walk away the official said through the little intercom, "I am happy for you." A perfect ending to this last stage of the adoption process.

We made it back to the hotel just in time to enjoy the "big, delicious buffet" . . . phew! During our appointment I kept asking my dad, "What time is it?" . . . I was afraid of missing the best meal of the day!

Anna Kate went down for her nap and we all crashed - - Adrienne watched Tangled with Gramma B. Later we played in the Swan Room, then did some shopping. Pizza for dinner, more playing and then lights out! (We are a bit predictable here, aren't we?)

I'm still on cloud nine, pinching myself that we're a day away from home, the process is over, and we are bringing home this precious baby to her new life. Praise God!!!

Big Sis Blog:

HI DADDY! ANNA KATE JUST WOKE UP. SHE WAS A LITTLE FUSSY WHEN WE CAME IN, BUT SMILED BRIGHTLY WHEN MOMMY PICKED HER UP. RIGHT NOW, SHE'S EATING BANANA WITH RICE CEREAL. ANY WAY,

IT'S ALL OVER!

MOMMY, PAPPA, AND ANNA KATE WERE GOING TO THE CONSULATE APPOINTMENT AND GRANDMA B. WAS GOING TO WATCH ME. BUT AT SIX THIRTY-FIVE I WOKE UP, AND BEARLY AWAKE, I ASKED IF I COULD GO TO THE APPOINTMENT. MOMMY SAID THAT IT WAS A LONG BUS RIDE, AND IT WAS A HOT OFFICE. SHE CAME BACK, AND I ASKED AGAIN. MOMMY SAID THAT IF I WANTED TO GO, I HAD TO GET UP AND GET DRESSED, BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING IN FIFTEEN MINUTES. WHEN GRANDMA B. HEARD THAT I WAS NOT STAYING, SHE DECIDED TO COME WITH US! I LIKED GOING TO THE CONSULATE APPOINTMENT, AND THOUGHT THE RIDE WASN'T VERY LONG. AFTER WE LEFT, IT WAS VERY EMOTIONAL FOR EVERYONE. YESTERDAY, GRANDMA AND PAPPA GAVE ME A PRESENT. IT WAS A WHITE BOARD/ BLACK DRY ERASE BOARD, WITH CRAYONS THAT WROTE ON EACH SIDES.