Tuesday,
July 24, 2007
I have returned to the land of the living. Late yesterday
evening I was able to keep half strength apple juice
down...yipee!! I am still wiped out but good enough to
head for home.
Today was a day of packing, shopping and our trip to the
consulate. We attempted the famous "red couch" picture
this morning which Lily was not at all interested in. We
got a nice picture of a temper tantrum though:) We went
for a brief trip to the pearl market this morning and got
some pearls for Lily when she grows up. Then we were off
to the US consulate. No cameras are allowed at the
consulate but it was very emotional as all the parents
take oaths and the children receive their visas to enter
the US. They are indeed the luckiest children in the world
to become US citizens. So many of the young people here
have come up to us to practice their English and have told
us how much they want to come to the US and how lucky Lily
is. We are very excited because it is one step closer to
us coming home!
I cannot describe in words the transformation Lily has
under gone in the last week. She has gone from a timid and
scared child into one with a wonderful sense of humor and
spirit. As my mother said tonight no one would believe
when they meet her what she was like in those early days.
I am tremendously grateful to God for the gift of Lily and
for allowing us to add her to our family. We are grateful
to the nannies of Ma'anshan for caring for Lily until she
was able to come home. We cannot wait for everyone to meet
our newest Empress. I can't wait to get back home to Matt,
Luke and Nora. This has been a very long trip but one with
a very rich reward. We leave on a bus to the airport at
5:30 am tomorrow which will be 5:30 pm on Tuesday
Wisconsin time. We get home about 24 hours later and we
can't wait. Good night for the last time from Guangzhou.
Love to you all. |
Lily and her "Going Home Barbie"
Lily, mom and grandma in front of the
Jade boat in the
White Swan Lobby
Lily on the red couch...sort of |
