Farewell China
Today is our last day in China and we are sad to leave but also releaved to be going home. What a wild and crazy ride this has been. We have just been overwhelmed with this whole process. We have loved every minute of it (except for the cab rides) and have truly looked at this trip as an adventure of a lifetime. I am not sure when we will be back, so it makes me a little sad to leave the wonderful people we have met. Our guide Peter has been so awesome. The Simpsons and the Coden’s have made this trip so much more fun. The people who work in the hotel and in the local shops have brightened our days. We will miss them all.
We did our red couch photos this morning after breakfast. Catherine had a slight meltdown while we were dressing her, so she wasn’t at her smiliest for the pictures. She did look so cute though in her little dress that we bought for her. Frankie and Cameron were also there and they made for some precious photographs. I hope to be able to upload a bunch of pictures to Flickr when we get back to the states.
Today was our final step in completing this adoption. We had our swearing in at the Consulate office which took all of 30 minutes. We weren’t allowed to bring cameras in but it was a simple process. They looked at our passports, a guy talked to us about getting through customs, we all stood up and swore that the information we provided was true and then it was over. There were about 23 other families there, so it was great to be around so many other families.
When we got back we had one last traditional Chinese meal at the restaurant hotel. I ordered all the food again and I also ordered a cake to celebrate our going home and the babies first birthdays (all will be within a month). Catherine did really well at dinner and loved the icing on the cake. After that we finished up packing! We are ready to go. Keep us in your prayers tomorrow! We can’t wait to get back home to see everyone. Thanks for all of your support, prayers and encouragement. We have gotten so much great advice and comfort from everyone. It has meant the world to us to know we are still connected to you. We have been incredibly blessed.
Farewell China!
Thank you very much for sharing your trip and experiences with all of us. Hope you have a safe trip back home. It looks like you took lots of photos … awesome! You’ll have lots to look at as you relive your trip.
Congratulations! and welcome back home! Hope all goes well getting settled in when you’re HOME!
I’m sure the trip home won’t be fun, but maybe it will at least be uneventful. Will be praying for you all. Loved the dresses and the new pics – can’t wait to see them all. Catherine has sooo many cute outfits!
Fantastic update post! I know exactly what you mean about being sad to leave and yet, ready to go home. It’s definitely a journey. and it’s wonderful that you’ve documented it, and we’re blessed to have been allowed to follow your journey. Safe travels.
My prayers will be with you and John and Catherine as you travel home. I hope you have nothing but smooth sailing : )
She is such a little beauty!
Once again thank you for sharing your trip with ya all. Hope you have a safe trip home. Can not wait ti keep up with how you gettin to living a life back home with your daughter. COngrats again on your precious daughter
what awesome photos!!!!!
i love them all, but especially the Daddy ones on the red couch!!!!
your babies are so so so precious.
Safe journey
love
s
such gorgeous photographs and such a poignant day *hugs*
safe journey home and it will be good to have you back. when you are recovered, we all want to know all the little bitty details
Safe travels- loved following your journey !
Safe travels- loved following your journey !
Safe travels- loved following your journey !
Thanks for sharing your trip.
You will have memories of a life time. The bumps in the road are just part of the trip.
I also understand the sadness in leaving. I thought “now I am taking my child from her homeland and her ancestry”. It is a huge event. Savor it, Remember it, for Catherine.
Have a safe trip home. There may be bumps in that road too, but it will be over soon.
Lisa
Have a great trip home. Take care and all the best. CTG from RQ
Beautiful, beautiful photos!
I love the photo of Catherine (with the flag in her mouth) and the 2 other babies on the red couch!
I love all the pictures of Catherine, but that 3rd one down is just too cute!
Have a safe trip home!
Love the outfit for the red couch…share! Have a safe trip home!
I’ve loved being able to share this process with you. I felt like I was there, too. LOL! You’ve given me a really good idea of what to expect when it’s finally my turn. Thanks so much for allowing all of us out here in cyberspace to share this amazing adventure.
Safe travels!
She’s absolutely breathtaking, I am so very happy for you guys!!
I hope your trip home goes as well as ours did! It is so good to be back in Texas
It was great to meet you in China– Catherine is even cuter in person, if that is even possible!
She is so cute! Love her Chinese dress
Congratulations!
She is so cute! Love her Chinese dress
Congratulations!
She is so cute! Love her Chinese dress
Congratulations!
Welcome home soon. Rec Couch pics are beautiful. Congratulations! Catherine is a cutie!
Welcome home soon. Rec Couch pics are beautiful. Congratulations! Catherine is a cutie!
Welcome home soon. Rec Couch pics are beautiful. Congratulations! Catherine is a cutie!
Oh my goodness she is a true doll!
It has been months and months since I’ve looked at your blog and I’m so excited to see you’ve got your precious gift in your arms now! It was such a long wait for you guys.
God bless!
You have done wonderful!! Congratulations! Safe journey home!
Alyson LID 01/27/06
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