Supplement 3 to USCIS

Happy to say our Supplement 3 and homestudy update went to USCIS, today.  We are another step closer to our boys.

Homestudy Approved

Just got word that our homestudy has been approved by our placing agency.  Our social worker will be back in the office on Monday.  We should be able to send it on to USCIS next week.  Moving right along!  My goal is to be DTC in January.  That may be a little unrealistic but really hoping we can.  Our boys need to come home.

In honor of this step, I attached a photo of the boys we received in June.

Homestudy Sent for Review

Today our homestudy agency sent our updated homestudy to our placing agency for review.  We are excited to be at this step. It may take 2 weeks to get approval but at least it is there.  Once it is approved hopefully within a week we will have it.

Homestudy Update Rough Draft

I wrote a post yesterday complaining about a few things.  Today I decided it was best to delete it.  We had another surprise today but we got it done within hours and I am delighted to say that we received our homestudy update rough draft this afternoon.  There are some minor things that need to be fixed but all and all not bad.  Sent it back to our social worker before the end of the day but I doubt she got back to it.  They are closed tomorrow.  She is still waiting for NC child abuse checks to come back.  Hopefully it will be there Monday and it can be sent to our placing agency.  Then we wait again.  Our placing agency typically takes 2 weeks to review it.

Requested an Update

I wanted to put this on the blog so I wouldn't forget the date.  I just sent BLAS an email requesting updated information on the boys.  We are now suppose to go through BLAS to get updates.  This is a new rule started shortly before we brought Alyssa home.  From what I understand if their file is more than a year old there will be no charge.  Hoping that is true otherwise it will cost us $180 to get updates and photos of the boys.

No news on the homestudy.  If we don't hear anything towards the end of next week we will definitely be calling our social worker.  We are in limbo until we get the homestudy completed.

Homestudy Update Begins

Today, Dallas delivered all our homestudy update paperwork to our home study agency.  Our social worker said she should have a rough draft for us next week.  That would be so awesome!  We never expected it could be done so soon.  Moving right along...

A Great Week

I am believing that God really wants us to get these boys home.  Everything we needed to begin the home study update came this week.  All the physical forms are in my possession.  The state fingerprinting background check usually takes weeks.  It came in 3 days.  If our home study agency would have been open we could have dropped everything off today.  Unfortunately they are closed on Fridays.  It will be dropped off on Monday.  Praying our social worker will work quickly this time.  Hoping and praying everything goes smoothly and at record speed.  We want to get these boys home!  I would be very happy with early summer travel.  I really need Zachary's help so Summer would be ideal.

We celebrated Nicholas' birthday this week too.  On November 1 he turned 17 years old.  Where has the time gone?  I still remember taking Kristopher  Trick or Treating the night before he was born.  Nicholas was induced so we knew he was going to be born on November 1.  After Trick or Treating Kristopher went to spend the night with his cousins.  Nicholas has turned out to be such a great kid.  This year he has really grown up.  He got a job at McDonalds while we were in China.  He works 20 -25 hours a week and maintains honor roll status.  He has his driver's license and takes himself most places.  He has proven to be very responsible.   Now if he could just learn to wake himself up in the morning.  This kid requires more sleep than any of our other kids.  An alarm clock will not wake him up.   You can wake him up, make sure he is in the shower and then he will still fall back asleep.  Don't know what he is going to do when he goes to college.

Physicals Again

Another physical out of the way.   Two more to go.  The good thing about the blog being private right now is I can write whatever I want and not have to worry about anyone reading it and critiquing it.  Basically I am just writing to myself.  There are some definite benefits.  On the other hand it would be nice to have an audience but then I wouldn't be able to write 4 posts about physicals.

I would like to get an update on the boys.  Hoping to be able to do that soon.  I want to make sure we have all our physicals completed and sent to our social worker before I do.  I don't know why I am so worried something is going to go wrong.

Tomorrow I think I will write more about the boys instead of another post about physicals.  Just don't forget that after tomorrow all the physicals will be complete, we will just be waiting on the forms.

Physicals

Today I had my physical for the adoption.  I know I shouldn't be concerned but I am scared something is going to come back that will prevent us from getting the boys.  I want these boys with all my heart and soul.  What if it isn't meant to be?  I am beating myself up that we didn't do them when we first sent in our LOI(Letter of Intent) for the boys.  We would already have the results back.  I didn't schedule them then because I was concerned we wouldn't get PA(Pre-Approval).  Once again I had nothing to be concerned about nonetheless I was nervous until we heard the official word from China.  So now we wait.

Tomorrow Dallas has his physical.  He is certain all will be well with both our physicals and that I need to stop worrying.

Nicholas and Zachary have their physicals Wednesday.  Not worried about them at all. Just want them all out of the way so we can start our home study update.

Praying we get all the physical forms this week so we can send them to our social worker.

Our Boys

Guess it's time to tell you a little something about our boys.  They are 2 years old and live in the Jiaozuo  SWI in Jiaozuo, Henan.  Their birthday is February 3, 2010.   They live on the 4th floor of the SWI which is the Show Hope floor.  Show Hope is Steven Curtis Chapman's charity.  Dallas and I are Steven Curtis Chapman groupies.  We have been to many of his concerts and have sponsored children through Show Hope.  What this means for our boys is we know they are getting excellent care while they wait for us.  What it means for us is that our last adoption(yes, I did finally say that) will leave us with 2 more reasons that we love Steven Curtis Chapman.

The boys have had abnormal cat scans.  We don't know what this will mean for them in the future. We are not concerned. We know whatever their future holds we can and will be there for them.  We live near some of the best doctors. We can get them any services they need.  God brought these boys into our lives and has showed us time and time again that they are ours, we know he won't let us down when we bring them home.

Gathering Paperwork for the Homestudy Update

The paperwork has begun.  Yesterday Dallas, Kristopher, and I were fingerprinted for the state background check.  Praying it comes back quickly.

Kristopher was the first of us to have his physical.  The girls don't need one since they have had one this year.  We just need the doctor to fill out the form for them.  I have mine on Monday, Dallas' physical is on Tuesday, Nicholas and Zachary are on Wednesday.  By Thursday we should have everyone's and be able to send our social worker everything except the state fingerprint clearance.

The sooner we get our home study update the sooner we can move on to the next step.  We need to file an extension and make some changes(Supplement 3) to our I-800a.  In order to do this we need an updated home study.

We are really hoping to travel this summer.  I need my right hand man, Zachary, to be able to travel with us.  So excited that my sister agreed to go with me.  Dallas won't be going this time.  It is too expensive to try and take all the kids and with Alyssa being so young and only home a year we don't want to leave her with anyone.  Not to mention that we don't have anyone to stay with the kids.

Oliver and Hudson have a family! We have PA! Huge Thanks to Brooke!

This was the post I wrote on the AdvocateWC yahoo group on October 23, 2012, the day we received PA for the boys. It has a couple of minor edits.  They were known on the yahoo group as Oliver and Hudson.  We are planning to choose our own names for them.


Over a year ago we first saw the boys pictures. We were in the process for our adorable daughter, Alyssa. As a family we prayed for the boys and jokingly thought of names for them. The whole time we wondered why no one was choosing them. When it came out they were in an excellent facility we were sure they would find a home but still they waited. Why?

As we approached travel for our daughter in April, 2012 we said if the boys were available when we came home we were going to try to bring them home ourselves. My mom was a twin and I had always dreamed of having twins of my own. Never thought they would be boys but through years of teaching preschool I taught 4 sets of twins, some boys, some girls and I loved them all.

We came home the end of April and the boys still waited. Alyssa was doing great so we felt adopting the boys was a real possibility. First post placement visit we talked to our social worker and she burst our bubble. She wasn't willing to do an update until the end of July. After that we started getting cold feet, what if she was right, all the doubts seeped into our minds. Finally at the end of June we decided we had to make a final decision. The boys' fates were in our hands or so we thought. We had an international doctor review their files, we got an update, and we prayed. First week of July we decided they were ours and we needed to stop dragging our feet and do what we felt led to do. We went to lock their files.  They were gone... no longer on the shared list. Where did they go? They were they the week before.  The agency we had planned to use did some research and said they had been sent to an agency in Holland(which oddly happens to be my middle name, my mom's maiden name) and had a family. We were heartbroken and really felt like the door was closed. We blew it! After a month or so I threw away all the pictures of them I had around the house, it hurt too much to see their faces every day. We moved on but never forgot about them.

Fast forward to September 26, I was shocked to open FB and see a message from Brooke. The boys were back on the shared list. We were being given a second chance. They were indeed our boys! 

We were delighted to receive PA for the boys today! They are our sons and will be coming home to 3 big brothers(20,16,13) and 3 big sisters(10,7,3). We have no idea what we will name them. We are open to suggestions! 

Thank you so much, Brooke! The boys are coming to our family because of you! Your encouragement, kind messages, etc. have meant the world to me. 

Kristen

Six Months with Alyssa

Sometimes it is so hard to believe that this is the same little girl brought to our hotel room 6 months ago.   The girl who never smiled smiles all the time.  She is one happy little girl who will only throw a fit if you make her mad.  Have to admit with 3 brothers and 2 sisters this does happen several times a week.  She, like her older sister Grace, goes off to pout in her room when you have upset her.  When she is ready she will come out and start playing again.  

Oh, how we love this little girl! People often say she is a lucky little girl but that is not true.  We by far are the lucky ones.  It blows my mind that God chose us to be her parents, that he entrusted us to love her and take care of her.  What an amazing God!  We are often asked why we chose to adopt.  I don't know that we actually did.  I honestly believe we were called to adopt.  There are so many children that need families. Many live in conditions that you can not even begin to imagine.  We know that by stepping out in faith we will be rewarded in tenfold with a wonderful son or daughter.  What greater joy is there? Julia, Grace, and Alyssa are as much our children as the boys.  We have been abundantly blessed!! The other question we are often asked is if we plan to adopt again.  The answer is wherever God leads us we will follow.

Now more about Alyssa.  She is absolutely obsessed with Minnie Mouse or rather Mickey Mouse.  It depends on who you ask.  Alyssa and I have a daily discussion about whether it is Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse.  Most times it is Minnie Mouse but she continues to argue with me that it is Mickey Mouse. Be prepared if you take her to Walmart.  Every Mickey/Minnie Mouse you pass she will yell "Mickey Mouse!" If you happen to pass Ariel, Tinkerbell, or Spongebob she will inform the whole store too.  Now if you pass a Hello Kitty she will yell "Minnie Mouse." We haven't figured that one out yet.

Alyssa plays very well independently.  If I am doing laundry or household chores she plays beside me or plays in her room.  If her siblings are home she loves playing with them.  She loves looking at her books, dressing Minnie Mouse, putting her Minnie Mouses night night, and playing Legos.

During nap time she often doesn't sleep.  I am okay with that as long as she has a rest time and isn't crying.  Today she kept telling Minnie Mickey "Mickey Mouse, come here, go night night!" We often hear her talking to Julia, Grace, Nicholas, Zachary, or Kristopher.  They aren't there but she is talking to them anyway. 

She says lots of words but only a few sentences.  Her favorite sentences are I like this, I don't want that, and that's my home right there.  Almost every time we get home she says "That's my home right there." So funny when she says this. She says it with a very southern drawl.  We have no idea where she picked up that.  One more thing... If you ask her where any one is she will tell you the bathroom.  Guess she thinks we all spend too much time there.

Didn't mean to write a book but I could go on and on about Alyssa.  She is a trip!  Alyssa often wakes up before us and just sings and plays until we get her out of her crib.  Every day she greets you with a smile and a hug!  I can't think of a better way to start the day!

Happy Birthday, Alyssa!

Today was Alyssa's 3rd birthday!  She wasn't sure what the big deal was but was in a good mood all day.  When it came time to open presents she had no idea what to do.  She kept asking the girls to help her.  It was fun seeing her so excited about her day.  She loved all her Minnie Mouse gifts!

Alyssa was born in the fall of 2009.  Ironic that our baby girl was born as we were struggling to make it through each day.  If you asked me what was the most difficult year of my life I would most definitely say 2009, the fall being the worst season of them all.  We experienced something that began late summer that drained us all emotionally. It had a huge financial impact on us too.  We lived in fear for many months and it changed the way we will do things the rest of our lives.  Only a few know what happened and no one can understand the toll it took on our family.  Unless you experience it you just can't imagine the nightmare it created. I felt like I was living in a horror movie.  Then in November Grace and I both had surgery. If that wasn't enough my Mom, my best friend, passed away mid November.  Needless to say it was a rough year.  God was with us every step of the way and got us through that year.

So thankful for our sweet Alyssa! This happy loving little girl that was born during our storm spreads happiness everywhere she goes.  She is a delightful reminder that some pretty awesome things occurred in 2009 too!

Isn't Ice Cream a Finger Food?

April 26, 2012 - Ikea in Guangzhou, China

                   


                                                               June 14, 2012 - Ikea in Charlotte, NC

Two Months with Alyssa

June 15 marked 2 months with Alyssa.   We have seen so many changes in her. She is a remarkable little girl.  Her report from China said she was mentally delayed. There is no way this little girl is mentally delayed.  She impresses us every day with something new she has learned.

We have kept Alyssa'a world very small.  We still haven't taken her to church or taken her around many people that we know yet.  Call us crazy but we dealt with attachment issues with Julia(still do) and we don't want to experience that with Alyssa.  It is definitely worth being a little isolated for a couple of months.  I don't think a person can really understand what it is like until you have gone through it.

We went to Concord for a few days and spent one night at Great Wolf Lodge.  I was in awe in the changes in Alyssa.  A month ago you couldn't take her into a bathroom without her screaming.  You could tell she completely trusted Dallas, the kids, and I to take care of her.  When in the big pool with her I just couldn't get over how much she has changed.  She loved watching us all go underwater so I asked her if she wanted to go under the water.  She nodded her head yes. She often does this so I wasn't sure if she knew what I was asking. I told her she would have to hold her breath and demonstrated.  I was surprised when she did the same thing. So we counted, she held her breath and under she went. When she came up she had the most priceless expression on her face.  Her eyes were huge with a big smile on her face.  I wish I could have taken a picture of this face. Every time she went under she would have this same expression when she came up. It was priceless! It amazes me that she trusts us so much after such a short time.

While we were in Concord Alyssa played putt-putt for the first time.  Of course she loved it! She got a hole in one on her very first hole. Quite impressive!  She got two more hole in ones before she was overcome with a little attitude.  Her first putt-putt game was cut short after about 9 holes.  She was content watching the rest of the game in her stroller.

Alyssa is still happy and smiling 90% of the time.  She is the happiest child I have ever met.  When it is just the two of us she is constantly talking and singing.  She has learned to throw a little fit.  If you say no or stop she tears up and starts crying. She has even thrown a tantrum or two.  Her latest is she crosses her arms and gives a little pout.  She also does it if you say no or stop to the other kids because she thinks you are talking to her.

I have enjoyed the last couple of months.  Alyssa has experienced so many firsts. It has been so fun experiencing them with her.  I am so thankful God choose us to be her parents.  We are truly blessed.

                                                   
                                         April 15, 2012- Just arrived in our hotel room

         

                                         June 15, 2012- First time playing putt-putt

                                             June 14, 2012- My Amazing Alyssa

May 26,1990- Video Made May, 2007

Twenty Two Years-May 26, 2012

This post was written on May 26.  I just got around to posting it. I will add pictures later.

I don't know why I haven't posted in awhile. I plan lots of posts in my head but just never get around to posting them.  Have to admit it is not due to time because all the littles are in bed by 8:00 and the bigs - one by 9:00.

It was 22 years ago in a church in Richmond, VA that I married my best friend.  What started out as a rainy Saturday turned into a beautiful day for a wedding.  I have probably told this story on my blog or FB before but I feel like sharing it once more.

I was a freshman in college(GO ECU) when Dallas and I first met. I was that scared shy kid that was afraid to talk to anyone.  I didn't want to go away to college but I got accepted to ECU and I was never given a choice about whether to go to college. It was expected of me, there was no alternative.  So off to ECU I went.  A couple weeks into the year I had only met a couple of people in my classes.  I had no real friends and didn't get along with my roommate.  So I worked up all the courage I could and wrote a note to a girl(Vickie Livingston) that was in one of my education classes.  I knew her sister was involved in a christian organization and I knew I was sinking and had to meet some people.  So I asked her about where her sister, Ginger, attended. Wasn't long Vickie took me to the BSU(Baptist Student Union).  Later Ginger became my roommate and when she graduated Vickie and I became roommates.

I regress, back to meeting Dallas.  I became involved in BSU thanks to Ginger and Vickie. If it weren't for them I probably would have begged my parents to let me come home.  People hung out at the BSU, had bible studies, had Wednesday night dinners, and went to other activities together.  It wasn't long until I met Dallas. He was the tall skinny nerdy grad student that was always asleep on the sofa. To be honest I wasn't even interested in him.  I had my eyes on a different guy.

My parents came down for Parents weekend in September.  My dad graduated from ECU, too, so he wanted to go to the football game.  Mom and I went down for snacks and ran into Dallas. He was there with a group from the BSU.  I introduced them and we talked for a few minutes.  After Dallas walked away my mom told me that he was a nice boy and that I should date him.  She even said he would be a nice boy to marry.  I told her he was dating someone else and it wasn't going to happen.

A month later Dallas and I started dating.  New Year's Eve my junior year Dallas proposed at Crab Louie's in Midlothian, VA.  Needless to say my mom was very pleased and loved to remind me that she picked him out for me.  Two weeks after I graduated from college we were married at Fair Havens Methodist Church in Chesterfield, VA. It was Memorial Day Weekend.

The last 22 years hold lots of memories, some of the best days of my life and some of the worse.  We have always tried to put God first in our lives and the rest just seems to fall in place.  We have been blessed beyond measure!

One Month Ago

One month ago we met Alyssa for the very first time. She walked into our hotel room on Sunday, April 15 not knowing that her life would never be the same.  She never cried but did not want to engage in play.  Her body seemed to itch so bad that she was constantly scratching and would turn her body in really strange ways.  It wasn't long before she warmed up to us.  Her itching subsided with lots of baby lotion.

Alyssa has experienced more in the last month than she had in the 2 1/2 years prior.  She had to say goodbye to the only life she ever knew, to all the people that took care of her.  She had to learn to trust these strangers that had been thrust upon her.  She flew on her first airplane, she ate many new foods, she met lots of people, and she landed in a country so different than hers.  So many other changes have happened in her life.  Through it all she has proved to be one amazing little girl.  She seems to love her new home, new surroundings and new family. She is like a sponge and soaking up everything around her.

Things Alyssa loves:
Noodles
Hugs
Tickles
Singing
Throwing the ball
Playing in the yard
The stroller
Her siblings
Her parents
Eating
Clapping her hands
Waving bye bye

Things that Alyssa is not fond of:
Lettuce
Doctors
Giving blood

Things Alyssa is learning to like:
Baths

Words Alyssa can say:
Hug
Uh Oh
Dack(Zack)
Ulia(Julia)
No
Hey
Bye
Peek a woo(Peek a boo)
Hello

I am still in awe of how wonderful Alyssa has adjusted to her new life and our family.  She is a happy little girl who loves life.  She rarely ever cries.  Since we met her she has only cried a handful of times.  She is usually happy and smiling until I pull out a camera.

Last night we had our first post placement visit.  China now requires 6 post placement visits, the first being a month after you get your child.  Our social worker was very impressed with Ms. Alyssa.  She couldn't believe that she was doing so well and fitting into our family so well.  I would like to think it had something to do with our parenting skills but I know better.  We give all the glory to God.  We are truly blessed.

The Honest Post

Please don't hate me but I am going to be honest. I know this is not the norm in adoption but it is 100% true.

Alyssa is doing great! Really great! She only cries if you take her in a bathroom or a doctor's office. There is no doubt that she is bonding and attaching to us. We are prepared if things change but for now she is doing exceptionally well. This has been our easiest adoption yet. Maybe God is trying to tell us something.

Today was Alyssa's first doctor's appointment. It went pretty much as we anticipated. She is 25 lbs and 34 inches long. Alyssa cried as soon as she realized where we were. She cried when anyone touched her. She cried when she gave blood. Lots of blood work and stool samples. Oh what fun! We go back in a month to see what shots she needs and to make sure she is progressing. So who reading my blog goes to Jeffers, Mann, and Artman? I know someone adopting from China does because Dr. Artman mentioned that you mentioned us. Please fess up, we would love to meet you!

Leaving Hong Kong, Arriving Home

On Friday, April 27, we left Hong Kong at 11:10. Almost twenty-two hours later we arrived at RDU.

Alyssa did awesome on the flight. She did not cry at all and slept quite a bit. The flight home was far more enjoyable than the flight there.

Upon landing in Chicago we got through customs fairly quickly. We did get the nice lady that was far too slow. It took way too long to process Alyssa's adoption paperwork thus we missed our flight home or so we were told. Turns out the United guy was wrong, if we had rushed we could have made our flight. Tickets had already been changed, so wait we did.

Maribeth, Nicholas, Zachary, and my friend, Teresa, met us at the airport. Half rode home with Teresa and half rode with Dallas.  Teresa's van went through drive thru at Smithfield's to get me a Diet Coke.  It was much appreciated!

When arriving home we enjoyed a delicious cake that Maribeth bought. We talked and laughed and Alyssa got to know the boys. Nicholas was able to break the ice with the balloons Teresa had bought. Alyssa loved them! She still is not so sure about Kristopher.

Two days home and all is well. We are all trying to adjust and get back on our routine.

Welcome to Hong Kong

We are settled into our hotel in Hong Kong, Marriott Sky City. Great hotel for the money. We used Marriott reward points. We are close to the airport so the excitement is building.

I highly recommend taking a van service from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. It took about 3 hours because of traffic but it was a nice relaxing ride. We didn't even have to get out of the van going through customs exiting China and entering Hong Kong.

The city was beautiful when we arrived. I wish I could have taken photos. One day we are going to arrive in Hong Kong in the daylight. At first I thought we had arrived in London. They drive on the wrong side of the road and there are lots of double decker buses.

Tomorrow we get up early so we can eat breakfast before departing for the airport. It was included with the room and I have heard it is excellent.

Next Post...North Carolina. It has been fun living in the future but tomorrow the time machine(airplane) will take us back in time 12 hours. We can't wait!

Leaving China and Entering Hong Kong

We are in a van, soon to cross the border into Hong Kong. It is bittersweet that we are another step closer to home. More on this later. First I will tell you about our day.

We had to check out by 2:00 but we could not leave until 5:00. By 11:00 we were packed and ready to go. We had the porter retrieve our luggage and store it until time to go.

We caught a taxi to Ikea. It was very similar to our Ikea just more compact. We ran into an American couple there and had a nice chat. They said you can lay on the beds there and take a nap if you want. We saw many people doing just that. People were sitting in the rooms hanging out and even using a display desk to work. Very different from the Ikea in the U.S.

For lunch we ordered 2 Meatball platters. Tasted very similar to home. Afterwards we went and got ice cream cones. They were .15 cents a piece. Let me tell you Alyssa loves her ice cream. She ate the whole thing and finished before Grace.

Across the street we saw a huge shopping mall so off we went. It was 3 stories high. Prices on things weren't bargains but I did find a few things.

About 3:00 we decided it was time to head back to the hotel. We are crossing the street and someone comes up behind us and says "Hi Julia and Grace." It was Elvin, our guide. We were near the U.S, Consulate, he was going to pick up the visas for our new children.

We believe God was looking out for us. We were a little concerned about catching a taxi in front of the consulate. It is a very busy place and Dallas is a bit passive. When Elvin heard we were headed to the hotel he immediately hailed us a taxi.

About 20 minutes later we arrived back at the hotel. We walked to 7 Eleven to get drinks and waited for Elvin.

Elvin arrived around 4:30 with Alyssa's visa. We went over everything and had to say our goodbyes. Elvin has been the most wonderful guide we have ever had. He has gone beyond the call of duty. Our time with him was very special. Of course I teared up when we said goodbye.

At this moment we are waiting in line to cross the border. What a journey it has been! It may sound like we have been on vacation but we are physically and emotionally drained. The last 2 weeks have been hard but so worth it.

I am in awe that God choose us to be Alyssa's family. Our girl's file was one that scared many people. This girl is amazing. She talks and sings constantly. She is happy 90% of the time. She loves life and is a joy to be around. We don't know what the future has in store for Alyssa but we will be with her every step of the way. I already feel that strong love for her that only a mother can feel for a child.

My only concern is that Alyssa has yet to grieve. An adopted child typically grieves all they have lost whether good or bad. We want her to grief so she can have a happy, healthy future.

Goodbye, China! Thank you for giving me two precious gifts! I am eternally grateful!

Wednesday- Last Post From China

Of course the day started with breakfast. I think after 5 days we may be getting tired of this feast. Grace asked last night if we could just have pop tarts today(Thursday).

Wednesday morning we had to meet Elvin at 7:55. Early wake up for everyone so we would have time for breakfast before leaving. When Elvin arrived we took some photos with the other families. Such fond memories of our time together!

We loaded the bus and headed to the United States Consulate. After 2 security checks we arrived in the adoption room. There were the 3 families from our adoption agency and 1 other family. An official gave a little speech and the each family was called up individually to present the remaining paperwork. It was a bit emotional, our last step before bringing Alyssa home. The U.S. now recognizes her as our daughter.

After we completed our appointment Elvin took us to Pedestrian Street. It was the same area we had went shopping with Ann but different stores.

Elvin took us to some great stores. One of them was a cd and DVD store. You could get Disney movies for $4. We got Alyssa some Pleasant Goat cartoons and a chinese lullaby CD. Julia got a Justin Bieber CD and Grace got a Barbie movie.

It was time for a snack. Elvin said the BBQ squid was delicious. Everyone tried some except Dallas. It really did have a good flavor. In our family Julia and Alyssa liked it the most.

Instead of taking the bus back to the hotel we decided to explore China on our own. We were walking distance from the island so we wanted to go there one last time. There are so many stores it was fun looking around on our own.

When we were walking to the island there was a street vendor making bikes out of wire. It was incredible watching him. We wanted to buy 3 of the bikes but the police came and chased him away. We were only able to buy one.

On the island, we were able to finish buying gifts and get a stroller for our trip home. There were tons of photographers on the island today. The models had trunks of clothes and would change often.

Dallas and Zachary left us sitting on a bench while they went to pick up some of our purchases. Julia, Grace, Alyssa, and I once again became celebrities. One young man asked if he cold have his photo taken with us. I said yes and the next thing you knew we were surrounded. We must have had 30 photos taken. I think the young man apologized to us. His talking to us was all charades because he didn't speak English.

After finally arriving back at the hotel around 4 we were exhausted. We all took showers and put on our pjs. Dinner was the usual peanut sandwich or noodles.

Have I mentioned how hot it is in Guangzhou? Not as bad as it was when we travelled in August but pretty close. At one point during the day Elvin handed me a tissue because the sweat was pouring down my face.