We Are Back!!

I am so sorry not to have been able to post in Guangzhou! It was non-stop activity the whole time we were there. I'll  briefly fill you all in from our last post. Obviously, blogging in China did not go as I had intended. Sometime later this week, I will post pictures as well.

Monday in Kunming we went to Green Lake Park which is within walking distance from our hotel. It was beautiful. Lots of trees and lots of people. In China, the retirement age is 50 for women and 55 for men. The majority of the people there were the "older" population. They had many open areas where ladies gathered to "exercise." It really looked like Chinese dancing to us. Lots of ladies walk around knitting scarves and sweaters. We received Hannah's paperwork and passport in the afternoon. That evening we met with Mrs. Zhou, who is the director of Civil Affairs in Kunming (we met her on Tues at Gotcha Day), her daughter and a translator. They are gathering information about different colleges in the United States. Small world because the translator went to Indiana University where I went to college then spent some time in Cleveland where I was born. 

Earthquake....we didn't even know that there was one. We did feel the beds sort of roll around nap time but ignored it. Two families from our travel group were in the province of the earthquake and have quite a story. We were so glad that God protected all of them.

Tuesday, we relaxed before catching our afternoon flight to Guangzhou. Our flight was delayed due to the earthquake. I was so excited to see the other families and their new bundles and wanted to go visit the one family that had arrived before us, but Dan said that it was time for bed. 

Wednesday, it SO FUN to meet these precious other girls! They are all adorable!! Hannah really opened up in Guangzhou especially on Thursday when she could look at lighter skinned people and not whimper. In the morning, we went for the medical exam and get visa pictures taken. That evening we ate together at a Chinese restaurant. We'll post pictures later of some of the offerings.

Parts of Guangzhou reminds us of the midwest. Situated on the river it is quite lovely. We stayed at the infamous White Swan Hotel. Lots of adoptive families stay there. It was amazing to actually be there and on the final leg of the journey. It is a gorgeous hotel with a waterfall and a fish pond. 

Thursday, we spend 2 hours in the afternoon doing more paperwork. We were all so grateful for Alison our guide who led us through all of them. That afternoon we took a group picture and the infamous red couch picture which I'll maybe post later. Our group was treated to PaPa John's Pizza. Then, we were off for a river boat cruise. 

Friday morning, the ladies went to a pearl store and a bookstore. In the afternoon, we went to the Oath Ceremony. We were told it is an anti-climactic event and it really was. They say about 2 sentences. We say "I do!" They say, "Congratulations!" We all clap. Then as if we haven't done enough paperwork, they advise us of what to do with the brown envelope that they give us that day. 

Hannah still won't let me put her down in public places which really is ok with me. One of the ladies asked me to put her down so that she could play with all the other little girls in our travlel group. She refused. 

She adjusted fabulously to our homecoming! I was amazed that I was able to put her down in our great room without tears. She played with all of our children. It was very obvious to us that her foster family showed her the picture album we sent her often; it is one of her prized possessions.

I missed our children terribly. It was heaven to see them again!! 

We are so thankful for this journey! Every time a child is placed in a family whether by birth or adoption, it is truly a miracle. God's miracle! We are so thankful that we said yes to God. We are blessed beyond measure.