Time to Sign Off from China

And so here it is.. our last day in China on our last adoption trip. It's always a bittersweet feeling on the last day, and there's no exception to it today. We are all very excited to be going home.. our family and friends are awaiting us back in Florida and so are our comfy beds and clean tap water. But at the same time, you can't help but feel a little sad as you leave the place you've called home for the past two weeks. This is my third trip in three years and to realize that I won't be back here for quite a long time is a little sad. We've made memories here in China that will last for a lifetime, and we've also met many new friends.

Today we drove to the American Consulate in downtown Guangzhou and took an oath that we promised to care and love Asher for the rest of our lives. With that, we were given a packet of paperwork (that we were told not to open until we get to Chicago!) and in it contains his visa..his one way ticket to the Unites States of America! As soon as Asher's feet touch the ground in Chicago, he will become an American citizen. To celebrate today, we dressed him and Ian up in their matching red, white & blue polo shirts. If they don't scream "I'm an American kid", I don't know what does!

The highlight of my day was running into an old friend while at the Consulate. We had just walked through the doors and were about to sit down when I spotted a familiar face. I took a second glance and realized who it was.. Rebecca, our guide from our adoption trip last year! I wasn't sure if she would remember me, but she instantly knew who I was and gave me a hug. I guess we were a little hard to forget.. especially Esther. She took such good care of us last year, despite the fact that we (and the Cope's) were always late to everything and even had problems with our paperwork! But Rebecca is amazing and she took care of everything. It was great getting to talk to her again and catching up. Coincidentally, she had just been in Florida the month before. I'm just glad to see she is still facilitating adoptions.. I'm glad we didn't scar her for life! We exchanged e-mails, so hopefully we can keep in touch better. I just wish we had had Esther with us so she could see what a difference a year and a half makes. I don't believe it was a coincidence that we ran into her in a city of 12 million people.. it was an act by God that we were able to meet up again. (To read more about our trip to China last year, you can go to Esther's blog at: http://www.tochina4esther.blogspot.com )

We also ran into another family who adopted with Lifeline two years ago- the Hurley's! They are here adopting their second daughter. Asher has fallen in love with their older daughter, Emmie who's about three years old. The two of them sat together on the bus ride back to the hotel and had a blast playing together. I'm sure glad he loves Emmie.. because he's going to have an Emma and Esther to play with when he gets home!

We ended up buying two more suitcases, both for about $30, to bring home all of our new treasures. Hopefully we've packed everything well enough that nothing will break.

If you're ever in Guangzhou, make sure you visit the "A Home of Love" store located just outside the 1st floor of the White Swan on the right. Most of what we bought came from this store because they have such a great selection and the shop keepers are so nice! Yesterday we met Coco, who works at the store and she us great deals on everything we bought. So make sure you stop in and visit Coco.

Tomorrow morning we have a 5 am wake up call. We will fly from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, then on to Chicago and then to Orlando. Please pray that Asher is able to sit still for the 14+ hour flight.. we honestly have no idea how he will do!!

I'll add photos once we get home, but the camera's packed away and we're getting the boys to bed and finishing the packing! Jared Pent.. I hope you bring the van and be prepared.. we've got six suitcases and seven carry ons!!!!!!

Well, it's time to sign off from China. You'll hear more from us once we get home. It's been an awesome trip and we are so glad you could journey with us to China. Now we're off to finish the last part of our journey.. going home!

Zai jian!