Tuesday~~ April 22

This morning we had our consulate appointment at the US Consulate. Only Steve, Javonn & I were allowed in. Our guide took us to the entrance then she took our camera etc and kept them with her while we went in. It was nice to be in an American office. The bathroom's were SO nice and  american, you felt like using them just because they were so clean! After security we joined 11 other families to finalize our child's visa. One parent got finger-printed, we took an oath (as a group) and did a bit more paperwork. Javonn's visa will be ready tomorrow afternoon. Javonn will be a Chinese citizen until he is admitted into the US at his first port of entry, which will be in Chicago.

The US Consulate here in Guangzhou issues visa's in groups of 12 families twice a day Mon-Thur. The Consulate's  Adopted Children's Immigrant Visa Unit is the  Department of State's busiest adoption unit. US citizens have adopted over 66,000 children in China since 1999. In recent years the adoption of children considered to have special needs has increased and are now currently 80% of the case load.

This appointment is the last and final one! I observed a lot of tired parents. All the ones I talked to are good and ready to get home. It's a very intense week for everyone, and being in your own home environment couldn't look more appealing!! Even the LONG flight back dosent look daunting when home SWEET home is at the end of it!!!  Today we said good by to the 3 families that were with us in our travel group with our adoption agency. They left to spend the night in Hong Kong where they will fly out of early in the morning. We will always remember and love these 3 special families and look forward to keeping in touch over the years and enjoy watching our Chinese treasures grow and thrive!

Since it was rainy today, it is rainy season here, we spent most of the day holed up in our room. We are all looking forward to going out to a local Chinese Restaurant our guide introduced us to last night. She went with us and helped us order. She picked out the dishes she thought we would like and we loved all of them except the one beef dish that she said was mild, was actually so spicy hot that we couldnt eat much. The fried rice was the best I've ever had!! Lots of little meats n veggies fried with it. It was our best eating out experience with Javonn. Maybe it was because he just woke from a nap, or because he really was hungry. But we left with no broken dishes and only a mild crying fit.

Yesterday afternoon we spent touring Shaimen Island. A lovely peaceful island where a bunch of old consulate buildings are. Tourists love to come take pictures and shop at little shops.
Now I said we went touring, I should say the others did some touring/shopping. Steve & I spent 99% of the time pacing the streets with 2 tired toddlers who needed naps (We left at 1 pm which is nap time) We had debated keeping one or both of the toddlers home, but it gets old staying at the hotel and we figured they would surely go to sleep on the bus ride there, or in the stroller. Wrong! The first shop we went to Javonn saw a toy he wanted and couldn't have so he threw a grand fit and pretty much cried/ screamed the rest of the after noon, with a few spots of peace every so often. I was close to tears myself. It is so stressful being in public with an angry child!! But someday Shao Bo will be an Amazing groomed young child who will have learned the joys of sweet obedience! Steve & I kept trading toddlers, because every time a new parent took him, he usually calmed down for  a little bit. Anyway, we left the island with no souvenirs. Just glad to be back on the bus.....and extra grateful to God for the lovely dinner that ended the day on a happy note!

Tomorrow...our last full day here! We wanted to do something special for the children so we are taking them to the Animal Safari an hour from here. It is the largest Safari in Asia! They are so excited about it and looking forward to the elephant show, and to hopefully get a ride on an elephant! Hoping the weather will be nice and not rainy.

Javonn loves the song "Twinkle twinkle little star" and sings it along with us. It's so cute!  I'm writing "Javonn" because he's really starting to feel like my Javonn :) , but we actually still mostly call him Shao Bo because that's what he responds too. He is attaching to us so well! He must think we live in a hotel! It will be fun to have him become familiar with our home. His first experience of living in a house with a mommy, daddy and siblings! I dont think he will be shy very long when he meets his new relatives and friends. He pretty much is friendly to anyone who is friendly to him!

I need to go. I think we will head outside soon. Karilee is the one not feeling good today. Hopefuly it's just a one day thing like it was for some of us others.