We went on the river cruise last night.  It was great!  The view was amazing.  AubriAnna loved seeing all the lights.  We had supper on the boat as well.  Our guide, Ramon, had Papa John's delivered to the boat before we set out! lol We had one tired little girl by the time we got back to the hotel.  She got a bath then baba got her to sleep.  Going to sleep is a battle!  We're not sure if we've spoiled her to being held or most likely she's got some seperation anxiety.  It's almost like she's afraid we're not coming back.  Which is understandable.  Since leaving the only home she has ever known, she's stayed in 2 hotels & flown on a plane.  LOTS of changes in just little over a week for her!

We had to get up early this morning & go to the U.S. Consulate for the Oath Ceremony. Our babygirl is now a U.S citizen! Wasn't a formal ceremony but the meaning of it all was so moving. Yes, I teared up! This has been such a long emotional journey. Almost unreal that this part of it is almost over.

This is our last night in Guangzhou. We leave tomorrow afternoon for Hong Kong. We'll stay over night there then it's U.S. bound!! Can not wait to see my 2 big kids! Seems like we have been away from them forever! Next trip, they are coming with us. We have had so many of the locals ask if we're going to adopt again. A lot of the yuonger generation here just stare a lot & seem curious, but the older generation are grateful for the most part. They know that the children are getting a chance at a life that they would probably never had.

AubriAnna's grandma nanny put together a memory book over the last year as she grew. In the back of it she wrote a letter to her a few days before we got her. We had it translated last night. It was so sweet. I'll share it with you guys!

My Dear Yurou My Sweetheart,
      We live with each other for more than one year. You brought me countless happiness & joy. You leave me many good memories. Your lovely face will forever stay in my heart. You have been one of the most important part of my life. Now you going to leave grandma. I sincerely wish you healthy & happy under the love of your daddy, mommy & the new warm family. Wish you to be somebody & show respect to you daddy mommy & grateful to the society. And also help those who need help.

      Remember please often write & send pictures to me. Far away in the eastern world in Nanjing, China there is grandma miss you every day. Goodbye & wish you blessed.
      Goodbye my lovely Yurou my sweetheart.
      Your Grandma
      Yang Wen Wan
       I love you

This letter moves me to tears everytime I read it. I am so grateful to God that He put someone over our little girl to love her & protect her until we could. Anytime I get tired or frazzled on this trip, I think about what is happening & I stop & praise God. Our prayer is that through our journey, someone else may answer a calling God has given them & adopt a child of their own. It doesn't have to be international adoption. Domestic adoption may be your callling. China is just where God led us. It's amazing how God works. Who would have ever thought that a child half way around the world would fit our family so well?! No one but GOD! So many children need a mommy & daddy to just take them & love them. Will we adopt again? Very possible!

 Back at the hotel after becoming an American Citizen this morning!

 Finally got to wear her tutu today!

 A museum on the bottom level of our boat.

 Very detailed ships!  Zac would've loved seeing all these!

The lit up boat was our's. It looked like a dragon.

Today has been another adventurous day!  We went back to medical clinic just long enough for a few families to get their tb test results (which were good) then we went to the jade market & on to the pearl market.  We managed to do some hagglin (sp) & got some things at good prices.  Even bought a few Christmas presents!

We came back to the hotel, fed ms priss & put her down for a nap.  She does not like going to sleep!  I suppose she's afraid she's going to miss something.  She literally fell asleep today sitting up.  LOL She is so funny!

Tonight we are going on a riverboat cruise.  Should be lots of fun.  We are really enjoying taking in all the culture & scenery, but we are VERY ready to be home.  We definately want to come back when AubriAnna is old enough to understand & take it all in.  We want Jess & Zac to experience it as well.  Really wish they had come with us this time. 

Tomorrow morning we leave bright & early to go to the Consulate for our Oath Ceremony.  Really excited about that.  Everyone that has experienced it says it is very special.  Wish we could take our camera but their not allowed.

Tomorrow is also our last full day in Guangzhou.  We leave Wednesday afternoon & go to Hong Kong.  We'll stay there over night then head home Thursday morning!!  Keep us in your prayers.  We have a 15 hour flight to Detroit!  Can't begin to imagine what that will be like!

 Shopping in the pearl market

 Inside the pearl market.  There were little stores everywhere in this place!

 It has stairs, elevators & escalators!

 Playing on the bus ride!

Fell asleep in baba's arms last night, but as soon as he layed her down she woke up! She played for the next hour!!! 

This morning we went with 2 of the other families to the Yuntie Garden (think I spelled that right).  AubriAnna loved riding in the stroller & seeing all the sites.  She's not used to the warmer weather so she got pretty hot. Today it has been in the lo 80's and sunshine. 

The garden we went to was absolutely gorgeous!  I told Jimmy that Granddaddy would have loved this place.  There is a huge greenhouse filled with all kinds of tropical plants, orchids & goldfish ponds.  We took so many pictures that there no way I can put them all on the blog.  Takes way to long to upload. LOL

We were trying to think if there is anything that comes close to this garden back in the states.  I don't know unless maybe Bush Gardens. We've never been there, but if it's half this I want to visit it also!  AubriAnna soaked it all up.  She's very curious about things & people.  She plays shy, but loves the attention at the same time.

When we got back to the room, we video called big brother & sister.  She gets really excited when she hears them & sees them on the computer.  I don't think it will take her long at all to bond with them when we get home. 

She doesn't want to be put down so we're exhausted by bedtime. lol  We've started over the last few nights putting her in her bed & letting her cry.  Usually it's only about 5 minutes then she'll just play till she falls asleep.  She's napping now.  Took her forever.  By the time she fell asleep, she had one pants leg pulled up above the knee, sock off & one sleeve pushed up. lol  She must be having a funny dream because she just started laughing in her sleep.  God blessed us with such a happy baby. 

We have a group meal tonight with the other families.  That should be fun.  The kids are so funny.  They really check each other out.  We go back to the clinic tomorrow as a group.  The children 2 & older had to have TB test & have to get results tomorrow.  We're going to do a little shopping while the others do that.  We're also going to the Pearl Market tomorrow.  I'm really excited about that! 

I hope ya'll enjoy the pictures!  They really don't do the Garden justice. Just a beautiful place!

 Having fun on the playground on 4th floor!

 This is also on the 4th floor of our hotel!

 Waterfall on 4th floor of our hotel!

 This poor guy is waiting to be somebody's supper! He was huge! These aquariums lined the front walls of resturant with different kinds of creatures for you to choose from.  Talk about fresh food!

 Two of the other couples with us and a student volunteer for Holt.

 Having a good time!

 

I want to start by saying thank you to all the prayer warriors that have been praying for our safety!  I know it's because of those petitions that God is protecting us!  We flew to Guangzhou yesterday.  We landed about 6:30 p.m. China time.  We had a little confusion on who was picking us up at the airport so Jimmy drilled the escort to make sure we weren't being abducted! LOL Wouldn't have been a problem if he'd had a sign with our name on it but he held a paper that sail HOLD.  Evidently, this was their way of spelling Holt (our agency).  NEVER in my life have I ever rode in a vehicle so fast to the airport.  I'm not sure how fast we were going, but we were passing people like they were sitting still.  AubriAnna loved the ride tho!  Everytime we hit a bump she would die laughing!

She did well on her very first flight.  It was 2 hours long.  She was want me then turn right around & want her baba.  She slept the last 30 minutes of the flight.  It messed her sleep schedule completely up.  We were shedding coats by the time we got off the plane.  We had been in hi 40's & lo 50's till now.  Here in Guangzhou its low 70's.  Palm trees & very nice.  Very populated & busy also.  14 million people in this city.  It's 3rd largest city in China.  Our hotel is super swanky & huge.  It has a mall in it for pete's sake!  AND a Starbucks!!! Oh yeah!

Today, Saturday for us, we went to the medical clinic.  She had to be checked with ear, nose & throat.  Then we moved to height & weight.  She is 21 lbs & 30 inches long.  Lastly, we had to go through the medical & surgery part.  That was not so much fun.  Had to take her shoes, socks, pants & diaper off.  Well, She just undone one side of her diaper because she was throwing one more fit!  It was a packed place.  They close at 12 p.m. on Saturdays & there were about 60 families so you can imagine!  We finally came back to hotel & she ate & took a good nap.

As I type this, she is on the bed with her baba playing & laughing. Such a silly baby girl. I think we're about to go explore the hotel/mall! They even have a big play ground on the 4th floor! We have another big day tomorrow. Not much longer & we'll be heading home! Thank the good Lord!!

 Ceiling in our hotel in Nanjing City

 Ceiling in the lobby of our hotel in Gaungzhou

 Grand piano in the lobby

 After a trying morning at the medical clinic

 Medical clinic

 The trees on this street make it so beautiful

 Canal down the street from medical clinic

Beautiful building along the canal!

This morning was an emotional journey!  We were able to visit AubriAnna's orphanage.  We were a little apprehensive about going because we weren't sure how she would do seeing her Grandma nanny again.  We didn't know if she would cling to grandma nanny when we tried to leave.  We were thrilled with the opportunity to get to see where she has lived this part of her life though.

When we first got there, we met a few of the nannys & saw another American couple & thier 2 year old little boy they had adopted.  After being there for about 15 minutes, grandma nanny came in the room & AubriAnna got real excited & reaching for her.  Grandma nanny took her in her arms & hugged her tight.  It was so heart warming to see the love she has for our little girl!  It also made us a little nervous, wondering how things were going to go. 
Grandma nanny took us around showing us where she played, her bed, where she bathed & where she played in the swimming pool everyday. Different nannys would come in & hug & love on AubriAnna, taking her in their arms so proud to see her. She was a superstar today! She would always reach back for grandma nanny. After about 20 minutes, she reached & whined for her baba! Any fears or concerns we had were immediately gone! Our hearts were about to bust! We knew at that moment she was our little girl in her mind also!

Grandma nanny was thrilled also. She started telling the other nannys how she wanted her baba. Over the next 30-40 minutes she would go back & forth between Grandma nanny, baba & me. She was so happy. We met the advisor to the orphanage. We also got to see the vice-president again. We met Dr. Joe, who is the president of the rehibilitation hospital right next door to orphanage. He said she could easily be a music prodegy if given the opportunity to explore it. He said she has always showed love for music & he said she was very intellegent. I like Dr. Joe! heehee

As our visit drew near, grandma nanny held onto AubriAnna even tighter. We could tell she hated to see her go. She made us promise to email pics every 2 months! We said we definately would! She thanked us for giving AubriAnna a loving home & chance to live to the fullest. We thanked her for loving & taking care of our daughter all this time. As we left, Grandma nanny was crying & so was I. AubriAnna was very content.....in her baba's arms walking away!

 Baba & AubriAnna as we leave orphanage.

 Nanjing City Orphanage gates

 Denise, our guide.

 Last goodbyes to grandma nanny

 Last hugs!

 Her bed.

 Dr. Joe

 So happy to be with grandma nanny!

 Where she took her baths

 Front of Rainbow building (orphanage)

 Grandma nanny loves RoRo!

 Seeing grandma nanny for the first time after 4 days!

 One of their swimming pools. Float goes around their neck to keep them afloat.

Wore out after her visit!

 McDonald's on every corner!!