Monday, May 24, 2010

Well, we have finished with the last hurdle in our adoption journey. Our CCAI representatives, Maggie and Grace spent this morning at the US Consulate with every family's paperwork. They requested that we stay in our rooms between 9:45 am and 11:00 am in case there was a problem with any of our paperwork. We received a call from Grace around 11:00 am stating that everything was good! The only other step left to finalize our adoption here in China is take our oath tomorrow at the US Consulate.

After the paperwork review and approval, we went to the Pearl Market with several other families. I have never seen so many strands of pearls in one area before! The courtesy shuttle transports you to the Pearl Market from the hotel, but not back. You have to catch a taxi back to the hotel. We have learned quickly from the wisdom of our representatives and our own experience that you have to be assertive around here. There are so many people that if you sit around and politely wait your turn for the taxi, you will never get one. We had to jump out in the street and race to the taxi to beat several chinese families to the door. We won!

We are back at our hotel now taking it easy. Tonight is the famous "red couch" photos. I will make sure to post some pictures tomorrow. All of the girls and our two boys will be dressed in Chinese attire. I'm sure they will be adorable! After the photos, I believe we will walk around the area and check out some more shops.

Love to all. Talk to you soon!