Consulate Appointment!

June 26th (Day 11 in China)

 

This was the big day! This is the day that Caroline....on paper....would be OURS!! I couldn't wait to get her dressed up in her little red, white, and blue outfit from Gymboree!  She had to go barefoot because all of the shoes we brought for her were so big on her little feet.  It honestly didn't matter.  She still looked cute as a button, and what are cuter than baby feet? 

 

She is so in love with her ba-ba aka daddy!

Our entire trip is centered around having this appointment with the Consulate. If you miss or are late for this, don't have the right paperwork, etc....it could delay your return to America.  We arrived at the building, and there was already a crowd of people gathered in front of the building waiting for their appointments.  We had to walk through a passoport check point then security.  Our guide kept stressing how cell phones weren't permitted, but she failed to mention watches.  We started putting our belongings in the security tray to be searched, and the guard told Bo that watches were not allowed.  Bo walked over and set it in the window ledge, but the guard told him he'd have to walk it all the way back downstairs.  This meant walking all the way back downstairs through the first check point where the crowd of people were waiting to get in.  I was so happy to see him walk back upstairs! We walked into the room, and saw several other families that we've seen throughout our stay here in Guangzhou.  We all stood and took an oath on behalf of our adopted children, stating that all of the information in our paperwork was true.  They then called our families up one by one to the window.  We were the second family called, so we were in and out of there very quickly.  We were thrilled!!

 

 

 

 

We took her down to the pool later that day. I wasn't sure how she would react when seeing the pool and getting in the water. She had so much fun splashing in the water!

 

 

 

 

We had a lot to celebrate that night!

They offered us fruit for dessert, and brought us some orange wedges.  Caroline loved it!

She was destined for Hardee County!

 

 

This is one of the little girls we've enjoyed talking to during our stay here.  She's 6 1/2 years old, and full of personality! On Gotcha Day, we could hear her doing karate chops down the hall.  It was hilarious! We would see them every morning at breakfast, and she loved giving high fives to everyone she saw.  This precious girl is 6 1/2 years, and she looks much younger.  I got her mom's email address so we could stay in touch.  Here she is with her older sister.  

 

 

 

We are one day closer to seeing these little munchkins.  We have missed them terribly.  FaceTime has helped, but it's not the same.  We'll be home soon, Brin and Savy. We love you!