Travel Day

Yesterday was Friday.  I THINK yesterday was Friday.  We have moved on to our second city (Guangzhou) to complete the US side of the adoption.  I'm not sure if I've explained this before, but when adopting from China, you spend two weeks in country.  The first week is in the child's home province - for us, Shanghai.  During this week, you complete the Chinese side of the adoption.  There is, of course, Gotcha Day, then paperwork at the passport office for her Chinese passport, the official adoption "ceremony" and paperwork, and various papers to fill out at the notary.  All of this takes about a week and you spend your empty time touring the city.  Some families are also able to visit their child's orphanage during this time (which, unfortunately, Mary's orphanage does not allow....Boo.)  So, everyone adopting from China begins their journey in their child's province.  The second week is the same for everyone..... all adopting families spend their second week in Guangzhou.  This week is spent completing the US side of the adoption.  There's a medical test and Visa paperwork along with the Consulate Appointment at the US consulate.  Empty time here is spent.... SHOPPING!!!

So, here we are on our second leg of the journey.  Yesterday was a travel day, so you would think there wouldn't be much to share...... but oh..... there were some sweet moments....

Last breakfast in Shanghai.  Yes.  That is her plate.  Yes.  She ate it all.  Fried rice, Shanghai noodles, and congee.  I'm pretty sure she's making that face because they just brought out another tray of croissant.

Our view at breakfast.  We shall miss this.

The Shanghai Railway Station is Mary's "finding spot."  In her report, it states that the police found her in this railway station in "waiting room 9"..... This was directly across from our hotel and we could see it right outside our window. 

Since we didn't get to take a tour of Mary's orphanage, our guide agreed to let us drive by it on the way to the airport.  We pulled up at this gate and all got out for a picture.  Our guide walked over to the security officers seated in their little "room" and explained to them that we were there to take pictures.  The guards smiled and pointed at Mary, then the big gates to the orphanage opened.  We were able to walk in and take a few pictures.  Sweet.

Shanghai Children's Home.  Mary's "home" since December, 2011.

We stood in front of this building, snapping pictures of us as a family of five.  Then, I turned on my video camera and captured the moment when Mary's Daddy officially walked her out of those orphanage gates for the last time.  She was carried in an orphan with no one to love or care for her.  She was carried out today a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and cousin. You're ours, baby girl.

Orphanage sign

Our sweet guide, Maggie, helped us check in at the airport in Shanghai and got us set for our flight to Guangzhou.  Communicating in this airport is NOT easy.

So.  Here sits a child who is about to leave the place where she was born.   The city is way in the distance behind her..... She was very serious and apprehensive and saddened by the whole "leaving my birthplace" thing........... Uh.  NOT!  That kid is so happy.  She fits right in with our crew.  And she did BEAUTIFULLY on the flight.  The only annoyance was the man seated in front of me who kept explaining to us (in CHINESE) that Mary was cold and we needed a blanket.  He even had the flight attendant bring a blanket to us so we would wrap her up.  He was INSISTENT and wouldn't stop..... I was slightly irritated by this, but he redeemed himself when the in-flight meal was served and he gave Mary his roll.  We liked him after that.

And THIS was what we walked into at aroud 9:30ish on Friday night.  The Garden Hotel.  Aka:  Paradise.  The Lifeline guides (Rebecca, Helen, and Lily) met us there and got us all checked in.  Herbie Newell, the Director of Lifeline Children's Services, also greeted us in the lobby.  He's been in China since May 27 with his entire family visiting and checking on the 8 or 9 partnership orphanages the Lifeline has in China.  Lifeline is an AMAZING agency and we have been blessed beyond measure by their work, their mission, and their vision.

Yep.  Looooong day.  And today was even longer, it seems..... Mary's MEDICAL EXAM happened today.  That's a whole other blog post.  

I leave you with a bit of cuteness.  We love her.