Today was a very exciting day! We started the day with group pictures in the hotel lobby.
It was so hard to narrow the pictures down to just 5 to show you. We did group shots with the entire family. Pictures with the moms and pictures of just the girls on the famous red couch. It was so rewarding to see all the little girls sitting in their pretty outfits when just days ago we were riding in a bus, not knowing what was ahead of us. Now, we are complete families with everyone smiling from ear to ear.
In the afternoon, we went to the U.S. Consulate to receive Amelia's passport and visa.
There were at least 50 families in the room. We received our paperwork back along with our child's visa. Then they had us all stand and raise our right hand. We then took the oath on behalf of Amelia. She was sworn in as a U.S. citizen. It was very emotional. We all had tears in our eyes. We could finally take a deep breath and then exhale. They said that the children will actually become a U.S. citizen when they cross the boarder into the U.S.
On our way home we passed a train station. We saw tons of people waiting outside with their suitcases. They were all trying to get home for the Chinese New Year. I am sure you have heard the news on the number of Chinese that are stranded because of the weather. It is so sad. Hopefully, the weather will be better quickly so that everyone can go home.
After returning from the Consulate office, Janet, Amelia, and I went shopping for gifts.
We found lots of fun things and enjoyed negotiating the prices. We did pretty well.
Then it was off to Lucy's for another American meal. Amelia is getting very accustomed
to french fries. Vaughn had also found a Starbuck's a bock away. We had hot chocolate from
Starbuck's after dinner and did some more shopping.
Later in the evening, Vaughn, Amelia, and I went to say good-bye to LiPing. He was leaving in the morning. We thanked him for all he did to get us to Guangzhou and keeping us on schedule. We chatted with him for quit a while. He said to us, "Your love has changed the life of a child. Promise you will teach her about Chinese traditions and basic Chinese words." He also asked us to send him family pictures through out the years to come. We promised we would and said good-bye.
February 1, 2008 Coming to America!
Janet, Amelia, Cindy, and Vaughn
New Moms and daughters. Amelia is thinking does this outfit make me look fat?
We are on our way to the U.S. Consulate for Amelia to be sworn in as a U.S. citizen
Amelia the morning she is sworn in as a U.S. citizen
