Today is our last full day in Beijing. We are so happy to be headed home, now as a family of four! It is somewhat bittersweet to be leaving though. We have so enjoyed our journey to China and Catherine. But are ready to begin a new chapter in our life.
We spent the day today going for a walk to the Forbidden City. Finding a beautiful Catholic Church. Swimming in the hotel pool. And further getting to know Catherine. She is just a joy to have. She continues to show her personality more every day. She is very attached to Daddy. She stretches out her arms for him to pick her up. Loves to lay beside him and play with his watch. She is a snuggle bunny for sure. She loves splashing in the tub or the pool. Laughs the cutest belly laugh. Loves to be tickled on her neck and tummy. God, we are so grateful for the opportunity to be her family. James is still loving his new role as big brother.
We also went to lunch with Jill, Tom and Bella Skoog. They are leaving this afternoon! Their daughter, Bella, and Catherine are from the same SWI. We went to a restaurant across the street from the Wangfujin Hotel. It was called The Western Restaurant. No kidding! We had the best plate of spaghetti and sauce that we have had in, oh, 2.5 weeks! James had a banana split. He has his priorities straight! We said farewell to the Skoog's at around 4pm as we watched their Buick Minivan drive off! Later in the evening we, no, I, began the task of packing for our flight home tomorrow! Boy, we do have a lot of stuff! I am not sure I will be able to sleep much tonight just out of anticipation of heading home tomorrow!
Thanks so much for visiting us during our journey, Mark, Donna, James and Catherine!
Catholic Church in Beijing
View from hotel, see the smog!?
Catherine, who sucks her thumb when she's sleepy.
our United Airplane to the USA
James and Catherine at the airport in Beijing
May 1 -- We're going home!
Well, today was our final day in China. We are going home. Our flight left at 4:20 p.m. We were picked up by our guide at 1 p.m. to head to the airport. The ride was full of anticipation as the reality of a 13 hour flight with an 11 month old kicked in! Catherine and Mommy were both feeling rather sickly. I, Donna, had an ear ache from you know where. Probably shouldn't even fly with it this bad but I want to get home. I couldn't even hear out of my right ear it is so blocked. I am coughing and sneezing up stuff the color of the lawn at my house in Florida. A lush green. I feel the need for a visit to the doctor ASAP upon arrival home. Grandma and Grandpa Musselwhite will be meeting us at the airport. We are so thrilled that they will finally get to meet Miss Catherine. It is hard to imagine that shortly, ok, in many hours, we will be home sleeping in our own bed. Drinking water that is safe to drink. Introducing Catherine to all the many people who have prayed for her and us. It is kind of hard to leave here. Knowing that it may be several years before we get back to China. Unless I can talk Mark into adopting again!!!! Heck, he is the one saying "Next time..." We plan to return with Catherine when she is older. We would love to take her to her province. Her town of birth.
When our plane touches down in Chicago, Catherine will be an American citizen. Right now, that means nothing to Catherine. But we know it has great significance. She will be given all the opportunities that we feel her birth parents would have wanted her to have. We will dedicate her to God at her Christening on the earliest possible date at St. Matthew's Catholic Church. And we will thank God every day for the blessing of adoption and the joy of Catherine Anne.
Until we reach America,
Donna, Mark, James and Catherine
