This is our final night in China. Our flight leaves at 9:00 pm tomorrow. We are very excited to be coming home. However, just as I did with Naomi, I can't help feeling a little sad for Olivia. I know that the changes she will experience are good, but it is hard to be taking her away from her country and her culture. I wonder what our girls will make of it all as they grow up. I can say this, I believe this trip has been good for Naomi. It seems to have demystified China for her. She's been curious about her birth family for such a long time and has often been very sad about them. I don't think this has taken that away, but I do think it has given her a new perspective.
Although I haven't mentioned him much in the updates, Reuben has done really well on the trip. He shows concern about the baby and refers to her as "mei mei" or "my baby." He is having a hard time sharing me, but I'm hoping it will get a little easier once we are on our own turf. He's done much better than I thought he would considering the flights, buses, appointments, time change, etc. He asked to go home for almost the entire first week and now I think he's lost the concept of home! I know he misses drinking milk, eating cheese, and playing outside. I'm just hoping he'll go back into his own bed!
Miguel, Michelle, and Naomi went shopping with Ann again today. While they were gone I packed a little and spent some time with Reuben while Olivia napped.
At about 4:00 this afternoon our guides Grace and Martin brought our final paperwork to our room. We have Olivia's Chinese passport with the U.S. visa ready to go, as well as the packet that we will give to Immigration when we land at LAX.
Thank you to everyone who followed our trip and sent good wishes and prayers.
We will post one more update once we are home and a little settled.
Miguel and I can't believe how blessed we are. That God has chosen us as parents for these three amazing children humbles us. It is so funny to think back to April and how we had to decide whether or not to accept the referral of Tong Min Xi. Since she was placed in our arms there has not been any doubt that we made the right decision. |
