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Friday,
April 13, 2007
Today was our last full day in Guangzhou. We leave for the
airport around 5am tomorrow morning, Saturday, April 14, and
arrive home in Pittsburgh the same day at around 6pm!
Our last day in Guangzhou was quite busy as we tried to take
advantage of the warm weather again. We took a morning walk, ate
breakfast, then just strolled around until early afternoon when
Ainsley took a nap in her stroller as the “traveling grandmas”
pushed her around and David tried to take a nap in his hotel
room.
Around 3pm, Ainsley, David, and his mom boarded a bus to head to
the US Consulate to receive Ainsley’s immigrant visa and take an
oath (Shannon’s mom stayed behind to take care of other things).
David and Ainsley both dressed in red, white, and blue for the trip
to US Consulate! Everything went smoothly and Ainsley is now all
set to enter the US!
It is a strange feeling to be leaving China with Ainsley and
taking her to our home so far away and so different in so many
profound ways. It is all still somewhat surreal that just two
weeks ago we entered China alone and now we are leaving with
this living, breathing, screaming, crying (Ha! Let’s hope not!)
little 1-year old who has only known us for a short time.
Everything she has ever known is about to change even more. What
an awesome responsibility we have to love her and care for her!
The next few months will be filled with joy and sorrow, ups and
downs, victories and defeats, laughter and tears…as we welcome
Ainsley home and love her into our family.
There are so many mixed emotions – a pleasant expectancy for our
upcoming reunion with family and friends, and also a palpable panic
as the reality of traveling 20+ hours in an airplane with a
toddler is setting in. PLEASE PRAY FOR US!
“FIRSTS FOR THE DAY”
(some of these may or may not really be the first time
Ainsley has done something, but right now they are definitely
“firsts” with her new family)
• Ainsley drank from her “sippy cup” all by herself.
• Ainsley received her immigrant visa for the United States of
America (watch out USA…here comes Ainsley!)
UPDATE
FROM HOME (04.12.2007)
Griffin and Mommy continue to learn more and more about
each other. We ran our first Target errands solo today and
had a successful trip! We also got to visit with some of
Griffin's new friends - Eli and Hope! Just really getting
anxious to have everyone home. Can't believe how soon
we'll all be together! – Shannon |
Ainsley, David, and the “traveling
grandmas” thank everyone for their love, support, and prayers
throughout this journey so far! We can’t wait to be home!!
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David and Ainsley
enjoying the nightlife in Guangzhou
Ainsley on one of the famous red couches at the White Swan Hotel
(doesn’t look like she is all that impressed!)
David and Ainsley on the red couch
(much better in Daddy’s arms) |
