Consulate Appointment and Update

We woke the girls up at 7 AM to get ready to eat and then get on the bus for our consulate appointment.  The final step before we can get home.  We arrived. Different room than last time.  This is our 4th adoption and we have been to 3 different places for the US Consulate.  :-)  A lady finally came over the speaker and gave us instructions on what to do once we are finished here and enter the states.  Then we all had to stand, raise our right hand and repeat after her.  The 2nd sentence I could hardly say, I got choked up and tears swelled.  This is happening. The girls will be US citizens very soon. This makes me so happy.  We then wait for our turn.  The same lady (who is from the US) called us up. SUPER sweet and nice.  She went through our papers, I had to sign, the girls had to sign. Then Hope needed to get fingerprinted because she is 13.  That's it. We were done.  Tomorrow Kelly will pick up our brown envelope and their passports. We e are to keep the brown envelope safe & sound with us and not open.  We will give immigration these unopened envelopes when we land in Newark. As soon as we get through there, the girls are US Citizens.  I confirmed with the lady that we will not have to do anything else, because of their age. And she said 'NO, as soon as you get through immigration, they are citizens, as long as you plan to live in the states".  

An update on my last post.  First I want to thank everyone who has sent messages.  You have reassured us that what we are experiencing is normal and how we are handling it is good.  Emotions are everywhere and we're just so tired of being in a hotel room. The girls want nothing to do with swimming, and they hate shopping. So we just sit in the room and watch TV (they seem content doing this).  Bill & I on the other hand are tired of this.  

So, last night.....The girls did not fight me on the discipline I gave (no showers/shampoo and going to bed).  They changed, and got into bed. Maggie did cry. We comforted her.  We also hugged and kissed Hope.  They were asleep by 7:30 I think and slept ALL NIGHT. We woke them up at 7.  Maggie acted a little distant for a little bit.  But we still hugged her and then she came around. She did ask if she could take a shower when she woke up and I told her "No".  She did not complain.  Hope is Hope and smiling and laughing.  The spitting is starting to get under control.  But we still have to remind her.  We told our guide about last night and she seemed upset.  She talked to Hope AGAIN today and Hope stayed with us. If she walked ahead she remembered to stop and wait and come back for our hand.  So, we know what we are doing is working.  And we know we will be tested. We know they are not used to any kind of discipline at all.  And they are not used to having a mom and dad around 24/7.  Things have improved A LOT since last week.  It has only been a week, I have to keep reminding myself this.  

Last night, I said "I love you Hope". She usually repeats what I say. But last night when I said that, she said "I love you mommy".  Melt my heart!!!!  After she says I love you in English, she repeats it in Chinese.  So I know she understands what she is saying.  Hope is super smart and eager to learn.  

Again, thank you for the support you have given us. Thank you for the prayers.  We are anxious to get home.  We are scheduled to land in Newark around 2 PM I think Thursday afternoon. And land in Tampa around 9:28 PM if there are no delays.  I will be able to update Facebook and the blog if there are some delays.  

Right now we are chilling out in the hotel room.  We are going to meet the group at 3 for more shopping and maybe we'll get to go out for dinner with the group tonight.  

Love & Hugs from Guangzhou, China!!!!