Last Call From China

Hi to everyone
(Hey Grandma & Grandpa O'Meara; Could you please let the dogs out Friday afternoon? I told the girls they didn't have to come back out in the afternoon. Thank you a bunch.

We are all packed up and ready to go. We had our consulate appointment today which was essentially just a huge formality. We walked in, showed our passports, sat around for a while and chatted with the other families, went up to a counter where they took our visa paperwork for Samantha, sat back down for a bit. Then a guy came out, talked for about 5 minutes, said raise your right hand "Do you swear to take care of this child (a guess on our part because we couldn't really hear him)" "Yes, we do" Okay see ya have a great day...

Not that the man wasn't sincere. He was very gracious and talked about how this is a favorite part of their day, watching families being made and getting us all home. But it was really bizarre. There were 45 families there and they do this every afternoon. Can you believe that. Every afternoon they usher famiies out of the country with these little chinese babies/children and they (we) are the lucky ones.

Hundreds and thousands of babies are left behind here to wait and or grow up in an orphanage. I knew the numbers were staggering. But every afternoon they grant visas, swear oaths and say good bye to groups of families just like ours. Amazing. I guess knowing the numbers are staggering and seeing it are two different things, and that is just the U.S. Consulate. China compeletes international adoptions with something like 15 other coutnries.

Okay anyway we had a pretty good day with Samantha overall. Her general happiness level was a little higher. Less crying and tantrumming. More willing to accept the word "no" and a little direction. We had a melt down at dinner but I couldn't really blame her. It took forever to order and we were all tired and thirsty. If I could have cried through dinner rather than eat I may have.

Samantha is beautiful, stubborn, curious, used to getting her own way, smart, very funny and perfect for our family. We just need to get back to life. Cailtin is very much missing her normal routine. She enjoys the hotel but is stir crazy too.

Caitlin absolutely is in love with Samantha and the hardest part right now is that Samantha doesn't always appreciate Caitlin's desires to play (more accurately)smother her with kisses, hugs, tickles, and hand holding from the moment she wakes up until she goes to bed.

Caitlin will also miss the families we have been with here. It has been wonderful to be with a group of compassionate and loving people who are all here to better a child's life and further their families. It has been wonderful to see these babies grow and become rounder, and happier in just a few short days. Samantha too looks bigger, or older somehow.

One woman in particular, really caught Caitlin's eye. Tall, slim and beautiful, every time she walked in the room Caitlin lit up. In fact, when she walked in to breakfast yesterday morning Caitlin nearly fell over herself and said "Mom, **** is so beautiful this morning. Can I go talk to her?" I almost choked, the awe in her voice was so sincere. So I said sure go see her, all the while wondering how our new friend would receive Caitlin's admiration. What exactly do you say to a kid so awe struck. Of course she was very gracious and Caitlin stayed to chat her up for a while.

So I guess that is all I have for now. Our time in China has been amazing, tiring, educational and wonderful all in one. We won't soon forget the incredible sights and not so incredible smells. We have had good food, scary food and okay food. One time on the plane the hot dog was white! We have made new friends, had excellent guides, wonderful happy times and frustrations too. All in all we are a bigger family and God alone knows what the future holds for us. No matter what we are ready for the next step. Coming home. So please pray for good flights and sleepy kids!!! Love you all and thanks so much for following along and offering us your support and love.

Kim, Pat, Caitlin and Samantha