We are in Guangzhou!!!!

We made it to the final leg of our journey. Time to work with the U.S. Consulate. Praying that everything goes smoothly. We got to see Xiao E's orphanage staff, etc. one more time before we left Changsha. It was very good for Xiao E to see them one more time. We got some pictures that will be special to her for years to come. She did very well after seeing them. She had her usual sad time, but seemed to still have a good evening, which has been her best time of the day so far.

We left our dear guide, Susan, at the Guangzhou airport (as she was going on to visit in the States). That was probably the hardest on Xiao E, as she had grown attached to her during the week. Xiao E did have terrible motion sickness on the flight. Guess the one up-side to not wanting mama is that daddy and our guide, Susan, had to deal with her getting sick. :) Guess we will be looking for some motion sickness medicine before we fly home. We met our new guide, Helen, and off we were to the White Swan Hotel. It was so nice to finally run into other adoptive families. Shaiman Island hasn't changed much since we were here 2 years ago. Weather is absolutely beautiful, although the air is EXTREMELY polluted. Xiao E struggled as we got here, as she was trying to attach to our new guide, who is her best lifeline for language. She was pretty somber with us today. We took her to the cars you see in the above picture that kids could ride on in the park. After a few spins, daddy had spent enough money and was done. Xiao E was NOT! Try explaining to someone in another language that it is time to get off a fun toy car, and see how that goes! :) She pitched a huge fit. We had a captive audience. She went off on Paul. Luckily, a store owner we recognized from our last trip (who speaks good English) was walking down the road. We asked him to explain to Xiao E that we would ride the cars again, but we were done for now. She seemed to settle down when he talked to her. Thank goodness!

Tonight, she has been (and still is) extremely keyed up! She let mama give her a bath again. She even let mama walk with her and her baby (in a stroller) up and down the hallway. Unfortunately, she isn't wanting to sleep tonight, and after such an early morning, Paul and I are ready to sleep!:)

Tomorrow we go to get her "medical exam" and visa picture taken. Hopefully, we can do a little shopping, too. Mama has not been able to spend money yet. Hopefully, Xiao E will be cooperative. I want to buy her a pair of shoes, but haven't figured out how to get her to take off the pair she HAS to wear ALL the time to see what fits. I'll have to be tricky!

Thanks again for all your prayers. Coming back to the comforts of home will definitely help Paul and myself deal with Xiao E's transition much better. We aren't looking forward to the snow, however! We leave here Feb. 16 EARLY and get home Feb. 16 around 5 PM........sounds like a short flight, but unfortunately, it takes FOREVER!!!!