Day 13 with Ella. Today was our last day in China. We shopped and rested up for our long trip home. Most of the friends we have made have alreay left and it was kind of lonesome. We packed this evening and it was hard to get everything back where it came from. We emptied the food suitcase a long time ago but it has been replace with souvenirs so we have less room than what we started with but we did it. Jenn, I really could have used your help again. Kind of sad and happy at the same time. Very happy to be going home. I can't wait to see everyone and for you all to see Ella but this was really a trip I will never forget and I hate for it to be over.

Well, we are off early tomorrow for many hours and many miles so I must go to bed early. Will call you when we are able.

Love to all,
Priscella

Day 12 with Ella. Today we had our Consulate Appointment and our swearing in ceremony. We were supposed to do that tomorrow but for some reason we did it today. It was really uneventful and anticlimactic. All we had to do was bring Ella up to a window to let one of the workers see that we matched our passport pictures and then as a group we raised our right hand and swore that all of our paperwork was correct and truthful. That was it. The bus ride to the Consulate took longer than the swearing in did.

We now have another free day before we leave. We thought about moving up our flight to tomorrow but Kelly said it would cost to change it and we already paid for one more night at the hotel which cannot be refunded so we will stay and enjoy China one more day. I am kind of sad that we will be leaving. I hope some day we get to come back and just enjoy it without all of the appointments and stress that this trip has had. I hope Ella gets to see her homeland when she is older and let her experience it for herself.

I know I promised pictures and I will post them as soon as I finish this. Cannot wait to see everyone. I miss you more than you know.

Love to all,
Priscella

Day 10 and 11 with Ella. Yesterday we went to a traditional Chinese market. It was the oldest market in Guangzhou. Before we left Kelly, our guide, informed us that Ella should have gotten three shots the other day because we are under the Hague rules so we had to go back to the Medical office before we went to the market. I was unhappy that she had to get those shots here. I was so worried about it but she did fine and she hasn't had any problems. She was really good. She didn't even hardly cry. The first shot made her quiver a bit and I thought she was having a convulsion, scared me to death. She cried after the second shot for just a few seconds. Poor baby. I don't even like my babies getting shots in America much less here.

The market was filled with many sights and smells. Some good, some bad. Some really, really bad. There was a man spreading dried roaches out on a blanket for sell and I thought I would lose it right there. There was just about everything imaginable that can be dried for sell. Once we walked through the herbal section there were lots of different pets for sale. Of course our Noah wanted to buy them all. Dogs, cats, bunnies, chicks, turtles, fish. You name it, it was for sale. It was a long walk from the hotel to the market. We ate at McDonald's and Ella had her first, I'm sure of many, Happy Meal. Then we walked back to the hotel.

Today and tomorrow are free days for us. We are not needed at our Consulate Appointment. Kelly will take our paperwork there tomorrow and then Friday we will go to the swearing in ceremony and get her Visa and we will be free and clear. She will be all ours. When the plane lands in the US Saturday evening she will officially be an American!!! I can't wait for that day.

Well, I've shopped a little more than I probably should have but it is hard to resist. The shops are literally right outside the door of the hotel. I want to get Ella something she can keep always and use when she is grown but I haven't found that perfect thing yet. So far all I've gotten for her is traditional Chinese clothes and squeaky shoes. I will think on it tonight and decide. Noah got a Chinese chess set and Logan has his eye on a sword he wants. Dale and I haven't gotten anything yet. Too many things to choose from. I really already have the perfect thing to bring home from China to remember my trip by. She really has the cutest personality. Very funny and sweet. Loves to put everything where it is supposed to be. She is my little helper girl.

Every time I come back to the room with another bag she looks at it like, "So what'd you get me this time, Mommy?" I've had to try everything on her to make sure it fits and she loves to do that. It's really cute. I bought some Pony-O's to put her hair up in piggy tails but I need to practice a bit. Not as easy as it looks. I will post a picture of my first attempt.

I think we will take a boat ride tomorrow night on the river. They pass up and down all night and we can see them from our room. It looks like it would be really fun.

Love to all,
Priscella

Day nine with Ella. She had her medical examination today and had her visa picture taken. The exam was a joke. Not even sure why they do it, but it had to be done. She was seen by several doctors. The seemed perplexed about her arm. They discussed a lot and tried to get her to use it but she wasn't in the mood. I think she was sort of scared. They weighed her and she weighs 24.7 pounds. I didn't hear what her height was. Most people say she looks tall for her age. I don't think so. Maybe because her legs are long. I'm glad she has long legs.

After the doctors visit we went to the zoo here in Guangzhou. It was a really pretty one. There was only one panda and he was sleeping so we didn't get a good look at him. Mainly tigers, lions, elephants, giraffes and monkeys. A few hippos and some really pretty white Swans. Usual zoo animals. It rained most of the day so we have stayed inside.

Today is Logan's birthday. He turned 15. Where have all the years gone. Just yesterday he was Ella's age. I don't think this is how he would have liked to spend his birthday, but he was a trooper and went along for the ride. We ate at Lucy's again. Closest thing to American food here. We found an Italian restaurant we want to try. Maybe tomorrow. It is beginning to feel like we will never come home. We are so homesick for everyone and everything we can't hardly stand it. Only five more days until we leave.

Had some laundry done yesterday. Every shop down the island does laundry. kind of weird. Much cheaper here than in Beijing. We made the mistake of getting the hotel to do it and it was $100 for two loads of clothes. HUGE mistake. We didn't get the bill until we checked out and it was a shocker. Won't make that mistake again. It was only $8.00 for a small load. Much better. I need to send some more tomorrow now that I know it's that cheap.

We are going to an outside market tomorrow. Our Consulate appointment isn't until the 16th and it takes a day to get her visa. Then we will be free and clear. Whoohoo! Can't wait. Everyone is getting still and trying to go to sleep so I will sign off and join them. Not too many pictures take today so I will add some tomorrow.

Love to all,
Priscella