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