Home Stretch

Yesterday we went on a dinner cruise on the Pearl River. Beautiful light displays along the way. This morning we went to the US Consulate to file for our US Visas for the children's Chinese passports. That all went smoothly and then we went to Shamian Island for a little souvenir shopping. Starting  to feel like the home stretch now- tomorrow we go to the zoo and then get the visas in the afternoon- and pack to go home. 

Here Fishy Fishy

Feeding fish in our hotel!

Shopping Day

Today we started out at a Museum that also highlight local artists. Very beautiful work. Then we headed to a jewelry mall. Six floors of every sort of costume or real jewelry you could possibly imagine! We were there to look at some gifts for those left behind in the USA. Unbelievable wholesale prices!! Tonight we are going to an Italian Buffett restaurant. Post today is mainly pictures! ENJOY!

Guangzhou

Well, we have finished our first full day here in Guangzhou. But first...  what a challenging last day we had in Hefei. We got to the airport for a 1:50 pm flight and as we were passing through security they announced a 30 minute delay. it went downhill from there and the plane ended up leaving almost a full 6 hours late. Problem was bad weather both in Shanghai where the plane originated and also bad weather in Hefei. But at least we go here. For a while we were getting worried we might night fly till Saturday and by then we would have mist our medical appointments which would have upset the whole apple cart! :-)

As I though about it, I remembered that every adoption trip we have been on we have had at least one problem with a flight. So... I guess we can check off the fight problem of this trips agenda!  Praying all are remaining flights are on time and without complications! Emily was great and enjoyed her first plane ride. Zach did better but was still- well difficult in the plane!

Today we had to go through medical screening for  Emily and Zach as part of getting their US entrance visas. Thankfully everything went well and our medicals passed- but we still need a TB blood test to come back clear on Monday (routine testing requirement) for Emily- Zach is under 2 so he didn't need the test. Also, Betty filled out more mountains of paperwork. Tomorrow we are scheduled to go to a museum and do some souvenir shopping. Ate at a Mexican restaurant tonight - very nice change of pace.

 

 

Before we left the US we really had very little idea of what Emily's condition would bring in terms of limiting her activity or mobility. Today we were at a park and through our translator she asked to walk instead of riding in the stroller. She not only walked but also ran quite fast, manipulated stairs, ramps and uneven ground. She is very determined not to let her disability slow her down. I believe she is going to push the limits of physical activity for a little girl with spina bifida. She clearly plans to live life to its fullest.

Zach.... his nanny only had two babies to care for... we are working to undo the spoiling he received at his orphanage. He is very smart and is learning quickly. We don't think he ever heard the word NO (booyow in Chinese) before he met us!

The park included a memorial for Lord Bao who is a very significant historical figure for this city. The picture of the three animals are actually guillotines. In the period of Lord Bao, if you were found corrupt and were of the family of the emperor,  you got the dragon guillotine, a government official got the tiger guillotine, and anyone else "convicted" of corruption got the dog guillotine!  However from my point of view headless is headless- no matter what guillotine is used!  :-) In that era of history status was important even unto death!

Our Girl Emily

We finalized Emily's adoption this morning. The Civil Affairs office in this city does not make a big ceremony out of the finalization like Chongqing did. You answer a few questions sign one piece of paper and it is over. It did not go so smoothly for us this time. When Emily saw the worker from her orphanage she went into meltdown. So... here are the pictures from us signing the papers with Emily in her state of total meltdown. It was just too traumatic for her to see the lady from her orphanage.
 

We have decided it will be too much for her to go to the orphanage on Thursday. So one of us will go to the orphanage while the other stays at the hotel with Emily and Zach. Tomorrow morning we will try to take a picture with Emily, the adoption certificate and us when she is not crying. Other than this one incident all has been great and we are getting along famously.

Also some pictures from everyday life! At breakfast I offered Emily Chopsticks and she pushed them away and went for the fork. Seams she knows what to expect for her new life. Zach just goes and leans on the bed when he is ready for a nap and falls asleep standing up! Too funny.

Emily

Meet our daughter Emily! So blessed to have her in our arms after waiting sooooo long. Initial meeting went very  well,  no tears from anyone except me (Jim)! Once we got to our hotel room she cried for awhile and then settled down. We have had her most of the day now and are getting to know one and other. After dinner, and about 5 hours with us Emily is vibrant, happy and very interactive. She now goes to both of us very happily. She has plenty of personality. Emily walks with a very pronounced limp, and we won't know until her initial medical assessment if the limp is from the club foot, spina bifida or both. She and Zach are getting along great!

Reflections on Chongqing

The Chinese character on the license plate is the character for Chongqing (pronounced Chongching). The name means double happiness. If any of you are interested, I can tell you how the city got that name- interesting story going back to the Ching Dynasty. This city has been our host for the last week, and a wonderful host it has been. As I reflect on our time in Chongqing, I am draw to the happiness of the people and the kindness they have show us. We have very much enjoyed our time here.

We have been staying very near to the city center, but it is not at all like the innercities in America. I have not heard one police siren, and have only seen a couple of police officers all week. There are approximately 35 million people in this city and its surrounding area. I have felt very safe and Betty and I have walked about freely where ever we wanted to go. Everywhere we walked, the people smiled and treated us very well. I was taken by surprise by how many people speak English here. Communication was never difficult whether or not we were with our guide. Chongqing and its people have been incredible.

We stayed in the hotel Le Meridian. It is a 5 star hotel and without a doubt the nicest place I have ever stayed. We had a breakfast buffet included with our room cost which included a huge selection each morning of American and Chinese food. The staff was amazing and cared for anything we asked about.

Michael was our adoption guide here in Chongqing. He was the greatest. He had everything lined out for us from the moment he picked us up at the airport. He never tired of answering questions or running us anywhere we needed to go. He is a very special man and we are in his debt for everything related to our adoption of Zach. We are happy to be moving on as our hearts are anxious to be home with Zach and Emily. But... we are very grateful to all we met here. Truly, Chongqing is a city of double happiness.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Hefei and on Monday we will finally hold Emily in our arms.

Visit to Zach's Finding Place and Orphanage

Today we made a very emotional visit to the place that Zach was found and to his orphanage. experience it with us through pictures:

These first three pictures show the entrance to an "underpass" that allows pedestrians to cross a busy street by walking under it.

This is what the underpass looks like during the busy part of the day. Zach was left here very early in the morning when he was two days old.

 

The outside of the orphanage building. Cannot be more truly stated "where there is love there is hope". We found much love for the children inside by all the staff.

Our first picture of Zach was of him sitting on this slide.

Zach's crib.

Zach and his nanny

Harmonious 24 Hours

In China the first 24 hours of your adoption is called the "Harmonious 24 Hours" and it concludes with the finalization of your adoption! At 2 PM China Time Zone and  3 AM US Central Time Zone 15 April 2014, Zachary Chase Porter legally became our son in the eyes of the laws of China and of the United States of America. When our return flight to the United States touches down in San Francisco he will also be officially a citizen of the United States of America. This new little man of mine is ours to steward on behalf of our great God by whose hand this has been made possible.  It is HE who is Zach's true father and tonight we praise Him.

As we approached the building of the Adoption authorities, so many emotions race through me - but mostly the emotion of JOY. The kind of joy that  makes it hard to breath, harder still to look through eyes that fight back tears, and yes harder still not to scream out our thanks to God who is the giver of every perfect gift.

On our arrival we were asked to pose for a picture, then a few moments later we went into another room,  we were asked a few question to promise we would care for, nurture and educate our son. We promised to do so (reminded me very much of a child dedication ceremony at church with different questions!). We signed our acceptance of Zach as our son, placed our finger print over the signature. They added one of Zach's fingerprints, An finally an official proclaimed to us that he was then our son. Just like that, and he is ours. We are so very blessed. We took many picture and returned to our hotel. It was a day that will be etched in my mind and on my heart- FOREVER.

Rejoice with us! Tomorrow we will visit his orphanage and the place where he was abandoned. This will be a hard thing to do.