Day 11 (Visa Ceremony)

So today was the day - the big kahuna. This was the day we visited the US Consulate and gave all of the necessary paperwork for Lacey to become a US citizen! And, overall, it was just a great day.

Lots of twists and turns in the day. First of all, we had to wake up early (6:00) in order to get ready, eat breakfast, and hit the lobby at 7:40 for the bus trip to the Consulate. We went with two other Holt families and about 10 families from other agencies. First things first - this typhoon thing ain't playing. We had on and off torrential rains and hefty wind gusts. But it didn't dampen our spirits as we went to the Consulate. The waiting and lack of reliable A/C certainly gave a solid effort, though. What's the deal with all the waiting? But, anyway, it was really awesome to see the American flag for the first time in a while. They took us all in a room (no food, cameras, or strollers??? allowed) had us take an oath swearing to the accuracy of our documents, and then called families up one-by-one to process paperwork. After the waiting, the actual important stuff was very quick, and we were on our way back to the hotel by 9:30.

So, with the typhoon thing and all, we figured today would be the best day to venture off on our own to a crowded, 7-story market. In other words, seven stories of cheaply made, sure to break quickly rubbish. My sister Naomi would have been in Heaven! The taxi dropped us off at kind of an odd location, as we both got a nice dousing and buffeting from the rain and wind. We bought a few things, mostly toys for the dreaded plane ride home. We passed on the 2 foot high naked Buddha statues. The taxi ride home was fine; we did get jumped in line by a guy who then offered the taxi back to us. Nice and unexpected.

I walked over to McDonalds to get our lunch and ran into someone we've been looking for for several days. You see, this guy offered to give us a certain antihistamine for the trip home, but we haven't seen him in a few days. His father-in-law happened to be at McDonalds at the same time as me. Coincidence? I think not!! So he gave his daughter's room number. This led, somewhat predictably, to the Worst Moment of the Day. After much deliberation about who should go, we went together. Cindy knocked, all seemed unnervingly still, and then a half-asleep man opened the door. We offered to come back, but he sleepily brought the stuff, poured it into our little cup, then closed the door to our perfuse apologies. So, to sum up, we woke him (and maybe his wife and new daughter) up and sponged his Benadryl. Score!

During Lacey's nap, I hit up Starbucks. After nap time, we had one last local meal together. We were supposed to go on a Pearl River dinner cruise, but it was cancelled due to the weather - bummer:( But the meal was great! Spicy noodles, pork vermicelli, and fried rice to split three ways. It was all delicious, and Lacey did great. After dinner, we walked around, played in the now back in order Kiddy Land, and came back up for our last night in Guangzhou.

And we proceeded to have almost a dream night with little Lacey. After having seen her point at both of us and call us Mommy and Daddy today, she played so sweetly. She did great for her bath. She said please and thank you several times. She learned how to blow kisses. She gave us kisses. She ate her snack without whining. She was so sweet to Lexi during our Face Time chat. All-in-all, the best nighttime ritual. yet, easily.

It was great to surprise my mom and dad by calling them from the cell phone we had rented. I enjoyed talking to them and just hearing their voices! Can't believe how clear it sounded with no delay!

And now Lacey's in bed, and we're spending our last night here. Tomorrow, we start the journey home - first to Hong Kong for a night, then on to Newark/Charlotte. It's starting to feel real. We're heading home!! Our lives will be very different, but we just can't wait to start this new chapter.

To all of you that read these blogs, all that have prayed, all that support us, you mean so much. That so many would be so interested and involved has so moved and humbled us. We can't wait to get Lacey home and show her how much she is loved by so many.

From the bottom of my heart, thanks for reading...and caring,
Daniel