Heading to Hong Kong, and Then a Direct Flight Home!

As we were going up to the border, I got very anxious.  Rosie was playing with Keith's shoe.  The lace was totally off and she was content.  She was very interested in lacing the shoe...Although Rosie had to be distracted often during the 3 hour drive,  there finally was a calmness that took over.  Lia was playing with her doll and interacting sweetly with Keith.  The line took forever!  At the border, the trunks were all open as we waited in line for passports to get stamped.  And who knows what.  Tension.  The driver opened the sliding door so that passport photos were matched to us.  At Customs Declaration, we had another checkpoint with documents, and they even checked the girls' temperature.  There was third checkpoint, but it was rather quick.  Keith said the first checkpoint is for leaving China, the second one for entering Hong Kong...

There was some confusion since the driver dropped us off at the wrong hotel at the airport.  Then when we checked in at the right hotel, we had no tub.  The bellhop was very, very kind to me and immediately got a room change, and then waited for me to approve of the room.  I will never forget Simon.  He even let Keith know that he will be coming tomorrow morning to help us with the suitcases.  Another angel unaware. 

We had a really delicious dinner, and then got ready for sleeping. Rosie still gets upset; she will take off her clothes by herself, but then struggles when it's time for putting on pajamas.  We gave her a choice of pajamas and she still refused.  She finally put them on in her own time...maybe that's the key?  Lia was totally wired so I was resting with Lia while Keith held Rosie.  Rosie and I kept staring at each other, and waved to each other every once in a while, until she fell asleep.  She has been making huge strides each day.  Crazy about that kid, you know? 

We'll be up early to catch our 10:25 a.m. flight.  We're so excited to be going home!!!!  Wish us luck as the flight is 15 hours and 40 minutes. 

BTW; we've been adding photos to new posts later on.  We've developed a rhythm of blogging first, then entering photos a day later, so please be sure to check back a post or two to catch up on newly added photos!  Also, I had 2 posts for Friday;  don't miss "Saying Goodbye to Guangzhou"!  It was a fun day!

Keith here...

Sunday morning 00:45 a.m.(Hong Kong time).   Our bags are packed and ready.  It's very strange and also hard to be sitting here in Hong Kong blogging and realizing that we will be on our way home in a few hours.  We've waited and planned for this trip to adopt Rosalie for many months, and now it's almost complete.  It's been a hectic two and a half weeks with a lot of adjustments and changes for each of us.  Of course there have been some tears, but that's to be expected when life changes so dramatically for a child and for a family.  One thing I can say for certain, God has definitely taken care of us, kept us healthy and protected us this entire trip.  Some days Amy and I have gotten only 4 -5 hours of sleep, and yet we've been able to keep going(I know jet lag will set in soon). Every time I or we have ventured out on our own, whether for sightseeing, for dinner and or just going to the grocery store, we've been able to communicate with the Chinese people, either by hand motions or God providing someone who could speak a little English.   For me it's an honor and privilege to be Rosalie's father, as well as Lia's father and to share this role of parenting with Amy. Amy is a great mom and has so much love to give.  I love her dearly and appreciate her so much.  Thirteen years ago being parents to two little girls from China was not even in our thoughts.  I thank God for blessing us with Lia and Rosalie!  With out mentioning names, because I'll forget someone, I say thank you to all that had a part in Rosalie's adoption this year and of course Lia's adoption in 2010.  Amy and I also often think of and pray for both Lia's and Rosalie's biological mothers and fathers.  I want them to know that their girls are loved. As this part of the adoption process ends, I look forward to getting home and living life as a family of four.