Our day started at 8:30 am in the lobby of the hotel. We, along with 10 other AWAA families, were escorted around town by the most wonderful guide named Sherry. We started at Tienanman Square (along with 250,000 other people….it was quite crowded!), entered the Forbidden City (with the same 250,000 other people….), shopped at a pearl market and silk factory, visited the Summer Palace and ate Chinese food….twice. We arrived back at the hotel at 8pm, very happy to be back and ready to relax!
It’s been fun getting to know the other families in our group. Two of them are adopting their second child from China. The families are from all over the country, we are the only ones from Mpls.
We received some fun news this afternoon! We found out we will be taking a train on Monday morning to the city where we will get Olivia. John is very excited to take a train in China….my first question was, “is there a bathroom, and if so how many stars?” (Our guide rated the bathrooms for us today…I wasn’t able to use anything less than 4 star, Christine braved a 3 star). We also found out Olivia will be the first to be adopted out of this particular orphanage in two years and we’ll get to visit the orphanage. That will most likely happen on Tuesday (the day after we pick her up).
One more day of sightseeing….and then Olivia. As we sat on the bus on the way back to the hotel tonight it seemed kind of surreal to me to imagine that all of these families would soon have one more. Soon there will be 11 added to our group. Each family in our group is adopting a special needs child. 10 girls and 1 boy.
Two more sleeps until we get to meet you Olivia. We can’t wait.
Goodnight!
Karis
It’s been fun getting to know the other families in our group. Two of them are adopting their second child from China. The families are from all over the country, we are the only ones from Mpls.
We received some fun news this afternoon! We found out we will be taking a train on Monday morning to the city where we will get Olivia. John is very excited to take a train in China….my first question was, “is there a bathroom, and if so how many stars?” (Our guide rated the bathrooms for us today…I wasn’t able to use anything less than 4 star, Christine braved a 3 star). We also found out Olivia will be the first to be adopted out of this particular orphanage in two years and we’ll get to visit the orphanage. That will most likely happen on Tuesday (the day after we pick her up).
One more day of sightseeing….and then Olivia. As we sat on the bus on the way back to the hotel tonight it seemed kind of surreal to me to imagine that all of these families would soon have one more. Soon there will be 11 added to our group. Each family in our group is adopting a special needs child. 10 girls and 1 boy.
Two more sleeps until we get to meet you Olivia. We can’t wait.
Goodnight!
Karis
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4 comments:
Goodness, the middle picture is like one you'd find a book. Not one from the camera of a friend! AMAZING.
And letting us follow along with you!? I love the Internet!
Looking forward to the next update, and then as many details as can be remembered from the chaotic time of 'Gotcha Day.' Yippee!!!!
Stay well!!
Hi all,
So glad to hear you are safely in China! We're looking forward to the updates, especially the first meeting. Sarah and Molly send hugs & kisses.
Love and prayers,
Maria
Alfred and I are so very excited that your adventure is going so smoothly! You and your family and Olivia are in our prayers every minute! Karis you are a wonderful mom to be and I pray that this experience is one to remember and recite with joy in the coming days, weeks, months and years! Blessings to you all and safe travel home! Love Alfred and Kimberly
Karis,
We are SO excited for you to finally meet your little girl! No matter what things are like at first, know that you are her mom and you will be a great mom! We LOVE you!
Noelle, Carron, Emily, and Grace
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