Consulate Day

Today was our "Swearing In" day. All the new parents from all the different agencies went to the US Consulate in Guangzhou and stood in line to get our Visa papers for our new children. Then, we all made a short oath promising that everything we said and did during the adoption was true. There were about 50 families going through this process today. They said about 8,000 families are processed through Guangzhou for Chinese adoptions to the US each year. Incredible, isn't it?!

Tomorrow, Amelia will travel to the US on her Chinese passport and a US immigrant visa. Once she is processed in through her port of entry, she becomes a naturalized citizen of the United States. She can never be President of the United States because she wasn't born here, but other than that, she will have all the rights and privileges of every other US citizen.

Amelia was a little out of sorts today, and even threw her first big temper tantrum. I had to take a photo! I am happy to report that I did not give in (she wanted to eat chips and we were on our way to lunch), and she soon sat up and acted like a big girl. Boy, oh boy, aren't 2-year-olds FUN???!!! We are so excited and ready to bring Amelia home to meet all our family and friends. We leave tomorrow and will see you on the "other" side - which we hope is the USA and not the "other side" as in the Heavenly Gates!!! :) Just kidding. All will be well, and we will see you soon.

Love you,
Amy, Amelia, Mike & Sara