Good Times in Guangzhou :-)

Today is Saturday and we are settled in to the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou (pronounced "gwong-joe") in Guang Dong province. We took the 9pm flight from Changsha and arrived at the hotel around midnight last night. We completed the adoption in her birth province (Hunan) and are doing all the work on her visa in Guangzhou, since the American Consulate is located here. Caroline did great at her medical check-up this morning, though she freaked out when she saw all the people in white doctor coats. Her opinion of doctors isn't that high just now. :)

LOTS of adoptive families are here at the White Swan and other surrounding hotels, so we feel less conspicuous and are enjoying meeting people from all over the world. We were excited to meet a family from Murfreesboro, TN this morning (about 1 hour from our house!) and another couple from New Orleans that works in Baton Rouge, where we lived for five years. Many, many children, most of whom have disabilities, have come to forever families just this week, and it's a joy to hear their stories and watch the families learn to love each other. I cried all through breakfast as I watched new families together - eating, talking, snuggling, laughing, riding on Daddy's shoulders, and nestling into Mommy's arms. How different their lives looked just one week ago. These precious children will no longer be alone, and their mommies and daddies will never be the same after knowing the love of their new child and the journey they have walked to bring them home. Thank you, Father, for bringing Caroline to us!

Hope you enjoy the pictures, and a special thank you to Sallee for the beautiful Poppy Dip dress!!!! http://itspoppydipblog.blogspot.com/ Some of the pics are just fun ways we've been passing the time...ping pong, dressing the valet, and LOTS of cards. :) Good times together!