We had a very awesome Tuesday! We finished the last of our formal PAPERWORK while in country. If we don't see the "P" word for the rest of our lives we won't be sad. Just kidding! We are just relieved it is over.
We got up at 4:45am to Skype Jeremiah's classmates for the second time. They are enjoying watching our Facebook page filled with pictures and videos. They ask Jeremiah some great questions and can't wait for him to share next week during the classrooms' chinese new year celebration. So excited!!!!!!
We were up again at 5:45am for breakfast and to get ready for the BIG, IMPORTANT United States consulate appt! Our appt wasn't actually until 8:30 but Miko wanted us there early and FIRST in line of 11 other families. Yep SCORE!
So we lined up and waited to go through security. Once we passed that step we excited the security office (Very nice chinese guards) into a court yard in front of the actual consulate building. We entered the door on the right side went to the second floor, then took a number at the 7th window. Yep, Miko hammered the directions into us. She cannot enter with us. She prepped us like crazy and we knew it like pros. Even Jeremiah kept repeating right side door, 2nd floor, 7th window. We rode a shuttle bus over with another family from a different adoption agency. They were from Alaska. We were in line next to them the whole time and waited for them after the appt to walk together back to the shuttle. It's fun to meet people adopting and to hear their stories. Everyone's is different.
So the consulate appt. It went amazingly quick. The officer looked through all our documents, made sure we understood Kalyn's medical history, took Daddy's fingerprints, then made eye contact with Kalyn to confirm we had the right child. (Insert Kalyn's "bye bye" here! )
Easy peasy and all done within 30 minutes. WOOHOO! It might have helped that we were first in line. Thank you Miko!
After the consulate appt we ventured out and ate at pelicana chicken restaurant. No one knows how to cook chicken like the United States! Seriously thought Daddy was going to puke. He left with Kalyn while jeremiah and mommy finished enjoying their cokes and coke zeros. Yum!
We walked to the supermarket after lunch to pick up some travel snacks. Didn't find much except snickers bars! We got 6! They are super cheap here. Don't think they'll make it to the plane ride because they'll be devoured well before that. Ha!
Back at the hotel daddy rested and mommy and the boys played. Our hotel living room is scattered with toys, like a KS tornado hit it! Oh well, it'll be packed up in a few hours to travel HOME!
Jeremiah insisted we go swimming. "Live with no regrets" has been mommy's motto this entire trip! So we went swimming. Outdoor pool in 65° weather. They have a wading type pool that is shallow so Kalyn got his legs and a small portion of his torso wet. HE LOVED IT! We have another fish in the family. So exciting...He will love the summers at the city pool and grandma's. We stayed about 10 minutes and after Jeremiah did a polar plunge completely under the freezing cold water we got out, dried off, and went to the room where the boys took a warm bath together in their swimsuits. They had a grand time. Mommy is pretty sure Kalyn thinks he is on a honeymoon or in a dream because he is having a grand time trying all these new things. It's so fun to see his excitement, smiles, and to hear his giggles. Beautiful to see!
After swimming we went to the Yangtze River Boat Ride that began at 6:40pm. It was great and they had just renovated the boat. Everything on the interior was brand new.
(Even the squatters! Mommy had to try one. Under one condition....she was the first person to use it! Definitely something to remember. Most places have western toilets but the people don't know how to use then. Just use the one in your hotel room! Okay enough said).
We enjoyed the boat ride and saw the lights of the city and ate Cantonese food. Jeremiah saw a duck head on the buffet and was fascinated. Mommy just about puked!
Kalyn loved the loud music and fried noodles. He especially loved walking next to the riverboat window to look outside. We took many great photos and had a nice time.
Our day was intense, then calm, then fun. Just a great day! It's like we celebrated the consulate appt with swimming and riding on a boat. Some of our favorite things!
Tuesday is our last full in Guangzhou. We travel to Hong Kong via train on Wednesday at 5:30pm (3:30am CST Wednesday). Then leave for Dallas on Thursday at 130pm (11:30 pm CST Wednesday).
We will arrive home in MHK at 10:37pm CST. If you want a glimpse of our new little Hahn before we cacoon, your welcome to come by the MHK airport! To be honest, seeing people we know, love, and have missed will be very helpful with our entire process. What is a few more people for Kalyn to be around? We have taken him places here in China filled with thousands of people. For us...to see some shining, familiar KS faces would be the most amazing gift. We encourage you to bring your cameras and take candid photos, but we request that you please not try and hold Kalyn or give him gifts. Let's just say, his sisters will have that covered for sure.
Jeremiah's High: The riverboat ride & swimming with Kalyn
Jeremiah's Low: That we meet families that we will never see again.
Daddy's High: having the Consulate appt done and the riverboat
Daddy's low: the food hasn't been the greatest
Mommy's High: The fact that Miko prepares is very well for the consulate appt. She runs a tight ship-totally up my alley! Another high, seeing Kalyn and Jeremiah swim together
Mommy's Low: Nervous about traveling. Aching to be home
Wednesday we are packing, checking or if our hotel, getting on the shuttle, receiving Kalyn's passport with VISA then traveling by train to stay at a howj bear the airport. Travel day#1. Please pray it runs smoothly.
BEFORE TOO LONG WE WILL BE HOME!
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