River Cruise (skipped), Consulate Appointment and trip to Shamian Island

Yall, I am tired and this may be the most boring post ever.  But, I wanted to share some pictures and let you know what we have been doing the last couple of days.

 

Tuesday was a free day.  We went shopping and took Gracie to the pool, which she LOVED!  I am so happy that we have yet another water rat:-)  That afternoon we were scheduled for our group photo in Chinese dress and the a dinner cruise on the Pearl River.  Gracie was exhausted so we decided to skip the cruise.  Good call on Mike Bailey's part because it ended up pouring rain and she went to bed early for the first time.  

 

This was the group that we traveled around Guangzhou with.  Great people and new friends!

This girl can rock a smock;-) She won't wear a bow, but loves her clothes.  She ended up sleeping in this dress because she wouldn't let me take it off.

Today we went to the US Consulate to apply for Gracie's visa and swear an oath of citizenship on her behalf.  Afterward, we went to Shamian Island to do more shopping.

 

 

We had lunch at a Thai restaurant called Cow and Bridge.  Yummy food!  Gracie loved the soup.



There are beautiful statues everywhere.

In a world where I am not exhausted and sleep deprived, I would have cropped this in.  But in my current world, I am just throwing it up here.

As always, he is charming the ladies!

Tomorrow we begin our long journey home.  We leave Guangzhou at 4:30pm by van to Hong Kong.  We will spend the night there and then fly out at 11am Friday.  We land in Chicago around noon on Friday and then on to Birmingham, Sweet Home Alabama, at 4:47pm.  This will likely be my last post until we are home.  Please pray for safe travels.  I have no idea what is in store for the long flight home.  However, I am hoping that my excitement to see my boys, my parents and my friends will make it bearable. 

This transformation we have seen in this sweet girl over the last 2 weeks has been remarkable.  I wish that I had the ability to express in words what we have witnessed and experienced.  Thank you all for following us, praying for us, helping us and loving us.  I can't wait for you to meet our daughter.