Last day in China!

School children - Love those uniforms! We'll talk with Mr. Maine about implementing them into PRMS.

The "red couch" photo. Julianne is in back row in blue! These are all of the children who were adopted on this trip within our travel group.

The Souths (minus 2)

Today we went to the American Consulate office to do our swearing in oath. It's official!! In the afternoon while shopping, we heard children singing nearby. Down the block was a kindergarten-type school with all of the kids singing (shouting) songs. The even had dance moves (you know, the kind from grade-school recitals). Several kids hammed it up for the camera when they saw Mrs. South filming video. I think Pleasant Run should do these songs at recess or break. We'll get Ms. Letteri on it.

It's with bitter sweetness that we say goodbye to China. We absolutely CANNOT wait to get home and begin the next chapter of our lives as a family of five but we are also sad to leave. China is not only the birthplace of Julianne, but it is also a country we have grown to enjoy (staying at 5 star hotels and having our needs catered to helps). It is a beautiful, complex, crowded place full of activity everywhere you turn. The people have been nothing but kind, curious, and especially helpful to us. The Chinese are a proud people yet some have gone out of their way to take care of us. We hope we will be able to bring our children back here in 10-15 years or so!

We experienced countless emotions throughout. We met some wonderful friends with whom we will stay in touch and ate some food that mostly agreed with us.

Tomorrow, we leave the hotel at 6:4o am, fly to Beijing then take our next flight from there to Chicago. From Chicago, we finally arrive at CVG late Wednesday night. All in all, we will be traveling for around 30+ hours. It will be exhausting but since we can't click our heals three times and say "there's no place like home", this is the only way. Can't wait to see my girls (well, and you all, too)!!