ALLY KATE ADOPTION DAY!

Tuesday began very early.  My sweet girl slept all night.  My heart was breaking because she kept coming to me and saying Mama and then a string of words in Mandarin.  I wish I knew what she was saying.  Not pleased with myself for not having attempted to learn more.  Body language works though! We had an early breakfast buffet and saw quickly how much our little bit can eat.  She thoroughly enjoyed her two or three plates of food!  We hopped on the van with our guide and then to pick up one other family for the drive to the Civil Affairs office.  There were many families there when we arrived.  It was a along morning as we had to wait our turn to sit in front of the official.  We answered why do you want to adopt.  Why do you want to adopt from China.  Do you promise to never abandoned or abuse her.  Do you promise to provide an education.  Are you entering into this adoption without any outside influence.  We signed and then had to put our thumb prints on top of each signature.  This is a requirement of this province.  Our little bit then had to place her handprint on the forms too.  The staff from her SWI were there again on this day as they have to sign the forms as well.  They gave us a photo book of photos with Ally Kate from her infancy on up to now.  They also gave us a beautiful beaded stitched piece with the character for happiness.  Ally Kate showed no emotion upon seeing them.  They did talk to her and she to them.  They showed her no affection.

We then left and went to the notary's office.  We had to show our passports and sign forms in front of her.   An interesting observation in Nanning.  It was cold 40s-50s cold.  Everyone was bundled in coats inside office buildings.  There is no heat.  For some reason they think it a good idea to keep the windows open.  The notary office was freezing and all windows were open.  Our guide told us that it is not common for the weather to be cold so none of the buildings have heat.  She could not explain why windows were kept open.

We returned to the hotel and Billy, Anneli, and our guide went out to pick up lunch.  Anneli had her own money and she wanted to purchase a cake to celebrate Ally Kate's adoption!  There are the most gorgeous cakes in China! My Anneli has a heart of gold.

We had to return to the Civil Affairs Office later in the afternoon to pick up the formal adoption document and to have the "formal" hearing. It was very quick but moving knowing that Ally Kate was OFFICIALLY our daughter.  MISSION COMPLETION! Thank you to so many of you who made this possible through prayers, encouragement, and donations to us.  ONE LESS ORPHAN in the world! 

This was an extremely happy day but also a crazy one.  We were to remain in Nanning until Friday.  We were then taking an overnight train and would arrive in Guangzhou on 2/15.  Ally Kate will travel to the USA with a Chinese passport.  We must apply for her a visa to enter the USA.  Part of this process is a physical examination.  Our guide learned this morning that instead of one visit which is standard that three were going to be required.  These visits had to take place on three consecutive days first thing in the morning before any food is eaten.  The clinic where exams are performed is not open on Sunday.  This meant that we had to be in Guangzhou no later then Wednesday night so that we could go to the clinic on Thursday morning.  This was the latest time to get the three visits completed.  As you  know we cut corners on this trip as much as possible and this was greatly stressful for us. We had to arrange a flight for the six of us plus pay extra nights at the more expensive hotel.  We also learned that the cost of the medical would be $200 more.  All of this is being required to insure that Ally Kate does not have TB.  She will have to complete three sputum tests.  It is one of the unknowns in adoption and we have no choice but roll with it.  We were disappointed as there were places in Nanning that we still wished to visit but it is all out of our control.  We are fortunate this was learned now as if we had not found out until Saturday when we were scheduled to arrive in Guangzhou and go for the visit we could have been delayed in China. 

Last but not least - we were given permission to visit the group home where Ally Kate had been living. When we drove into the lot after passing through the guarded arm gate we saw multiple children playing unattended.  Evidently this is normal in China. These were not only children in Ally Kate's group home but other neighborhood children too.  It was invaluable to us to see where she had spent the last 6 years of her life.  She seemed excited to return and "show off" her family.  There are around 20 children in the group home. It is in an apartment complex.  The apartment is narrow and 4-5 stories high. There are multiple bedrooms on different levels.  Seems there are 4-5 children in each room. It was an old apartment with paint peeling off the walls.  It was cluttered but seemed clean enough.  The children were eating dinner as we were leaving and it looked very nutritious. There were multiple bowls of food placed on each of the tables where the children were sitting. 

She slept on the top bunk. 

Her school! HUGE! We were told it has K-8.  Jing Xin along with two other girls walked to school alone and back daily.  The workers said the walk was fifteen minutes but Jing Xin said 30 minutes.  Their school hours are 8am - 5:30pm.  They are out of school from 12p-2p.  The children return home,  eat lunch, and nap.  Our guide said this is standard for all Chinese school children. 

The day ended back at the hotel packing to leave for Guangzhou the following day.