The Oath at the American Consulate

Today, we took an oath at the American Consulate that basically said that everything we've done to reach this point was true, and that the information on our child was true, etc. etc.  The room was filled with American families adopting children of all ages.  There was a boy who was being adopted that had just turned 14 this week.  When a child in China turns 14,  he or she is no longer eligble for adoption, so he got a forever family just in time.  Praise the Lord for that!  I think they said there were 45 families taking the oath today. Our consulate appointment was yesterday, but all we did was stay in the room in case the guide needed any information.  She went to it, and she took care of everything.

Yesterday, we went to a museum called Chen Lineage Hall.  The weather turned really bad suddenly, so we didn't get to stay long, but it was very interesting to see the alley ways leading to it, and the art they were creating in the museum.

We went to McDonald's a couple of nights ago, and Bob and I both ordered chicken mcnuggets, and we got Raeanna a happy meal.  She decided, as she usually does, that she wanted all three meals. She ate about 9 nuggets plus french fries.  Bob and I snuck a few, or she would've eaten more.  She doesn't finish everything in front of her, but she wants ALL the food placed in front of her. 

We went out to Shamian Island tonight.  Raeanna was so tired already.  When she gets tired, she does a little pitiful moan. We walked around the White Swan hotel.  The lobby is beautiful there. We shopped at Jordan's, which is a little store owned by a Christian Chinese man who sells souvernirs and such. We then went to eat supper at the Thai Restaurant,  the Cow and Bridge, which we had eaten lunch at on Monday. It was the first time I went to a public restroom since I've been here, and yes, they had a squatty potty, and no, I decided not to go in there.  I did take a picture, though.  When Raeanna was ready to go,  I took her out of the high chair.  She walked over to Bob and motioned for him to get up and go and snapped an order to him in Chinese. She motioned a couple of times for him to get and go. I don't know what she said exactly, but she made it clear what she wanted him to do!

We got a taxi to go back to our hotel tonight, and I suppose it's Raeanna's first time in a car at night.  She started screaming her little head off. Everytime the driver would stop at a light, she would stop crying. As soon as he took off,  so did she.  I don't know what's going through her little head, but I really don't think she's going to like the carseat at all!  They don't have seatbelts here, and especially not car seats. She wants us to hold her on the bus, so she's really not going to like a car in the US.

We are finished with everything now. We just have to wait here for Raeanna's visa.  Our guide will pick it up tomorrow, and we'll get it tomorrow evening.  Then,  we are free to come home!  We are so ready!!!! 

I'm going to the pearl market in the morning with the women in our group.  We'll see how Baba does  changing a diaper. :) 

We're leaving very early in the morning on Friday.  We sleep tonight and tomorrow night, and then we are on our way home!!!!

Here are a few pictures from the last few days: