Consulate and HOME

So I know it has been a few days,  I sat down a couple times to write but never really produced anything.  I think my mind is in the USA... I know half my heart is there (and our stomachs are screaming to be there!). We have had an eventful few days, TB test checked out fine, we had more shopping, dinner out, a dinner cruise today... We had our consulate appointment this morning,  it was very brief and simple, yet oh so important.  Tomorrow afternoon we will get Arianas visa and then we will be on our way to Hong Kong.  We are taking a van, it is suppose to be about 3 1/2 hour drive.  Of course if we have to stop to let the little one pee several times then it will take longer. I am so ready to begin our journey home.  I LOVE THE USA!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHH!  We found out that Ariana will officially be a citizen the moment her visa gets stamped in the USA.  That is the moment I cannot wait for,  it is as if I am holding my breathe for it... sigh.  

 

I have met so many amazing families here, so many on this journey just like us. So many beautiful children, labeled special needs,  I think they are just special!  I have no idea how anyone could give them up,  but am so thankful to this country.  This little girl has me heart and soul and I feel so blessed to be her Mommy.  I now have three amazing kids... I miss you ASHLYN and DESTIN!!! I cannot wait to see you.  Tell Chloe she has to be good to her new sister! :)

 

USA HERE WE COME!!!!!

Me

Sunday

We had a relaxing evening last night, and after a day of doctor visits and a TB test :( we walked around the island.  Our hotel sits on a island and it has alot of touristy shops and places to eat.  The weather was cool so we ate outside at a place that had more western food.  Ariana had a chicken quesadilla, which she refused to even try at first.  Then our food came and we had french fries, so we bribed her with fries to get her to eat. :) She is adjusting well, she cried a little at bed time but fell asleep in my arms again. 

 

Today we went to a very nice store that had things unique to Guangzhou, we bought a few things but our Rep warned us not to buy certain items at that store (more expensive), she would take us to a place tomorrow to get them cheaper.  Our reps have been so great,  they have very different personalities, but are full of information for us.  THEN we took Ariana to the zoo,  she had a great time, loved the animals and had a cup of noodles and icecream for lunch. We are able to borrow strollers from the hotel, which has been soooo nice, she is a wiggly toddler and she loves to climb all over us.  She is learning to take it better when we say no, although earlier today she got mad at me in the bathroom.  Chinese ppl are very protective of the environment, (in some ways) they don't like to waste paper ei napkins toilet paper, ect.  So I took out 2 towels the first one we pulled out was torn and she refused to use it to dry her hands.  She tried to get more, I said no,  so she got mad and refused to take it... ok so showdown time.  I pushed the towels into her closed hands and signed for her to dry her hands,  she refused,  so I dried them for her, and threw the towels away.  When I opened the door and told her to come on she began to cry :D.... this whole routine must have worked for her before.  Haha but she is finding out quickly it doesn't work with us.  I am praying she gets it, that we love her and are not being mean,  I have to follow my gut alot, and there are times when I know it would be easier to just give her what she wants.  I know it is easy, but it is not best for her or us.  Funny how I never worried about my oldest two rejecting me if I disciplined them.  Just gotta keep believing that she is going to learn to, and I have to push aside the doubt and parent her the best I can.  She still seems to love me so we must be doing something right. 

 

TB check tomorrow then shopping in the good market.  We had Papa Johns for dinner!!!! It is the best things we have had since we got here. We will be having it again I am sure before we leave.  Just a few more days here and we will begin our journey home... I cannot wait until Ariana sets foot on American soil and becomes a US citizen... 

 

Love you guys, I need to go play with my punkin...

 

Kathy

Re: Pics

I got the beautiful pictures...thanks. Now we can tell how tall Ariana is. Destin said she is really gonna be really short next to him...does the camera that you sent to her have pictures of the things she would want to remember? Didn't get an answer to that.

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From: Kathy Ferguson <freepraise5@gmail.com>

Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:35:34 -0500

To: <freepraise5.kathyferguson@blogger.com>; *Ashlyn<gigglyangel09@gmail.com>; <mustardseed9@gmail.com>

Subject: Pics

I am trying to post a few pics to the blog, someone let me know if they showed up via email... Thx Love you guys...

Travel to Guangzhou

Yesterday was all about leaving Hangzhou.  We had to finalize the notary paperwork and pick up Arianas passport.  It was very simple Vivian did part of it with just a letter from us.  We went by the orphanage to get her passport and never even had to get ot of the van.  Then we took our massive pile of luggage and went to the airport.  It was a smooth trip until right before we arrived Ariana decided she had to go pee.  She started crying, and she got louder, she doesnt understand enough yet that I know what she needs and we were moving quickly to get her there.  Vivian instructed the driver to park fast and let me out.   I was jumping out and hudling suitcase lol. By the time we got inside the airport we were running and she was screaming and it probably looked like the crazy american woman was stealing this baby girl.  Everyone was staring, and all I could think was, If security stops me they are gonna have to follow us into the potty to chat.  She made it, thank you God and stopped crying quickly.  We made it through security and onto the plane easily, although we did take a bus to the plane from the gate and walked up the stairs outside to get on the plane.  Ariana loved the flight, we got delayed for take off a bit.. She then decided she wanted the seatbelt off, but food was a good distraction :)  My favorite was landing, it was a little rogh and the pilot hit the brakes hard, as soon as it stopped she looked at us and started giggling.  Sigh..., I love this kid. 

 

We are now at the Victory Hotel in Guangzhou. The room is nice but a bit smaller that the last hotel.  We do have a water purifier under the sink in the bathroom, this is super nice, no more having to use bottled water to brush our teeth.  We were able to get them to push the two beds together last night. (did I tell u a standard room has twin beds here?) Anyway doing that helped us all sleep better. Ariana is doing so well and we have gotten comments about how quickly she has attached,  We know that is all God!  Today we go for medical and our baby has to have a TB test :( I don't want them to have to stick her) Grrrr. We will also be doing her visa picture.  Only a few more days and we will take an oath at the consulate to love her as our own child... so easy.  Then HOME,  sooo ready for home.....

 

Karen I am getting your responses, and I LOVE reading them.  Oh and the peein out side is girls squating... or being held out... so funny I will share later. I love that you are following along with us,  you are precious to me.

 

Lisa I knew that response was from you, and I love you, and I cannot wait for you to meet your niece, she is a sassy little thing...

 

I love you all so much I am so excited to get this little one home to meet all the amazing people who love her so mch.

 

Well she is awke now and I need to dress her for breakfast. 

 

Mom and Dad, thx for all you are doing... I love you.

 

Ashlyn and Destin,  I love you both so very much and I miss you more than you know... soon our family will be together,  but look out this one has sass!!!

 

Love, Me

 

ejjhdekkejkfjjjjghkphjdeassddmvkjekcjmvjcm (Arianas input)

 

It is final

Today we got dressed up and went to the government offices. We went through a small ceremony and were given our adoption certificate. I cried as the lady read that it is final effective today. She is ours, and we are hers, I cannot wait for her to meet the best big sister and brother in the world!! Look out kiddos she already has the same strong will and spunky personality. We were told she is shy, and she is at first but she is also a ham!! She keeps us laughing.

We ate lunch and napped and now we are trying to decide how to spend the last night in this beautiful city that has given us so much. The Chinese are a wonderful ppl, they are kind and hard working. I will make sure our daughter knows where she came from. She has a beautiful story that is still being written. Thank you God for this little princess!!!
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Wednesday

We had a lot of fun today. Ariana is doing better with us, she had cried during meal times a little before but the today she did great, we are trying to make them less "sit down and eat" and more "eat as we do other things " so it is less intense for her. She is such a smart little girl, she is signing several words already, and understanding a few more. She likes to call everything beautiful, and she actually showed us more what she likes today! Yay! Funny how we are looking for the defiant toddler to come out :).

We did have a rough time at nap time today, I think we had a night terror during the day. She started crying uncontrollably and nothing would console her, she fought me to touch her but I knew she needed me. We worked through it and she was sweaty and exhausted but she was clinging to my neck when she fell asleep. She woke up tired but with her beautiful smile.

Today we went on a boat on West lake to an island in the center, it was beautiful. Oh and Ariana is a pro at these crazy Chinese pottys. I however have been able to avoid them so far! We also went to the silk market, which was fun Vivian helped us bargain the prices down. We bought Ariana a couple traditional chinese dresses very cheap and a few other items too. It was fun. We are somewhat celebrities here, ppl have asked us to take pics with them and if they know English they yell hello. Most ppl are very positive about us adopting. Although we did have one lady "turn her back on us" it was funny.

Tomorrow is our last full day in Hangzhou, our daughter is from a beautiful city and we have many interesting stories to tell her. (And some funny ones too, about babies and kids peeing outside!) Tomorrow also finalizes the adoption in China!!! Then off to Guangzhou for 5 nights then Hong Kong for 1! Then home!!!!! Oh and btw, I need DrPepper!!! Only coke products here so far and a nasty version of MtDew! And cracker barrel on the way home pls??? Can't wait to see u all!

Love u guys!


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Day two (part 2)

we were concerned at how she would react when we went to the orphanage. We didn't want her to think we were going to leave her and we didn't want her to cry to stay. When we got close she started smiling and pointing, and practically jumped out of the van. ( I was concerned) she however held my hand and we played as we exchanged gifts with the orphanage. During the tour she held on tight and didn't leave my side. It was beautiful, she is truly beginning to trust us.

She seems to get emotional when we eat, I figured out if I keep her close to me she does better. We are learning, slowly all about each other. This child is so precious... I can't wait for you guys to all meet her!

Ok so for the momma/ daddy results?

I WIN!!! She said momma! Not only with her hand but her voice as well! I got so excited the whole van knew about it!!!

Love u all!
Kathy

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