Hey! Hey! Hey!

Mar and I have been laying low for the most part the last couple days.

Yesterday morning we took group pictures on the famous red couches here at the hotel. For people that don’t know it, this hotel is well known for adoptive families to stay in while processing paperwork through the U.S. Consulate here in Guangzhou. It is a tradition while staying here to take pictures on the red couches in the hotel. Last night, we had a final group dinner at Lucy’s down the street and said goodbye to five of the families in group which left for home early this morning. There is an annual adoption agency picnic in Indiana scheduled for July, we look forward to meeting back up with our new friends there this summer.

Today we had our official U.S. Consulate visit. Lyric’s visa was approved and Mar and I took the oath of citizenship for her with about 15 other adoptive families. She will be a U.S. citizen when she touches ground in Chicago Saturday, pretty cool. Mar even decked Lyric out in red, white, and blue for the occasion.

All Mar has been thinking about the last couple days is poop, Lyric’s that is. She’s been concerned with her about that, especially since she had surgery on her butt when she was 8 months old. She doesn’t think she goes enough. We even visited a clinic which is located in the hotel the other night; they gave the poor child like 4 enemas. I felt pretty bad for her. We requested our facilitator to call the orphanage to verify that they didn’t have to do anything special on a regular basis to address this or help her. They advise no assistance was needed, Mar and I are not quite convinced of this. All in all, Lyric is very happy and doesn’t show signs of discomfort until she needs to go potty and then she normally cries. Mar keeps saying “I just need to get her home” and I couldn’t agree more!

Mar and I picked up an extra suitcase and a new stroller today in preparation for the trek home Saturday. They have a tour of some local gardens scheduled for the 3 families left tomorrow, I’m not sure if it’s gonna happen though. A cold front came in during the night, it’s in the 50’s now and been raining all day. We would be content with just spending the day packing anyways.

2 MORE DAYS AND COUNTING!! We are soooooo ready to come home!

Hugs and kisses,

Doug