My last hello from China……...Hello!

We are packed and ready to go!

Today, the 3 families left here, spent a day at a big garden. It was nice to get out of the hotel and try and get our minds off the countdown to come home. On the way back to the hotel, our guide offered to take us to a place that sells DVD’s real cheap so we said sure. We got a few Disney DVDs for the girls and I picked up Avatar for a $1.50. Let’s hope it works.

It’s time to say goodbye, goodbye to China. As much as we miss home, family, friends, and Laine, it’s bitter-sweet to be leaving. We have a deep love and appreciation for China. They have blessed us with two beautiful daughters, a simple” thank you” just doesn’t seem appropriate. China’s people have been patient, courteous, and kind to us (accept that one homeless dude in Beijing). It’s a beautiful country, and Mar and I commented to making sure the girls are educated about their birth country. They should be proud to be from China. We will for sure someday bring the girls back to visit.

We leave the hotel at 7am tomorrow to catch a 3 hour flight to Beijing, have a 2 hour layover there, and then saddle up for a 13 hour flight back to Chicago. Mar and I have been talking through the game plan and running through the play book all day. It’s time to execute. I know I start out with a glass of wine, not sure what Mar is doing! ;)

I will try and post when we get home.

I want to say thanks to all of you for keeping up with us and showing your support. We look forward to seeing everyone in person, talking about this journey face to face, introducing Lyric to you, and getting caught up with what we missed in your lives. You have dealt with my goofy humor and bad penmanship. Thanks for putting up with me! I want to thank my in-laws for watching and taking care of Laine, I’m guessing you’re looking forward to a little peace and quiet right about now. Thank you Ryan for taking care of my house and cat and removing all the old beer from fridge, it’s nice to know I will have space for some new fresh beer now. J Thanks Joe for taking care of the transportation, at least make sure I have enough gas to get home from the airport! A BIG THANKS to my brother Dennis, he built the site, without him, I wouldn’t be writing right now. I have not just been able to keep up with you, but I have been able to document this time in our lives. I will now someday be able to show our daughter how she came into our lives….how cool is that!

Till next time,

Doug

PS: The next time thing meant, like the next time I see you, not the next time we come to China and adopt, we are done. The adoption tubes are tied. Mar and I look forward to seeing what else life has in store for us. I’ll probably blog about that too.