The Homestretch

We are almost there. Right now we are awaiting the time to leave to finish the final pieces to bringing Tian home.
She has cleverly discovered our bag of surprises to have on the plane ( a couple of different toys and new snacks to try.) She went right for the play cell phone. She knows how to use it - she thinks she is a pre teen already!
2 of the families in our group catch their planes tonight, so we can really see the end in sight. It is bittersweet - it has been a fun journey, but we are so eager to get home.

Tian's rash was better - now worse. Poor thing. I think we will keep her anyway :o)

I didn't get this post finished before we left - Tian is a tough task master!

We are back and she is official - when we walk through customs (they will also stamp her form) she will be an official US citizen. The US and China currently do not have dual citizenship agreements, so the US recognizes her as only a US citizen. She can, however, travel to China under her Chinese passport (until it expires) but then forfeits US citizenship rights while in China.
Today was interesting a big room with 40 families from all over the US. All we did was go to a window where they checked all 3 passports to see we matched the picture and then we waited ( of course). After about one half an hour we all stood and pledged that everything we filled out on the forms was correct. That was that. Once again no pomp and circumstance the parents all cheered, but that was all . Our guide collected our forms and we came back to the hotel for a good night's sleep before tomorrow's big adventure/trek home.

We will probably do a litlle last minute shopping, the stores here are very touristy, but have some fun things we can't find in the states. Tian loves to be pushed in her stroller so we don;t get a lot of time to look as we have to keep moving. I keep telling myself she is saving us lots of money. I wish I knew what size to buy her for next year - the summer clothes are on sale at about $4 ( US) . We have bought a few and shoes - Tian wears the next to the biggest size - so we have bought few and wish we could buy more - too many cute ones. Tom says we should already be calling her Imelda.

Thanks for all the great emails and support back home it has been nice to know how many people back home are there for us as we continue to adjust - not only to Tian, but our mve to Wisconsin.

Hope all is well and everyone avoided the e. coli scare - the rumor here was that all produce in the US could no longer be sold - gotta love rumors:o)