Zai jian (goodbye) China

Happy boy eating Mommy's birthday cake!

Checking out the cake...

Me in my glasses and PJ's with William and Grace, Wed. AM.

Becoming a family.

Today is my birthday and this morning I was able to have some quiet time to myself to think while I walked through the Qing Ping market to Shamian Island to finish up some final shopping. 7 years ago if someone would have told me that someday I'd be a mama to 3 (2 of them young children) at my age now, I would have said they were crazy. William is the most precious gift I could ever have today. What a journey it's been and so different from the one to Grace 5 years ago in so many ways. What an amazing, vibrant, rich culture that is China's gift to my children and to share with Dan and I. I tell people that I am part Chinese, I am because my children are. I am happy to be going home in some ways, but also very sad to leave the place of 2 of my childrens' birth and ethnic heritage. William will be welcomed to the United States by 2 Grandma's, 1 Grandpa, a big brother, Aunts and Uncles, a cousin Matthew and too many to count second cousins, a large black lab named Molly and a cat named Jack, many loving friends that we consider our family, and a neighborhood of little children...all waiting to meet him. Today we completed the final step before we can leave for home, the visa ceremony at the US consulate in Guangzhou. When our plane lands in Chicago on the afternoon of July 31, William becomes a US citizen. There have been so many experiences here that I haven't been able to write about. I have a great deal to say in a later post about China's orphans and some long conversations I had with Deena Van't Hul, the director of William's foster home. For all those waiting parents, keep the faith please. I know the wait is agonizing. The orphans of China need you so very much. They wait for their forever families. As for when will we be back to China, I can't say. Sometimes I think that our family will be complete now with a 3rd child, but I never say never. I am forever changed by this country, culture, the children and people of China. Goodbye beautiful China, you are always in our hearts. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers on Thursday July 31, for a safe and calm plane trip with a busy 2 yr. old and Miss Grace. With love and thanks, Gail