Detailed recap of our adventures thus far ...

I finally have a few minutes to sit down and write in detail about all that has been happening.  We have been so busy!  And it has been so good!

We (the other family adopting from Gansu province and Silas and I) arrived in Lanzhou on Sunday morning about 11:30.  At the airport we met up with my great friend Amanda and 2 of her daughters, Hannah and Alana.  Our guide, Steed, was there to meet us and loaded all of us and our multiple bags of luggage into the van.  It was quite a long ride to the city.  They said about an hour, but it felt longer.  He told us that the babies were on the way, and we had time to get to the hotel and then get lunch.  Oh my goodness, we were getting so close!   I loved the beef noodle restaurant that he took us to, but it was very hard to focus on the food.

After lunch we went back to the hotel to wait for the man to exchange the currency and to wait for the babies!  It felt like chaos, our bags were not unpacked, stuff was everywhere, and things moved very fast, but I was totally only focused on getting done and getting to that room and seeing that sweet little girl.  After we got the money changed, I asked Steed if they were here yet, and he said yes they were!  We got our cameras and devices and all hurried to the room to meet them.

I knew Rachel immediately, the orphanage director (a man) was carrying her.  We all kind of got to the hallway at the same time so we walked into the meeting room together.  Rachel came right to me and was smiling the whole time.  She even said mama several times.  I was so prepared for her to have a difficult time, but she was perfectly fine, smiley and happy.  She was dressed in a nice coat and several layers of clothes.  We were able to do FaceTime video with Steve and the boys back home even though it was like 2 in the morning for them; so they were all able to take part, even Caleb.

 We spent several minutes in that room, I really don’t know how long.  We asked several questions about their schedules and what they are used to eating.  Mostly I was just watching Rachel have fun laughing with everyone and smiling.  There was a little of a chaotic feel because there were several people in the room and a lot was happening all at once.  A lot of cameras and smiling and crying.

After we were done, the orphanage staff waved goodbye, and we went to our rooms for just a few minutes before we had to load into the van to go get passport photos made.  They put an odd reddish-orangish vest on her for that photo, not sure why......


We came back to the hotel and Amanda and I decided to go to the store to get diapers, water, fruit, and snacks.  We bundled up and walked to the store which had several floors and had all kinds of stuff, kind of like a Walmart, not just food.  It was very overwhelming, all the choices and all the people.  Amanda was in charge and we got what we needed.  Rachel was happy the whole time, but I could tell she was getting kind of tired.  She was riding in the grocery cart at first, but I picked her up and held her towards the end and she fell asleep in my arms.  She had such a long crazy day.  We had to trek back about 3 or 4 blocks to the hotel with all our stuff and a sleeping little girl, in the dark, but we made it.  Thankfully, no one has been hit by a car, and that is kind of a miracle.

I woke Rachel up when we got home so she could eat a banana and some yogurt.  She was able to lie down and go right back to sleep in the crib.

The next morning Silas and I woke up and checked on her and she was lying there awake without making a peep.  She seemed concerned about waking up with these strangers, she didn’t cry, just seemed concerned by the look on her face.  I fixed her a bottle with the formula that the orphanage sent, and then she started to perk up more.

We had a quick breakfast in the hotel and then we were all off in the van to the civil affairs office.  There was another family there from a different agency also adopting a little girl.  We were all in a big room, but it was a very relaxed atmosphere.  There was paperwork to sign and put red thumbprints on.  It was all very efficient and while we were waiting on everything to get done, Silas and Rachel and Hannah played and Rachel chowed down on raisons and cheerios.  We were able to ask questions of the nanny that was there and we learned that Rachel has a best friend who is getting adopted next month.  I am hoping to find that family.  We also learned that we have a picture of Rachel’s favorite Nanny.  The orphanage workers really seemed to love Rachel and said good bye to her.  They said she really did smile all the time.  She smiled at them, but was not worried when they left.  We took several pictures and gave gifts and we were done and back in the van.  We went to the police station to work on passports.  They took another picture of us together, I have no idea why, but that visit only took a few minutes and we were done.

Next we went to KFC for lunch (not as great as it sounds, and travelers tip for those yet to come: KFC has squatty potties only......I held it that time.)

We hung out at the hotel that afternoon.  Rachel took a nice nap as soon as we got back to the hotel.  Amanda and I were able to just chat and catch up some.  I am so thankful she is here.  She is so helpful being able to navigate and getting what we need and asking questions.  Steed is taking great care of us, but I feel like I am getting especially well taken care of with Amanda here.  I recommend everyone bringing a friend who speaks Chinese!

We had dinner with another friend who actually lives in this city.  And he brought another couple with him.  I am loving the food.  I liked Chinese food already, so I really enjoy the choices we have.  So yummy.  Off to bed after that, no problems.  This time when I laid her down, Rachel kind of looked at me like “really, I would rather not lie here....” but she was asleep in about 3 minutes.

That brings us to now.  I am up way too early, but it is quiet and I had a few minutes to think and focus about what to write.  Thank you all for your prayers.  I feel so happy and peaceful.  I was worried about getting everything here, and I made it.  I was worried about having the right paperwork, and the only thing I lacked was photocopies of my power of attorney.  I had the original, so they just made copies for me.  Now, I am still worried, we have another round of paperwork at the U.S. consulate, but I made it through this, the adoption is final, so I don’t think they can say I can’t take her home if I don’t have what I need there.  I was worried about sleeping, but I am doing ok.