August 20, 2010: Leaving Xian for Guangzhou

We left the Xian Sheraton at Noon today to head to the airport where we will fly to Guangzhou.  Although we got up early so that we wouldn't be rushed...I am realizing that packing with a 4 1/2 year old and a 2 year old takes a lot more time!  I literally could not have made it to the lobby by Noon without Sean and Gailie!  They are the absolute BEST!!

 

We took the bus with our guide, Sissia, to the Xian airport and she helped us get checked in and get our boarding passes.  Caroline sat next to Gailie in front of Sean, Kate and me.  Kate did great on her first plane ride.  She ate and then fell asleep in Sean's lap for the rest of the 2 hour flight.  I put some ear numbing drops in her ears as was recommended by a friend who has a child with cleft palate and Kate did great.  She did not appear bothered by the flight at all.  Entertaining Kate in the airport and getting through security with both girls and strollers and carry-ons was a hoot!  Thanks to Gailie who walked Kate all over the airport as we awaited the flight!  I couldn't help but snap a picture of Sean, Caroline, Gailie and Kate as they were getting ready to go through security...they look a little crazy!!

 

Our CCAI guides in Guangzhou are Maggie and Grace and they met us with a big CCAI sign at the airport.  We loaded on another van and went to The White Swam, our hotel for the next 7 days.  The White Swan is located in an area of Guangzhou called Shamian Island.  Originally, this island was the only outpost where foreigners could settle and the French and British influence is seen in the architecture.  Guangzhou is a huge city of more than 10 million people but Shamian Island is a little enclave of hotels, restaurants and shops catering to foreigners.  There are many, many American adoptive families because the US Consulate used to be located here.  It has moved to a different location in Guangzhou, but most of the American families still stay on Shamian Island (and many at The White Swan Hotel) when they are here.  Because the US Consulate is located here in Guangzhou, American adoptive families are required to be here for the US Consulate Appointment and to receive the adoptive child's US Visa to enter the US.  This part of the trip is required for all US families and usually takes about 7 days.  So, we are no longer a fish out of water as more folks walking the streets of Shamian Island have adoptive Chinese children than not!     

 

As we landed in Guangzhou, I felt a little emotional...just thinking about how far Kate was from the place where she was abandoned and the orphamage in Yulin City (northen part of Shaanxi Province) that has been her home.  Even though I know she will not remember this time in her life, I feel a sadness as I consider how little control she has had.  I feel the loss (that she will understand one day) that she has not had a parent to stand up for her, to protect her, to advocate on her behalf with only her best interest at heart...these are things that no child should have to go without. It just really makes you stop and think. 

 

But Kate has been adopted by our family.  She now has 2 parents who love her and will always have her best interest at heart. Adoption is such an awesome concept...such a truly remarkable gift to the parents and the child...and I know that the reason that our hearts are so full of love for Kate is because our hearts have personally experienced the love of Christ. I am so thankful for that!

 

As I was attaching the pictures for this post, I thought I should give an explanation...there is a black bedside table that is a console that controls all of the lights in the room, the TV and the "piped in" music.  It has lots of buttons and knobs...which was an immediate attraction for both Caroline and Kate.  Caroline figured out how it worked right away...as Mom, Sean and I are always trying to get the lights straight...we can not seem to master the console!  Thank goodness for Caroline!  Kate just loves to do whatever Caroline does and pushing the buttons and turning the knobs is a huge hit!  Kate is also really starting walk well!  She is getting stronger and her balance has really improved.  She loves to walk with you holding her hand!  It is so sweet.