CA (Consulate Appointment) Tuesday, September 2

In Guangzhou 8/28-9/3

Landed in GZ riding the luggage cart

The amazing view from our room at The Garden Hotel

Sadie enjoyed having more space

A lot

Learned how to use a fork and spoon herself!

Western breakfast bar was a hit

This girl really likes bananas

Lots of bonding activities in the room

^From the medical appointment Saturday 

(I asked the Chinese doctor what he knew about albinism and he said ask my guide LOL)

Longest lunch ever w/ friends at Lai Wan Market

We both thoroughly enjoyed the one day without rain in GZ and finding more fish

More in Lanzhou with Sadie

Bonding over bacon at breakfast

                                                            She loved the fish in the hotel lobby and balloons in the room           

Hiking a huge mountain headed to the sad zoo

Posing at the Yellow River

Sadie introduced to herself to every child and baby

Cooling off inside a tea room

August 25-28 in Lanzhou

View from our hotel window at the JJ Sun

Hiking

Outside a Buddhist temple

Tea room in the city

 

The famous Yellow River

Close up of the river and rafts

So many gorgeous mountains in Lanzhou

Family Day-Monday, August 24

After a 24 hour harmonious period (mandatory to finalize the adoption in China) Fu Xiao Hui became Sadie Mae Hopkins

Gotcha Day-Sunday, August 23

Departing!

I'm leaving this morning.  Here's a breakdown of my flights:
Tallahassee, FL to Dallas/Fort Worth, TX to Beijing, China to Lanzhou

I'll meet Sadie on Sunday, August 23rd at the hotel (JJ Sun in Lanzhou).  We'll be in province until Friday then fly to Guangzhou.  In GZ she has a medical exam on Saturday 8/29 and the Consulate Appointment is Tuesday, September 1.  We will stay in GZ until Friday morning and then ride in a van to Hong Kong.  Our flight pattern on the way back to the USA is HK to Dallas to Tallahassee.  I haven't left yet and I already can't wait to get back to my husband and 3 kiddos.  Please pray for safe travels and successful bonding.  Thank you to all those that have been a part of this incredible experience!

Happy 4th Birthday!

We know Sadie celebrated her birthday for the first time (ever) this week.  Equally sad and yet exciting that she spent the last one without a family and in an orphanage; we were able to order a cake and fruit basket for her and a few other children to enjoy.

We are so grateful for the service Helen provides and will treasure these pictures + the video, it's at the very bottom.  Happy Birthday, sweet girl!  Mommy can't wait to meet you in 10 days.  Please continue to keep our 4 year old in your prayers.

Travel Approval!

Playing catch up here-we received TA (travel approval) last Friday after only 3 days!  At this point I have contacted a travel agent and plan to leave Tallahassee on Friday, August 21 and meet Sadie on Sunday, August 23 or Monday, August 24; just really in awe of everything at this point.

The Consulate Appointment is confirmed for Tuesday, September 1 and I plan to start the long trek home the following night.  As we firm up travel plans I'll be sure to update all of you and call in those favors...Luke will be at home and teaching/working and parenting mostly solo with grandparent reinforcements a few days.

Please continue to pray for Sadie especially for her heart to be open to adoption, our family and the transition ahead.

Final Update & Pictures

Our agency asked for the final update and we received these 3 pictures with new measurements for Sadie: 108 cm, 17 kg, 49 cm head, 59 cm chest, 17 cm foot.  Converting the numbers that means she is 42 1/2 inches tall, weighs 37 pounds, and her foot is a size 11-11 1/2.  She's almost the same size as our big boy Beckett and is bigger than our Noah!  

Article 5

Catching up on the timeline:
I800 approval 7/13
GUZ 7/16
PDF 7/20
Article 5 drop off 7/21
DS-260 7/20
Article 5 pick up 8/4

Power Of Attorney

Because I will be traveling alone and becoming the legal guardian of Sadie without Luke it is necessary for him to complete a POA (power of attorney).  You see the male is the listed head of household and first petitioner on a home study and USCIS paperwork filed by a married couple.  This document gives me permission to sign on Luke's behalf and is absolutely necessary in China.  It must also be notarized then county and state certified and finally authenticated by the Chinese Consulate in the US.  It must be less than 6 months old at the time of travel and carried by hand to China.  Kinda crazy, huh?

$3 County certification fee
$5 State certification fee
$60 Courier fee to Cindy Marut
$25 Chinese Consulate authentication via My China Docs

I800

Yesterday I caved and called USCIS to check on the status of our I800 application (permission for us to bring her (specifically) into the country).  I was pleasantly surprised we had been approved earlier that day-in my "timeline" I predicted we'd receive approval later this week.  The paper copy hasn't arrived yet but just knowing we have this step completed allows us to make a more accurate guesstimate as to when I could leave for China...and I promise when I know you will too :)

6/25 I800 overnighted
6/26 Delivered to lockbox
6/29 Official receipt date
7/1 Receipt letter printed & mailed
7/13 I800 approved

New Pictures!

Overjoyed to receive new pictures of Sadie last week-she looks taller and thinner to me and has just the slightest amount of hair (so glad her caregivers are honoring our request to let it grow). :)  This wait is so long and becoming difficult for the whole family but these little glimpses of her personality are a true blessing.