Gotcha Day Countdown

We have been up since 2:00 am, can't sleep knowing Makaio is ours soon. Today we had our first breakfast at the White Swan Hotel. This place is awesome and famous among Americans because this is the last stop on your way home with your adopted baby. The American Consulate is here in Guangzhou and almost all families stay here. The one thing that we noticed at breakfast that was shockingly different than the last time was that there are so many Chinese people vs. Americans. Last time the entire restaurant was nothing but adoptive families from the US. Today, there was maybe four and most asked if we just adopted Keilani. It is quite obvious the effects of the slow down in international adoption and the economy on Shamian Island. A lot of the shops that were here before all gone and locked up. Things are alot more expensive too. We were happy to find a Starbucks that was only one block away!

We met our guide Kelly in the lobby at 9:00 am to go the Bank of China to exchange our money to Chinese Yuan. Since the dollar is doing so poorly now, they don't want American money. It was quite a process and much like going to the DMV:

1. Walk in past the armed guard
2. Fill out paperwork
3. Take a number
4. Make your way to the bullet proof glass teller

Once we were up there we noticed the teller picture on the outside of the glass. Next to it was three buttons that you could select. We had plenty of time to notice all the quirky stuff as he was finely examining our money to ensure it was not conterfeit. Just an assumption, but don't they make counterfeit money pens here??? Wouldn't that be easier? Anyway, the three buttons to choose from were:

1. Satisfied
2. Inadequate
3. Dissatisfied

Can you imagine if that was in front of you every time you helped someone? Matt pushed Satisfied before he was done with our money hoping that he wouldn't reject any bills =)

The other odd thing here that I had forgotten from before is how they LOVE their red stamps. All receipts get some sort of official red stamp, some two. Guess it makes everything they do extra special.

So one piece of information we received from Kelly during our lengthy money inspection, is that she saw Makaio one week earlier. She informed us that they had already started the casting on him and requested that we not let him walk since they are removing the cast right before they leave to bring him to us. I had heard of this happening to other families, but why did they wait so long to start? She also told us how smart he is =) Just cannot wait to hold him our arms!!!

Signing off for now, in two and half hours, he's all ours!

Love,
Matt, Tami, and Keilani....family of three for the last time

We made it to Guangzhou

We arrived in style today on 747. The 747 is my all-time favorite airplane and it was fun and unexpected to see that was our aircraft. Anyway, we had a great 3-hour plane ride from Beijing to Guangzhou (CAN for my airline geek friends).

We got checked in and decided to have cheap and familiar meal--McDonalds. Now we really didn't think it was too far, but in this heat and humidity, halfway there we were considering turning around and going to Subway. But 15 minutes later we arrived to a two-story McDonalds that was crowded like I could never even describe. Obviously sticking out like foreigners, they called us up front and pulled out a "special" menu for us to order off of. Next, was the task of climbing a flight of stairs with our food and trying to find a table. Once everyone saw Matt, they just looked at Keilani and then back at Matt, over and over again. We finally found a table overlooking the square outside with literally thousands of people walking around. Now I know Texas has a lot of Whataburgers, but we are sitting in McDonalds and look across to see another McDonalds??? Maybe if they spread them out we wouldn't have to walk to far!

Well, going to attempt to get some rest. Tomorrow is Gotcha Day at 2:30 pm. We will post pictures as soon as feasibly possible. It all depends on how he adjusts to us. Please say a prayer for us that it's a smooth transition for all.

Twice in a lifetime

When we came to China in 2005 and toured Beijing and the Great Wall, we called it a once in lifetime trip. Now, we can say twice in a lifetime. It was nice the second time, I think we took a lot more in. Keilani is having a ball. She knows two Chinese words....hello (nihao) and thank you (she she). But when she says them they think she speaks fluent Chinese and continue to talk to her. She just looks at them and looks at us and says, "huh?" She is diffinitely proud of her Chinese heritage, she says she just doens't understand their language.

So ordering dinner last night at the hotel restaurant was interesting. We were so tired, we just wanted to eat in our room. We went downstairs and attempted to order through four different waitresses and the manager. All we wanted was fried rice, dumplings, and sprite. Well, $50 later we ended up with enough food to feed the Dallas Cowboys...ugh!

The time change is kicking our butts! We are all up at 2:00 am. We are leaving at 9:00 am for Guangzhou. We will have the day free to walk around and tomorrow we get Makaio! Very excited and nervous all at the same time. He has never known life outside of the orphanage for the past two years. Since his 2nd birthday was July 26th, we will do something to celebrate his birthday with him while we are here.

Here is a link to the pictures we took:

https://picasaweb.google.com/112534544232201234221/BeijingChinaJuly302011#

Well love to all! Gonna start packing everything up and get ready to leave Beijing.

Matt, Tami, and Keilani

Nihao! We made it!

We had a great flight to Beijing and actually got some rest last night. We are about to leave for the day in Beijing and then off to the Great Wall. We wall post some pictures later today. Interesting thing is, even hallways here aren't made for Matt's height. Keilani is loving saying nihao" to everyone, but when they speak Chinese to her she just looks at me.

Time to go! We will post later!

Packing =/'

It's 9:22 pm and we are just beginning to pack...what else would I do except wait for the last minute. Good thing is our flight leaves in the afternoon, so no waking up at 2:00 am. However, I don't think we're going to get a lot of sleep.

Please keep us in your prayers that we make our flights okay and we stay on schedule! We depart on the 28th and arrive in Beijing at 11:00 pm on the 29th. We spend the day touring the city and the Great Wall. Keilani doesn't know we are going to the Great Wall and she should be really surprised cause that is all she wants to see.

We will post more tomorrow, or at least attempt to when we have an internet connection. Wish us luck!

Matt, Tami, and Keilani

China Bound!

Just found out today that we will be leaving July 28th and holding Makaio on July 31st! That's 13 days to get ready for our trip. Where do we begin???

TA Received!

Found out on Tuesday that we received our TA...finally :) We were told that they were trying to get us a July 21st Consulate appointment, but expect July 28th. I am really hoping for the 21st so we can be with him on his 2nd birthday!!!

Any day now we should know when we are leaving. Guess we better hurry up and get his room done!