US Consulate appointment!!

I can’t believe that we just have one more day here in Guangzhou! I honestly thought it would never be here!! If I NEVER see a fried egg again, it will be too soon!! Or real bacon!! Okay maybe I will take the bacon (shhhhh!!) I have quit taking pictures at breakfast, just know that we are all slowing down in our consumption during that meal…Michael did NOT clear his plate this morning, which was very unusual…Maybe he is bracing himself for home!  Mason and I didn’t get too much today either.  Their French toast tastes sort of like a doughnut, really good and definitely deep fried…I am most definitely going to have to reschedule my physical!!! Looking forward to my B12 shot when I get home since I FORGOT my pills!! Starting to get so sleepy where I need a nap and I am not a napper!!! (I just took a nap!!!)
So this morning was a BIG DAY!!! We met in the lobby for our trip to the US Consulate where we took several documents and applied for Michael's visa.

We took the subway to a bookstore with a few in our group, for something to do. I bought Michael a couple of books. I didn't want to get too many since we really have to begin our focus on him learning English. I'm really starting to wonder how this will happen. Everyone says they catch on quickly and I'm sure he will, but if others have suggestions PLEASE HAND THEM OVER!!!  

Mason bought his brothers a little something, He was so sweet. He wanted to get something for Matt, but we haven't managed that yet, time is of the essence!! We may head to the island tomorrow for a bit, so many something will jump at us then. I have one more park on my list that I wanted to take the boys, so we will maybe combine that trip tomorrow morning. Mason has been so helpful to the others traveling. Trying to make the children laugh and helping the mommas with strollers on sidewalks, escalators and anything that makes life with a toddler more challenging. It has been amazing to watch him while in China. I do believe that this been a trip of a lifetime, and something that he will take with him forever. When he is an adult I pray he has fond memories of this trip with me and also Michael. I pray it has given him a new look at the world around him and the freedoms that we enjoy in America. As our guide was talking yesterday, she mentioned that in China they are free to worship as they wish, but if the government does not agree then they have to make a change. I'm sorry, but that is not freedom if you have to conform to the government. We can not change what the Bible says, period! It has been interesting to hear her say some of the things about her country. I know I am grateful for our homeland and can't wait to get back there!!!

Tomorrow afternoon Elsie will go back there to pick up Michael’s US Visa so he can enter the United States. I have already said that he will gain his citizenship upon our first landing, which will be in Chicago! We will be checking out of this hotel at 5pm and hang out until 7:30. At that time, our guide will escort us to the airport and get us checked in for our flight to Hong Kong which doesn’t leave until 10:20pm!!!  We arrive in Hong Kong at 11:15! I can’t remember why we set up my departure like this, but it doesn’t matter now, because this is what it is!  Once we arrive we will gather our bags, catch the hotel shuttle and go to the Marriott SkyHotel about 5 minutes away for the night.  Our flight from Hong Kong departs at 11:10am Saturday morning, which is 11:10pm on the 6^th for everyone on the east coast of the US….arrival in Chicago is 12:50pm on the 7th and then we proceed through immigration.  Our layover time is SIX HOURS AND 35 MINUTES!!!  WE DON’T LEAVE UNTIL 7:25PM AND ARRIVAL IN JACKSONVILLE IS AT 10:38PM Saturday night! WHOA ! I would imagine we will be 3 tired puppies by the time we arrive in Jacksonville, but we very thankful puppies to be HOME!!!

Almost home!!