Happy Thanksgiving from China

This morning we took a trip to Da Ming Lake Park. It is a beautiful park a couple of hundred years old. It was very cold there today, but we had a nice stroll none the less. Afterward, we went to pick up Celia's Chinese passport. The driver then let us out at the McDonalds near our hotel where we had lunch. We then shopped in an underground street mall. My mom, Vicki, bought a cute pair of shoes and I got a handbag. Emma and Olivia bought headbands. Celia tried to buy shoes at every stall we passed. She loves shoes. She even told a man in the elevator this evening to look at her new hot pink patent leather high tops.

After the shopping trip we returned to the room for a little rest. I managed to order room service for dinner because Celia was very tired. After dinner, we went to the basement and the girls enjoyed a game of bowling. Everyone is passed out and I am now left to pack as we leave Shandong province in the morning. All of the paperwork on the Chinese side of the adoption is complete. Celia's adoption is official and final. She is now officially Celia Grace Qianxue Focarile. We now head to a city in southern China named Guangzhou to complete paperwork at the US embassy to obtain a visa for Celia to travel to the US on her Chinese passport. Once we go through immigration in Dallas upon our return, she will automatically become a US citizen and I can then apply for a US passport.

So, yes, we have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am most thankful that I get to be the mother to 3 of the most beautiful, clever, and sweet girls in the entire world.

Celia Grace wakes up happy this morning...

Our trip to Da Ming Lake Park...




Emma and Olivia feed the birds...


While Celia watches...

Emma and Olivia ride the Merry-go-round...


While Celia sleeps...

Lunch at McDonalds and Celia's first ice cream cone...


Trip to the bowling alley...

Good night from Jinan...