Thursday, September 27, 2007

Last day in China - home tomorrow!!

Here she is ready to come home, how cute is that? Laura is a bit concerned that they are over weight, but Im sure with all the prayers covering them that they will be fine.
How exciting, we will be seeing them tomorrow!!
From the Left: Laura, Alyssa...Li-Na...Evi...(Mum - Julie) Violet The last group photo

From Laura:Well our journey is finally coming to an end! It is so strange to be at the end of a trip that we have waited for 3 years to take. Eric and I have had an amazing time in Guangzhou and cannnot wait to return again oneday when Li-Na is older. It has been the most amazing journey for our lives ever!!. Leaving as the 2 of us and then coming home as as the 3 of us! Adoption is just the best!! What a privilige to be invited to be parents and handed such a beautiful little girl. We have had Li-Na in our lives 10 full days now and already she is just an integral part of us. Today we have had all had good fun with lots of playing and laughing and giggling. She just adores the both of us and loves to check where where we both are... best position is of course when we are on both sides of her!! Our packing is almost finalised , a few more items to add this evening.We will be leaving at 06h00 to get to the airport and then chasing the day as it progresses across to the UK where we arrive at Norwich at 21h25. We are looking forward to being at home again, but as I told Julia ... it is to me, the beginning of the end of my precious time with Li-Na before getting back to the reality of life and work. I have so enjoyed just being a Mum and all my thoughts purely on her bottles , food and her sleeps etc... she really has been a full time job. I have just slept this afternoon for 2 hours while Eric played with her. I think it is all catcing up with now!Eric and I went left Shaiman Island this morning for a last wander on the outskirts of Guangzhou proper .... the real China with the tiny streetside shops, basins/ bottles and bags full of various fish, animals, fungi, and wierd "stuff"....what a different world she is leaving. The sights and sounds all so different. The people , their perceptions and ethics all so different to ours. China is truely a foreign land to us and we cannot judge what we see.I still feel sad that we are taking Li-Na away from her homeland, but we can only believe that her life will be full of opportunity now, and that she will return oneday and understand. It has been an eye opener seeing older children adopted, many with special needs ,and I managed to speak to some of the adoptive parents about their histories as known. Life has been tough for many of them. I was so glad Mom and Di were here with us in the first days of Li-Na's adoption. She also loved having all the attention. Li-Na stared hard at Mom through the bus window as she drove off. It was so sad ... We can't wait for her to meet my side of the family again soon. Now she has the Chapman Clan to meet, and all her new Adoptive Family in Buxton/ Norwich and Aylsham.I am so looking forward to you all meeting her. She is such a cutie!!! ( Well a bit grissley at present ! ) I will end off now. It is sad to be closing the chapter of " The Journey" now... but time we started our next .... " Living with Li-Na" :)We are off now for our final wander around and a last meal at Lucy's. ... Yes I am ashamed to admit that normal food has been a great bonus here in amongst all the changes to our life !! :) See you all Sooooon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! here's hoping the plane trip won't be to much of a nightmare !Love Laura

4 comments:

PAPA said...

Fabulous following your exciting journey and getting to know more about Li-na. Hope the time changes for you 3 will soon come back to UK time. So looking forward to see you tonight. There is no place like home so hope Li-na settles soon.
Good luck with your trip,
God bless,
love Granny Bee

Nem said...

Come back quick, we can't wait to see you all xx

alison said...

i know you don't want to think about us just yet but don't leave it to long before you bring li-na to meet us. Glad to see you all looking so happy together.

Love to You all and a big cuddle for li-na.

Love Alison

Angy said...

The baby is sooooooooooo cute!!!!

and the latest is.........

and the latest is.........
May 5th 2007 ( 2 years and 9 months since Adoption started. 18 months since Log in Date with China 21st November ) Me counting .....? No way!!! :)

Dare we hope for a June Referral? and "Gotcha Day"in August?