Today was a great day! Our adoption is final, Abby is officially a US citizen and we can go home now, but we couldn't get a flight until Saturday so we have one more day to support the local economy.
We went to the US Consulate and they herded us into a big room (no cameras allowed). There were 60 babies, 150 plus parents, grandparents, aunts, siblings, etc. and probably 1 dozen guides. Pretty incredible to see all of the babies/chldren with all of the families. Apparently they can process 60 adoption visas per day so they have a swearing-in ceremony like ours 4 times a week. He said last year there 5,000 Chinese babies adopted by Americans, the peak was 7,000 3 yrs. ago.
They had us all wait in line and a lady looked at our passport pictures to make sure it was the right parents getting the right baby. Then we all sang Happy Birthday in Chinese to one of the babies, then we all stood and raised our right arm to swear that everything in all of our paperwork was accurate to the best of our knowledge. We were given her passport and visa and a big brown envelope that we have been told NOT to open and we must give it to the immigration officer at our port of entry.
Whew!!!
3 comments:
Congratulations! Whew, what a relief. I'll bet you are excited to come home. Safe journeys to you,
Pam
Yeah! Welcome to the family Abby Potter!!!
Whew!!! Congratulations Potter Family, especially to you sweet little Abby Potter! You have already been on your 1st vacation, and 1st plane trip with your mom & dad, and now you will be taking your 1st international flight home with your mom & dad to meet the rest of your forever family in your new home in America! How exciting!
We are all anxiously awaiting your arrival and praying that you have a safe journey home!
With love & blessings,
Pete, Marilee, Kailee & Anthonie
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