China Day 7: Officially Officially OFFICIAL!!

Who cares if it's 24 hours and a few moments of panic later, right?  Sorry for the delay. 

OK.  The details.


Our guide picked us up this morning at 8:15 am.  We headed back to the same government building we've visited the past two days and met with the same woman from yesterday.

 

 She asked us if we were happy with the child, his medical status and if we were ready to proceed.  She commented that he looked much better today.  Then she went on to ask the usual adoption interview questions.  I'll admit I almost busted into the ugly cry when she asked if we promise never to abuse or abandon the child.  They always ask that question but hearing the word abandon felt different today.  Yes, we promise with our whole hearts.  We answered all her questions honestly and that was that.  Signed sealed and delivered in less than 10 minutes.
 

Then we had to drive all over the city to complete the paperwork. Apparently when Guangdong adoptions are completed on Monday or Tuesday the government officials come to the adoption registry office. When they occur on other days you have to drive around town directly to them. Guangzhou is a really big city.  Our paperwork is now back where it should be and we can proceed as scheduled.

Waiting at the Guangdong Notary Office

 For those who asked, our paperwork can not be expedited unless it is an imminent emergency.  Since he hasn't had any more and we are not approved for a child with a diagnosis of epilepsy we don't need to rock the boat.  If it happens again we'll consider it but it will require a lot of red tape. 

We got back to the hotel a little before 11 but I couldn't get the computer to cooperate.  Then I had to run and say goodbye to a friend who is leaving today.  Again, sorry to keep you all waiting.

We have a medical exam in the morning which is simply a formality for the US Visa. The events of Tuesday are not part of Little Buddy's official adoption paperwork so if they don't ask I won't be divulging any unnecessary information. We just need to get home so we can figure out why this happened in the first place.  He has been perfectly fine since around noon yesterday so hopefully we are in the clear.  Let's just pray he doesn't decide to show off his funny business in the medical exam office like he did yesterday at Civil Affairs.

Again, thank you all for storming the gates of heaven on our son's behalf.  We know literally hundreds of families were praying for us and for that we are eternally grateful.  As we drove around the city finalizing the adoption paperwork I couldn't help but shed a few tears.  Yesterday I was a hot mess and today I could SHOUT with joy.  This roller coaster called international adoption is almost complete and I am ready to GET OFF this crazy train.  Almost half way to the finish line...