Goodbye to China

Tonight Ben is a citizen of China. Tomorrow, as soon as we touch ground in Chicago, he becomes a U.S. Citizen and life will never be the same.

 

Earlier this evening we said good bye to our new friends and Ben's old friends. It was emotional for me to think of them not seeing each other every day anymore. But I am SO thankful we've had this two week transition time for them to still connect on a daily basis. As loud and crazy as it was during that 'connecting' time, I am really glad we took this journey with these other families. We share a special bond with them now after experiencing all of this together.

 

We are trying to head to bed early tonight as we have a huge travel day tomorrow. Again, we are scheduled to arrive in Minneapolis at 5:23pm and are planning to meet my parents, Kevin's dad and our kids at the United baggage claim number 11 after that. I'm almost positive on that - if not - there are only a handful of United Baggage claims and they're all right next to each other :) If you're close by and want to join our family, feel free. Disclaimer we have no idea what shape we'll be in, but it would be fun to give you a quick introduction to this little man.

 

As we are ready to head home, I'll just share a few more random pictures of our time in China. It's a fascinating culture and country and I'm sure we'll be learning a lot more about it as the years go on. But for now, it's time to say good-bye and to welcome Ben to the U.S.!

In front of the U.S. Consulate to get our Visa for Ben to travel home!

View from the roof of our hotel in Guangzhou

 

Ben and Jackson, who is headed to sunny CA, lucky guy.   

Girl studying outside her family's street side pet store

Organizing merchandise on the road side

The 'over 50' crowd's common pastime...hackysack. You should really see the video.

Amazing spindly trees lining the streets everywhere in Guangzhou. Maybe this is a Ficus?

The man who tried to sell us this puppy.

Ben thoroughly enjoys all things moving. Cars, vans, escalators and pictured here...the elevator.



Ben being a rock star at his medical appointment.

One of a zillion bead stores.

Bikes of all kinds are EVERYWHERE.

The burial site of the Founder of Modern China....I'll have to get back to you on his name.

Garbage day.

Ben's buddy Sophie who is heading to MN as well!

Strolling the streets of Nanjing.

Real men wear toddlers.

Bubbles speak every language.
 

See you soon!