Counting down

Today marks our last full day here in China, and as such... our last official appointment!  This morning we drove to the US Consulate to submit a handful of immigration-related documents (including the results from Little One's medical appointment and "bloody test" on Thursday-- she passed!).  Tomorrow, our guide Helen will return to the consulate to pick up Little One's Chinese passport, which will (by that time) be stamped with an American visa. A Chinese citizen today-- an American citizen at our first US port of entry on Wednesday!!

To celebrate, we started packing up our suit cases once we returned to the hotel :)  And as we placed our treasures inside, we chatted about what we've missed most from home.  In no particular order, though *well behind* the crew we left at home, here they are:
-- fellow English-speaking folks. We've been blessed with wonderful traveling companions, but we've also been fully surrounded by foreign dialects.  What a treat it will be to hear our native tongue-- everywhere-- once again!
-- potable tap water.  We've been brushing our teeth with bottled water. It didn't take long at all to realize that we've been taking our public utilities for granted!
-- chai tea and Dr. Pepper... our favorite comfort drinks.
-- our washing machine
-- "just being home"
-- Breyers ice cream
-- forks.  The guys have thoroughly enjoyed their chopsticks and have even become quite skilled with them; I, on the other hand, miss a traditional place setting.
[My eldest's goal-- to keep practicing once he gets home so he can enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with chopsticks alone.  We'll see.]
-- western toilets.  And toilet paper.  Thankfully, our hotel room is well-equipped with both, but most places around here are not.  So whenever we leave the hotel, we make sure to bring our tissues along, just in case...
-- American food. Chipotle specifically.  Not that we go that often-- just that we could if wanted to.
-- our normal routine.  And swim practice.
-- cooler temperatures and low-humidity days.  Thankfully, autumn is upon us-- we're returning home at my favorite time of year!
-- the fellowship of friends and family.  Special times-- even ordinary times-- are meant to be shared with loved ones, and we can't wait to share our new sweet pea with special folks.

And because I can't sign off without posting a few pics, here are a few more from the pool... our favorite hang-out on toasty afternoons.

Thank you, Lord~