End of the school year...

After we got back from China, Bailey and Camden were plopped right into Finals and all of the things that the end of the school year brings. Timing for our trip was definitely not the best, but it would not have been possible otherwise and fortunately it all worked out. Luckily, their teachers were quite supportive of the trip.  There were a few things they missed (soccer party (for Bailey), National Honor Society Induction, field days etc., but they still were able to attend; other award ceremonies, graduations, and soccer party (for Camden). And now the school year is over and the fun of summer has begun. I am secretly so glad to have had our family time in China because now friends are the definite priority:-). Mia still has 6 weeks of school to go though - oh the joys of having kids in 2 different school systems :-).

Camden's Graduation - Can't believe he will be in 9th Grade!

Bailey missed the official induction into the National Honors Society because of our trip to China - so proud though that she got in :-) 

End of the year cook out...

The biggest festival in our new town (ok, we have been here a year now - maybe it isn't so new) - it was a fun weekend!

The entire old city is filled with live music, yummy food, and lots of people!

They sell Beer by the Liter - yikes! These waitresses were strong!

The weather was fantastic!

City Hall all dressed up

Mia was in Bamberg at a friends' house for the weekend, but she came home on Sunday and we went to the kids craft area.. The kids from her class at school were all talking about "the fest" so it was nice that she could go on Sunday. 

China Trip - End (Finally) :-)

Our last day was spent just trying to take it all in one last time. We did a bit of last minute shopping and eating. Bryan and I dicovered a massage place in a small mall below our apartment. That in itself was quite a funny experience. I have never in my life had such a strong massage. Bryan had bruises on his back afterwards and I stood 3 inches taller  - Did I mention not one word of English was spoken - it was absolutely hysterical!

We were all so sad to leave. I think the trip was everything and more that I could have hoped for Mia (and for all of us). The most important thing that came out of it though, is the biggest reason we came back in the first place... Now, when Mia closes her eyes, she can envision the sights, smells, and feelings of where she came from. She learned so much about the culture through our new friends, and she can envision (to some degree) what life in China is like for a 10 year old. We will definitely go back again.

Our family at Mia's Social Welfare Center (orphanage) It was so special to spend some time where Mia lived 10 months of her life. Behind us (and below) is the courtyard where the only pictures of Mia were taken when she was there... 

China - Continued

After the morning at the Civil affairs office and the interview with the reporter, the only other thing that we had scheduled with the guide was in the evening at 5:00. We had arranged to go to a families' house for dinner (that of a girl Mia's age). We ended up going down on the rocks on the Yagntze River for a while. It was really hot that day and it was relaxing for the kids (and the adults :-)) just to explore a bit on the water. After that, we went and met the family by picking the girl up with her Mom at their school (her Mom is a teacher there). We then walked to her apartment, where we visited for a while and had a delicous dinner. Our families exchanged gifts and it was just a really neat experience.Such kindness!!!

Our guide explained how the rocks are all round because they have been turned millions of times in the river...

This man was fishing by hand - he had probably done it since he was a boy (I bet the buildings in the back weren't there back then though..

There are lots of dinnerboats and cruises on the Yagntze. It is so sad about the ship that just capsized and so many people lost their lives- the boat was heading to Chongqing :-(

You can see the rounded rocks...

fun to explore a bit...

Young people enjoying a day on the water (playing cards)

The kids found a turtle...

They brought him down to the River to be safe...

We went at 5:00 to the school to pick up the girl and her Mom. Yes - they don't get out until 5:00pm (and that was the early release day!) and yes - it looks like a car line, but without the cars :-)

They have a sports field at the school..

Our guide is translating everything - it is a private school with 50 children in each classroom. Discipline is not an issue!

Mia and her new friend (her Mom told her to hold Mia's hand - so cute!)

Making our way to their apartment after picking them up at school...

Such a neat commute!

The family consisted of a Mom and Dad and 1 daughter (they are only allowed to have 1). The Dad is an engineer, but does not live at home during the week (so we did not meet him). The Mom is a teacher at the same school as the Daughter goes to...

As with our entire visit - such amazing hospitality!!!!

Yummy snacks before dinner...

Camden's gift from the family -  a beautiful banner - they were so nice!!!

We exchanged gifts...

And talked a while through our translator... I had lots of questions :-)

Delicious dinner! It was cute - they offered us wine with dinner.... They said it was strong, but good. It was not wine, but hard liquor - and yes it was quite strong!

Such a neat experience!

Adorable girls!!! 

So yummy!

a fantastic day!

China Day 10 (Civil Affairs Office and Dinner with a family)

I spent oodles and oodles of time researching for this trip (trip planning is one of my favorite hobbies though, so I really enjoyed it :-)). I wanted to do most everything on our own on this trip (without a guide) and so it took lots and lots of researching. The one thing that I knew we could not do on our own though, was one thing that was really important to us. I had read that someimes the files of the girls that are adopted have a bit more information than was given originally. I don't think the information is secretive in anyway, but just maybe not deemed important. The only way to see the file is to make an appointment at the Civil Affairs office (where the records are organized and kept). I didn't have huge expectaions, but I thought  - "we have come all this way and it would be a shame not to try" (especially knowing the fact that things change so quickly and maybe next time, it would not be possible to see it). Anyway, I was able to find a guide that was able to connect with the Civil Affairs office and make us an appointment there. When we met the guide in the Morning, he told us that another Newspaper wanted to interview us (2 Newspaper Articles in 1 trip - this was a little weird). I asked Mia again though what she thought and she wanted to do the interview because "Maybe my birth Mommy will read it and see that I am happy and healthy". So... the guide, the reporter, and our family headed to the Civil Affairs Office. The building had moved (which I knew already) since we were there last. They reorganized a bit too and now have an office just for weddings and adoption. We were greeted by a super friendly lady and treated so kindly. I guess a few families have already been back (it appeared that they were only families from Europe though that had been back). She brought us into this very formal room and read something and then presented Mia with a beautiful Gift. She said that Mia was now an Ambassador (not formally of course, but figuratively) between our two countries. I thought that was so special. They had a photographer to take pictures, and the reporter was there to take pictures, and we took pictures - so there were LOTS of pictures :-). She then brought in Mia's file and we were allowed to look at it. We weren't allowed to take video or photos or anything, but it was 100% her file with ALL of the documents that I had written back in 2005 as part of our Dossier - it was so weird to see my handwriting on documents that were written so long ago (and long forgotten). This was definitely her file! The biggest puzzle piece that I wanted to find was the name of the person who found Mia on the Street that day way back when. Sure enough - that information was there - along with an address! That was really all that I had hoped for and I was so happy to have this. I have a friend who is 41 years old, and just connected with his birth family. His entire life he searched and finally found them. It is amazing to hear his enthusiasm and wonder of it all. I don't know what Mia would want in her future, but just seeing this through my friends' eyes, I realize that this is something that I can do for her now (for her future) that may change her life one day and complete her puzzle. I was so grateful for this piece (even if nothing becomes of it ever -at least she has this piece to the puzzle if she wants to try to complete it. They then asked her to write a message in a scrapbook that documents return visits. We were able to look at the other photos and writings and saw that 4 or 5 other families from Europe had been back. I think the entire experience (not just today, but the entire trip), made Mia feel so special and loved. It was fun  to see her enjoying all of it so much!

They changed the building and reorganized the offices...

The old Civil Affairs office was where we met Mia for the first time - such happy memories!! 

We sat on a couch, while the lady read Mia a nice "Welcome back" speech and told her that she is always welcome here and that she is an "ambasador" now between our 2 countries - pretty neat!

Mia being presented with a gift...

The lady was exceptionally friendly - so kind!

I think Mia felt so special!!!

Her gift was an engraved pencil holder - definitely a neat memory!

Mia was asked to fill out a scrapbook page for their book. It was a bit funny because she wrote in English (but usually, she writes in German - so not so easy for her). It was an ink pen too and she is left handed - so it was especially funny!

Mia writing in the book... Her picture will go to the left (we could see the entries of the people coming back before us :-))

So cute! They translated it into Chinese too!

The gift...

We donated to their orphan fund and Mia got a pin - it was very nice!

Definitely a special experience and so nice for them to show us how much they value these special children! The lady mentioned that the reason adoption in China has slowed so much (with the exception of special needs kids) is because their economy improved greatly after 2006 (I had not heard this reasoning before, but it makes sense) and also because they do many more domestic adoptions now. They had a neat pamphlet with pictures of local adoptive families - it was really nice to see.

Mia being interviewed again. This time by the Chongqing online News (with a mere 25 million readers - CRAZY!)

Mia and the reporter (Sunny)