Day 15-Last post from CHINA!!

Well today when I woke up I was instantly in tears. I cant believe the time has come to say "good bye" to China.....my daughters homeland!! Channing woke up in a good mood and we headed down for breakfast. At breakfast about a dozen of us decided to take one last shopping excursion and head to the famous Wang Fu Jing Street. My parents were packing and didnt come along. Now this was my kind of shopping. We only had 2 hours since we had to be back to the hotel to check out and grab some lunch. Wang Fu Jing Street was like a normal shopping street. There were stores that you didnt bargain in, malls, and a market if you wanted to grab some gifts (& bargain). I stayed on the shopping street and went to the mall. Yulin and Cindy (guide) came shopping with me and Channing so I had some professional shoppers to help me power shop. There were a few things I hadnt picked up yet for Channing so we focused on that list. I found a great Chinese barbie that plays music that was 60% off, a doll that says "I love you", some Beijing Olympic mascot teddy's, a few toys for my nephews and then some other things to tuck away for Channing when she is older. I wish we would've spent a day there shopping.....next time!!!

Once we got back to the hotel I had to finish packing in a hurry and then Channing and I had one last lunch with Yulin, James, Louisa and Kaili. I will miss them so much!!! We all met in the lobby and said good-bye to those who were flying out after us and some were leaving tomorrow. It was so sad to say good-bye to the group. Some of them I have been communicating with since the begining of my journey and some I have just met for the 1st time in China. We all had a great time and I couldnt have asked for a better travel group. So THANK YOU to each and everyone of you!! The support, advice, hugs and encouragement you gave me during the journey and especially this last week will never be forgotten. The sad part is that the closest family to me is 7 hours away.....but I know with the connection that I had with a number of the families....we will be taking a few trips!!!

I want to thank the People's Republic of China for gifting me with one of their precious girls and for making "My Little Chinese Dream" finally come true!! I also need to say a big THANK YOU to my parents for believing in me and supporting my choice of adoption They have been one of my biggest fans and especially for coming along to China. I could'nt have done it without them!! I also want to thank each one of you for following my journey and for all your heartfelt comments and emails. Lastly I want to thank my wonderful agency... Family Outreach International. Bob & Yulin are truly AMAZING people. From the first phone call I made to them a few years back until now they have been nothing but unbelievable. Without them I wouldnt be sitting here in China with my beautiful daughter!!!

Well.....It is with heavy heart that I'm taking Channing from her homeland. This has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life....one that I had no idea would be this hard. I wouldnt change it for anything, and regardless of how hard these past 2 weeks have been I'm so in love with my daughter, my heart is ready to burst. It has been the most wonderful time of my life!! China will always be a special part of my life....all I know is Channing and I will be back one day (& hopefully soon).





Beijing airport.....waiting to board the plane.......Canada bound!!!



Aidan and Maia.....our 2 blondes in the group!!! The are both so adorable!!!