The tough part is done

June 19,2007
Well, don't know were to start. We've been on the run for the last 3 days. No time to journal or post. We just fell into bed each night. The trip up the mountain to the orphanage was a bit ahhhh... scary but well worth it. The 7 hour trip through the country mountain roads was very interesting. Over bridges and through tunnels and finding roads were none really exist. There were landslide debris and rocks on the road and occasionally the water flowed down the mountain side and right over the road and we drove right through it all. Nothing stopped or slowed down "Trevor" our driver. We bounced around pretty good but we all made it in one piece. There was an accident about 1/4 mile from the orphanage so we got out and walked up the hill. We managed to get some great pics of the surrounding areas. Inside was very exciting and chaotic. All the babies were with caretakers just inside the door and everyone started to scurry to find theirs.We recognized her right away. We had to wait 'til we were called 4th in the line. Jen was just shaking and crying. It was so emotional. Ali took it all in stride and laughed and smiled the whole time. She has been so amazing breaking in her new mommy and daddy. She is just beautiful and laughs and smiles and jabbers alot. She is eating good and sleeping well and seems to be taking to us more all the time. She looks for us now in the crowds and chaos.She is very,very active and gets bored sitting for a second so we've done many miles with her in the rooms and halls but she is more than we could've ever dreamt. We spent the night in Qianjiang and then had the exciting ride back here to Chongqing. The babies all have colds but are managing quite well. The bus ride didn't faze them at all. This morning we went to the adoption office and completed our paperwork. This afternoon we went to the bank and completed the finances. It was suppose to take an hour but ended up a little over 4. We then went to the store and got some supplies and are all just relaxing comfortably. Our little travel group has gelled quite nicely. We are getting many things accomplished on our own. Only 1 dad went down sick today.Too much fruit we think. We really like it here in China and time is flying by but we are looking forward to going home. We definitely would love to come back though with-out schedules and chaos because it is truly an amazing country.The views alone are great and the people have been great to the dopey Canadians. So friendly and helpful wherever we go or even just walking the streets although the moms get a little nervous as they love the babies and they come right up and want to take them and touch them and hold them and are very forward about it. They also love to try their english when they can. I am also getting to try my limited chinese out and have been able to help the group find a few things and get around a bit. The people are very patient with me. All is well. The tough part is over.