it's official

This is Michael (his western name) our translator. Like his shirt. Lauren is fascinated by lights and there are some pretty ones in this lobby.

Waiting in the lobby to leave for Changsha Civil Affairs office this morning.

The street traffic in front of the Dolton Hotel in Changsha, China this morning. Changsha (population 10 million) has it's charm. The people are very friendly. I loved watching the older people do their tai chi and dancing in the market square next to our hotel this morning.

While waiting for parts of our paperwork to be completed we noticed that there was a school in the building across from ours (neither with air conditioning, so the windows were open). We noticed a young girl waving to us. . . then several, until the window was full of them and one yelled 'Hello!' across to us. This continued later as we left, they looked down from their classroom and waved.

One of the nannies that cared for Lauren Jin Lin in the orphanage came to say goodbye.

On the way back to the Dolton Hotel. You know the traffic here is an incredible thing to watch / experience! In this city of 10 million with cars, buses, and many electric bikes and a few other things I'm not sure what to call them, with people of all ages on them.

The 'official' family photo for Lauren's visa documentation. Today, we completed all official paperwork for Lauren's adoption in China. The remaining paperwork will be related to requirements) for her visa, passport and US citizenship.