Final US Visa Appointment

February 26~Visa Appointment and Oath taking Day

This morning we went to the US Consulate to finalize Ava's visa paperwork. This included an oath taking ceremony. On our way over to the Consulate, one of the families warned us that this is not a grand ceremony and they were right. The ceremony consisted of a US Consulate employee talking to a waiting room full of adoptive families from behind a glassed counter. She asked all the adoptive parents to stand and raise their right hands. As we did so, she told us what to say. “I promise to treat my adoptive child as my own. I will not abuse or abandon them...” Something to that notion. And that quickly it was over and the workers began calling up the parents one by one to verify paperwork and passports. Even though the ceremony was not a grand affair it is a HUGE, important step for our family in that it was the last step needed to get her visa so that we can all fly home!! So whatever it takes to get her home we are willing to do.

Ava had another big first today...her first tantrum ;) When we were finished at the Consulate and waiting for the rest of the members of our party to get done. Ava was getting quite impatient about the wait (not that we could really blame her) and wanted to go outside. So I took her out there, but all she wanted to do was climb/play on the wet, slippery, marble stairs. When I took her off of them she had a meltdown!! Stomping feet, swinging her arms, sobbing, the whole ordeal. This was not fun for Ava or mama. But she pretty quickly recovered and then we were able to go back outside and look at the flowers. We are figuring out that parenting a 19 month old is a lot of redirecting their focus. This task is sometimes much easier said than done.

The rest of the day continued to be a tough one. Several more tantrums followed throughout the afternoon. Unfortunately we first of all had to wake Ava up in the morning before she was ready because of the Consulate appointment and her afternoon nap was disrupted as well. I think these two things did not help matters much. I also think that the busy days are catching up with all of us and we are all feeling the exhaustion. We are thankful to have Lau Lau around always, but extra thankful today. She helped us get through a tough day and help us to keep our sanity. It's also helpful to talk it through with someone whose been there and raised some pretty good kids if I do say so myself ;) and to be reassured that it's ok. Every family has days like this and we'll learn to handle them.

I have to say though that we love that Ava is healthy enough, strong enough, and comfortable enough to have a mind of her own...good or bad, we are thankful!

We spent the evening on a Pearl River boat cruise with the rest of the Holt families. We really debated about going with the day we had, but in the end were so glad we went. It was great to spend some more time together with people we have grown so close with over the last few weeks. It's also so nice to not have to feel like we have to hide when it's been a rough day. They all know and have been in the same boat one day or another. They all are adopting their 2^nd or 3^rd child, so they are also full of advice, wisdom, and encouragement. The river boat was decked out as a traditional Chinese Dragon Boat. The lower level was air conditioned and the upper deck was open to the wind. The boat served food but they were wonderful and allowed us crazy Americans to bring Papa John's Pizza on board. Ava got to try her first bites of hamburger pizza and breadstick. Yummy!! We have yet to discover much she won't eat. So far we're learned of just corn and peas.

We got back to our hotel around 8:30pm and Miss Ava headed right to bed. We didn't get much of a fight about bedtime tonight. She was so tired. Tomorrow we don't have any appointments until 4:30pm so we are planning to sleep in as late as possible.