Proud to Be an American

Today is citizenship day, well, kind of. Today we went to the US Consulate, and took an oath on Nina's behalf for her to become a US citizen once we hit US soil. It is and sounds more beautiful than the actual experience. We stood with 32 families and took the oath and then waited as they called our names to sign a piece of paper. Intermingled within the families were a half dozen or so Chinese immigrants applying to become US citizens also. A very proud day, yet the ceremony itself wasn't that glamorous.

The day began with little Miss Sunshine, being just that, sunshiny. She was unpredictably cheerful. Maybe because she sweet talked me into wearing her little Chinese outfit today. Whatever the case, she was so delightful at breakfast. That lasted until Grumpers walked off to go do something. Then, she cried and cried and cried. She is very close to him and doesn't want him leaving her. She can leave him to go somewhere, but he cannot leave her. He really didn't realize how much of an impact he has had on her life. This gives us some wisdom on handling our living quarters with her and him.

Nina cried off and on through out the morning as we traveled and enjoyed the local zoo. It was her first visit to the zoo and at times she was just crying to cry. I must share our zoo experience. The safari ride we had the animals so close. Dawson even had a camels backside pretty much to his face. There were several camels, several giraffes, several elephants. Things we may see 1, 2, or 3 of they had dozens. We also got to see black bears, white tigers and yes....Pandas. And they were oh so cute. I think there were 12, including 5 babies that were one year old.

After the zoo we went to the US Consulate and then returned to the hotel. Nina became her cute 7 year old self once here. Being adorable and sweet. Emotions can turn on and off very quickly. And understandably.

We are all missing home and cannot wait to get into our own beds. We miss our friends and family and Facebook. We miss Quik Trip and normal and I miss oatmeal. But as much as we miss things we try to remember that Nina misses everything 10 times more. I brought a small photo album showing Nina her room, how to use a car set (thank you Elizabeth Lovell for modeling!), our home, our dog, etc. She is getting it out more and more. So, I hope she is anticipating it or at least trying to understand it all.

Tomorrow night is riverboat ride night. We cannot wait. However, the evenings are cool and I lost my jean jacket in the last city. I have no idea how. That's the least of my concerns.

Love to you all!