Well its official, Josie is coming home with us.  She was officially approved by the US Consulate today.  
Tomorrow we take her oath as an American citizen.  How cool is that.  Robin and I were talking tonight that
we feel like we have been her parents forever.  She is such a part of our lives now.  We can't wait to share
her with everyone.  She is a ham when shes not cranky.  We call her our ham and cheese.  Tomorrow is our
last day here.  I can't believe that is finally here.  It is bittersweet, for we want to come home and start our
lives at home with her, but yet we love the time here together as well.   We leave very early on Wed. and will
be home in the afternoon on Wed.  However, we will have been traveling for 26 hours.  What a day that is
going to be.  Robin is very worried about the trip home, for Josie doesn't like to be held while just sitting
there.  We have to be moving.  It should be interesting.  As of yesterday, the seat next to us on the long
flight was open, I hope it stays that way.  Today was a very trying day.  Josie woke up very very cranky.  She
has gas really bad.  We had to start the milicon drops today.  They seem to ease her a bit.  We didn't make
it to the silk market today.  We decided to just hang out here on the island and check out the shops here
again.  I think tomorrow we are going to go ahead and go, for it is our last day here.  We spent our time
gathering all of our belongings a preparing to pack.  We have boughten so many shoes and clothes for her,
we actually had to go buy another suitcase for the stuff.  It is a real cheap one, it only cost $17 US.  Hope
everything makes it.  We will carry on the most important thing we got here anyway, Josie.
Big progress today on the eating front.
She began to eat ritz bitz crackers
today.  Actually more like gummed
them.
Here are my ladies again.  Aren't they
so adorable.
She finally crawled thru the door of this
toy.  
Look at this happy family.  We had Cantonese for
dinner again tonight.  It was awesome.  We
actually got to sit and eat together tonight.  Josie
sat on our laps and had crackers and congee.
Grandma & Grandpa, Josie wanted to
show you her favorite toy.  She said it
would be a nice birthday or Christmas
gift.  Hint!Hint!
Here she is bouncing on her squeaky
shoes.  With Robin's help of course.
However, the cranky faces I will put up with when
I see here like this.  She is my girl.  She is sitting
on the infamous red couch here at the White
Swan Hotel.  We went a day early to practice,
for she still is having trouble sitting on her own.  
Tomorrow, is the group picture on the famous
couch.
She loves this pose.  So flexible.  She
helps us when we go to change her
diaper.
We had this face alot today.  Like I
said, she was very very cranky.  
July 26, 2005
All of the moms and babies on the red couch.
Josie had her first taste of ice cream today.  She loved it.
Robin laughing at the chaos
and Josie wondering what
the heck is going on.  
Obviously the group photo
is to the right
Finally, the shot I have been waiting for since
the beginning of this journey.  It is very special
for I knew when this shot was taken, every
step would be finished and our family would
be complete.  Thank you for allowing me to
share some thoughts while I guide you thru
Josie's story. For us it has been an incredible
journey, because it is not everyday a precious
child becomes a daughter, or a great woman
becomes a mom, not even when a guy like me
becomes a dad.  


July 25, 2005
Wise Family Album
Travel Day
    Hey everyone, were headed home.  We swore Josie in today as a US citizen.  How cool is that.  We got her passport  
today and are all ready to go.  We are leaving the hotel at 5:30 in the morning.  Our flight however is not until 8:20.  Thats OK,
we'll be up anyway.  Josie had a much better day today.  The mylicon drops work extremely well.  We had to go to the Consulate
this morning, which lasted only about 5-10 mins by the way, then Robin, Josie, and I were off to the fabric market.  It was cool
going  by ourselves, we feel very comfortable here.  The hotel gives us little cards to show where we want to go and how to get
back.  Our guides have been taking us on the big trips, and our friend in our group speaks cantonese.  Man has he been a big
help.  Could not have done somethings without him.  The traffic and driving is mad, there are people all over the place.  They
are on motorcycles, buses, cars, and bikes and they don't care if your in their way.  It seems really crazy, especially without Josie
in a carseat.  Then when we got back to the hotel, it was group picture time.  Man was that interesting.  You see, every baby that
gets adopted from here and stays at this hotel, gets their picture taken on the red couch.  Its tradition, but wow, it was chaotic.  
Luckily our group decided to just set the babies down on the couch and snap a few quick pictures.  It would have been to nuts to
get the perfect picture.  Then we had a group photo as well.  Tonight, we went as a group to the Golden Bowl Restaurant for
dinner.  It was good again.  Robin however, is phening for some ice.  Well, it is going to be a short journal tonight, for I have to
leave in less than six hours.  We hope everyone has enjoyed our journey as much as we have.  Cannot wait for everyone to
meet my daughter Josie.  See everyone soon.
All of the babies in our group are in the
picture to the left, while all the girls
from Josie's orphanage are in the
picture to the right.  Josie is in the pink
flowered dress of course.