Consulate and Karaoke!

Today was not only Michael’s Consulate appointment but it was James’ birthday as well. We arrived at the Consulate building at 8:15 a.m. and made our way up to the fourth floor and through security. By 9:00 a.m. all of the adoptive families were seated in the waiting room. We were given instructions for the immigration process and then we all stood and took the oath. We were the first family called up for our interview. The interviewer was extremely nice and he was very pleased that we were adopting a boy. Our interview was quick and our paperwork was all in order, so we were out of the building by 9:20.

To celebrate, we took Michael to a Karaoke building. Karaoke is THE activity of choice in China and there are Karaoke buildings everywhere. We had wanted to try to go to one last year, but never did. Since Michael loves to sing and dance so much, we decided that Karaoke would be our final big activity. I was blown away by how extensive these buildings are! They are huge inside and have enormous fancy buffets in the center. Big trees are in the main lobby areas as well as other cool Chinese decorations. There are many floors, sometimes more than 10 in the Karaoke buildings and each floor is lined with individual Karaoke rooms. Inside the rooms are big couches, a large TV and a screen to control the Karaoke system.

Michael thought that Karaoke was the best thing in the world!



We were there for an hour and none of the rest of us were allowed to sing.



He danced and crooned at the top of his lungs for the entire time. He was hilarious!



When it was time to go, he threw a complete screaming tantrum and made sure that everyone knew that we were leaving the building. He sure knows how to make an impression.

The kids had written James sweet notes for his birthday and we ended the day with a yummy birthday cake. We sure are blessed to have him as the father in our home. He is selfless in every way and always puts his family first…even on his own birthday.

Tomorrow we will receive Michael’s visa from the Consulate at 4:00 p.m. and we will immediately drive to Hong Kong to begin our long journey home. Next time we blog, we will be in America with our new little citizen!