Visa in Guangzhou & Surgery in Chicago

Chris here. I feel like an invader in Monica's blog but I have the computer now.

Much has transpired since our last post. We got Anna's Chinese passport in Nanchang on Friday and flew to Guangzhou that afternoon. All week Monica had been looking forward to meeting the other families from our agency, America World. Meeting them brought smiles of recognition--even though these were blog-friends for Monica--and much laughter. One family from Nebraska adopted a second child from China (after having three biological children). The director of Levi's orphanage called him very, very naughty (feichang, feichang tiaopi). He likes scaring people by kicking off his prosthetic leg/foot. The other families adopting special needs children were a privilege to meet, such fun and grateful people.
On Saturday we had Anna's medical exam (top picture). The doctor said that everything looked great--her surgery was well done and she might not need another. To our great relief he confirmed that the large bruise-looking things on her bottom and back are Mongolian spots, common birthmarks for Asian children. Our pediatrician will have to document the spots: we have heard of families being reported to Child Protective Service because care-givers thought the spots were bruises from abuse (and that's what they look like). Monica also had the "paper party" on Saturday where she filled out all the forms for Anna's American visa.

Unfortunately, I had to leave Monica and Anna on Saturday afternoon. Leaving them was incredibly hard. This little girl has captivated a piece--a pretty big one, too--of my heart. I can make her shake her head back and forth, clap her hand (pai pai shou), and spit bubbles. Smiles and laughs come easy for this girl. What a difference 5 days together makes!
I left because I had to return to Houston to take Daniel up to Chicago for his ear surgery. We are not sitting at the Ronald McDonald House in Lincoln Park, near Children's Memorial Hospital. Daniel will have a reconstructive ear surgery tomorrow at noon by the top pediatric plastic surgeon (for ears) in the United States. Please pray for him. He is, rightfully, afraid of the surgery. But he was very brave at our pre-operation visit today.

Monica's friend Christina Miller and their adopted Chinese daughter, Rebekah, trained up from Hong Kong to spend three days with Monica in my absence. They are having loads of fun together; Anna has really taken to Rebekah. Anna got her visa yesterday (Monday in China) and there will be a swearing in ceremony today. Monica and Anna will fly to Chicago on Wednesday and my parents will drive up from Houston with Sam and Jonathan. We will then spend a few days in Chicago and a week in West Michigan with my extended family. After Daniel's last post-op doctor appointment, we will return to Houston on July 4. Monica will spend three days with us in Chicago and then return to Houston with Anna on June 27. Yes, this has been an exhilirating and exhausting two weeks for us. We appreciate your prayers.