Journey home

We got breakfast as usually and sat by the window with the waterfall outside via your sibling's request. They fed the koi the leftover breads (and BACON!) We headed up to the room to finish packing. What a feat! We left with luggage FULL (5 carrying and everyone a backpack) and we came home with the same - even with all the shopping! We still packed too much. I will learn eventually. It was harder this time than last. Last time was June.. I threw a few sundresses in and off we went. This time was different. We had to dress for negative temps and then 70 degrees, which felt like 80 to us most days , coming from Hohhot. Anyway, I really only needed 3-4 outfits. Wash and wear - that's what the Chinese do! So we got everything packed and zippers almost burst. We headed down to meet Elsie for the last time. It was so hard to leave her as well. She calls Anna and I the "Guangzhou survivors" lol! We presented her with her gift, wrapped in red-ish paper (almost pink, but I didn't know and that is a whole other story!). We had to get two vans to take us to HK because we all wouldn't fit in the toyotas (nice vans!!!) with our luggage. Justin was in a van with Ezra, Eli and Joy. I was in the other van with you and Anna. So off we went and we had such mixed emotions. How do you leave behind all those children that need homes? All the culture that is so fascinating? It's so hard to leave!

Our driver was a young man that looked about 20. He had two iPhones up to his head at once during the drive. Voice chatting the other driver in Justin's van and someone else in a call on the other. Crazy! We went through the border and handed over our passports, they searched the van quickly and then "shot" us in the head with the lazer gun to read our temperature. It doesn't matter how many times you do that, we wince every time. Lol
The driver did keep up well with the other driver and we both arrived at the airport together safely. We checked our bags and admitted that we shouldn't have had each of you carry a backpack. It was too much hassle. We know better now. You all handle the bags well, but it's so annoying carrying all of that around! We went through a breezy security and then.... they put you through the scanner... ALONE. What does that mean? It means you had no hand to hold and you were LOOSE! My heart was pounding. Helpless. Just watching you walk away... then... you turned to look and you stopped. Miracle! I've got to wechat Mrs Cindy about this one! She won't believe it! They hurried us through when they realized what they had done! Hahah. We were starving and found the Popeye's and got some mashed potatoes for you and you lapped them up!!!! We split a few chicken strip meals because we didn't want to exchange USD to Hong Kong Dollars, so we just decided to use one of the precious gift we got from our friends that we traveled with last time - all their leftover Hong Kong dollars! We hurried and got to our gate. You walked like a champ and love love love the escalators. You didn't know how to step off of them when we got you and after a couple, you caught on quickly! I was worried about boarding the plane so hungry. We've never flown American Airlines, but have flown Delta and United. We were not pleased with United at the least, but they got us home safely, so that is good enough. We have been delta fans all the way, and still are.. and now we adore American - Many different reasons! The food was plentiful and pretty good actually! You ate baby corn, bok choy, carrots, rice and fish. They had chocolate mousse that you didn't care for but Eli did! He got your extras and Ezra got Joy's! You and Joy both aren't chocolate fans! We found that you like Apple juice after you turned it down for the 26 time! I had to dip my finger in it and force it into your mouth. You then reached for it! I watered it down and you drank and drank during your meal!

You made it to LAX and went a little wild, reverting back to the pulling and collapsing. We kept the consistency and you settled... until a woman told her 2 year old to chase you, yelling "Get her, Jamison!!!!!" After I caught you, I made it perfectly clear that we didn't allow running in public places and you understood. She then started yelling it again. I was too tired to be nice, but I continued to be as much as I could. We ate a 60.00 meal which was basically nothing. Soooooo expensive. That would have fed us all in china 4 meals!!! You ate hamburger for your first time and liked it. You've fought eating meat for us, but now you're caving. You need this protein, so I keep pushing. You had a cat nap!

We finally were almost ready to board at MIDNIGHT and a construction crew at our gate decided to start up the jackhammer. Not ever kidding!!!!! I could've died. I was so angry. You went insane crying as we boarded. I was prepared for no connecting flights to have in seat TVs. This air bus had them and thank God! You watched movies the whole three hours. Survival... I keep reminding myself. I got a few nice naps since you had a window seat and I would know of you escaped. Goodbye, Los Angeles!

We got off at Dallas and when we deboarded, you went INSANE. Kind of like when we were packing up the hotel at Guangzhou and deflating the air mattress. You're scared. You have no idea where you're going. When you saw we landed in another airport, you just had had it! You're so tired of this and so is everyone else! We sat and hung out and then you and I stayed with all the backpacks while Justin took the others for McDonald's. They will bring us back a treat. :-). Teamwork at its finest! Ha!

We finally boarded to Nashville and wow... you have amazed me. Once on the plane, you insist on being buckled and love it. You look out the window, watch TV, you're just so easy on the planes! We took the short hour two hour flight to Nashville and when I saw the skyline, I melted. You fell asleep the last thirty minutes of the flight because it was our bedtime in China! We had to wake you and it wasn't pretty. We stepped off the plane to you walking like you were intoxicated and you started to wail. You were done! You had had enough!

We rounded the corner and.... FAMILY! Family and friends welcomed us and they seemed as happy to see us and we were them. Your siblings hugged and chatted with everyone as I took you crying to the side and sat with you. You held your new Minnie and Merida doll and couldn't believe it was yours! We visited a while and met Baba at the car since he got luggage and loaded it. Pop Daniel drove us home. Nana Jo got you a new 5 point car seat and I was so thankful. It was on my list while in china and it was a huge burden off of me. We came home to shining floors and a clean sheets, etc from Nana Jo. She worked so very hard. With me falling so ill up until 2 days before we left, we cleaned a LOT, but the final touches were so so nice!!!! Nana Mary and YeYe stocked our fridge and cabinets (even cooked a roast, etc!) and it was so so so nice!!!! We also have a new Minnie Mouse potty chair by the toilet :-). So many sweet touches by so many. You're pillowcase that was Lily's was fixed by Nana Mary and Anna Mitchell and your name on the artwork above your bed was peeled off by Aunt April and reapplied. Sarah Frye did your name and it is beautiful as always. I have probably missed more details, but it's 3am and I have jet lag. :-). We started unpacking and washing once home and we all fell in the bed at 3pm. You slept between Baba and I and didn't fight sleep at all. We all awoke at 2am. Goodness, so tough. We had energy for an hour.. washed some more and heated the roast and ate. :-). Energy fades mighty quickly!

The first time you saw your rolm was a blast. You looked around like "all this is mine?" The look of complete awe set in as you fingered every stuffed animal you had. You picked them all up and carried them around the house, but your favorite on day one is Olaf... probably because you watched Frozen in the plane and recognized him :-). As we sat on the couch at 3am, all we did was stare at you. We are the ones in awe. We cannot believe after the wild, arduous ride... you're home.

Thanking God we said yes!

Mama i