LONG ride home, but great homecoming

March 13, 2009

We departed our hotel at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, March 13, which meant we woke up at 4:30 that morning. We came to China with three checked bags, plus carry on, and left with five checked bags, plus carry on. I was ready to ask Abby to carry her own bags, but Steve convinced me that was asking too much. We should at least wait until she's three to do that.

We had three flight segments -- Guangzhou to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Chicago, Chicago to Birmingham -- before arriving home. We traveled about 27 hours that day and were (still are) exhausted. The girls did great, relatively speaking, although the 14 hour flight from Hong Kong to Chicago was surely pushing our limits. Fortunately, Steve is a patient and easy-going person. His three girls, well that's another story.

All in all, the flights were on time and no major hiccups, with the exception of three bags not making it to Birmingham on our flight. We received them in the middle of the night, however, so it was no big deal. Funny story, when the man called and woke us from our sleep late Friday night to say he'd be dropping off our bags during the night at our home address, I asked him why he was sending them to my home in the States when I was in China. In my sleep, I thought I was still in China.

Our homecoming was wonderful. My brother John and niece Hayley met us at the airport. Hayley made a sign that said "Welcome to the family, Abby," and Abby was immediately comfortable with both she and John. When we arrived home, the first thing we saw were pink ribbons and balloons on our mailbox, thanks to our friend Debbie. It brought back wonderful memories of when we arrived home from Russia with Ana, and she did the same thing. My folks and my sister-in-law Nadine and nephew Hunter were at our home to greet us, with dinner prepared and baby crib and room all ready for Abby. After 27 hours of traveling, and three weeks abroad, it was wonderful to be with family again. Abby and Ana ran around with Hayley and Hunter like they had just woken from a full night's sleep. Amazing how much energy children have. As for me and Steve, we'll leave that to your imagination. I'll just say that a man on our flight asked if Abby was our newly-adopted grandchild. Sigh.

We are so grateful to all our friends and neighbors that made our being away a little easier and our coming home so much brighter. Several dear friends helped John and Nadine look after our folks these past three weeks. Others watched our home and Bela, our fish, as well as left us meals and flowers (the way to my heart) when we returned home. Our thanks to everyone for making our homecoming so wonderful. Do you also unpack and do laundry?