Day 14 - Forever Family Day

Pardon the lateness on this post.  We have been home one whole day and mommy hasn't had a wink of free, quiet time to sit and write.  Although having a toddler in the house is fun it sure is exhausting. Sorry if there is typos. Working on jet lag sleep patterns. Lol!

So....

Oh my! Thursday was a day to remember.  It was actually pretty smooth sailing the entire day less a few minor hiccups.

We started the day at 8:00am China time, having already packed and just using an overnight bag we set off for the airport early. When we arrived we realized mommy had left her cell phone charging on the desk back at the hotel room.  Oops! Daddy was nice to find us some breakfast and catch the free hotel shuttle back to the hotel. We had plenty of time... maybe a little too much time.  We were anxious to leave this beautiful foreign land.  It was a wonderful trip but it was a REALLY a busy place.  Totally craving our slower pace back home. 

Once daddy returned with the lost and then found cell phone -- mommy's lifeline to blogging, skyping, and facebook -- we checked in our bags and got our flight tickets home. Bye bye suitcases.  We'll see you in 23 short hours.  Woohoo!

We hung out at the Hong Kong airport for about 2.5 hours after going through some more security,  immigration (this time we got to show Kalyn's passport too, yahoo!) and customs.  Lots of lines and waiting.  Oh -- another side note -- there really aren't lines in China you just fend for yourself and push your way through.  Customary is rush and get through now,  not in 5 minutes,  more like yesterday.  A bit stressful for mommy.

We entertained Kalyn with snacks, looking at the airplanes, and taking escalator rides. So exciting! 

We boarded and the seats were awesome!  Wider and more space.  Kalyn had a seat as well so we could all spread out a bit.  It was much more comfortable than the way over. Another perk; we were in the air for just over 13 hours (ARRIVING 1 HOUR EARLY) to Dallas instead of 17 hours on the way to China two short weeks ago.  The food was awesome as well.  Kalyn was great.  Crabby on a couple of occasions but nothing we couldn't cure with a snack or walk up and down the aisles.  So blessed to have that long flight over.

We took off at 1:55pm on Thursday in China and landed at 1:55pm on Thursday in Texas. No kidding! TIMEHOP!  Jeremiah loves to travel in time and is thrilled to tell his classmates at school all about it.

As we landed it was truely a sweet moment. Knowing that we were finally on U.S. soil and safe.  Mommy had just finished watching a Tinker Bell movie (haha) and as the last song played the tears started to roll down....sappy mommy.... as she thought WOW!

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15 months ago we began this journey not knowing exactly where God would lead us. We did not know what the road would look like or how long the road would take us.  We felt a gut wrenching call to adopt a son from china. We did not know 15 months ago that this beautiful,  handsome,  smart,  talkative, inquisitive,  happy little boy would be in our arms for the rest of our lives.  We are loving every moment.  This was a true journey of faith.  Faith that God would provide,  in his time,  and in his perfect way. We feel blessed beyond all measure and full of love.  This little boy has breathed new life into our FAMILY OF SIX!

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We hung out at the Dallas airport and ate some real food again. Kalyn was running around like a crazy man up and down the terminal waving and saying hi to everyone. He won a few people over with his contagious smile.

We took off shortly after 9pm for MHK. Yeah! Finally we landed at 10:37pm and were greeted by some very happy sisters,  grandparents,  and a dear friend with her three kiddos. It was an amazing moment!  Kalyn was so excited to recieve a car & cool balloons. Karah gave mommy some roses. So sweet!  Finally a family of Six! It really was and still is surreal.

We arrived home to a super clean house (thank you thank you mom! ) and the kids were just running around hyped up showing Kalyn the house,  his bedroom,  the toys,  & doggies (yeah he is not so sure about the dogs yet). 

The wildness came to a halt finally at 12 midnight. Kalyn got a bath and went to sleep about 1:00 am with one of his favorite drinks - hot water. (In China hot water/tea is customary with all meals)

Mommy and daddy unpacked and started laundry.  Yep,  we are crazy but jet lag is crazier. It's okay. Friday was a pure play day for the kids, waking up at 11:00am (oops!) - girls stayed home from school - Mommy made rice congee (Kalyn gobbled it up), got all the laundry done and daddy got the rails up on Kalyn's big boy bed.

We bundled up Kalyn so he could play outside.  Yep,  China layers.  Mommy would rather have a sweaty kid than a sick one! He loved the swing, slide, and running around the yard until the dogs knocked him over,  then the party was over. 

The girls are in love and Jennah can't stop saying,  "baby Kalyn is soooo cute!" Karah can't stop picking Kalyn up; she is so tickled to be a big sister again.

Our first day at home zoomed by! We managed to not take much of a nap today and everyone is sleeping now except for mommy. It's 11:05 pm and the pillow is awaiting.

It's been a fun journey.  Although it isn't over our trip to china is finally complete. A trip of a lifetime and a trip we will never forget!

Enjoy some more pictures of our journey back to America and our first day home.

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Kalyn,  you are so awesome, happy, & fun....we love you too the moon and back! FOREVER AND EVER!

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Day 13 - Goodbye GZ

Everyday we get further away from Chongqing, everyday we get further away from where Kalyn was found abandoned,  everyday we get further from the life he had for 21 months at Love Manor....BUT everyday we get closer to bringing him home FOREVER!

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Wednesday was uneventful.  We prayed steadily that the U.S. Consulate would have no technology glitches and Kalyn's visa would print with no problem.  Behind the scenes today Miko was traveling to the consulate to pick up our immigration packet and Kalyn's visa/passport. While we were packing, playing, and being lazy bums at the hotel Miko was becoming a hero.  She is a great advocate for families here in Guangzhou (GZ). Miko runs a well oiled machine and a tight ship; if it weren't for her we wouldn't have had a successful trip in GZ. Thank you Miko!

After packing, Daddy got McDonald's take out and we caught a 3:00pm shuttle to the train station.  Easy.

When the driver dropped us at the train station at 3:30pm...CRAZINESS! Unbelievably nuts! So many people,  talking loud,  taking fast, talking in a foreign language, bumping, & rushing around.  It also smelled like smoke.  Joys!  We found the fourth floor waiting area where we would board the train to Hong Kong.

We feel like we have gone through so many security lines that we have this down like an art.  On and off trains and planes in China you THROW your luggage quickly on a conveyer belt for scanning.  Yes when you get off too.  Crazy but effective.

Miko arrived at 4:50pm as planned with our important (DO NOT OPEN) paperwork that we will give the immigration office in DFW Airport along with Kalyn's Passport that we need to board the plane.  The VISA is glowing RED, WHITE,  & BLUE! Well mommy thinks so.  It really is an awesome site!

We boarded the train,  Kalyn watched the city pass by then was out like a light about 10 minutes into the ride.  Amen!  This kid can sleep.  The ride was smooth and peaceful (no talking occured). Yeah!

We caught a SUPER FAST cab from the airport; once he knew where we were going.  Mommy had printed reservation confirmation but in English.  He couldnt read it! Uh Oh!  The driver had stopped and asked to see the page again. He barely dialed the phone number and finally figured out where to go.  Yeah.  We got there in lightening speed.  Fast.  Like 80-90mph.  A Joy ride for sure!

The Marriott is nice. Its next to the airport and the ocean.  We ate supper at the hotel and it was yummy. Then off to bed.

Tomorrow is the big day!  We fly from Hong Kong to Dallas.  Arriving in Dallas at 255pm CST Thursday.  Then to MHK arriving at 10:37pm. Pray that our 6 hour layover goes well and painless!

Have a great day!

Day 12 - Consulate and Boat Ride

We had a very awesome Tuesday! We finished the last of our formal PAPERWORK while in country.  If we don't see the "P" word for the rest of our lives we won't be sad.  Just kidding!  We are just relieved it is over. 

We got up at 4:45am to Skype Jeremiah's classmates for the second time.  They are enjoying watching our Facebook page filled with pictures and videos. They ask Jeremiah some great questions and can't wait for him to share next week during the classrooms' chinese new year celebration.  So excited!!!!!!

We were up again at 5:45am for breakfast and to get ready for the BIG, IMPORTANT United States consulate appt! Our appt wasn't actually until 8:30 but Miko wanted us there early and FIRST in line of 11 other families.  Yep SCORE!

So we lined up and waited to go through security.  Once we passed that step we excited the security office (Very nice chinese guards) into a court yard in front of the actual consulate building. We entered the door on the right side went to the second floor, then took a number at the 7th window.  Yep,  Miko hammered the directions into us. She cannot enter with us.  She prepped us like crazy and we knew it like pros. Even Jeremiah kept repeating right side door, 2nd floor, 7th window. We rode a shuttle bus over with another family from a different adoption agency.  They were from Alaska.  We were in line next to them the whole time and waited for them after the appt to walk together back to the shuttle.  It's fun to meet people adopting and to hear their stories.  Everyone's is different.

So the consulate appt.  It went amazingly quick. The officer looked through all our documents,  made sure we understood Kalyn's medical history, took Daddy's fingerprints,  then made eye contact with Kalyn to confirm we had the right child.  (Insert Kalyn's "bye bye" here! )

Easy peasy and all done within 30 minutes. WOOHOO! It might have helped that we were first in line.  Thank you Miko!
After the consulate appt we ventured out and ate at pelicana chicken restaurant.  No one knows how to cook chicken like the United States! Seriously thought Daddy was going to puke.  He left with Kalyn while jeremiah and mommy finished enjoying their cokes and coke zeros.  Yum!

We walked to the supermarket after lunch to pick up some travel snacks.  Didn't find much except snickers bars!  We got 6! They are super cheap here.  Don't think they'll make it to the plane ride because they'll be devoured well before that.  Ha!

Back at the hotel daddy rested and mommy and the boys played.  Our hotel living room is scattered with toys, like a KS tornado hit it! Oh well,  it'll be packed up in a few hours to travel HOME!

Jeremiah insisted we go swimming.  "Live with no regrets" has been mommy's motto this entire trip! So we went swimming.  Outdoor pool in 65° weather.  They have a wading type pool that is shallow so Kalyn got his legs and a small portion of his torso wet.  HE LOVED IT! We have another fish in the family.  So exciting...He will love the summers at the city pool and grandma's. We stayed about 10 minutes and after Jeremiah did a polar plunge completely under the freezing cold water we got out,  dried off,  and went to the room where the boys took a warm bath together in their swimsuits.  They had a grand time.  Mommy is pretty sure Kalyn thinks he is on a honeymoon or in a dream because he is having a grand time trying all these new things.  It's so fun to see his excitement,  smiles,  and to hear his giggles. Beautiful to see!

After swimming we went to the Yangtze River Boat Ride that began at 6:40pm. It was great and they had just renovated the boat.  Everything on the interior was brand new.

(Even the squatters!  Mommy had to try one.  Under one condition....she was the first person to use it! Definitely something to remember. Most places have western toilets but the people don't know how to use then. Just use the one in your hotel room!  Okay enough said). 

We enjoyed the boat ride and saw the lights of the city and ate Cantonese food.  Jeremiah saw a duck head on the buffet and was fascinated.  Mommy just about puked!

Kalyn loved the loud music and fried noodles.  He especially loved walking next to the riverboat window to look outside. We took many great photos and had a nice time.

Our day was intense,  then calm,  then fun.  Just a great day!  It's like we celebrated the consulate appt with swimming and riding on a boat.  Some of our favorite things!

Tuesday is our last full in Guangzhou. We travel to Hong Kong via train  on Wednesday at 5:30pm (3:30am CST Wednesday). Then leave for Dallas on Thursday at 130pm (11:30 pm CST Wednesday).

We will arrive home in MHK at 10:37pm CST. If you want a glimpse of our new little Hahn before we cacoon,  your welcome to come by the MHK airport!  To be honest,  seeing people we know,  love,  and have missed will be very helpful with our entire process.  What is a few more people for Kalyn to be around?  We have taken him places here in China filled with thousands of people.  For us...to see some shining, familiar KS faces would be the most amazing gift.  We encourage you to bring your cameras and take candid photos, but we request that you please not try and hold Kalyn or give him gifts. Let's just say,  his sisters will have that covered for sure.

Jeremiah's High: The riverboat ride & swimming with Kalyn
Jeremiah's Low: That we meet families that we will never see again.

Daddy's High: having the Consulate appt done and the riverboat
Daddy's low: the food hasn't been the greatest

Mommy's High: The fact that Miko prepares is very well for the consulate appt. She runs a tight ship-totally up my alley! Another high, seeing Kalyn and Jeremiah swim together
Mommy's Low: Nervous about traveling.  Aching to be home

Wednesday we are packing, checking or if our hotel,  getting on the shuttle,  receiving Kalyn's passport with VISA then traveling by train to stay at a howj bear the airport.  Travel day#1. Please pray it runs smoothly.

BEFORE TOO LONG WE WILL BE HOME!