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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