Homeward bound

Wednesday we took a train from Guangzhou to Hong Kong and spent the night in Hong Kong to catch an early flight. We had to put Jack in our laps for the 2 hour train ride. That wasn't fun but he was mostly good. When we got off the train at the station we were immediately hounded by cab drivers offering to take us to our hotel for $100! So far we've managed to avoid cabs taking trains and subways. It's intimidating not knowing how much is a good rate there and not knowing if they understand us and know where to take us. We had to run from the very aggressive drivers and got some dinner at the always present McDonalds in the train station while we thought about what to do. We found there was a subway station in the train station and we decided to try our luck on the subways instead of leaving ourselves at the mercy of the cabs. It was a much better deal, less than $6 to take the subway and then we had to take some super elevated train to the airport where the hotel was for about $18.

 The next day we arrived at the airport 2 hours before our plane left and had to run to catch it after waiting in several really long lines to check in, go through security and customs. Our flight to Japan was over 4 hours. Jack did good. It was late arriving in Tokyo and we had to run to catch our next plane after again going through long lines for security and customs. So we didn't get to stretch our legs much before the long 10 hr flight to the US after already doing a long flight. The inflight entertainment was terrible, a few channels on tvs in front of us that played the same 3 movies. Watch all the movies and we still had 6 hours to kill and there was only one kid friendly movie. We were spoiled on the international flight too China I guess. Hours of movies, music and games on the interactive tvs we had. Jack ate dinner and slept for quite a while on the flight. Answer to prayer!

over Tokyo

 

 When we arrived in the US. Again, we had to clear several long lines of customs, immigration and security. We presented papers that the US consulate gave us that allowed Jack to walk into the country as a US citizen. Such a big moment, that this little guy will never remember. Because of all the long lines, it again ate up most of our lay over time and but it was the longest wait we had, about a half hour to stretch our legs and grab some food. I was feeling sick and dizzy from all the flights, not to mention crossing the international date line and being sleep deprived. Another 2hr flight to go. I longed to see my girls so bad by this point I was tearing up just thinking about being reunited with them.

US Immigration, he's about to hand over his papers and come into the country as a US citizen.

 We finally, FINALLY arrived in Phoenix. What a joyous moment to finally be home, to have Jack home and be done with all the flights. We were greeted by wonderful friends holding balloons and signs at the airport. Jack is used to being the center of attention and took it as a matter of course. :-) He put on a show and hammed it up for the crowd.

 No family was at the airport and I was losing it. I needed to see my girls and they weren't there. Didn't know why. Brent got a text after about 15 minutes from his step mom saying they were in the van and it was broke down on the side of the road somewhere! It took a while to figure out where they were since his step mom isn't familiar with the area. Thank goodness our sweet friends came to the airport to meet us! We took off in a couple cars with our friends to try to fine the van and rescue all the girls sitting on the side of the road in 107 degree Arizona heat. We finally found them near the airport. I jumped out of the car and ran to the van sobbing. I was so tired and so worried about them, I just needed my girls. We piled all the girls in the car with Jack and they had a sweet time getting to know each other. Jack was like a king holding court and all the girls were entranced with him.
 Turned out the van needed gas, so Brent put gas in it and got it home. Home at last. It's so good to be home and have all our babies under one roof. Thank you all for your prayers during this incredible journey.