What a very long day we had today. We left our hotel at 6am today and arrived in Tampa 26 hours later at 7pm. While we waited for our flight from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, we meet an American who owns a factory in China and has lived in Guangzhou for the last 20 years. He gave us lots of insight into the more recent history of Guangzhou and China. He also got us moved to the front of the plane so that we had more room with Amelia. He then helped carry some of our luggage and guided us to our transfer area for our next flight. We were so thankful for his help and enjoyed talking with him.
We had to show Amelia's passport and all her paperwork each time before we got on a plane. As I boarded the flight in Hong Kong, I became very emotional knowing hat we were now heading for America and she was our little girl!
The flight from Hong Kong to Newark was 15 hours. We tried to sleep as much as we could. Amelia decided to christen me as a full- fledged mommy during the flights. Twice when I changed her diaper (in the little airplane restroom), she tinkled in mid diaper change. I thought that only happened with little boy babies. I was not prepared for that. Her cute little going home outfit was now wet. So, off it went into a zip lock bag and on to her 2nd set of clothes. Then as we landed in Newark, Amelia threw up on herself and me. I was out of outfits for Amelia and had to use whatever I could find in our carry on luggage. I, on the other had did not have a cute coming home outfit or a change of clothes. Oh well, I really did not care as long as she was in my arms.
Then when we landed in Tampa, Amelia had a nose bleed. So, she arrived to meet her family looking a bit disheveled and worn out.
We were surprised to find a wonderful welcoming committee of friends and family! We were so happy to be home at last!!!!!! Even though we were the ones who carried Amelia in our arms home to America. We felt all of your arms around us with your thoughts and prayers as we traveled this journey to our forever family! We are so thankful to all of your for all of your support in this 7 year wait for our daughter! We know that the reason our wait was so long was because God had picked us to be Amelia Grace's parents and we had to wait for her to be born. We know that He has a very special plan for her life and that He loves her so very much!
February 3, 2008 There's no place like home!
Arriving in Tampa after 26 hours of travel.
Mommy and daughter are ready for bed!
Grandma Aryl chats with Amelia
Amelia waiting for our flight at the Nanchang airport
