I stayed up late Friday night trying to shove everything into our suitcases. I did end up buying another suitcase to bring all our goodies home in. If you are keeping track, that means I have bought a second suitcase while in China and we are up to four checked pieces now. We got up early Saturday morning and had our luggage outside our door by 6:00 am. We ate our last breakfast at the wonderful White Swan breakfast buffet. We said our goodbyes to all travel mates who were leaving later in the day and headed to the airport. Jason and Kathy, our guides with CCAI, got us to the airport safely and we said our goodbyes. Then we flew to Hong Kong hoping to catch a flight to Los Angeles within two hours.
We got to the gate to catch the flight to LAX and waited and waited and waited. It was supposed to leave at 1:20 pm but at 2:00 pm they told us it was delayed due to technical difficulties. Another plane was being prepared for us and would depart at 5:00 pm. So Johnny went and sat down with Dallas and entertained her while I went, you guess it, SHOPPING. I hit the Disney store and picked up a few things. We finally boarded the plane at 4:30 and sat on the runway until 6:00 pm!!! For some reason, engine #1 wouldn't start so we sat on the plane until they got it started. I knew this was going to be a bad trip. It was so turbulent the whole way that we couldn't sleep. Every time the seatbelt sign came on we would have to take Dallas out of the bassinet and hold her. Yes, we were lucky enough to get the good seats but alot of good they did us because we constantly had to hold her.
We finally landed at LAX and Dallas became an US Citizen!!! It took a while to get through customs and immigration. Thank goodness they just waved me through and didn't open the luggage. We took the shuttle to the hotel and then took a cab to the nearest IHOP. Dallas ate hash browns and pancakes as her first meal. We were supposed to get up at 4:00 am Sunday morning to catch our flights back home. Dallas decided she was too excited about being in America and stayed up until 3:00 am.
Somehow my name got chosen out of everyone flying out of LAX that morning for a random total search. So, all the carry-on luggage did get unpacked and searched. Dallas, who was still in her pj's, got patted down by airport security. I wanted to tell them to go ahead and change her diaper while they were checking her for weapons and explosives. The rest of the trip was uneventful as we made it to Dallas/Fort Worth and then finally to Lafayette. As we were getting off the plane I noticed a security guard telling my mom to get back from the door. We just made it through the door before she grabbed Dallas away from us. Johnny and I were surprised by how many people were waiting for us. Family, friends, co-workers, even our Bible study group were waiting to meet Dallas, and see us of course. The day I had dreamed about for 14 long months finally came true. We were home at last with our daughter.
We came home to a clean house and full refrigerator, thanks to my mom and brother John. My parents and a few family members came with us to help us settle in and see Dallas. I unpacked some of the goodies for my nephews and niece. Noelle was happy her mommy and daddy were home but wasn't quite so sure about the new kid yet. After a few slobbery kisses she gave her approval to Dallas living with us. God has been so good to us. He gave us the gift of a beautiful daughter. Thank you God.
The plane we were supposed to be on
Please just take me home
Notice the anxious Grammie trying to get to me
No more pictures please
Alright, just one more picture
"And when he cometh home he calleth together his friends
and neighbors, saying unto them,
Rejoice with me: for I have found my sheep
which was lost."
Luke 15:6
