Home Again!

We made it home after a long day of travel. Caleb did very well with the whole 29 hour day! We took off from Guangzhou at 6 AM on April 1 (which would be 5 PM here on March 31) and flew from there to Shanghi. After a 5 hour layover there, and an hour nap for Caleb, we took off for Chicago. The funny thing was, we left there (Shanghi) at 4:55 PM on the 1st and got into Chicago at 4:30 PM on the 1st. Caleb took a little nap on the plane from Shanghi to Chicago (2-3 hours), otherwise he was up for the flight (13 hours). He did very well, sometimes, I think, better than we! Once in Chicago, we had many stops, as we had to go through customs, then pick up our luggage, then go through immigration, and then go back through security for our domestic flight to Sioux Falls. Caleb officially became a US citizen!
Caleb fell asleep right before we boarded to plan to go to Sioux Falls, which left Chicago at 7:50 PM. Brett woke him up shortly before we landed in Sioux Falls, and he loved the lights as we came in. He was a real trooper!
We knew what lay at the end of this road, but he did not, so was not as in a hurry to get to the waiting area, as we. He was somewhat confused when those two kids, he'd watched on video and seen in pictures were right there in front of him! The kids, with the help of Mrs. McGuire, had made a welcome home sign for us and were standing there holding it. Through all my tears, I wasn't able to read it that night, but did read it today. Thank you 3M for the special welcome home! There were many hugs and kisses, and the end result was 3 smiling kids hand in hand getting on and riding down the escalator! What a beautiful sight, even with blurry vision!

Thank you for all of your support and prayers throughout this journey, they were much appreciated and needed. It was many days to be away from my kids, and I was reminded of the fact that I have always taken my kids for granted. I know that God sent us on this journey for many reasons. Just a couple are: One, to save Caleb and to give him a "forever home" where he will be loved and cherished; and Two, to stop and remember how much we appreciate what HE has already given us in the 2 kids we left at home for 15 days. Our love and appreciation for Keanan and Abby became crystal clear.
Through all of the ups and downs, tired days and sleepless night (rock hard mattresses), sickness, etc... what I truly missed while I was gone was Keanan and Abby. Even though I missed them so badly that I ached, I was comforted to know that they were safe, happy, and well taken care of by my mother; whom I have also taken for granted many times throughout my life. Thank you mom for giving up so much to be here and for taking such awesome care of the kids. Thank you also, mom and dad, for welcoming the new little addition with open arms and a loving heart.
May God bless you all. Good night from Brandon, South Dakota!