Traveling Home: June 27th

It seems like forever since we've been home. Beijing and some of the early things we did during our trip since like they happened so long ago! It's even crazy to think that Ella has only been with us for 13 days. We've already gotten so used to having 2 girls in the family. I can't imagine our family without our ornery, stubborn, funny, happy Ella!!

We left the hotel at 8:30 this morning and headed to the airport. Lotus provided our escort to help us through the airport and provide transportation. I know I keep saying this but Hong Kong is gorgeous!! The trip to the airport took about an hour and took us over numerous bridges, through mountains, and around the harbor.

We made it through security and immigrations relatively quickly and easily. Thank you Lord! The flight started out ok and quickly changed to tantrums from the big sister. Thankfully that didn't last long and after lunch both girls fell asleep on Mama's lap. That makes this one happy Mama!! The girls took a good 2 hour nap and then were up the rest of the flight. 

Honestly, the girls did amazingly well on the 12 hour flight.  We took short walks on the plane, colored, watched movies, played with cars, played with play dough, and ate some food.  Before we knew it we had landed in Seattle.  

Immigration and security in Seattle was not an easy process, especially with 2 tired girls and a tired mama.  Our first stop was at the visa counter since Ella needed one to enter the country.  We had to stand in line for a while but it went decently fast.  Once at the visa counter we learned that we had to go to a second stop to process her adoption paperwork.  The workers at this counter were really nice and welcoming.  They processed her paperwork quickly and Ella is now a US Citizen!!!  Yay for Ella and us :)

Once that wonderful part was done it all quickly went down hill (I may be a little dramatic but remember I was tired and had 2 tired girls ;)).  Mark and Kim had already gathered our luggage since we had to go through customs and security again.   We met up with them and got in a very long line to go through the system.  Again the line seemed to go pretty fast but by this time I have both girls in my arms because they both are too tired to walk and everyone else is managing luggage.  When we got to the head of the line they ask where our entry form is.  "Well, we don't have it anymore because they took it from us when we processed Ella's adoption paperwork.  We didn't realize we still needed it since they took it."  It seemed like the worker didn't even listen and asked us again and told us we had to have one before we moved forward.  So we explained again.  He then sent us to another worker who was equally non compassionate, and not a good listener.  She informed us that we needed to go back upstairs and find the worker for the form and that we needed to all go and take our luggage.  Are you kidding me??!!!   By this time not only am I carrying both girls but they both are crying as well.  So yet another worker took us to the elevator.  He let me and the girls sit while Matt and he ran down the form.  The worker knew exactly what Matt was coming back for and apologized as it had gotten mixed in with all the other paperwork.   Back downstairs we went.  Luckily the worker who took us upstairs did not make us wait in that long line again.  The worker who sent us upstairs addressed us quickly and said "yep, that's what we needed".  I wanted to scream "It wasn't us who messed up lady and we don't do this everyday!"  But I held it in as I knew she was just doing her job and I am thankful for what they do.  I just wasn't super thankful in that moment ;)

After customs we stood in line at the Delta counter to get our boarding tickets for the rest of the trip.  We were finally second in line when the workers just left!!  Not even kidding!  They let us know that we would not need boarding passes to get through security and left!

Then we went through security again and anyone who travels knows that these lines never move fast.  We were waiting in line when first of all they sent half the workers on break and then shut down one of the lanes.  Are you serious?!!  Who is testing my patience today??

I can laugh about this all now, but I was not a happy camper in the moment.  I'm pretty sure I had steam coming out of the top of my head LOL!!

After all that nonsense we had to wait til 3pm to fly out...6 hour lay over.  On the other side, thankfully we had plenty of time after our whole ordeal.  We rested, ate some food, tried to nap, the girls played, and we watched airplanes.

The second leg of the trip went smoothly; Ava, Ella, and I slept for the entire trip!!

Once we landed in Minneapolis, we learned that our final leg was delayed.  No!!!  We just want to get home.  Thankfully we were only delayed for a short time and we landed in Omaha around midnight.  My parents met us at the airport and helped get us home.  It was so good to see them!  Ava knew that they were going to be there and for the entire last flight asked where they were and how much longer til she got to see them!

 We arrived home around 1am to Christmas lights on our front porch and in the bush spelling out "Ella" from my parents.  There were also posters throughout the house that were made to welcome us home from the neighbor girls.  We are so blessed to be so loved!

Before bed we fired up the grill and had some hamburgers!  We were starving and wanted some delicious beef!  Welcome to your home Ella!