The Journey

As I mentioned the other day, our journey home was incredible.  We left my parents house just after 3am on Friday morning.  The kids were really boggled by the idea that we were up so early while the rest of the country was still sleeping!  We arrived at Heathrow in record time (mainly because it was so early) and were standing in line at the American Airline counter by 4.40am.

I was a little concerned that we could be standing, waiting for hours but within a minute of us arriving in the line the security check points were set up and we were moving through.  American Airlines opened up their check-in desks at 5am.  One of the reasons we went so early was to try and sort out the seating situation.  Because we had bought 5 of the last 6 seats on the flight our seats were spread throughout the plane.  I asked the lady at the check in if we could sit together and she assured me that would be sorted out by the time we reached the departure gate.

Next, we moved through security and were sitting down in the departure lounge, eating breakfast by 5.35 am.  We still had over 3 hours before the departure gate would open so the kids either napped, read or played with Lego (we have learnt to take a carry on case full of Lego whenever we fly - helps to pass the time)

At 8.55 our gate opened up and we wondered over.  It was wonderful to have plenty of time and not be rushed to get anywhere.  Upon arrival at the gate we discovered our seats were now together, but it wasn't until we boarded we realized the gift we had been given - we had the front row of seats in the coach section, so there was no one in front of us!  I didn't have to worry about the kids knocking the seats in front and we had the freedom to move about and stretch out.  I did feel a little guilty when my 5ft 4in frame couldn't stretch far enough to fill the space we had and I saw these guys over 6ft crammed in their seats.

The flight was thankfully uneventful and the landing was so gentle that the kids didn't even realize we were on the ground and we were even half an hour early.

Immigration was a breeze, as I was allowed to go through the American Citizen's line and our luggage was one of the first off the carousel.   Customs was also easy, although, why they had to confiscate my English apple is beyond me.

We were so excited to be through all the formalities and were ready to walk into the arms of  our loved ones - only to find out they weren't there!!!   We knew they might be late as they couldn't pick the rental van up until 7am and Chicago is a 5/6 hour drive.  But within 15 minutes they came rushing in.  We saw them first and the kids with me just went running.  I would have done, but someone had to stay with the 3 carts of luggage, right?!  Oh, but how good it felt to have Gary's arms surround me and hold me tight and to see my boys and to hug and kiss them.  Our family was together again and it felt so good!

We started our long journey home and even though the kids who had travelled were exhausted they did not let sleep take away from their time to catch up with their brothers.  We stopped to eat dinner, which took 2 hours, and afterwards insisted that they sleep - Elaina hadn't napped all day, so by this time she had been awake 24 hours.  But when we crossed into Missouri they were all awake again. By midnight we were back at Gary's Mom's house and ready for some serious sleep.

The Lord gave us an incredible journey home, stress was minimal and the reunion was sooooo sweet.

Since Friday we have been staying at Gary's Mom's, but today we move.  We are going to be renting the same house that we left almost 2 years ago.  This won't be a permanent move as we are unable to adopt at this location, but it will give us time to regroup as a family as we continue to seek the Lord's will for our lives.

Michelle.