We're really home!!!
I'm ashamed to admit that we've been home almost two weeks now, arriving on Feb. 24. Let's try not to remember how late this post is coming, but remember how faithful I was posting in China. We left China after a night's stay in Hong Kong. The flight to Newark was made bearable by the smartest decision we made on the trip--buying Caroline her own seat. She used it to sleep for about 8 hours and then to sit and play in or to have snacks. We hoped to sleep while she slept, but she is a really restless sleeper and kicked and hit both of us everytime we dozed. We also caught her several times before she hit the floor. The only complaint about the flight home was the worse turbulence I've ever experienced as we approached Newark. I've never seen so many of the little blue bags used. Yuck! We landed just before we needed to use ours. The heavy wind also delayed out flight to Orlando for two hours, but when we arrived the faithful 30 or so still were on hand to meet us. They looked so wonderful (as I'm sure we did too after not showering for more than 24 hours). Thanks so much to everyone who came. I cannot tell you what it meant to us receive that greeting. We'll never forget the cheers we heard when we saw the group on the terminal. They ranged in age from 3 months to 89 and came carrying flowers, balloons, signs and stuffed animals. Caroline smiled, laughed and even took a few steps in her green squeaky shoes. She didn't seem afraid at all, but really seemed to take it all in, especially all the little kids. She let cousin Carter carry her around and held big brother Drew's hand.

Drew and Caroline both fell asleep on the way home and didn't even know when we moved them into their beds at the house. Darrin and I just sat in the living room for a while too tired to talk but too tired to sleep. I indulged in a big glass of milk and a yummy chocolate cupcake. Caroline was still on China time and up at 3 a.m. but we were wide awake as well.

A few things that we've learned since returning:
1. Rhonda should have had knee replacement surgery before tackling The Great Wall
2. Jetlag just doesn't affect sleep; for days we woke up in the middle of the night starving.
3. A new respect for parents of multiples. This is one tough job. Traci, Jenny and other wonderwomen, I'm open to time-saving advice : )
4. We have the best family and friends anywhere. Thanks to: Scott, LouAnn, Gam, Papa, Julie, Mom and Clinton for loving Drew as if he were your own; Tony, Anna, Joanne and Al who fish sat, fixed our vacuum cleaner, watched our house and even entertained Drew and Hayden while we were gone; Pat Kubicek and the other AWAA folks for taking my emergency call from China and expediting additional documents--you came through bigtime; Roger and Debbie, for taking phone calls from a crazed women in the middle of the night; Jerry, Angela and Brayden, for coming all the way from Nashville (we're still wishing for the interview); LouAnn's co-worker Christina, for the beautiful sign and present; all those who posted on our blog, I was a happy woman when I finally was able to read 'em; all those who sent gifts and generously gave money for our adoption fund; the many prayers and well-wishers, you got us through a pretty rough two weeks; and to Silvia and Alan, Scott and LouAnn and Debbie and Roger for providing us with these wonderful photos of our homecoming.

For those who are still on their adoption journey, keep looking ahead. Your day is coming and it will be better than you have ever thought possible. While I know that adoption isn't for everyone, I'm praying that God would move on the hearts of many who read this to consider the many more Caroline's in China awaiting their forever families.

I'm sure you are pooped from reading this and viewing all the pictures so I'll stop for now and post later about our first few days at home.