Wowzers, the trip home was a long one. We started at 5 in Guangzhou, boarded a bus to Hong Kong. Did you know that everybody has to get out and recheck their luggage TWICE at the China-Hong Kong border? We didn’t either. Talk about crazy. But we were all smiles as we got ready to board our flight for the US!
The 15 hour flight from HK to Newark was long. None of us slept much on the flight. It was the most turbulent flight I can remember being on, and Annabelle got motion-sick as we descended. She tossed her cookies in one of those little barf bags. Twice. We were in the very back of the plane, so we had lots of time to clean up. She didn’t look very healthy as we moved through the line to enter the US. As we gave our passports/visas and her immigration papers to the US Customs agent, she yakked again. Poor little thing…no pictures, you know, for her dignity’s sake!
The flight from Newark to Harrisburg was better, and we made great time in the air. We arrived a little earlier than expected. We felt like we’d been put through the ringer, but we knew that lots of family and friends were waiting on the other side of the gate. We all got a little emotional as we hugged and Annabelle got to meet some of her new family. There were lots of gifts exchanged, both for and from Annabelle. She gave everybody a set of chopsticks! Now we have to find some noodles for you all to eat with us!
We were a little worried that she might feel overwhelmed at all the new faces, especially since we can be such a loud bunch. But she did real well, and we snapped a shot of all the cousins who showed up to make her welcome. I expected those who live close to come see us, but having Amanda drive all the way from Durham with Alex, Jessica, and Caleb was a real treat. Missed Uncle Scott, though…dad gum work.
Here’s our first shot of the Sublett family, the new and improved version! Notice where we took it? Yummy fast food…Annabelle’s got some taste-bud modification to work on. I hope she doesn’t think we eat at McD’s all the time.
We made it home, showed Annabelle all around her new house, and loved watching her face and hearing her oooh and aaaah as she walked through the house. We all gathered to get her tucked into bed. Her smile lit up her face as she and Sadie got nestled in for their first night as roomies. Sadie kept saying, “I’ve waited 5 years for this!”
This adoption journey hasn’t been anything like what I expected, and it’s taken way longer than I imagined. But tonight, with Annabelle safely sleeping in her new bed, surrounded by a family who has loved and prayed for her, knowing that there are countless friends and family standing with us…tonight, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thanks, friends and family. You are the best, and we love you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’m going to try to get some sleep! My body thinks it’s 2:05 pm, and I’ve been up for about 34 hours, which is long enough…
2 Comments
becky eveleth · January 30, 2010 at 8:39 am
Ok…now I am crying. How I love adoption! Get settled in quickly because you have some friends here who are itching to get together.
amanda · January 30, 2010 at 3:51 pm
It was a wonderful moment to watch this precious girl meet and greet each family member with the largest smile I have ever seen… She handled all of the craziness, attention, photos, gifts, people, volume, love, and hugs with the grace of a pro. I was touched and impressed more and more with each passing moment. She is a treasure… I can’t wait to watch her grow into a loud, laughing, fun-loving Sublett! I am already praying for her to meet our Savior and watch her grow there as well. Thank you for your blog and for sharing all of these personal moments with us. Being far away completely STINKS, but it was fun to feel like we were a part of it all. we love you!