We're Home!

May 1, 2009
Yes we made it home safely. Our last day in Guangzhou was rushed but good. We spent the morning going to breakfast and to Starbucks and taking a walk. It is so nice just walking around Shamian Island and just taking in the sights. We went to the White Swan and got our Red couch photos. We later took our luggage to our friends room and checked out before going to the consulate. Our appointment was at 3:00. There were only about 6 other families there. Not so many due to the Canton Trade fair going on. The island seemed deserted with so few adoptive families. Anyway the oath went smoothly and then we headed back to the island. It was very difficult to get a taxi but we finally did. We met our friends and went back to the White Swan for pictures with them and then to one last dinner at Lucy's. We said our goodbyes to our new dear friends and got in the waiting van to take us to the train station. It was again difficult with the luggage but the train ride was actually nice. We arrived in Hong Kong safely and headed out to find a taxi. While we waited in the taxi line a man asked us where we were going and we showed him the paper that had the name of our hotel. He told us he could take us and gave us an amt in Hong Kong money. We asked how much in US dollars and he said $10. We went with him. He got us right to our hotel The Metropark which was very nice. It was late once we got to bed, almost midnight. We awoke early to a nice breakfast buffet and then caught the shuttle to the airport. We got our flight without much difficulty. Gideon did reasonably well. He was very good the first few hours, napped for a short while and then the last few hours he cried off and on. He just couldn't get comfortable. We arrived in Chicago about 5 minutes early and made it through immigration and customs rather quickly. We headed to check our luggage back in and were stopped for any United connecting flights. They took our luggage there and we were off to go to the shuttle and then through security. We made it to our gate with about 10minutes to spare. We arrived home about 5 minutes early to a wonderful welcoming committee who had just barely arrived. Our 4 kids were so happy to see us. They had made a sign. Our sister Toni, sister-in-law Paula and mom were there as well as our good friends Cindy, Terri and their kids. We went to retrieve our luggage and found it was lost. They said they would locate it and send it to our house as soon as it was found. We arrived home to find our son Chris and his girlfriend Cassie, they brought a meat tray . Our pantry and fridge had been stocked by family and friends and a friend had cleaned the house. Gideon loved the carseat, loved his brothers and sisters and slept fairly well. He was up at 4am. Since then he has been a bit crabby. He had a doctors appt today and we found that both his ears are badly infected. He only weighs 16 lbs and is 31 inches long (approx). He received 2 shots and a TB test. He will have blood drawn Monday and see the orthopedic arm and hand specialist. We are all feeling the jet lag. We are so happy to be home though and are settling in. Our daughter DAnielle and her boyfriend came home from Virginia today and we are just enjoying some family time. I just look at Gideon and am so amazed that he is hear. What all looked impossible a year ago the Lord had said with him it is possible. I had to trust and believe and I am sooo glad that I did. We have been blessed immearsurably once again. Our God is an amazing, awe inspiring, miracle working, mountain moving, gasp causing God! (quoted from a bloggy friend). If you ever doubted the Lord could make the impossible happen just read our journey from the beginning. He has done amazing things!