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2.17.2010

"Mommy, are those buildings in China too?"

Oh the alarm went off so early this morning, or yesterday morning, or whenever that was...

I offered Kylie the choice of getting dressed at home, or waiting until we checked in at the airport. I don't blame her for her choice, really, I don't.
 
 Bleary eyed at 4:35 am, but happy to be starting the journey.

Check in went smoothly, and we stopped by Starbucks to get breakfast (thanks to a generous friend who gave us a card!) on the way to the gate.  Before long we were headed down the jetway.  Despite how tired they were, both kiddos pulled their own bag proudly

 
Pulling their own weight down the jetway to Chicago.

I think we were five minutes into the flight when both kids sacked out.  Caleb woke up as I was carrying him off the plane, so he was complaining of being tired.  Lucky for him he has a great sister that looks out for him.

 
Kylie shows what being a kind big sister means.

We did end up with four seats together.  Both kids did amazingly well overall, with only one mild skirmish between them and two "start of meltdowns" with Kylie over wanting to get off the plane, "Right now."  Of course I did too.  Problem was that the first time she said it we had only been flying for about five hours.  Eventually though we finally arrived (with what was the smoothest touchdown I think I've ever experienced.

And as we were still taxiing to the gate, I found myself getting excited to be back here on this foreign yet fascinating soil.  There is just something so unique about the chaos of China

We managed to get ourselves to the hotel AND check in, two things that our previous agency totally took care of for us.  Our room is nice, and we stopped by long enough to drop off our bags and refresh a bit before heading out to find something for dinner.  First we walked up to "the Bund" to check out the architecture.  Standing there amidst the buildings it would have been easy to convince myself that we were standing on a European street.  Well, if there were a whole bunch of Chinese tourists...

We actually decided to give a little Cantonese restaurant a try and enjoyed our meal of stir fried broccoli, pan noodles with BBQ lean meat, and Singapore Noodles.  It was delicious!

One final thought before I head to bed (and you could read that as fall asleep on my keyboard), I had forgotten just how conspicuious our family must look to locals.  Believe me we've had our share of stares and we've only been here about five hours now.  I think I'm gonna be taking pictures of lots of folks staring at us...

PS ~ As of right now my regular email account is working just fine.  So if you have something that you need/want me to know, go ahead and email it to me.  I can't promise that I'll get back to you promptly, but I can promise you that I'll be praying if necessary!  And comments from the blog have come too, so please keep them coming!

TWO MORE SLEEPS UNTIL WE MEET DARCY!!!

27 comments:

Lilly said...

so glad you had an uneventful flights/travel day and everyone seems happy to be back in China.

more prayers for a happy and relax GOTCHA day! can't wait to see how it goes!

Lilly said...

so glad you had an uneventful flights/travel day and everyone seems happy to be back in China.

more prayers for a happy and relax GOTCHA day! can't wait to see how it goes!

Cindy M said...

HA! I knew it! I knew you'd be posting any minute! Not that I've been stalking you or anything! Looks like the kids were pro fliers! Can't wait to see the sights of Shanghai! Wish we were THERE!

Love ya!

Cindy M said...

Oh, and, SHOCKER, that's the coat I bought Caroline about a month ago!!

Michelle said...

I have been waiting to see you post. Have a great trip and can't wait to see Darcy in your arms..

Melissa said...

Oh Kristi, when I just looked at the clock here at work, I immediately checked your blog because I had a feeling you were posting. I am SO glad to know that you are in China safe, and that everyone is doing well. Dinner sounds like it was wonderful. Looking at the picture of the kids with their suitcases on the jetway is priceless and I love Kylie taking in the Chicago airport...wow, Daddy! I can't believe it's 2 more nights to DARCY!!!! Much love and prayers for good sleep for you tonight, and a great day tomorrow!!!!

Lisa said...

Tears of joy that you are there!!!! Praising God for your safe travel and that check went smoothly. You are very prayed for!!!

Kathy said...

It is a great relief to know you are safely in China and the flight went well. Enjoy the sights of Shanghai. I will be eagerly following the blog. Can't wait until Sat. Praying for all five of you.
Love, Grandma M.

Madeleine said...

:::GASPING::: OH HOW FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

SO SO SO happy for you.

soon she will bei n your arms!!

Glory be!

Laurie said...

Can't believe you've already updated- you ROCK! :) So happy to hear you arrived safe and sound- yeah! I can't wait to check in on you tomorrow and see how things are going. Have FUN!!

a Tonggu Momma said...

I can't believe you're THERE! Only two more sleeps... (and I am so stinking glad that you have access so that we can live vicariously through you).

Nancy said...

Woo hoo! I am so glad you made it there safely. I was so excited (and surprised) to see you blogged already. We continue to pray for you!

C.C. said...

So happy for you that your flights were smooth and uneventful...and that the kids made it just fine! Can't wait to see more!!!

Anonymous said...

Yeah! So excited for you! I followed your journey to your son and am so excited that you are headed back to China for another daughter. Our daughter is from Zhejiang province too! You will love it, it is a beautiful area! Take Care, Cortney

Amy Tubbs said...

Hi Kristi,

I am a friend of Melissa's here in Hershey, PA. I have 2 little girls of my own from China and am excited to follow your trip. I want to be back there again so bad but not really to get any more kiddos! I did LOVE both our trips and both girls are anxious to go back again (I took my then 7 year old to get my then new 4 year old and it was great!) Now they are 10 and 6 1/2 and remember the trip fondly. I will be praying for safety, health and a whole lot of fun and giggles from all three kids!

Take Care,
Amy

Nicole said...

Yea, glad you made it safely. You can be sure I will be following along!!!
Sleep good!! or is it well?

Angela said...

What troopers you have there! Praying for you guys.

And that's a really good family shot...maybe I should try getting everyone up at 4 am for one of our own :)

Can't wait for the next post!

Donna said...

So glad to hear you guys made it safely! Your kids are amazing little travelers - better than some adults (myself included!)
Enjoy Shanghai! Can't wait for the pics!!
Love you guys!!

Jenn said...

Yay!! So happy to hear you made it safely!! Praying for you!!

Anonymous said...

Woooo WHoooO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited for you guys! I am glad the children took the flight easily... That would ahve been bad if Kylie had a full blown meltdown about getting off the plane!!!
That could have been bad!
Aunt Cici

Ally said...

So glad to see everyone made it without any major "meltdowns". I am counting down the days with you. Can't wait!

Brad said...

The pictures are adorable. Just know we are praying for you guys.

Brad

Grandma Shultz said...

Hallelujah! Sounds like Kylie and Caleb did very well. I'm proud of you both. Can't wait to see pictures in Shanghai. Kylie and Caleb, you did so well pulling your own luggage. Can't wait for "two more sleeps" and getting Darcy!!!
LaoLao

Ann Marie said...

So glad that you have arrived safe and sound. Enjoy your adventure!

Ann Marie

Leslie said...

I'm so glad that you're there and that you're able to post. The pictures are great. I'm so thankful that you made it there AND that you were able to all sit together on the plane. God answers prayer. =)

I will be checking your blog multiple times a day. I can't wait for more updates.

You are all loved & prayed for! Only 15 or so more sleeps before you're back with beautiful Darcy!

Amy Kelly said...

I cannot tell you how excited I am! My heart is pounding and I am waiting on pins and needles to meet Darcy myself! Please know you are not experiencing this as a family of 4 (soon to be 5), but of many, many more people wanting to share this with you! We have been celebrating CNY at school and I am updating my students on your journey! We are all praying and waiting and ready to meet her! Love you!

Anonymous said...

I am "checking in" this morning to see if there was any news posted on your first meeting with Darcy. I thought of you guys last night as I drifted off to sleep and realized that you were with Darcy at that very moment! I said a quick prayer and that is the last thing I remember before opening my eyes this morning! I know you guys are realistically too busy to be posting updates right now but we can not wait to hear that Darcy is "officially" a part of the Miller family and that she is headed home with you! I hope all went well and that the Miller5 are all happy and at peace. See you soon!

Diaz Family