Home at Last and To A HERO's Welcome Nonetheless!

I expect nothing less from my family and friends!  We got off the plane slightly exhausted.  Avay Maran had a great trip and was a trooper. We had a few tears but we think it was from her ears.  She slept for about 8 of the 11 hour trip from Hong Kong to San Francisco and the entire way from San Francisco to Charlotte except for about 30 minutes.  We couldn't have been blessed with a better trip.  We were about 4 hours into our trip from Hong Kong and they announced that we had a medical emergency and if any medical professionals were on the plane to please advise.  Of course we immediately thought we were going to be turned around or land in Tokyo but apparently the issue was not that huge as we continued on for the rest of our journey.  Lots of turbulence but it was fine. 

In Charlotte we arrived at baggage claim to the most beautiful sights ever.  Our family and friends!  Luke was asleep but quickly woke up and wanted only Daddy and had the most adorable "BIG BROTHER" shirt on that Nammy ran all over town to get.  Avay Maran warmed up and the pictures began.  We got loaded up and went to our house.  THE STORK ARRIVED -- a wonderful stork was in our front yard and he left his foot prints up the driveway!  There was also  a CUSTOM FLAG for Lil' Miss Sassy that is gorgeous and has her home arrival date on it (Luke has one too).  There was even an extra sign in the yard that said "Luke is a Big Brother".  HOW PERFECT!  (will post picture later).  It was exciting to see what our friends did to the house when we came back with Luke and was even more exciting this time.  SUCH THOUGHTFULNESS! My family and friends have known that the biggest part of my not 'birthing a child' was so trivial. I always said that I would miss coming  home to a Stork in the yard.  YES QUITE TRIVIAL but I have always loved seeing the storks in yards.  (How crazy is that?)

Maran LOVED HER ROOM!  She gasped when she saw the tricycle.  She played with lots of toys and finally about 1:30 am we got two little youngsters in OUR bed.  (They had bed hopped between Luke's room and Maran's for about 30 minutes).  We were torn about the sleeping arrangements for the first night.  Setting the precedent FROM THE START would have been great, however, exhaustion took over and our plans to put them in their beds when they fell asleep went to the wayside as neither of us had the energy to get up once they were both zonked.  WE ARE NOT ADVOCATES OF CHILDREN SLEEPING WITH PARENTS BUT THE CUDDLING IS JUST SO PRECIOUS...yes you can cuddle elsewhere but hey... after 19 days of being gone our bed was the best! Lil' Miss Sassy woke up a little before 5 am and had to have a snack.  She got back in bed for about 20 minutes and then she and I got up and started the laundry.  After breakfast at Bruegger's with Daddy we started running around.  Luke is so far being a great big brother and being very cautious with her.  He likes his new role for now.  We all know it will not be all lollipops every day.  When I pick up one the other wants to be picked up.  They are so precious. We stopped by the office to say Hi and we have been here for a few hours.  They have completely wrecked the place so we are off to our next place to destroy.

I MUST GET THIS CHILD SOME WINTER CLOTHES!  We have only clothes for China where it was quite warm.  So off to shopping we go.  Mr. Snickerdoodle skipped school today and was happy to do so. 

Will post more WELCOME HOME pictures later.  Can not say enough  "There's NO PLACE LIKE HOME" and GOD BLESS THE USA!  It was so nice to wake up to the wonderful smell of our home and not 'skank'.  Anyone for some Fish Stomach Soup?  Well, go to China and you can get it!  (YAK).....

 Our favorite picture of the two (so far)  Taken by Tia Patti

This could be a perfect Holiday picture! 

Thank you to our AIRPORT GREETING COMMITTE: 

Nammy * Pop Pop * Shane * Tefie * Big Brother Luke* Tia Peggy * Tia Patti * Dylan * Tia Mary Ann * Tia Duckie 

The Balloons, Gifts and LOVE were the best!!

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IN SAN FRANCISCO

--- that story comes later and oh how much fun it was ---