We Finally Made It Home!!!!

The day started off uneventful. We got up early, finished packing and were out of the hotel by 5:45am. We get to the Guangzhou airport without any problems, get our tickets and boarding passes, say goodbye to Doris and head for the terminal. We went through customs and immigration and the security checkpoint. We did have to leave behind the diaper rash cream (tube too big) and a couple of Lily Mei's yogurts (too much liquid). Then just as we were boarding the plane, another security checkpoint. Now let me tell you, my patience was running thin, we were already hot and tired (no AC in the airport), Lily Mei was hungry and this little Chinese lady kept telling me "too much food for baby". I tried to explain to her that the yogurt was the only thing Lily would drink and we had a looonnngg flight. She just kept saying "too much for baby". So I'm standing there arguing over yogurt, Steve is begging me to come on before I end up in the Chinese jail, and the little Chinese lady kept taking the yogurt out and I kept putting it back in. Finally, I gave up two of the yogurts and Steve drug me onto the plane. Oh I was mad!!! Then we almost miss the Tokyo flight because the Guangzhou flight left late. They rushed us through security (I had to leave the other tube of diaper rash cream, but I got to keep the yogurt)and David's carryon got stopped because of a baby bottle, but we made the flight and settled in for a long 12 hours. We arrived in Detroit at 1:30, our flight was scheduled to leave at 3:30. We got something to eat, sat down with the Ogles and happily remarked that we were "almost home". Wrong!! We had only been there about 15 minutes when they announced our flight to Huntsville was cancelled!! Not again! I couldn't believe this was happening. Steve and Greg rushed to the Northwest counter and tried to get another flight. They had 4 seats going to Nashville and 4 to B'ham. We took Nashville, the Ogles took B'ham. Both flights were scheduled to leave around 8:00pm. Then they were pushed to 9:00pm. Then 9:30....10:00....10:45...11:05. Then the Ogles flight to B'ham was really late and they might get cancelled. Lily Mei and Paul William had done really good up to this point. Paul William slept a long time, Lily Mei entertained everyone around, and then we resorted to Cheerio bribery. I called my daddy. He and Frances borrowed a friend's Surburban and were on their way to Nashville to drive us home. We boarded at 11:05 and arrived in Nashville at midnight. We left the Ogles in Detroit waiting for the B'ham flight. (Greg and Mary Louise: check in so I'll know you made it OK). Daddy and Frances met us at the terminal with roses for Lily and a ride home. We got in around 2:30 am, unloaded the truck and tried to get Lily Mei to sleep. Well, at 4:30, the Little Miss was eating grilled cheese and mashed potatoes and I was doing laundry. I sent Steve to bed. I told him he could have second shift. I've cleaned my kitchen and almost got one suitcase unpacked. I think I've been awake now for close to 36 hours or so. And then I get on the computer and see the most wonderful group of friends who had come to the airport to greet us (my auntie was there, too, somewhere). Thank you all for coming. You can't imagine what that means to us. We are so blessed to have met you all on this amazing journey.