We finally made it home.

Our plane landed in Charlotte around 6:45 pm. By the time we grabbed our luggage, finished fellowshipping with those who met us at the airport and drove home, it was close to 8:00. Actually it didn’t take us long to gather our luggage. We were in the last 2 rows of the plane so we were also the last ones off. By the time we made it to the baggage carrousel, our luggage was the only luggage left. All 5 pieces were sitting on the floor.

Both kiddos really did very well considering how long our day was. The biggest issue on the planes was jealousy. Every time Carmi would touch Karys, Eliana would cry. Every time Carmi would touch Eliana, Karys would cry. I was zero help because I’m still sporting a fever and feeling like major crud.

A big surprise was how easily Karys took to members from both sides of our family at the airport. I really suspected that she would pitch a fit when someone else wanted to hold her but she never did.

My sister Kerry, brother-in-law Art and mom brought us home.

Here’s one happy gran’mommy.

It’s 4:20 am. We must have our bags out in the hall by 5:00 and we meet in the lobby at 5:30.

It’s going to be a l-o-n-g day and I’m still looking for that Mack truck that hit me.

We’re coming home!!

There’s no doubt that this trip to China has been tough on my 44-year-old body and it all came to a head last night.

I got the chills right before bedtime and was shaking pretty good when I finally retired for the night.

This morning I felt good enough to go eat some breakfast but then I came back to the room and laid down on the couch. Carmi, Tema and the two girls went on a tour to the Chen Family Temple at 9:30 but I felt it best to stay in the room and rest. Right before they came back at 11:45, I got the chills again and moved to our bed where I piled on the covers.

Our agency families were having lunch together at 12:00 but I simply didn’t feel like I could go. I stayed in the bed and slept. Carmi brought me some lunch from the restaurant at 1:30 and I practically devoured it.

At 2:00, our agency families had the famous red couch photo session where I mustered the best smile I could before heading off to the American Consulate.

Tema and I were craving Starbucks so our five-some took a trip after pizza for dinner.

The Starbucks here in Guangzhou didn’t have my White Chocolate Mocha last night so I tried just a Cafe Mocha. Icky.

Tonight I got brave and tried my first Frappachino. It was a Mocha Frappachino. The drink was so yummy that Carmi, who is not a coffee drinker, purchased a Chocolate Frappachino.

Then Eliana drank some.

Then Karys drank some.

Carmi almost couldn’t finish her own drink.

Eliana in the White Swan lobby. Yeah...that’s a waterfall.

The english version of a Chinese newspaper under our door this morning.

These are the views out of our 26th floor window. It’s a little hazy this morning and is supposed to be raining again later today.

The view is especially spectacular at night with the buildings covered in colored lights. There are also boats with colored lights cruising the Pearl River.

There’s a Starbucks not 5 minutes from the hotel. I am one unbelievably happy camper!

We were reunited with the other four families from our adoption agency who are also staying at the White Swan. The others arrived yesterday so the Hendersons were the last ones to join the party.

After Karys’ physical and visa photo, our group met for a short joint road trip to the local mall. Eliana and Katherine were the dynamic duo and kept us busy chasing them down and trying to round them up. I’m glad they have each other to play with.

Look at this brood of mama hens gathered around the jewelry counter!

At 6:00, we finished up and went to dinner at a nearby restaurant. When you walk in the door, you’re greeted by all sorts of creepy-crawly things just waiting to be delicacies on your plate:

There were snakes and eels and many other choicy morsels.

Still hungry?

No lie...Eliana was crying when we sat down at the dinner table. She was sure that we would be eating them.

We had a short period of rest in our hotel room before taking Karys for the requisite physical exam. She was none too crazy about being poked and prodded.

I guess she passed. They took our money anyway.

This journal offers a peek inside the Henderson home where you'll find two Little Empresses. Eliana stole our hearts on October 29, 2002 and Karys forever became a part of our family on September 17, 2007. Is a Little Emperor in the future?