We are home!!!

I am sorry this post took a while to happen, but it has been very chaotic and exhausting since the second we left Hong Kong. Mariah of course was amazing, but that can't be said for our flight that was suppose to be an 18 hour journey!! At lift off we were told we we would be taking a different route to take advantage of the Tail Winds and going across the Pacific and the good ole USA. This made for a very turbulent ride, which made the flight seem forever. If you have flown before you will know that most planes now have a personal screen that you can watch whatever you want and there is also a flight plan map that you can watch the progress of the flight. This is a good thing and a bad thing like the old saying goes, "Don't watch a pot of water boil"! Anyways we literally watch our path as we flew over Cleveland where we would eventually land after our connecting flight in Newark. As we were about 20 minutes to Newark we began to circle the airport for a while and then all of a sudden the flight path changed and we were diverted to Cleveland. The pilot announced that there were bad storms in Newark and he needed to divert to Cleveland for refueling after our long flight from Hong Kong. Well Chad and I were so happy thinking that we would just get to go home a few hours early. Our hopes were lost when after we landed in Cleveland, just one hour from our house, but was told we were not allowed to get off of the plane because it was an international flight, and we sat in Cleveland for almost 2 hours. We then had to take a flight back to Newark, where we already missed our connecting flight to Cleveland. I haven't cried that much in years! After going through customs, we had to go stand in a line of angry passengers where after almost 2 hours we were told that we would not be able to leave until the next day because all flights were booked. We had the option of stand by, but so many people were opting, the odds were not in our favor to find 3 seats. We opted to be persistant and head to the gate where there was a very slim chance we could board, or we would have to get a hotel in Newark. We RAN to the gate and I signed us in for Stand By. The flight was to take off at 9:30 P.M. three and half hours after we were suppose to be happily sitting on our couch at home! Of course that flight was delayed and we sat and sat as they finally boarded the flight. We were told we had to wait and see if there were any seats once all the passengers boarded the flight. And to our surprise our names were called!!!!! We were going home to our family!!!! We started boarding our flight and then we were told that the people showed up who we were taking their seats and we had to get off of the plane:( It was devastating!!!! Our hope was lost and we walked down to the customer service to find a hotel. We started talking to all the angry people in line when we heard a man's voice yelling our names. Run, run, run, the pilot is waiting!!!! They found seats for us!!!! The airport guy picks Mariah up in his arms, people were cheering and yelling for us to run and we just took off running as if our lives depended on it! My heart never pounded so hard!!!! We literally had to run as fast as we could down the hallway to the plane and when we got on the plane the cabin door was open to the cockpit and the pilot peeked out and gave us a thumbs up! People were cheering on the plane for us, they gave up their seats so we all could sit together! It was so heartwarming and wonderful. It was the best flight ever! We arrived in Cleveland at almost midnight and to our surprise after all the plan changes we were greeted by the most amazing family and friends. It was so special to see everyone there and for Mariah to meet everyone. She was so excited and did so well, saying hello and giving complete strangers hugs. She was happy to be home, forever! And I am glad that trip is finally behind us!!!

As far as Mariah, she is doing unbelievable. She is totally obsessed with Marissa and wants to be by her side at every minute. She loves Ryan and hugs him every time she sees him. He has really taken to her as well! And to my surprise there has not been any drama between Mariah and Mya, which I have been secretly dreading. I know how overbearing Mya can be, but she has opened her world to Mariah and they get along very well. Praise God for that!!!! She still has issues a little with Chad, but it has gotten so much better since being home!!!

Mariah has truly fit right in and anyone who was at the airport or who has come by to visit will tell you the same. It is like we have known her forever and she is just the sweetest little thing!!!!

I however am totally overwhelmed with jet lag, so I will try to post some pictures tomorrow. It is the strangest feeling in the world to be so tired and incoherent. I want it to go away so I can focus on our new life as a family of 6.

Thanks for all the prayers!!!! And for following our journey!!!!