Home Sweet Home!

April 14, 2006
(Posted April 17, 2006)

HAPPY EASTER!  HE HAS RISEN INDEED!

Our journey to China is over and our new life is just beginning!  I apologize for posting our last entry so late, but jet lag

and two babies can really throw you for a loop.   I will pick up from our last morning in China and take you through today, Easter Sunday,

April 17, 2006.

We were informed by Xie Xie that we would be picked up at 6:45 am in order to make our 9:20 flight.  We received our timely 4:30 am

wake up call.   Half asleep I went over to Kai's crib to prepare him for the long journey home.  Something I have learned.  Very much like

his Daddy, he needs his sleep.  There were no smiles, no giggles....just a pouty little boy who refused to take a bottle.  The breakfast

buffet at the White Swan opened up at 6 am, and knowing the day we had ahead of us, we figured we'd at least have a hearty breakfast, and

I could get our usually-no-problem-to-eat-little-guy to put something down from there.   We had packed the night before,  so things went

smoothly.  We managed to squeeze everything in and make our carry-ons as light as possible, to no avail.

At 5:50 am, we headed down to breakfast.  It was very different than going at 8:30.  There was no hustle and bustle of parents doting on

their new Asian treasures, no loud chattering, no lines at the Western food table,  and there weren't tens of waiters and waitresses 

scurrying around like busy mice trying to please all of their customers.  Kai was rebelling the fact that he was awoken from 

his beauty sleep, so he decided he would go on a hunger strike.    The rest of us enjoyed breakfast and then headed towards our designated

meeting place.   As we approached the front doors of the White Swan to wait for the bus we notice Xie Xie is already there!  Again,

let me take this moment to give huge kudos to Harrah's Adoption International Mission and their entire staff!  They were awesome

during the process and amazing during the in-country stay!  We HIGHLY recommend them!   Ok...commercial over, back to our

journey.    When we got out to the bus we noticed that Xie Xie had already arranged for our luggage to be picked up from the

room and loaded on the bus, and YES....we did have to once again get 2 buses.  One for the people, and one for the luggage.  We hopped on

and saw the tired, but smiling faces of our travel mates, all looking forward to going home!   This morning was very cold, probably in

the high 40's.  Of course, all of our sweaters and jackets were packed in the check in luggage.  Go figure.

We arrive at Guangzhou Airport and the group waits while Kathy, Scott and Mike head with Xie Xie to check in our luggage.  As we

wait, we gather the usual amount of onlookers, smilling and nodding as they see their children leaving to foreign lands.

By then, Kai is getting hungry and a bit impatient.  The crew returns to us shortly and we all say our goodbyes as we head towards

the gate.  We are offered a "lift" on one of those carts for 10 yuan per person....Scott says, TAKE IT!  We all  hop on and it takes us

to an escalator leading down to our gate.   We have about 45 minutes before our plane boards.   At that point, Kai's lack of eating,

tiredness finally overtake him.  A HUGE meltdown ensues.   Scott offers to take him, but I having to be his main caretaker and 

the one to soothe him for attachment purposes decide that I can battle this beast.   Unfortunately, rhe battle was a public one, and while he

squirmed, screamed and kicked, I continued to whisper to him how much I loved him and how hard I knew this was for him.  After about 20 

minutes, he gave in....and fell asleep with deep sobs.  After 10 minutes, it was no longer interesting for onlookers and everyone just went 

about their business.   We boarded the plane and headed to Beijing.  The 2nd to last leg of our trip home.

After LOTS of walking....(remember to pack light!!!) we arrive to what appears to be a Customs.   Hmmm....ok, we go with

the flow.   Fill out the customs paperwork and continue on through Chinese Customs.   The long, winding hallways take us to yet

another security area with big signs stating IMMIGRATION.  Didn't we just do that?   More paperwork, more opening of luggage,

more walking.  Finally, we get to our 3rd security checkpoint, this one leading us to the gate.  By then, our 3 hour layover had left down to 1

hour.  I was STARVING.  Mike kept telling me there was western food somewhere around there, but nothing could be seen except gates

for boarding.  Then we turn a corner, and there is it....bright as the sun....STARBUCKS!!!    We had some Chinese yuan left, so I tell Scott

that I will continue to the gate to feed Kai and for him to gather up food for us....REAL food!     Once at the gate, Kai woofed down

a bottle and two jars of baby food.   Our happy little guy was back!  I knew he was tired, so we were praying for lots of sleep on the flight.

Scott arrived a few minutes later with a salami sandwich, a latte, a COLD coke, and a piece of chocolate cake!!  HEAVEN!   

Boy, was that good!   We notice several groups of people getting up and heading towards the doors, so we gather our belongings and

begin to board.  I had asked for bulkhead seats when we arrived to check in, but I was told they were already taken.  I

said thank you and grunted a bit as I walked away from the counter.   We board the plane.  This time, the seats seemed much tighter

than before, considering it was the same plane a Boeing 777, I knew it was me and not the seats.  I glance over to the lucky family sitting

in bulkhead with lots of legroom and low and behold....it's the Mansfields!!  UGH!   I had to laugh.  Poor Mike....I'm glad it was him.

He was preparing for a long trip because Sophie did not like to sleep in anyone's arms, so I guess he deserved the extra leg room.

The plane took off.  I traded my window seat with a nice American young man that was sitting in the aisle seat....Scott was in the center.

It was an extremely long flight.  Pretty non-eventful and Kai slept and played on and off the entire time.  At one point, I was carrying him,

and I nodded off.   My arms relaxed and I jumped about 3 feet as I felt him slipping to the floor....I caught him!  He didn't even

wake up.  At that point, I handed him to Scott and tried to unsuccessfully find a comfortable position to sleep in.

Mom and Amanda were dosing and Scott was on his 2nd turn of watching the movie The Producers.  I glanced over to the luxurious

bulkhead seats and there is Mike....standing by the bathrooms, swaying from side to side in hopes that Sophie would sleep, instead she'd

look over and smile.  She is just too cute!

After what seemed like an eternity, we landed at Newark.  Our boy is an American citizen!!! 

We're almost home!  Now, can we make the next flight?  We only had 1 hour to

go through customs, check in with the adoption dept., grab our luggage, re-check it in, and head to our gates.  Luckily, our flight was delayed

by a half hour or so.   We hugged and said our goodbyes to Kathy and Mike's family and each parted

our separate ways to begin what would be a new life for all of us.   We arrived at the gate with plenty of time.  I did my usual sitting

on the floor and feeding and called Dad to make sure he'd be at Fort Lauderdale International waiting for us at 10:30 pm.  I was dying to

get home and dying more so, to see AJ.

Again, we boarded the plane and nestled in for the 2.5 hour flight.  it was 7:30 pm.   The captain came on the loudspeaker and said because

of the holidays they were a bit delayed and we would be taxiing for a little longer.   At 8:30 pm...YES....AN HOUR LATER.....he

came back on and said that we were still awaiting our turn to leave.   The AC had been shut off by then and people were getting antsy.

Flight attendants were having a hard time keeping people in their seats, babies were crying and adults were complaining.  Kai was again

great.  He'd mostly peer out the window and respond to whatever he saw with "Ahhhh....." and his little index finger pointed towards

whatever he was referring to.  He is truly impossible not to fall in love with.

At 9:30 p.m.,  after we heard the jet's engines start up, I called my Dad again and told him that I thought, "this time for real" we

were on our way home.  Two hours after having boarded the plane and gone nowhere.....we lifted off.

Touching down at Fort Lauderdale airport at midnight was a great feeling.  Although we were still 2 hours from home, we were there.

I couldn't get out of the plane fast enough.  The seatbelt signs went off, and as I gathered my stuff, I see this worried look on Scott's face.

People were already getting off the plane, and he couldn't find the blue backpack....the one I had attached to my body the entire trip,

and just for this leg decided to put in the overhead compartment....the very bag that held EVERY piece of paper pertaining to our adoption.

Scott kept insisting he put it in the bin over our seats, but it was clearly not there.  At that point, I didn't even want to think about it.

I wanted to get off the plane.  I said to him, "You look for it....I'm getting off of this thing."  My patience was definitely wearing

thin.  I was ready to go home.  Kai, although well-behaved, was tired as was Mom, Amanda and I'm sure Scott.  If the backpack got

lost, we'd think about it tomorrow.  Right now, get me off this plane!   So, with Kai in tow, and Amanda and Mom following,

we walked out of the gate.  It felt like such a relief to breathe "American" air.  It was different.  All those airports later, we were home.

I felt bad about leaving without Scott, so we waited....and waited.   Finally 10 minutes later, after everyone had gotten off the plane 

while I scrupulously checked their carry-ons, here comes Scott....with the blue backpack!  Hurray!!!   My hero!  Where was it?

The flight attendant had moved it to one of the bins in the back to make room.   Oh well....minor delay in the scope of things.

We happily and almost skipping, headed towards the signs labeled BAGGAGE CLAIM.  As we approached the gate,

I first noticed my brother.  I was so happy to see family!!   My boys were there to meet their newest sibling along with my 

Dad and my sister-in-law.    My brother was the first to come towards Kai, who was looking around in total confusion.

PART TWO

My brother said...."Kai!" and quickly snatched him out of my arms before Kai had a chance to react.   He was fine with my brother....for 

about  30 seconds.   Then the crowd of people, including onlookers who were waiting for other passengers came over to ooohhh and ahhh

our newest addition, and then it was too much.  He wanted to go with Mama,  Baba or whatever familiar face stood before him.

It was so awesome seeing our family.  My boys got to meet their 2nd to youngest brother, but Kai would have nothing to do with 

them.   After a few minutes, I was ready to go home!   I asked a stranger that was quietly watching from afar to take a group picture,

which he kindly did.   Interesting how people stopped and did not cross in front of the camera while the picture was being taken.  

That was a big thing in China.  In the U.S., it is the norm that if you are walking and someone is in your path taking a picture,

you usually wait until they snap.   Not in China.   You either better take it quick or wait till they go by, otherwise, you will have

passersby in all of your pictures.  :)   I digress.

We stood around talking a bit about China and the trip and then headed for baggage claim.  It was so good to have someone else

carry our bags and backpacks!   My Dad and Adam, my youngest, went to get the cars, while we waited outside.  The rest of the family

was quickly falling in love with Kai as his bright smile lit up the humid Florida night.  He would giggle and play from afar with his

new family members, but was very reserved if they approached him.  This was good!  He was attaching to us!

We then loaded the cars, put Kai in his carseat (which was no problem at all) and headed to Hialeah where my aunt lives to pick up 

our baby boy, AJ!!!   Would he remember me?  What would Kai's reaction be to him?  After having been the "only" child for almost 2 weeks, 

would he be jealous?  So much to think about. My brain was fogged from the flight.  By then it was 1 am.   

Yet, in my mind....it was 1 pm....China time.  The same for Kai.  He was happy-go-lucky and raring to go....as if it were one o'clock 

in the afternoon.   We really hadn't eaten a decent meal in almost 48 hours, so as we drove to my Aunt's house, I suggested we stop off at a 

Cuban restaurant.  I called Adam on his cell phone, who had my brother and his wife with him, along with my Mom and Tito,  

and asked what they thought....I knew my son would never turn down the  opportunity to eat.  :)    

Tito, my eldest, said he couldn't make it because he had his new puppy in the crate since 5 o'clock.  So, they

dropped him off, and met us at Chico's, a 24 hour diner that serves Cuban food.  When we arrived, the waitress seated us.  There

was a very foul smell coming from the high chair next to me, and a little boy with a beet-red face umm....doing his thing!  

This diner/restaurant has a very small bathroom, with of course, no diaper changing station.  I felt like I was back in China.  I spread some

paper towels on the floor, then laid the little mat on top of that, then laid a wiggly Kai on that.  His diaper was changed and he 

was again a happy camper and ready to eat.   By the time we got our food it was 2:30 am.   Kai ate a bowl of mashed potatoes while he

entertained everyone at the table with all his new tricks, including "looking at his watch", giving kisses, and rolling his eyes on cue.

The waitress came over and asked about him and we, in a few words, told her that he was our new son from China.   She told us how adorable

he was (as if we didn't know) and that it was such an awesome thing we had done.    We took the opportunity to make sure she knew it

was God who did it, and also that we were the ones that were blessed.     

By the time we were gathering our things to leave, my cell phone rings.  It was my Aunt asking where we were since we 

had left the airport over an hour and a half.   I told her we were on way.   Twenty minutes later, we were pulling into her complex.  I couldn't

get to her front door fast enough.  Scott came in carrying Kai and the entourage followed.  By then it was 3:30 am.  My Aunt said AJ was

asleep and not to wake him....HA!!  YEAH, RIGHT!!!!!    I went over to his bassinet and my teeny-tiny baby of just 6 days old that I had 

left 2.5 weeks before looked sooooo big!!  He had so much hair, and oh my God....3 chins had appeared under that perfectly shaped little

mouth.  I slowly picked him and noticed how heavy he was.   Then I asked Scott to put Kai on the couch, which he did.  I went over

and sat next to him.  It was so sweet.   I looked at Kai and said "Di Di" (little brother in Chinese).  He looked at me, then at Scott, 

and then down at AJ....and ever so softly he stroked his head with his chubby little hand.  My heart was swelling with pride.  Oh my Lord,

how is it that I can have soooo much love for these two little creatures when I didn't even know them 3 weeks ago?  I didn't carry them

in my womb, I never felt them moving inside of me, yet the love I feel for them is so intense.  They ARE my children.  I am now the proud

mother of 5 beautiful children.

The sun would be rising in a couple of hours.   Our plans were to stay the night at my Aunt's house and then head to Ft. Myers early in the

morning.   Scott and I discussed it and we decided that since it "felt" like it was 4 pm in the afternoon, although it was 4 in the morning, 

we'd go ahead and head home then.  Scott stopped off and bought a "colada", which is about 8 shots of Cuban coffee (expresso), 

and with our treasures, Kai, AJ, and Amanda in tow, we happily headed home.

At 6:45 a.m., we pulled into our driveway.   Kai's paternal grandmother had been house-sitting for us and watching our dogs while we

were gone.   She had been anxiously awaiting to meet her latest grandson!   Due to the time change, it was still dark out when we arrived.

We opened the garage door and walked in as a very tired family.  My MIL was just waking up and very surprised to see us since

we had said we would be staying the night in Miami and coming home around noon.   Poor thing had planned a big homecoming with

balloons and banners, and we ruined it, but she was so happy to see her new grandson that it was quickly forgotten.  She had bought

a beautiful cake with a Chinese flag and an American flag.  The cake had written on it "WELCOME HOME KAI AND AJ!"

I originally thought we'd get home and collapse, but the jet lag just kept us in that "fog" mode.  We were too tired to sleep, yet not sleepy.

So hard to explain....but something I didn't enjoy feeling.  It also quickly brought on a headache.   

Kai didn't take to Grandma right away, but as he has done with everyone else, he quickly won her heart as she patiently awaited her turn 

to receive one of his awesome hugs. Grandmother that she is, she then sat us down to open a slew of gifts she had bought for him.   

The same as she had done for AJ when he arrived home.  As the day progressed, he stared getting back into a routine.   He was becoming 

very  protective of Di Di as his  little brother, and shared his love with Mama, Baba and his big sister.  Baba still being his favorite, 

but Mama coming in a close 2nd.

In the afternoon, my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew came over to meet the new little one.   Before I go on, I want to share a bit about

my sister and her family.   They have been married for 12 years and have desperately tried to have children, to no avail.  My brother's wife

died when my nephew was only 3 years old.  At that time, my brother just couldn't take care of my nephew, my sister who had been recently

married took over the job.  My nephew moved in with them and 3 years ago they adopted him.  He is now a fabulous young man of 17,

and soon-to-be Kai's Godfather.  Two and half years ago they decided to go for invitro fertilization.  It was successful.  She was pregnant.  

We were all overjoyed beyond words.  As the pregnancy progressed, some signs started appearing that there was something not 

well with the baby.  God became such a strong part of all of our lives at that point.  We had nothing but faith that His will be 

done....at 7 1/2 months, she gave birth to beautiful, stillborn baby boy they named Emmanuel De Jesus.  He was born minutes after 

midnight on my 40th birthday. 

This scripture comes to mind when my thoughts go back to all that has happened in the past 3 years of our lives.  

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope 

and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and 

find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11-13

The reason that I am bringing up her past history is because she and her husband decided after baby Emmanuel's death, that if the

Lord decided that she couldn't bear a child, she would not have children.   Neither one believed adoption was for them, and they did not 

want to "raise someone else's child".  It was shortly after that time that God put adoption into the hearts of Scott and I.   

 As much as I love my sister, I had feared because of their negativity  towards adoption that they would reject our son.  

That he wouldn't be a part of the family. Little did I know that  God's hand was at work.  Once again, His plans are perfect and

the circumstances of events always happen so that in the end we can glorify Him.   And we have and continue to do so.

Upon their meeting Kai, they IMMEDIATELY fell in love with him.  It was almost like a spell.  Both she and my brother in law

could not believe this child was from an orphanage.  All those myths and fears were slowly melting away.  Then my Mom, who was

pretty much of their opinion, came home and told them about her visit to the orphanage.   She shared about meeting Sophie and Fei Fei

and LuLu.    About how these children needed love and gave so much in return.   Everyone's world was changing....and fast!   I have

always believed that God has a very special place heart for his orphans, and the bible clearly states that.  When we adopted AJ, at

the hospital reception desk there was a sign, it read: 

"When God wants something important done in the world....he creates a baby, and then He waits."

Well, this baby was Kai!  God wanted to reach my sister and my brother in laws heart.  He wanted them to see that families are formed

in different ways.  That these are ALL His children, regardless of how they come to us.  And that they all deserve the love of a family

and a home filled with joy and a feeling of security.  His plans for each of his babies are laid out long before He creates them.

On Easter Sunday, the family all met at church for Easter mass.   As we entered the church, so many friends gathered around to meet the

fruit of their prayers.  Kai and AJ were dressed alike and were just so cute.  We were beaming with pride at God's miracle in our lives.

My sister was going from person to person telling them how amazing this little boy is.  How he has adjusted.  How loving he is and 

of course, glorifying the Lord for all that he had done for us.   Never have I felt the Holy Spirit so 

strong as we sang "Glory to God in the Highest" at the beginning of the mass.  Tears just streamed from my face as I held Kai and

I looked over to an angelically sleeping AJ.  It was so hard to believe it had happened....it was real.  They are home and our forever.

We have witnessed a true miracle.  One that happens everyday in so many lives.  Thank you, Lord!  Thank you so much for the

opportunity to raise yet not one, but two more children in your name.

After mass, the family got together for our traditional Easter brunch at a local restaurant.  Our boys were so cute!   Kai got to meet

the Easter bunny, and even sat on his lap with a little coaxing from a chocolate egg.  My sister and brother in law just sat there

marveling in awe over the fact that a little boy that had been seen in a picture, who was a world away, is now sitting here at the table

with us, sharing Easter dinner.  And he was perfect!  After eating, we all said our goodbyes and headed home to relax.  The next

day Scott would be going back to work, and Amanda to school.  Life would begin for us.  A life that we have been waiting for almost 3 years

to happen.   I couldn't be happier, or so I thought.....

Monday morning I awoke to my smiling baby boy and my cooing newborn.  As I walked around my house in disbelief that they were home,

the phone rang.  It was my sister.  She asked how the boys were and then proceeded to tell me that she had some news to share.

God had softened their hearts.  They needed to meet Kai for that to happen.  Both she and her husband felt a strong stirring in their hearts

when they met him on Good Friday.   She was calling us to tell us that they have a daughter.....waiting for them in China!

They are beginning the process to adopt and were calling Harrah's that same day!

Now, if that doesn't have God's fingerprints all over it.....what does?   HE IS AWESOME!!!!

Enjoy the pictures and videos, and please check back once in a while since I will be updating our site with pictures of our new family

and sharing some of the boys' latest antics as they grow.

I wanted to add a final special note to The Patient Pandas.....hang in there, my friends!   Vivienne asked me a week or so ago if the wait

was forgotten?    I know the answer now.  Forgotten?  No....but worth it?  Absolutely.  I would  go through the agony in a 

HEARTBEAT again to have the same end result.   We have the children we were meant to have and they, in the short time that they

have been with us, have already filled us with more joy than I can express.  I am so looking forward to seeing the beautiful faces

of your babies!

Thank you all for your prayers, your love and your support.  It has been an amazing journey and I am honored to have shared it 

with all of you.  Although the "Journey To Kai" has ended.....we have only just begun.

May God continue to bless you all,

The Bombardiers,

Scott, Ohilda, Amanda, Kai and AJ

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