Home

Well, we are now safely home. The trip home was not perfectly smooth but Lisa was counting up praises as we went. We got to the Guangzhou airport and there were no problems getting from Guangzhou to Shanghai. From there it got a little bumpy but as I said Lisa kept count of praises. First there was an 8 hour layover and really no place to sit. We could not check in until 3 hours prior to departure so we just wandered until we found a restaurant. There we ate and made the meal last for several hours. Then we realized we needed power for our various electronic toys for the flight home but there were no outlets. Lisa talked to the wait staff and they found us one table with a power right next to it. (Praise One) After that I wandered everywhere I could find in that airport and checked all the stores they had wasting time. Every now and then I would check the board for the status of our flight and waited for check in. Pretty soon a line started forming in front of our check in counter but it was 90 minutes to check in time. I went to get Lisa and Daiyu so we could get in line before it got too long. We got to the line and it was already 30 people or more long. But then there was the business class line and the first class line. There were maybe 2 couples in the business class line and no one in the first class line. After a quick sign study we determined my travel status with American qualified us for the first class line. (Praise Two) Then there was the concern about Daiyu's passport. But we still had an hour at least before the ticket counters even opened. We sat around and talked for an hour and then they opened the counters. Then came the dreaded announcement. The flight was probably cancelled due to our incoming aircraft being diverted to Beijing. We spent the next hour waiting for updates and looking for a hotel in Shanghai. Then came the announcement the flight was cancelled. We were not excited but we found a Hilton near the airport and I started making arrangements. Then, another announcement. They were bringing the plane to us but there would be a 4 hour delay. At least we were getting to Chicago. (Praise Three) Then there was the issue of Daiyu's passport. Could we get checked in and through security without any issues. We got checked in no problem and they gave even gave me business class which I turned down to sit with my family (that was a temporary loss of sanity - Lisa counts it as a praise). OK, so they also gave me two passes to the executive lounge so we could enjoy the next 4 or 5 hours in style. Just one problem -- there were three of us. Well we got through security and not once did Daiyu's passport get questioned. (Praise Four) Lisa then said I should take Daiyu to the lounge while she wandered through the stores. We decided to at least try to get us all in. I went up to the desk and handed her the passes but she immediately said we did not have enough passes for three people. Lisa then explained we just adopted Daiyu and asked if they could just make an exception for us. Guess what, that's right (Praise Five). Just this once she said and in we went. Free food for all. We really enjoyed the time in the lounge and definitely needed it. Now it is flight time. The last time we were at this airport we had to take a long bus ride in bad weather and walk up the old fashion stairs to the jet. Not this time. There was a jet bridge. (Praise Six) When we realized there was no way we could make our connection in Chicago I called and found there was a Hilton right there at the airport. We didn't even need a taxi. (Praise Seven). The flight home was uneventful and we got to Chicago with plenty of time to spare. After that it was time for a good nights sleep and we got just that. No issues getting to bed and we are already re-adjusted to our old time zone. (Praise Eight). We took a taxi home and here we are. So this ends the blog. It is the end of the adoption journey for Daiyu. It's just the beginning of a new life, new friends, a new family but it is her family and we love her like she has been with us from day one. Who know's where life's journey will ultimately lead Daiyu but I suspect it will be an exciting and fulfilling journey and we look forward to being part of it. Thanks for joining us for this small part of Daiyu's long journey through life.