Thursday, March 19, 2009

Welcome Home

Wow, are you all impressed with Steve, or what? He blogged while I was gone, he kept the house clean, (with some help from my mom), did some cooking, and made our homecoming very special!!! What a man! I was so glad to see him.


Our flight home went well. Lilly was so good, especially for 30 hours of travelling. The hardest part came in Denver. Our flight from Germany left late, so we arrived late in Denver. There were 2 other international flights that arrived just before us. So we had a little less than 2 hours to make it through customs, re-check our baggage, and make our flight to SLC. The line for customs was very long, but moved at a steady rate. Because Lilly had an immigrant visa, we were escorted to an area to wait for someone to open our packet and stamp her visa. There were about a dozen people already waiting and only 1 man there to process them all. After a few minutes another man came in. I walked up and asked if there was any chance I would make my flight in 50 minutes. The first man said, "Probably not." The new worker asked for Lilly's name and grabbed her packet and took us next. An answer to my prayer.

We went and picked up our luggage and then had to go through and show our passports again. We rechecked our luggage. The man at the United Airlines counter said to take the train to the B concourse, but didn't say what gate. We hurried to the security line and went through. We ran for the train and made it to the B concourse. I saw a departure board and saw that our flight was leaving from B-94. There were 95 gates in the B concourse and ours had to be 94!!!! We ran so fast all the way there using the moving sidewalks to help with our speed. Lilly was great about it. We made it just as they were closing the doors.

When we arrived, Steve and the girls were waiting for us. Grandpa and Grandma Emett, Grandma Gene, my brother Glade (who works at the airport), my sister LaNell and her son Tyson were all there too. Lilly had fallen asleep on the plane, so she was a bit quiet until she saw Madison. Then they were the best of friends and didn't stop talking all the way home.



Steve and the girls had decorated the house with streamers and balloons and I think Lilly was amazed at our home and everything she saw. She went from room to room exploring for a while before we got everyone settled down for bed. She and Madison shared a bed that night. Lilly woke Madi up at 1:00 AM telling her she was hungry and wanted Wendy's food. We had stopped at Wendy's to grab dinner for Lilly and me before going home. (By the way, she didn't like chicken nuggets, just fries). So she got up and ate some cold french fries. I heard them up at 5:00 AM. I got up and told them they had to go back to bed. They did, but then were up again at 6:30 having a tea party.


All-in-all, she is adjusting fine, outside of going to the bathroom on the neighbor's lawn. We of course had a talk about that afterwards. She hasn't loved the food, but is willing to try everything. She had rice with spaghetti sauce and tuna fish for lunch today and ate that pretty well...sounds gross to me, but I guess it was more like home than a peanut butter sandwich.


I kept a daily journal while I was in Ghana, so I will go back through and list the highlights later when I have more time.

20 comments:

KT said...

Wow! That sounds crazy...love those airports! We're glad everything is going well! We're also very excited to meet Lilly soon.

FriĆ°rikssonS (and Parents) said...

That is so funny!!! Wendy's must be the choice of first meals for our kids - we did wendy's and chicken nuggets and fries for the boys. Godfrid and Samuel liked it - but they preferred the "Spicy Chicken" from my spicy chicken Sandwich - go figure!! I laugh that Saviour loved the fries becuase she ws not having any of that from the XXX. Godfrid loved seeing pictures (I think it is comforting for him to see her and know she is here too). We should get together soon for them! Glad you made it home and all is well!!

the H family said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
the H family said...

That last picture of Lilly and Madison just has me in tears. They look like they've always been together, and Lilly looks so happy.

Melissa said...

we were in love with her the moment we met her today!!! what an amazing addition to the family! we especially loved having her to preschool this morning! what a surprise! she is so smart and brave.

Lois said...

They look happy for sure. I can't wait to visit more about your trip!

Deb Wilde said...

How Cool!! That sounds like so much fun ~ Congratulations!! I am glad she is here!!

Tami said...

Hi Emetts!

Congratulations on your new addition, and welcome to the United States, Lilly!

I am so excited for you! I would love to meet your kids sometime. It has been so long since we last talked!

Hope all continues to go well!

Tami Telford

Phyllisa said...

Welcome Home Lilly! Can't wait to meet you at church tomorrow!

Jen said...

Congratulations! How exciting to have your family all together! Lilly is beautiful and what a blessing that she suddenly has three sisters to shower her with love and attention...Welcome home!

Jennine

SugarHouse Mama said...

It was so great to see you today! I can't wait for our girls to get together and play!

SugarHouse Mama said...

Oh - And I LOVE the new family pic!

Jenifer said...

I love it, your family photo is awesome. The comment about the neighbors lawn made me laugh out loud. You guys are great. Your family is amazing. So glad you are all together! :)

Phyllisa said...

We missed you yesterday. Will Lilly be in CTR 6?

Hoffman Family said...

I'm so happy you're home!!! Congratulations! It's so fun to hear about all of Lily's firsts. Keep up the blogging. You're family picture is beautiful.

Sarah said...

I love the new family picture!! what an awesome family!

Laurel said...

Can't wait to read all of your stories about your time in Ghana.

So glad you are all home and together as a family.

Blessings,

Laurel

Tina Camomile said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You must be so relieved to have all the t's crossed and i's dotted and that your family is now complete after all this time waiting. I'll bet the girls are so excited to have a new sister. I love your family picture, it's great. You and your family take care and enjoy the blessings of life.

Kimberly said...

Congratulations! It has been fun/inspiring to read about your adventure. What a relief that your family is finally together. The photos are priceless!

Camey said...

I think that is so special that Madi and Lilly get along so well! She looks very special!