We Made It

I can't say our trip back was uneventful or flawless but we made it nonetheless. We almost missed our flight from Beijing to Chicago by underestimating the immigration and security process at the airport. We then managed to leave our diaper bag at the security checkpoint, which caused major panic as it contained Aubree's immigration file and without it she would not be able to enter the US when we arrived in Chicago (not to mention diapers and all her other stuff). After a mad scramble we recovered the bag and were able to board the plane. We had a close connection time in Chicago for our Omaha flight and after going through immigration, retrieving our luggage, clearing customs, rechecking our luggage, riding the train from the international arrivals terminal to the main terminal, going through security and of course having to run to the furthest possible gate away from us at that point we were able to watch our plan backing away from the gate. Luckily we were able to catch the last flight from Omaha to Chicago that day a few hours later. We still have many family and friends at the airport to greet us but the home coming was watered down a bit since we arrived after 10pm instead of 7pm. Some friends of ours from church who adopted from China a year ago were at the airport and they posted some great pictures on their blog. You can find them at http://smithtigers.blogspot.com.

I can not express the joy we have in our family right now as I watch Aubree get to know her new brothers and sisters. Life is good.