The week of January 21st, 2013 was a big week!!! I am pretty sure the smile on my face said exactly what I was wanting to say to everyone that saw me that week. I WAS LEAVING TO GO BRING HOME MY BABY GIRL!!! All the things that I still needed to do and things I thought were ready but were not quite ready. So as the week went on, I got those last few things done and coached my last basketball game of the season until next year.
January 25th, 2013
My heart was racing and my nerves were everywhere!!! Mom and dad came over and we made sure the bags were ready to go, which was pretty much that final touches that had to be made!! I didn't really think that I would sleep much that night, but I actually fell asleep pretty quick when I finally got in bed!!
January 26th, 2013
I was finally leaving to really go get my baby girl!! I think I screamed a few times out loud, but tried not to scare my parents!! lol! We got to the airport about an hour early and dad and I said our goodbyes to mom and we headed in to the check in. Holding a stroller in my hands seemed a little weird and I think I got a few looks because there was no baby!! haha! IF ONLY THEY KNEW!! (oh my goodness)
Dad and I sat there talking about our excitement and I ran into a friend and we had a good chat. It was finally time to load Plane #1 and we were off to Denver. It was a small plane which I knew on the way home would be a lot of fun with Amayah. We made it to Denver!!! Ok so pictures had to be taken to show the journey!! :)
We then sat in Denver for a little bit, which I was thinking we would run into a couple that would also be traveling from the same agency to bring home their little ones. I kept my eyes open for them and thought a few people were them, but didn't have the courage to ask!! Good thing I didn't, because it was not them!! So we loaded the plane #2 to head to Dulles, Washington DC. There in Dulles we would meet up with another family that was going to bring home their little man. While we were waiting to take off the couple I had been waiting to see got on the plane. I knew right away when I saw them and they saw me and knew me too!! I love facebook for that reason, to be able to get to know someone before you actually meet them.
Well the flight to Brussels was long and I did not sleep much, but watched a couple of movies. When arriving in Brussels there were two more families awaiting our arrival and we all just sat and talked about our journeys. Dad and I were both in awe of everyones story and how we were going to get kids from the same country, but all so very different in how they arrived to the orphanage. God has a plan for everyone and that is something that was really portrayed in all the different journeys!! God is Good and His love endures forever!! :)
So the flight to Kinshasa was about to take off and we sat next to the family that we had started with in Denver, and everyone else was kind of spread apart. I knew that I needed to sleep on this flight because I was so tired and I knew it would be a long couple of days when I arrived in Kinshasa. I put on my little night glasses and I slept on the plane for 5 HOURS!! YAY! I honestly could not believe it because I don't sleep on planes or really in cars.
January 27, 2013
We finally landed in Kinshasa and I honestly think I was smiling from ear to ear knowing that I was in the same city as my baby girl. I could not believe it!! We got shuttled to the immigration area and then went into baggage claim! Can I say WOW!!! It was so hot and crowded in there that I thought I have got to shed some of my layers from the plane. It would happen that our bags would be the last ones to come out. We all loaded up our carts and started heading out to the van that would take us to our hotel. I was very thankful we had someone there that knew we were coming and would take care of us because we had a ton of guys wanting to take our carts so they would get tipped. My dad had to pretty much tell about 20 guys no thank you a ton of times and they still would not get the hint, so the guy that was with us made them understand. Finally got into the van and bags were loaded!! Now for the next experience..........
As we were driving to the hotel I was amazed at the number of people that were walking and driving the streets close to MIDNIGHT! There was only suppose to have two lanes of traffic, one going one way and then one going the other. Well, that was not the case at all....there was about 6 lanes created and we were pretty much bumper to bumper, but our driver knew how to maneuver through the cars which was a little scary. People would just walk across the street not caring that there was a car about to run them over. I can honestly say that I have never heard so many horns at one time. Absolute craziness I tell you and there is no way that I could drive in that situation. We finally made it to the hotel and it was nice to finally be there. All the families pretty much went straight to their rooms to get some sleep because we all knew that the faster we went to sleep the sooner we would be waking up to meeting our little ones. I honestly could not believe it!!!
JANUARY 28, 2013
THE DAY HAD FINALLY ARRIVED!!! I WAS GOING TO MEET AMAYAH!! We were told that the kids were being brought to us since there were so many families and they would be arriving around 11am. Well I got up around 9am thinking that would be plenty of time to calm the nerves and get ready for the BIG moment!! So dad and I made our way outside to visit with the other families and anticipating the kiddos arrival. We waited past 11 and then every horn and door bell we would stand up and get our cameras ready and then we would be disappointed because it would not be them. We then got a phone call and were told that it would be around 4pm that they would be getting here. So the sitting, waiting, and talking continued because we were all so excited to do anything else!!! THE HORN SOUNDED AND WE KNEW IT WAS THEM!!! The blue car drove up and one of the nannies got out of the car holding Amayah (Egide-her name in Africa). I started saying "I'm her mommy!!" and tears rolling down my cheeks. The was the happiest moment of my life and the most amazing feeling. She was actually right in front of me!!! I took her from the nanny and she was a little stiff. I could not stop looking at her and squeezing her!!! I loved her so much already and the love grew even more that day!! All the families took pictures and then went to their rooms to get to know their little ones. Amayah was trying to figure things out, by the look on her face, but it did not take long. She was babbling up a storm and squealing before too long. We played in the room for a little bit and then went and took a few more pictures. That evening we visited for a little bit with the families, but we were all pretty tired, so we called it a night pretty early. Amayah slept great her first night.
On Tuesday, we just were at the hotel all day except when a few of us ran to the store to get some food for the week. I was starving because I did not eat anything but a package of peanut butter crackers on Monday, so the families picked up some fried chicked and french fries to take back and have. We all went swimming that afternoon and Amayah was so stinkin' cute in her bathing suit, that was too big on her! lol! I stood her up and her bottoms fell right down to her ankles, but we made it work. She absolutely loved the water!! YAY! I still could not believe I had my baby girl in my arms!! The rest of the day was relaxing and we all just enjoyed eachother and the kids.
Wednesday was the big day where we were going out to a few markets. I was so excited to get out for a little bit and see a little bit of Congo. A missionary came and picked us up and we went to another hotel and picked up about another 4 families that were there getting their kids. Interesting about this was that a friend from high school had a friend who was traveling with a friend to take pictures of her getting her little one and I had found out about her right before I left. So it was nice getting to at least meet them and talk for a minute. We first went to a fabric market where we got to pick some out and then we could pay someone to make us some garments. I got some and got a skirt for me, a shirt for dad, and a dress for Amayah made that we will wear and take pictures in Hawaii in. After that we went to a market that is ran by people with diabilities and they make all the things you would find at that market. I picked up a few trinkets to bring home, so Amayah would have something to remember where she came from. We then went to another market that had rows and rows of booths set up for people to sell african trinkets and artwork. There were some really great things and everyone wanted you to buy from them, but very respectful when you said no. Did I mention it was HOT!! I am telling you that I was so hot and I was having to get use to holding a little one and being sweaty at the same time!! LOL! I was not very good at it!! haha! Everyone had got everything they wanted and we were ready to leave and find us something to eat. The missionary knew of this place and so we headed there. This little restaurant was so cute and it was ran by Lebanese people. I was told that a lot of Lebanese come in and open things there in Congo. I have to say I had one of the best hamburgers and fries that I have ever had. Well, maybe it was the best because I had not really eaten much in the past two days. I also had a great moment with Amayah....she decided to have a blowout while we were there and that was a new experience to me and changing her with no changing table. (Hmmmm) I really enjoyed lunch and then a little ice cream afterwards. Amayah was getting tired and it didn't take long for her to fall asleep on the way back to the hotel. That evening we just hung out and enjoyed everyone!!
Thursday and Friday didn't consist of much other than me not feeling well and being inside most of the day on Thursday and some on Friday. All the families made a meal on Thursday night and we had a little get together and had everyones dishes which was fun! :) LOTS of PASTA! :) Friday, another family from our agency arrived to get their little girl and it was great getting to know them. Well, I was getting anxious for Saturday because I was wanting our Exit letters, so we could leave on Sunday.
Saturday was finally here and we had to wait all day to find out about exit letters. When our attorney finally arrived he had some bad news for some. He had 3 exit letters and there were 5 families. I was so nervous because I wanted ours to be in there so bad. I was anxiously waiting for him to hand it to me. He handed out 2 families and then there was only 1 left. I already had a bad feeling for whoever didn't get theirs. Well, he turned and handed the last one to me and I was happy, but my heart hurt for the two families that did not get theirs. I knew they were ready to leave just as much as I was. We cried tears and prayed and we knew God had a reason for everything. So Saturday evening we just were in our rooms getting things packed and ready to go and then we went and hung out with everyone outside for the last night.
Sunday was finally here and I was so anxious to be getting on the plane to head home. Everything was packed and ready to go very early, but our flight was not until later that evening. I think Sunday was one of the hottest days while we were there. We had to spend most of the day outside because they were trying to get our rooms cleaned for the next guests that would be arriving. At about 3:30pm our attorney got there and took dad and the other families that were leaving to check in our bags at the baggage check in down the road, so we would not have to do it at the airport. As I waited at the hotel for my dad to return, I could feel myself getting really nervous and worried. It seemed like it took awhile for them to get back. When they finally arrived at the hotel I knew something had happened. Well, come to find out when I was booking tickets with my travel agent, he didn't tell me anything about buying a lap ticket for Amayah on the way home. So needless to say dad had to get the ticket, but we had to borrow some money because he had not taken that much with him. So we paid the attorney back for getting the ticket when they got back. I was hoping to load up and head on to the airport even though our flight was not until 11pm and it was only 5:30pm because I did not want to miss my flight!! Congolese time was definitely different than my time! LOL! The attorney said that he would be back to get us, but he had to go pick up a child and take them to the house and then he would be back. Give him 2 HOURS! So I started my watch!! :) He should be arriving back a little after 7:30pm. We all sat around waiting and talking and we all gathered around and prayed for the journey home and all of our new friends we had made. We got a group picture which I was so thankful for, because I absolutely loved getting to know that group of people. He finally arrived at around 8pm, and we were all pretty much hugging and jumping in the van to head to the airport. That is where the interesting moments in that day came into play. The traffic was absolutley crazy!! As I was holding Amayah and we were bouncing around, I could see her eyes just looking around trying to figure out what was going on. I prayed over her and thanked the Lord that she was my little girl and she was coming home with me. There were so many people out on the streets and people holding on to the back of vans roller skating. One guy that was roller skating on a van in front of ours lost his balance and you could just see him flying around holding onto the pole on the back of the van. He caught his balance again and I think our whole van let out a sigh of relief. Very scary!! We finally made it to the airport and we got some situated in the waiting lounge, while I and one other parent from each family and the kids had to walk all over the airport turning in paperwork and getting more paperwork so we could leave the country. It was a little scary, but we were in great hands. We finally made it back to the lounge where the rest of the group was and got to sit there for about 20 minutes before we started the process of loading the plane, which definitely was a process. So you think when you get on the shuttle that it is taking you to the plane, only to find out they take you to another waiting area where you have to go through another check in. After that, we loaded the shuttle again and this time it took us to the plane. We were finally on the plane!! Thank you LORD is what I kept saying!
THE FLIGHTS:)
She was simply AMAZING!! I was so worried about the flying, but she completely proved me wrong!! The first flight was around 7 hours and she slept on my pretty much the whole time. We were fortunate to get a 4 seater so dad sat in one of the seats and Amayah and I sprawled out across the other 3. I loved her sleeping on me, was one of the best moments for a first time mom! On the next flight to Chicago was pretty much the same scenario. Another 4 seater, but this time I just layed her across two seats and I didn't sleep much. It was a really long flight though! 9 hours and Amayah pretty much slept the whole time again. We got to Chicago and it was pretty much rushing from one place to another to get everything done for customs. We made it to our flight and everyone was already loaded!! wow!! That flight was only 2 hours and 15 minutes which I was so thankful for. Amayah wanted to play on this flight and it was a little more crowded, but it was fun. She fell asleep the last 30 minutes and mom got a little nap in as well. I was completely exhausted. We arrived in Denver and had a little lay over and so we grabbed us a bite to eat, but Amayah was ready for bed! It was pretty late for her! I got her cleaned up from all the flying and changed her clothes and then she went to sleep, then I made my way to make myself presentable getting off the plane at home. We boarded the plane in Denver to head home and I was so excited. I was just ready to be home!! Amayah slept the whole time, until I was a bad mom and had to change her into her coming home outfit!! She screamed and was not real happy with me, so she got a bottle to soothe her and to help with the descend into home!! Well, she was getting really good at having a bottle and then it coming out the other end pretty quick and why would I think this time would be any different. We let everyone get off the plane and I was hoping I would have time to change her before getting greeted by the family and friends that had gathered at the airport to welcome her home. They saw us as soon as we walked off the plane and so she didn't get changed!:) SMELLY! She was asleep again as well, but it didn't take her long to wake up and see a few new faces. She still looked so precious!! :) I got a little emotional because I was so happy to be home and I was completely exhausted! I much appreciated those that came out to welcome home the BLESSING that is now in my life!
I was so excited to see what she thought of everything, but that would come the next day! We were headed to bed! :) I will let you all know where we are now in our journey!! Thanks for being so patient on a new update....I don't have the time to write like I thought I would. ;)
Be Blessed!!
