Bringin Ariana Home: 10/24/11

So I know it has been many days since my last update, we are safely back home in the United States. I am sooooooo happy to be home. Our drive from Guangzhou to Hong Kong was suppose to take 3 and 1/2 hours. It was actually only 2 and 1/2 but it took an hour to go through the customs drive through. It was easy and no big deal but the waiting in traffic was loooonnnggg. Our hotel was the nicest on yet, bigger fancier room, they also had the worst service of all the hotels. Everything was more expensive as well, we ate room service because we were tired. This was a wise decision because we found out later, that even though we though those prices were horrible, it would have doubled if we had gone down to one of the restaurants. We got up early in the morning to make sure we had plenty of time to get through security. Good thing we did because it took forever. They check your bags and passport so many times... it is ridiculous! I didn't think the entry was to terrible, what I expected but then they check everything again at the gate took forever to get on the plane, with a wiggly toddler.

On a good note, she did sooooo well on the flight, I give God the credit, and maybe the ppl who invented the individual tvs on the backs of head headrest. There was enough TV movies and games to keep us all busy. I had bought and brought out new small activities and toys for her every so often on the plane. She only slept about 20 minutes on that flight. Coming through customs in America was so exciting... when they stamped her passport I fought the tears as I told her she was now a citizen, and the officer behind the desk told her congratulations : D The was wearing her special red white and blue dress for the special moment... to back pictures are not allowed :( She was so exhausted when we got on the flight to DFW, we had eaten Wendys in the airport... with ice in our drinks...yay! She fussed some on the last flight from sheer exhaustion, but sleep almost all the way. She didn't wanna wake up when we arrived home, took her potty and she threw a fit. :) Welcome home haha. We then exited to baggage claim where our family was waiting with USA balloons and signs and lots of tears. The image of them is burned in my mind forever... sigh... so blessed. She looked at her book as i showed her each person, I could see the realization on her face as she looked back and forth. Before we could get to Cracker Barrel...and Dr Pepper YUMMMM she was out again (in her car seat that she loved). When we got home she woke up long enough to play with Destin and Ashlyn. She has attached very quickly to her brother and sister, she is loving all her new family. She has had visits and gifts and is loving it.. Funny how our little shy introvert is turning into an extrovert. By the time we got to church on Sunday she was smiling and greeting ppl with hugs and handshakes. She even gave one kiss on her own,( gotta teach her kisses are for family :) She is amazing and learning sign so quickly. We love her sooo... The adventure has just begun. Oh and she was very scared of Chloe (our basset hound) at first but warmed up quickly and now is laying on and loving her... These days are priceless and I need to be taking pictures more, but bonding is so important and I am trying to balance.

Now she just needs a Georgia visit to have met everyone in her family book. I cant wait!!! You Goforths plan on coming this way soon???

Anyway... I love you all and I will try to update more later.

Here are a few pics from Gotcha day...

First moments, Who are these weird looking ppl?