Last Monday in Guangzho I was so sick, some kind of virus that felt like the flu. I stayed in the hotel room and slept all day while everyone else in the family went to a safari park. I have been so thankful no one else in our crew caught my germs. For the past 3 weeks I have been missing my favorite drink of all time, my daily Happy Hour ray of sunshine, my Large Unsweet Tea from Sonic. In China they don't drink ice tea, or ice in their drinks at all for that matter. Drinks are served either hot, or room temperature. It's a little thing, but I love ice. After the safari park, my mom came to check on me, and she brought me the only iced tea in the area, from Starbucks nearby. She had been searching for this for days. Maybe it's because I had a fever, or maybe it's because it came from Mom, but it tasted better than anything I'd ever put in my mouth. :)
Some of you know I have had health issues this year. Shad was very worried about how I would manage the trip to China. I am horrible about accepting help, but if there is anyone I am semi-decent about receiving from, it's my mama. She went to China with us and has been a Godsend. She has helped in so many ways I can't even count them, including taking care of her grown daughter, which is no easy chore. She has chased my son when he darted out in front of traffic, been Annie's teacher and made sure she's stayed on top of her schoolwork, been a sounding board for our stress, emotions, and frustrations. Mom has been there as an escape for Annie, at a time when the dynamics in our family have changed dramatically for her. Adoption trips are not easy, to say the least. My mother has seen us at our very worst, and witnessed our greatest joys. Her kindness, patience, and generous spirit has never wavered. I will never be able to repay her.
On the Home Front is Sue, my sweet Mother-in-Law, who has maintained life for us at home while we've been 7,000 miles away. She and my Father-in-Law, Ross, have taken care of our precious dog, Bagel, and made her life so awesome she will probably not want to come home. Sue brought us her luggage, and just laughed when we told her it had become battered and abused. She has been Annie's Skype buddy, and has chatted in her pjs with our girl, staying up late just so Annie could get her daily "GG fix". There is NO ONE Annie would rather chat with than her GG! Sue has also made beautiful curtains for Charlie's room, and helped to decorate as well. She even had our house cleaned for us, I may just cry when I see it. :) Most importantly, Sue sent LSU shirts on our trip for the kids. The Griffin Family would not be complete without them!
We are in Chicago now, after overnighting and catching up on some much needed sleep. The trip yesterday went as well as could be expected. While Annie didn't sleep at all for the entire 15hours on the plane, and Charlie feel asleep ONE HOUR before the plane landed, I was very grateful for a mostly painless journey. Annie lost her tooth mid-flight, and the Tooth Fairy found her last night, even in Chicago. She woke up with $2 and she was pumped! We all slept last night, and are getting ready to leave soon. We can't wait to get home! Sue and Ross will meet us at the airport, and take our crew back to Denton. My dad will meet us there as well to fetch my mother, hopefully she won't run from us too fast. :) Ross and Daddy have supported our family over the course of this crazy ride, too, and cannot wait to meet their new grandson. We are so grateful for our devoted, giving parents.
It won't be long until we are HOME! Home, that might be my new favorite word. At least for today.
Sniff sniff. So happy for my peep.
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