Homeward Bound

Friday morning dawned and it was beautiful. We were going home that day!!! There is so much about Ethiopia to love but with a brand new baby, it was difficult to enjoy. I was very excited to get home where Ashe could play on the floor, we would have everything we needed, and we could get a better night's sleep.

We were picked up from the main house to go to the German Embassy. Again, the Embassy was nothing fancy and much smaller than the American Embassy. We filled out the application and turned it in. After waiting for 20 minutes they called us to the front and said, "Okay. It will be ready on Monday." And we responded, "Ummm...we leave tonight." So they told us they could do it but it would be a little while. After an hour and a half of watching flies, we were called up again. This time everything was in order and we were off. Yay!

The rest of the afternoon we just packed and cleaned up. I. rested as he still felt terrible. We said our goodbyes and we were picked up at 5:00 p.m. for the airport. Our driver couldn't take us any further than the curb. He helped us get our bags out and then left. We were quickly overtaken by a few men who kept motioning that we needed to pay them money. I finally figured out they were porters. There was a sign nearby that said porters were available upon request but, apparently, they were not asking. So we paid them $2 and they helped us inside. After clearing security, a very easy security, he took us to the check-in desk. He sat us at a bench and said to wait there and he would be back. People were starting to line up and we thought it weird that he left us there instead of in line. After five minutes we just took our own bags over to the line. The man never came back.

We had plenty of time before we boarded our plane so we did some last minute shopping. It was definitely more expensive than the market but much easier. All the stores at the market were organized by what they carried. To get to something different we would have had to walk quite a ways. So we saw a lot of the same thing. We boarded our very full flight and headed out. Ashe did pretty well and the flight went surprisingly quick. We did, however, dread heading back to Frankfurt for a 6 hour layover, especially with K now.

We managed to find a seat and ordered some McDonald's for breakfast. We patiently waited for our flight to show up on the board so we knew where to go. Ashe was not happy to have to sit so still and have nowhere to play. Needless to say, it was a very long and boring wait. I was able to sleep in a hallway on some seats for a little bit while K and Daddy walked. I needed that!

We were so happy to get on that last plane, and so lucky. It was a much bigger plane and we got to have a bulkhead seat. Bassinets at the bulkhead row is a new addition for these planes and a godsend! The stewardesses set it up quickly and attach it to the wall. K was asleep before we were even in the air and slept for three hours straight! We also had meals and individual tvs. The meals were pretty bad this time around but the movies were wonderful. K ate and then slept some more. It was a much easier flight. It didn't go by quite as quick as I thought it would but only because I missed Isaiah terribly. I was much too anxious to see him.

We landed and headed for customs. It wasn't bad though we did have to go through a few extra steps that we normally wouldn't have. We also tried to take a picture at baggage and got in trouble with security. Apparently, that is a big no no! They might want to put up a sign. Wade greeted us as we arrived in the main terminal and we headed to the car where we managed to stuff all our luggage in.

Then we made the long drive to NH. It was K's first time in a car seat and he was a little freaked out. I had to hold his hand the whole time. I had hoped he would sleep but no such luck.

We arrived and Wade ran in to get Z and Carol. They came out with the video camera rolling. I heard Z screaming, "My brother is here, my brother is here!" We were welcomed in to balloons and presents, hugs and kisses. I. headed towards the couch and was out for the rest of the night. I was exhausted but remained awake to try to get K on the new schedule, and to eat tacos!!! Thanks Carol! We bathed the boys and then all went to bed. It was lovely!