We're Finally Home

After 34 hours we are safe and home. Not sure how much sleep we had, but I know mine was minimal. Somehow, the excitement of making it home carried us through. Also, I think jet lag has a bit to do with it - right now my body thinks it is 3:30 in the afternoon, not morning. It thinks I should be getting ready for dinner, not longing for bed. So, that's why we are ALL up right now. I have no idea what 3:30 this afternoon will bring.

This first pic us of us leaving on the tarmac at Guangzhou Airport. We look happy and well rested, don't we?















Three hours later we landed in Beijing, where we got to experience the infamous "Terminal 3." This is not a new video game. Rather it is just what its name indicates: the third terminal at the airport. I must say this is huge, though. From what I hear, it is the largest enclosed public gathering place in the world (or something like that). It is over a mile from end to end. Fortunately, we did not have to walk the entire mile. So, on this trip, in addition to growing our family, we also experienced the world's largest outdoor square (Tiananmen), the worlds largest ferris wheel (in Nanchang), and now the worlds largest enclosed public gathering place (Terminal 3 Beijing Airport). Not to shabby, eh?


After this photo op in Beijing, we stopped taking pictures because 13 hours of flying to Newark, and experiencing the oh so pleasant Newark/New York security and baggage handling do wonders to one's photogenic qualities - and desire to photograph or be photographed. However, as all adventures, we made it through and are home. The kids traveled extremely well. We avoided any major diaper blowouts - even though we were well prepared with two changes of clothes for Caleb, and one each for both Mer and me.

We are thrilled to be home, and have a lot of unpacking to do - both literally and metaphorically. Thankfully, we came home with mostly clean laundry!! I'm not sure if that can be extended into metaphor or not. Time will tell. This has been an incredible journey for our family. Most amazing was being so reliant upon and experiencing the they myriad of ways by which God grants his grace to us: not only in the big things like a new son, but also in daily ways in which we are sustained in body, mind, and spirit. There is much to be said for getting out of your familiar patterns and habits for for a spiritual "tune up" and to remind yourself of the things that are really of value in life. We remain thankful to for your continued prayers and words of encouragement and advice as we all transition from life on the road to life at home.

Over and out,

The Harris 5