Day 16, 17- Packed and ready, but had to resort to Plan B

We were packed and ready to go on Thursday night...and time was passing slowly. We had to check out by 3PM at our hotel, but our flight was not until 9PM. So we pretty much stayed in the hotel till 3, and then walked to Subway for a sandwhich- and it is pretty close to the US Subway. I had the sub of the day- Turkey/Ham- toasted on wheat with Southwest sauce, and Mickey had turkey plain. Anna will not even try any part of a sandwich, so she had chips and milk. We then headed back to the lobby until our shuttle for the airport arrived at 5.

Inside one of the lobbies, statues made out of jade.
















We then headed to the airport to wait on our flight. Anna had her last milk tea and a sucker(that she didn't like).

We boarded the plane and were off for a 12 hour flight. After our first airplane meal, I gave Anna a little Benadryl and she slept for at least 7 hours. She did fabulous!!! And when she woke up, it was time to eat again- so she was happy. "We hopped off the plane at LAX"....and went through immigration and customs. Anna was officially a US citizen since we had set foot on US territory!!!
We then had to get our luggage for our connecting flight, and then to the ticket counter. When we got to the ticket counter, we were informed that our flight ahd been cancelled from ATL to Chatt due to Ice/Snow, therefore they had cancelled our LA flight, and was going to put us up in a motel for the night and fly out on Saturday. (NOT- that wasn't going to work). We told them we had to fly out on the Friday night flight, preferrably the early one at 10:55 PM, and we would figure out a way home from Atl. We were originally scheduled for a 11:55 flight. But we were able to get the 10:55 flight out of LA to ATL, so we had a 5 hour layover instead of 6. We used that time in making arrangements with family and friends to come pick us up in ATL and drive us to Home.(which became plan B)

So off we were to ATL, where we arrived at 6AM. We had no luggage to get due to it being on the 11:55 flight. So we headed to meet Mike and Kay (Mickeys sister/brother in law). They were waiting on us and it felt so good to see family and finally be back in the SOUTH!! Mike and Kay greeted us (mostly Anna-with a balloon, stuffed animal, outfit and snacks). Mickey and I got snickers bars, and I got a beautiful rose also. We headed to meet the second leg of our trek home in the snow and ice, Dana and Shane, who were waiting on us in Kennesaw. Actually it had rained most of the night and melted the snow off the roads, so they weren't bad. We arrived at the Ricketts home at about 9AM, because we could not get to our home on the ridge due to the icy roads. We were welcomed by my brothers family and then later my parents, and the rest of the Bennetts. . . They had all made welcome home posters, and Lara had made breakfast (and SWEET TEA).  It was good to be in the vicinity of my home, that was for sure. After a couple hours there, we finally were able to make it to our home - in 2 car loads(LOL- we were officially a family of 6).  Our neighbors, the Slifkos, had taken this picture of our home, and  texted us to let us know our power was out- but came back on about 30 minutes after we had been home.

Oh, home sweet home!!! We gave Anna a tour of her new home, and she was pumped. She had seen pictures and seemed very comfortable in it. She responded amazingly well with the kids, and I am sure the 2-a-day Skypes helped. She gave them a work out going up and down the stairs, and from room to room. We got an excellent early dinner of country cooking- (thanks Stephanie and Lara) and then headed to bed at about 10.  Anna slept in her bed with Olivia across the way, and went to sleep with ease.

Day 15- Pick up Visa, Shopped a little more

Same song and dance routine this morning. We headed out to town for a brief shopping trip to the mall after breakfast. We were in  search of pearls that most every lady in our group had purchased. Most of the basement of this 7 story mall is dedicated to jewerly. We finally found the place and it didn't take me long to get down to business. My intentions were to get my girls a necklace/bracelet for when they get older, and for those special occasions. I hope that they appreciate it as much as I enjoyed shopping and selecting out the strands. Mickey had only exchanged a small amount of US dollars, so I was capped off in no time. They did accept credit cards, but I didn't go there. Below is a picture of them restranding them.

Here are some pics around the mall area.

Back to the hotel for a quick lunch-noodles from 7 Eleven, then Mickey took out for the 3rd trip to the Consulate to pick up Anna's visa.

It was a quick trip over there for him, but took 45 minutes to get a taxi, because it was shift change, and it is about a 45 minute ride back. Meanwhile, Anna and I were going to go to the nearby park/playground. So Anna did great until we actually got to the playground, and she pitched a fit. She shook her head no and did not want to go play. So we strolled around the block and came back, and she still didn't want to play. So we headed back to the hotel, for some playing and eventually a nap. We also watched the boats in the river- constantly boats are going up and down the river carrying various stuff. And yes, another smoggy day.

We then went to give Shiyan a gift from us for being such an amazing guide. She has truly blessed our lives and this experience. She is so professional and hats off to anyone who can manage 30 familes for 12 days and still keep their sanity(and dealing with several very difficult and selfish families). Off to Lucy's for one last time, can you guess what Mickey had? (Yep, grilled cheese, I had the club sandwich, and Anna had rice noodles). Took our last stop to 7 Eleven for some ice cream cones. Remember all of the little shops I told you about that were named after people, 1/2 of them are gone now- packed up and GONE. I guess they got word that most of the families left, and so did they. Mickey picked up his laundry he had dropped off that morning, and back to the room for the laser light show. I have enjoyed Shamian Island and the light show at night. There are various boats that are all lit up, some with BIG LCD screens that crusie the waters nightly. I also have missed our friends today (Pav's and Packs) as they are headed back to the US now on their flight. Someday we may meet again. Bob, if you are ever in Virginia- give us a call(wink, wink)

Tomorrow we check out at 3, take a taxi to the airport at 5, and catch our flight to Los Angeles California, where we land at 8PM EST. Layover for 6 hours,and fly out 2AM, in Atlanta at 7AM and back to Chatt by 11. Thanks for everyones nice comments and for praying for us. The journey is really just beginning!! I will be off the blog for a couple of days, but will catch you up on the homecoming, and the Rector family that has become 6.