Ready doesn't even begin to explain how I felt when I woke up on Friday, February 18th. The time to get back on that plane couldn't come fast enough! We packed up, ate some lunch (Nick's meat looked questionable) at the hotel and headed back over to the guest house as we had to check out of the hotel. When we got to the guest house, the nannies were there and so excited to see the babies one last time. Nick had given them our fundraiser shirts, and they all wanted pictures with us.
We also met another nice man at the guest house who was adopting through another agency. He happened to be a doctor, so I asked him all sorts of questions about Malia. He was so kind and brought me some comfort! I wish I could remember his name! We all decided to do one last little bit of shopping. The nannies watched the babies and we walked to the mall just a few blocks away. I found a beautiful dress for Malia to grow into. I have to say (especially now that I have had time to reflect, recuperate and rest) that I love Africa, especially the country of Ethiopia. God has given me such a heart for this country. I can't get enough of it. I have this feeling that God isn't finished using me yet.
We arrived at Bole International Airport about 3 hours early. We wanted to make sure we secured a bassinet for the baby, as they are limited on the plane. Nick was able to land us the last 'bulk-head seats' on the plane, which provided us with a bassinet for Malia. I felt a little guilty doing this, as we had 1 baby to 3 people, and we had friends with 2 babies to 2 people or even 2 babies to 1 person. As the evening progressed, that guilt went away.
Having never traveled internationally prior to the adoption, I didn't realize how much security you have to go through to get on an airplane. We had to go through security (both ourselves and our luggage) upon entering the airport. We then checked our bags at the ticket counter. We had to go through customs and security to enter the airport, again. Once we were in, there were a few shops and an internet cafe. We were able to spend some time checking our email and getting up-to-date on facebook.
Mom spent this time bonding with Dan-the-man's 5-year-old daughter, T. We talked about Dan a little bit earlier when we met him in Washington, DC. We were blown away to learn that he was adopting T. On our court trip, little T was at the Transition house when we stopped to pick up Samson. She was so loving, and followed me around everywhere. She hung on me and ran her fingers over and over through my hair. She really made an impact on me, and we were so happy that she was going to such an amazing family. Dan and his wife had been in Ethiopia just 3 weeks prior for their court date. They were surprisingly shocked when they were cleared to travel so quickly. Dan's wife stayed home with their children (they have biological children and have previously adopted from Ethiopia...these are truly amazing people). Anyway, Dan had his baby sling on, carrying around their new 1-year-old son. Miss T sat and cuddled with mom. She LOVED her. Mom still talks about her. I think she left an imprint on Mom's heart.
An announcement went over the loud speaker that we should head to our gate. Again, this is different with international travel. We had to wait outside our gate while they got ready, as we had to go through intense security, again. I had been holding Malia for the last 3 hours. My arms felt like jello, and I was so looking forward to Nick taking over Malia-duty for the next 27 hours. You see, he had been exploring and having the time of his life in Ethiopia and I was about fit to be tied with him. He assured me he would take care of Malia on the plane so I could get some much needed rest. I hovered around him holding Malia, as if to say, TAKE HER NOW, as we were waiting for the gate to open. He then pulled the, "I don't feel very good." card. I was SO unimpressed. I was certain he was making it up, as all of his exploring was catching up with him. My crabbiness intensified. We had been near the front of the line waiting to get through the security before the gate opened. Maybe the nice Ethiopian working the gate noticed my mood, but he told us to sit down. When the gate finally opened, he did not tell us to come back. More annoyance. Nick started saying he felt like he was going to throw-up, and I started to take him a bit more seriously, but by this point, I was sweating I was so hot. I finally got up and approached the gate, and the guy let us budge in line. Nick did not come through security with us. He eventually came through but looked miserable. In Ethiopia, once you get through security at the gate, there are no bathrooms or garbages!?!? So...Nick went in and out of security two more times to run to the bathroom. I think he ended up puking in the bag that Malia's new beautiful dress had been in (he didn't get sick on the dress, or I may have killed him :o)).
Nick threw up in the barf bag on the plane with a blanket over him, made many trips to the bathroom, and eventually laid on the floor of the aircraft for the entire 14+ hour flight. The flight was longer on the way home...something about not having a tail wind and needing to re-fuel in Rome. We shared our bassinets (we had 2) with the Van Nestes. Mom provided moral support and held Malia when I needed a break. Praise you Jesus that she came with us. Malia was an angel the entire flight. Again, Praise you Jesus!
By the time we landed in Washington, Nick was feeling a bit better. He has not yet returned to feeling 'normal'. After several doctor's appointments, they believe he has a parasite. I hope he rids himself of it soon.
Fatigue and tears had set in with me by the time we were in Washington. We had to go through customs, which took what seemed like forever. I was ready to be home. We flew from DC to Chicago to Fargo. I was so excited to get off the plane, see Kaleb and introduce Malia to her family and friends that had prayed for her, supported us and loved her so very much. It was a very joyful, blessed experience. I felt so happy to have our family home. We were complete.
