Home

Yesssss. We are home. We didn't even have to run through any airports. The jet lag is still rearing its ugly head, but it is a little better every day. The first night home (Thursday), all 4 kids were watching Sponge Bob at midnight -- sort of the epitome of jet lag.

They all did amazingly well on the flights. We did learn, however, that the boy must have dramamine if there is turbulence.

I wish there were some way the American Consulate could let the adoptive families video tape the little speech and oath. It was so nice both times. This time they told us there were 30 families from 21 different states on this particular day, and several families were adopting for the 2nd or 3rd time (mentioned us by name as one of the examples). Some of the parents' professions were listed: law enforcement, naval commander, art director, doctor. The Consulate representative was very charismatic and friendly. He actually spoke quite a bit like my friend Bob Li, for those of you who know him. He said he loved this part of his job, because he loved to process "the cutest immigrant visas."

We had a little pre-Consulate stress when our safe's battery died, causing it to refuse to open. Unfortunately, the girls' passports were in the safe, and there is no entry to the American Consulate without them. The White Swan had two suits and a maintenance man up to our room in 6 minutes. They checked Scott's ID and room key, and then they had us personally empty the safe after they opened it. Lastly, we had to sign a paper agreeing that they had taken nothing from it. Wow.

I'll keep the blog up for a few more days as we settle in.