We left Guangzhou with a patch behind Asher’s ear. And phenergan in my backpack.
And high hopes for a vomit-free travel day.
We arrived in Shanghai with no problems. Asher felt great. I felt great. And even after a 4+ hour wait for our next flight, Vivi was doing great.
No shoes had been kicked off in frustration,
Or hair clip pulled out in aggravation,
Or cookies tossed in nauseation. I know it’s not a word. But it should be.
By the time we arrived in Newark, some 15 or so very long hours later, things had changed.
One hair clip: gone
One pair shoes and one pair socks: missing in action
Three ‘clean bags’: filled
One shirt and one pair pants: irretrievably puke-y
One jacket: covered with melted chocolate ice cream
One mother: wo’ out
It was a tough trip. With some horrific moments.
But God had some serious mercy on me. Vivi was a fantastic little traveler. And slept a good portion of the flight.
As we landed in the blessed USA, and Vivi became a US citizen, her reaction was a bit subdued.
Asher’s was similar.
But I was pumped.
We made our way through the Newark airport. And my sweet friend Dita and her darlings were there to greet us.
I had warned her about the probability of sweat and stink.
And I was glad I had.
We shared some coffee and donuts. And chatted. It was so good to just sit and talk with her and her beautiful family.
She gave some lovely gifts to my kiddos.
And she gave some delicious handmade chocolate to me.
God bless her.
As we waited for our final flight, Asher continued to feel badly.
Poor dude. The good news was that no more baggies were needed.
And blessedly, the closer we got to Boston, the better he felt.
Vivi continued to be traveler extraordinaire.
I get more and more crazy about this kid every day.
We arrived in Boston, at last.
One car ride left between us and home.
The kids were all smiles.
Already, our horribly rotten travel day was becoming a distant memory.
“It wasn’t that bad, ya think?”
To join in, just add your link into Mr. Linky below. Don’t worry, he won’t bite!
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To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Sunday Snapshot post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to your Sunday Snapshot post. Copy that url and paste it into the Mr. Linky window, along with your name, or your blog’s name, whichever you prefer.
I so loved watching Vivi bloom! Glad you guys are safe and sound at home. I'll be praying for your family as you learn what it means to be "one larger!"
Right now I only have two kiddos (three hopefully by the end of next month if that pesky TA arrives this week!) so this is my first time getting a Sunday Snapshot done. I feel like usually I cover the two of them pretty well, but it was fun to focus completely on my big girl for one post.
She's one amazing kiddo!! Poor Asher though 🙁 I used to be the same at his age. Thank goodness I have grown out of it!
Welcome home!! Can't wait to see pictures of all the kiddos together, you are so blessed. 🙂
Home. Is there any better word when you are that tired? 🙂
Rest. Hug your babies. Call me. 🙂
all that and you still managed to get some great photos! Thanks for the great journey and allowing our family to follow along! Our journey begins THIS Thursday! We can't believe it's finally here! Hope Asher has recovered!!!
Blessings,
Stacy
Welcome home!! Poor Asher! Looking forward to future family pics with Vivi in the mix! What an awesome girl.
Oh my goodness…what a trip you guys had!!
Truly, "There's NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!"
Hope Asher feels much better now that he's HOME & on the ground! 😉
Vivi looks sooooo at ease with you & Asher & I'm sure it won't take long for her to fit right in with the rest of the gang!!
Prayers are with you & your family ALWAYS!!!!
Hugs…
Patricia
Welcome home!
Thank you for sharing your trip, I enjoyed sharing your moments. YOU are an amazing momma- Asher's an amazing big bro. Congratualtions Miss Vivi on being home.
So happy everyone is home safe and sound….and poor Asher. I know exactly how that boy feels!
I am so excited about getting my Asher in Taiwan….but oh man! Dreading the flight!!!
Welcome home! Loved the photos! What a very special time meeting with friends at the airport, what a relief to be back in the USA with friends.
Alyzabeth's Mommy
Welcome home, Vivi girl!
You forgot to tell everyone that although the incredibly handsome Asher was a pale chartreuse color after that flight…his baby sister was radiant and his Mama, well, she looked like she just stepped out of a beauty salon; hitting US Terra Firma with that signature million dollar smile.
We were all so happy to meet the three of you and are just tickled pink that your family is finally all together.
Hugs,
Dita
Welcome Home!!! And, Welcome to America Vivi!!!
So glad you are now home safely, where you belong… Get some sleep, and I look forward to catching up with you soon!!!!!
Congratulations Chris & Stef!!
~Diana
Hi. We were given your website from some friends. We have 5 kids, and are looking into adopting an older child. I was wondering if you could email me sometime, when jet lag is over, and let me know about WACAP. Thank you so much.
Stephanie:
Cruel, cruel, cruel! I can' wait any longer to see Miss Vivi surround by the giggles, squeals and hugs of the family that waited for her at home! I know Sophie and Isabelle will be all over her and the little boys will be all over you, really for us old timers seeing everyone together is so magical and yet you make us wait, anyone else notice. Alas one more journey with VIvi and that will last a lifetime for sure! All the best and hope you get some rest before hubby goes back to his "real" job.
Oh my gosh – welcome home you sweet thing – I wish I could come & bring some soup over – some casseroles, something! what a trip!! I hope Asher is enjoying laying around & watching some championship football games today – catching his breath before returning to school – what troopers you ALL are!!!
XXOOOXOXO,
Sara
isn't coming home the BEST?!?
I am so sorry to hear that Asher didn't respond to the patch or the phenergan…weird.
Poor guy. So, he won't be a pilot. No biggie! Can't wait to see the whole FAM together!!!!
Love your Snapshot Sunday…I joined in this week!
I've been in Utah, taking a computer break, but just arrived home tonight and had to check in on your gang. Vivi could not possibly be any cuter!! Sorry to hear that Asher had a rough trip, but I'm so glad to hear you are all SAFE and AT HOME!! Praise the Lord!! How fun that Dita and her family came to meet you at the airport. You are all home at last!! Woo hoo!!!
Poor Asher. I have BTDT and I soooo feel his pain. It is such a drag to get motion sick so easily. Glad he didn't get sick on every flight, tho. Vivi is amazing! And you looked amazing too, after the long, sweat, pukey flight. Such great pics as usual–and love that she had a bow or flower in her hair for every photo. 🙂
Stefanie, I have LOVED following your journey to Vivi, and I'm so glad you're all home. Our family looks forward to watching her bloom even more. I've got one question I've been dying to ask – inquiring minds want to know how the heck you keep the bows/clips in her hair??!?
Have a great rest, friend!
Thanks so much for allowing me the privilidge of sharing your wonderful experience. Now you know….next time you go back for an addition to the family….take Vivi!!!!!
Doreen in Montreal
So happy for you all! I am alwyas talking about how awesome you all are…and wonder how you do it all! I am 37, teach 3rd grade, and have my own blessing from China, Kate, whom we adopted in July 2004….I enjoy your blog loads and loads and are so happy your trip, albeit a stinky one, is complete and you are with your whole family!
So happy you're home!
Thanks for such a wonderful glimpse into your trip & bringing Vivi home!
Blessings to you ALL-
glad you guys made it home safe and sound! i look forward to learning more and more about beautiful miss vivi!
Such great photos and so sorry that Asher had another tough trip:)
Can't wait to see the pics of all the kiddos together!!
Blessings!
Oh I am so sorry that it was a tough trip home. But I am so glad you are home!!! Is Vivi really a US citizen? Kate still is not. Since Dave traveled alone, Kate is still a legal alien. We have re-adopted her but we are having the HARDEST time getting her citizenship and she has been home 3 years!!! We have even had to call our congressman. I am writing my Sunday snapshot right now but really nothing is as good as a homecoming. Get plenty of rest. I look forward to seeing all the kiddos together:)
Love the photos! So glad you are home! She is adorable! So sorry that Asher felt sick- bummer…
Looking forward to seeing the kiddos together- in pics!!
Well….WELCOME HOME lovely lady! Whew….you did it! It's done! God is good. All the time!
Go to sleep now.
Wanda (At Last…)
Wonderful pictures…look at Miss Dita…so sweet that you all met up!!! I'm sorry that you had a rough trip home : ( I know it must feel wonderful to be home with family!!!!
Is there any nicer word than HOME after all that? Congrats to Asher for surviving the trip (with a tale to tell) and to Vivi for becoming our newest American citizen! And I'm really glad y'all got to see Dita and her family at the airport!
So sorry to hear about Asher!! Poor Guy and poor Mama!!
Welcome to America Vivi!!! Home Sweet Home.
So cool to see you and Dita together, how sweet of her to meet your family and bring goodies!!
I love that last pic to Vivi talking and looking at Asher, so cute!!
Oh poor Asher!! I get back motion sickness too, I took many a Dramamine on those busses in China.
Sending huge hugs to the whole big happy family. 🙂
Welcome Home! Vivi is a rock star just like her big brother! Nothing is worse than air sickness. Poor guy (and poor Mamma). Praying that part of the journey will be a vague & distant memory!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
Welcome HOME!! I'm so sorry to hear that poor Asher still struggled with air/motion sickness. That's a TUFF one, for sure! But glad to hear you are all HOME safe…HOME where you belong…HOME with your FAMILY!! Oh happy day! I bet they are just SMITTEN with Vivi! 🙂
I just LOVE the photos of Asher and Vivi by the luggage claim together. SO cute! I'm certain they will always share a special bond because of their one-on-one (with momma!) time in China. Beautiful pics!! Can't wait to see more of your 'homecoming'!
Get some rest (if you can!) and try to sleep off some of that jet lag!!
Hugs,
Tanya
Ah, Boston…..sometimes it's a sweet, sweet place! 🙂 Poor Asher!
So glad you re home! Vivi is adorable, and I can't wait to see her in the mix! Congratulations!
Welcome home!! You are an amazing mommy 🙂
Oh Stefanie,
You are such a blessing. What a great attitude and inspiration to the rest of us…lean on the Lord and His grace, He will get cha through! Oh had I known you'd be in Newark…it would have been drivable (where Rob came in with Hannah)! So happy that travel was at least safe, if not completely happy! Hope you are all resting and getting back to "normal", whatever that is! 🙂 And poor little Asher, God bless him!
Vivi is a trooper, just a sweet little love, looking forward to seeing more!
Hugs,
Heather
So cool you got to see Dita and her family! Poor Asher. I feel his pain. Glad all is well now!
Oh Asher I feel your pain!! My dad once tried to give me these pressure armbands to wear that were supposed to relieve nausea, but all I could say in horrified shock was, "do they release drugs directly into your skin – because if not they are NO USE TO ME!!" And then proceeded to puke all the way across the Atlantic.
The day I discovered dramamine was the happiest day of my traveling life. I can NOT recommend it highly enough.
Then again, if you have run out of it, at least you have an awesome mom with you to help hold the puke bags.
My profound sympathies! From one nauseated travel to another.