We're back in the U.S.A. ~ Welcome HOME Chandler

We made it. Our last week in China was wonderful. We just loved the city of Guangzhou and I promise to share a lot more pictures soon. I apologize but we did not use the Internet at our hotel in Guangzhou and thus I didn't update the blog. After a VERY long trip we finally arrived back in the Carolinas at 3am on Friday morning. Unfortunately, our flight from Chicago was delayed several hours due to Hurricane Gustav so we weren't able to meet our friends and family at the airport as planned. My dear friend Kelly was so kind to wait all night for our call that we had finally landed so she could come and pick us up. Chandler was sooooo happy to meet her new Auntie Kelly. Kelly met us with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and had decorated the front of our house with a giant bunch of balloons. We were also thrilled to arrive home to this stork statue with a darling little Asian baby in tow. How cute! This was delivered from the local chapter of Families with Children From China. I just joined this group right before we left for China so it was such a pleasant surprise that they would do this for us. So the ride home in the car was new for Chandler. After Auntie Kelly and I figured out how to get her strapped in her new seat, we were headed home. Since Chandler spent the last two weeks on my lap on the buses and planes, this car seat thing was very restraining to her and not very fun. Luckily Auntie Kelly was chauffeuring us so I could play and sing songs on the drive. This should be fun next week when I'm on my own and Chandler is strapped in the back seat with no one to entertain her. Yikes!

We played for a bit when we got home and then Auntie Kelly and Nana went to sleep while Chandler and I played in her new room. We're all struggling a bit getting back on schedule but hopefully within a few days we'll be ready to roll. Last night we had a special visit from the Prescott Family. Chandler loved playing with the kids and her Auntie Debi. They made this darling "Welcome Home Chandler" poster. As you can see from the pictures, Chandler LOVES the Prescotts and can't wait to see them again soon.

As for Chandler's mommy, she's very sleepy so will finish now and post more later. These past few weeks have been a dream come to true for me. I just love this little pumpkin with all of my heart and am so grateful for all of the beautiful emails and posts we've received from friends and family near and far. Chandler is looking forward to meeting you all!! Good night!