We had to have our luggage packed and outside our door by 9:00pm last night so that the luggage man could load it onto the bus. I was up at 4:30am, Roger was up about 5:00am, and we were down to breakfast by 5:40am. Our group left for the airport at 6:15am. We arrived at the airport and our guide got our boarding passes, we walked to the gate and didn't even have time to sit down because they were ready to load the plane. Well, what should have been an hour and forty minute flight turned into a three hour flight. At about hour two we all began to wonder why we had not landed yet. All of a sudden our guide came up the aisle from the back (she flies on all our flights and stays at our hotels with us). The Hefei airport was closed due to weather , -RAIN- so we were on our way to the next closest city. We landed there, refueled, and waited about forty minutes. Then we took off again and finally landed in Hefei in about an hour! There has never been a group of people who were so glad to get off an airplane than we were. Getting our luggage was easy. However yours truly decided to add a little excitement to everyone's day by tripping over my rolling bag and falling flat on the floor! HA HA HA I'm OK just a scraped hand.
We are now at the Holiday Inn in Hefei - Rm 1801. Roger has done it again! A wonderful room! This room made us both stop and stare! As we opened the door the lights were all out. We turned them on and what was the first thing we saw? A small metal crib all made up next to our bed! It really made the reality of this whole journey slap us both in the face! We just kind of stood there and really didn't know what to do! Then from down the hall I hear my friend Ellen yell. "Oh! the cribs are already here!" We just started laughing while tears ran down our face.
We have made some really good friends! Our girls (the BengBu Beauties) will always share a bond. We have promised that we will get together for a week each year, so that the girls can continue to have their own red thread connection! We also decided that each year we would visit at a different famiy's state!
We went to a group dinner tonight, but had to leave before the meal was served! Roger is really sick! We are hoping that it passes quickly. He has been taking Pepto and drinking hot tea. I got some dinner rolls at the restaurant and those stayed down. I think he is now showing the signs of an expectant Daddy! :-)
Well tomorrow is the day! We will leave the hotel at 9:00am for the Civil Affairs Office where all the babies will be. We will have Olivia by 10:00am China Time (7pm Sunday night Arizona time). This should take about 40 minutes and then back on the bus for a 30 minute ride back to the hotel. The rest of the day is ours to play and get to know each other! I will try to to figure out what size she is so you all will know!
Pictures are still not working! I will try again. Another friend in the group said she would help me tonight, but with Roger sick I told her to stay away. I didn't want her to get anything if it is something!
Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers! We feel your love and support over the miles. Please send lots of prayers for tomorrow! I think I will have my hands full with a new baby and a sick husband! Oh my! I know with the prayers, thoughts and strength that you all send our way we all will be just fine.
Much love to all and we miss you so much!
Ranata and Roger
14 hours and counting!
