Sunday, April 13, 2008

A day late..but our final trek home

November 12, 2007 we woke up in the Sheraton Hotel..so glad to have our first morning in Canada. Nathaniel was wide awake...hillary was still very sick..so Nathaniel and I left her to sleep and we wandered the hotel. The front desk staff fell in love with him...couldn't get over how we had just flown home. We had a nice breakfast and made our way back up to the room. Nathaniel had been given a bib and giraffe at the restaurant. The bib says The Sheraton Loves(heart) me. ITs very cute!!
Before we knew it, it was time to go...my dad met us at the hotel room and we called for the porter. Somehow time got away from us and the porter was a good twenty minutes before arriving to bring us and our bags to the gate. IT was 35 mins before the flight by the time we checked in and I was a little worried that we would miss our flight (or that they wouldn't let us board). Our porter reassured me that we were fine and not to worry...thank goodness for the porter..they come with a great cart and get you all checked in.
We checked in and basically boarded the flight right away. We had a row of three seats to ourselves which was soo nice as Nathaniel was awake that flight. We changed planes in Montreal and boarded a very small prop plane (45 or so seats). We were finally on our way home.
When the captain announced our arrival in to Fredericton, I was in tears...sooo happy to finally be home. We got off the plane and gathered our belongings. I had no idea who would he at the airport but suspected there might be a crowd (as a side note..I always wonder what other passengers think as they walk into the terminal and hear the sighs of dissapointment that its not the family everyone is waiting for..I think it must be very funny!!).
My mom was as close to the door as I suspect the security guard let her come. I could not hug her long enough.. there were sooo many families and friends at the airport that I had tunnel vision..I couldn't even see straight. I know I missed saying hi to some families on the first go around..and then when I looked back and noticed them there..funny! I remember saying to someone where is Lisa G..I couldn't see her..but she was on the other side of the room. It was soo nice that finally we were both home with our kids! What a great day!!! We got everyone and everything loaded into the van and cars..and headed home!

Louise

Friday, April 11, 2008

Almost 5 months Home

Sporting the I am exhausted look in the Airport on our way home!


Nathaniel slept well on the flight from Addis to Jordan


Home for 5 Months....has he grown or what!

I don't update this very often anymore...but thought I would write a little post today as we are nearing 5 months being home. In fact tonight will be our 5 month landed in Canada anniversary. (bet they don't make a hallmark for that). The end of this month will mark 6 months of being a family as our family day was Oct 31, halloween.
So 5 months ago I boarded a plane at 4 in the morning in Addis...knowing that we were on our way home. As we sat in the airport waiting to depart I couldn't help but all ready miss the city. I also knew that I was taking my son away from all that was familiar..smells, sights, people, language, food...but we were heading home where new memories would be made and old ones would be treasured. Boarding the plane it was a nice surprise to see the air flight attendant was one of the same ones we had on our way to Addis. She wasn't suppose to be working..but there she was. What a gift as she was sooo excited when I told her why I was going to Ethiopia. She brought Nathaniel this sweet little BMI bear...it still sits in his toychest.

5 months ago we waited and waited at the London Airport...waiting to board that last long flight home. Anxious to be done with flying, living out of suitcases, and just wanted to be home. We were greeted in the Immigration department at the Toronto airport by two very proud Great Aunt and Uncle to help us through the Landing process (it sure is nice to have an aunt and uncle who works in the citizenship and immigration of the Pearson International Airport..another blessing). I filled out all the necessary paperwork (with my uncle leading me through it) and my aunt excitedly showed off her new nephew to all of the staff in the department.

5 months ago we arrived into the Sheraton Airport Hotel and by 9 pm were collapsed on the bed exhausted. Hillary (my sister and travel pal) was sick as a dog (later we found that she had strep throat)..she had chills and hot flashes, felt soo sick that she couldn't eat a bite of the overpriced room service..and I was so tired all I managed was a few bites of my sandwhich and some chocolate milk..and a few bites of cheesecake (milk ummmm missed that sooo much in Addis). So our 100 dollars (ouch) worth of roomservice was not well eaten (we had good intentions and felt famished when we ordered..but not so much I guess). A funny little story..when I ordered the room service I asked for a bottle of water to make Nathaniel's bottle. Then I called back and said ohhh geeez I don't need bottled water anymore..I can use tap water hahahaha...the woman must have thought I had lost my mind!

More tommorrow on our final flight home..