Touch Down!

May 30, 2010

A new US Citizen has arrived!

Sorry that we haven't been around the blog in a few days. Since we didn't take a laptop our access to the Internet has been limited at times.

Three and a half weeks after we left home, followed by a 12.5 hour flight that was preceded by a 2 hour departure delay after boarding, we landed in Chicago around 6:15 p.m. and Benjamin, our petite little linebacker became a citizen. We were pretty much exhausted and starving. (If I never see another cart of airplane food roll by my seat it will be too soon!) By the time we checked in our hotel, walked across the street to Gibsons for a wonderful steak dinner (interrupted only TWICE by little tykes needing a trip to the potty), returned and showered, the last thing I could possibly do was write an account of our adventures. Instead I crawled into the softest cottony cloud ever labeled a bed and slept for 5 1/2 wonderful hours.

Unlike me, Dale and our brood had slept for most of the flight but it was the two hour delay that was the hardest:

*Did you know there is space enough UNDER the seats on a plane for a two-year old to crawl? While I was disposing of a second dirty diaper and Dale was retrieving extra diapers from the overhead bin Benjamin escaped! Gone! Of course the dude behind us ratted him out pretty quickly once Benjamin crawled up in his lap.

*The loud noise a plane makes during flight is actually a lullaby and children will not sleep on a plane without it. None of them will. (Not one of the 15 infant/toddlers on your plane seated in your section will. They will scream and cry until the roar of the engines begins).

Thankfully we were staying at Embassy Suites so I was able to rest in the King-sized bed until 5:30 while Dale and the kids were in the other room on the pull out couch. (I love that man!) That's when the herd broke out and stampeded through my slumber. At least that's what I think woke me up. It could have been Dale beating himself up that did it. He hadn't slept a wink all night even though the kids crashed for about three hours. He was too busy fretting over the fact that he had left our camcorder on the shuttle bus from the airport. He tried tracking it down while I slept in ignorant bliss and I think he dreaded telling me about it. Even though he hadn't made a sound I could tell he was awake and worried about something and I just asked, "What is it?" He told me about the camera. I told him to forget about it. What can you do? Worry won't bring it back. The important thing is we're all together, safe and almost home. Let it go! Dale took a deep breath, his first in all the hours since he discovered his blunder. I'm just glad that he hadn't captured "the moment" on video or the rest of you would probably never see Dale ever again. :o)

Our short stop in Chicago was jut enough to get refreshed a feel human again before taking our final flight home. Uncle Bill, Aunt Deb, Elisabeth and her friend met us at the airport with flowers and gifts and hugs all around. They were such a welcome sight! They helped us gather our luggage and waited with us for Aunt Cindi. After just a few minutes were were loaded up and on our way to Cracker Barrel, a little tradition that began with Abigail. The only thing missing was Uncle Jim, Katie, and Dakota. But then, there wasn't enough room in the van anymore.

As we drove down I-4 it was evident that a big storm was blowing in so I suggested we continue on and stop at the Cracker Barrel in Lakeland. Cindi INSISTED we go ahead and stop at the Seffner one, that the storm would probably pass while we had dinner. I sent Dale and Cindi on in with the girls while I changed Benjamin's diaper. While digging through the suitcase for a clean pair of pants Cindy Kuhlman appeared out of no where and scooped Benjamin up. I'm thinking, "Alright! Cindy's here and probably brought Katie and Lauren. The girls will be thrilled to see each other." So we go on in the restaurant and I find a whole welcoming party: Katie and Lauren along with Minqi, Niki, Emily, Xavier, Nellie, and Summer! There we two beach buckets filled with goodies for the girls (Thanks Niki!) It was so good to see everyone and their true excitement to finally meet Benjamin. And now I knew why Cindi nearly panicked when I suggested bypassing the storm.

Good friends, good country food, good sweet tea! Ah, life is good!

COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

welcome home!!! :) thanks again for all you've written. i've thoroughly enjoyed the walk down memory lane while rejoicing in your journey to bring benjamin home. we couldn't be happier for you. boys add a new dimension to parenting :) you'll learn. blessings to all of you!
Posted by: Shelle M. on May 30, 2010 at 01:09 P.M.

*I can't get a purse under a plane seat but Benjamin can get himself under there? Life is about to get a lot more amusing at the Croy house. Sounds like a wonderful welcome with good friends and good food. Life doesn't get any better than that. Much love from the entire Haskin Clan!
Posted by: Teresa on May 31, 2010 at 06:47 P.M.

*Welcome home! Your trip was another great volume in your family's life! Praying for a quick adjustment to the time change!! Can't wait to see him loose at WDW!
Posted by: Janice Durrance on May 31, 2010 at 07:00 P.M.

*Welcome Home!!! So glad ya'll have finally made it home safe and sound. Thanks for sharing so much of your journey with us; it's been a great blessing to follow along.
Posted by: Wendy Helms on June 1, 2010 at 09:29 A.M.

*It was wonderful to be part of Benjamin's homecoming - mostly because Olivia and Abigail were there! Can't wait to see all of you again.
Posted by: Cynthia Kuhlman on June 1, 2010 at 11:59 P.M.

*Welcome Home Croy Family! When you are settled in, we would love to meet Benjamin.
Posted by: Elisa Criden on June 2, 2010 at 09:18 A.M.

*Croy, table for FIVE!! As my brother-in-law so eloquently put it when they had their 3rd..."We've gone from man-to-man coverage to a zone defense." :)
SOOOO excited for you guys! I teared up as I read most of this (and while my mom read it to me with a quivering voice:) God is just so good... your family is such a perfect picture of that goodness and grace!!! Welcome Benjamin! You can start work on your southern drawl now!
Posted by: Sharon Rivers on June 3, 2010 at 05:38 P.M.