We have 9 check in bags. NINE. Kadena Air force terminal made us label every one with our names and numbers, and we did so with haste and little flare. Our bags were checked in the night before we left, so we simply went through security the following morning. Simply save the fact that we had two more tearful goodbyes. We unloaded all our carry on’s which included 2 full car seats, and began our 3-hour mandatory wait in the terminal. About half way through, one of the Airman called our names as we had a visitor. Barrett’s XO came with his daughter and his hands full of Dunkin Donuts and Coffee. What a surprise! It’s small moments like these that we will miss in Oki. So many thoughtful, loving people that get the craziness of military life and walk the journey along with us: laughter, tears, moves, and all…and bring along the donuts.
The trip over the Pacific went really well. We can’t complain. The plane was full of kids and most did amazingly! The flight attendants were kind, and a Marine even carried a car seat for me when I had no hands to do so. We landed in Seattle and had a few butterflies as we handed over the twins sealed documents, that we have carried with us since I left Ethiopia, to the immigration officer. This was a big day for us! He pointed us to the Border control agents who opened the life altering envelopes and entered our kid’s info into their system. Then, we stamped their Ethiopian Passports to declare them US citizens, there at Seatac with the hole in the ceiling and tarp bowing above. For such a huge deal, it passed by quietly. Welcome to the US kids, the land of the free and the home of the brave! And then we went and got our luggage with smiles on our faces.
We made it to the Double Tree in one piece and were welcomed with warm chocolate chip cookies that we ate greedily! It was only then that we found out we left our stroller (and my electric toothbrush). This was our first thankful moment of our hastily name tagged luggage. Apparently we lost count of our 9 pieces at some point and my toothbrush fell out on the plane. The airport wouldn’t deliver, but not to worry! Tama, Barrett’s sister, became our rescuer a few hours later when she brought the goods, and then we gave her our kids as a reward! Thus began our Seattle family vaca filled with Mexican, Thai, and Italian food, new iPhones, hugs from Dodi and Ang and more family and friends. The kids loved everyone and everyone loved our kids. We are so thankful for these planned moments as well as the unplanned. Speaking of which…
At dinner one night, there was an Ethiopian couple who sat a table away from us who spoke to our kids in Amharic and shared in our excitement of their story. We listened to a man tell about his journey from Eritrea to the US under asylum from the war between his country and Ethiopia, and how he views both countries now. Fascinating! It’s really humbling to hear the events that brought so many to our country and the opportunities they have had since. We heard the story of another man from Ethiopia as well as one from Somalia…all unique, yet all the same. Fleeing what they new to enter the unknown with a hopeful heart. All with smiles for Ronnie, Lydia, and Annabelle when they heard our Reader’s Digest version.
We left Seattle with happy hearts, full bellies, and were excited to board our next airplane to Denver, only to be stranded at Seatac due to DIA being closed for a blizzard. By the time we found out there was no chance of us to leave, the twins were napping behind the agent’s desk, all the flights were full till Friday night, and our hotel was already full. We were offered one room for over $170 when we had a 2-room suite for less! We continued to make phone calls for more flights and rooms when I remembered the USO inside the airport! They told us we could get a room across the street from the airport with a voucher for $65. For that price, we took 2! The kids were getting crazy once again as we made our way to the shuttle area. Once we arrived at our new place, chaos ensued with kids running everywhere as we waited to get our rooms. Honestly? It wasn’t ascetically amazing, but the caring people made it charming! Everyone we met on our way to our room asked us if we needed anything or how they could help us. It was one of the most welcoming places we have ever experienced.
Once in our rooms, baths were filled, kids were soaking, and I made another call to the airlines and in God’s kindness, they gave us a flight the next morning! YES! So we ate, repacked, slept, and headed off to the airport again where the wall-to-wall people engulfed us on the way to our plane. It was a smooth ride to Denver and Annabelle even got a pair of pilot wings! We were greeted with warm hugs by Barrett’s dad who had found a man to help with all our luggage…he had already pulled off half our luggage off the baggage claim because of yes…you guessed it…the hastily hand written name tags Kadena forced us to necklace our luggage with (yes, I know it’s a hanging participle, I apologize mom).
So off we went along to gaze upon the snow glazed Denver and Boulder landscape. Homecoming was sweet and all the kids couldn’t get enough of Grandma and Grandpa. The truth is, they couldn’t get enough of them either. So off we went to Jason’s Deli before calling it a night.
Today, Annabelle got to build a snowman, Ronnie, Lydia, and I took a long walk along Boulder Creek, and then we all headed to Chuck E Cheese for food and fun! What an amazing trip so far! I think what has hit both Barrett and I the most, is how many people have prayed and been excited to finally meet Ronnie and Lydia. People I have never even met have told me how excited they were for us to finally be gifted the twins. Tears were even in their eyes. I am truly humbled by their investment in our family even without our awareness.
So thank you, everyone, for not only loving and caring for us, but for loving all of our kids and making each feel special. My face does not always show the gratitude my heart has, but I truly am thankful for friends, family, and random encouraging strangers. The Lord has used you all to lift my spirits and be reminded of the important things in life.
So…we continue with our 9 name tagged luggage across this great country, the land of the free and the home of the brave…with two new citizens travelling with us.