Women Zai Mei Guo

Translation: we are in America

Nearly 24 hours after walking away from our Shenzhen home toward the ferry terminal, we were riding in cars with my parents toward their home. Annika did not end up with a seat, but United did manage to seat us all together. Everyone flew like true professionals - except Dave, who found himself miserably too tall for his seat.

Lilly and Annika have basically fallen onto St. Louis time already, as has Dave. Sophia and I were awake for a few hours around 2am this morning, but did manage to go back to sleep eventually. Poor Sophia felt flabbergasted by it, though. Why, Mommy? It's morning!

We made it to church yesterday morning, and had confirmed that 10 days is simply not enough time in St. Louis. Too many people we would love to see, restaurants where we want to lunch, and relaxation we want to find simply hanging out with my parents. This week, the latter will take priority, and I hope to return for longer this summer. But so painful to tell friends we have no time for them.

Still, it is truly lovely to be home. Further, it is truly lovely to look toward 3 weeks with Dave around all day. The girls clearly feel entirely at home in this house, with Nana and Poppa, which amazes me. Some sort of powerful magic must encompass the house of a grandparent.