Okay, Steve has the girls and I have 20 minutes before the library closes to 'blog' about the trip to the States.
Emma and my flight back to the States began with dropping Michaela off at school--she in tears because we were leaving AND because she wasn't!!! We headed off to Gatwick--with plenty of time to spare--luckily. About half way to the airport a car two lanes over had a blow out--he lost control of his car and skidded across two lanes directly in front of me and slammed in to the cement barrier. Another car, trying to avoid a crash, over steered and rolled his car three or four times. Unbelievably, no one was hurt and Emergency crews just happened to be behind us--so the delay was minimal.
The 8 1/2 hour flight to Detroit went very smoothly. We watched movies, read books, and Emma took a nap. We had a 4 hour lay-over in Detroit. Emma played in a playhouse and then crashed. She slept for half of the lay-over and through the entire flight to CVG.
Upon our arrival to Kentucky, we were met by Joe and Kathy. It was great to see familiar faces!! They drove us to our house. Emma of course did not remember the house at all and was amazed that we had more than one bathroom, that she had her own room, and so much more. Having been awake for over 24 hours, I put Emma to sleep in her bedroom and thought I would crawl into my bed and sleep. But having been gone for 19 months I could not sleep. I looked around the house--I looked through the items of my grandmother's that my Aunt had sent while we were gone. I finally went up to bed and slept ---for 2 whole hours. (Made it very easy to acclimate to Kentucky time!!)
The first week was spent eating out at all the restaurants we missed while living in England and weeding the front yard. Emma was able to run through the sprinkler as I watered our dead grass, 
(Since it was in the 90's the entire time we were back.)she explored her toys and the house and had a good time finding NEW things everywhere. We did some shopping, had a new battery put in the van, an oil change, and brakes. I also had the appliance repairman out to confirm the 7 year old refrigerator was dead. All the day to day things!!!
On Sunday we visited the Northern Kentucky church we attended when we lived in Kentucky. It was good seeing some of the people we attended with. We ate lunch with the Steeles. Emma LOVED Ms. Ellen and Kaily. We thought there might be some play dates with a few of the children, but Sunday was the only day we saw anyone.
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On Wednesday, we loaded up and drove to Alabama to visit with my friend, Renea and her family. Emma had a great time with Carley 
and Rachel became the substitute big sister. We had a great week visiting--Rachel's ball game, 
Carley's cheer practice, 
Spring Park.... We hated having to leave.
We
arrived home at about 2:00am Monday morning. On Tuesday, we got back into the van and headed to the Brown's house in Indianapolis. Emma had a fantastic time playing with Riley and Sidney. They are in the process of building an extension onto the house, so we look forward to seeing the completed house when we come back.
The final week was spent visiting with Joe and Kathy and the new congregation that was started in Northern Ky., a little more shopping, mulching, moving things up from the basement,... The time went by quickly.
We flew home on Tuesday evening and arrived in England Wednesday morning, where we were detained in Customs for two hours. All ended well and we are home.
Emma and I arrived yesterday morning at London-Gatwick at 9:45am. We then spent the next 2 1/2 hours detained at Customs. We had our suitcases searched, papers taken from my purse, questions as to why we stayed past the time our Visa was good, etc. At 12:10pm, our Passports were stamped with a 6 month Civilian/dependent stamp (which we tried to get before and were declined) and allowed to cross through Customs and go to Steve who was on the other side of the doors frantically worried if we were being sent back to Kentucky.
All is well. Emma and I slept until 12:30 this afternoon and I believe are on the correct time now!
Pics to come later--when my 4 year old is not trying to help me type and complaining that she has nothing to do.
Our three week trip to the States is coming to an end!!!!
It began with a car slamming into the concrete median and another one rolling multiple times directly in front of me as I drove to the airport and ended with my neighbor verbally attacking me because of our yard not meeting her standards. The time in between has been filled with friends, craziness, good food(too much of that) and HEAT. Emma and I have enjoyed our visit, but are very ready to be on the plane heading back home.
Please pray for our safe return.
My next update will be from Croughton or here in Kentucky--Due to my being in the UK on an expired Visa for over a year, we are not sure what will happen as I pass through Customs at Gatwick. Makes for an interesting time:)
I will update with pics when we are settled.
(Since it was in the 90's the entire time we were back.)she explored her toys and the house and had a good time finding NEW things everywhere. We did some shopping, had a new battery put in the van, an oil change, and brakes. I also had the appliance repairman out to confirm the 7 year old refrigerator was dead. All the day to day things!!!
d
On Wednesday, we loaded up and drove to Alabama to visit with my friend, Renea and her family. Emma had a great time with Carley 
and Rachel became the substitute big sister. We had a great week visiting--Rachel's ball game, 
Carley's cheer practice, 
Spring Park.... We hated having to leave.
arrived home at about 2:00am Monday morning. On Tuesday, we got back into the van and headed to the Brown's house in Indianapolis. Emma had a fantastic time playing with Riley and Sidney. They are in the process of building an extension onto the house, so we look forward to seeing the completed house when we come back.
