Mission Accomplished!!!

One week ago ... I had to feed them before we got on the "aeroplane" (as Maxwell would say.) We had one last meal of Jollof and Chicken. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 9:35. We arrived at the airport, at 7:15/7:30ish. It was packed! People everywhere! I had to explain to M & A they needed to be next to Mommy at all times ... I took a deep breath and silently said to myself "here goes nothing!" We quickly found the Delta check in and went through our first stage of suspicion, "Do you have proof they are your children?" "Yes." "Do you have the brown envelopes from the Embassy?" "Yes." On we went to the next stop ... same questions, same answers. As we reached the check in desk, the kids were in awe. They couldn't concentrate even if I wanted them too. They just kept staring. Loading the luggage on the conveyor was fascinating. Getting them to stay next to me was tough. We were handed our boarding tickets and asked to head to customs. As we approached, the officer asked the same questions as the first "Where are the children from? How long have I had them? Do they understand English?" I kindly answered and he asked the children direct questions. They answered them, with no prompting ... "Where are you going?" "America!" "Who is this with you?" "(With big smiles) Mommy!!!" I was then asked to turn around and take them to an immigration office. We walked in and sat down. They asked us for all the same documentation I had provided 3 times already. They asked me what orphanage we had adopted from, I answered. We were then excused. As we approached the customs window, same questions, same paperwork required. We were then asked to turn around and go out a different way, down a hallway, linking into a security line (basically cutting in front of a long line of people.) I'm not sure why, but I did as I was told. Well, this was going to be fun ... ugh ... security. Max's shoes off, Anita's shoes off, Max wait for the guard to tell you to go, Anita stand here and wait for Mommy, carry on through the conveyor, take out lap top, Mommy's shoes off, back pack on, M & A "wait for Mommy," shoes back on, laptop back in, don't stand in the way ... Ugh, that was tough! The little ones have no concept of lines and waiting or what they were even doing. LOL Our bags were checked one more time and we were asked to sit and wait to board. Within 5 minutes, we were on the bus, driving towards the plane. The kids were fascinated. Everything was so new, they couldn't stop staring. Getting them to focus was rough but we made it. As we walked onto the plane, our seats were not together. I sat them where they were assigned and had to explain I would be back. They happily obliged. Before take off, the 3 of us were in a row together. Whew! Thank you Delta! Right before take off, I gave them Benadryl. I know, I know, such a cheater, but 11 hours people, 11 hours!!! They slept about 9 1/2 of them, not comfortably or happily but they did it. I woke them up as they were serving breakfast ... they chose to eat the yogurt and that was pretty much it, LOL. Me too!
Our plane landed in Atlanta at 5:30 am. We went through customs and then were escorted to immigration. I had not idea what was going to happen in immigration so I went forward blindly. As I sat and sat and sat some more, I wondered how long it would really take? But then I just sat there in awe .. awe of how our US Immigration officers could be so rude to these people. I wanted to scream "they are human beings, can you treat them like one!!" As the hours passed and I watched our scheduled 8:30 flight be passed by, it was time to simply be patient. What else was I going to do? As 9:00/9:30 came, they called for the children. The officer said "we have our paperwork and here are their stamps for naturalization." Really!?!?! That's what I just sat 3 hours for ... a stamp?!!! Something that took you less than 5 minutes. Ugh!!!!
We then headed to the Delta desk b/c mommy had to get our tickets reissued. The Delta employee was very helpful and pleasant ... she placed on standby for the 11:00 flight and we were confirmed on the 2:50 flight. We had less than an hour to be at our stand by flight. I asked the kids to hold my one hand while I pulled the carry on w/ the other. They trustingly did so. As we approached the escalator, they just stared at it. I told them "When Mommy says go ... you need to go!" "One two three, go." And they walked. Maybe a little hesitant, but they did it and they rocked! They simply stared at the escalator, in awe of what they were on. Their faces were priceless. As we got upstairs, I quickly grabbed Popeye's chicken for the kids ... sticking to what they know!! They loved it! Mom was a hit. Sweet! We then headed to our stand by check in gate. Our names were on the list and as they boarded the plane, we watched our names get closer and closer and closer. The kids didn't understand but Mommy did. They took the last person and the 3 of us were left standing there. UGH! I wanted to cry and I did!
As I talked to Adam and released the tears, I sucked it up and we headed to a different terminal. There was no need to hurry, so we took our time. After coffee stops, several "wee wee" breaks, playing with mommy, and watching "cars," we were ready to board our flight!!! FOUR Hours, we would be home in four hours! Eeeekkk!!! As I buckled them in and got them ready for take off, it was quickly apparent the Benadryl was in full effect when we took off from Ghana. B/c as the plane prepared for take off in Atlanta, and we ascended into the air, the kids panicked and hung onto my arm tightly. They were obviously nervous. As time passed, Anita fell asleep but not little Maxwell. He was up and down in the seat. Pressing the TV, looking out the window, unbuckling his seat belt, buckling his seat belt, whimpering, on the floor, off the floor, ... he just couldn't settle. We were almost there. When we were 30 minutes out, I woke Anita up ... we were almost home!! I think I was ten times more excited than they were. As we walked out the gate, the first question asked "Mommy, is Daddy here?" "Yes! Daddy is here! ... lets go!" After a potty stop, we were on our way. "Where's Daddy? Mommy, where's Daddy?" "Keep moving! He's here." As we approached the escalator, I could see all of them! I wanted to run, but I couldn't. I just looked down at my two little faces and their smiles said it all. They could see their American Family and they just looked and grinned. They were in America and they couldn't wait to meet their new family and friends!!!