The Adventure Begins (or continues)!

Wednesday, December 21, 2:00 p.m.

Newark Liberty International Airport

We were originally supposed to leave on Monday, December 19, 

but after a mix-up with the travel agency in Jerusalem and an unforgettable night (that I would rather forget), 

we were on our way at last!

Off we go!  All 20 checked bags, 2 carry-on suitcases, 6 backpacks, 4 bags, 2 strollers, 5 kids, one mom, one grandma and a pile of coats and jackets.  

We couldn't have done it without some super porters.  

And, a big thank you to Kevin's brother and sister-in-law, Jeremy and Melody, 

who wisely insisted that their Christmas present for us and Megumi would be 

a plane ticket for her to accompany me.  

Where would I have been without her!  Thank you!

"The Calm Pre-Boarding Area"

All flights going to Tel Aviv, Israel (i.e. Jerusalem), have an extra security line.  

So, after we caught a glimpse of our impressive airplane, we ended up in another, very long line for additional one-on-one screening.  After that, passengers and crew wait in their own boarding area.  For a plane that size, that was filled to capacity, it quickly became a very squishy space.  And, the plane was late.  It was a bit of a wait, but eventually we made it!

For dessert, we even got ice cream!  

Maya lit up when she got her very own ice cream sundae.  

Forgive the blur, but I don't want to forget that precious smile.

Overall, the flight went smoothly.  The kids did well.  Only one of the flight attendants didn't like kids.  It took the kids a while to fall asleep, but once they did, waking them up was just as challenging.  Everyone had to be ready for landing (i.e. in their seats, sitting up, bags put away) for the last 45 minutes of the flight.  Margaret fussed quite a bit, but survived.

Of course, we were some of the last and slowest people off the plane and through the passport check.  Just before we got to the baggage claim area, Margaret's throat hurt again.  Unfortunately, she had just chugged about a half a bottle of water.  It all came back, but gratefully on the ground, close to a bathroom, with a worker and a mop.  The lady was very gracious and I was very grateful.  And, thankfully, that seemed to end the "sore throat."  Once we secured a porter, leaving was amazingly simple (in fact, Megumi didn't even realize we went through customs) and the kids were delighted to at last see their Daddy (there mom was too!).  Happy cries of "Daddy" are music to the ears!

Kevin brought us home in a mini bus borrowed from the United Nations.  It was packed to the hilt.  Walter had to crawl into a little corner seat.  Most of us held things, but the drive went smoothly and Kevin is mastering a manual transition on all those hills amazingly well (we do however, want an automatic transmission if we get to buy a car!).

The house and views are beautiful.  I feel it is the right place for us at this time.  It is literally blocks from the school, with a park and grocery store in between.  Kevin has to drive to work, but he has graciously consented to this so that we don't have to drive to and from school.  And it only takes 10-25 minutes (depending on traffic), which is clearly better than his previous 50 minute commute.

The kids stayed awake all day, after only a few hours sleep, but by 7:30, everyone crashed and slept for 14 hours!  We couldn't believe it, but it was a blessing.  The next day, Grant was still catching up on his sleep . . .

We love you!

-Elizabeth