Green Planes, Stuffed Dogs, and Jet Lag

We walked around a bit in Bejing during our 15 hour layover.

     We've arrived in Michigan after our long travel around the world!  I say "long", but actually we got here in TWO PLANES which is the least EVER.  (We have had to take up to 5 planes before.)  It helped that Ulan Ude now has a flight that goes to Bejing once a week.  And there was a direct flight from there to Detroit.  We ended up being on the overseas flight about 15 hours because of a storm, but I can't tell you how wonderful it was to ARRIVE after that flight instead of saying "two more planes to go!".  The kids did great traveling.  Since we've had 3 kids, it was our easiest trip yet.  

     A couple of hours before we left, our friends Ira and Sasha came over and brought us gifts.  They gave each of the kids a stuffed dog.  Between their dogs and each getting to wear their own backpacks, the kids were so happy and cute.  Ike was very happy that we got to fly on a green plane.  Simple pleasures.

     Now we have a couple of weeks of conferences.  The kids are VERY jet lagged right now.  They've been waking up very early (as early as 2:00am) and then falling asleep at random moments throughout the day.  They are falling all over the floor at meals (and not really eating, but then really wanting to eat in the night), walking into walls and people, giggling crazily one moment and crying really hard the next. We appreciate your prayers to get back on schedule soon!

    So far, we've enjoyed the pleasures of Cheerios, chips and salsa, running barefoot in the grass, drinking water out of drinking fountains, swimming in a pool, and speaking English everywhere!  (although, Ella has been breaking out her Russian like never before!).  It's good to be back!