The Morning After

It seemed as if we had just dozed off, when I was waking up again!  I had some bank business to take care of on-line, so I jumped on the computer while Joshua snoozed next to his daddy.  I was overwhelmed by everyone's encouraging notes on facebook! 

Soon, Joshua awoke.  He was a bit stoic and quiet, just watching us.  Steve went down to retrieve breakfast, while I just sat with him, talking sweetly, quietly.  I remember being a bit concerned, until suddenly he reached for my face.  Then, he gave me a mischievous grin that he's become quite famous for, and I breathed a sigh of relief.  His personality was emerging.  He hammered some biscuits and gravy and eggs like a true southern boy, and I knew he was gonna be alright! ;~)

We met up with our friends, who were pacing and trying to make a decision about flying into Haiti or waiting.  It was finally confirmed that their little boy would be on a late afternoon flight out of Haiti, into Miami. 

We made our way around town grabbing some essentials at a local Walmart.  The Haitian population is heavy in southern Florida, and we drew attention.  People would get so excited to see Joshua and hear that he was from Haiti.  Some would even tear up, some would speak Creole to him and get a little smile, some would touch his head and pray.  He had his first french fries and nuggets. 

Finally, it was time to head toward Miami.  We were at the Miami airport for a couple hours longer than we anticipated.  Joshua began to go nuts!  I mean, crazy, biting us, acting silly.  He was bored and hungry!  We managed him pretty well, and a Haitian man was so tickled to see him.  He told us how to say "No bite!" in Creole, and "Sit down" :~) Our little buddy, Paxton, finally made it through the customs doors and we watched him be reunited with his mama and daddy....not to mention they introduced us to REAL pineapple juice at a Cuban vendor in the airport.  OH. MY. that is good stuff!

So, that made for a VERY late night.  By the time we had all of our kids, we were TIRED, HUNGRY, and READY TO GO HOME.  We drove around Ft. Lauderdale aimlessly looking for an open restaurant at 11pm.  Wasn't happening.  Except this local pizza place.  So, we called in an order and waited forever for it.  We waited so long that we only paid half price when they finally delivered.  In the meantime, we made multiply attempts at ordering our tickets home through American Airlines.  We watched the tickets go up HUNDREDS of dollars before our very eyes!  It was ridiculous!  So, we ended up buying through Expedia...but by that time we were slap happy and goofy.  I'm talking 2-3 am, NUTSO.  We finally settled in with the tickets to fly out of Florida the next day....January 20.

I finally drifted off to sleep as I thought about our whole family being reunited the next day, and how God was so merciful.  Little Boo snored quietly next to me.