Day 1: We made it!

The trip down was as close to flawless as you can get.  Mom and Dad picked us up this morning and took us (along with our many, many bags) to the airport.  The first leg of the flight (to Miami) was on time and smooth.  Caroline was a trooper!  She played with her tablet (an Innotab, which she strategically got for her birthday last month in anticipation of this trip) for a bit, and then played with her Wonderpets figurines and listened to her music for the remainder of the time.

We made it to Miami and had no trouble getting to our second flight.  We had to hustle since our layover was very short, but we made it in plenty of time.  Our takeoff was about half and hour delayed due to weather in Miami.  However, that was the only hitch in the trip, so you won't find me complaining.  Caroline had a fairly major meltdown (for her, anyway) when we were waiting to take off, but it was promptly followed by an hour and a half nap.  She woke up right when dinner was being served good as new.

When we saw the lights of Cali from the air, I had a bit of a "moment" realizing that I was looking at the city where my daughter has lived all of her life.  We landed, made it through immigration, found all of our bags (after searching a bit), and then made it out to the curb to see Magnolia holding up a sign with our names.  Twenty minutes later, we were at the apartment (which is perfect for us, I think).

Tomorrow morning we head to the market with Magnolia to stock our pantry and fridge.  We have an appointment at 3:00 to meet with the orphanage staff at Chiquitines to find out all there is to know about our girl.

Thank you all for the prayers.  Please keep them coming.  Pray specifically for peace for Caroline.  The last couple of weeks have been trying for her.  She knows that a big change is coming, and she is going through what I expect most big siblings go through.  Having this experience in a strange place with so much unknown and unfamiliar magnifies it.