Priceless!

I started this blog in the airport on the iphone, as we had 24 hours between landing in Dulles and catching the flight to State College. Yes, from the time we left Kiev to the time we walked into our Port Matilda home, it was 44.5 hours. We were 42 consecutive days away from home, and I had drafted a rather "here's the real whine" of a blog entry when everything did a 360-degree turnaround. Last night, we were dragging to the shuttle to get to the Holiday Inn Express, and Mama held her hand and said, "Oh Baby, I am so sorry, I didn't want your first day in America to be like this." Karina said, "Me, I know understand, Mama." What an Angel.

Yes, it is true that Karina did not close her eyes once for even a mini catnap on the airplanes. And, our trooper had a fever, low appetite, a cold and a headache. She never whined, refused to let Mama carry her backpack, and could pull a smile at a joke. Absolutely amazing. We were all snotty, worn to the bone and done with travel. We got a hotel room late last night, and Karina slept in Papa's shirt (he wears two). We slept in our clothes. The beds were soft, oh so soft! The showers were warm - and full! Luxury! The towels were think and awesome! The breakfast variety was amazing - bananas, breads, cereals, pancakes, eggs, yogurt, coffee, etc. And, Karina got to watch Sponge Bob in bed!  We watched the news, and talked about the storm. After breakfast, we Skyped her Mariupol home so we could fulfill promises and she got to speak to those she loves. Then, we shuttled to the airport at 10 for a 6 hour wait till our flight finally left at 4 today. It was a 30 minute flight, and she said "so small for so big wait?" Yep, that's it. It is 7 now, and I just have to share one thing.

We were in the car doming from the airport about an hour ago, and as we entered the neighborhood, she recognized where we were. She had been here in August for camp where we hosted her. She started to shake. A tear started to roll down her cheek. Her lips quivered. And she saw our house. She said in Russian, Home Our Home and then bursted with joy! She couldn't wait to go inside and see that cats! Our friends had lovingly surprised us all with a decorated house and she was in awe! She jumped and hugged us and couldn't believe her eyes! She looked at the balloons and we took her picture with them! She went up stairs and there were flowers in her room! She opened her presents that various people had given her - soaps, house slippers, a snuggie, tea, chocolate kisses, a fuzzy blanket, a teddy bear, a journal to write in and a pen! She also had a stuffed unicorn and books! Then she opened her closet and cried! Friends had filled her closet with clothes from their kids and she said, "Mama! I am Hannah Montana!" Oh My Gosh, Oh My Gosh! She wanted to wear everything! She picked out an outfit and it was all pink. She and Papa went to Way Fruit Farm to get some dinner. She said as they just walked out the door, "Mama, Paka - Home Our Home, Mama!"
I love you!