Well folks, this is it for the updates on the website. What a journey huh? We want to thank each
of you who took the journey with us through this website. Each time you accessed the site you
touched our heart and our family and for that I am truly grateful. Well, let's save the goodbyes
and thank yous until the end, lets catch you up on our trip home!
What can I say about the 'trip from hell', other than it was different than we anticipated. Don't
get me wrong it was not a walk in the park but thanks to Lisa and Lia, it was A LOT BETTER THAN
DREAMED OF! Friday the 15th started with little sleep at 5 am. Lisa and I tossed and turned all
night and it felt like as soon as we fell asleep the alarm went off. We fed Lia, did a final sweep of
the apartment, and wanted for our ride to the airport. The trip to the airport was jovial as Lisa,
Lia, Natasha, and I reminisced about our trip over and all of the experiences. Natasha got us
past security and then it was time to say goodbye to an angel. Without Natasha none of this
would have been possible. She was very kind to us, taught us, laughed with us, and comforted
us during this emotional time. Our time with Natasha started at the airport and ended at the
airport. All we can say is the next family that works with Natasha to unite with their child is very
lucky. God Bless Natasha and her family.
Lisa and I arrived at the airport early and had to wait a little bit to board our 10 hour flight to
London. While sitting and waiting we met many other families who adopted and were on there
way home as well. We meet a couple who adopted twin 3 year old boys and their 4 year old
sister and lets say they were excitable and you could tell that by the way they ran full speed
around the airport. Wonderful kids but Mom and Dad were a little stressed having to contain
them for the next half day in a plane. Seeing that it made us feel a little better our travels. On
the plane to London Lia had to sit on our lap and we had to sit next to a very nice lady. We
apologized to her as we sat next to her for what may or may not happen over the next 10 hours.
Thank goodness for Cheerios! Lia only fussed a couple of times and sleep for about 2 hours in
one interval and later in the flight she sleep for another hour. What a long stretch but we made
it free of any emotional scars. As we arrived in London it was now 3 pm by the clock on the wall
but inside it was 8 pm for us and that is usually Lia's bedtime. We had a 5 hour layover in
London and we held our breath as Lia's bedtime approached and passed. Lia never stopped
or slowed down in London even as Mom and Dad slowed down.
At last it was time to board our flight from London to New Jersey, it was 8:30 pm by the clock on
the wall but inside it was 1:30 am and Lia was still up and kicking!! Virgin Atlantic gave us a
bulkhead seat with a baby carriage. As soon as the plane took off I held Lia until she fell
asleep. As soon as she was out we bolted the carriage on the wall in front us and put her in it
and SHE SLEEP ALL THE WAY TO NEW JERSEY!! Lisa and I were even to steal a couple of Z's until
we touched down in the U.S. of A!!! When we reached US soil we had to pass through
immigrations to enter the US and we had to pass through the immigration courtroom to grant
Lia citizenship!! We arrived in the courtroom at midnight by the clock on the wall but inside it
was 10 am on Saturday. We sat in what looked like a courtroom from old 'Night Court' episodes
until Lia was granted citizenship to the US. From there it was off to get our luggage before we
could go to customs before we could get a cab before we could check in to our hotel before
we could eat, shower, and sleep for real for the 1st time in over 30 hours. WHAT A SLEEP IT WAS!!
HEAVENLY!! A shower, AC, and a comfortable bed!!
Saturday morning we woke up fresh and ready to catch our final flight back to J-Ville!! It was a
piece of cake 2 hour flight where we were united with our family and friends!! What a trip!! We
cannot even believe it happened!! I am writing this as our daughter takes her nap with my
dogs at my feet and our cats are sitting our laps!! We are home and we are a happy family. Lia
is adjusting very well! She is digging the animals and all of the family and friends who roll
through door to say hi. Lia has gone for walks with us in our neighborhood, gone to the pool
and fell in love with it, and enjoys the playground.
Living in Central Asia for two months without family and friends and the comforts of home you
are used too makes you realize how lucky we are! Lisa and I consider ourselves a couple of the
luckiest people in the world and we cannot thank God enough for making this possible. We
want to also thank all of you for your love, thoughts, and prayers during our journey. The traffic
on this site overwhelms us and we want all of you to know, we thank you, and we love you.
Now if you don't mind we have to go and wake up our daughter from her nap so we can play
as a family at home!! HOW SWEET IT IS!!
THANK YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
Wil, Lisa, and Lia
xoxoxoxo
first family outing to the pool.
Lia was slathered in sunscreen,
poured into her inflatable
bathing suit, and topped off with
her 45 spf swimming hat. Mom
and Dad are a little protective of
our girl :)
daughter decided to hug him
and have a moment on the floor.
WHAT A GIFT!!
home as Dizzy looks on
approving. Welcome Home Lia
Lynott!!
in the pool. Check it out!!
