Back in Germany

Well, we are now back in Germany! We left the States on Monday, and arrived here early Tuesday morning. Overall, the trip back went very smoothly. Thanks so much for all of you who were thinking about us as we were traveling. We weren't exactly sure how everything would go, as we didn't have anyone flying back with us to help out with the kiddos and luggage like we did on the way to the States. Yet, we were provided with a wonderful twin stroller, that helped us out SO much! (Actually, we had looked at a very similar stroller in Germany, but decided not to buy it as it was very expensive. During our last couple of weeks in the States, David found a smiliar twin stroller on-line for 1/4 of the price of the one we had looked at in Germany! Thank-YOU!) Not only do the babies fit in the stroller, but there is a handle on each side... one for Aria and one for Nina to hold onto... so they don't run everywhere. It's a BIG help! (I wanted to get a picture of all of us going through the airport, but well, my hands were too full and the camera seemed too difficult to get to, so I didn't. Maybe sometime.)

Overall, the kids did very well during the trip. They were SO excited to get on the airplane, and quite tired when we got off of it. Yet, they didn't whine around or fuss, but just took everything 'in stride'. We were so thankful for that.

I think the most stressful times of our trip were the following:

• Going through security. It's a little challenging getting babies and Micah out of strollers, all coats off, shoes off, belts off, computers out of bags, being checked, and then getting everyone dressed again. Thankfully, we weren't in a hurry, so we just took our good ol' time. (Sorry for those waiting in line behind us!)
• Getting onto the airplane and situated in our seats. As David and I both need to carry a baby onto the plane, as well as watch out for the three little ones, plus juggling our carry-ons... well, it's quite 'fun'! Then, our little ones can be quite impatient, waiting for papa (as mama can't help out at all as she's holding both babies) to take off their coats and get them situated in their seats with a coloring book or something to do, while trying to put everything in the storage compartment above us, all the while trying to avoid the other passengers who are boarding the plane.
• Meal-time. Oh my. I often think that I just want to tell the stewardesses not even to bother giving us food. It can just be so tricky getting us all fed! Exhausting is more the word. Thankfully, Heidi was sleeping in a little baby bassinet which they had on the plane for her. I was holding Hanna, who was being extremely fussy and nothing I did would make her calm down. I then tried to help Nina and Micah with all their water, juice, and little packages of food, while David helps Aria and Micah too. (We all were able to sit in a row... Aria, David, Micah, myself, Nina.) Finally, I give up trying to calm Hanna down and put her in her bassinet to just fuss for a while on her own, as I quickly gulp down my food before the stewardesses come to take it all away. Sigh. I don't even consider getting coffee or tea which they offer... just too complicated.
• Getting off of the plane. We waited until everyone else had exited the plane, and then began to get ready to leave. The stewardesses were then able to help us out, but it was still challenging until we were able to put the babies back into their stroller.

After we all ate on the plane, we put the kids 'to bed'. Thankfully, the plane was only half full, so David found a couple of extra seats where the older three kids could stretch out a bit to sleep. It was so nice when all 5 were finally asleep. Even David and I had a couple of hours of peace to try and sleep ourselves. Nice.

So, yes, we did make it back safely. Again, thanks for thinking about us! To all of our family and friends in the States, we thoroughly enjoyed seeing you all again and miss you lots already! We really enjoyed our time there and are so thankful that we had the opportunity to go and be with you all those 6 weeks.

Now, we are unpacking our suitcases, only to re-organize things to pack them again. We have gotten tickets to leave for R-land the 12th of April. So, we will be busy getting things packed, our visas, and things finalized here before leaving for home in less than two weeks! :)