Brent and I have decided not to celebrate until the door closes on the airplane and we feel it lift off the runway, but we did rebook our plane tickets home today.
We were not able to go to the Embassy today because they didn't have any openings for interviews, but we are going first thing in the morning tomorrow (Wednesday). We should have the kids' visas either Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning, and we're scheduled to fly out of Ethiopia on Thursday evening to land on Friday morning in Los Angeles.
The good news for today is that we rebooked our tickets home on our own rather than using our travel agent (mainly because it is a pain with the time difference), and I think we saved ourselves $600. Our travel agent charges $250/ticket to change the tickets (for a total of $1,000), but Emirates only charged us $200 each for my ticket and Brent's and nothing for the kids'. With Brent missing an additional week of work, this will be a huge help as we try to stretch our finances over the next month or so.
I am definitely getting nervous about the long flight with the kiddos (especially Ashagre, since he doesn't like being confined to any one space for too long), but at this point, we'll just do our best and buy our fellow passengers a round of drinks if it gets really ugly - whatever it takes to get home.
Hey, you guys, hang in there, Davey (from work and I) are thinking of you a lot, wishing you the best, sending good vibes - don't worry, the plane will be over with before you know it. What an exciting epoch in your life...the meltdown thing...seen it, somebody's just adjusting...he'll be fine. Your children are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBest! Beth + David Birch
Yay!! Bryan and I are so happy that you four will soon be back in CA snuggling with your dogs. It has been really exciting to read your updates. We are cheering for you from Colorado.
ReplyDeleteKerry Reilly and Bryan Taylor
Yahoo! You'll be home soon. Your new van is in the Idaho driveway and it is sweeeeeet!
ReplyDeleteLove you all, The Fam.