Wednesday, July 17, 2013

CANADA Here We Come!!!

We woke up this morning feeling refreshed and ready to get things done today.  Derek took the kids to the zoo, while I went with 2 of the other parents here to the High Commission (the Embassy) in the hopes of getting our Visas processed.  The security guard looked skeptical when we came, and questioned why we were back so soon.  He mentioned that they had said they would contact us when they had news.  I had given them the wrong set of photos for the application, so at the very least I wanted to drop those off.  So the guard let us through, and we waited.  After about an hour they called us up and said the pictures we had left originally were fine, so we could go home and wait until they called with more news.  We offered to wait there until the applications were done, even if it took all day.  The guard looked at us like we were crazy, and mentioned that they would have to kick us out at lunch because they close down for an hour.  But we insisted on waiting anyway.  Within half an hour we had our processed applications in our hands!  Praise God!!  It felt like Christmas opening the envelope!  We were giddy with excitement as we walked to the zoo to tell the others.  When we got to the zoo, one of the fathers that was with us at the High Commission told Derek that "we have to go somewhere else for the visas now".  He with a deadpan expression as a joke.  Derek just about had a heart attack!
We all felt like celebrating after that, so we walked as a group to the Creole restaurant down the road for lunch, followed by ice cream from the market.  Afterwards we went for a swim at their hotel (our kids in their clothes since we didn't plan to do it).  They had such a good time and it was refreshing on such a hot afternoon.
At 6 we had to say goodbye.  This was harder than we thought it would be.  This group of people that we have gotten to know over the last 6 weeks have become very dear to us.  They have become family to us and we both got choked up saying goodbye.  It's not that we won't see them again, in fact we have already started planning our visits.  It's just that we've gotten used to seeing them, everyday.  We've gone through so much together, and we will miss them incredibly.
Kaylie was sobbing all the way home in the taxi, and again at dinner.  The kids felt how difficult it was too.
Yesterday, I had booked tickets online for a flight on Friday.  The airline allows you to book without paying to reserve a certain ticket price/time.  You have 24 hours to pay.  I went online tonight to pay (22 hours after I booked) and I was told that I couldn't get the original price anymore.  The tickets had gone up by $75 each.  We were very frustrated since we had booked them yesterday with the understanding that we were reserving the ticket price.  Since the price went up so dramatically, it added $600 to our already overly expensive flights.  We are hoping the airline will rectify this, but aren't too hopeful.  It's hard when you are already paying $4000 for a flight, but want to go home so badly that it doesn't even matter anymore.
But, we are coming home!!!!!  By the time we get home it will have been 6 weeks (to the hour) since we left.  We are so excited to go home, see our family and friends and spend the rest of our summer doing typical summer things....camping, swimming, relaxing, BBQ's.....

10 comments:

rebecca slingerland said...

Praise God! So excited to see you guys, hear about your adventures and meet this darling boy!

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord!! What wonderful news!!

Anonymous said...

I'm SO happy to read this update! I was hoping you would post tonight! Wow, I'm so excited for you guys!!! We've been praying for this all week - God is so good! Praying for safe travels home on Friday... and just a heads up, it's crazy hot here this week too, but you're used to it now :)
love Jannyne

Anonymous said...

So awesome to hear you are headed home!!! Good thing you are now used to the heat, because it is VERY HOT here!!
Praise God!!
Connie

Wilma Pennings said...

Thank God you are on your way home! I hope Keem is not too crazy on the long flight! Hugs for everyone!

Bethany said...

SOOO happy to read this! Getting choked up just reading about all the emotions you must be feeling. But very thankful to see you all, and to meet Keem VERY soon!

♥Bethany

Maria said...

Wonderful news, Val! What a journey (literally!) you have been on! It will be so great for you all to settle down to life here in Ontario again, and with your precious new son.

Elizabeth said...

I checked your blog late Wed but somehow missed this post. What incredibly, fantastic, wonderful and amazing news to read first thing this morning. You are coming home! Man, it will feel good when those wheels hit the ground in Toronto! Hope Keem travels well. You could always give him some children's Benadryl or Gravol. Please let us know when you are home. Praise The Lord that there were three of you (three families) that is going through this together. I think this helped, especially in light of what you have posted.

Mary said...

Wonderful news! Praying for safe travel tomorrow.

Mary VanDoodewaard

Ineka said...

Home sweet Home!! Again much to be thankful for!