Jeff would be making a trip home to Michigan in October and it was then that she would come back..... if that was decided..... Honesly, when he left on the flight we were pretty certain that it didn't make sense to bring her along because of all of the many challenges and road blocks. Colleen was going to take wonderful care of her and we were completely comfortable with that.
Three days into Jeff's visit home, I had a change of heart. We talked that night and I expressed my feelings. My intention was to get all of the details worked out and bring her back with us after the Christmas Holidays. BUT, Jeff had other thoughts. He felt that if she was going to come to Tokyo there was no better time than the present.
Jeff jumped through many, many hoops, with help from his Administrative Assistant in Grand Haven, and Shan in the Tokyo office. Between the 3 of them, they had to coordinate between the Japanese Airlines, and Japan government, the Vet's office in Hudsonville, as well as the States Vet office in Lansing Michigan. There were many mishaps a long the way including incorrect information from the Vet's office, to insufficient information...... at which point my parents were driving time sensitive paperwork to Lansing, and after arriving, only to find out that they did not have all of the documentation they needed. They drove back to Grand Rapids just as Jeff was anticipating a HUGE round of golf (that he had been so looking forward to since our move)!! Jeff felt like he could not ask my parents to make another trip.... so he bailed on the golf game and drove the paperwork to Lansing himself. When I found this out I just felt sick about the whole thing. I REALLY wanted Jeff to be able to play in that tournament.
The Vet felt so badly on the mix-up that she gave Jeff $50 for gas money and appologized a great deal.
Even as Jeff was driving to the airport to fly back to Tokyo, with Leila on his lap, he still was unsure how it all would turn out... if there would be issues at the airport in Michigan, or on the flip side in Japan.
On my end, I had kept it a secret from the kids, until we knew it was certain. Jeff was originally to arrive at around 7pm, which we were going to have the BIG SURPRISE moment!...(with video and the whole deal). But, more challenges awaited us - delays! I was not sure when he would be arriving, and because it was a school night, I felt like I had no choice but to put the kids to bed!
BUT, in walks Jeff and LEILA around 9:30pm.... and we took her in to see everyone. Kendall jumped right up and squeezed her. Jillian got in some hugs andkisses as well. When we took Leila in to see Landen he thought it was a dream. He woke up for a minute, looked at her, said her name, and then went right back to sleep. And then.... - LEILA!??! Oh my gosh! Is that really you??
It was such a CrAzY process, but we were SO glad to have her with us. The family is complete again!
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