Heading home

Katie, Olivia and I are heading home today, a day early -- we leave in 90 minutes for the airport!

They were exposed to chicken pox at school (and from our friend) and we hope that by leaving early, we'll be traveling in the incubation time, and not the contagious, spotty time. I have been googling like crazy (thank you CDC website!) and it seems we should be OK. Jack had the vaccination, but the girls are on a delayed vaccination schedule after Liv had a bad reaction to her four month shots. This is a disease I had hoped they would get naturally -- just not in the days before a trans-Pacific flight.

So -- it's been a flurry of phone calls, packing, planning, and a bit of panicking (at least on my part). I have not had the time I expected for thoughtful pondering of what this time in Japan has meant, and what we will remember. The goodbyes have been so rushed, unfortunately -- a tearful hug at the door to Hiromi (thankfully one of John's colleagues was here and could explain why we didn't want them to come in the house, or get close to the kids), and a quick goodbye this morning to Tomoko (whose younger son Keita already has the pox) when we pass off our sleds, extra food and toys that didn't fit in our luggage.

There weren't enough open seats for all five of us to travel, so John and Jack will be coming Tuesday as planned. I am slightly worried about customs/immigration in Vancouver, handling six pieces of luggage and tired girls... but I figured I'll just ask for help. We'll look so pathetic, someone will surely come to our rescue!

So keep us in your thoughts from 6 p.m. mountain time on Sunday night until 11:56 p.m. Monday night, when a good friend will pick us up in Lethbridge (thanks Phil!). We'll need all your good wishes and good vibes and love!

Thanks to everyone who has read this while we've been away -- and hopefully I'll be writing you from Vancouver during our long layover, with healthy girls and all our luggage!