You Are Cleared - Goodbye Michigan, Hello Georgia - via Ohio

The next two days, Jack was sick. What a joy. I can say that Grandma and I were getting "cabin fever". We checked out of the Hyatt Dearborn and went to the Westin which is connected to the airport in Detroit.

We waited and waited for the lawyer to call and tell us we could go to Atlanta. Day after day - no call. A sick child, freezing snow, a small hotel room and we are stuck.

Finally on 24, February, 2006 at about 2:30pm we got the call from our lawyer with the most wonderful words I had heard since Kat said, "I do" back on April 9, 1994 - those words - "You are cleared."

We could take Jack home.

We were all so excited. Just one tiny problem...

It is a Friday afternoon and the remaining filgts from Detroit to Atlanta are all full. Drat.

My Dad (Grandpa) comes up with a flight from Toledo, Ohio to Atlanta the next afternoon. A plan is crafted.

Saturday morning, I get yet another Hertz rental - yes, it had the most excellent Neverlost system - and we all drive to Toledo.

We stopped at a Bob Evans for a good mid-west breakfast on the way then straight to the small Toledo airport.

We arrived early and just in time to try and get on a earlier flight. I am dealing with returning the Hertz car. The very kind Delta staff are helping Grandma and Jack. We all rush to the gate and after some anxious moments are all cleared to fly - only one piece of luggage was held back.

The flight is a small jet plane. Jack is sooooooo excited to fly. We have a great flight.

When we land in Atlanta and jack exits the plane, the very first thing he says is - "Where is Kat?"

This is why we hate the Islamist radicals who attacked the United States - they ruin moments like this.

Grandma, Jack and I make our way to the baggage claim area and we see Mom, Grandpa and Aunt Jennifer all waiting for Jack. They have a sign and gifts for Jack.

It was a tearful reunion and meeting.

We all go home.

Mom and I give jack a tour of his new home. He approves. We were especially glad that he approved of his room.

Jack and Nixon - the dog - also have their first meeting. All goes well.

We all had lunch together. Then Grandpa and I go back to the airport to get that luggage that could not fly with us. While we are gone Jack's Uncle Robert Ballou stops by to meet Jack.

We all had a beautiful day.