Going Home

So, funny thing... on Tuesday of this trip we learned that Typhoon Lingling was set to make landfall in South Korea at the same time as our flight home.  We watched it all week, praying we could get home as planned.  Lingling actually did move a little westward and made landfall in North Korea.  However, the effects of the typhoon still impacted South Korea, primarily Incheon, which is where the airport is located.  Delta pushed up our flight in hopes of getting us off the ground before the major winds hit.  The airport was a flurry of activity.  Everyone was rushing around like crazy trying to get as many flights out as possible.  We loaded the plane and made our way to the runway.  We were third in line for take-off when the pilot came over the speaker and said that we would have to wait as the wind was beginning to gust up to 80 miles per hour.  It felt like we were on a boat with all the swaying.  Finally, we were cleared to take-off.  It was a bit of a bumpy take-off.  I just kept praying, "Get us up to cruising altitude!"  We had to take a slightly different route home to avoid Northern Korea, Typhoon Lingling and the typhoon that was over Japan.  The rest of the trip was pretty good - occasional turbulence.  I was just relieved to be getting home on time!  As hard as it was to leave Luke behind, we were so excited to see Liam and Lilly.  I only cried twice on the way home thinking of that precious little boy - missing him already.
On a positive note... the Incheon airport has so many orchids.  They are breathtaking.  They line all the halls.  Also, humorous note... I had to take this picture in the bathroom stall.  This is how you can tell you are in Korea and not China.  Those who have been to China will understand.