The Hern Family is home safe and sound

Hello Everyone,

Craig and I arrived home safe and sound late Sunday night. We are so excited and even though the jet lag is hurting us big time we can't sleep because we lay in bed amazed that our daughter is finally sleeping in her room down the hall.

We loved Thailand it's beautiful and we enjoyed the time we spent there with our daughter but it is great to be home. We missed our family and friends a great deal. It was hard not being able to share our joy with everyone.

Kanya did well on the flight home until about the last hour and a half on the plane and at the Airport in Toronto. She screamed the whole time we were picking up our luggage. The poor girl was overtired and overwhelmed I am sure.

She has struggled a little with jet lag, thinking she should sleep all day and be up all night. Last night however she slept all night in her own big girl bed in her room by herself. I am a proud mom!

She has seen snow for the first time and seems a little unsure of it. She walked around in it and kicked it for about ten minutes and then had about enough. She likes her winter coat, boots and mittens but not the hat so much. The cold doesn't seem to bother her at all.

Here are some pics from our trip. There are more on facebook because it is easier to post a large amount of pics there.

Our first morning in Thailand

Proud Daddy

Enjoying the sun at Gentle Nest where Kanya spent her first 2.4 years

Fun times

Safe and Sound in Bangkok

Hi guys this is Courtney again. Just thought I would post a brief update to let everyone know that the Herns arrived safely in Bangkok today. They arrived late afternoon Thai time (early morning EST).

Teri phoned us from their hotel room this morning to let us know they were safe. Kanya was having her first bath in a big tub, a marble one at that! Turns out there was a mixup with their reservations so they were given an Executive Suite for the next 5 days. Teri mentioned that Gentle Nest rents two houses in a gated community. They don't have traditional bathtubs although the kids got to splash in a large bucket. Since this was new Teri actually had to climb into the tub (in her clothes) with her daughter until she got use to the tub. Craig was bathing her while we were talking. It was great to finally talk to my niece and her cousin Kian was over the moon when he got to say hello. Teri sounds great although a wee bit homesick. I am sure they will be happy to be home and get a routine going. Naptime seems to be strained being in a hotel.

Their court date is Wednesday so I am sure we will all be thinking about them as they go through the legal part of their trip.

Courtney

Teri and Craig from Chiang Mai

Hello Everyone,

We have been busy here in Chiang Mai. On Tuesday we went to the market with Kanya. We got some little toys and gifts for our house. She was so good. She sat in the stoller and ate ice cream.

Thursday we had to go to the Doctor with Kanya. She had to get a check up and chest Xray. this is part of the Govt of Canada regulation. It appears she passed her physical so the results will be sent off. All good news. Kanya however does not like the Doctor. Afterwards we took her to a park so she wouldn't think we were all bad. We fed the fish and pigeons.

Today we went to the Elephant farm. We watched them bath and put on a show. Kanya fell asleep in the cab on the way home and is currently napping.

We are leaving gentle nest tomorrow morning to stay at a hotel in Chiang Mai for the next couple days so I am not sure how I will communicate with everyone. I am telling Kanya about all of you. I taught her to say Canada and I am sure Makenna would love to teach her the National Anthem.

Thanks so much for all your well wishes

Teri and Craig

Update from Teri and Craig

Hello Everyone,

Craig and I arrived safely here in Chiang Mai. All our flights were on time and everything went smoothly. Scott and their two children met us at the Airport. About half an hour later Brenda arrived with two babies that our coming to live with them at Gentle Nest and our new daughter. She was tired as she had a full day in Bangkok. She held mine and Brenda's hand through the airport.

We went back to Gentle Nest. It is so beautiful here. The first night we got used to Kanya's routine. She woke up soon after going to bed and needed one of the people here at Gentle Nest to calm her. The next day was really great. She woke up with us. We made her breakfast and played in the morning. She then played with her friends here as well as us. Last night craig and I were able to read to her and put her to bed. She is so affectionate. She gives us hugs and calls us mommy and daddy. She loves her camera from Grandma Heywood. She deletes all the pictures she takes because she plays with the buttons, but that's okay.

Everyone here is so nice and has helped us to much. I know that they have loved and cared for Kanya so much and they will miss her and she will miss them. They are doing everything to make this transition as easy as possible for her and we are so grateful.

Thanks everyone
Love Teri, Craig and Kanya Hern

Travel Update

I am going to be posting updates on behalf of Teri and Craig while they are making the journey of a life time.

They left Toronto, ON Jan 13 at 12:22am (EST) on route to Hong Kong. They arrived in Hong Kong 5:12am (local time) on Jan 14.

They then had a lay over for several hours. The next part of their journey had them flying from Hong Kong to Bangkok. Their flight left Hong Kong at 9:17am (local time) and according to their airlines website they just touched down in Bangkok, Thailand at 11:06am (local time)!!!

They are scheduled to leave Bangkok for Chiang Mai at 2:35pm (local time). When they arrive in Chiang Mai they are going to be met at the airport by their daughter and her foster family. How exciting to know they will see your daughter when they get off the plane. Their journey today is almost complete.

Let's all keep them in our thoughts and prayers for a safe journey and a wonderful meeting!

Courtney (on behalf of Teri and Craig)

Best News EVER

Hello Everyone,

Sorry it has been so long but there had been nothing to post, but now the moment we have been waiting for has arrived. We have been given a travel date to Thailand. This just happend Thursday so my mind is working overtime so I do not have time to post details right now, I promise to do that later. We will most likely be flying out January 13 and we have a hearing January 23rd and would be flying home January 26th.

Thanks to everyone for all your love and support. Talk soon