God Bless the USA

I think I am finally able to discuss our trip back into the country after our exciting trip to Costa Rica. Whenever we have told the story of our chaotic adventure the response has always been, “You have got to write that down!” So here goes!

We were on a 7am flight out of Liberia, and we were staying about an hour away requiring us to leave the house at 4 am to return the rental car and get checked in at the airport on time.

Everything on the Costa Rica side was very uneventful. During the three hour flight the kids only slept about 30 minutes. I really had hoped for longer so I could sneak in a nap myself. No such luck! Our flight had a stop in Houston where we were to go through Customs, and then on to Atlanta. We had about an hour and a half layover, so everything should have been fine. . . right?

The Justices and Alba were ahead of us in Customs, and because of the need to hurry they went ahead. When we got up to our Customs Officer he welcomed us into the country, and that was the last thing he said that I appreciated. After fiddling with our passports for what seemed like and eternity he turned to us and said to Carlos, “Unfortunately you have a common name. I am sorry but I am going to have to detain you.” He then explained that I was going to have to take the children to the other side of the secure area, and then called an officer escort for Carlos. We agreed to meet on the other side of the ropes when Carlos was done. Carlos did his best to give me a reassuring look trying to let me know everything was going to be fine.

Rewind one year earlier: When we went through Customs after our cruise Carlos and his father whose name is also Carlos were questioned, but quickly released. An inconvenience, but in the end it was no big deal. Then last summer we found out Carlos’s builder’s risk insurance had lapsed because the underwriter had flagged Carlos as a potential terrorist. That’s right TERRORIST! My sweet, kind baby-faced husband!

Back to Houston Customs: I do my best to keep my two very tired children happy while my husband is being questioned as a potential terrorist. After about ten minutes of course the kids start to get restless. But this is when my story takes a real turn for the worse! Charlie at this point gets EXPLOSIVE diarrhea and blows out every direction of his diaper. OK fine, I am an experienced mother, I can deal with this. There is no bathroom in sight, and some how his change of clothes were not packed in my carry-on-bag where I thought they were. Well I do the best I can to clean him up right there on the airport floor. Nothing else I could do.

This would be a good point in the story to let you know that neither Carlos nor I brought our cell phones on the trip. Really when you think about it we should not have needed them. After all, they would not even work in CR and we would always be together.

I estimate it had been about 30 minutes since we had been separated when Abby started telling me she needed to go potty. Reminder, no restroom in sight. I assure her that daddy will be back soon, and then we can find a potty. About every thirty seconds she whines and tells me of her potty needs, but then it escalates into her stomach hurting. So after ten minutes of her crying for a potty I call an officer over to where I am waiting. I explain that my husband is being detained and that my daughter REALLY needs to use the restroom. She starts to explain the only restroom we can use is on the other side of security, and then she looks down and my sweet beautiful little girl crying and holding her belly. The officer takes pity on us, and takes us back into the Customs area, and into a holding room that happens to have a restroom. GREAT! Well, I am sure you can tell where this part of the story is going. Abby’s belly felt about the same as Charlie’s. I cannot imagine how she held it in for so long. The girl was really sick with sweat chills and all. I just felt awful for her.

When we finally emerge from the restroom, ten minutes had passed. I know this because I asked an officer in the holding area if they could tell me the location of my husband. Bothered by my question, he informs me that he was released ten minutes prior from that very same room. Carlos and I figure that it was just moments after I entered that area, and he was released from the back room were he was questioned. OH GREAT! We were not in our agreed meeting place. So I nearly run to where we were to meet, no Carlos. I knew he would go down to luggage claim looking for us. I knew that because there logically NO WHERE else for us to be. So I drag my two sick kids down to luggage. It was a complete ghost town down there. NO CARLOS. An employee runs to me from the other side of the room to tell me that my husband had just been there, but just left. Carlos was assured there were no other restrooms than the one on the other side of security; his only thought is that is where I had to be.

So I follow in the direction that the employee points. Problem is that I did not have the declaration form necessary to finally pass through Customs. One form is needed per family, and Carlos had ours. As the officer start harassing me for not having said form I interrupted him by asking what I needed to do (I was in no mood to be scolded.) He eventually admitted that he had OUR form right in front of him and that I was free to go. FINE! Next I have to get the three of us through security. Shoes off, stroller broken down, and all bags on conveyor belt. Done. Now I have to reassemble everything (I mention this because I depend on Carlos to help me get this task accomplished in a timely manner to not form a huge line behind us. Well I just did the best that I could.)

Once I join all the domestic passengers there is still no sign of Carlos. I know we have missed our connecting flight to Atlanta, but decided to make my way to the gate it left from hoping to find Carlos there. I make my way down a very long corridor, and still no sign of him.

I realize my best bet is an airport page to help me meet up with him. I can see no courtesy phone, information center or any sign of help! The info desk I did was deserted. Being very tired, with two sick children, and frustrated to unspeakable levels I loose it! By the time I found a security guard I am sure I was a sight! I explain the situation, my husband was detained, my children got sick, yadda yadda yadda. The guard was very nice and was ready to page Carlos when I heard a page for me to meet my party at security at gate E. I was at security at gate E. Suddenly I had 5 different guard yelling, “Carlos Gonzalez.” That is when I found him rounding the corner. I have never in my life been so happy to see anybody!!!!!!!!!! YAY!

Once reunited the diarrhea saga continues but I will spare you all the details. If you are truly interested I we be more then willing to go into detail about the women's bathroom in Terminal C that will never be the same thanks to Charlie.

Obliviously we did eventually make it back to Atlanta. It has taken some time to find the humor in the story, but I think I am there. I am just not eager to travel out of the country for quite some time!