Post 1: The Arrival, 7-August-2017

Often the greatest opportunities require sacrifice and, at some point, a leap of faith.  Just like our decision to move to Holland 10 years ago, China offered similar concerns, feelings and reservations.  Although, when looking back on the Holland decision today, it seems like a no-brainer compared to China. 

We structured the summer to be full of activities with our family and friends; nearly every moment was scheduled.  Amanda took the lead on organizing the madness as I split my time equally between Asia and the US.  In the end, we wore ourselves out, but also logged a very impressive summer docket:  LSU Graduation in Baton Rouge, 4th of July party with my family at our house, Orange Beach (with Dixons), New Orleans (with Skenas & Grandma Judy), Washington DC (with my Dad), Gettysburg & Amish Country & a wedding (with the entire Buckwalter & Schultz clans), dinners, lunches, playdates, house hunting in Shanghai (Amanda and I), PPC Asia Summit in Thailand (just me)…  During all of this, we also managed to get 5 Chinese visas, 1 Indian visa, vaccinations for typhoid and Japanese encephalitis (that's comforting), an air shipment packed and shipped, a sea shipment packed and shipped, 28 bags organized for plane trip, 2 cars sold, and 1 house leased.  And nothing was easy – it was a complete blur. 

The time in Houston ended on Saturday with lunch with the Marks, church on Saturday night, and BBQ with the Resendez & Hafers.  During the day, Jonathan and I rented a U-Haul and loaded all 28 bags for the Sunday departure and staged it at the Resendez house.  After tucking all of the kids into bed and finalizing the last logistics, we collapsed into a 5hr coma. 

Without cars, we depended on friends for wheels.  And with 28 bags, we expected delays and needed an early start for our 9am flight.  Jacob’s friend Jonathan surprised him and came with his Dad and Kristi woke up to tell us goodbye.  No time for tears though and we put “knees in the breeze” at 5:45am. Driving to the airport drop off point with a U-Haul is weird…who does that?  But, airport security didn’t give us any trouble and the skycaps helped a bunch.  It didn’t leave time for long goodbyes, which was probably good.   The airport check-in was relatively smooth… extremely comical, a little delayed, and entertaining for everyone, but pretty smooth.  The kids were very patient, Emily fell asleep, and we eventually got to the gate for the first leg. 

We flew business class the whole way, which was a highlight for everyone.  It was a nice perk to balance the pain of a 17hr flight.  Ok… it is a long flight, but with full iPads, lots of new movies, decent food, and seats that lay down pretty flat, it wasn’t too bad. 

We arrived in Shanghai at 5:45pm.  We were the last to depart the plane, the last to get through immigration, and basically the only westerners in the baggage claim area.  When our bags started to peel off of the belt, the gamesmanship began.  We packed 10 U-Haul boxes (20in x 20in x 20in), 5 massive roller bags, 5 carry-ons, 5 backpacks, 2 car seat carriers, and 1 stroller.  In a country with 1.2 billion people, you would think they could spare 2-3 to help with bags, but that didn’t happen so we had to rely on only ourselves.  We found 4 luggage carriers and with a few clever tethers, tapes, and twines, we balanced all 28 bags on the luggage carts.  Emily walked… and everyone else pushed a cart.  Caroline and Jacob were champs and managed about 250 lbs each all the way through customs until we met our drivers. 


We made it to our new home around 10pm… which effectively ended a 27hr day.  The house was perfect, the kids did great, and we made it as one team.  I was extremely proud of team Olson for buckling down and getting the job done!



The Schultz Clan surprised us with a last minute visit right before we moved.  
A bunch of playdates, sleepovers, and fun days with friends.
  
We did our best to spend the leftover coupons and gift cards...
in between vaccinations and other "not so fun stuff".  
Last year's soccer season gave us many new friends.  And, we love hanging out
with the Marks Family.  After all, they adopted a very important hermit crab from us.  

Can't leave without BBQ with close friends.  Emily will be especially
missed by Brandon...  We will try to take some peanut butter pictures
to help him deal with the separation.  :)

Restaurant week is awesome... And so is our church.  
The "too" familiar look of movers boxing up our house again.  
Seriously, who goes to the airport in a UHAUL... Crazy, comical, and successful.  
It took some salemanship, but the family is on board.  And, the kids have been
troopers throughout the whole process.  By the way, 28 bags is also crazy.  
But, we made it.  Safe and sound.  Strong kids, strong faith, strong family. 

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