It happened...early!

Finally got to talk to my baby boy, Caleb!  Okay, he's my oldest and 16-years-old, but he's still my little boy.

He's been gone for 12 days.  In China, actually in China, for 10 days.  He got to travel with the Global Young Leaders Conference.  Incredible opportunity for him especially since he's been studying Mandarin Chinese at the high school for two years and wants to major in the language in college.

Did the boy remember to buy that calling card and PHONE HOME like his mama told him? 

NO!!

Sixteen year old answer - He was busy from six in the morning until ten at night.  Sleep was top priority. 

So tonight while waiting at LAX for his flight home, he called to chat with his Mommy and Daddy...in between FaceBook postings and texting with his friends. 

Guess what?!?

His mama was right!!!

Before he left, I had all these words of wisdom based on our experiences with international travel, especially our trips to China.  I even passed along advice from Keziah's Chinese dance teacher that she shared once she learned that he was going.

Do you know how many eye rolls I endured?
Well, as we chatted tonight he revealed some priceless tidbits.

1) He can't wait for some ice cold water! - Yes, all my travel buddies, he now knows just how precious a cold glass of water can be.

2) Mom was also right about watching fruit and vegetable consumption!  Not thinking about the difference between his hotel and a street vendor, he ate some melon and got an upset tummy.  Fortunately, it was short lived and didn't interfer with his activities.  Unlike the one student who missed half a day back at the hotel feeling really yucky.

3) He did a good job of keeping track of his backpack and important stuff like his passport.  Again, another student's was stolen with his passport inside.  Big scary time until it was discovered at a hospital with everything still inside.

Ahhhhhh!  I didn't have to wait until he was totally grown up and old to hear that I was right...at least once.

Can't wait until he gets home tonight!