Homecoming… Home.

First – what you really want – the first camera’s pictures! (One more camera was taking shots/video, so hope to share that with you soon!)

Reunited. My husband again at my side and my child handed into my arms. A moment of deep joy.

Such love given from mother-in-love to me... I have been deeply blessed by you, Tamera. Thank you for loving my husband and son as you do. I love you!

Sleeping... in my arms. Welcome home little guy.

Family. Love. Together. Home. Red tape.... Behind us!!!!

The welcoming party! Heather & Michael, Rebecca and Mark, my parents, me and the travelers! The flight was in early so Jeff and Jennifer weren't there yet!

Last night my dear friend Hollie came by to couch-sit while my girls slept. Anna was excited, but willing to go to bed… she has had a fever, so she was tired. Maggie fell asleep very quickly, since she had skipped her nap. The last two hours before being able to get in the car to drive to the airport dragged. Really dragged. After the girls were in bed at last, I sat at the window like a little kid… hat and scarf on, purse over my shoulder, waiting for the babysitter to get here!

The drive to the airport seemed long and short. I met up with Rebecca and Mark who were there first. They are on their way to adopt two little ones from a different Eastern Europe country and have large fundraising needs… keep them in mind! We chatted and soon my parents were there and then, surprise, Heather and Michael! It was good to have you all there… to feel the community around me of those who care about us and Jordan with a love that only Christ can give. Mom and Dad… I am so glad you were there! I so wanted to have you there and you were!

I had just run to the big screen to see what time they were supposed to land… and it said they had landed several minutes before! I ran back to the waiting area JUST in time to meet Brian, Tamera and Jordan walking out! All that waiting and then, bam! They were here! At last! And already! And I couldn’t do anything but hug Brian and cry. Jordan was passed to my arms, fast asleep for the entire 6 hour flight from DC. More tears were shed between me and Tami and there was everything right about how Jordan felt in my arms. He smells like old spit, his diaper was wet, his hands and face chapped… but there wasn’t a handsomer child in that whole airport.

He slept all the way home… where another surprise awaited us! Will have pictures for you soon, but Hollie and Amy had conspired and our kitchen and living room are bedecked with streamers and balloons! My emotions feel like an old rag right now… just used up and saggy. But there is nothing small about my gratefulness to God and the deep, deep, full joy I have that we are all home. All of us. Under one roof. Together. Permanently.

How did the flights go? Amazing. Very little whining, good eating, almost not enough diapers. The seats which were not together were moved and they sat ALL together the Entire time… without having to ask for anybody to move for them! It couldn’t have been better!

How did last night go? Good! Anna woke up once crying… doesn’t remember it, but I climbed all the way into her bunk bed and held her for awhile. Later she woke up excited to ask me if it was Christmas! Guess she remembered it was an important night, but not which one. 😀 I was excited for her to see the streamers this morning! Maggie woke up a couple times fussing. Jordan slept until 3am. At 3am, he sometimes sat, sometimes was on all fours and he rocked, rubbing his head on the side of the pack n play. Brian moved to the futon to sleep better and I slept when Jordan slept. Fixing his blanket every once in awhile. He was doing really well, considering he had fallen asleep 12 hours earlier (at 3pm!). But, it was still hard to hear him rocking.

At 6am, I picked him up and he lay against me in the recliner, seeming too scared to move. Slowly, he moved more and we opened the curtains to stare outside. He decided it had been long enough since he’d eaten at 6:45 so our day began! Everybody’s feeling pretty good. Jordan had eggs and yogurt pureed for breakfast. He had chicken rice casserole for lunch. We found one of our straw cups he can use and he had juice after lunch too. More pictures, more details to come! We’re taking one little day at a time. Feeling the blessing of being together and praising God for his provision.

It was a huge effort to get little Jordan home. And it was a bargain. We are patiently looking forward to the next months and years as we discover our son and as he discovers his family and his world. We’re going to keep it low key for awhile, so we won’t have visitors yet. I will keep posting pictures here!

Jordan is rocking in his crib right now and Maggie is singing in bed instead of sleeping. Suppose I ought to try and tuck them in? Anna and Brian are out picking out a Christmas tree. Brian has very little work for the month of December… I can’t think of a better way to welcome Jordan home.

Our cup is overflowing. Thank you all.