Back Home Again

In keeping with the pattern of everything on this trip working out as planned, we made it home last night with almost no delay. We left Lona and Dave's at about 6:00 in the morning their time (8:00 in the evening on Monday) and basically spent over 24 hours travelling until we got here at about 11:00 p.m. time. Except for the very last flight from Chicago, which was delayed 25 minutes, everything was on time and all of our baggage came with us. Amanda and I didn't sleep much at all on any of the flights, but I think we were just so pumped to get home, we were functioning on adrenalin.

It was so refreshing to get back to the States. One thing that is so noticeable about American people after being in foreign countries is how friendly most people are. It was very difficult to get so much as a smile from anyone in the countries where we traveled, and everyone was so quiet. Even if Americans have the reputation of being loud, we were glad to hear people talking and laughing and actually smiling back at us. And on the flight from Chicago, we were practically celebrities to the people sitting around us. Everyone asked about Anara and gave her so much attention. Maybe it's even more of a Midwest thing than an American thing...whatever, we were just glad to be back.

Walking from the gate to the security checkpoint, we knew some family and friends would be waiting. But when we got there, Amanda and I both immediately went to Violet. The poor girl had been up about four hours past her bedtime and looked so tired, but she gave us a good look and then some hugs and kisses that were worth the wait. And she felt so heavy to us! We both thought she must have put on about 5 lbs. while we were gone, but I'm sure it was only the contrast from having carried around 15 lb. Anara for the past week. Violet was immediately interested in Anara, and kept asking to "see baby Nawa." Unprompted, she gave her several kisses on her forehead. It was great, even if somewhat overwhelming, seeing everyone, but it was the sweetest and most emotional homecoming we've ever had, just like I knew it would be.

I drove the minivan home with my two girls in the backseat, and Violet repeating, "Hi baby A-nawa," and "Hi Mommy," and "Hi Daddy" all the way. While we were gone, we were told there was going to be a surprise waiting for us when we got back. We knew our brothers, Andrew, Bryan and Joel, had something to do with it and were going to be working on something together. We speculated on what it might be, but were not prepared for what it actually was.

Amanda and I had started working on a large closet upstairs to eventually turn it into a playroom for our kids someday. And we had talked about re-doing the guest bedroom where the closet/playroom is and making that the girls' bedroom. But that was a someday project...maybe I would pick up that project later this summer after the dust had settled from the adoption. So when we got home and saw what our brothers, with the help of Joel's wife Nicole, and our friends Christina, Greg and Alison, had done, we were completely blown away.

In one week, they completely turned those two rooms into more than what we ever thought we would do ourselves. It was incredible. I thought there might be hidden cameras somewhere filming it all for 'While You Were Out' or one of those other shows. It was that good. They put hours and hours of work into it. We are still overwhelmed and humbled that they did that for us...as if we haven't been blessed enough by the generosity and service of our friends and family lately.

We really can't say enough about the extent of how people have given of themselves throughout this adoption process, and we will never be able to repay it. I guess we'll just have to learn to humbly accept it and hopefully take opportunities to give and serve and pray for others in the same way. Anyway, we are extremely happy to be home and can't wait for you all to meet Anara!

Sisters united.

The only 'before' shot I could find of the room that was redone.

The new girls' room.

Door to the new playroom.

The playhouse in the playroom.

Big chalkboard welcoming Anara home with scribbles from Violet.