Thursday, June 23, 2011

Day #2: I'm Kind of a Big Deal


On Wednesday, we spent the morning shopping for some toys to help the boys remember their Ethiopia home.  We also made a trip to a local grcery store to stock up on formula & diapers.  I was also thrilled to find my favorite American cereals and whole wheat pasta that I can't buy in China.  With our shopping behind us, we were ready to set off to the care center to bring our boys home.

It's quite difficult to describe the emotions welling in our hearts and the thoughts racing through our heads as we were traveling down the familiar road to the care center.  But this tip wasn't like the trips we had made before.  This trip would not end in a goodbye.  This trip would double the size of our family and change things from here on out.  Everything felt so surreal.  We've been moving toward this day for so long that it was hard to grasp that it had finally arrived.  The joy & trepidation of parenthood took hold of me in a grasp of realism.  I remembered Jesus' words from the book of John that I had whispered to them last April: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

And then it was time.  We were there.  We pulled up to the metal gate of the care center.  Knocked once.  Knocked twice.  The gate opened, and we entered in to find our sons to bring them home.  The nannies were anticipating our arrival, and Sami's departure was particularly difficult for one of them.  We have been praying for the last six months that he would be cared for well and loved while we were separated.  Those prayers were answered in this woman.


She held Sami tight, kissed his fat cheeks, and cried over him as we prepared to leave.  I almost felt guilty for taking him away! 

Micah was a little charmer, waving goodbye to everyone as he put on his shoes.



The nannies had prepared special matching outfits for the boys to wear on their departure day.  This is what they said:


"I'm kind of a big deal."

Very appropriate for the occassion but not necessarily the sentiment I want carrying them through life!

With tears in my eyes and tears in the nannies' eyes, we finally managed to leave.  We were now together as an official family of four!


We headed back home for an afternoon full of firsts:


First bottles


First hugs


First play time

First dinner

First poopy diaper

Our first evening together as a family

The boys have done great so far.  There have been very few fits but instead a lot of hugs, smiles, laughs, and clapping.  Micah has been thrilled with all the attetion he's been receiving.  He loves the toys we brought for him, but what I think he loves more is that there aren't twenty other kids fighting for the same toys.  Just like the nanny said, Sami is fine.  He's content to chill on the floor or in our arms.  So I would say Day #1 of parenthood went much smoother than expected!

17 comments:

Brandon and April said...

I am in tears over here!!! PTL for the sweet woman that has been loving on your boys! PTL for a smooth first evening together! You four look perfect together, the boys look happy, and Bek, you look gorgeous in your new haircut!! Can't wait to see you guys and welcome the boys home!

Carrie said...

Perfect, perfect, perfect. Those nannies really do treat those kids like their own, it's a real blessing. I am happy beyond words for you guys!

Carrie said...

Oh ya, and I love the shirts :). I think spouting off "I'm kinda a big deal" all the while wearing a shirt with turquoise hearts takes a lot of guts. Way to go boys!

David Pope said...

Just ... awesome.

Chris & Sarah Peek said...

Crying tears of joy. Love you four.

Lynsey said...

How wonderful!

Kristen said...

I'm so excited that you have your boys in your arms...at last!

Susan/Mama said...

Wow, it does seem surreal. I'm so looking forward to more blog posts, some phone calls and most especially when I get to meet them in October. Love to you all.

Rachel said...

Oh my! We found the blue card and finally got on the internet and this was the first place I went. Such precious pictures!!! We are SO happy for you. What a beautiful family picture...wow! it seems surreal to me to (a bit) but they're right...they ARE kind of a big deal! Love it!

So eager to see you all soon!

Paul & Nat said...

I teared up when I saw the first official family photo! So glad for you all! I'm lifting up the plane ride home that all goes smoothly :)
-Nat

jscorbin said...

At least the shirt is blue ... a definite improvement over the pink. Safe travel for the whole family, and looking forward to the next new and improved video chat! Dad

Amber said...

sobbing like a baby over here...I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS!!!!!!!

Emily said...

That made me cry. I am soo happy and excited for you to be a mother to those two very lucky and special little boys! You're going to be a great mom!

Rachel said...

I am crying, too! So, so, so happy for you guys!

Ashley Claunch said...

This is wonderful!!! I am so happy for you guys! You have 2 precious sons! We also have a Micah (4) and a Sammy (2), crazy! So thankful that so many prayers have been answered! Reading your blog REALLY makes me miss you guys! God bless you all!

Matt and Sarah Pitts said...

Love it love it love!!!

Anonymous said...

Super cool to read! --James