Ahh....
This is the part where we breathe a collective sigh of relief.
We made it home to the most beautiful white Christmas. There were a few dark moments on the long flight from Hong Kong to Detroit where I thought we'd never make it home in one piece. Between Maimie feeling air sick to Saidie melting down over the potty flushing in the airplane bathroom it wasn't one of our best Christmas Eve memories. But probably the very worst moment came when we reached our home airport and couldn't land due to the snowstorm. The pilot said we might go back to Detroit, but circled the area for quite awhile to see if sand on the runway would be enough for us to land. Let's just say there was some pretty heavy prayer going on in that airplane. I'm sure that everyone aboard wanted to land and get to their Christmas festivities, but we had been traveling for over 20 hours at that point and just wanted to go home.
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| In front of our hotel in Hong Kong |
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| Hong Kong Airport |
Mom and Dad met us at the airport and helped us get the luggage home and had our dinner ready. There were fresh fruits, milk, and bread waiting as well.
IT FEELS SO GOOD TO BE HOME!
Even though our China journey is over, the hard part is just beginning. We have a lot of work to do, but I think over time Saidie will bond and attach and understand that we are her family. It will take time to teach her to be gentle and kind and to learn our rules. It will take time for her to relinquish some of her independence and control and to let us lead her. It will take a lot of patience and persistence to teach her to communicate with us and to not shut down when she doesn't get her way. But we have time.
6 comments:
So glad you could land! What a relief to be home and have your little girl with you.
Wow! I am extremely happy to hear you are safe and sound and back in your home. Praise God to whom all blessings flow!
I am so thankful that you made it home safely. You have been on my mind and in my prayers so much these last couple weeks. We can't wait to meet little Saidie!
Love,
Paula
The Journal Star has had a series about "My Most Memorable Christmas Gift". Well....this year was definitely our most memorable Christmas so far! The anticipation of seeing all 7 of you at the airport was almost more than we could contain at times but it escalated last evening when the time for your plane to arrive came and went and then someone who was also waiting for their loved ones on the same flight got a text saying the plane was thinking about going back to Detroit! Everyone in the airport just moaned! We quickly sent up "another" prayer for the pilot to take mercy because you were so close to being home after such a long journey! The Lord answered our prayers and an hour later than expected we saw you coming down the escalator. Grandma never took stairs so quickly but when I saw Monica with Saidie in her arms I was elated (with a few tears on both of our cheeks). Saidie was very cautious at first but soon had smiles for us. It was so sweet to touch her little hands and face.
What a reunion! Hugs all around and welcoming everyone to a "White Christmas". When you brought Maimie home it was a carbon copy except Steve had to drive from Chicago to Peoria in a snow storm.
God brought you this far in your adoption story and He certainly won't leave you now. He will give you wisdom in how to show your love to Saidie and she will eventually realize you are her family and are there to take care of her. She is a sweet little thing and will open up soon.
Imagine that washer and dryer will be humming non-stop for the next few days catching up on all the laundry from your trip! Better than washing things out in the sink!
It was so sweet when we left and we waved to Saidie and she waved her little hand. She giggled when I blew her a kiss and tried to mimic the same. Imagine the next time she will be doing it on her own!
Love you guys and so glad to have you home! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
In Christian Love,
Grandma & Grandpa
It has been so VERY interesting to read your blog during your trip. Pictures have been great too. God has given you folks such full and open hearts for these little girls, both are quite cute. There will be days full of challenges. Will be interesting to see how things change with both girls. Does there seem to be bonding between them at all? Thanks for your dad letting me in on this great secret. Have really enjoyed it. chuck cobb
It sounds like Saidie is having some of the issues we have with each of our girls... Zoe is aggressive and throws tantrums when she doesn't get her way... Lilah after 18 months still shuts down when she is in trouble. It does take time! I am glad you are home safe and sound and hopefully the jetlag isn't too bad!
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