We are home and so thankful to be here and living life as a family of 5! I have been trying to find a moment to update the blog it has taken me until today to find a little window. So many of you have been so kind to check in and make sure we arrived safely so I wanted to let you all know that yes we did!
The flights went so much better than we could have ever hoped. Jeremiah fell asleep before we even took off from Addis and slept somewhere between 6 and 7 hours. He had a very active few hours in his seat, no interest in watching movies, but was never really too upset. His little friend was in the seat in front of him and she would stand up and check in with him every once in awhile. He took one more nap beforer we landed in DC and began our 8 hour layover. He really did great that day and even took a 2 hour nap on a pallet we had made onthe floor of an empy gate area. Another major blessing! The last flight was fine until the last 45 minute when he was "actively" playing with the tray table and some strong opinions about whether he wanted it up or down. When it came time to descend, he wan't happy that it had to be up. As he was melitng down, the flight attendant asked if his ears were hurting. I said "no, he is unhappy about the tray table",. She looked at him and pointed to the tray table and said "NO" and he never uttered another peep. I asked her if she would come home with us (haha).
We had a great welcoming committee at the airport and were so thankful to see so many loved ones and of course the girls were THRILLED/RELIEVED to see us. It was so surreal to get into the car as a family of 5 and make the drive home. To see him in our car after all the waiting, delays, prayers, etc..... amazing!
We had a great weekend... amazing weather to enjoy and a perfect timing to have the girls at home for 2 days. Our good friends from Birmingham had come up to welcome us home so we were able to spend some time with them on Saturday and enjoy watching Jeremiah explore his new world. It was a weekend of many firsts.... first time on a tricycle, first ride in a wagon, first time to sleep in his new room, first time he took a bath without crying, first time he went to the bathroom for us on the regular toilet and not the small one that I have to clean out.. (woohoo) and many others. We continue to be amazed at how well he has done and the strides he continues to make is amazing. He is so happy in the mornings and when he does get upset, it is usually because we have not allowed him to do something or have something he can't have. As I said before... typical 3 yr old behavior.
As I was reflecting about the past week and thinking about how all this has gone so well, I realized that I shouldn't be so shocked. The Lord has answered our prayers and given us the gift of a great first week. At any point in time, Jeremiah could begin to have a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad month. He has been through so many changes this week, but he has demonstrated his childlike faith in us. He falls asleep in our arms, he follows us when we ask him to, he wants to be with us and he doesn't try to run away from us. I think we can learn so much from Jeremiah about what it looks like to have childlike faith in our heavenly father!
I will try to keep you all updated on how he is doing but until then a few pictures and a big THANK YOU for keeping us in your prayers, for all your support, your encouragement, your excitement and walking with us on this journey to our son. He is a gift from the Lord and all of this has been worth it!
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| Let's get on that airplane! |
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I'm feeling very sleepy!
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| First tricycle ride |
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| First Wagon Ride |
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| Tony's wishful thinking!! |
