Homecoming Week- Part 1 :-)

When I started thinking about everything that has happened this week it seems like it has lasted forever!! I am also overwhelmed by the number of people that go into making this a successful process and I can't begin to name and thank them all publicly. We are grateful to the staff of our agency, Lifeline, and to the staff of the organization that has cared so well for our boys for 4 years, Chances for Children.

The week (so far) in review:

Sunday:

As of Sunday we were still hoping to get visas by Monday so we could travel to bring our boys home, but we had not purchased tickets and we were unsure of the exact departure time/day but we knew it was soon!!! Our church family at Central Baptist hosted a wonderful adoption shower for us on Sunday night. The generosity and support of our church family has been overwhelming and we could never express the gratitude we feel for the love they have shown out family. 

Sunday ended with saying goodbyes to our family with hopes that we would be traveling on Monday. We gave Molly and Lincoln kisses and hugs and left them in the good hands of Meme and Papa. 

Monday: 

Monday was my first day back to work, but in anticipation of getting our visas (that we thought we would get 4 days before) we went to work packed to leave for Haiti. Joey worked in his classroom at school while we waited, praying for word that we could book tickets. At 1:41pm we got word from the embassy that we could book tickets. During our time of waiting we lost the tickets we wanted. but we were blessed to get affordable tickets that left Tuesday morning and arrived in Haiti Tuesday afternoon...so we booked. We traveled on down to Jacksonville on Monday afternoon so that we would not be late for our 6 am departure on Tuesday. I was an emotional wreck...I started crying at dinner Monday night when the waitress asked if we were out for a special occasion. I was so exhausted from the anticipation of travel that I was in bed by 8:00, knowing that 3am would come early. 

Tuesday:

Our alarms were set for 3am, but we were both awake at 2:30 so we just got up and prepared to leave for the airport. We departed at 6 am for our connector in NYC. Our connector was about an hour late. We arrived in Haiti around 4pm. After a quick stop at the grocery store we headed straight up to see the boys. As soon as we arrived at the guesthouse it started raining and by the time we had our luggage inside it was a full blown thunderstorm. Joey ran up the road to the creche to get the boys in the downpour. I waited at the guesthouse :-) The boys returned soaking wet with huge smiles on their faces! There wasn't too much time for playing that evening, but we squeezed in some time for PB&Js. We were greeted by another family that was their to pick up their son. If  I have to say one of the most encouraging and refreshing things about this process is knowing that you are not alone. This and several other families have been such incredible blessings to us on this journey. Tuesday finished with a bedtime story and prayers of thanksgiving. It seemed (still seems) surreal. 

Wednesday: 

Wednesday was another early morning because we had to go down to the embassy to pick up the boys' visas. Our flight had arrived too late on Tuesday to make it so we traveled down to the airport to pick up another adoptive mom coming to pick up her son and go to the embassy with her. The boys did great. They traveled very well. I was a little worried about what it would be like to be in a vehicle for several hours, but they did great. Visa pick up was very smooth and I was able to meet one of the officers who has been so kind and helpful in the last few weeks. 

Wednesday afternoon was spent saying goodbye to friends and nannies at the creche. The adoptive families brought candy and decorations for the kids to enjoy. In all honesty it was probably way too much sugar! It was another emotional time for me because their is no way to truly prepare the boys to know they they are leaving everything they have ever known as home and family. 

Thursday:

We packed up said goodbye one more time to those who have been so helpful to us along the way. There is no way to say how much we appreciate those who have helped my this journey possible. We rode with a departing family to the airport and then we were dropped off at our hotel in Petion-Ville. Our room wasn't ready so we sat around the pool area until they gave us our key. You can image the torture of sitting around the pool and not getting in...so as soon as we were in our room we changed for the pool. We did at little swimming, which was very entertaining for mom. Agendo is a daredevil, while Chancely took things a little slower. He did work up to putting his face in the water and jumping in to Dad. We had dinner at the hotel and they did great! It was obvious that they were experiencing a lot of firsts, but they handled it well. 

The boys were not so eager to go to bed when it was time, but I'm sure that the excitement and the unknown played a big role in the desire to stay awake. 

Last drive from the creche

Friday:

Today will probably be the longest day of the trip. We are ready to be home and today we are stuck in the hotel all day. No transitions...just at the hotel. We have already been to the pool and now we are watching a movie. Did I say we are ready to be home?!? We are missing Molly and Lincoln so badly!! Tomorrow Agendo and Chancely will become Americans!! I can't get this immigration paperwork out of my hands fast enough. 

We appreciate very much the thoughts and prayers of so many people. We have a few more days of travel, please pray it is smooth. Please continue to pray with us about the transition from a family of 4 to 6...it will definitely come with challenges. Pray that Joey and I have the wisdom and discretion for how to handle tough situations as they arise. 

Right now I am going to finish watching this movie with the boys and Joey...then I might catch a nap if I can convince two very wild boys to join me. :-) 

Please forgive the jumbled thoughts....it is difficult to summarize the many life changing events that have happened recently.