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WE'RE HOME
November 1, 2006
| December 2,
2006 |
January 27, 2007 |
March 18, 2007
| September
3, 2007
Wednesday,
November 1, 2006 HOME = ONE WEEK
Our last leg of the journey HOME was no less uneventful with
travel challenges than how our journey to Malia began a few
weeks ago - Starting with a whole country shutting down their
air space (Thank You South Korea) which then resulted in missed
flights in Tokyo and of course our beloved Detroit which then
lead to a flight with mechanical “issues” which led to one last
½ mile sprint through the Detroit airport to get to a new plane.
This after being up 24 hours plus! I have to say, when the Pilot
came on about that mechanical issue - it was really the only
time in two weeks I saw Dee a little more than annoyed. Trust
me, she was the sane and stable one of “Lucy and Ethel go to
China!” And finally, remember that expensive piece of luggage
purchased in “crisis” in Nanning - on its way to baggage grave
yard as it is destroyed - Thank you Northwest! Advice on luggage
- the KMART brand is the best! I would like to think I’m expert
at maneuvering luggage off the conveyor belt after this trip yet
I was told I looked like Lucy Arnez in Shanghai…I was a little
more than slap happy at that point but I really thought I could
get all that luggage on one cart - I did for about 45 seconds!
And Tim, if you and Kim happen to read this - I really didn’t
mean to run you off the curve - hey , you were already off the
curve!
Malia managed to sleep through all the pomp and circumstance at
the U.S. Embassy in Guangzhou on the 24th. She was fully ready
for the Customs officer in Detroit on the 25th which was really
the 26th for us! After establishing the fact that she had no
fiancée (that I‘m aware of)- and I can’t remember all the other
“interesting” questions he asked while also giving a
dissertation on her name and how it would be pronounced if she
were from “Spain” - we were cleared for Step Two of Customs.
Step Two went quick but not without a few tears from Mom when
the officer pronounced that Malia was now a U.S. Citizen - not
quite as emotional for Malia but she had only been journeying
for about 10 days - for me - it had been 29 months!
But YES, we finally returned to Indy and were greeted by two
very excited little boys named Drew and PJ, God Mother Brooke,
Papaw Jim and Uncle Nick! Malia was initially terrified of
Tanner which of course terrified me a bit. But as Lynn says -
imagine if YOU were moved into a Chinese family’s home and they
had a Dragon…good analogy. Nevertheless, Tanner is my best bud
and the thought of these two not getting along was quite
concerning!
Fred and Sissy were our first guests the morning after arrival-
thanks Sissy for getting Nana’s car seat situated! Other than
feeling a bit jet lagged after the 24 hour plus trip - I thought
we were doing pretty well on Thursday a.m.--UNTIL early
afternoon when it seems that both Dee and I picked up some kind
of wicked - and I mean wicked bug on the plane(hit about the
time of your visit Pat). I called Dee and said I didn’t think I
was safe to be with a child alone. And I knew that Malia would
doubtfully let anyone other than Nana hold her! This “bug” left
me more than incapacitated - Kyla came over to relieve Dee and
stayed through the late evening! This was not how I envisioned
our first day HOME. Thank you Kyla- I don’t know what I would
have done without you!
Needless to say, we kept a very low profile on Friday - and I
think my fever finally broke late Friday night the 27th! By
Saturday, Malia and I were both in need of some fresh air! I did
have what I think is an Erma Bombeck moment on Sat. a.m. as I
had just gotten Malia down for a morning nap (this was after we
were up most of the night/wee hours of the morning) and I
thought yes, I can go the bathroom without a child on my lap -
BUT in walks Tanner who then proceeded to throw up all over the
bathroom? I loved Erma Bombeck but I have an even greater
appreciation for her now - God REST her soul! And so go our best
laid plans…
Sister Colleen popped over around noon on Sat to walk with us
down to the Halloween Festival in the blustering wind. Colleen
had a very keen and quick observation - “She is a bit of a drama
queen” - no doubt! Colleen seemed overjoyed with this reality?
Sorry we missed your play Colleen but we’ll be ready for the
next one in November!
Thank you Sue for bringing over the soup and the costumes -
should be interesting to see how our little drama queen performs
as a flower or a pumpkin!
I noticed after we returned from the Halloween Festival that
Malia had a summit meeting with Mr. Tanner - have no real idea
about how the truce was established - but I think after all the
strange people and animals Malia saw at the Halloween Festival -
It went something like this: “I know you are bigger than me; I
know you have been around and ruled the roost for the last 10
years - but this is MY Kingdom now - and you are welcome to stay
if you 1) Promise to not wear a hula costume or hot dog buns; 2)
If you can try to keep your tail out of my face…“ |
Where Have I Landed? ....I think I may need a coat?
How about sharing some of your golf balls Papaw?
Of course I can smile - when I want to...
And, speaking of BAD hair days...
Or ..maybe this is a face only a Mother could love?
Trick or Treat ?
Mom says - The BEST TREAT in the World! |
That was the best
I could catch as she shook her finger and then leaned the upper
half of her body sideways as if to say - Can you hear me NOW?
Pretty amazing to see how quickly these two are adjusting to one
another - and why was I so concerned? The Lion and the Lamb -
it’s a precious site - even if the Lion has more lamb traits and
vice versa!
Malia made it through her first church service without a peep -
while we “broke bread” together - she actually shared her fruit
puffs with ME during communion? Somehow, I do think Jesus would
have approved! After church, we stayed for a fundraiser for our
Disciples’ Pension - Ministerial Relief Fund. I was totally
amazed with her comfort level in a room full of strangers and as
she participated in the auction - she bid on container of
bubbles for ..$5.00. I told her it was for a very good cause and
to never regret spending money to assist others - especially
those “others” who have dedicated their life to making a
difference!
Later on Sunday, we were able to venture out east to spend some
time with God brothers Drew and PJ - the boys had picked out a
pumpkin for Malia and Aunt Brooke did the honors of carving for
her - There is a definite mutual admiration society being
birthed between Malia and the boys. Drew wasn’t too crazy about
Malia’s squeaky shoes though~
Malia had her first doctor’s visit here in America - and all
seems to be looking good . We will begin some more intense
testing next week . The doctor thinks she is a keeper - I sort
of came to that conclusion within the first 15 minutes of
holding her on October 16th. I am beginning to wonder about her
true origins though - she clicks with her mouth. There is a
tribe in Africa that has a similar “way”. I don’t know if there
are specific tests for discerning such “roots” but should make
speech therapy fun - for therapist and patient!? I was asked
about her word and sentence capacity yesterday- I suspect the
way she babbles she has quite the Cantonese vocabulary…larger
than mine but still rather limited on the English!
If we can get the sleep schedule and the diaper changing routine
down - we should be good for awhile( if you have ever tried to
change a diaper on a flying monkey - you might have some insight
on our diaper changing challenges)…I don’t know about her
flirting tendencies - she really has a way with those eyes - She
picked up a man from Monterey , Mexico in flight from Shanghai
to Tokyo - and he was so smitten with her - I think he walked up
to check on her every hour from Tokyo to Detroit. And, what a
treat to watch her with Tony - a young man whom I’ve known since
he was Malia’s age and is now a Freshman at Ball State = maybe
she has good taste - ey Tony? But how about Tony’s cousin Jake -
wow - you are IN good friend - quite clear you have won the
favorite award at this point - and we hope you walk down here to
our house often to see your new “friend”!
While it is wonderful to be home - we do miss our traveling
companions/aka as extended family - We hope everyone made it
home safely! Looking forward to our first reunion - perhaps in
Indy?
I marvel at the changes Malia has made in 2 weeks - how she has
already flown more miles and experienced more changes than many
(most) folks do in a life time.
I can hardly speak much less write without getting pretty choked
with emotion - How blessed I am to have the absolute privilege
to parent this child - what an awesome gift - what an even more
awesome responsibility. The village continues to gather in
support from far and wide via phone, email, visits, meals, and I
thank you all for your love and support - and trust me - if you
get to see Malia laugh - your heart will totally be full of joy
and thanksgiving for the miracle of LIFE!
It is quite hard to believe that we have been home a week - I
think time passes more quickly here than in China? Malia slept
through the night last night for the first time since we’ve been
home. We give thanks for small as well as BIG miracles!
I understand there are a lot of folks who have been following
the journey who haven’t signed the guest book - And even some
who say - how can you stop now - keep writing - Malia has become
a part of our routine. I suspect I will find her daily growth
full of wonder and amazement as only a parent can do - so our
update will probably only be a couple of times a month! Thank
you for sharing Malia with others - I definitely think she is
worth sharing!! And, I do believe the Red Thread will continue
to work in mysterious ways!
Stay tuned.
Here’s to the journey of thousands of miles to come!
Xoxoxoxoxox
Malia, Tanner - and Barb |
Web site by
myadoptionwebsite.com
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