We're Home
September 3, 2007  |  November 18, 2007

Monday, September 3, 2007 WE'RE FINALLY HOME AND OH SO GRATEFUL! We are sorry this update has taken some time but the jet lag has really been difficult for me and for the baby. Twenty-six hours with no sleep is tough. Our 15-hour flight to Newark was good, Ju-lie slept on and off. We did not, but at least it was relatively peaceful. When we arrived in Newark we had a two-hour layover until our connecting flight home. While that seemed like a sufficient amount of time, we barely made it to the gate. That was stressful, especially lugging a baby too! But as of August 31st our little one is a proud US Citizen. It is hard to find the right words to describe the feeling when we came down the hallway and saw our two sons for the first time in two long weeks. All I could do was cry and release all those feelings I tried so hard to keep in check while we were away. I was grateful just to be able to see them in person, so happy to see their smiles, and the joy in feeling their hugs is indescribable. Then as my gaze shifted from them to our other family waiting, I realized just how many people really were there to greet us. There had to be almost forty family members and friends. I felt like we were celebrities! The outpouring of love in that simple gesture we will always remember. To each person who took the time to drive to the airport, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You all truly looked like angels on earth to us. Our hearts were so sore and lonely and it was all wiped away in an instant seeing you. We are so blessed and so is Ju-lie, to come home to this huge circle of love. God is good; all the time, God is good. Now that we have been home for two days, we are happy to report that our little one is blending nicely with her new family. Within one hour of meeting her two big brothers, she gave them each a kiss. It was so tender and sweet. Each one had his heart stolen at that moment. She also loves her Papa so. I think her favorite thing, and his too, is when she pretends to feed him at meal times. She is always leaning over to share with him. So cute! As for our black lab, well that’s another story. I underestimated how difficult this would be for her. Our dog is very loving and even intuitive if I dare use that word with a pet. She knows that this little one is special, but feels out of sorts with the changes. Ju-lie is fearful of her so we have been using the baby gate to regulate the amount of time they spend together. Each day gets better, we will all be glad when the fear is gone and both baby and doggie have bonded too. Overall, Ju-lie is a brave little girl. She has had so many changes in environment, in food, new faces and new experiences! When we think about them all we are in awe of her resilience and all the other babies too. One thing we are certain of is that love conquers all. We can see this hour by hour and it is such a joy for all of us. Discovering this new little one and sharing our lives with her is truly a gift. We have so much to be thankful for.   FINAL PRAYERS AND PRAISES: Lord, we give you praise for joining our hearts with this little that you have chosen for us. We praise you for making us a family of five. We praise you for our loving family and friends who share in our joy. Our prayers are as always for Ju-lie’s safety, good health, smooth transitioning and bonding into our family. Lord, help us to have patience, endurance and wisdom as we continue parenting our three children. We praise you Lord for her birth parents, may they feel peace with their decision. Also for the nannies, who so lovingly cared for her. Lord, we ask that you also be with the other families who are in the long wait to receive their referrals. Grant them patience and peace. Also, for the families who are traveling now, keep them safe in their journey. And lastly for the families home with their new addition, give them wisdom, patience and rest as they continue their lives together. In your Son Jesus’ Mighty name we pray all these things, AMEN.

Matthew and Ju-lie The Kids: Mitchell, Ju-lie, Matthew Mitchell and Ju-lie

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