We're Home
July 2009  |  September-November 2009  |  December 2009  |  February 2010  |  August 2010

July 2009 The morning of July 1st we scooped up our belongings, left the hotel, and headed toward the airport as the sun was beginning to peak up from the horizon. The excitement and anticipation seeped through our pores as we prepared for the final trek toward home. Checking luggage, juggling bags, and entertaining our toddler filled the morning. Braxton's leg was feeling pretty good and he seemed to sense the change in the air. As we entered the airport, he clung tightly around my neck and I could feel his tense muscles and rapid breathing. Bob, our guide, asked him why he was clinging to me like plastic wrap. Braxton's lower lip began to push forward as he confessed that he was very scared. Bob reassured him that all would be well and his travels would end in a safe, forever home. Braxton listened but I could tell by his grip around my neck that he would require some additional words of encouragement and patience from me. We readily got settled in to wait for our flight. Wyatt (Hao Hai- our little travel mate) loves vehicles and modes of transportation so he excitedly went to look at the airplanes from the window. I encouraged Braxton to join him and soon we were counting aircraft and he was arguing...er, uh, I mean discussing whether or not there was one left or two left...it was almost amusing. The first flight went without incident and the window seat provided Braxton with the distraction he needed. Once in Shanghai, we needed to make the connection and move through the international screening in order to exit the country. Just as we were coordinating the luggage, the tram and the new terminal, Braxton decided to become a superhero and jumped from the suitcase that he was perched on. (I know, I know- instead of getting a stroller, we had allowed him to perch up on a large suitcase for a fun carnival ride- a seatbelt should have been required). Sure enough when he landed, his superpowers failed him and he hit his little leg abruptly. This sent him into the familiar shaking, sweating, groping of the leg, and crying. We pulled out our handy Eastern topical concoction and applied it with zest. We maneuvered through security and raced to our gate. There we found an announcement that our flight was delayed until "it came in". When we asked the flight attendants when it would come in, they replied, "That has not yet been determined". What? Well, after 3 hours of delay, our aircraft arrived and we were cleared to board. The flight went fairly well. Braxton went to sleep almost immediately. I settled in to a movie provided by the airline and tried to let the time swiftly pass. When Braxton awoke from his little nap, I looked at the time and said, "Oh good, we only have another 11 hours of flying before we are home <insert sarcastic eye roll>." Fortunately, the flight went smoothly and Breanna, Braxton and I had an entire row to ourselves. This allowed us to stretch out a little and we survived the flight. Upon landing in the United States, I asked the flight attendant to explain to Braxton in Mandarin that we had completed our last flight. He did so and Braxton immediately got a worried expression across his face. He said. "But I wanted to go to America!" The flight attendant said, "You are in America." Braxton cheered, "YAY!!" We cleared immigration and on July 1st, 2009, Braxton became a U.S. citizen! Woo Hoo!! Next we got a rental car and completing the last leg of the long travel day. We arrived home just before 9:00pm. Oh to be home! Such a sweet, sweet site! I embraced my children and held tight. I hugged my friends and tears filled my eyes. The Lord saw us through and brought us home. Braxton was excited to finally see the siblings that he had only met through pictures. He hopped around the house and eagerly went from item to item and person to person. It was a joyous reunion.

Welcomed Site Joyous Homecoming Forever a Family Bonding with Yie Yie (Grandpa) Jetlag? No, we don’t have any jetlag! Sweet, smitten LOVE “Ask God for guidance and then hang on for the ride!” ~Rose Kennedy

The next morning we awoke and prepared for the memorial service for Bryan’s mom. Like the sun rising over the horizon for the start of a new day, my emotions rose from below the surface where I had safely preserved them in order to get home. I was quickly reminded of the grief that lingered just below the surface waiting for the safety of home before being allowed to emerge. We were now home and I allowed the emotions to fully come. Sadness, grief, memories of good times, confusion and questions over the circumstances of the accident all came to me; but not one of those emotions came without the clear understanding and promise that my God would see me through this too. As I processed the emotions I felt the assurance and peace that only comes from a loving, knowing Abba Father- my God. While Braxton’s journey is only beginning, and he entered a family when his new beloved grandmother left this earth, I am confident that God will see him through each and every obstacle that he comes across. We are in the process of getting him in to see the specialists that will assist us in helping Braxton to reach his fullest potential. He is learning how to be a part of a family and continues to transition well. English is coming along, expanding his food preferences is coming along, sleep is seamless, and I am confident that Braxton is going to continue to adjust wonderfully. Each day we continue to gaze into each other’s eyes with sparkles of delight and joy as we (Braxton, Bryan and myself) are giddy with excitement that God brought home this amazing little boy and so faithfully answered our prayers.” “All children come from God, for some the journey home just takes a little longer.” ~Unknown

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