Highlights from our First Day Home--Transformation of Zhuang Zhuang

What a wonderful heart-warming welcome we received upon arriving home yesterday, too many friends and family members to count, perhaps. All seven of my children were together at last!

I was pleased with the boys' first night's sleep here at home. We didn't get to bed until around 1 a.m., but the boys were asleep quickly. They got up sometime just after 6, and while that doesn't sound like much sleep, I was pleased with 5 hours straight for the first night.

Today was the sweetest day with Zhuang Zhuang yet. How would we ever know why today was different? Is is because he knows he is home? Is it because he has now travelled around the world with us, and he realized we are constant? I don't know, but this morning, when he asked me several times to pick him up. When he wrapped his legs around me and kissed my face, my heart was singing.

What a wonderful worship service we attended this morning, with our Youmans Chapel Church family, those who have been with us, prayed with us, loved on us, and supported us from the beginning of this adoption process.

Not a typical first day home, we spent time with extended family. That would not normally have been how I would suggest one spend their first day home, but we had sad circumstances. My cousin's husband passed away. She and I were very close growing up, and I wanted to spend some time with her. When she was happy to see me come in her front door, I was glad we went.

After we came home, I let the boys play in the back yard for nearly 2 hours. They were dirty, sweaty, and tired.

A bath, then noddles, brushing teeth, and up the stairs. The boys were so tired....the girls came to their room for prayers. Before the girls made it across the balcony and settled in their own beds, Qing Zhuang and Zhuang Zhuang were asleep.