Boys at breakfast (at the hotel). Eggs are a big hit with all three kids.
After breakfast when we went to our room, I didn't even tell the girls to brush their teeth, but this is what I found in the bathroom:
So cute!
After breakfast when we went to our room, I didn't even tell the girls to brush their teeth, but this is what I found in the bathroom:
So cute!
Ready for the ride home (P.S. The Camelbak water bottles are also a huge hit -1) I think they like the sucking part of it and 2) they have probably never had as much water to drink as they wanted. The girls love to fill up their bottles with ice and water several times a day. And they LOVE to eat ice!)
As soon as we got home and showed the kids around the house, the girls wanted to go out back and play. It was one of the most precious moments: All four kids were smiling ear-to-ear, laughing a ton and having a BLAST swinging on the swing set. (And we have realized we are quickly going to outgrow this one by next spring. Let me know if you know anyone wanting to get rid of a bigger/more sturdy one.)
More swinging. And again on Sunday, they spent tons of time out back on the swings, laughing, singing, talking and having a great time. It is wonderful to see them so happy. And to see them have EACH OTHER. I can't imagine what this would be like for them if they didn't have each other. They play together most of the time (so far).
After dinner, they found the doll house (Kate and my old doll house!).
And then, the other MAJOR highlight was when the Scotts came over (they were planning to go to the airport, but a last minute technical difficulty kept them from being able to go). The girls were sitting at the table about to eat when the doorbell rang. I waited a few seconds and then looked at them and said, "Owen Kabamba." Both girls' eyes lit up and they JUMPED out of their seats, ran to the front door and picked up Owen and spun him around (I think). I'm unclear on the very last part because by that time, Maria and I were hugging each other, bawling our eyes out. It was a pretty incredible moment (and Bobby got it on video - yay!).
Aside from the fact that our kids' first stop in Iowa had to be The Largest Truck Stop in the World (which I chose because it has a Taco Bell and I knew that we could get chicken and rice there) . . . this was ADORABLE! Oh, and I should stop right here and say the fact that my WHOLE family traveled every mile of our journey to Chicago and back with us, stopping when we stopped, etc. was THE BIGGEST BLESSING! Having them help with Abram so we could focus on the other three was huge, Mya and Sydney being able to easily interact with our girls was great and just being there for moral support helped me get through.
As soon as we got home and showed the kids around the house, the girls wanted to go out back and play. It was one of the most precious moments: All four kids were smiling ear-to-ear, laughing a ton and having a BLAST swinging on the swing set. (And we have realized we are quickly going to outgrow this one by next spring. Let me know if you know anyone wanting to get rid of a bigger/more sturdy one.)
And then they moved onto soccer.
More swinging. And again on Sunday, they spent tons of time out back on the swings, laughing, singing, talking and having a great time. It is wonderful to see them so happy. And to see them have EACH OTHER. I can't imagine what this would be like for them if they didn't have each other. They play together most of the time (so far).
After dinner, they found the doll house (Kate and my old doll house!).
And then, the other MAJOR highlight was when the Scotts came over (they were planning to go to the airport, but a last minute technical difficulty kept them from being able to go). The girls were sitting at the table about to eat when the doorbell rang. I waited a few seconds and then looked at them and said, "Owen Kabamba." Both girls' eyes lit up and they JUMPED out of their seats, ran to the front door and picked up Owen and spun him around (I think). I'm unclear on the very last part because by that time, Maria and I were hugging each other, bawling our eyes out. It was a pretty incredible moment (and Bobby got it on video - yay!).
After we ate, the kids played together.
This picture is blury, but it shows you just how excited Owen was. I'm pretty sure he had that look on his face the whole time he was here. Maria said that Owen talks a lot about Zoe and that it seemed they did a lot together in Congo (look, I can say it now!). In fact, we are now pretty certain our kids and Owen were in the same foster home. Owen and Zoe chased each other around the room, laughing hysterically.
Just a year and a half ago, Bobby, Maria, Jason and I were sitting in the living room of our old house together, hanging out because we had both just started the adoption process. We all remember saying back then, "Can you imagine if the kids you guys adopt know the kids that we adopt? Can you imagine what it would be like when they saw each other here in Ames?" Well, we got to see it and it was an incredibly beautiful sight.
Just a year and a half ago, Bobby, Maria, Jason and I were sitting in the living room of our old house together, hanging out because we had both just started the adoption process. We all remember saying back then, "Can you imagine if the kids you guys adopt know the kids that we adopt? Can you imagine what it would be like when they saw each other here in Ames?" Well, we got to see it and it was an incredibly beautiful sight.
Our God is amazing. He has done great things!
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. (Psalm 40:5)
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