Since it will be several years before our soon-to-be family of six will be ready for a 15-hour road trip, we decided to fly to Texas over Labor Day weekend to see Abram's birth family. We had an incredibly wonderful time. We love them all so much!
And thanks to their permission, I am posting pictures from our trip. A lot of pictures. Don't say I didn't warn you! I should have probably done a few different posts, but this is easier. :)
Abram did great on the plane rides - thankfully!
We went to dinner with Tia Leti, Mimo and Abram's brother the first night.
We went to dinner with Tia Leti, Mimo and Abram's brother the first night.
The boys had fun playing "swords" with their silverware!
And then had fun playing in the park.
Little brother . . . big brother.
Going to look at the horse.
Saying goodnight.
On Saturday morning we met them at a different park for a walk (for Lupus) Leti was doing with her co-workers. But, before walking, the boys enjoyed donuts together!
Abram getting some brotherly advice.
Saturday night we met them - plus Amber and Leti's husband, Richard - for dinner. This time the boys had fun throwing sugar packets. They were laughing so hard!
Abram with his Momma Amber.
With Uncle Richard
God blessed Abram with two moms!
As we were all sitting around the table Mimo said, "This is a dream come true."We agreed. It was a dream come true for us, too.
Love this one!
We were going to go to a park after dinner, but a storm was rolling in so we called it a night and planned to see them the next day.
On Sunday we met Tia Leti and Mimo at the mall because it was raining outside. Uncle Richard told Tia Leti to let Abram pick out a book at the bookstore. After picking up and looking at several, he found a Thomas the Train book and said, "This is mine." Here they are on their way to pay for his book.
And reading his book.
Then we went to McDonalds so the boys could play at Playland. 
The boys did what brothers do: they played and shared nuggets for dinner.
Mimo and her grandsons.
Abram may have stolen some of his Tia Leti's sweet tea. Pretty sure he stole her heart a long time ago!
What is a vacation without Starbucks?!
On Monday afternoon, we had the great blessing of getting to meet Abram's great-grandma, Grandma-Fina (as they all call her).
Little brother . . . big brother.
Going to look at the horse.
Saying goodnight.
Jason taught the boys a hand-shake (stolen from Bobby & Owen Scott!) to do together.
On Saturday morning we met them at a different park for a walk (for Lupus) Leti was doing with her co-workers. But, before walking, the boys enjoyed donuts together!
Abram getting some brotherly advice.
Saturday night we met them - plus Amber and Leti's husband, Richard - for dinner. This time the boys had fun throwing sugar packets. They were laughing so hard!
Abram with his Momma Amber.
With Uncle Richard
God blessed Abram with two moms!
As we were all sitting around the table Mimo said, "This is a dream come true."We agreed. It was a dream come true for us, too.
Love this one!
We were going to go to a park after dinner, but a storm was rolling in so we called it a night and planned to see them the next day.
On Sunday we met Tia Leti and Mimo at the mall because it was raining outside. Uncle Richard told Tia Leti to let Abram pick out a book at the bookstore. After picking up and looking at several, he found a Thomas the Train book and said, "This is mine." Here they are on their way to pay for his book.And reading his book.Then we went to McDonalds so the boys could play at Playland. The boys did what brothers do: they played and shared nuggets for dinner.Mimo and her grandsons.Abram may have stolen some of his Tia Leti's sweet tea. Pretty sure he stole her heart a long time ago!
Abram and Jason came up with a new game while we were there: Texas T-Ball. Just put a ball on top of a cactus and swing!
What is a vacation without Starbucks?!
On Monday afternoon, we had the great blessing of getting to meet Abram's great-grandma, Grandma-Fina (as they all call her).
Priceless.
And Abram got to see his big sister.
Abram's brother gave Abram two of his toys - a train and a giraffe. How sweet is that?!
There was a lot of soccer playing in the back yard. First with Tia Leti.
Then with his brother.
Even Mimo got in on the action.
And so did his sister.
Leti and Amber's cousin, Jacky, also spent the afternoon with us.
The soccer fans looking on!
More fun with Uncle Richard.
Getting to simply hang out at Grandma-Fina's house with all the family - and meeting several new family members - was a priceless blessing.
Saying goodbye to Grandma-Fina.
Then we drove to a park to eat pizza and let the kids to run around and play.
During our time in the park Abram's brother said, "This was a good family day." None of us could have said it better!
Hanging out with Uncle Richard.
Tia Leti in action!
Feeding the ducks & fish.
Jacky's son came with us, too.
Abram with Jacky.
Leti and I were picture-taking-partners-in-crime!
And then . . . ahem, the time came to have to say good-bye. The worst part of the whole trip. It was not without a lot of tears.
God blessed our time with them beyond belief. Our time with them was wonderful, fun, enjoyable, meaningful and memorable. But, it was also painful and heart-wrenching to have to say goodbye - even more so for them, I am sure. The loss and grief that adoption is built upon doesn't go away after you leave the hospital. It creeps in at birthdays, holidays and other times . . . like having a wonderful reunion Abram's birth family.
But, this is adoption.
And it is worth it.
