We are home! We arrived home around midnight December 9th. We were scheduled to make a slightly earlier arrival; however, our plane out of Chicago was delayed. So after a long,long day of travel, we finally made it home. There was never a more wonderful sight for this momma's "teary" eyes than to see my precious group of treasures waiting for us with welcome signs. After hugs and kisses all around, we grabbed the luggage, piled it into the car, and headed out for the hour long trip home. Everyone was so excited, laughing, and talking at the same time. I just sat back and took it all in even in my "dazed" like state of being. We were thrilled to watch Toby's reaction to all his siblings and laughed a lot at his exhuberance. He grabbed his picture book up and started pointing at the pictures, and then he would look up at each sibling saying "ge ge" or "jie jie", and then he would just shake his head. I think he was just processing that the people in the pictures were real. After he had assured himeself that they were indeed real, he just kept running around grabbing their hands or alternately giving hugs to all 6 of his siblings. After handing out the few souvenirs we brought for each kiddo,we had a little catch up time. Finally, worn out, we all went to bed and slept until about 11am the next day (with a couple of wake up times in between...but, with no other options given, we convinced Toby that it was indeed time to sleep). There is no rest for the weary around this place because we had to return to work in the Children's Ministry that Sunday. We spent a good bit of time Saturday working on preparation for Sunday morning, and then when "jet-lag" got the best of us...sleeping. Sunday arrived, and we were off and running. All the kids were gathering around and welcoming Toby into the church family. They were all so good with him and just wanted to love on him all morning. He was thrilled to run around and make friends with everyone, and not so thrilled when momma drew him back in and made him ride in the carrier attached to his momma all morning.
 |
| Since we couldn't take red couch pictures at the White Swan |
 |
| Smiling less than five seconds after the meltdown over having to be still long enough for a picture |
 |
| Welcome Home Toby, Welcome Home! .... my 7 treasures together at last |
I have to say that I tried to approach "jet-lag" in a totally different way this time back, but no matter which way you try to tackle it, it is still "BAD". It has really been knocking me off my feet. I have often wondered if I had some sort of virus or something to go along with it because I have been so tired and just felt lousy. Some days are definitely better than others. I think I am finally "getting over it" and reasdjusting to U.S. time, but then there are days like today when I am so tired I fall asleep sitting up (and that is after sleeping 7-8 hours). Brad, Garrett, and even Toby readjusted quickly in the first 2-3 days. Toby sleeps through the night even with taking a two hour nap. We are counting our blessings and feeling very blessed that Toby is adjusting so very well because we know only too well that it can be very different. Least you think everything is easy, Toby is having his share of meltdowns. He doesn't like to go to bed or take naps, and we see some major "temper-tantrums" at the mere mention of nighty-night. We are still working on attachment issues, but he is learning and starting to accept love, hugs and kisses. He is finally allowing mommy to care for his needs, to rock him and to hold him on occassion. We are seeing that he rushes through all the motions at the moment...only allowing us to cuddle, hug and feed him because he has "accepted" his fate. However, first steps first... we know that these actions will eventually lead to the "real" thing and often many "hurting" children cannot even give this much.. He loves cuddling and hugs way too much to turn them away for too long...it is just an adjustment to know that you have a mommy and daddy who love you forever. And that he does... He has a mommy, daddy, 4 brothers, and 2 sisters that are head over heals in love with him, and he has a forever family! Praise the Lord for He is Good!!!
