We got home yesterday about 7 pm central time. Leslie and I were both completely spent after hardly sleeping over the previous 24 hour period. We stood there waiting to get off the plane feeling a little emotional knowing we were finally home and excited to see our other children. Three couples sitting around us were asking questions about Jack and our journey to get him. Telling the abbreviated version added to the emotions. As we exited the jetway and entered the terminal, we were met with screaming, cheering and clapping of family and friends who were watching for us through the glass and waiting with signs, balloons, and cameras. Including children, we had 40 people there to welcome us home. Our emotions definately got the better of us as we embraced our crying children who were happy to see us and so excited to meet their new little brother. We knew some people were going to be at the airport, but we did not expect that kind of turnout. We were blown away and humbled. After a sometimes lonely, very busy, often stressful, and very exhausting trip, it was so nice to return home to such a warm and exciting welcome. It was really amazing to see Jack interact with his new siblings and friends (that include other little adopted children, 3 of whom are from China). Then right there in the terminal as we are all crying, hugging and catching up, all 40 people broke out singing "Happy Birthday" to Jack. How amazing it was to be home! We drove home for 45 minutes with just Leslie and I and all 4 of our children. We caught up on their last 2-1/2 weeks and they spent some time to get to know Jack a little better. As we arrived home, we discovered there were more suprises from our friends waiting for us there. We found very generous gifts for our kids and ourselves, plenty of food, and a birthday cake and birthday presents for Jack. Again..."thank you" just doesn't feel like enough. As tired as we were, we couldn't help but to stay up and visit with the kids and Leslie's folks. We caught up on the time that we were gone, enjoyed showing Jack his new toys and his bedroom. Then of course, we had to give the kids the gifts we bought them in China. I think we finally got to bed around 11:30 which was some 28 hours after we had started our trip home. It has been amazing to see the way that God has shown up in even the smallest details throughout this trip and everything leading up to our journey to China. Again, thank you to everyone who followed along with our journey. Thank you for your posts, texts, FB messages, Skype messages, e-mails, calls, thoughts, and prayers. Thank you for those who took time out to organize and be a part of our coming home festivities and to those who couldn't make it. The support everyone has shown us throughout this journey has been truely amazing and very appreciated.
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