Video~ Isabella's Homecoming

Our plane landed late in the evening on April 30, 2008. Isabella was completely asleep in my arms on the plane and had zero interest at being awakened, changed and primped for her first meeting with her extended forever family. She was a trooper, though! It was the best feeling in the world to see our whole family waiting for us (with signs and balloons) when we got off the plane. My favorite moment was when I had just gotten off the escalator and I had all three of my kids in my arms for the first time. It was brief, but it was probably the best moment of my entire life! It was so hard being away from the boys for nearly a month while I was in Guatemala. Seeing them love and hold their sister right away made it all worth it. I think Isabella's favorite moment was when Grami handed her an Elmo balloon. She stared at that thing the whole night. We still have it. I think she thinks it's another member of the family! How am I going to break it it her? Just kidding!

"The Lord has done GREAT things for us, and we are filled with joy." (Psalm 126:3)

Isabella's Room

Here are some pictures of Isabella's room. I'm so happy with how it turned out! It feels peaceful and girlie. Kirk and the boys worked so hard on every detail while I was staying in Antigua. Nice job, guys!!!

This is my dearest friend, Heather, with Isabella. Heather drove three hours to just "drop by and say hi" and meet Isabella.

We painted the walls with "Pottery Barn" green before I left for Guatemala. My dream was to install wainscoting. I just love that look. Kirk installed it, but later told me is was WAY more work that he anticipated. Thanks, Kirk. It looks beautiful!!!

This is the changing table that my friend, Kim, made for me. After she painted it white, she had every family member stop by her house and put their thumb prints on it to create cute, little characters. Then each person signed it. Some of the creatures they created with their thumb prints were butterflies, flowers, frogs, bees and ladybugs. When Isabella and I arrived home from Guatemala, this changing table was waiting in her room. Everyone from both sides of our family participated. I was blown away!

Above the changing table is an actual photo album set inside a frame. My sister-in-law, Julie, made it for Isabella.

The butterflies hanging from the ceiling are Isabella's favorite part of her room. She wants to touch them when she gets up in the morning and when she goes to bed at night. I am so surprised at how quickly she is acquiring a passive English vocabulary. When I ask her where her butterflies are, she looks up and points to them.

This little Guatemalan dolly sits on her dresser. It's so cute! It reminds me of the dolls in the Small World ride at Disneyland.

I just love this little box. It was hand painted in Antigua. Every day I walked those same streets with Isabella snuggled in her Bjorn. It brings back such good memories... and kind of funny ones too... Like all the times I got scolded by the Guatemalan women for not piercing Isabella's ears.

I know this is not part of her room, but I just had to show you this wooden fruit I got at the outdoor market in Guatemala City. My blogger friend, Melissa, told me about it, so we checked it out. They are just beautiful and so real looking (except for the banana). I love unique treasures from far away lands!

Random Pics at Home

Here are a few pictures from our second week home...

Still just two teeth but working on more!

Isabella is so different than the boys at 10 months. They were into banging and making lots of noise. Bella is so careful and prefers working on her fine motor skills. She is so gentle and loves to snuggle. The differences between boys and girls is so interesting to me.

She's not crawling yet, but she's super good at scooting backwards!


Sweet girl

Happy Mother's Day

Today was such a special day for me. It was my first Mother's Day with my family COMPLETE! Oh, it is such an amazing feeling! It was a long road, but we made it!

This morning, under Kirk's supervision, Luke made me heart-shaped waffles and Josh made scrambled eggs. Then they went out into the yard and picked some roses and put them into a vase. They brought me breakfast in bed, along with orange juice in a very fancy glass. The whole family was laying on the bed together talking as I ate my special Mother's Day breakfast. It truly was the best feeling in the world. It's moments like these that I've dreamed about for so long. They're just "moments", but they completely fill my heart. Each boy made me a special handmade card that reflects their individual personalities... Luke's was a poem. It was precise and gorgeous, with carefully chosen words. Josh's was colorful and funny, with a handmade envelope with so much tape on it, he might have used the whole roll! Oh, I love my boys!!! Isabella (with Daddy's help) gave me a beautiful "rocker" shirt and a matching one for Isabella. Thank you, Kirk! You completely blew me away!

This picture is my TREASURE! This is my first picture with four generations of girls... my grandma (age 89), my mom, Isabella and I.

The back of our matching "rocker" shirts

Close-up of our shirts while Isabella grabs a nap

I walked into the living room tonight and this is what I saw. Josh is always up to something to make us laugh!

After a long Mother's Day with two family parties (Kirk's family and my family) we look a little bit bedraggled, but I couldn't be happier or more thankful.

Wow! Do I REALLY have THREE kids? What in the heck? How did THAT happen? Can you tell it hasn't sunk in yet?!

I feel blessed beyond measure.

Thank you, Jesus, for my family.

HOME is the Best Place of all!

We've been home almost one week, although it feels like no time has passed. Isabella is doing so wonderfully! I'm amazed at her adaptability. She has melded right into our family's schedule- and has already been to two baseball games to watch her big brothers play. She has been so happy and smiles and claps at everyone who comes to talk to her. She is pure JOY! People seem to comment the most about how happy and peaceful she is, especially considering she spent her first nine months in an orphanage. I tell them it's proof positive that God answers prayer!

This last week has been one "party" after the other. It's been a blast for us! Someone pointed out that everywhere we go we have a crowd around us. It's been such a joy to introduce Bella to everyone.

The boys have been amazing with her. I seriously have a new love for them as I watch them love and care for their baby sister. On the way home from the airport, Isabella was in the middle in her rear facing baby car seat. Luke and Josh were on either side of her. I looked in the back seat and Luke was holding Isabella's bottle for her-feeding her, and Josh had his hand on top of Luke's hand, holding the bottle too- They were feeding her together! It was one of those precious moments that I never want to forget. They both love her so much, and she just lights up whenever they are around. My heart is so full and happy!

Here are just a few highlight pictures from the last week. I've got videos, too, but I'll post them later.

Our airplane touched down in Houston. Isabella is now an official U.S. citizen! She slept through her big moment.

Josh loves to give Isabella her bottle and rock her to sleep. He's so proud of himself. Luke is my main helper in the mornings. He feeds her breakfast in the highchair while I get dressed to bring them to school. I need more pictures of Luke and Bella!

I told you we've been "partying" hard! This picture was not staged. The welcome home signs from the airport were sitting on the couch. After our last Sunday guests left, Josh plopped himself down on the living room couch and fell asleep.

Too pooped to party!