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3.06.2010

I'm Speechless

Well, almost speechless.

My brain is still tired, and right now I'm typing to avoid sleeping in hopes that I will sleep more soundly tonight.  There is still a bit of our trip to document, and that will be coming, more for my  personal memory than for any other reason. 

But the focus today is to share publicaly how abundantly blessed our little family of five is by extended family and friends.

We were met by a small army of folks (from memory I think it was 24, but I'll have to look at pictures to make sure I didn't miss anyone) bearing welcome signs and balloons at the end of our 29 hours of motion.  This group of consisted of both our moms, my sister and her husband (who we'll be returning the favor for on the 29th of this month!!!), my college roomie who drove a 360 mile round trip to see us at the airport for just under an hour, members of our church life group, most of the members of our adoption fellowship bible study, and a dear friend who left her babies sleeping at home with their daddy to welcome us home.

And then we got home and discovered that our house had been professionally cleaned while we were gone.  You know that "wow, my house smells so clean" smell after a spring cleaning kind of clean?  Yeah, I hardly know it myself, but it was here when we walked in just after midnight.

Then we opened the fridge.  After two weeks of noshing on noodles and chips, even Caleb ~ my chip eater ~ was ready for fresh fruit and veggies.  And let me just say that our produce drawers "runneth over."  I'm not ashamed to say that I had carrots and home-made ranch dip for breakfast yesterday...

Oh, and meals?  Yeah, we're set in that department too.  Between the freezer stocking that happened before we left, a few meals for the fridge that my college roomie brought with her, and the wonderful coordination efforts of yet another dear friend who organized two weeks with every other night a meal being delivered, I won't have to really think through the dreaded "What's for dinner?" question for a while.

Not to mention that there were beautiful flowers with a gift card to Carrabba's for Ian and I to have a date night when Darcy is up to being with a sitter for a few hours, AND several rounds of gifts for all three kids, including toys, coordinating outfits, and hand knit rabbits.

And then there's the fact that between my mom and his mom, all our dirty laundry is now washed, folded, and sitting in a basket awaiting being put away.  (Of course I'm having thoughts of simply getting each family member a clean basket and letting them fend for themselves ~ I don't much care if it gets put away...)

And all that is a good thing.  For many reasons.  Three of which are the jet lagged babies all napping in Kylie's room right now.  Then there's the jet lagged mommy who didn't get to sleep much last night due to a grieving baby ~ not complaining, just stating facts.  Oh, and there's also the fact that my "ick" was more like one slight step away from walking pneumonia.  Or as my "punny" husband likes to say, "Wok-ing pneumonia."

(And including that information wasn't to garner sympathy points, just more of a "man I'm glad that it isn't just my age that kicked my tail on this trip home" ~ cause I was so bad when we arrived in Shanghai that Ian actually considered changing our flights, despite the cost, for me to be able to sleep in a bed for a night or two before we got on a 14 hour plane ride.  I ended up sleeping as we waited to be able to check in for our international flight as my amazing husband kept three kids quiet and when I woke up I felt "good enough" to try to push through.  About 8 hours into the flight I wished I had decided differently, but friends and family here were praying me home and I made it.  Mercifully, today, after 24 hours of a combo of Prednisone and a Z-pac I'm feeling much better!)

And another reason is that it never hurts to be reminded how much we are loved by others.  Because as one of my very favorite bible verses says, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."  ~ 1 John 4:7

So wow, Ian and I have been saying all day how blessed we are to have the friends and family that we do.  Thank you to all of you for letting God's abundant love shine through you! 

I promise I'll pick up the camera again soon, really, I do...

17 comments:

The Ferrill's said...

Oh Kristi I'm SO sorry to hear you were sick! Bless you, sister! I'm glad you're feeling better!

I am right beside you fighting sleep, friend!

Yall were one of my favorite parts of our trip..getting to know your family was SUCH a HUGE blessing to us! Wish we lived closer!!!!!!!!

I'll email you with some updates....not spending time on computer because if I sit still for more than five minutes I want to pass out! I know you know EXACTLY how I feel!

Love you!

Laine

Sharon said...

What a blessing...isn't it great to have awesome family and friends!!! Still praying for all of you...again, sweet and abundant sleep, all the littles transition and a full recovery quickly!!!!

(and when you get a chance I would love your homemade ranch recipe...no hurry)

Lisa said...

Praise God for a clean house and awesome friends! I'll be praying that everyone gets a great nights sleep tonight, that you are feeling much better very soon and that Darcy has peace. I know I'll be reading about your new normal soon!

Kathy said...

I'm praying that you continue to feel better and are able to get much needed rest. There is so much for all of you to adjust to in these first days and weeks. It was our privilege to be able to help. And I'm so grateful that you have such good friends to help you at this time. You all are a great blessing to all of us. Keep eating those veggies!!
Love, Grandma M.

Tigger said...

Kristi, We are so glad you returned safely. Hope you are feeling better very soon and Darcy settles in quickly. She is so beautiful and fits in with Kylie and Caleb so nicely. You truly have a beautiful family. We love your updates.

Brad said...

Kristi and Ian,
We are so glad the 5 of you are safely back home. What an amazing journey you have been on and continue to be on. We love you guys and can't wait to see the M Family soon.
Brad

Jen Barbee said...

Doesn't it feel great when God loves on you through His people? I'm so glad you are surrounded by people who show that love so well. It certainly makes things easier doesn't it. Continuing to pray for Darcy and your family as you transition...

Kimberly said...

So glad you are home... and feeling better now! What a wonderful welcome home you have had!! We'll keep praying for you through this time of adjustment for everyone.

Tina Michelle said...

Wow, your family and friends are super amazing!!

Does your sissy have a blog? I would love to follow her journey to adopt too.

Glenda said...

We're just so glad you are back and feeling better. You guys deserve all the special treatment!

TanyaLea said...

Oh Kristi~

Glad you made it home safely. I'm sorry it was such a tuff trip for you. Glad to know you had some prayer warriors praying you through! Take care of yourself, get all the rest you need, and know that we'll all be here waiting for you when you're up to it and feeling good again! I bet "HOME" never sounded so good!!

Love and hugs,
~ Tanya

P.S.>> I am SO glad you got to meet the Ferrills while you were in China. They are such special friends and I know you were a blessing to one another! <><

Pam said...

You are blessed, indeed!

Welcome home!

C.C. said...

I am so glad you felt welcomed home properly! You all are very loved:-)

Gavin's Family said...

What would we do without Godly family and friends to come along side of us in life and carry us. So happy your home and I hope Miss Darcy gets to feeling herself soon and you get your strength back.

Nancy said...

Sounds like you have an amazing support system!

Our Journey said...

What a blessing our friends can be. God can be soooo good by bringing wonderful people into our lives. I'm so glad your friends & family were there for you all.

Melissa said...

Oh Kristi, I am so sorry that you have been so sick! I will pray for you to get better soon, and that in some way you are able to get caught up on some rest so that you can heal 100%. It sounds like you have been truly blessed by amazing friends and family and I so glad you are being well taken care of! A get well hug from PA!