Happy to Be Home!

We arrived safe and sound to our home late Thursday night (11/6). All the details regarding Cole's passport, VISA and medical exam came together well last week and we were able to easily change our flight to return home on Thursday instead of Friday. Once again we saw the Lord's guidance and help each step of the way.

We had a very meaningful going away party for Coleman and his group at the orphanage last Monday evening, 11/3. It was such time well spent. A time that we looked forward to with eager anticipation. A very emotional time for Kelly. Cole seemed extremely excited when we came, especially seeing Papa. We were permitted to take lots of photos and video of his living area and children in his group, which meant so much to us and will be such a keepsake for all of us. When it was time to leave, there was no looking back for Cole! Kelly actually had to ask him to give hugs to his friends from his group!

We are thrilled to be home and all together as family! Cole and Mallory did great on our flights home. We expected Cole to want to be up and about for a lot of the trip, but he was very content to play with the things we brought for him, eat and sleep. He didn't get all that sick from the motion either, until about a minute or two from landing on American soil!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday we just spent together as family. The adjustment seems to be going well to our new normal way of life. It is so neat to see how the girls interact with Coleman and vice versa. Madison and Mallory have been very helpful with their new brother which we really appreciate. Cole is getting up bright and early in the AM (yikes!) - much earlier than he did at the orphanage, so we don't know if he's just excited and curious or if it's his body adjusting to US time. He also took two naps since he's been home which is not common for a six year old!

It has been so neat to see Cole soaking things up. He loves riding in the car, although he still gets sick from the motion. He counts the "machinas" as they go down the road. It's amazing how he can count to ten in English already as "Papa" helped him to learn this. He LOVES putting together puzzles and is really good at doing so. We've taught him to say "I'm sorry" when necessary; and on Sunday we were all outside together and he came running to tell us something about Mallory. She was crying because of something that happened and Cole was very concerned about this. We were talking to the girls about what happened and Cole said, "I'm sorry". It was so cute! It was also very encouraging to see him remember the correct English words, use them in the right context and also it showed his heart attitude about something not being right with a situation. The only incorrect piece was that he didn't do anything wrong! He has been a joy to have around us! We love him so much and are so thankful that the Lord gave him to be a part of our family . . . and He had that in His providence from the beginning of time. It's very cool to think about the Lord's plan over the details of all of our lives.

We celebrated Coleman's birthday (10/14) on Saturday and gave him a new bike for his gift. We had a fun time together. He'll need to work his way into learning how to ride the bike. Can you believe all the things we take for granted like how to pedal a bike? We were showing him how to pedal and it took both of us to try and help him get the concept of pushing with both of his feet. Today I had him ride the tricycle which worked a bit better for him.

Cole continues to show his beautiful smile a lot and to be a seemingly happy child. He's very affectionate giving us lots of hugs and kisses which we love to receive! One day at the orphanage Alla asked him to give us a kiss which he didn't really seem to know how to do. She reflected on how he probably never learned how to kiss - how sad. We're sure glad to see he knows how to now!

Madison did amazingly well with Kelly's parents while we were in Ukraine. The bonding time between her and her grandparents will be a special part of what she carries with her. We're so proud of her and happy to be reunited with her. Mallory traveled incredibly well with us and grew and developed in so many wonderful ways. The time that just the three of us had together was such a special bonding time for us that we never had, given that Mallory was not the first born. It was so good for our relationship as husband and wife too to have all this uninterrupted time together. It is neat to see how the Lord has worked in all of the details of our journey.