A growing list of forgot-to-mentions and random pictures from the kids' cameras

1.  The amount of arguing over who's turn it was to push the elevator buttons reached epic proportions before we were hardly into the trip and so Mama determined one child would push it all day long for one day.  And the order was chosen by first name, in alphabetical order, backwards.  And the button pusher had to be four years old or older.

2.  The sprite can that Ian bought at the Consulate Appointment... whatever happened to it?  Well, we are not allowed to bring any fluids past security, even unopened water bottles, coconut milks, and unfortunately, Ian's very cherished sprite.  It was put in the beverage garbage as we all pounded as much water and coconut milk as humanly possible in 25 seconds.  :(

3.  Unpacking and repacking our checked baggage because even though 3 of our bags were WELL under 50 pounds, 2 bags were OVER and United doesn't tally like China in-country flights do.  UGGGGG!!!  Although it worked out fine.  And only one thing broke but is gluable.

Our first picture as parents of 6 kids!

Desperate times call for... gum???

Not the first or the last time kids had their picture taken with other people

The Garden... my happy place

Day 21: Travel Home Part 2

My parents drove us to my sister's house where we had a small welcome home party waiting for us!  It was SO fun and Ian seemed to have a blast!  Some of the car riders fell asleep on the way up from Chicago so the party was great to get some food into our systems and have some "day time" before going home and trying to settle in for the night.  

When we arrived, just family was there to greet us.  Then shortly after we got there, several friends dropped in to meet Ian and congratulate us on our new son.  It worked out perfectly.  

Annalisa had asked the Mandarin class at her school to make a welcome home sign for Ian.  He recognized it immediately and was so pleased.  She had hung paper lanterns and served a festive cake!  And in my daze of post-15 hour plane ride, I did even notice (but am not just realizing the significance of) the oranges at the table!!!  Just so thoughtful!

Ian played with all his cousins and new friends.  When we felt like it was time to head HOME, I started saying good-bye to everyone and then heard a sweet buzz.  Ian had, in his quiet, gentle, perceptive way, taken my mom's elbow and helped his new PopPop lead her to the van.  I think it took everyone's breath away.  Good thing someone grabbed a picture of it.  

My parents drove us home and as the family was seeing our subdivision come into view, I said all excited, "Ian, where are we????"  "I think I see something!"  He got all excited because he knew we must be getting there.  We turned onto our street and he was grinning ear to ear.  And then, in an impossible way, his smile got EVEN BIGGER as he pointed to HIS HOUSE!  He was so excited and all the kids were cheering and excited, too.  They were excited for him, not for themselves.  I have loved watching my kids show their hearts for Ian and seeing life through their big brother's eyes.  They were all saying, "Ian that's your home!"  "Ian that's your house!"  "The green one, Ian!"

On a side note, I was convinced my magnolia tree would bloom while we were in China and I'd miss it.  It was full of blossoms when we drove up!

We went inside.  I had expected Ian to be a pinball machine, but he wasn't.  He was quite mature and showed self-control as he took it all in.  He recognized rooms because of pictures and made sounds and gestures in his recognitions.  Then we took him upstairs to his room.  It was precious.  He liked seeing his bed, and the fan, and his desk.  He didn't open drawers or go through things.  So I showed him his drawers and wardrobe.  And he seemed pleased.  But then I pointed to his closet doors.

Ian walked over to his closet and opened the doors and exclaimed!  There were clothes hanging in the closet.  Several shirts, pants, shorts, a jacket, a winter coat for next year... He stood there taking it in.  I am SO grateful the Lord put it in my heart to know that seeing clothes in his closet would be important on some level.  

We went down to the kitchen and ate fried rice and then Ian played with his remote control car for a while.  And then we all went to bed.  In our own beds.  It was glorious!  

The following pictures are courtesy of Beyond the Veil Photography

We were trying to explain that Annalisa and I are sisters.  After this, we didn't try to explain anymore who anyone was.  HAHA

He did eventually get it, or he was really amused with my effort to say things in mandarin...

Gabe's family was there (and taking these pictures).  Ian did not seem to grasp who they were.  Over the next days and weeks, he started to realize who they are and is very excited to be Caden's friend and tell Gabe about them.