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2011-11-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

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Home sweet home

2007-12-18T11:10:00.000-08:00

12-16-11
Old blog posts have been moved to the new blog location, but I am temporarily reposting this publicly as I reminisce.

On our flight to Frankfurt, we were seated at the bulkhead and Roxana slept much of the time in the bassinet hooked to the wall. Toward the end of the flight, John started having some major kidney pains, which got worse during our three hour layover. By the time our second flight was in the air, it was nearly unbearable, and the flight attendant asked him if he wanted them to land the plane so that he could get medical attention. Even though I’d love to visit Ireland, under the circumstances we declined.

There’s not much one can do for a kidney stone but suffer, whether it be on a plane or on the ground. The Lufthansa staff was very kind, though: they gave John some pain medication and let him sit in business class to rest. Since we were not seated at the bulkhead for our second flight, Roxana had been confined to my lap and had become pretty restless, so it was nice to have some extra space while John was recuperating. Still, the trip was long, and I thought it would never end. When the fasten seat belts lights came on as the pilot announced our descent into Atlanta, I felt extremely relieved that we were finally in the US.

We went through customs and immigration, which took quite a while. Meanwhile, family and friends (Momma, Daddy, Mom, Dad, Julianne, Chris, Zeke, Aunt Paula, Uncle Donnie, Celeste, Emmett, and Wade) waited impatiently for us at the other end of the airport. When we came down the escalator, we immediately heard the joyful exclamations and saw the excited but tearful faces of family and friends. At last, they got their first in-person look at sweet Roxana, whom I was carrying face-forward in the Baby Bjorn. Roxana was calm and happy as we were greeted with signs, roses, balloons, gifts, and lots of hugs and kisses.

Though we had arrived in Atlanta at 3:00 pm Eastern time, we did not leave the airport until around 5:30 pm. Rush hour was in full force, and it took a very long time to get to the Mexican restaurant close to John’s parents house, where our chariot waited to take us home. Roxana fell asleep in the car seat, but after a while, she started crying terribly. I am not sure if she was awake or still asleep.

We got to the restaurant, and I took her into the bathroom and comforted her. The family must have wondered what we were doing in there for so long! Afterwards, John fed her, and we took turns holding her while we ate. She did OK, and when she spotted the balloons that we brought in from the car, she was very excited. Everyone got a kick out of her laughter as she played and played with those things!

The balloons were attached to a bag with special surprises from Aunt Paula. She didn’t want us to miss the food in Kazakhstan too badly, so…She’s lucky I didn’t upchuck the chips and salsa I’d been feasting on!

My seven-year-old nephew Zeke was dying to hold Roxana, but I explained to him that everyone would have to wait until the next time they saw her because she was tired and overwhelmed. He was understanding and very sweet. Anyone who knows Zeke would be surprised at how well behaved and patient he’d been all day.

After our delicious meal, we went to John’s parents’ house, loaded up the car, and set out for Birmingham. We hadn’t gotten far when our exhaustion hit us like a ton of bricks. To wake ourselves up, we stopped at least five times on what is normally a 2.5 hour drive. Roxana was asleep but tearful for the entire trip. We were all glad to get home!

As we rounded the curve of our street, I saw in our picture window a beautiful, lit Christmas tree. John and I have had a tree every year since we’ve been married, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to go through the trouble of trying to decorate for Christmas this year since it’s only a week away and since we’ll be recovering from a long two months in Kazakhstan; at the same, I wanted Roxana’s first Christmas to be festive. How excited I was that my sweet sister Joni, with the help of her husband Ashley and my parents, had trimmed a tree and decorated for us. Above the fireplace hung a new Christmas stocking, on the tree dangled new baby ornaments, and under the tree were some toys. There was even a Christmas outfit laid out for Roxana. I was extremely touched.

Roxana slept through the night in her new bed, as did we. (I had forgotten what a comfortable mattress feels like. What a difference it was from the beds on which we’d slept in Kazakhstan!) I was worried that our cats would shun us, but they snuggled with us for the night. (Thanks so much, LaShawn and Becky, for taking good care of them in our absence!) Words cannot express just how great it was to be home!

This morning, we all got up and opened our gifts from the baby shower we’d missed. (Recall that the shower was planned for the weekend we ended up in Kazakhstan!) The gifts were great, and the diaper wreath and cake were so cute! Thanks, everyone!

As usual, Dorcas hid herself from the excitement, but Hominy was all up in our business. He liked Roxana, and Roxana liked him. What sweet kids!

Our first full day home draws to an end. Ahhhhh…

26 comments:

J, M, A + J said...: 2nd try: I cried the whole time I read the post...out loud to Marshall. We both are so happy you made it home and are so sorry John had such a painful, rotten flight experience. That must have sucked so much. OY VEY!

We are so relieved you made it home - and to a decorated xmas tree. What a BEAUTIFUL, touching gesture.

We send our love and Merry Xmas!

xoxoxoox; December 19, 2007 12:02 AM
Susan said...: I'm with Jen, i'm crying too!! What a wonderful thing to read.
I am so glad you are home safe and sound, and I am SO SO SO SORRY to hear about John's kidney stones. That is awful-poor guy.

I love the pictures of your sweet baby girl, and the Christmas tree, christmas outfit, and toys under the tree really made me cry! That is unbelievbly sweet and generous and how wonderful!!

You guys did such a wonderful job blogging and letting us follow your journey. I really appreciate it. It was just amazing to watch your family form and see Roxana change and blossom.
I get sometimes anxious about going to Kaz, but reading and seeing Roxana make me less anxious and more excited.
I'm so exicted for you guys.

Have a very very Merry Christmas and God bless your family!!

I am so happy for you!!!; December 19, 2007 3:29 AM
Sandi said...: Ok I too am crying my eyes out. What a wonderful story to wake up to and the fact your family put up your tree and hung a stocking just made the tears flow. I am so happy you are all home safe and sound.

Enjoy your first holiday season as a family.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Sandi; December 19, 2007 4:33 AM
kristen said...: Wow! What a wonderful welcome home at the end of a long, hard trip! I'm sure you are thrilled to be home among family and friends and right before Christmas! How perfect! Enjoy this week as you recover from the exhaustion and have a perfect first Christmas with Roxana! How awesome. ~kristen; December 19, 2007 5:43 AM
Aunt Paula said...: Thanks for the blog. I feel complete now. How come we did not know John had been sick coming home?? Where we so myopic that we did not even ask how y'all were? I am so ashamed of myself. Reading the blog was the first I had heard of the kidney stone thing. I am so sorry for not asking how Roxana's parents were.

I was just busting to find out how you liked the Christmas surprise. Gladys Ann called me after you called her and we had a good cry. I was very angry with your mother for beating me at buying the red dress for the Princess to wear for Christmas. I had looked around but the one your mother bought was absolutely perfect. I am so sorry ya'll are not going to make it down Christmas day but I look forward to seeing a picture of Roxana in her Christmas Santa outfit.

Gotta get to work now. Thanks again for the blog. My life is much better for it.

All my love......(and yes, you made me cry again. You need to be writing books or something.); December 19, 2007 6:09 AM
Diana said...: Tears of Joy!! Tears of Joy!! We are so glad to see you safe at home with your new little US citizen. Hope John is feeling better. It's wonderful to see Roxanna with the kitty cat. Pets are such an important part of our lives in America and they are so good for children.; December 19, 2007 6:19 AM
Matthew and Suzanne said...: What a wonderful ending to your trip (sans the kidney stones, what a trouper to hold on in the plane and then to go to Mexican. I'm suprised you didnt just get a hotel room at the airport!)

Roxana looks so sweet and relaxed in your new home and goad to see that Hominy is making new friends. Our Cal will make friends when we bring our Kazbaby home, too - something about orange kitties, I think!

And how nice to have the tree up and everything. Ah! Your own bed, and clean water running out of the tap!; December 19, 2007 7:36 AM
Regina said...: Oh the tears of joy are streaming! What a beautiful post. I could not be happier for you guys!!! It's wonderful to have a loving and thoughtful family to come home to!

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us. Your blog has been very informative and inspiring for so many people. I look forward to more updates, and to perhaps seeing you guys at a future Kaz family event!

Hugs,
Regina
www.ruopoliadoption.blogspot.com; December 19, 2007 7:52 AM
The Heinrichs said...: I am sitting here crying as I read your post! I am so happy you guys made it home safely and just in time for the holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Deanna; December 19, 2007 9:47 AM
Laura said...: What a wonderful post!!! I have a warm and fuzzy feeling inside knowing that you are finally at home with your daughter. What a nice surprise to come home to decorated house! I hope that John is feeling better and that you all get plenty of rest. I would like to call you over the holidays when I am in B'ham and say hi and check in with you all! Thanks for a great blog. It brought back so many memories and made me so joyful that another little Kaz cutie has found a forever home with such a nice couple! Happy holidays!!; December 19, 2007 9:48 AM
Anonymous said...: WOW!!! I know its good to be home!! I hope to see Roxana soon and I can't wait til Christmas its Dalton's first Christmas too... its so exciting!! I'm so glad you arrived safely. Have a wonderful Christmas and God Bless
Love,
Lake, Michael, and Dalton; December 19, 2007 10:02 AM
Michelle said...: Congratulations & Welcome Home!!
Thank you for letting us follow along on your journey.
You did an amazing job telling your adventure. Roxana with enjoy reading it some day.
Having been in Kaz, we were laughing, crying and being frustrated right along with you, but mostly just sharing the joy of Roxana’s new family.
We wish you a smooth transition to your new life.
Merry Christmas,
The Burgs in MI; December 19, 2007 12:04 PM
Marisa said...: Congratulations, John and Jenny, and welcome home, Roxana! What a wonderful Christmas miracle for your family. I know Roxana is going to have a great time with your cats...pets are so much fun for kids to have around. I hope these first few days for your new family at home are filled with all of the joy that you guys deserve after such a long journey of adoption. Roxana is absolutely precious and you both look transformed and fulfilled with the joy of parenthood. God bless you...and know that your church family loves you and are praying for you.
Marisa; December 19, 2007 12:20 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey Guys,

Glad to hear you got home alright. We hope John is feeling better and can't wait to see all of you next week. I know we can't hold Roxana but as long as I can get a picture of her and Victoria and Phillip I will be happy enough. One last thing Jenny. At least you finally got what you have been wanting for Christmas for the past eight or nine years. Love you and see you next week.

Kellie; December 19, 2007 2:05 PM
Jaimie, Gena and Berik said...: Yeah your home sweet home and nothing can beat that!! Sorry for John and the stone (my hubby can relate to that) but so happy that you made it and your family is so sweet to decorate for you! What a wonderful homecoming!! Best of everything and have a very Merry Christmas!! Gena,Jaimie and Berik; December 19, 2007 2:27 PM
Allison said...: Okay, Jenny you are making everyone cry on here, me included! I'm glad you guys are home safely and we hope to meet Roxana soon. Remember we only live about an hour away, so hopefully Anya and Roxana can become playmates over time!
I hope John feels better soon.
Love,
Allison; December 19, 2007 6:09 PM
Angela said...: . . . and they lived happily ever after. Thanks for sharing your story. I am in awe at how much Roxana has changed since you met her. I literally saw her expression transform from sadness to joy. Enjoy the holidays with your daughter!

Angela
dossier in translation; December 19, 2007 7:46 PM
L.Leopard said...: Jenny,
Glad to see that I am not the only one who cried. You are such a great story teller / relater of events. What a wonderful family you have....greeting you all at the airport and decorating your house with special details. I am tearing up again just writing about it. So when do I get to meet that sweet angel. Sara Marie turned ONE on Dec. 14th. We can't wait to meet her.
Lori Leopard
HTHS; December 20, 2007 6:20 AM
L.Leopard said...: P.S.
I wanted to say I loved the pic of your Puddy Tat curled up next to Roxana!!!!!!!; December 20, 2007 6:27 AM
Trudi said...: Congratulations! What a journey you have been on - and now you are HOME! How is John? LOVE Roxana with the kitty - they are so natural together that it feels like their spirits have been together for a long time -- the cats were probably "with you" in Kazi somehow! And how beautiful of your sister and parents to decorate the tree.....just a fairytale ending to a hard but worthwhile journey!; December 20, 2007 6:54 AM
indycubs001 said...: John and Jenny,
Reading your blog brought back a lot of memories, both good and bad!! Roxana is adorable and I am thrilled for all three of you. Welcome back to the United States!! Like us, it will be a very Merry Christmas for your family as well.

Congrats and God Bless to the Morgan Family,

Andy & Sarah; December 21, 2007 6:41 AM

Jennifer said...: What a truly wonderful post. Your family is so sweet to have decorated the tree for you. The pics of Roxana are adorable as usual. I'm so glad you guys made it home safely. I hope John is feeling better. Thank you for allowing all of us to follow along on your journey. Here's to the jet lag wearing off quickly and a very Merry Christmas as a family of 3!; December 22, 2007 7:09 AM
Amber said...: How Wonderful!! We are so happy for you!!!
Amber, Jason and Ava; December 23, 2007 8:50 AM
Jaimie, Gena and Berik said...: Merry Christmas to you too!! This year has to got to be the best Christmas ever! Gena, Jaimie and Berik; December 24, 2007 7:09 PM
Matthew and Suzanne said...: Merry Christmas! We hope that you had a wonderful baby's first Christmas, and that you made lots of good memories! We are so happy for you!

Suz & Matt
www.missionbaby.blogspot.com