Sunday, March 15, 2009

Home Finally =)

Home finally with our sweet girl! I am so excited to be blogging from Mekdes' bedroom while she plays a matching game on the other computer! It is early and we are all a bit jet lagged but slept pretty well last night. We were greeted at the airport by many excited family members and she was a bit overwhelmed. She came home, showered, and was ready for bed. I have tons of pictures that I haven't uploaded all of our pictures yet but I will very soon. If I had to sum up our week with two words they would be humbling and hilarious! I was in awe of my daughter who moved through the week graciously accepting me and Ian and my friends into her life forever. I was amazed at her strength and courage, her beautiful spirit, and her diva-ish style! Staying in a guest house with Laura, Andrea, Amy, Jamie, Mekdes and Ian....hilarious! We loved Ayat house very much. It is the true Ethiopian experience..yes indeedy (LOL for the crew). We have so many ridiculous stories to tell that would have you in stitches. Many involve asking someone to move so that someone could vomit or being asked to not vomit in that spot! Either way, we had so much fun and I wouldn't have changed a thing. As far as Ian goes... knowing what I know now...I would never have not taken him! He was a joy on the flight. He made the layovers seems short and slept a ton on the flights. It was love at first sight when he met Mekdes. I will post the video sometime. It was like he had waited his whole life to meet her and he wanted her undivided attention. He spent the whole week making sure she never got out of his sight and she cared for him and kissed on him as a big sister from the beginning. It was so nice to have both of my children with me, starting their bonding process as well. He made it easier for her to act like a child with all of us. He ran around like a little crazy man and so she followed playing too. It was perfect (except for the travelers sickness).
I have so much more to tell, so many more people to thank and a ton of pictures to post. I love my family and friends and thank the Bakers for keeping Cortney sane during the week.
I leave you with a few pictures...


27 comments:

Danielle said...

BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL Family :)

veggiemom said...

Welcome home!!! I can't wait to hear all about your trip! Aren't these older kids amazing with how well they deal with all the change? I'm still blown away by it.

Holli said...

CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR MORE!!!! Congrats and welcome HOME!!!!

Jocelyn said...

Welcome home!! I can't wait to hear more!!!!!

Leah Reeves said...

I am so happy to see you are all home safe and have wonderful stories to share with us.
I am very excited to see more pictures!

You are very very blessed!!!!!

Leah

Nikki said...

Welcome Home! What beautiful photos. Can't wait to see and hear more. You are a blessed mommy!

coffeemom said...

WELCOME HOME!!! So happy to see you home and to hear that it's going well!! Can't wait to hear more. SHe is just beautiful! Congratulations! M

kristen said...

What a gorgeous family. Mekdes is beautiful! I am so excited for ALL of you! Enjoy your bonding! Can't wait to hear the rest of the story. :)

Erica said...

Absolutely PRICELESS!!! Mekdes is gorgeous, I have tears in my eyes reading your story. What an amazing experience. Your kids look like they have been together forever. What a gift. Can't wait to hear more. Get some rest and love on your sweet girl!!

Jennifer said...

So glad to hear you are home and had a good trip. Maybe now I can stop checking your blog 4 times a day! Can't wait to see more pics and read the stories!

Robin said...

Welcome come!! Beautiful pictures!!! I'm so glad you posted what you did about taking Ian. We aren't taking Pickles with us when we go and I have a LOT of mixed emotions. I would love to hear more on why you wouldn't take him if you had to do it all over again!

kathy Martin said...

Welcome home! Simply beautiful! Ian and Mekdes definitely look like they belong together in your family forever!
Kathy
no longer waiting for Greyson

Shelly Roberts said...

LOVELY photos!!! Rejoicing with you that you finally have her HOME! Blessings, Shelly

Renee said...

Welcome Home Clevingers! Ian and Mekdes look like they were always meant to be siblings- I love it! When you get all settled in give me a call! Looking forward to hearing all about your trip!
Love,
Renee

Natalie Fournet said...

Soooo beautiful...so glad to see your precious children together!

~Laura~ said...

I miss you guys already...yes, indeedy! :)

Jebena said...

Beautiful family --- Welcome Home and get some rest!

Rebecca said...

Mekdes and Ian look like they've been together their whole lives!

Lori said...

I am SO excited to see that you guys are home safe and sound. How wonderful to hear about the bonding with Ian and Mekdes, truly inspiring. And isn't Ayat House wonderful?

Jen said...

What a beautiful family! We just receive/accepted a referral for a 2 1/2y old little girl in Gladneys Care Center (last last week). Is there any chance that you were there?

Robbin Hopkins said...

Welcome Home,

Your children look so much alike!!!! I am very happy for all of you.


Robbin

Drew Carey Show said...

Welcome home!!! I'm so glad the trip went smoothly and that you had the time of your lives! It sounds like you had a great travel crew, and I'm so happy to know that Ian was a pro traveler too. It was sooooo hard to leave Zoe behind. I'm glad you were able to have your little man with you and your kiddos together. I hope the transition continues to go smoothly and that you get caught up on sleep soon!

Lori S said...

I am so happy for you..and so happy for Mekdes!!!!!! We are currently in Texas for the Gladney Ethiopian fellowship. Our daughter, Faven asked if Mekdes was going to be there! She really thinks alot of Mekdes! Glad you are home!

Katie said...

Congratulations and welcome home!

emily said...

Welcome home! I can't wait to hear more details. :)

Amy said...

Apparently we were in ET at the same time and didn't know it. We got home Friday night with the twins. You can see pics at www.kinnells.blogspot.com.

Amy Kinnell

A&W said...

Hi, my name is Whitney, and I just wanted to say Congratulations! What a beautiful family!