Well, after just shy of a 2-year process and 26 hours of traveling, we are home with Benjamin! The kids did fabulous on the trip b/c no matter how you look at it, that is a tough trip. We were up over 30 hours. We had several passengers comment on how well the kids were traveling! Benjamin took a long nap in the beginning and at the end of the longest leg. Thanks to all our friends for praying for our smooth travels!! When he was awake, it was a little harry in that he did not like DVD’s so entertaining was challenging! I feel for the people who sat in front of him!! But we did make it home safe and actually the last flight arrived one hour early!! Thanks to my mom and dad for picking us up from the airport. I would say that one of the toughest moments of the trip was the trip home from the airport. Let me explain… in Taiwan, there are no car seats and they do not really use seat belts. In Taiwan, when we got in to the van, he sort of had free roam in the car. We would hold him in our laps to contain the little guy. Well, imagine, getting into the van at 9:30PM and it is pitch black and you are being strapped in for the first time! He was terrified and frightened the whole way home and nothing would calm him down! My heart was breaking for him as he was saying “hold me mama” in Chinese, but my embrace was not calming. After we arrived at home and he got out of the seat belt, he calmed down immediately and it was a happy time to introduce him to his new home. He was very curious and excited as he explored the house with Bryce and Elise who showed him his new room and some toys!
He seemed excited about sleeping in his big boy bed and we went to sleep but Bryce came to get me 2 times last night b/c Benjamin was upset. He had always slept in a pack and play in the orphanage and a crib at the hotel, so that was a lot of change to take in—new home, new bed, etc. So overall, we are doing great with much to learn and explore.
Thanks for all my friends with their encouraging emails and prayers! When we got home, I had about 40 emails welcoming us with such sweet and encouraging words. We are so blessed to have the support that we do! Continue praying for our smooth transition!
Yipee! You made it. Congrats Bickels. Car seats are just the worst for kids who've never had them. Lucy still screams bloody murder if we leave her in one for more than 10 minutes. Relax, recover, praise God!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're all home. Looking forward to meeting Benjamin. Guess what? You know our friends who we bought the T-shirts from? They have a 10-year-old son that they adopted from the Philippines. They are in the process of adopting from there again and they just got word...they are getting four kids!!! Three girls and a boy, ages 11, 9, 8, and 6. So they will go from one child to five overnight! Can you imagine?
ReplyDeleteoh my... i didnt know until today... but wow what a celebration... and i'll be praying for all of you. that's crazy and awesome. and the imagery of the seatbelt experience. woo!
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