Thursday, October 1, 2009

a new life begins

I am so full of joy to be home!!
Our flights were dreadfully long but
uneventful (well, except for waiting on the tarmac in
Hong Kong for an hour and a half before finally taking
off...stretching our on-plane time to 15+ hours).

Thankfully we made our
flight out of Chicago
to home, just in the nick of time!
Thank you Lord!!

Shu Li was such a trooper with all the traveling.
Poor girl...we had to go through SO MANY
security points.
In Hong Kong a gentleman (and by gentlemen, I mean
BIG JERK) in immigration seemed determined
not to approve Shu Li to leave the country.
She was about to burst into tears.
I can only imagine how terrified she was.
And K-man was coming UN-GLUED!
Ch*na isn't the best place to do that (but not even
a communist country would stop him from protecting
one of his kids at any cost)...
thankfully, God's grace was present and brought
another lady along who was arguing with the
guy (BIG JERK), telling him it was OK and LEGAL!
Thank you, Jesus, for your hand of protection!

The boys, Lucy and my parents were waiting
for us at the airport.
What a delight it was to see their sweet
faces!! Shu Li seemed
really excited as she
gave each person a big hug.

We got to our house to find everything clean
and tidy (including my
wood floors freshly mopped by my MIL and Nick...
such a huge blessing)...plus my Mom had added a few
new things here and there to add to the decor.
It was so n
ice!
Plus our freezer is stocked-full of meals
from our church friends!

We are so blessed!!

My in-laws were waiting for us when we arrived
with a hot roast beef dinner, mashed potatoes and gravy,
and carr
ots
SO YUMMY!!!
But Shu Li stuck with noodles!

I don't have a lot of pics to share now
but I will get caught up on taking pics soon!

This pic is kinda fuzzy but I love
it so much!
Our FOUR kids! They look great together,
don't you think?!
And so our sweet new life begins.

"Jesus, I thank you with all my heart for
getting us through the painful and long process of adopting...
through all those fearful and doubtful moments
that the enemy was constantly throwing at
us. Thank you for Your constant confirmation
and encouragement that we were doing the
right thing in pressing forward, getting over every hurdle.
Thank you, thank you."

46 comments:

Janet and Kevin said...

SO HAPPY FOR YOU ALL! Having tears of joy as I praise Jesus for your family finally being together. Such sweet smiles on all of your children's faces.

Love in Christ,
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and waiting for Eli!!

Leah said...

Oh I am so glad you are home! The pic of Lucy & Shu Li holding hands just melts me. And look at all 4 of them together! Such a beautiful family!

Shelley said...

Welcome home! What beautiful pictures of your children.

Adeye said...

Oh Lori--I cannot stop the tears!!! I am soooo glad you're home, and that Shu Li's new life can begin. A life God destined for her before the foundation of the earth. So amazing. She looks like she fits in life a glove :) A perfect picture.

Sending you a HUGE hug this morning--try and get over the jet-lag.

Oh--so very sorry about the jerk :( Ya get them everywhere, huh?

julie said...

So happy you're home. I love the big sis/little sis picture, adorable!

The four kiddos picture is great, too. Shu Li is just beaming!

Lisa said...

So glad your home. I had been waiting for your post to know you were back. Your family looks so beautiful together. Shu Li looks so happy. I loved the picture of Lucy and Shu Li.

Lisa
Newark, Ohio

Stacy said...

Welcome home! Did'nt you just want to burst into singing some patriotic song when you landed in the U.S. There is no place like home. You have a beautiful family and as always I have teared up while reading your post! Enjoy and rest!

God Bless!

Stacy

Mom 2 Four said...

Welcome home, I really enjoyed following your journey! Christe

Jean said...

Welcome Home!!! Yippee!! So glad you are all back safe and sound! Love the pics of your new family!! God is so good!! Shu Li fits right in!
Love ya!!
Jean

Sally-Girl! said...

All I can say is Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!!

The picture of the kids in the car is great!!! What a wonderful life you have together!!!

Anonymous said...

Welcome home! I LOVE the picture of all 4 of your children together. What a BEAUTIFUL picture. God has blessed your family richly.

Blessings
The Singletary's

Holly said...

Praise the Lord, Lori! That's all I can say. :)

Anonymous said...

We are so glad that you have made it home. Great pictures. Mary and Lina

quilt'n-mama said...

I'm so glad to hear that you are home safe and sound! So many new adventures for your family ahead... I can't wait to follow the rest of this adventure of life with your family!

I love the picture of your 4 kiddos together, I remember so clearly the moment when we took that first picture of our 4 together... sweet memories... ok, I need to stop or all be crying:)

Have a blessed week!
Gayly

Anonymous said...

God is so good.... I was crying as I read that post. The pictures of Shu Li with Lucy is absolutly adorable! Is she glad that this time you brought her home when you left? (the time that you and K-man went on a date and thought you were bringing Shu Li home). Shu Li is so blessed to have you guys? Has she seen the crazy side of the boys yet? or have they only been sweet so far? God bless your family. :)

Tesseraemum said...

How sweet! Tears here too!
Watch out,I think the boys may get a little jealous when Lucy turns her attention to her new big sister;) Sheri

Tony and Rett said...

YAY! So glad you're home!

Congratulations on your new chapter. It's going to be sweet!

Lacy said...

Oh Lori!!! I am so happy your family is all in one place together.

I love the picture of all four of your kids together.

Meg said...

Hi Lori.... I am one of the many "stalkers" who have been following for sometime now... and FINALLY leaving a comment! I am so truly happy for your family... reading this post brought tears to my eyes and especially seeing Shu Li and Lucy holding hands. I will continue to pray while you go through this amazing change in your life...
Meg- Pasadena, Ca

Janet said...

WOOOOHOOOOO!Love the pics. Is grandma sticking around long enough for you to catch up on sleep? What a blessing to have your freezer stocked!

Unknown said...

OK, so the picture of your 4 children totally choked me up! So relieved you're home safely. You're close in my prayers as I'm sure you are exhausted.
Thank you Jesus!

Londa said...

Praise God!! So glad to know that you are home safe and sound. I loved following your journey to China! Thanks again for sharing! The kids look great!! So happy!! I know you must be so glad to be home. I couldn't be more thrilled for you all! You are truly blessed girl!! Enjoy!!

Allisyn (aka the Mrs.) said...

i'm seriously sitting here about to cry, but tears of joy for yall :)

carie said...

my heart lept with joy when i saw the pic of lucy and shu li. what a blessing for all of you.
congratulations on your new girl!
xx

McNew Family said...

Yeah!!!! As much as I loved seeing the photos of you guys in China - seeing the one of all the kids in the car is the BEST! You make an awesome family! Many blessings on all of you as you begin your new life together!

Jen said...

Welcome Lori.... Welcome Home!!!!!!
There's NO sweeter place to be after a trip like you've just had than HOME!!! I love the picture of ALL FOUR of your children together!!! WOO HOO!!!

JR said...

Oh my goodness!! I am sooo happy for all of you! The pics of your newly-expanded fam are precious.......can't wait to hear stories & see more pics of your family. Hugs to all of you from Durango CO!

Karen said...

Praise God you made it home! Oh, those last two pictures hit me in the heart. You got the tears out. Love the picture of Shu Li holding Lucy's hand. I bet those two form a strong bond. Love the picture of your FOUR kids!!!

Kathy said...

Welcome home!!!
Praising and thanking Jesus
for all He has done!
I love the pictures!

Sarah Elizabeth said...

aaaah! I'm so excited I could cry. I can't wait to come up and met her and see you guys in november!

Unknown said...

Woohoo! Yippee! That is so awesome! So glad you are all home safe & sound.

Tina said...

So good to see your family finally together! Congratulations and welcome home Shu Li!

Tinacd

Shonni said...

I'm so glad that ya'll are safely home. What a journey.

Anonymous said...

Thank God for answered prayers! Love the family pic! Keep us posted on Shu Li Katie's adjustment. On the tougher days know that someone you don't even know understands the up and down road of adjusting and is lifting this sweet family up in prayer. Happy bonding and settling in! Welcome home all!
Chinamom

Anonymous said...

Happy you guys are home! Cute pics...loved following your journey.

Isabelle

Sherri said...

I just loved following your journey and I'm so happy you all made it home safely.

I love the pictures!

God Bless and I will keep coming back for more and more updates!!

Sharla M. said...

So glad you're home safe and sound... Can't wait to see more photos!

Lori Anne said...

Welcome home sweet friend! Hugs to all SIX of you! :)

Connie J said...

WELCOME HOME! The pics of your Treasures all together are beautiful! Thank you for blessing us with your journey!
Sleep well, Friend~

Cari said...

Tears of joy fill my eyes right now. The pictures are so sweet. All four kids look like they've been together forever...just meant to be. So very happy for your family. Thank you, Jesus! :)

The Carter Family said...

Yeah! I can't wait to see more pictures!

Karin said...

I love the picture of your kids all together (and SO nice of the boys to let the girls have the middle seats!). Also love the blurry picture of Lucy and ShuLi hand in hand. Sniff, sniff....

So glad you're home!! I've missed you horribly. I can't wait to hear all that is on your heart and hopefully see some more pictures. :)

Karen said...

So wonderful!!! "Blessed be the name of the Lord." I will be glued to your blog as I prayerfully consider adopting and bringing the idea before my husband as something serious. Such a wonderful opportunity to minister to the fatherless/motherless. :)

Nicole A. said...

Welcome home! So happy you are all safely in one place! What an amazing journey you have had, and will continue to have. Thanks for sharing with us!

And I think one of my favorite things about the last photo of all the kids finally together is that you were so excited to have them all together (and see their precious faces together) that you snapped a photo in the car. Such a proud, happy mom ... your heart must be full today!

Have a happy, long sleep in your own bed! I hope everyone's adjustment goes smoothly, too.

All the best,
Nicole A. in OH

Nancy said...

So, so happy for the six of you. Can't wait to hear how Shu Li is adjusting to life in America. Love the picture of Shu Li and Lucy. So sweet.
Blessings,
Nancy

Mandi said...

So, so glad you made it home safely and to see all four of our kids together at last is such a joy. What a great bunch they make. Can't wait to hear how Shu Li adjusts to having one adorable little sister and two crazy brothers.

Hugs,
Mandi

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