We landed in Jackson around 10 Saturday night. The trip home was long (we left the hotel at 6 Central for a total of a 16 hour day. Our preparation for the return payed off on several levels:
First, we prepared the kids for the travel. We spent some time talking with them about flying and what it was going to be like. Once we started explaining our travel plans, the kids would go outside anytime they heard a plane and look up in the sky and yell "Avion!" They got excited about travelling. When we left Neiva we looked out the window and said "chow Neiva!" The kids started saying "chow Bogota. Hola United States!"
Second, We prepared them for their new home. One of the best pieces of advice we got from blogs was to make a video of our home. We made a video the week before we left. One of our South American students from Wesley College translated for us. We had kids at the Church give messages, and we went around the house, especially their bedrooms. The day we got the kids we showed them the video. We watched it almost everyday while in Colombia. They got really excited about their bedrooms. They also got to see our dog Gal. We were afraid they would be scared of her. She is a 90 pound Border Collie and she gets real excited. Seeing her on video, they would kiss the screen and yell "Perrito" rolling their R's in a real crisp way. When they got home, they were very excited to see her and to see their rooms.
When we got to the Jackson airport, there were several people from the Church and College waiting for us with balloons and gift bags. The kids loved it. They were blown away! When we got to the house some of the ladies had decorated, brought food, and put up a welcome banner. And of course our neighbor had bought and put up a trampoline for us. Wow!
Church on Sunday morning went well too. They were accepted and loved by all the children, and the adults made a big deal of them too. They were really in their element (these kids are hams!).
How are they adjusting? Well, they have slept in their own rooms each night. That is good start. In Colombia we had to all be in the same room and Nicolas told me he couldn't sleep alone in a bed. They were so excited about their rooms they were looking forward to sleeping in them. They are still exploring the house but they seem very comfortable here. We'll see how this week goes, but I feel pretty good so far.
P.S. Today we went to our neighbor's house to thank them for the trampoline. Our dog Gal always chases behind us to their house, but expects a ride home. Today our car was full so she didn't get her ride home. So, Gal stayed up at the neighbor's house. This is not unusual, and we know she will eventually come home. But the kids were so upset we had to ride back to the neighbor's and get the dog. Gal got her ride home, the kids got their dog.
First, we prepared the kids for the travel. We spent some time talking with them about flying and what it was going to be like. Once we started explaining our travel plans, the kids would go outside anytime they heard a plane and look up in the sky and yell "Avion!" They got excited about travelling. When we left Neiva we looked out the window and said "chow Neiva!" The kids started saying "chow Bogota. Hola United States!"
Second, We prepared them for their new home. One of the best pieces of advice we got from blogs was to make a video of our home. We made a video the week before we left. One of our South American students from Wesley College translated for us. We had kids at the Church give messages, and we went around the house, especially their bedrooms. The day we got the kids we showed them the video. We watched it almost everyday while in Colombia. They got really excited about their bedrooms. They also got to see our dog Gal. We were afraid they would be scared of her. She is a 90 pound Border Collie and she gets real excited. Seeing her on video, they would kiss the screen and yell "Perrito" rolling their R's in a real crisp way. When they got home, they were very excited to see her and to see their rooms.
When we got to the Jackson airport, there were several people from the Church and College waiting for us with balloons and gift bags. The kids loved it. They were blown away! When we got to the house some of the ladies had decorated, brought food, and put up a welcome banner. And of course our neighbor had bought and put up a trampoline for us. Wow!
Church on Sunday morning went well too. They were accepted and loved by all the children, and the adults made a big deal of them too. They were really in their element (these kids are hams!).
How are they adjusting? Well, they have slept in their own rooms each night. That is good start. In Colombia we had to all be in the same room and Nicolas told me he couldn't sleep alone in a bed. They were so excited about their rooms they were looking forward to sleeping in them. They are still exploring the house but they seem very comfortable here. We'll see how this week goes, but I feel pretty good so far.
P.S. Today we went to our neighbor's house to thank them for the trampoline. Our dog Gal always chases behind us to their house, but expects a ride home. Today our car was full so she didn't get her ride home. So, Gal stayed up at the neighbor's house. This is not unusual, and we know she will eventually come home. But the kids were so upset we had to ride back to the neighbor's and get the dog. Gal got her ride home, the kids got their dog.
2 comments:
Awe... I love the part about Gal and going back for her... precious! Glad it went well and you are home safe. Once everything slows down, we'll have to plan a weekend in-between and let the kiddos meet! We would love it! Congrats! And there will be so many "firsts!" You will be amazed at how God speaks to you through this adoption and your children... He is so good! God bless!
That's so interesting because Monica and Kelly are the same way with our dog. The first two days we were home Monica would cry really hard when Kenzie went outside to chi chi. She thought her dog was leaving her. I'm so glad they love our dogs!
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