Whew! Sorry about the delay, everyone. As soon as I got home my brain turned off for two days. I am back, though, and I cannot wait to show you these wonderful homecoming photos!
First, we arrived in Chicago – we filled out our immigration and customs papers…
and de-planed into the good old US of A!
Why, hello, Chicago! Thank you for welcoming us! Immigration and customs were (thankfully) a breeze! Luckily we were the first international flight that arrived that day, so we didn’t have too many crowds to contend with.
And then we were back in the hall of flags, only this time as they passed underneath the Indian flag, their daughter was in their arms.
Then it was time to board the (LAST!) plane of this trip for the Fadelys… and get ourselves HOME to Nashville!
This time it felt REAL…
and as they left the terminal, they were greeted by a welcoming committee!
with signs! and balloons! and bubbles! and noisemakers!
and brothers and a sister for Dorothy!!
This was the first time in several days that Dorothy had been around kids… she was fascinated by them!
and quickly got more and more excited about the thought of being able to play with friends again!
It was so wonderful to see so many people there, sharing in the joy that was bringing Dorothy home.
and we were able to FINALLY get a family photo of everyone together!!
While at the airport, we had to get a shot of the Welcoming Committee too! Everyone was so supportive and cheerful and excited to see us – and even though we were all exhausted, this was just what we needed to feel a boost of energy again.
we got our bags at baggage claim…
and Dorothy got introduced to her very first carseat.
She did not like it, not one bit.
After about 25 minutes of crying, though, she realized that mom was still there, and this probably wasn’t all that bad a way to ride around.
Back at the house, Welcoming Committee #2 was there, playing their horns…
and Eric got to take his new daughter into her new home.
The family showed Dorothy her new bedroom…
and Eric let Dorothy have a little taste of candy corn!
Dorothy got to know her new big brother…
and loved the fact that her big sister was doting on her so much…
and Eric went out and picked up Sonic for all of us. Oh sweet beef. Ohhh sweet double cheeseburger with fries and a cherry limeade, how I loved and missed thee so…
AAAAAAH. ICE. GLORIOUS ICE IN OUR DRINKS. May we never take you for granted again!
Word spread quickly around the neighborhood that Dorothy was home, and some of the children stopped by to visit!
One even brought us dinner! After traveling so much, the last thing any of us wanted to think about was making food, so it was great to just be able to sit down and enjoy a meal together. And the Fadely Family, Party of Six, sat down at their kitchen table and shared a meal together. The prayer before eating was wonderful… because for the past 10 months, every dinnertime prayer has been about bringing Dorothy home. And this time, here she was, home with her forever family. ♥
She even broke away from mom and dad’s arms for the evening and snuggled with Grant while we watched The Amazing Race together.
and she brushed her teeth before bed!
The next morning, we all got dressed for the day, and Dorothy played with her other Big Brother…
and we all piled on the bed for the Family Picture we had been waiting to take!
I think she’s gonna like it here…
The Fadely Family is finally complete.
Dorothy is absolutely smitten with all of them…
and I am pretty sure the feeling is quite mutual.
Congratulations, Eric and Tisra, and all the Fadely family! It was an honor and a joy to have walked this journey with you. Thank you for letting me be a part of such an incredibly intimate and holy experience, for letting me see you and doument you throughout the highs and the lows of international adoption, and for letting me share with the world what it is like to finally bring your child home. ♥
by jessie
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