The day we thought would never come

We have felt every emotion on the spectrum. From elation to frustration, from glee to terror. What an incredible ordeal it has been getting these two boys home!! But we made it. We both ask ourselves, "who exactly were those two people that just got through that?" Surely not us. We would not have been able to go 27 hours without any sleep while navigating three airports, two shuttles, two customs offices and an immigration office that was so full they wouldn't guarantee us making our flight three hours later. Not to mention the flights. Really. Let's not mention the flights.

We got off the plane in Kansas City to a group of well wishers from both sides of the family, and also our beloved Parracks who helped prepare us for this whole experience. How amazing it was to reunite four little boys who spent the first two years of their lives in a Siberian orphanage, and will spend the next fifteen or so in Kansas growing up together under rooves filled to overflowing with love.

We really don't know where to start or how much to offer about our travel adventure. You know how women don't talk much about how painful childbirth is? Maybe we'll take the same approach. The eleven-hour flight from Moscow to Atlanta was just too much for all four of us. Very little sleep for Carson and Conner, and none for their folks. Lots of sweet people who helped when they could.

It really was fantastic to get off that plane in Atlanta. But the happy feelings were short lived, because we had to pass through customs (the mean lady that snapped at us about going to the next line because she was starting her break will never know how wrong that was to say), then claim our bags only to lug them through immigrations and re-check them. At immigration, we sort of felt like we were on Ellis Island. All forms of international people just waiting to get their names called, and giving us dirty looks when our names were called ahead of theirs...

We were lucky enough to get the bulkhead to Kansas City, as we had from Moscow to Atlanta. That is a story in itself, but this blog is getting too long. The boys slept straight through the Atlanta flight and when we touched down in KC, there were some quiet tears shed by both new parents.

Have to mention one amazing thing that happened the day before we left. The FIFA world cup for women was going on, and several teams stayed in our hotel. The boys met a large contingent of the Nigerian women's national soccer team and won their hearts! They also met some of the Chinese team. Such worldly little fellas. The Nigerians took lots of pictures which we hope to get copies of.

Now that we're home, we're getting a very painful crash course in parenting. The boys are doing as well as can be expected, and even that is not enough to keep us from feeling completely overwhelmed. The tantrums and meltdowns are tempered by some amazingly sweet moments of them realizing that we are now a family. This morning, during breakfast, Carson was a little unhappy so Conner held his hand through the rest of the meal. It melts your heart.

Thanks for all your well-wishes. You have helped in ways you'll never fully know. Our initial adventure is over and our new, less unique adventure begins. Can't wait to introduce Carson and Conner to everyone!!