Home Sweet Home

There is nothing more precious than a baby in a crib.....

There is nothing sweeter than a wiggling, jiggling bundle of raspberries and smiles going into the crib that has been empty for so long. It’s been almost a year since the cribs were put up in the nursery. I spent many afternoons in the rocker that Ann Marie gave us flipping through a book of nursery rhymes and fairy tales. Occasionally I would read one to Jack, our beagle and he would listen intently, but it seemed like there would never be children in the cribs to read to.

I knew that we wanted children; I knew we were waiting for them, but it was not real. These were just motions that were keeping the insanity away. The little socks and outfits were fun to buy, fold, and wash; the snaps were amusing to play with, but actually putting squirming little feet into a sleeper foot was something that I dared not dream about. We had too many disappointments to even think it could happen or that we deserved it.

Today, I had the pleasure of putting McCale in his crib, the one that had always been empty, giving the musical inchworm a tug and kissing his little cheek. He looked up at me with his eyes half shut, smiled and went to sleep. As I went to leave, I looked over to Karleigh, her arms stretched out, lying on her tummy, breathing lightly and seeming so peaceful. I adjusted the blanket, even though it didn’t need it and counted my lucky stars. This is the secret of life.

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Needless to say, we made it home, both safe and sound. Emil (Ah-meal, since I have been asked how to say his name more than once now) picked us up at 1:10 am. He “knock-knocked” at the door as he told us he would and he and Jeff lugged the bags (that seemed heavier on the way home than on the way here) downstairs. Mom and I strapped on the baby carriers under our sweaters and got the kids ready to go. Emil told us there was a possibility of snow in the forecast. Quite a contrast between this night and the dry fall weather we had been enjoying. I guess it’s good that we left since I only had a black sweater with me that has become quite ratty from being washed almost daily. Anyhow, we left the apartment, kids nestled in blankets, and were heading out of Almaty. It was both a happy and sad moment. I was trying to focus on the family and friends at home waiting for us to arrive and meet the children. I had told Emil that I was going to just run away from him at the airport so that I didn’t tear up. He told me with his dry humor and Russian accent, "he would cry silently and alone at home after we had gone". What a guy. This plan, as best laid plans often do, bombed terribly. As he was helping us into the airport with the luggage he was giving me his biggest Emil smile. He said he was happy to know the kids would be in America and that this was a happy time. Well, he couldn’t fool me, because as my tears started streaming down my cheeks, I saw him wipe away a big drop from the corner of his eye. I planted a big wet one on his cheek for remembrance and we said our good byes. I know he was waiting and watching for us to go through customs, as he would never leave us high and dry. I looked back but couldn’t see him, I think he saw me anyway and knows how we all feel about him. I have his address and will keep in touch with him, I also plan on coordinating a “bring Emil to America” fundraiser for next years adoption reunion. He told us he always wanted to go, but could never afford it. We will fix that.

The flights were uneventful and timely. Lufthansa was kind of disappointing as they could not seem to get our seating assignments right, even though we confirmed them over and over again. The first leg of the flight from Almaty to Frankfurt should have been the first clue to how this was going to pan out. The woman who checked us in was training; it took her forever to get our reservations pulled up and the boarding passes printed. Come to find out, mom was on one side of the plane, I was on the other and Jeff was about 5 rows back sandwiched between two big men. Since we were last to board (no preferential treatment for small children boarding early) we didn’t have much time to argue and the timing of the flight didn’t really make too many people ready and willing to swap seats for us. The flight attendant was down right rude, but this is another story for another day. We made due, we were going home. Jeff spent most of the trip running between mom and me. He would grab a handful of diapers, wipes and a disposable changing table liner and walk up through business class, cut behind the flight attendant station and back through business class to get to moms seat. We did end up getting the bassinets so we were at least able to but the water-logged-dead-weight-sleeping children down for a while. We each took a cat nap, and aside from the ignoramus that sat beside me who decided he wanted to prop his stinking socked foot over the bassinet and McCales head while I was not looking, things were fine.

We arrived in Germany and headed to McDonalds. Jeff and I had breakfast and mom milked her soda for a few hours so it continued to look like we were patrons. We made fresh bottles and organized the diaper bag while Jeff went to make sure we would be together on the next flight. He returned and said he had found someone nice that helped him out. We had two bulkhead seats with a bassinet and a single aisle seat right behind us for the sleep rotation. Sounds good right? Well, we should have known better when the McDonalds lunch menu did not contain burgers as the grill was out. This was going to be a rough day indeed. Mom and I had a veggie burger and Jeff a chicken mcsomething, and we headed for our gate.

I am going to leave out the part about the scissors being confiscated and the cute Lufthansa butter knife that “accidentally” fell into my carry on, Jeff was kind of annoyed and it got a little ugly.

We asked about pre-boarding and they said, oh yes, we do that. Yeah, they pre-boarded us on the bus that took us to the plane where everyone dog-piled on the rabbit to get up the stairs. Mom and I did something that I despise, but hey, we have kids now. We barged to the front of the line, me trying to apologize to everyone I passed, saying the kids had to get out of the cold, yada yada. We got onto the plane, found our bulkhead seats, stowed our carry-ons, all sounding good right? Until I asked about the bassinets, “can’t put bassinets in this section of the plane, nothing to hold them to the bulkhead”…tired, cranky and more than a little out of sorts, this poor soul took the beating for the other flight, attendants and a guy that cut me off in traffic last year. Careful not to put myself in jeopardy of being “ejected” from the plane (like the time in Dallas….I’m really not a bad person, honest) I then toned it down and gave more details on the kids and the reason for the flight. They did their best to help us, got supervisors involved, etc. but we decided to stay where we were and just rotate the kids among us to keep the blood flowing to our extremities.

The next 8 hours went by minute by minute. Desperately wanting to get off the plane, get home, see our family and holding our breath that the kids would continue to be able to remain happy and asleep, we watched the clock and the little plane diagram on the monitor as we passed over Europe, the pond and finally started arching in toward Newark. Luckily, the kids were perfect travelers, we had a couple little whimpers and whines, but a bottle or a finger on the gums and we were good to go.

When we landed we had a private celebration for the two newest Americans! It was awesome! We headed through customs and were directed to an immigration office where we handed over the documents they needed, a little while later they were stamped where they needed to be and we were on our way. Our bags were waiting for us and we wheeled them out the door! We were no sooner through the secure area when Jeff’s dad came running toward him, he gave him a hug so big I think his feet came off the ground. Eugene was video taping us, Sue, our neighbor was flashing the camera and her husband Al rushed in to help Jeff with the bags. I was thinking, holy cow, my hair is big mess….oh, forget that…LOOK AT THESE KIDS!!!

We gave the Americans a quick change in the bathroom and were on our way HOME. They did great in their car seats and were happy campers. I rode with Sue and Jeff, Al, Mom and kids went in the truck and Eugene and his dad followed with some luggage in their SUV.

We reached the house all at the same time. It was decorated top to bottom with streamers, balloons, posters and signs. What a huge welcome!! I was so happy to be home tears were starting. Ann Marie came over to me and gave me the biggest hug, she said the kids were beautiful and I think I saw a couple tears from her as well. Stephanie and Samantha gave us a running hug which was simply awesome! Jeff’s mom was there and was snapping pictures, she was sporting a proud grandma pin that had been waiting for us since Samantha and Steph were born.

We headed in to see the dogs, Molly was doing her wag wag lick routine and Jack was happy to see us and wondering if we would get a cookie for him all at the same time. The house was so full, not just of toys, more balloons, oodles and oodles of gifts, food, drinks, etc..it was full because it was complete.

Friends and family poured in all weekend, my father and brother were here, our neighbors Pat, Joe, Sue, Al, Cody, Diane, Ann, Pierce and Shelby stopped in, others dropped off gifts beforehand, and it was truly moving to have so many people be excited to meet McCale and Karleigh and to welcome us home. We really appreciate everyone and everything that was done to help us complete our family.

We all celebrated with an awesome buffet of all our favorites, chicken parm, chicken francaes, sausage and peppers, ziti. We even had a real AMERICAN tossed salad, no dill, no mayo, just the garden variety veggies and vinaigrette. YUM! The kids were passed around from relative to relative sharing smiles and giggles with everyone. They were a little tired, but hung like troupers and were equally as happy for the attention and to meet their family. The weekend feast continued for two days, Sue made a turkey and the trimmings and we have enough food leftover for a month!! We enjoyed the horse sausage that we smuggled in, looked at pictures and video clips as well as let Dad and Lance sample the horse milk. Although they kept it down, they didn’t want a second helping.

The highlight of our homecoming was a presentation that was made for us by Samantha, our niece. It was put to music and contained many photos that we had posted during our stay in Kaz. The song, suggested by Stephanie was by Kelly Clarkson, and titled “Some Kind of Miracle”. If you have not heard this song, listen for it, it is beautiful. Samantha did an amazing job finding pictures that fit the words, and the backgrounds were just spectacular. She added effects and it was so very professional. Samantha is thirteen and would have a bright future as a graphic artist! This was not just a wonderful presentation, it was the most thoughtful and special gift I have ever received. This was not just a tear jerker, not even the streaming Emil tears, I sobbed. We all watched this together and there was not a dry eye in the house.

As we are winding down from an emotion filled weekend, well..MONTH, we are now alone in the house, the little ones are still snoozing, the dogs are lying in the hall and the cat is at my feet. It seems like it has been this way forever. It is perfect and exactly how it is supposed to be. The house didn’t need another painting, new furniture, or a knickknack to make it complete, it needed the overwhelming love we are mutually sharing with McCale and Karleigh.

Thank you all for coming on this trip with us, taking each day as it came, sending emails and encouraging words. We were showered with gifts; beautiful quilts, blankets, towels, and clothing for the kids by extended friends of the family who were reading along – many of who we have never met. We treasure each message and gift, you are all so very kind and thoughtful. What a wonderful outpouring of support, and a tremendous message to our children as they grow older, to know how much they were wanted and how their joining the family touched so many lives. We look forward to meeting each of you in person, I want to give you a big hug of thanks.

To our family and friends, thank you will never be enough. You have touched us so deeply with your love and generosity. Even after the balloons are gone, the fridge is emptied, the flowers have wilted, we will always have the deep appreciation in our hearts for the special touches in the house you left for us, your encouraging words and your selfless acts of kindness that helped us survive the wait and the journey to bring McCale and Karleigh home.
We are forever indebted to you all.

To our children, I hope you enjoy this journal and it helps you understand more about where you came from and how and why you were so desperately wanted and meant to be here. This is the story of a second birth, for all of us, life is new and changed forever.

Thank you again, with all the love in our hearts,
Colene, Jeff, Karleigh, McCale, Molly, Jack and Cootie.

We will be updating the journal periodically, please stop back for progress reports and don’t hesitate to drop us a line now and then! We would love to hear from you.