Home Sweet Home

Three Malkie men snug in their beds...what a great feeling to be home! We are slowly working back to this time zone. What an amazing journey-the boys were outstanding on all the travel and they are just falling into a groove already at home. So much to post about regarding the trip and lessons learned for those traveling soon. So many feelings to capture and savor on the blog for memory sake. China is truly an awesome country and the children both waiting for families and those home forever are a treasure beyond compare. "Two boys, so lucky"...a statement we heard more than once during our trip...so so true. Truly blessed we are.

USA! USA! USA!

And we're back safely in America. 

Both boys were great travelers and we avoided any major meltdowns.
15 hours on a plane, 4 hours in JFK, and then a quick hop back to DCA ...

Stayed overnight in Alexandria at my parent's house, hanging a bit, and then driving back to Richmond later this morning.

Zak is officially a U.S. Citizen now (Thank you IH-3 Visa!) so that's exciting.

Going to spend the next few days recovering and trying to get back on an East Coast schedule.

Thanks for your support and well wishes - it'll be great to see you all!!

Farewell Guangzhou!

In 2 hours we're getting in a van that will take us into Hong Kong.  It's about a 3-4 hour ride there, we'll be there around 8pm local time – 8 am Thursday morning for you East Coast readers.

One quick night in Hong Kong and we get on the long ride back to the USA!  

Hong Kong to JFK then JFK to Reagan and then a short drive back to Richmond.   Whew.   Hoping to be back in our house either late Friday night or sometime on Saturday, depending on the how the boys do with their sleeping.

Anyway, it's been interesting, not really easier the 2nd time but definitely more … predictable.

I'll do a full update once we get back to the States but for now, here's a video from a few nights ago.

The Final Countdown

6 more meals in restaurants with 2 boys….never thought I'd be one to say "let's NOT eat out tonight honey".  I cannot wait to see the likes of my kitchen again.  The countdown is truly upon us now.  The consulate appointment is complete so now we are just biding time for Zak's passport to arrive on Thursday.  I was once again hit with the emotion of the moment while waiting at the consulate for our swearing in ceremony.  Just the sight of all the families gathered in that one room on this particular day.  Happy new families that are forever grateful to families in China for the children they have put in our care.  May we always do our very best to fulfill their dreams and ours for these beautiful babies.  

No the bath water isn't that pretty here…thanks to Elmo fizzy tub tablets it is!!

The things they carry...

Every day Zak chooses something to carry with him…

Van did the same thing when we were here last time.  Van usually picked food.  Zak's choices are a bit more random.  At first it was plastic chopstick helpers, then luggage locks and now we've moved onto food.  Yesterday, he carried a plum in his pocket for 1/2 a day.  It survived the journey and fortunately we distracted enough so it wasn't eaten.  Every day we learn a little more about him-he has an infectious smile, he wakes up happy, he will imitate EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING that Van does, he loves to sing and dance, he gives lots of kisses and he loves taking a bath.  For a cleft palate kid he is amazing us by drinking through a straw, blowing bubbles and pronouncing letters you would not think possible.  Can't wait for the cleft team to check him out.  

Big brother is struggling a bit more these past few days.  He told me he misses his home in Virginia, his "other pets"  (aka stuffed animals), his big TV and his couch.  He is ready like I am to be home.  Daddy is keeping us going strong with take out pizza and snacks and counting down our days.  Aunt Christina is helping a ton with crafts and projects for Van while we check off the last of the appointments and paperwork.  Today is our consulate appointment where we swear to love Zak forever…done and done.  We survived medical-TB test negative and 5 shots for the brave boy.  He literally laughed while watching the needle on the first four.  The last one caught up with him but he just cried for a few minutes.  He's cried more at skinning his knees then anything else but he's a band-aid lover so all is well with that.  

More pix to come later.  Love to all…we miss you Virginia!!

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Lots of fun!  More to Come!

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