Home At Last

For those of you who we haven’t talked to, we finally arrived in Philly around 4 pm on Thursday. Daniel did real well on the 8 hour flight and was greeted at the airport by his new brother and sister and Uncle Jeff and Aunt Faye. He was kind of shy at first, but started to talk a little more on the way home. We arrived home around 8 pm to a wonderful surprise. Our Sunday school class beautifully decorated our house for Christmas inside and out. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me and how warm and cozy it made us feel. God surprised us with a beautiful snow storm to top it off- it was a perfect homecoming.

It has been a busy couple of days, no real routine yet. Nathan, Rachel and Daniel really seem to get along and the first night they all slept together. He loves being outside and has rode bike for hours. He had his first trip to the barber and looks great with his new do! He falls asleep pretty quickly and wakes up with a smile. He is great pals with Andre and Molly and has learned to tell Molly to sit and speak! We were able to go to church and he enjoyed his new Sunday school class with his Aunt Dawn and Uncle Craig who are his teachers! It is going pretty good despite the language barrier. He knows that we can’t speak his language and he show us things with his hands. It is hard when we would like to explain something or vice versa. This week I will be looking into the school situation, but until then I will start with having him practice writing the alphabet and will be using a lot of picture books. He has had some practice with the English language and is able to write most of the letters.

Nathan has no problem with the extra attention Daniel has received and has had a few good laughs at some of his antics, but I am trying very hard to give Rachel equal attention as her new brother. She has done so well and I don’t want her to feel left out at all. It will take a while until we get into a routine and establish some boundaries for him, especially with Christmas coming up- he will think life is a never ending party!!!!

I don’t know if I will get all my Christmas cards out this year, so we would like to wish you all a joyous and peaceful Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and Love,

Doug, Glenda, Nathan, Daniel, and Rachel

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11