Home Sweet Home

I'm sure they meant to write "and Linda" as well!

Finally, together and home.

Nate in a milk coma, missing out on all the chips and salsa

We made it!  Our flight went 1,ooo times better than expected, Thank God!  As it turned out, there was a fellow WPA mom (Lisa) flying back home with a baby (James) on the first leg of our flight home.  It made all the difference knowing she was there with me and we helped each other out getting through the airports in Almaty and Frankfort and while on the plane as well.  Both of our boys did well considering the time of night we had to wake them and bring into a crowded airport.  Ya, so they cried a little on the airplane but what do you expect!  Luckily, the area they sat us in had a group of students flying for a leadership meeting so the majority of them were to busy listening to their iPods to notice.  

We went our separate ways in Frankfort but not before helping each navigate through the very crowded (high season for Europe) airport and find our gates for the next leg.  At my Lufthansa gate, I met an angel of an agent named Melanie that asked a few questions about Nate's Kaz passport which led us into a 20 minute conversation about adoptions in Kazakhstan.  She was genuinely interested and this was, coincidentally, my first (of many, I'm sure) conversations with a stranger about adopting Nate.  She was so touched and before I knew it, she upgraded my ticket to Business class.  I just about cried right there, at her counter (out of exhaustion and joy!).  Needless to say, her kindness along with a few passengers I met at the gate that just about carried us into our seats, made for a very pleasant and restful journey home to LAX.  

Once we landed at LAX, the first words out of Nate's mouth was "Papa".  I had just taught him how to say that and though he didn't know what it meant, he said it (oh, I wish I had that on tape!!).  

Nate and I got through immigration pretty smoothly and once we got our luggage, we found Papa waiting for us right outside the airport doors.  Nate immediately recognized him and happily went to him.  As much as I  love Nate, I loved handing him over to his Papa to start the special bond Nate and I have shared since he came home to my apartment in Karaganda.  

We arrived home to find our family and a few friends to welcome us home. Everyone was so excited to finally meet the Nate his parents couldn't stop raving about!  I was excited to eat delicious salsa and 3 different kinds of chips... yummy.  Mike (with help from our family and friends- THANK YOU!) had Nate's room ready and Nate had no problem falling asleep in his crib.  

I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to: first, meet such a wonderful boy. Second, have such wonderful family and friends that helped and supported us. And lastly, third, be able to stay the entire 9 weeks with Nate before bringing him home.  I'm glad I stayed for the entire trip and even though there were a few rough times, I wouldn't change a thing about Our Kaz Journey.  

So now, this blog that was started to keep everyone posted while we were in Kazakhstan will now continue as a blog to update everyone on our (now complete) family and our future adventures...

With joy,

Linda, Mike, and Nate