We've been home a week!

PICTURES: FBC of Moore Easter morning service - Our Easter Family Picture - Eli Malone and Macey hunting eggs, Fellowship with the Malone's - A visit from grandpa - Macey is a good eater - This is how I'm greeted each morning by Marcus - A visit from Nana - A new Leap Pad for Macey from the Bessert Family - Bathtime for Macey (an answer to prayer) - A visit from Micah Malone with Big Wayne - Marcus and Macey on their first night home - Taylor and Tanner in the Germany airport - Marcus and Macey ready to board the plane from Ukraine to America

We have been home one whole week. I have to share the past several days with each of you.
SUNDAY - It started on our return home from Ukraine. We were exhausted and ready to be home. We were greeted at our OKC Will Rogers World Airport by our friends and family. I was overwhelmed with the love from each of them. I cried when I saw the banners welcoming us home held by our friends and family. It felt so good to be missed! We were excited to be hugged and loved on by those who cared. Thank You to each one of you who came out to meet us and welcome us home.
MONDAY - Chris and Mary Malone stopped by to introduce Micah and Matthew to us and our new little ones to them. It was a short, sweet visit. Wayne loved Micah. Micah wanted Big Wayne to hold him and was really excited with the love and attention Wayne showed him. Matthew was sweet and kind. He reminded us of Eli. Chris was fond of Marcus. Marcus enjoyed showing his love by kissing Chris on the chin, just like Eli does. Chris had a hard time keeping his glasses on. Marcus loves glasses! It was great to be home with our dear friends and the kids we rescued together!
TUESDAY - My sister Jennifer took the day off work to spend time with the kids and help me where the help was needed. We decided we better make a trip to the mall. Easter was coming up and our church directory pictures too. We needed clothes for the kids. We found adorable matching outfits for the "littles" on the sale rack at Children's Place. Tanner went to his own size rack and pulled off the same matching sweater as Marcus. It was great that he wanted to be a part too, all on his own. The boys looked so handsome and Macey loved trying on dresses. Taylor had fun helping pick their outfits. I have a feeling Taylor and Macey will have fun shopping together. After finding all the right clothes, shoes and accessories it was lunchtime. We treated my sister to lunch and enjoyed our time together. Jennifer was a big help and just wanted to have a part of our special outing. She has been a HUGE support from day one. It was great to be together with our new additions, Thanks Jen!
Alyson Lee stopped by to return our house key that afternoon. It was a sweet visit. She enjoyed getting to see the kids at home. The first time she met them they were half asleep in the stroller at the airport at 9 o'clock at night. Alyson was so gracious to care for our home while we were away. I am still finding things today that she has done for us while we were away. Thank You doesn't seem like enough.
WEDNESDAY - Carol brought over a fresh baked loaf of bread and a warm pan of chocolate bars. It was a welcome treat, homemade at that! She was such a prayer warrior and encourager while we were away. The days that we weren't able to post meant she knew we needed her prayers even more. She and her husband Jim are looking forward to having Marcus in their Sunday School class. They continue to be a blessing to our family.
My mom, Nana came to meet her newest grandchildren for the very first time. It was a short visit. She came after work then left before we went to dinner at the church. I think she just wanted to see them in person. We brought Nana back a scarf from the Ukraine we knew she would enjoy wearing. We look forward to a longer visit next time.
We decided to introduce the littles to our church family at our Wednesday night meal. We knew we would be attending church on Easter Sunday and did not want that to be their first visit. It was a great relaxing evening over a warm meal. We were able to introduce them to friends and share part of our trip with them also. We felt their love and how much we were missed that evening. It was great to be HOME!
THURSDAY - We have enjoyed our time home together. Marcus and Macey have both slept through each night since we have come home. Bath time is MUCH better for Macey, not so much for Marcus. We continue to keep them on a schedule for eating and napping. We are amazed at how well they are adjusting to us and our home.
This afternoon is our appointment for the church directory pictures. We had a good lunch and put them down for their naps. We were ready for a good "first" family picture. Unfortunately there was not a great one for us to purchase. We did choose one for the church directory. It will be there for the next five years. :) Macey looked stunned and Marcus was well Marcus. They are definitely not fond of the camera and lights. Don't worry it's just a matter of time before they'll be hammin' it up for the camera. Macey is still wondering what that black box is doing in front of my face. I guess they haven't had the paparazzi following them around before. :)
FRIDAY - Taylor had her evaluation for her upcoming oral surgery. She will be soar for a few days as they will cut her gums open to expose the teeth that need to come on through. This is all part of the braces process. She is looking forward to the end. Please pray for her the morning of Thursday, April 16th at 8am. I'll keep you posted. Taylor was able to babysit for a little while for the Malone's Friday afternoon. She sat with Eli and Matthew while they took their afternoon naps and Mary took one of the other kids to their appointments. Taylor was thrilled with the opportunity. She then spent the night with her best friend Hannah Malone. They had a lot of catching up to do. Taylor really missed her friends Blake and Hannah. She was so glad to be home with them.
Wayne took Tanner with him that evening to play for a 50th birthday party. It was just me and the littles all evening. What a sweet time of cuddle and play we had. I hardly wanted to put them to bed after their baths. I just wanted to spend more time with them both. This was one of the moments I longed for and it was here. I am praising God for his goodness. We are truly blessed!
SATURDAY - I woke up to a disaster. Remember I told you Wayne had played the night before. He has his own Christian Country band and they had played last night. Wayne brought his equipment trailer home that night and parked it in the street, in front of our home. It was locked and attached to our vehicle. We also live next door to a OK Highway Patrolman. We had been robbed! The door to the trailer was open, the lock had been cut and the thief stole Wayne's equipment. Over $2,000 worth of equipment was stolen. I was heart sick. I hated to come in to tell Wayne something was terribly wrong. His face and spirit just sank. I felt so sorry for him. We did file a police report. Because of the recent kitchen fire and our travels to Ukraine we have not unpacked any paperwork. It would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Wayne says, "God provided it once, He can provide it again." I pray God provides for Wayne. He wants for nothing and asks for nothing either.
We spent the afternoon and evening with the Malone's and another couple from Sunday School, Brenda and Randy. It was a beautiful day! We dyed eggs, hunted 250 plastic eggs, ate grilled hamburgers with the fixin's and celebrated Blake Malone's 15th birthday. This was a day I had been looking forward to. All of us together just sharing our families and time with each other. ALL of the kids did great! We spent a lot of time outside that afternoon. We are grateful for the Malone's friendship, encouragement and support. They continue to be an inspiration to us.
SUNDAY - Happy Easter! This is a day to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. There was NO other place I would have rather been than to be in the worship service at FBC of Moore. We enjoyed breakfast that morning provided by the church. What a treat! Taylor and Tanner went to their classes while Wayne and I took Marcus and Macey with us to service. It felt so good to be back in our seats. Ken took good care of them while we were gone to Ukraine. The music was inspiring and amazing. I stood in the front row, holding Wayne's hand while Macey was on my hip with tears streaming down my face. The Holy Spirit met us there this morning. It felt SO good to be in the House of the Lord. I never knew how much I really missed our church family, the music and the message until we were gone for 5 weeks, in a row. We've never been gone for more than one week at a time. I praised God and thanked Him for the gift of Marcus and Macey, my husband, Taylor and Tanner, the service of our church and for ALL of those church friends and family who loved us ALL the way HOME! God is so Good! This was an Easter I will never forget.
He has Risen;
He has Risen indeed!
My sister, Jennifer and her children came over this evening. We just spent time together, no agenda. It was a last minute decision to come by. She is so excited to spend time with Macey and Marcus. The cousins were excited to come play also. My 1 year old nephew, Jordan loved the attention Jennifer was giving Marcus so much that he made sure he wasn't left out. He's been the baby for a while now, it was cute! Payton is the proud Big cousin, kind of like a big brother would be and Riley adores her new cousins too. This adoption has brought us closer together. There's something about babies that will do that. :) We are grateful for ANY time spent with those we love. I am just so excited that they have been received so well. They are welcomed and loved by so many.
MONDAY - Wayne went back to work today! He is not completely well but it was time. Please pray for him as he is still with the Ukrainian cold and having a hard time sleeping at night. His work schedule has him up and gone by 5am. The good thing is he's home by 3pm. It's great for the family. Wayne's shop presented him with a beautiful picture frame and a OKC Zoo pass for the family to enjoy. What a pleasant surprise! I can not wait to fill the frame with pictures of the NEW family and spend many of hours at the zoo. I just know Marcus and Macey are going to love it as much as Taylor and Tanner still do. I am so glad his boss and co-workers showed Wayne such an act of kindness. We are grateful and appreciative.
Today was our first day back to school since returning home from our 5 week adventure. It was like the first day of school all over again. We are finding out what works with 2 new toddlers in the home. It's what I love about homeschooling, flexibility. The big kids did great! We will pick up were we left off today first thing in the morning. We will start early.
The "littles" have their first doctor's appointment right after lunch. I can hardly wait for Dr. Morrow to meet them. She is going to fall head over heals in love with them, I just know it. Pray for a good visit. I will keep you posted on the details.
Thanks for reading ALL about our first week home as a NEW family of six. We are blessed! We ask that you continue to follow along as our journey has really only just begun. We love you and appreciate your enduring support.
Blessings,
Meghan