Sunday, December 11, 2011

Life as a Malone

Dearest Desi,

While it is still fresh on our minds, we want to record every detail of when we first met you. I may or may not have some tears in my eyes as I type this because I am listening to you chatter in Chinese behind me in the living room. That is a reason for joy.

I arrived at the airport at 7:00 p.m. Friday night, a full hour before the flight ended up landing. About 30 minutes later your Dad arrived with Jordan and Jenna. They had a slight car seat catastrophe and he was in diva dad mode from being unable to get it in the car. After two weeks without mom, it was the cherry on top :)

So many friends came to see you. Some of my closest friends from school including Kelly, Jill, Aubree, Hannah, Lauren, and Katelyn came. Plus a TON of other adoptive families. There was quite a crowd to greet you.

As we waited it was only expected there would be lots of excitement. Jenna began to have an emotional breakdown from anxiousness but luckily our friend Jill bought her a strawberry smoothie and all was well. Once we got her settled down though something happened in Jordan's life that we have yet to figure out and she came running through the airport crying. High school life is dramatic.

And where was our dad in all this? Pacing the airport. Just walking. After two weeks on his own we think he just needed some time. Lots of time.

Finally we saw that the flight had landed. The three of us stood together staring at the screen for what felt like eternity. Tears started flowing. Then, it happened. You and our mom walked across the screen. Lots of tear. Lots of excitement. Cameras were ready.

Suddenly you appeared at the top of the escalator. We ran over and as we watched you and our mom ride down emotions took over all of us. Jenna began sobbing uncontrollably. Our mom, after the adventure of a lifetime in China by herself, couldn't control her tears either.

We were finally together. For probably a minute at the bottom of the escalator the six of us stood together, crying, hugging, and basking in the joy of being together. A family finally complete. After a long journey, the Lord had brought us together for the first time.

The rest is somewhat blurry. There were lots of attempted pictures, but you were not overly excited to see all of us. It had been a long flight and you were exhausted. At one point though you needed to go to the bathroom and when you came out you were giggling and carrying on! It was quite amazing. We were able to play with you some after that. Where was dad during all of this? Searching for the luggage. We pray for him a lot, living life with now 5 women. Brave man. Such a brave man.

Once we all made it home from the airport we played until 11:00 p.m. that night. You laughed so much-it was like we had always been sisters. Always been a family. The Lord is just so good.

Yesterday you met both sets of grandparents and we made our first Sonic run. Ice cream is your jam for sure. Today you went to church for the first time! You'll never believe who showed up. SANTA! Yes, just 36 hours after making your America debut you met the man himself.

I am trying to think of how to describe my feelings right now. It just puts me in awe to think of how blessed my life is. You bring each of us such joy. Your laughter and smiles are like kisses from heaven. Listening to you sing your Chinese nursery rhymes beats any award winning singers. This journey we have started together as a family is better than I believe any of us could have ever imagined. You fit perfectly. God had His hand in every bit of your adoption and He is now blessing our family more than we thought possible.

It always catches me off guard when people say how lucky you are that we adopted you. Or how it's such a great thing our family decided to adopt. For me...we didn't make a decision. We were called to do it. The Lord has asked all followers to care for the orphans. We are the lucky ones. We are the blessed ones. We are the undeserving ones of such a precious angel like you. Adoption was never an option for us. It was something we were going to do whether it seemed possible or not. And let me tell you, there were a million times it seemed impossible.

Saying all of this, things aren't perfect (though they are so very close). You haven't really taken to our dad yet-but we know this will take time. And you are still not completely bonded with our mom. But you do love Jordan, Jenna, and I so much. Jenna is struggling a little bit with not being the baby anymore. For 7 years she has lived the glorified "baby" life so it may take some time for her to get used to it.

That's the best thing though. We have all the time in the world. Because you are home now Desi.

Forever.

Love,

Devan, Jordan, and Jenna :)

First time we saw you on the airport screen!

Falling asleep in my arms :)

You and Jenna love bathtime!



You liked the ice cream A LOT!

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