Wow – a week since we got home.
Feels like no time. And it feels like forever.
In an effort to chronicle Clementine’s journey accurately, I wanted to share the few pictures I took between then and now.
On our last night in China we walked out for dinner with some sweet friends we made on this trip. Sweet enough to agree to numerous efforts at a family photo of us on a busy street in Guangzhou, when we all should have been packing.
We started the trip together when we met flying out of Birmingham, toured together in Beijing, and ended the trip together in Guangzhou. Over a hotpot, some meatballs, and lots and lots of laughter.
Thankfully they live just a few hours from us – so goodbye wasn’t goodbye. Just so long.
The trip home was relatively uneventful. As uneventful as 34 hours of travel with a 19-month old can be.
Clementine was a superstar – eating, drinking and sleeping her way home. She fussed at not being able to lay flat out as she is accustomed, but she managed to get in about 8 hours on the 12 hour international flight.
The rest of us weren’t quite as successful in getting our sleep on. But no vomiting occurred, and no other explosive expulsions. Whew.
We hit the ground in Birmingham at 9:30 PM, completely exhausted. And blissfully happy.
We had quite a welcoming committee waiting for us at home. We stayed up until 1 AM, despite our fatigue, just sharing stories, catching up.
And feeling overwhelmed at God’s goodness. Clementine was home at last.
The next day was Thanksgiving. And with so much to be thankful for, it was perfect.
My mom, sister and her family drove in to meet Clementine. And to help Victoria put together an unbelievable Thanksgiving feast. 
So. Good. Every bit of it.
(I am officially retiring as overseer-of-the-preparation-of-celebratory-food in our home, at least until Victoria refuses the position.)
It was even better to all be under the same roof with our loved ones.
Several of our kiddos were sick (or getting sick) – so snuggling with their new baby sister would have to wait.
But now we have forever.
What a wonderful Thanksgiving! Home just in time, not having to cook and celebrating your newest addition. You are blessed!
So happy to hear your trip home went well!! I have been checking your Instagram page. It’s great to see all the photos and hear how Clementine is doing. What a dear family you have! I am very impressed how well you to it with 12 children! We have one daughter and she is 5 and she is adopted from China. She keeps us on our toes!
love it all!!!
This was so beautiful to read. I prayed for you every time I saw a facebook post. May God bless your family.
SO grateful for each and every prayer, my friend <3
OH! GAK! I was good till that last line. Held it together just fine till, “But now we have forever.” Seriously…. you killed me with that one.
Praying for a peaceful, quiet, HEALTHY HOLIDAY season of snuggling, relaxing and adjusting for you all. Thanks for sharing your homecoming celebration with us.
Forever is a beautiful thing, isn’t it? Thanks so much for the prayers – they certainly have been felt on this journey to our sweet girl <3
Congratulations and welcome home.
It was so good to meet you in Guangzhou! Wish we could’ve spent more time together. So glad that Clementine is doing so well. We are still recovering, big time, from jet lag and Julia is not sleeping well at all, but otherwise, she’s doing fantastic!!!!!!
Gina Smits! So good to hear from you, what fun it was to meet you and yours in Guangzhou 🙂 Hope Julia is sleeping better soon!
Congratulations! You and your husband are so blessed to be surrounded by so much love. And your children are so blessed to have you as their parents. Carey’s mom, Marilyn