Good Bye China

We leave tomorrow morning at 6:30 a.m. for the Guangzhou airport.  We catch our flight for Shanghai at 9:00 and then we have a 6 hour layover before getting on our 13 hour flight to Detroit.  Caroline will become a US citizen once we pass through US immigration there.  Our flight will land in Nashville at 10:13 p.m. where after 27 hours of travel we will be welcomed by family and friends.  We cannot wait to see everyone!  

This journey has been nothing short of amazing!  As I look out the window at the busy street and flashing lights I think about Caroline and all that she is leaving behind and all that she's gaining.  She is leaving behind the place where she was born.  She's leaving behind her birth mother that I'm sure wonders where she is tonight.  She's leaving behind a foster mother that provided the closest thing to a family she's ever had.  She's leaving behind those kids in the orphanage where some will never know the love of a family.  She's leaving behind a culture that she will never really embrace.  She is leaving behind so much, but gaining so much at the same time.  She is gaining a mother, father, and brothers.  She's gaining grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She's gaining the feeling of stability.  She's gaining what it means to love unconditionally.  

I don't want anyone to think that adoption is easy because it has been one of the hardest things we have ever done.  Caroline has done great, but she is still grieving, still insecure in new places, and still trying to figure out what having a mom and dad means.  Before I saw her face I wondered how I would feel when I finally got to hold her and the truth is I felt the same as I did when I held my boys for the first time.  I knew when I held her that I would do whatever it took to earn her trust and here we are 10 days after meeting her and she has come so far.  She has a strong little heart that is mending day by day. So, has it been easy? No.  Is it worth it?  Yes, Yes and Yes!

My heart is full of thankfulness tonight.  I'm thankful that we pushed through to the end, thankful for family that have taken care of our boys, thankful that we get to bring home our girl and thankful for all that have followed along.  This is the last post before we head home.  We will see you guys on the other side of the world, back home in Kentucky, with our sons and DAUGHTER!