A Little Holiday Cheer

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Coming Up For Air

It has been two weeks since we returned home and life is finally starting to resemble some sort of normalcy. Tia and I have our nights and weekends figured out, which is a huge improvement.

The kids are doing great with Tia. Everyone fights over who gets to sit by her in the car and who she likes best. Tessa is so proud of her baby sister.

We have a lot of changes going on in our home. I (Diane) am at home on adoption leave. This is a wonderful benefit offered by my company. We did not have this when I adopted Tessa, so I really appreciate the advancement they are making to our benefits. Terry has opted to change his working hours to Friday - Sunday, 12 hour days. This will mean that the little ones are at home with him during the week, and then staying with a friend of ours on Fridays. Although we will miss him on the weekends, it will be great to have our children at home, instead of daycare. The preschool Trenton and Tessa attended is the best - all of our children have "graduated" from FBCA. But the opportunity to have the kids at home and save a ton of money on tuition was a good move for us. I started homeschooling the kids this morning. Wow - I have a lot of respect for homeschooling moms!!! My hat is off to all of you!

We will be traveling home to Illinois for the holiday this week. It will be the first opportunity for most of our family to meet Miss Tia. It should be a great time!!

As far as Tia goes, she is doing great. She has gained 1 1/2 lbs since we got home. She is happy and seems very well adjusted. She has a great appetite and has even discovered Mc Donald's. She has started taking a few steps on her own. I think she will be walking within the next few weeks.

I promise to blog more regularly from now on. Till later...

There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Home...

Boy did Dorothy have that one right. I am so glad to be home. When we stepped off the plane in St Louis on Saturday night, I felt such a relief. By the time we made it to baggage claim, where my family and friends were waiting, I was sobbing. It felt so good to hug my husband and kids. I think Tessa grew 3 inches while I was gone. She seems so grown up. Trenton was glad to see mommy, but also very concerned about what I brought back for him. Tanner just wanted to hug Tia. She was a little shy at first, but then she began to warm up to them. Taylor is as always, the most amazing big sister. She is wonderful with Tia.

There were so many dear friends at the airport. Thank you to everyone who has supported and prayed for us during this journey - we could not have done it without you.

Since we have been home, things have been a little tiring. I am suffering from some serious jet lag. It is 4:34 am here in St Louis and Tia and I are eating pancakes. I would love to blame it on the baby, but I was awake long before her today. We will try to get some naps later today.

Today, we are visiting our pediatrician. She wanted to see Tia first thing when we got home. I will share more details about the visit tomorrow.

Glad to be home.....

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00 DAYS UNTIL TIA COMES HOME!

Today is the day. JoAnn, Diane and Tia should arrive in St. Louis around 9:00 tonight! We are planning on leaving the house around 7:30 so if anyone wants to drive along with us, that's when we're leaving.

Diane's dad is here now and we spent the whole morning working on my van. We had to change the oil pan gasket, oil and filter, air filter and the serpentine belt. Doesn't sound like much but it took us about 4 hours. It seems to be drip free. Let's hope it holds.

Now......gotta clean this house. 4 kids and no mom makes for a dirty house!

Until later,
Terry...

Ok, it's Saturday morning in China, I haven't heard from Diane since yesterday...but they're flying out today!! Their flight leaves anytime now (it's 9:00pm Friday here) and they have a full day of airline food and connecting flights. I haven't had any pictures to post but when they get home I'm sure we'll put several on this blog.

Until later, Terry...

It's Friday morning in China and this is their last full day before traveling home. They leave around noon on their Saturday and they land in St. Louis around 9:00pm Saturday night.

It wont be long!

Just a little news today. It's Thursday morning in China so they have today and tomorrow and then they pack up to come home. Tia has her US Consulate visit today and I think that is her last official appointment while in China. After that, they're just waiting to come home.

I'll post more pictures when I get them.

Terry...

Diane and JoAnn went to the zoo today and sent us this panda picture. They are having a great time but can't wait to come home. They leave this Saturday around noon (that's about midnight Friday night --St. Louis time). They will be arriving at St. Louis Lambert International Airport at 9:05 Saturday night and their flight number is American Airlines 1795. If anybody wants to meet us (and them) at the airport, we will be gathering at the exit of the C concourse which is past baggage pick up and all the way to the right (on the lower level).

Until later.......Terry