Home

There are so many cliches I could use today.  Simply put, it's great to be home.

We got home in time to surprise Isaac and Shoun who were at a birthday party.  The birthday boy's mom was in on the secret so we called her as we were pulling up.  The kids were down the street at a park so she told our boys that they had to go back to the house for a second, for a message.  Isaac said he considered that it might be us.  Since no one had time to wash up, Victor stayed in his car seat and the boys did a "Look, don't touch," round with Victor.  Shoun kept coming back for another peek and saying, "That's so cool."  I think these two will have a very special bond.

Then we headed to Allenberry.  I was hoping to catch the final number of Annie and surprise the girls as they came outside for their Meet and Greet.  We were a little late but did arrive before the orphans had returned to their dressing rooms.  What an emotional surprise!  I think Eden carries a lot of love and responsibility for the little brother for whom she desperately prayed.  She cried tears of joy and relief.

And as promised, since she wasn't allowed to hold or touch him in the hospital, she was the first to hold him when he came home.

And HopeAnne, also part of the promise, was next.

At home the next day, MomMom and PopPop had their turn as well as the boys who had now had a chance to sanitize and/or wash up.

Andrew arrived home from his missions trip this morning, stood at Victor's bedside, and wished him awake.  He finally got his chance to hold his littlest brother.  He wants to know at what age they start to play football.

Victor is flourishing and changing so much already, now that he is with at least part of his loving family.  He is gaining weight just as he did in the NICU, weighing 6 lb. 3 oz. at the pediatrician's office yesterday morning.  One more ounce and he'll be up to my birth weight.  It's always fun to picture it that way.

Soon Jesse and Mariana will be home and our whole family will be together again.  It's been a long time in coming.  And then Shoun leaves for church camp.  And Isaac goes to Suzuki camp.  And the big kids head off in all directions.  And Andrew leaves for college.  And...  And.... And....

And one chapter ends.  But another is just beginning.  Don't leave our story now; there will be lots more to come.

And prayer requests?  Victor is able to be off oxygen while he's awake but still needs it for feeds and sleeping.  Pray for every breath and that he can be completely weaned off the oxygen very soon.  Pray for our family as we adjust to being one big, happy family again.