February 14th - A Valentines to Remember

Waking up to sunny California weather was such a treat.  After a good nights rest and the sweet experience we had at our hotel the night before I felt like a new person.  Excited to head home and finally be with the rest of my family.  Excited for our world to finally meet little Jaymi and partake of the goodness that just radiates from her perfect little soul.  Excited to hold my two babies at home and for Wayne to hold Jaymi in his arms again.  Just plain excited!  Jaymi was pretty excited too!  She was up and ready to go at about 4:30 am.  We spent some time watching the movie Tangled, very fitting for a little girls who "life was just about to begin anew".  A little girl who had been locked away from this big beautiful world that has so much to offer her.

Around 6:30 we headed down to the lobby for some breakfast and exploring.  We came back to the room, got bathed and ready for the day.  I'm telling you just being back in the U.S. for less than a day made me so grateful for so many things.  One of those being the bright warm sunshine on our face.  Oh how we missed seeing the sun while in Moscow.  I literally think we only saw it for 5-6 days while we were there.  It was so nice to look out the window and see the palm trees and feel the heat of the sun.

Whoa that things bright!

What is that thing?

I guess its not too bad, I could get used to this!

It was also so nice to see the smiling faces of strangers and passers by in the hotel and airport.  People were so sweet with us and it helped this mama's heart after some disheartening experiences we had while on the flight over.  It made me proud to live in a country where for the most part people saw my beautiful little girl as just that, a beautiful little girl.  I know this country isn't perfect and there are still people that don't understand and see the worth of person with a disability and how treasured they are, but I believe that is changing every day and I hope that more and more people will know how precious every person is, not matter their genetic makeup.

As we waited for the shuttle to pick us up we took some, "WE DID IT!!!" victory pictures.  The kids were so cute!  I emailed Wayne and Brian the pictures and told them we were on our way!  Pretty sure they both teared up a bit when they saw them.  Okay, I know they did because they both admitted to it. :)

Waiting for the Shuttle

Becky and I had to laugh when we noticed we were sitting in the Smoking Area.  Just so used to all the smoke in Russia, we didn't even notice. 

VICTORY!!! WE DID IT!!

Yep friend, we did it!

Okay can we put our arms down now?  We are tired :)

Our flights went well and we made it home!  Our flight from LA to Utah was so fast it felt like we got up in the air, flew for a few minutes and headed back down.  I guess thats what a 13 hour flight the previous day will for you, perspective.  The kids slept for most of the flight and were well rested for their grand entrance into this new life of theirs.

When we got into Salt Lake we took our time saying goodbye to Becky and Gabe.  Becky's sister in law was there to greet us as she had a flight to Arizona in a few hours, that she may or may not have boarded.  It was hard saying goodbye to our new sweet friends.  Becky and I had spent the last 30 days together almost every second of the day.  She is one of my dearest friends and we will be sure to keep in touch for the rest of our lives.  We already have our children bet-roved to each other :)  I can't wait for all of us to get together.  You better believe we are already planning something for this spring.  Gabe and Jaymi will always hold a special bond as they were best friends during this journey into their new forever.  Even 2 weeks since we have been home she gets so excited when she sees a picture of her Gab-ey.

At last my little girl and I found our way through the airport, hand in hand, ready to say hello to this new life awaiting us.  I savored every last step of that walk with her, knowing that I didn't get to keep her all to myself anymore.  That her life and love was meant to be shared with all that will come in contact with her.  I gave her a big hug and said, "Lets go see Papa".  As we stepped onto that escalator down to our family and friends, I couldn't take my eyes off her, because just the thought of those waiting there was too much for my eyes to take in.  I tried so hard not to cry, but I failed...and thats okay.

Waving the tiny American flag Becky's sister-in-law brought for her, she entered this new life with more grace, poise and excitement than I would have ever imagined.  She probably gave out over a hundred hugs in those first 30 minutes, most of them to our nieces, nephews and friends children who have been diligently praying for her to come home for over a year.  I know Heavenly Father was aware of each and every prayer said in behalf of our little girl, I know that is why we were led to find her over one year ago.  She has had people praying for a family to find her for years.  My sister-in-law brought a Princess Dress and Crown for Jaymi to wear and boy did she eat that up!  She was loving all the attention and love, it was so fun watching her soak it all in.

I love the lady's face in the maroon shirt behind us.

Bryn was still mad at me for leaving for so long, she would barely look at me. 

It was so fun seeing all our loved ones gathered in to meet our little girl and to welcome us home.  WE HAVE THE BEST FAMIY AND FRIENDS IN THE WORLD.  We could have never done this without their love, support and prayers.  There were balloons, signs, gifts, smiles, laughter and tears.  It was sad not having little Kaelyn there to great us as she was still up at the hospital, but luckily she was doing better and would be able to come home in the next day or two.  If it hadn't been for Kaelyn we would have never been on this journey to bring Jaymi in to our family.  She opened our eyes to children with Down syndrome and how great they are. We also say that Bryn brought a message with her from Heaven, telling us that she had a sister in Russia waiting for us to come get her, as she was only three months old when we began this process.

We are so grateful to all our loved ones that came to the airport to welcome us home.  It meant so much to me!  Its funny because on our trip home from court I was feeling a little bit sad as Wayne and I rode down that same escalator thinking that we wouldn't have many, if anyone welcoming us home when we brought Jaymi home because our flight from JFK would have put us into Salt Lake around mid-night.  I knew that was too late for people to be there.  So although things were much harder than we anticipated they be back in December, I'm grateful for the sweet experiences we had along the way.  One of those being an embrace with our sweet friend Whitney who is adopting a precious little girl with Ds from Russia.  She and her husband met and bonded with their little girl in December, just before all this broke out.  My heart hurts so much for them as they are still waiting and hoping that a way will be made possible for them to bring their precious little girl home.  I will never stop praying and believing that things will workout for them and all the children and families still caught in the middle of this.

A few local news agencies/papers covered our homecoming if you want to see some footage of that.  They are some great photos and video shots.

-February 14, 2013 - KSL: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=24085933&nid=148&title=s-jordan-family-finally-whole-after-daughter-arrives-from-russia

-February 15, 2013 - KUTV, Utah:  http://www.kutv.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_3856.shtml

-February 15, 2013 - Deseret News, Utah:  http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55832499-78/jeana-jaymi-russia-russian.html.csp

-February 15, 2013 - Salt Lake Tribune, Utah:  http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865573219/South-Jordan-couple-stuck-in-legal-limbo-brings-home-daughter-from-Russia.html

After we left the airport, Wayne went up to the hospital to see Kaelyn and talk to doctors about when she could come home.  The girls and I headed home with Grandma and Grandpa Bonner.  As we entered our street I saw that the trees leading up to our house were all tied with big pink bows.  I was so surprised to see this, once again the tears rolled and I asked my mother in law who did it.  She said there was a note on the door.  When we pulled in front of our house I saw they had decked our whole porch out in ribbon and of course it was none other than our cute neighbors the Buncher's and Carlson's.  I've talked about them both before as the Buncher's have a son with Ds who we love and the rest of their kids have been praying for Victoria since we met them back in May when they first moved into our neighborhood.  The Carlson kids did a lemonade stand for us and raised over $200 to help bring Jaymi home.  We are so lucky to live in such a great community.  I can't tell you how many people have been so supportive and loving throughout this whole journey and especially sweet since we have brought Jaymi home.  If there is one thing this little girl will never run out of around here, its love.

Bryn and I had a great time showing Jaymi her new home.  Bryn totally loved having a big sister the minute we walked in the door.  It has been such a special experience watching their relationship develop.  After we got settled in and Bryn down for a nap, my sweet in-laws headed up to the hospital to be with Kaelyn so Wayne could come home since she wouldn't be discharged until the next day.  After Bryn was in bed we were hanging out on the family room floor and I was trying to stay awake so I could watch the story of us on KSL.  I laid down on the floor and Jaymi laid on my back like kids do when they don't want you falling asleep.  About 45 minutes later I woke up to Wayne asking what we should do with Jaymi.  She had fallen asleep just as instantly as I had.  We were definitely exhausted.  I was able to stay awake through the story and it was so neat being able to see all the pictures and film of our arrival.  It was all kind of a blur to me so it was special indeed.

She came right in and made herself comfortable, like she has lived here all her life.

This is your very own bed, it has been waiting for you for months and months

Opening the beautiful quilt aunt Caryn and Grandma Amy made/gave her.

"So I hear I'm a Utah fan, okay, sounds good to me"

The following morning Wayne headed up to the hospital to bring Kaelyn home.  It was so special when she got home and we were all finally together under one roof.  Kaelyn was still pretty sick, so she isn't quite sure whats going on, but I know her and Jaymi will have a special bond.  I'm so excited to be their mom and for Bryn and their future siblings (if we are so lucky) to have them as their sisters.  I can't wait to see our story continue to unfold and to enjoy the simple pleasures of spending quiet days together at home, as a family.  I know it will take some adjusting, as does anything in life, but I will continue to try and take my own advice and always "look for the good", even when things are hard an the way seems long.

Papa and his girls, together at last

Kaelyn and Jaymi finally meet

Mama and her girls, all finally together

So happy to be home.  So happy to have Jaymi home.  May I never forget the lessons, love and people we have met along the way.  Life. Is. Good.