OOOOOOklahoma where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain

We made it!

We are all so happy to be here. I cannot say enough wonderful things about all three of the kiddos. Flying from Taipei to Oklahoma is no easy feat. It's a long, long day and they were simply fabulous! They never complained, and the boys are so sweet and good to their new sister. We were continually told how well behaved they were. Flight attendants, people we ran into while out and about,  people at AIT when we went to get her Visa. They all commented on our boys. I was very proud of them.

And Katelyn...I mean, she knows what's happening and why, but to be thrown headlong into an overseas flight, with this American family, what a lot to process! But she never complained. She was obviously sick of the planes (just like the rest of us), but she did it.

We arrived in Tulsa about 5:00 and we were greeted by some of my most favorite people. My mom and dad, sister, her boyfriend and his kids, my nephew and his wife, and Wendy and her (almost) baseball team. They drove from OKC with impending storms and tornados and were part of the welcome wagon. Signs, balloons, hugs, and kisses.

When you adopt, at least when I do, you imagine the homecoming. And then when you're in the middle of finalizing the plans, and then when you're there, you hope and imagine that it will be something special when you come back home, but you have no time or input on if that will happen. You want that memory for yourself, and for her. And my family and friends made that happen and it made my whole day! I am very thankful.

We got home and brought in all 67 suitcases (or so it seemed) and just let her explore. She loved the big yard, the house, and even the dogs. She loved that water comes directly out of the fridge door, and that the rocker/recliners rocked. We went out front to see the lightening show that was all around and she decided to run back into the house. That's how she learned there is a glass storm door. Poor girl ran smack into the thing, nose print and all. Welcome to America!

But all three kids got some good sleep and are enjoying just being here. Today she asked Andy about Mey-Fey? And Andy said "oh, you mean Murphy?" She smiled and nodded yes, Murphy...then rolled her eyes at herself and laughed and repeated "Mey-Fey" in an "oh geez" kind of way. So cute!

So, with hand gestures, Google Translate (that can be amazingly helpful, or totally interfere by not quite translating it right), and lots of repeating, we are managing.

I was helping her prepare for bed and I asked if she was happy. She smiled SO big and said "oh yes." And it melted me. Again.

Love her!!!