Home

The rest of the journey home was easy. We went through New Immigrants line at customs, got our luggage, and climbed into the car. Misha was excited and kept trying point things out to Anna, but she didn't seem too impressed. Within 15 minutes, they were both asleep. Misha woke just before we turned onto our street and woke Anna to see.

As we pulled up, Emily and Mason came out the door to greet us. Anna immediately hugged Emily and (with some encouragement) Mason. We piled into the house and were given the tour of everything new (or clean). Mason proudly showed Misha where he could put his stuff and the closed and dresses space that would be his. Emily tried to do the same for Anna, but by then Anna had seen the dogs in the back yard and couldn't be bothered by anything else.

We quickly changed into shorts (can you say HOT weather?) and played until dinner (thanks Mom for cooking!). Then it was time for bed...for Everyone. We started our new routine...boys change while girls get the bathroom, then switch. Time for a short family devotional, prayers, hugs, and kisses. Lights out...almost. Anna needed a bit more encouraging from Mama. Like in Kiev, bedtime was game time. After trying to get her to settle down. I took all her new stuffed animals, fluffy pillows, and blankets away and shut the door on a dark room. She of course didn't like this. I said she could have everything back, but she had to stay in bed. She understood (since we had negotiated similarly in Kiev) and settled down only to get up 5 minutes later to go to the bathroom. After that, she settled in and we didn't here a peep from her or any of the others! By 9:00 we were all in bed for a well deserved rest. (So why am I wide awake at 2:30 am typing while my family sleeps?)