We made it!!! We are finally home and things are going so well. I am just waiting for all the breakdowns and meltdowns that I hear are so common but so far we have not experienced that.
Our flight home went very well. The girls were extremly tired since they didn't get much rest. Aida met us at 12:30 AM to catch our 3:20 AM flight and the girls didn't get to sleep that night until 10:30, so you can see how much rest we got. They slept on the flight from Almaty to Frankfurt. We got lost in the airport in Frankfurt (the signs were wrong!), so we were not able to get them any food or drink, so when we boarded in Frankfurt they were famished. The steward was very kind and got them some things. They won everyone's heart on the airplane from Frankfurt to Chicago. They were laughing and loved the earphones, they were dancing to the music and switching the channels on the TV in front of them. As we were getting to land in Chicago they were singing America, America!!! It was so cute!!!
Immigration was a little tricky. I didn't know what I was doing and it seemed that no one else did either. I only had an hour to catch my connecting flight so it was a bit tense for awhile. Even as I was leaving passport control they man asked me for my paper (which they did not give me), but by that time I was antsy and told them I was going to miss my plane! He let me go and told me it was not his fault if my papers were messed up. I figured I rather work that out at home over the phone than wait in the airport for another flight. We'll see how it all plays out.
Larry, the boys and my mom were waiting at the airport when we arrived. Anastacia was so excited, and Maria was too until we touched ground. Then she started clamming up. I think it started sinking in. She was a little quiet at first but as we started driving home and when we got home they were both brimming with excitement. They loved the house, they loved their rooms. They thought it was so neat they had their own private park (our backyard!). We had some toys and clothes in the closet for them and they just loved them. It was so fun to see their utter joy and excitement over everything.
I do admit that I feel that I have two toddlers to look after. Because they are not familiar with things they are into EVERYTHING!!! They love the phone and run to answer it all the time. Sometimes hanging up before I can get to them. They love the computer and want to be on it all the time. They love the TV, DVD player, CD player, everything and anything electronic. They touch everything and they don't have the concept of not everything is theirs to touch.
They are fearless. We asked them if they knew how to ride a bike, they said yes. Both hopped on the bikes and started riding. Maria did and was OK, Anastacia did not and fell immediately. But yet she tried to do it again several times. We had to watch her like a hawk so she wouldn't hurt herself. The same thing happened with swimming. They both said they knew how to swim but as they jumped into the pool it was very apparent they didn't when they both started drowning. Thank heavens Caleb pulled Maria to the side, and I got Anastacia! It is so amazing to me. I would have thought that this type of knowledge came from age, but it is apparent that is comes from experience. Even with the curling iron, Anastacia grabbed it by the metal side and burned herself. It is a learning experience for me to remember to act and watch them as I would a 2 year old!
But they are learning so fast. They are amazing. It has been so much fun. Everyday we have had lots of people visiting to meet the girls and while they are shy at first, they open up really fast. Anastacia is constantly giggling and is so cute. She loves everyone. Maria is a little more reserved, but has meet some friends in the neighborhood and they absolutely love her. I have had more kids at my house in the last few days than I have in the past year! It seems to be OK for the girls. I sometimes wonder if they are overwhelmed but they seem to thrive on it, especially Anastacia. I think I am the one overwhelmed! To go from two kids to four is double the work. But it is great.
Larry and I said many times while going through this process that if we had known how hard it was going to be we would not have started it. But after having these girls in our homes and in our family, we would have done it and more. They are precious and wonderful and it feels like they have been ours forever. We are so grateful for these two beautiful girls!
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