Home at last! We arrived in the States on July 14th. Our first destination: Detroit, MI. Averi, Grandma Kim, and Uncle Nick surprised us at the gate when we arrived! Averi and Eli connected instantly; hand-in-hand they trotted around the airport in a whirlwind of excitement (except when Averi attempted to carry him every couple of minutes a few feet at a time!) What a joy to be united as a family once again.
Eli got along great with his new family. He loved playing Grandpa Tom's guitar, pillow fighting with Uncle Ethan, hanging out with Uncle Nick, and sitting in Grandma Kim's lap. After spending 3 days in the Detroit area with Krista's family, we drove down to Indiana (8 hrs) to spend a couple days with Larry's family. Within a couple minutes of arriving at The Lain's, Eli was down on the floor wrestling with Uncle Gus and Grandpa Billy! Eli especially liked playing with his 2-year old cousin, Brayden (and playing with his toys which he claimed as his own!) He held on tightly to Aunt Carol while swimming in the pond. After lots of fun in the sun, we drove 12 more hours to Baton Rouge, La. We arrived home on Friday, July 20th at 8:30pm. If feels so good to be home!
Averi and Eli are quite a pair! They have been having so much fun with each other despite the occasional upset over sharing toys. Eli is quite the schedule setter as well! Without avail, I have been struggling to get our family on a schedule for Eli's sake for the last 3 months. Shoulda known...now that he has arrived he is putting us on a schedule! He is a blessing in so many ways! God gifted us with an amazing child who fits in with us so very well. We are constantly in awe of God's sovereignty and all-knowing-ness. God definitely prepared us for each other. It seems that Eli is wired to be a Lain! Come to think of it, OF COURSE HE IS!
Thank you so much for all your prayers! Please continue to pray for our adjustment as a family. There are many challenges as we get settled into a new way of life. We can feel your prayers of peace and joy surrounding us and lifting us up on tired days! We cannot thank you enough!
