We can still remember seeing Peter for the first time from the van windows into the hotel lobby. I cannot imagine the emotions he was feeling. I know that this mom was about to come apart from excitement. Thirty five hours of travel and 1.5 years of waiting and the day was finally here. Peter knew 'hi' and could count to ten in English. That was about it. By the end of the trip he could say thank you, banana, and I'm hungry. Not bad. He and Abi were about the same height and he seemed eager and a bit apprehensive about having a new family. I think we all felt the same way.
The first couple of months were the honeymoon phase where he was experience lots of new firsts. He rode a bike, started school at home, went to sleep with a mommy and daddy kissing him good nights. So many firsts. They were fun months full of new things.
The next few months, well, the honeymoon had ended! ;-) We started to experience the hiccups that most families experience with adoption, especially with an older, international child. There were days I could not even speak I was overwhelmed. The name of Jesus was all I could call upon. Frustrations ran high but love ran higher. We kept loving, kept encouraging, and kept remember this sweet child had been through more than any of us had ever been. And we still had some good times...first 4th of July, first Artsview play, first airsoft war, first swimming lessons and first mohawk.
Summer came to a close and we were on 8 months of being home. I had heard that 8 was the magic number and I had laughed. Lo and behold, it was. Life started feeling..normal. We had all settled into being a family. So much so that we said, "Let's do this again!" Life settled into our new normal of flag football, appointments at Children's, ELO, and real friendships. Friendships that had grown over time as these sweet boys (yep, they are sweet) gave Peter the space he needed but yet gave him the friendships he craved. Peter became closer with his sisters and brother. He started to trust Eric and I. And we were able to introduce him to his first vacation, Halloween, new puppy, hunting trip, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also were able to dedicate him at our church. What a happy day for our family to share what God did through their prayers and hard work to help bring Peter home. And one of the most special moments, celebrating Peter's birth!! He woke up knowing he was love and he has a family that is so excited that he has life!
