A family of five

When we picked up Isaac from the orphanage it was emotional and crazy and instant love. I loved him from just having his picture, but holding this child was pure joy for me- it was instant and total. It makes absolutely no sense- I know nothing about him yet. Is he quiet, loud, energetic, calm?......but really, none of that matters. He is my son. And I love him. Walking around Vietnam with him was a treat- watching him slowly trust us with a few things (we are still working on this and will be for quite some time) and hearing his laugh all just felt right- like we belonged. But the feeling of walking into the airport and seeing our daughters run for us and their brother... well that was in another catagory. We were family, complete. I remember when Emily came into the hospital room when her sister was a few hours old. It's a similar feeling. I loved Audrey instantly, but until we were all together it still felt slightly off. Now we can get on with being a family. And I am loving it!!


One of the surest signs he loves the girls- he let us put him in the carseat!! He watched them buckle up and didn't even cry when it was his turn!! In Vietnam he'd cry if we got to close to an open car door-- he HATES car rides! Of course, car rides there are a close brush with death! But he just looked at his sisters and smiled for much of the drive. And when we got to the house we saw the decorations put up by my mom and Emily and Audrey. What a neat thing for Isaac to come home to. The girls are constantly with him and fighting over who gets to sit beside him. I know this will pass into a more normal sibling relationship, but it's beautiful to watch now. And it's wonderful to be a family of five!!