Thank you so much for praying for our family as we traveled to bring our adopted baby girl home from Ethiopia! It was a very long trip and we are completely exhausted, but we’re doing really well! It honestly could not have gone any better. Aster was an amazing little traveler!
The only bump along the way was that our flight from Frankfurt to Washington, DC was delayed so we missed our connecting flight to Charlotte, which meant an additional 4.5 hour layover. We ended not get home until after 12:30am Sunday morning. But Jesus was right there by our side keeping us company and helping us enjoy the incredible journey we had coming home. Here are are few fun memories:
Aster loved the airport with all the people, lights and sounds she’d never experienced. Here we are filling out customs paperwork and eating dinner at midnight before we get on the plane.
Getting ready to board Aster’s first plane ride! Can’t you tell she is so excited?
Playing with her big brothers on the plane.
She loves the sounds of plastic spoons beating on bowls, and the fact that Joshua’s face turns purple when he puts it on his nose.
Sleeping in the bassinet in front of our seat. Sweeeet!
We found a great restaurant with a shopping center all around it at the Frankfurt airport. Eating, shopping, changing diapers, walking around, changing diapers and eating again. What else could we do to pass time in the airport for 6 hours?
“Okay, I’m done! Thanks for trying but peek-a-boo isn’t even enough to entertain me anymore.”
“See even daddy is ready for a nap.”
“Me too! Thank you mommy for being my bed.”
“What are Joshua and Andrew doing? Writing books? Why aren’t they tired?”
“Oh now I see! When I wake up they go to sleep.”
“Why is Daddy smiling so big? We just missed our flight and I am pooped!”
“Okay, well if you play with me maybe I’ll smile, too.”
“Oooh, I like this play pen mommy made for me!”
“Oh, it’s not only a playpen but a baby bed, too. What’s mommy doing in here?”
“Who are all these smiling and huggy people with balloons and welcome home signs? Shouldn’t they be in bed? It’s so late! I guess they are really excited that I am here!”
“Hmmm. Who is this? He’s really snuggly! They say he’s our pastor but I think we could be related!”
God has done a beautiful work in Aster’s heart since we left Ethiopia and headed home. She is SO HAPPY and feeling so secure in our love. She is laughing and playing, making new sounds and being so cuddly! It has truly been a transformation before our very own eyes. She is already a display of HIS splendor, which is the promises God gave me for her life exactly two years ago today!
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Renee,
Aster's beautiful! Our Bible study group has been praying for you as you've traveled and battled sickness. Looking forward to learning more about your journey!
Renee, Our family lives in Charlotte and is in the process of adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia and I would love to talk to you. We have been waiting for a referral for 6 months and are hoping to get that phone call soon. I would love to know what it was like taking your sons. Please email me when you get a chance at [email protected].
Thanks, Shannon
WOW! Enjoy your sweet miracle baby girl. I love that God knew exactly when you would make it home and the promise was given at just the right time. You must tell us about that day two years ago. This journey of faith will bring many blessings.
Keep shining,
Jeannie
Congratulations! I am so thankful for safe return and PRAISE GOD for your little girl!
I cried when I read this, and I laughed too. Your daughter is beautiful, and your photos were so fun. I'm so glad she is adjusting so well, you can see her joy (and the rest of the families) just bursting out. God bless you and your beautiful family!
I have loved reading along and watching this story unfold. Your faithfulness as an individual and a family is so inspiring. Looking forward to reading many posts about life in the Swope household…raising a beautiful little girl!!
You guys are such troopers..that's a long trip! The bassinet on the plane..really? Who knew?
You have been so sweet to share this personal journey with us. Aster will be amazed by God's grace when she can read all that you thought and prayed for.
Welcome Home!!!!! What a wonderful blessing for you, your family and Aster. I saw a picture of Aster on Karen's blog today and it just made me smile. From the picture it appears that she is settling in just fine.
Congratulations and thanks for including us in your journey.
Congratulations Renee!!! Aster is absolutely beautiful (but of course, you know that:) I cannot wait to see what the future holds for your precious family!
Praise God! Thank you for sharing His love with us & with little Aster! love [email protected]
Renee,
I have been waiting anxiously for you to post "we are home"!!! And it's finally here. She is precioius, and like our youngest, blessed to have 2 big brothers to love and take care of her. Our boys were 12 and 7 when the last of our 4 was born. They developed a bond that is still so strong now 17 years later. Every little girls should be so fortunate at Aster is!
Love, Kim
What a wonderful story…I'm new to your blog and I really enjoyed seeing all the photos and reading about your adoption adventure. Congratulations on welcoming little Aster into your lives!
Wow…I'm speechless. Last time I read your blog, she was clinging to the workers and the transition was slow but okay. Now, to see her SO happy and bonded to you all is just priceless. She is such a cutie. I love the pics with her big brothers. It seems rare to have young boys want to play with babies. You know what I'm saying.
Thanks so much for sharing your pictures, your life, your journey.
Indeed a very beautiful and precious thing.
I'm so happy for you all.
I am so excited for ya'll. Happy you are home and praying the transition continues to go smoothly!!
I have peeked in here a few times to see how things have been going for you. Thank you for sharing this very personal journey with us. Your family is beautiful!
Renee,
You’re going to have so much fun. I waited 11 years for my girl and my daughter is the pampered princess, and you can’t tell her any different. I have two older boys as well and they have a tendency to cater to her and just cave and give her what she wants even if she is in the wrong. Have fun with your princess. She is so beautiful and blessed. I just want to eat her up. And thank you for sharing this journey with me. I was on pins and needles waiting for your next blog. She is just toooooooo cute.
Have a blessed Day
[email protected]
Welcome Home Renee! How exciting! Your family will continue to be in my prayers.
Blessings,
Pearls
Congratulations Rene, and all your family. Gods timining is the best. "He has K)made everything appropriate in its time He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man (L)will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end". Ecclesiastes 3
Welcome home Aster…praying and knowing that you could be no better place but in the arms of this Jesus loving family!
Renee,
Your baby girl is so cute. What a wonderful gift God has given you and your family. What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing it with us.