Welcomed Home

            Home I am, and find myself doing very well.  It’s such a blessing that the afternoon and evening went decently smoothly and I didn’t collapse into I-cant-handle-America convulsions, 

as I just may have feared I might.  

The plane’s wheel hit the runway with a jolt and thrust me back into a life that was familiar and yet felt a million years away at the same time.  Even so, I smiled in genuine excitement, and my heart raced as I it hit me for the 27^th time that I was so close to seeing my people and squeezing them tight.

  I scurried from the terminal I had entered five weeks and three days before at the start of my adventure, and within minutes was running through the gate into my family’s arms.  And then there I was, there we were, as it nothing had ever changed and I hadn’t been away for a month and a half.  We hugged each other tight and laughed at the fact that it was all so weird that I was actually home, that after all the waiting and traveling I was really back.  

We grabbed my bags and took off for subs and McFlurries before traveling the last leg 

of the journey home to a beautifully decorated house that celebrated that I was back with birthday banners, balloons, ribbons, and drawings.  Made me a little teary as I realized for the 392^nd time just how much these people love me, and just how much I love them back. 

The time change and jet lag are hitting hard, but coffee and quite early mornings have been ordained by Jesus and my Momma, and take them I will.  It’s been quite a journey, and it’s wonderful and heart wrenching to be back.   The trip processing is going to run into 

full swing within the next couple hours.  

FYI, if you have an a free afternoon and have the strange desire to drink coffee, listen to a million stories, and go through a billion photos, let me know.  I have just the opportunity for you J. Until then, much love to you all.   

I truly have missed ice cream and little minion brothers :)

My Prayer - Answered!

This is a school paper that I wrote as part of my creative writing class.

I want to share it here, as I feel it shows my heart towards my sister.

 

Though this is about Bethany, I want to make it very clear that I feel the same way about Kaden, and that he is every bit as much of an answered prayer and blessing.

It was because of the assignment requirements that I do not mention him in this paper.

That being said, please enjoy!

As I gaze down at the treasure sitting contently in my lap, I become keenly aware of something. My dream, my hope, my prayer, has been answered.  I think back to the years of waiting, hoping and dreaming that slowly slid away as I waited.  Even now the truth has yet to penetrate my brain.  My dream has been realized, and yet I fail to realize it. “Do you know who that is?” I ask, twisting one of her braids in my finger. 

“That’s baby me!” She exclaims, recognizing the picture. 

“Yes,” I say, “that is baby you.”  I stop there.   Her two-year-old mind isn’t quite ready to take in the words that have been collecting in brain.  The day will come when we both will be ready; she will be ready to hear, and I to tell.  I want to be able to tell her adequately how cherished she is.  How she is the answer to years of prayer.  How she helps to light the spark that sets the fire in my heart alive.  Her story isn’t mine to tell, but I have a role in it. 

As I have a role in her story, she has a role in mine.  My story goes back to the early years of my childhood, and creeps on up to today.  It goes back to my three-year-old self praying at night for a baby sister.  It goes back to my eight-year-old self longing for a baby to love.  It goes back to my twelve-year-old self, trusting that my prayer would be answered.  And it comes up to today, as my answered prayer sits in my lap. 

So many times I have taken this for granted.  So many times my selfishness doesn’t recognize the miracle of her.  I get caught up in the day-to-day living and fail to make the most of every moment.  Love is a choice that I must make, and today I choose to make it.  I choose to embrace every stage, every day, and every opportunity.  It is not a one-time decision, but one that I must make every day.  I have made my choice, and I choose to love. 



2 Years Home!

This second year of Kaden and Bethany being home as absolutely flown by!

We've had a really great year with them, and have seen them both develop and grow,

both in character and physically.

 

I think back to this night 2 years ago.

We were all so excited for our parents to come home with "Kadi" and "Baby Jilma".

As excited as I was, I was lightly nervous and apprehensive. 

What would this be like?

Our life would be completely different now...

What would we do with them all day?

Would Mom and Dad have any time for us anymore?

I never asked these questions, even to myself, but they were subconsciously running through my mind.

Then they pulled into the driveway.

Slowly they got of the car.

As soon as I saw 5 month old Bethany - my baby sister - all my subconscious fears instantly vanished.

I held her for the first time a few seconds later, and I was in love.

This was my sister, my answered prayer, the one I had waited for years to love.

And Kaden....

Oh, the little toddler he was then.

It is absolutely crazy to look back at picture and videos and to see what an absolute baby he was then.

He has grown so much and has completely transformed. 

He has been such an amazing joy and blessing, even through the sometimes trying times.

We are so unspeakably thankful for the gifts we have been given through Kaden and Bethany.

We love them so very much and cannot imagine our lives without them. 

 

Our day was packed full of fun!

Kaden called a meeting and together we came up with a list of things to do to celebrate.

Amazingly, we've done everything on the list!

 

Our day began with a special breakfast, then a trip to the park to play and take pictures, with Subway for lunch.  Next we came home to play outside, make jello, have shrimp for dinner, and end our special day with looking at pictures and videos from Congo before playing Baby Kaden and going to bed.

One of my greatest treasures... enough said.

this year

Last year

Two years ago! 

 

 

We also made Jello!  Although it didn't turn out quite right, it was fun!

Jon got into it too!

 

 

Kaden and Bethany,

We love you SO. VERY. MUCH. 

You are amazing blessings in our lives, and we can't image our lives with out you.

We love you!

 



Bethany Update

"Bitty, you finished, your math?"  Bethany asked me this morning.

"No, not quite, but I'm working on it," I replied.

"Ok.  I count," Bethany told me and proceeded to say,

"3, 10, 15, 16, 18... Bitty, you done now?"

 

I just cant seem to get over how completely adorable Bethany is!

At 2 years old, she is the spunkiest, cutest and simply best 2 year old I know!

If you haven't picked this up yet,
We're smitten with the youngest Gilbarte!

We're still working on potty training.  Not there yet, but definitely on our way.
She gets excited about "big girl undies" and no diapers.
We're excited about those things too!
Just not so excited about the accidents that happen! :)

Bethany is learning how to obey the first time,
and how to handle when she gets angry/frustrated.
Her natural tendency is the throw whatever she is holding when she gets upset,
and we are working on that. 
She's definitely learning!

Bethany loves to read books, go outside, and play with play-dough.
Play dough is her newest thing, and she really likes it!
When she's outside, she likes to swing or go on the trampoline, or sometimes the sandbox.

As far as talking, Bethany is making leaps and bounds!
She is doing sooooo well, and speaks in clear, understandable sentences.
We love to hear her talk.
Her voice is so sweet and innocent.  Consequently she is a little bit spoiled!

And her hair...
Bethany's hair is long and curly, and beautiful!
She has her *first* hair appointment tomorrow, and we'll see how she does...:)
I'm really exited to see it braided and/or styled professionally.
Certainly we'll have a blog post there.

So, friends, here is you Bethany Update.  I hope you were able to gather how amazing and well our little princess is doing.  Though, like any two years old, she has tantrums, quirks and all, she is the best little sister I could asked for, and we are super blessed with her!



Kaden Quote 14

When we were at the courthouse for the readoption,

the lady was explaining something to Kaden which he got very excited about.

"Now you will have two "birthdays," she said. "The day you were born, and today."

Kaden looked up quickly with an excited expression on his face, and said,

"Yes!  You give me a present?"

 



March 24, 2014: Our Readoption Day

Today Bethany and Kaden became Gilbartes, again!

When we adopted from DR Congo,

they didn't require at that time (I don't know whether or not they do now)

readoption the US, but my parents wanted to make the paper work simpler for them when Bethany and Kaden were older.

Now they will have all the paper work, including birth certificates, etc., here. 

 

There ceremony was closed to the public and was really nice!

The judge has adopted several kids herself and was really sweet to Kaden and Bethany.

Kaden was so funny!

After the judge came in and sat down she looked at Kaden and asked,

"So, Mr. Kaden, we are here to talk all about you!"

Kaden looked up excitedly and then glanced towards Bethany asking,

"And Defany, too?"

He is still so sweet towards her.

In the car she dropped her blanket on the floor and he picked it up for her saying,

"Here you, sweetheart!"

I don't know where he heard someone say that, but I sure was cute to hear!

 

 

 

Kaden was so excited when the judge gave him the folder of papers and told him it was his to keep.

 

in this pictures they are pressing the seal on their papers.

 

some how, even though Bethany had a night diaper on, she wet through it and leaked on the chair.

Oops!  Sorry!

We are so thankful that Kaden and Bethany are forever Gilbartes.

Our adoption journey to them had it's ups and downs, but it is so worth it.

They are such blessings and we honestly cannot imagine life without them.

 



Then and Now

What a difference a year makes...

Kaden and Bethany have gone from babies to little kids so quickly.

it seams like they just got home sometimes,

and yet it's been over a year.

We took a picture like the one taken in Congo to compare them.

How different they are!

2013:

2012:



1 Year Home

 On October 4, 2012, the change in our lives

that we had hoped for, prayed for and dreamed about, happened.

It was an amazing day,

and one that we'll remember forever.

It was the day Kaden and Bethany arrived home.

Forever.

What a year it has been! 

It hasn't been all wonderful and perfect,

not at all.

But it was a year that has made us all stronger as individuals and as a family.

We've gone through some crazy hard struggles.

But we've also gone through some amazing times.

we've laughed, we've cried.

Our faith has been tested and our strength has been tried.

My strength failed.

But God ALWAYS came through!

 

So many changes have taken place in this year.

Kaden and Bethany are completely different!

 

Kaden has gone from a languid little toddler,

to a strong, silly, full of personality little man!

It is crazy how he is completely unlike the Kaden only 12 months ago.

He is so curious now!

He asks why about everything.  and I mean everything!

 

2012

 

 

Today:

2012:

And Bethany...

She has changed so much too.

She's come from a sweet little 5 month baby to a cute, active toddler.

 



 

2012:

 

I can't believe that an entire year has passed.

We were talking about it,

and sometimes it still feels like they just got home.

Sometimes in the back of my mind it feels just like a really long babysitting job.

But I'm so thankful it's not.  These two are here to stay.

And even though it can be really tiring and hard sometimes,

we wouldn't have it any other way!

 

Here's a song named Come On In,

that my dad sent me over a year ago.

even though the song is about being saved I think it relates to adoption very well.

 

1.5 Months

Time is going by so quickly...

Kaden and Bethany have been home 1.5 months as of Thursday.

Kaden is speaking in half English sentences.

We are speaking half Lingalan sentences:)

Bethany is 6.5 months old already!

 

We kept thinking Kadi would come out of the "honeymoon stage" and start "acting out", but so far is never has. 

He is so funny, and smart, and he loves us.

 

He has said next to nothing about his life before coming home, but I was a part of one conversation we had.

We were going on a walk around our neighborhood, our walks are very slow these days with a lot of stopping to talk, look, listen, and even find a pet in the grass:)  Anyway, were about 15 minutes into the walk when Kadi stopped and looked up into the sky. 

"Kadi coona avion," (Kadi is up in the airplane) he said pointing to sky.

"No," I said, "Kadi aya."  (kadi's here) 

He looked at me for a second and then said

"Momma, Papa, Baby Jilma, Kadi avion."  (they were in the airplane)

"Yes.  Momma, Papa, Baby Jilma and Kadi were in the avion."

I pointed into the distance.  "Kadi coona, (kadi was there)  and then Momma, Papa, Kadi, and Baby Jilma went in the avion, (moving my hand like an airplane) home to Brittany, Brandon and David."

Kadi stared for a minute and then repeated what I said with emphasis

 on the long plane ride, and then looked at me. 

 "Home to Brittany." he said smiling."

Home the Brittany.  that makes me smile.

 

Bethany is doing very well too.

She is starting to babble, saying "da da da," although I'm trying to get her to say "ba ba ba" for Brittany.  It hasn't worked yet:)

She has two cute little teeth, starting on solids, and sleeping through the night most of the time.

She is a very sweet baby, but insists to be held most of the time. 

We are trying to take care of her beautiful African hair, and I've tried to braid it a few times.  I failed, but I'll keep trying:)