where do i begin...

dear sweet, amazing, better-than-we-ever-dreamed-you-could-be boys,

we are finally home.  after 48 hours of travel, we have come home to the land of clean water, consistent electricity, and deodorant.  someday you'll understand the importance of those things.  for now, your ignorance is a good thing!

i want so bad to post all 875+ photos and 80+ videos of our first trip to see you, but all my cords and chargers are in our checked baggage currently being held hostage by United Airlines.  my first piece of motherly advice - never fly United.  they are AWFUL.  but that's another story...

i will forever remember that first moment that i saw you.  abdulrahman, i saw your giant smile first.  then megan was next to me and said, "there's sufian!"  suf, you were in front, so i grabbed you and hugged you.  then i said, "where's foday?" and Ab, you pointed right next to you.  foday, you were standing there quietly, just beaming at me.  dad grabbed sufian and i held your hands as we walked to the center.

i can't explain how it just felt normal and right.  i try to tell our friends and family that it's like falling in love.  it's just right.  you three were perfect and just as we thought you'd be.  foday, you were quiet and a little shy, but so incredibly smart and wearing a smile from ear to ear.  ab, you were a little more talkative and outgoing, and i remember you just kept looking at me...probably thinking the same thing i was, "is this really happening?  are you really here?"  sufian, you were a total joy and a total handful from the first moment.  fighting, hugging, singing, loving, dancing - you are all over the place!  the three of you are an incredible indication that The Raining Season has developed an amazing place for children without families who can care for them.  children who are so happy, so well-behaved, so smart, and so in love with their sponsors and forever families.  that first day was beautiful and surreal, but in a way it was completely normal and comfortable.  i think i hugged and kissed you about 3,000 times.  i know if you knew how to say it you would've sighed and said, "come ooooon, mom!  stop!"

Sufian, 4 yrs

Abdulrahman, 6 yrs

we played soccer, catch, colored, took pictures, listened to music, ate snacks, and talked.  from the very first moment we saw you, we were smitten.

and that was just day one...

love,

mom