Oh to Gather Energy...

How sad a title is that! LOL!! But seriously, I am so tired. The days are so very full, and so very positive, but that doesn't stop me from being exhausted by the end of the day. I am determined, though, to get this post written. It will mean a LARGE bowl of icecream to be infused directly into my blood stream to give me a high boost of energy! LOL!!

Okay, so WHERE do I start? Yawn. *smile*

The kids are sleeping. Actually only 3/8 of them are. One big boy is doing schoolwork - still; one is working on his computer; one is cleaning a bathroom; two just knocked at the front door - reminding me that I had sent them out a few hours ago with a so kind friend, who took the poor hibernating children swimming for the evening! I had forgotten all about them. I just kept hearing someONE persistently knocking on my front door. I figured it was an annoying teenager! LOL!! Only to discover my children outside! My poor tired brain. And then of course, I have one small boy and two small girls sound asleep. That SHOULD add up to 8. I hope I haven't lost one!!

And trust me, that could happen!

So, back to the airport. You are going to get a somewhat shortened version. Sadly. The girls were awesome on the airplanes. We landed in Vancouver and headed out right away and down to Immigration. It only took about 30 minutes to get through Immigration.

Leaving the Airplane All Dressed Up

On the Way Down to Immigration

Waiting in Immigration

When we were called up I asked the lady in as submissive a way as I know how *ROFLOL* to please write the girls names on the legal paperwork. I didn't want to make it seem like a big deal or she might think she 'shouldn't' do it. So I just told her that by simply writing it on the paper it would make it easier to get the medical card in that name. She did it. So we then had our girls legal name change done at the airport! No one year wait!! That was wonderful!

When we came home it meant that we were able to order our Medical Cards for them and have their new names on those right away, and then we had a legal thing in our hand (the PHN cards) and that would make everything else legal right from the get go!! Very good! So now when we apply for Citizenship the name has already been changed! No wait and then change later.

When we got through Immigration we went simply out the door and had friends and family waiting for us. It was wonderful to see. I had chatted with the girls before we went out the doors that there would be friends there and to be sure to be happy and smile at everyone and say hello. The girls were already very happy and so excited to be in Canada. As they walked on down the walkway they began chanting: I am happy! I am happy! in unison. It was cute.

Well, Gadisae certainly did not disappoint!! LOL! She bounded into everyone's arms. No shyness there! Simply: oh, I might know you? Then I think I should hug you!

I only have these photos so far, as I am still waiting for copies from other cameras. These came from my son taking pictures, so I am sorry if you were there and you are not in pictures. We are hoping to get other pictures from people.

It was wonderful to see the friends that came out. Sarah, I loved seeing your little ones! Thank you for taking pictures for us. I still have to see if I can get my email box big enough to download them all. One day at a time, right now! LOL!

Susan, I haven't had a chance to talk to you yet - you threw me completely with the new hair do! I didnt' recognize you for a few minutes - I suspect you picked up on something there! I hope you weren't offended! We had only met the one time at the seminar and your hair was long! I love it short. We will have to get together when we come down sometime. My sister is blocks from your house!

Roger and Melania, Jenny and Kids, so glad you all could come! It was such a nice feeling to see you all and have a chance for you to meet the girls before we left!

Meeting Auntie Mandy and Niva and Ahria (cousins) For the First Time

Meeting Wonderful Uncle Dave

Finally Girl Cousins!

Auntie and Her Girls

Yeah! Another Uncle! Gadisae and Uncle Roger

Kind Uncle Dave Traipsed the Girls Everywhere

Old Good Friends

These four young people were born knowing each other. The two on the right are my friend, Jenny's children. We have been friends since we were girls. Since moving to our town the contact between the teens has been cut back to almost nonexistant. It was a real treat for our kids to find out their old friends were at the airport!! A real unexpected surprise for my boys!

After we stood there gabbing for an hour or so, we headed out to the next airplane check in. It was to be our last flight home.

Beautiful flowers from Jenny and her children. On our way to catching our next and final flight home!

We got on the plane and the girls got buckled in. It was to be a 1 hr 8 minute flight.

We were all so terribly tired that within minutes we were fast asleep.

We woke up upon beginning landing in the little airport. The girls were so out of it we could barely wake them. It was wonderful to see the window in the little airport full of all of our friends and family!!

Unfortunately, because the girls had now been up for 48 hours (minus cat naps on the planes) and they had just had a 1 hour nap, they were pretty out of it. They were shy (which is NOT like them; they are just like our boys - very social!) and stuck pretty close to us.

We had tons of people at the airport and that was so wonderful for us!!

Our boys were very calm about the girls but obviously so excited to finally meet their sisters. What to me is a funny thing is an observation I made. My boys, who are known for being string beans, actually looked chubby in the faces!! I think it was from spending so much time with two little girls who are really underweight and have no chubbiness to their faces at all.

After a very short while, Mesai warmed up and began running around the little airport with the boys and my friend Erin's little girl, Julianna. They had a wonderful time and I am sure the airport was glad when we finally left!! LOL!

Shortly after this we packed up in our van and headed for home. The girls had been amazing up to this point - no tantrums, no big tears, no problems of any kind. I loaded them into the backseat of the van, helped them into their carseats, buckled them into their 5 point harnesses (NOT like Africa!) and off we went. Not a peep. Not a complaint or a comment about the straps. Soon the girls were asleep and I zoned out. Sorry, I couldn't be a friendly mother to my boys. I was so incredibly tired that I just had to try to sleep.

We got home about an hour later, climbed out of the van, put the girls and little boys into the tub and then jammies, into their new bedroom, tucked into bed, and then the house was silent! It was as quick and simple as that! Before they went to bed though, the boys had to give them hugs and kisses.

And in answer to your questions regarding the girls and their new bedroom. No comment. Literally. But you have to remember - EVERYTHING from the minute they got to that airport was brand new to their eyes: escalators, elevators, airplanes, audio machines, movies on planes, new faces, new clothes, new toys.

What is one more thing - a new bedroom. One day they may tell me their thoughts that first night. And I hope they do. But in the meantime, it is enough that they are happy. Last night, I asked them if they would prefer to be in Eteeopia (as they call it) or here. Without hesitation, Mesai replied: here! And Gadisae, when it was her turn, replied similarly. They are happy and we are beginning to be a family, and life is good.