Family Redefined

Several times since we began blogging, we've mentioned the progress of the adoption of our dear friends the Nordstroms.

Tonight we had the joy of being at the airport as they arrived home with their little "Peaches."

Peaches' new brothers, Eddie Joe and Big Fella waiting for their little sister.

 

Big sister, Sunshine (right), with friend, Naomi

4-year-old Katie ready to welcome Peaches home with a poster she had worked on for days

The 50-60 of us who had gathered, most from our church family, cheered when the plane arrived.

We all eagerly awaited the first sighting of the Nordstroms, but Kaylee knew better than most what this felt like as a sibling. Almost four years ago, her parents adopted her brothers, Dash and Bear, from Ethiopia. Tonight Kaylee and all her siblings were wearing clothing from Ethiopia.

 

Through the large glass windows we all got our first sighting of Russ, Heather and Peaches. As soon as the three of them emerged through security, their five children who had stayed at home mobbed them.

  

Together as last! A family 16 months in the making! What a glorious God to work such a wonder!

What a happy family! Praise be to God!

As Peaches began to meet those who'd come to the airport, two of the first friends she was introduced to were Dash and Bear, the brothers mentioned earlier who were adopted from Ethiopia nearly four years ago.

The Gitlins, who'd adopted from Ethiopia about nine months ago, were also on hand to welcome the Nordstroms home and celebrate God's redefining of their family.

Many friends brought banners they made or balloons or stuffed animals. The Etheringtons even brough a large box of cupcakes that Jack (left) and his grandma had made.

What a blessed former orphan Peaches is--parents who love her...

...brothers ready to protect her...

...and a sister who's oh-so happy to finally have a sister. In fact, Peaches' Ethiopian name, Meddie, means "I have a sister." Sunshine is the oldest of four brothers so the colors pink and purple will be a welcome change!

I don't want to finish this post without acknowledging the extra-special care the Nordstroms and our family

have received from the airport employees. These kind women have gone out of their way to make our way easier as we adopt. Our two families have decided to give our airport the unofficial designation: "Adoption-Friendly Airport."

Here I snagged Cindy (left) for a photo with the happy adoptive family. Cindy was there both when Russ and Heather left a week ago and when they returned.

The Nordstroms have named their newest family member Meddie Grace. She is truly a gift of grace from a good God, who will provide the eight Nordstroms all the grace they need as they adjust to the enormous change of adding an older child to their family. We thank the Lord from blessing our dear friends with beautiful Meddie Grace.