Our hearts are with you!

What a Caregiver!

Sshhh Sshhh... be quiet! be quiet let mom sleep. Chavela seems to be telling Valencia and Alyssa. What a thoughtful caregiver she is. But soon she became very tired and took her bath and slept quietly beside her Mom.

PLEASE WE NEED A SHOT WITH THE BABIES

We just arrived at the Abuja Airport and we were very exhausted and tired after a long and hectic journey. But some passersby must take a snapshot with the babies whom they consider as "multiple blessings" Please let us take a snap shot with them... please we just want to be a part of this multiple blessings..' they pleaded, so we have to stop and meet their request.

I was sick and tired so i quietly went and sat on a seat while Ose managed to put up a smile.

BIG SISTER CHAVELA ENJOYS BEING A CAREGIVER

Its been a mixed feeling for us coming back to Nigeria. Things are not as organized as in US but family is an eternal joy to enjoy. Today caregivers were late in coming and Chavela has to take up the challenge of feeding Alyssa. She was tutored by me and i think she learnt very fast. She was excited to feed the baby and i think Alyssa enjoyed the touch of her big sister. She slept thereafter. At four, Chavela is already learning the lovely act of caregiving and we pray to God our father that she grow to become a pride to the church and to our family. May all Glory and praise be unto our Father who loves us and is able to supply all our needs in Christ Jesus.

Home safely!

The family has arrived safely home to Nigeria! Many thanks to Delta, who treated them like royalty at the airport and made the travel arrangements smoother than we thought possible. It was a bittersweet goodbye, the completion of a good work. A challenge and a blessing, many times greater than we could imagine. God's incomprehensible plan continues to amaze us as He pours out His love on this family.

Below is a note from Mom:

Hello friends, we had a wonderful trip home. I've been so busy settling down. We thank God for His mercies. Chavela is really excited about the babies and she has watched the slidepictures and was amazed about the number of people that helped. For every gift that had a name on it, she asked who is this and I was made to call peoples name. She has carried the babies and wished they could talk. I cried when I saw my daughter because she was big and I've missed her so much. I cried after I left Atlanta because it dawned on me I was not going to see your faces for sometime. I miss you all and I wish again I was there. Love you all and remain blessed.

Here are Mom and Dad along with a few of the coordinators who have worked with the family. Dad came bearing many gifts, among them these beautiful Nigerian outfits that we were proud to wear. Thank you!

Volunteers

Above is just a small sampling of the many many wonderful people who gave their time and love to this family. We gathered on Sunday afternoon around some good food, warm fires and adorable babies and we sang songs and prayed over this family that we will miss terribly.

Daddy's Girl

Miss Valencia recognized her Daddy right away and could not take her eyes off of him. She smiled and stared for hours after he arrived. It's amazing how she just knew him.

Welcome Daddy!

It was an exciting morning! Dad arrived safely from Nigeria and everyone is thrilled. We were all so excited getting ready for his arrival that we forgot to tell him that we were coming to the airport to get him! Mom didn't even know the plans and scrambled to get ready this morning. Dad's plane landed early and we were late getting to the airport. We tried to have him paged at the airport, but he was so singularly-focused on getting to his family that he didn't hear. We caught him with his bags loaded and one foot in the taxi! Because we were in such a rush, we didn't have the cameras ready for the reunion. We made him turn around, go back, then run towards us again so we could get a picture!

It was a very touching moment. Mom reached up to Dad and said "Is it really your face?" We can never really know the struggles they've had to manage being apart. After less than five minutes of joyful reunion, they began making plans for logistics for the babies - return travel, care at home, supplies, etc. The challenges are many and the work never-ending. These babies will never know the sacrifices that their parents have made on their behalf. But that's as it should be. We do our best to let them grow happy and healthy and let the cares of the world be our burden and not theirs.

Welcome Daddy! Enjoy your mini-family reunion. It's just a few days until the return trip to big sister in Nigeria will make it a full family reunion. Your US family will miss you terribly.

"Okay, we have to know the story here!"

Here we are at our final pediatrician appointment. (From left to right: Bibiana, Valencia, Noah and Alyssa). It was a crowded day so at first, two of us went into the waiting room and two of us waited in the hall. Everyone ooohhed and aaahhhed at us in the waiting room - "oh look, twins!" - then they caught a glimpse of similar carseats in the hallway. Wait a minutes here! We had everyone very confused. Plus, we were with two caregivers who don't look very much like us. (Mom was busy getting our visas). Finally, one mom in the waiting room said "okay, we have to know the story here!" Everyone is always excited to learn about us and we're happy to share how we've been blessed so far. We got a chance to say thank you and goodbye to our favorite nurses, doctors and staff at the pediatrician who have been so kind and helpful. You've helped keep us healthy enough to fly home, so thank you!