Saturday, January 24, 2009

The Journey Is Over...

Yesterday was a full and very happy day for me.  I left Thursday night once the kids were in bed and headed to Ang's house.  We were able to spend the whole day together on Friday!!  Took the Things to school, had coffee, went to lunch, went for a walk in the woods...a looooong walk...uphill...both ways... mmmm hmmm... , played "school" with Thing3 and Thing4 and read a story to Thing4.  Then TB&H grilled steaks!!!  YUMMY!!  After that it was time for me to hit the road.  It was not easy.  It is always so hard to say bye to all of them!  I love those Things sooo much.  They all have me wrapped!  I am so fortunate to have the kind of friendship with Ang that I do already! She is the best and I love her too!  I can't wait till we get together again...SOON!!!! 

I left and headed to the Atlanta airport to pick up Jay and Emily and little Ashley!  When I pulled up to the airport and stood there waiting for them, my heart was pounding a mile a minute!!  I was so excited to see them!  And when they got there, she was just as beautiful as her pictures!  She was smiling, even after the long day they all had.  Emily took her out of the stroller and Ashley gave me a big grin.  My heart just melted into a big old puddle.  Then, she took her chubby little hand and wrapped it around my finger to walk to the car.  That did it...right then and there I decided she could have and do whatever she wanted to on the way home!!

She did great on the ride home, especially considering the fact that she had never been in a carseat before.  I didn't know it, but Emily said they don't use them in China!  Finally, about 1:15am we made it to their house.  Avery was already with us, and Jay went and got the other girls up.  Ashley never missed a beat!  She just started running around the house like she had always been there!  She let Jay and Emily's mom hold her for a second and then she started handing out the kisses!  She laid one on me so big that I had drool dripping off my face too!  I loved every minute of it!

I feel so privileged that not only does she share my name, but that I was able to go and pick them up last night and see her!  The journey to Ashley Mei might be over, but a new journey for Jay and Emily and the girls has just begun!


first family photo!!




20 comments:

Davisix said...

This post brought a tear to my eye. What an amazing journey for such a sweet little face, what an amazing family for already loving her the way they do, and what an amazing friend I have in you. Love you like crazy and miss you! xoxo Ang

CntryMomma said...

Wow! Look at that smile!! She's a beauty! Great pics as always. ;o)


LORI

He & Me + 3 said...

what an exciting few days you had. That baby is just precious & how cool that she shares your name.
Days that you will never forget.

Keisha said...

HOW PRECIOUS!!! She is a Doll Baby! Thanks for sharing these! Brings back memories of when we got home! *sigh*
hugs!!!
ps.. you are such a Great friend.. wow!

Jen Talley said...

Thanks for posting this Ashley. I've been loing forward to them coming home. I told Emily I would give her a few days and then I'd bring Mei over for an introduction.:) I have a feeling they will be great friends.

Hayley. said...

Oh I'm so glad she is transitioning so well, and I cannot wait to meet her!!! She is the most beautiful thing ever. :)

Yellow Beads said...

oh so sweet!!!!

Sharon said...

Welcome Home little Ashley...I know God has a special plan for you and your family!!
Ash, you too..I'm glad you made it home safe and had sooo much Fun! What about Ang's horse...no colt yet? I kept checking your blog all day Friday hoping she would come while you were there! Oh well, this will give you another reason to plan another return trip...oh yeah!

Miranda said...

Awww, she is so adorable! Congrats to the happy family. I love happy stories.
Ang is great. She is just like no other, she's great. It's wonderful that you guys are able to spend time together.
Hope you take a minute and relax now. Sounds like you've had a lot of traveling and a lot of excitement!

These Are The Days said...

Tears over here too. Love adoption and she is just an angel. Gosh, I just want to love on her too. Glad you and Ang had such a fun weekend.

Tim said...

I can so relate to this story as i was also adopted. What a great moment for you to share with them. She is so beautiful!

Love and Prayers,

Tim

Kim and Dennis said...

I always love your blog, but I really loved this post! It was so wonderful to see Emily and Jay, in church today with Ashley. It seems that you are a great friend to many people!

Jerri Lynn @ Southern Sassyness said...

She's a doll-baby! My heart is in China with those babies, and I pray that I get to make this journey one day!

Brandi said...

Hey chicka....how the heck are ya??? I'm hoping hubby will let you come up for the "movie event"!!! What FUN we will have together!!! Sounds like you and Ang had a great time together, how can you NOT have a good time with Ang, huh!!Miss ya bunches!

Paige Hinrichs said...

You made me cry.Congratulations! She's beautiful.

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Us said...

Glad you had a wonderful time with Ang and the Things! And what a beautiful child! I had tears too! How wonderful for them! I can't wait to see you for the girls weekend! Miss and Love ya! Kel

Mishel said...

That left me with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I had to go get a Puffs! What a precious little girl.

Tim said...

Hey Ash,

I noticed you havent posted in a while. Just wanted you to know that I hope everything is ok, and that i miss ya!

Love and Prayers,

Tim

Mandy Rose said...

What an adorable little family! Great pictures!