I know, I know... I've been terrible about keeping this fancy dancy blog updated... I've just been a *tad* busy...
Monday, Dec. 21st:
Flew to Chicago, IL and was greeted by my DEAR friend Julie Koehler Machak.
Tues., Dec. 22nd:
Leave Julie's house at 3:45 am to get to O'Hare by 5:15... Lots of snow and icey-ness. Julie's windshield wiper did NOT want to cooperate:
Palwesh FINALLY comes out of customs at about 6:35, catching us by surprise as he came out of a different door than what we expected. As soon as I saw him, I gasped audibly and made a beeline to where he was. This was the best picture that Julie could snap:
We gathered his bag (which only weighed 24lbs!!) and headed to Mom's best friend's house which was a bout 20 minutes from the airport. Jan made us homemade biscuits and gravy (Palwesh's very first American meal!)
We stayed there and visited an hour or so, then headed to America's Super Store for some essentials:
We headed to Julie's from there and Palwesh caught up on some much needed sleep. About 4pm, we loaded up and drove about 2 hours to Michigan City, IN where we met up with my adopted kid brother, Josh, and his now fiancee, Lindsey! Sure do love those kids!
We had a wonderful visit and then headed back to Julie's - Palwesh fell asleep in the car - poor guy!
Wed., Dec. 23rd:
We left Julie's early so she could drop us off at the airport and then make it to her office by 9am. Bless her heart - she ran us all over God's green earth!
Once we arrived and attempted to check in, we discovered that our flight had been canceled. So, to make an excruciatingly long story short, instead of Chicago to Tampa, we went Chicago to Newark, NJ, Newark to Dallas then spent the night in a beautiful Hyatt hotel (thanks to 2 AMAZING families that paid for our rooms!!)
Christmas Eve:
After just a few hours of sleep, we left Dallas headed for Tampa... we were EXHAUSTED!!! Dad picked us up at the airport and drove us home. We arrived in Fort Myers at 3:15, I changed clothes and headed to the church for our Candlelight Services. Palwesh was going to go with me, but was so tired he stayed behind to take some rest. He came with Dad to the 6pm service and was overwhelmed by the beauty and majesty of the service.
Christmas Day:
We had the joy of sleeping in late Christmas morning! That was VERY nice! We then got Palwesh settled in to where he will be staying (Dad's office). Our dear friends, Chris & Amy Thomas, prepared a goodie bag for Palwesh with all of their favorite snacks for him to try:
He was THRILLED! The only things he had ever tried before were Twizzlers (who don't love Twizzlers!?!) and some pretzel snacks that I had actually purchased while we were waiting at the airport...
We later headed out to my Aunt Beverly & Uncle Kevin's house where we ate, as usual, like royalty! We missed Bethany, Ben, Violetta, Becca & Chris though!
Ben taught Palwesh how to play pool. We may have to put him on the professional circuit!:
I won't bore you with the day to day events of the next week, but fast forward to New Years Eve where this was Palwesh's preferred spot:
Needless to say, it was a quiet evening at home! Dad was snoring so loud, I had to keep turning up the TV! But all in all, it was a great night and a wonderful way to ring in 2010!
New Years Day we enlightened Palwesh with the way we southerner's celebrate the new year: with a pot of black eyed peas!
Sat., Jan. 2nd:
Brave Palwesh loaded up in the car with Aunt Janette, Aunt Beverly and I and headed out thrift shopping for the day! We all found some great bargains, and I think he actually enjoyed it!
Sun., Jan 3rd:
After wonderful church services, we headed out to the Nobles' ranch once again, where Palwesh met a *bunch* of (but not all) the Amos family... In attendance were:
Aunt Bev & Uncle Kevin
Aunt Janette & Brian
Cousins Curt (aka "Skeeter") & Sharon & their 4 kids
2nd cousin Danielle, her boyfriend Joe, their baby Joey & Joe's 2 older daughters
Uncle Keith & Aunt Linda (Ft. Lauderdale)
Cousins Chrissy & Travis
Cousins Jennifer, Stephanie & Nathan
&
Dad
As you can imagine, it was a wee bit overwhelming to try to remember everyone's names, but Palwesh sure tried! He had a WONDERFUL time and enjoyed being around a LOT of people. That's one thing that is a HUGE cultural difference for him... there are people EVERYWHERE in India! (Not to mention, not much concept of "personal space.")
All in all, Palwesh is adjusting well and enjoying life in the US. He has remained remarkably healthy, despite all of the busy schedules and weird foods we throw at him! We still appreciate your prayers as there are many details to be worked out, but, we know the Lord is in control and will guide our every step!
One detail in particular we ask for you to pray for is the sale of Mom's mobile home in North Fort Myers. I HAVE to get rid of it! We have been paying over $400 a month for lot rent since 2007 for an unoccupied mobile home! If you know ANYONE that is over 55 and would be at all interested, we are anxious to sell it! Please have them contact me!
I promise, I will try to be better at updating so it doesn't take 97 pages to catch up! May the Lord bless you abundantly in 2010!!!
