Our long journey back home is complete! We began Friday morning, leaving the hotel at 8:30 AM (Moscow time). Our flight left Russia at 12:55 PM and we landed 12 hours later in Atlanta around 4:20. It was good to back in the US--to things that are familiar to us. We will cherish the memory of the immigration officer handing us Natalie's passport and declaring her a US citizen. Then he sweetly bent down, touched her head, and said, "Welcome to the USA, Natalie!"
Our last leg of the trip was from Atlanta to Dulles. Natalie slept this entire flight (mostly because she hadn't hardly slept in over 12 hours). We were completely touched and overwhelmed by the reception of our family and friends (around 50 of you!) when we walked through the arrival gate. Natalie had been crying because we had to wake her out of her deep sleep. But when she saw all the people clapping and heard the happy shouts, she lit up, gave everyone a huge smile and said, "HI". Thank you to everyone for your love and support in praying us home safely. Thanks for the warm welcome home. Our bodies are so tired but our hearts are full. We are blessed.
We'll post more pics and videos once we are better rested.
We love you!
Karen, Steve AND Natalie
Natalie and Karen
Cute!!
Natalie almost 3
I love swiming
This water is cold
Making a Sand Angel
OC MD looking at the ocean
Daddy and Natalie enjoying the water
I love Taylor
Play Date with cuz Taylor
Mother's Day Lunch with Family
I didn't have my milk yet.
My 1st Easter egg hunt
I love my new vest..
I like baths
Natalie's hat and doll from Peru from Aunt Becky
My 1st Mouse Ears
I'm ready to hit the parks..
Nat and Jo Jo
Nat and Leo
Nat playing the drums
Hello is Santa there. THX! for all the toys
Wow look what Santa brought me!
My new horse Neigh
My 1st Drums
I Rock
My new table
Natalie going out to dinner with Mommy and Daddy
Trick or Treat
2 Princesses
Lost in a maze
Natalie at Pumpkinville
Looking out the window
Natalie in her Russian Shirt
Mommy and Natalie
Pastor Brimmer and Natalie
Natalie with Liz and Aunt Donna
I like going Biking with Mom and Dad..
Natalie and Karen
I like painting my self instead of paper
Having Fun with Cousins J.P. and Jake
What is this?
Natalie at the Zoo
Natalie checking out the goat
Natalie is 23 months old today!
Having a ball
Rock Star
Kisses at Cracker Barrell
Having fun with cousin Taylor
Natalie in her new Pink and Black dress.
Natalie loves her new dress...
Natalie taking a break.
I can brush my teeth now...
It also feels good on my gums
Natalie and Great Grandmother
She loves her great grandmother this much
Natalie loves her garden
Natalie looking cute
I love this bear
Natalie and cousin Taylor
Their 1st play date
Natalie after church
i love da beach!
Hey! Surf's Up!
Let's go catch a wave!
Hangin' Ten!
I'm a beach beauty
Pool Time
Me and Dad Chillin at the Pool
Mama and Me
we love the pool!
My first Sunday to Church
I love my new dress!
I'm Home
First morning at home
Natalie's fans at Dulles
Around 50 Friends and Family
At Moscow Airport
Steve, Karen and Natalie
Can I get anymore cookies in me
I think I'm going to like this
Girl time
Natalie likes Cookies
Happy Fathers Day
Steve and Natalie
Natalie Faith Clark
Our Little Princess
Clark Family
Steve, Karen, Natalie
A Happy Girl
Natalie
All Smiles
Teaching her to smell the flowers....not destroy them.
Don't you just love this face?
Mommy and Natalie
Daddy and Natalie
Natalie's Room Awaits
everything pink and green
About Me
playlist
4 comments:
Welcome Home dearest friends! How God has blessed us by allowing us to share the end of the journey with you. No words can express the complete joy on your faces as you walked through those doors at the airport. Your faces will forever be etched into our memories. Congratualtions and may our precious and faithful Heavenly father give you rest and peace and joy and strength.
We love you.
Rick and Elaine
So glad you are finally home with Natalie! I thought about you guys last night because I knew you were coming in with her to Virginia. I was picturing you taking her to HER new home for the first time and her first time in her OWN room and bed! How special a time is this for you and for her. I know you must be exhausted, but once you get re-adjusted - it will be so fun to just sit back and relish the journey you just came from and now all the wonderful journeys that are ahead! Congratulations once again on being blessed with the gift of parenthood. God is indeed truly faithful!
Wouldn't have missed sharing this moment with you for the world! I'll never forget seeing you come through that door with Natalie for the first time! Thank you, Lord for you faithfulness! Looking forward to sharing the rest of the journey together ...
Much love,
Michelle and Steve and family
Welcome home! I hope you are resting up and starting to enjoy your time at home with your new daughter. Looking forward to keeping up with all of your new adventures...
Sandy and Kevin
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