Alina has arrived!

We got A LOT done yesterday morning. Set up Alina's room and cleaned the entire upstairs all before lunch. I don't think it's been that clean up there in months! (especially the boys bedrooms) After lunch the butterflies started in my stomach. I was so excited to see Alina again, but was nervous. You never know what this 10 year old has seen in the past year, how much she has matured or what she has gone through. She is an only child coming into a house with 2 children, which is difficult in itself. So yes, I was nervous. But her room was ready and she was on her way...no looking back!

We stopped at Hallmark on the way to the airport to get her a stuffed animal. We have given her one at the airport every year. This year we picked a large stuffed Snoopy. We got a phone call when we were about 20 minutes from the airport saying they had landed early at 2:45 (instead of 3:20), so now we are RUSHING. We know it will take them awhile to get through customs...but we don't want them to walk down that long hallway to find no one waiting. The airport is a mess! They are working on the parking decks and a lot of them are closed. So, Steve dropped us off while he went to find a parking space. By the time he finally got inside the airport the kids were already coming down the hallway! Alina looks exactly the same (but a little taller). She was all smiles and loves her snoopy! I could tell she was exhausted from her LONG trip! So, we quickly took our pictures and headed to the car. It was time for our annual trip to Fuddruckers for dinner. We had a great time with the other ABRO families at dinner and the kids had fun playing all the games.

Once we got home we helped Alina unpack. It's always sad to see the contents of her suitcase. Steve and I were curious to see what was inside ever since we picked her up at the airport...it felt like BRICKS! Well, she brought us enough candy to give us all a mouth full of cavities! She brought me 3 books about Belarus, postcards, linens and a magnet. She had dog treats for Bugsy, gifts for other extended family members, a computer game for the boys, etc. The only things she brought for herself were...2 tank tops, 3 pair of underwear, a pair of socks and a dress. So...today we must go shopping for clothes! I have a few things left from last year, but we need to try everything on and she what fits and what doesn't. I'm hoping we find some deals on some cute stuff! The boys are SO excited to have her back in the house. Everyone seems to be getting along...so far. ;) This morning they are busy making tent houses out of blankets. Lots of giggles are coming from upstairs! I hope this summer is FULL of giggles! My heart if full and I'm happy to have a full house once again!