Tarik. My new little niece. They're home.
Reed, Lee Ann and Tarik flew into our city tonight, after spending a jaw-dropping 20 straight hours in planes and airports. Tarik traveled like a champ. Reed reported that she only had one major breakdown, and it was in the Houston airport, in a waiting lounge in which everyone was trying to watch the Super Bowl. (Poor baby–I feel the same way about professional football.)
Hubs snapped this picture of the kids, my Dad and me, waiting like anxious maniacs eager loved ones at the airport for our first glimpse:
They finally made it (For privacy's sake, I schmutzed out Tarik's face in this picture, which is really a shame, because oh my stars, it is a cute face. But I think the look on Reed and Lee Ann's faces say it all):
Just after this photo, I got a chance to hold my new niece while her momma made a quick dash to the restroom. She is absolutely scrumptious and she melted my heart, though even in her sleep, she was a little squirmy in my arms. But the moment I passed her back to Lee Ann? Every muscle in her body relaxed, and she nestled comfortably against the mother she's known for only six days. That is a testament to the gentleness of my sister-in-law. Even more, it's a testament to God's faithfulness to knit together hearts even across oceans. I'd say He knows how to put together a family.
A fun little side note: Lee Ann had e-mailed that Tarik is quite a spitter-upper, so I told her I'd have a stack of burp cloths laundered and waiting at the airport. Thanks to all our fidgety at-home time during the ice storm, I even managed to embroider one with her name on it, because a name that pretty just begs to be written:
(I didn't make the actual cloth. It's a dish towel, terry cloth on one side and waffle weave on the other, perfect for embroidering and extra-absorbent because of the terry. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.)
Thank you so much for your prayers–so many of you sent sweet comments and e-mails that were profoundly moving and encouraging. If it crosses your mind, I'd appreciate your continued prayers as this sweet family establishes its new rhythm, and as the two big sisters meet little Tarik first thing tomorrow (Monday) morning.
Thank you again.
Rocks In My Dryer 
Oh, how exciting! The expressions on their faces are wonderful! The burp cloth is simply lovely. I’ll be praying!
oh that’s so cute! i’m so glad they’re home safe.
Congratulations to your whole family! What a blessing!
What a blessing to your family, and how blessed little Tarik is to have such loving parents! For the record, I had a mini-breakdown AFTER the game since I was cheering for the Cardinals! Perhaps that was Tarik’s reason?
So glad they’re back, and safe! I’m sure there will be some bumps in the road, but she’s here now, and everything else can be dealt with!
How incredibly precious! Blessings to her and her whole family as they start a journey together. Praying the transition goes well.
Congrats to everyone!!! I’m sure this is a little bit scary for Tarik! I’m sure with your sister’s gentleness, she’ll be at home soon!
Thank you for sharing this little nugget of wonderfulness with us.
How exciting:)!
Praise GOD! I love how you described her in her mother’s arms. How sweet are the stories of adoption.
I vividly remember that feeling walking off the plane 5 short weeks ago with our two new kids. I was a zombie…a happy zombie though. God bless them. Many prayers as they transition and hopefully get some sleep.
There’s nothing I admire more than a sweet mother. My word, can she bottle that up and send it my way?
And.
Those airport homecomings are So. Ex. Ci. Ting. I’ve been on both sides, and ohmyword, it’s so maddeningly wonderful.
Hugs and prayers for the new family member.
Oh YAY!!! Congratulations to you and your family. Welcome home Tarik! There are tears in my eyes over this beautiful event. I am so truly happy for all of you.
What a blessing!
-sandy toe
I just don’t even know what to say – this is too unbelievably AWESOME! You guys must all be so thrilled…. WOW. I’m just blown away by the joy on their faces. 🙂
I’m so excited for them and their new journey with this precious little one. What a great day and a great memory.
blessings,
Kim
OH YAY!!!!! How precious! I’m so happy for you and all of them! (and your burb cloth is beautiful..)
I’ve lived through such a trip, albeit from the other side of the world (China to the Eastern US). Your SIL looks darn good after THAT travel day.
Airport homecoming are so very exciting. And surreal. I’ve been on both sides of it and there is truly nothing like it.
Welcome home, little Tarik.
Oh my… how wonderful that we serve such a faithful God!! Thank you for sharing such a touching story with us.
How beautiful! God is amazing.
I love your embroidery!
Thank you for sharing this sweet homecoming with us. What an exciting time for your family! I love the burp cloth, too. Where did you find the dish towel?
This thrills my soul!! So happy for everyone, Shannon!
Oh, you made me CRY! Welcome, Tarik!
What wonderful news! I will continue to pray for them.
Holli T.
Wow! Congratulations to you and your family!!
YAY! She’s home!!
What a sweet and moving moment, it brought tears to my eyes this morning. Congratulations to the whole family!
How exciting! Rejoicing with you and your family!
Awesome!!! I am so thrilled for your entire family! I know she is a welcomed and much loved little addition!
WooHoo and BooHoo all at the same time. You must stop making me cry when I visit this blog- all in a good way! :>)
Precious burp cloth, BTW.
Congratulations!! I can’t wait to keep up with her, so make sure to keep us up-to-date on how she’s adjusting 🙂 I’ll be praying!!
How wonderful! Congratulations to your entire family.
Not even sure how to comment. I’m so struck with the beauty, wonder and amazement of it all. What fantastically amazing news!
Your embroidered work turned out perfect! What at treasure for them I’m sure.
Continuing to pray for their transition.
Congratulations to your family. The burp cloth is adorable.
That is so wonderful. Bless you all for loving a child this much.
God is simply amazing! I’m so happy for you all!
Oh, I’m having a miserable morning, so this made my day. I think I might tape up Tarik’s name in my kitchen so thoughts of her, her family and God’s mercy can flood my mind today. How loving He is.
Thanks for a time to cry with joy. To focus on something beautiful God is doing this week.
God is so good!!
Oh this has me in tears!!!
Steph
How preciously, gorgeously wonderful! 🙂 I am continuing to pray.
Oh my word. How exciting! I’m so happy for Reed’s family! The burp cloth turned out exceptionally well. 🙂
Please give them my congratulations and thankyou so much for sharing. One freakout in 20 hours is amazing. They are blesses
Kellie
I am glad I caught this story from the beginning and what a nice tale it is….and it’s only the beginning! Congratulations on your new, beautiful niece!
Woohooo!
I love a good airport story!
Mary, mom to 10, including 4 from Ethiopia
So happy to hear they are home safe and that sweet baby Tarik traveled so well. Love the burp cloth! Very cute.
Oh, I’m so happy for them! I love hearing the good news and pray that Tarik will adjust quickly to being here. That’s so exciting!
So sweet, congrats on a new niece. You’re a fabulous aunt, and God is good.
Thank you so much for sharing this story! It brings back such sweet memories, in addition to tears to my eyes. Congratulations to your entire family!
How precious!
Also, just wanted to stop in and say congratulations for being one of the Internet Cafe’s Top 100 Christian Women’s Blogs of 2008! Your blog truly does bless!
How wonderful! Thank you for sharing your family’s story – it’s so good to hear good news! And that burp cloth is adorable!!
Congratulations! A new addition to the family is such a joyous time. And you’re right, Tarik is a lovely, lovely name.
Congratulations to the whole family, what a lucky little girl Tarik is!
What a wonderful and beautiful blessing for your family! Tarik KNOWS who her Mama is. God does know how to knit a family together. We are in the process of adopting a 2 year old boy (our son now), who has been in our home as a foster child since last May.
A little “God orchestration”: I HELD this sweet boy less than a YEAR before he was placed with us! I was at my teen son’s PT/OT appt., and this foster mom was there, with this precious little baby. I asked to hear his story, and if I could hold him. Who KNEW???? God sure did! And he looks SO much like hubby even though there is nothing in common in their nationalities. God is SO good!
such wonderful news!
Congratulations to Tarik and her brand new family!
Roberta Anne
I am hopefully getting a niece from China soon 🙂
God is so good and I agree with you comment about him stiching families together from across the globe.
YEA!!
Cute cloth, cute baby [from what I cansee] Gosh, do I remember that long, unending flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, the layover and then the “short” hahahah flight home when I adopted my two kids! I know the exhaustion they are ALL feeling!!
How wonderful! I know that God is going to continue to bless this family. 🙂
And what a gorgeous burp cloth! I’d love to copy it for a friend. Can you give more details about the cloth itself (where did you find it) and the design? Thanks!
God does put families together in a wonderful way, doesn’t he? What a precious gift!
Having done the 20+ hours on a plane from Ethiopia with a new child, I can say that it is rough. I’m glad they all made it home safe and sound! Just looking at that sweet home coming picture brought back tons of sweet and exhausted memories!!
Adorable burp cloth, adorable little niece! Congrats, congrats, Auntie!!
Blessings!
OH Hooray!! My heart is swelling with joy for them!! Bless Tarik, LORD Jesus and make her a strong woman of God for you.
Congratulations to the whole family
and I must say……
Shannon you are looking so skinny these days! Good for you!
Yay!!!
That picture of the 5 of you standing there is priceless! Oh, the anticipation!
Beautiful burp cloth. You have me thinking on shower gifts, girl.
Oh, I am so excited for your family. What a sweet gathering at the airport! I just said a prayer for little Tarik, her parents, and sisters.
Also -The towel that you embroidered is beautiful!
I’m so excited for Tarik and her new family. What an incredible adventure adoption must be. *sigh*
What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it; you’re right, the look on the parents’ faces say it all.
Congratulations to your family. You can see the joy on the new parents’ faces. May their lives be filled with abundant joy and happiness.
Welcome home, Tarik!
Such a precious story. I love airport stories – have seen little ones being carried by their new parents to the arms of waiting family and it makes me weep. Every time!
Yay for Tarik’s safe journey! Answered prayer for sure!
Your embroidery is beautiful, by the way.
Oh, how wonderful! I am so glad they are back safe – it sounds like they are settling in just fine. Congratulations!!
Praise the Lord! Beautiful hand crafted gift also.
My whole heart is warmed to see that arrival picture. That’s God with skin on right there.
May He continue to bless them and knit their family lines tight.
how exciting! congratulations! may the lord keep watch and bless the new family.
So glad to hear she is home safe and sound! Such great news!
My daughter is adopted, not from overseas. I can affirm the instant bonding of hearts when I first held her at 4 days. I usually forget that she is adopted.
Just recently, at 25, she told me that she is glad she is adopted. That her mother made the ultimate sacrifice to give her a good home. She also had occasion to tell a young man who fathered a child and chose with the the mother to reliquish the child for adoption, how she felt about adoption and affirm his and her choice.
I was blown away. She is a single mother herself who kept our precious grandson. She was our difficult child, and this was the firs time she ever talked to me about being adopted like this.
You made me cry. Thank you! It is so wonderful to hear this story, I am sure that everyone will look forward to continuing updates as allowed!
GREAT news! Congrats to all the family 🙂 And I’m in awe of how cute that cloth is.
What a beautiful set of moments to capture on camera. And what excitement!
Nell :–)
twitter.com/casualeveryday
Congrats. How marvelous!
But
20 hours does not impress me.
We did 36 hours.
With 2 new kids.
Who didn’t like us and could walk and talk.
But not speak or understand English.
So, 20 hours with an infant sounds dreamy.
(Can you tell I am still traumatized by the experience?)
Mazel Tov!! What a great new beginning for your family. Love the burp cloth bunny – Adorable!!
Oh I’m so glad! How lovely and exciting. 🙂 I’m praying for their transition!
Congratulations on your new niece. God does knit families together across the oceans. When we brought our little guy home from Ethiopia at five months he spit up a lot too. A lot. We switched him to soy formula the day after he got home and he double the amount he was drinking and stopped spitting up. A lot of African kids don’t do milk well. We kept him on soy until 18 months and now he is fine on milk. Just a thought — they might want to try the same with Tarik and see if it works.