Trying to Put Into Words That Which Has No Words

We are home. And more importantly, Brad, Michelle and sweet Tyler are home too. What a week! Before Brad and Michelle went to Peru it was very important for them to be able to come back to the States in November to attend Michelle's best friend/college roommate's wedding. The arrangements were made and so all along we have known they were going to be able to come home for a short three week visit in November - one week of that being in California where the wedding was to be held. We knew that time would go fast and would be shared with lots of other family and friends. Michelle's friend, Mary Alice has become like another daughter to us and has been in our home several times. We wanted to go to her wedding. And then she honored Chuck by asking him to do part of the service. So we happily went, knowing that week would be ours alone with our kids. Later on their visit was extended a bit - what happy news!

Anyway we left last Sunday right after church and drove to Bakersfield. We arrived on Monday late afternoon and we were so excited we could hardly contain ourselves. On the way we purchased a balloon bouquet for our boy, having been told previously how much he loved balloons. One of my biggest fears has been that Tyler would be afraid of us when he saw us, because after all it has been nine months since he saw us and he is now 18 months old. Imagine my joy when the door opened and there he stood.

With his arms outstretched!

He came right to us and hugged and kissed us. How I had prayed for the kind of reunion. And the balloons were a huge hit. Later I discovered that Tyler greets EVERYONE with a hug and a kiss! That's okay - that's just the kind of little boy he is - very loving and affectionate.

We spent the whole week with him and enjoyed every single moment of it. He is such an amazing little guy. His eyes are his most noticeable feature - they are huge and blue and he totally knows how to manipulate people with them! He is strong and he speaks words in both English and Spanish. He LOVES balls or anything that is round for that matter! He quickly discovered that Mia's purse contains an endless supply of m&m's and skittles. He cries when you say 'Ciou' because he knows that means you are leaving ( a bit like his grandmother I'd guess!) and he loves walking holding on to your finger.
He is totally and completely a little boy. His hands and feet feel so large to me. After holding sweet Ava Claire's delicate hands - she feels like she might break. He is just so amazing.

On Friday evening Jayson, Andrea, Jess and Miss Ava arrived. I wish I had had the forethought to have a video camera going. They stretched their arms out to each other and hugged and kissed like they were long lost buddies. I guess they were! They play so well together. This is the two of them dressed for the wedding.
Have you ever seen anything more adorable?

The icing on this already overwhelming cake was driving on Sunday to Oakland to see Tara. Our family, our WHOLE, ENTIRE family was together for the afternoon. I am realizing that as we grow older and our family's grow and change (as they are supposed to) that these times of being together are more precious than anything in the world. My heart was just so full that day. I am a quiet person - not really prone to showing a lot of emotion. So my way of enjoying is just observing, watching, and listening to my family. I like to sit back and just watch them. It fills my heart so full. There is something about just being able to lay my eyes on their faces that brings me untold joy.

On Monday we arrived home. I don't know for sure how long they are staying. I don't know the exact date they are leaving. I don't know the plans God has for them in regard to when they go back and how long it will be before I see them again. I do know that right now, for this gift of time, I am going to enjoy every single moment of it.

God is just so good.