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In our state of  pure & absolute utter mild chaos here, I neglected to mention that yesterday was the 4th anniversary of Gotcha Day for JR. Now I know you faithful readers are scratching your heads saying, I guess she really has lost her mind huh? Didn't they have that already? Well you're kinda right. We had Gotcha Day - but yesterday was Gothcha HOME day. We touched ground at Boston's Logan Airport on 12 September 2004 with our 20-month old son, and in doing so, he legally became a U.S. citizen. For me, THAT, was perhpas the most emotional part of his adoption - and for the life of me can't tell you why, but as soon as the airplane touched the ground I felt an overwhelming burden lifted. Despite the fact the judge granted our adoption weeks earlier, for me, arriving safely back home with him made it all "final" and I cried for a long time. Just sat in my seat and cried. 

The toddler we arrived home with is such a different child than the one we now know and love. For one thing he didn't speak a word at 20 months (Russian OR English) and now he doesn't stop talking from the second he wakes up in the morning til the second his eyes finally sweetly close each nite at which time we all breath a huge sigh of relief that we can finally have a little quiet around here!

Since JR has been totally a little  neglected this past few weeks as we prepare for our journey back to Russia, I decided we should do a little something to celebrate, and take a well deserved  short break from the never ending task of attempting to keep this relentless judge happy.from our work.  We got a small ice cream cake from Friendly's, Mike sang (rather poorly and in quite silly manner) "Happy Gotcha Home Day" and then we happily stuffed our faces enjoyed our treat.  Just what the Doctor ordered, and a bit hit with JR who enjoyed being the center of attention again!

Still can't believe we've been home four years but I'm so grateful to GOD each day!