Our Journey Home has finally ended

Cameron has been home with us for almost 2 weeks. He has truly amazed us. He has just gone with flow and seems to be able to adjust to all the newness and takes it all in. He smiles CONSTANTLY. I think he was pretty spoiled at his former digs so we are doubly amazed how little we have had to adjust attitudes. He is sleeping well, eats well and plays well. We will have his evaluation next week and see what is next about his hip and leg. He is age appropriate in most areas and is bright. He is very small wearing size 24 month/2T at age 4 but is healthy and active. We communicate very well. Not one person has realized he is "foreign". He and Shawn are huge buddies and even disagree just like brothers. So normal. They have shared fast food, parks, malls, eating out, the zoo, Wal Mart, family get togethers, shopping, errands and home time. Having two (these two anyway) is no harder than one. It is truly just more fun. Shawn being Shawn, has just welcomed Cameron and loved him and is so proud of him, telling the drive in lady, "Meet my brother!".
We are getting the feel for the new norm and really today is one of the first days I have felt like myself. I really think I aged 5 years this last year.
Already looking at summer activities and planning some trips. Looking forward to having fun with both our boys.
We have been able to get together with our families and Cameron seems like none of it is new. He was that way in Kazakhstan too.
I learned how to slurp this blog into a book and will make this blog a journal for Cameron of his adoption. Have spent a small fortune developing film and all photos are in books. Mike and I are excited to keep up with the parents of the other two Taldy boys and will exhale finally when they are also home. This adoption has been quite simple compared to others even with our problems. Cameron is home and he and Shawn have started their journey as brothers, best friends and fellow Taldy Korgan alumni. We have again, met the most incredible people and increased our adoption family of friends through this adoption. We thank all of them and promise to pay back their love and support by helping others.
An artist at the church the boys grandparents attend has donated a painting for auction to again assist us with adoption related expenses. People are SO sweet.
Shawn's school has applied to open a pre-school program that we are so hoping comes to be. We are SO blessed.
Mike and I still can't believe there are two little boys here. We are so blessed and are so happy to get on with our lives.
Our employment is secure in very insecure times. Our daughter is happy and healthy and vibrant. Shawn really is about the sweetest child I have ever met and is my joy.
Cameron honey, you are the perfect icing on our cake. You and your sister and brother are everything to us and more. We hope your lives are fuller and better because of one another.
Every child is a miracle. You however, are a miracle among miracles.
I love you,
Mom

1st day

Well, after a little sleep and a very nice first day home, I want to write a little and post some photos. There are more on Janet's disc I will receive in a few days. My camera or my batteries were constantly having problems. Between the two of us I think we took around 4 gazillion photographs.
Speaking of Janet, she LOVED Kazakhstan and wants to go back in the summer time. She was an uber traveler and dove right in. This is a woman that imposes her likes and dislikes on no one but does have them. And she just tried all the different food, tolerated the different communication and social norms, never complained about bathrooms, beds or driving in Kazakhstan. She and Cameron have a special relationship already. She was a huge help and comfort and friend. Yeah for Aunt Janet!
Cameron enjoyed his first new outfit, his first haircut and first ice cream in Almaty. He loved sitting in the window and enjoyed taking his stroller for a stroll. After a long day of walking his limp would become apparent but he never seems in pain. We are SO glad we were advised to take one extra day in Almaty as we needed it. The Embassy wanted an updated addendum to our home study. Somehow our social worker and team made that happen in 24 hours. It was hard to say goodbye to people we have come to love but we are sure we will see some on them again.
He was a wonderful little boy to travel with also. When we arrived in Houston he and dad picked up where they left off. We drove home and arrived about 0300. Shawn stayed at his grandparents that night. Mike and I enjoyed watching Cameron explore his new home. He took a bath and went to bed. Later that day Shawn came home and woke Cameron up and they began their brothering and it was so precious. It was precious. We visited both grandparents' homes and Cameron was showered with welcomes and met his cousins and had his first pizza party. After a fun day in which he acted like he'd done this all before-we went home for a nights rest. Both boys slept in their room and did wonderful. The house was a rustling crashing pitter pat and banging house this morning. We are letting them work our their little hierarchy issues and so far no fighting....Shawn is the sweetest child if I have not already written that. (only 10,000 times...)We see them together and know beyond a doubt this was worth it and in perfect time and with the perfect child for our family. We are blessed beyond our dreams.
And yes, that is a dead woman in an open casket in the parking lot of our apartment. An Orthodox funeral with priests in robes, candles and incense in the parking lot. We were told it is not a norm there and no one was sure what that was about. And the dog is Scruffy our "sabacka" away from home.
I will write a little later for families going and also about some families we met.
I will also be ending this site soon and start a family site.
So glad to be home and so thankful for our new son to be home. HE is a happy and healthy boy and a joy to have with us. Shawn seemed like he was 12 years old after being with little Cameron. They grow so quickly......