We made it home last night at about 9:30 pm. We were very tired, and extremely touched by all of those who showed up at the airport. Throughout this long journey, it has been the prayers and support of our friends and family that have helped us through. We know that we are blessed to have Evan with us at home now, and although it has been agonizing at times, we are blessed by the experience. We have never felt as loved and supported as we have over the last year, and we have felt all of your prayers. We have met several families at various stages of the adoption process, and they have become dear friends. We are now at the end of our process, and we will continue to pray for those who are still waiting. I know that soon I will be coming into work every morning and pulling up your web sites, to follow your journeys. What a ride. We love you all.
Hodges family of three
16 comments:
Praise God!!! I can just imagine that Atlanta airport! I am so happy for you guys! Can't5 wait to be where you are (in the states with the rest of the family) Wed night. Darling little Hannah wasn't so darling on the flight to Moscow. Just think of Evan when you tried to put him to sleep in the apt and multiply it by 100. That was Hannah on the 6 hour flight. And I thought she would be okay with it since she loves to ride in cars. Well forget that, she even cried from the airport to the hotel. I can't wait to see Mark at the airport! And can't wait to see you in October!!!
Love,
Carol & Hannah
Brandi, You and Evan are Mother's Day personified...I rejoice with your family. God is good . . . every day!
Faithfully,
Len
Congratulations! Welcome home Evan. It is the end of one journey and the beginning of another...Melanie, Kevin, Jared, Caleb and Tatiana.
Congratulations, Hodges Family, and Welcome Home... Debbie, Brian and JJ
Welcome home!!
It is great that you allow us to read your story...
I love every minute I felt I was right there with you all..
Welcome to America EVAN!!
Write when you can laughing.
Your friend
Willdeanna--Willie
Welcome Home Evan!!
Happy Mother's Day Brandi!!! Hope your first couple of days home are full of memories that will never be forgotten. What a true blessing to finally have your son home.
The Mercer's
Welcome home, Hodges Family!!! I am so glad that you are finally home, safe in the comfort of your very own home with your son!!! Praise God! Enjoy every minute with your new blessing. Congratulations!!!
Dear Brandi and Family: Congratulations and Happy Mothers Day!! We are so happy for you and can't wait until you bring Evan up here for us to meet. You have been in our thoughts and prayers and we rejoice with you.
Elizabeth and Emily
(The Merle Norman Girls)
Welcome Home Family of Three!! I know you had a Happy Mother's Day.
Take Care, Dingler Family
Lisa,
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful pictures. I am so happy for Brandi and Clay--and for Evan. Children are truly a gift from God. I can't wait to meet him--neither can Andrew. I will show him these pictures as soon as I can. When I showed him the other ones from Russia, he got so excited. We were listening to a CD and he said that "This song goes with that picture" It was the picture of the three of them and the song was "In Christ Alone" by Brian Littrell. I almost cried on the spot!!!! When I told him on Friday that they were coming home that night he jumped for joy!!! That's the impression that Brandi left on him---I don't think any teacher will ever hold the special place in his heart that "Mrs. Hodges" does!!!
Keep me posted on how they are doing--I want to give them a little time to settle in and then I would love to take him to see them.
See you soon---
Rebekah
Hey Brandi, I just wanted to wish you a very joyous 1st official Mother’s Day!!!! I’m sure it must have been a wonderful feeling to have Evan home with you today. Can’t wait to see you and catch up on your trip and hear how you’re all adjusting as a family. You, Clay and Evan looked just beautiful together at the airport on Friday (though just a bit dazed by jet-lag… ). How wonderful to finally see you all together. Wow. What an incredible miracle. Let us know when you’re over jetlag and would like to get together. I’m sure you’ll have lots of family and friends filling every free moment for the forseeable future, but we’d love to come hang out with you whenever you’re ready. Just say the word!
Much love,
Kirsten (& Vince)
Dear Bandi, Clay, and Evan,
We have been following your adventure via bloggerspot. (What a cool thing!!)
Anyway, we have been praying for you and are sooooooo happy that you are back.
Where did you end up staying in Irkutsk?
Did you figure out the tram system to the Yellow Mall?
Did you get to Figaros?
How are Alex, Andrew, and Olga (the translater) doing?
Did you meet Phillip in Moscow?
Who was your driver in Moscow?
Boy, this brings back such great memories!!! Especially with Rodney and Ronniece Stephens!!!
Hope the jet lag doesn't last too long,
Jane Tuls
Fremont, MI
mom to Annika adopted from Angarsk on Jan. 10, 2004
Evan is beautiful. I followed your journey on your website - thank you! What an adventure! What a lucky little boy to have found you and Clay. Thanks for your kind words - you are truly amazing! I wish you all the very best! Thanks for sharing your world with me - hugs to all! Enjoy being mom and dad and a family! And when you do this again, send along the website!
Jane Golding
Walden
Brandi~ I have really enjoyed watching the journey of Evan unfold. I checked my computer everyday to see what was happening, and almost everyday cried with sheer joy! What a powerful story you all have! I saw the pictures from the airport and can honestly say that the look on your face was just a tad more brillant than the few mothers I have seen in the hospital on the day their children were born. What a blessing! As Kevin and I begin our journey of trying to bring a child into this world, we look to you and Clay as inspiration.
Please let me know when you are bringing Evan up to school. I can't wait to meet him!
Congratulations and Enjoy!!
Lynne Behnke
Brandi, you don’t know how many times I’ve thought of y’all and just thanked God for your incredible gift! It’s been a long time coming, but well worth all the waiting. We’re hoping to go visit my brother in Athens again this summer and will definitely come to Covington one day. When we know for sure, we’ll let y’all know, because we have to meet our new little cousin. I think I told India or Melanie this, but the picture of Clay and Evan walking was the best – it should be a Hallmark card! Give my love to everyone, and we hope to see you all soon.
Love, Del
I wanted to mention...
Saturday am, Evan's first day home we went to see his Daddy at work, went to City Pond to watch Wes play ball, Had lunch at ElCharro,
Went to WalMart, What more could a little boy want???????????????
He acts as though he has always been here. God is so good. I knew that he choose Brandi and Clay (and all of us ) for Evan. It is so evident. I can not wait for everyone to meet him. He loves Wesley, follows him around like a little puppy, kisses and hugs him. At ElCharro Wesley burped!! He said ,"excuse me". Evan then made a "burp sound". Oh,Boy!!!!!
Mimi (Lisa)
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