Welcome Home

We had an uneventful (PTL!) trip home. The flight timing was perfect. The girls were pretty tired, but aside from a little crying, we arrived home to PR (84 deg. F when we landed!) in one piece.

The is the second time I've arrived in PR. Ben and I commented to each other how much easier it is this time than when we came together in September. We understand the culture (or at least we understand that there are lots of things we don't understand, culturally speaking!). We can expect the unexpected and not go crazy. And when we got home, Lily knew we were home and was generally obedient to the ground rules we'd established previously. Potty training is so much easier on tile floors! She also seems to be catching on that we live in 'Rico (as she says), and that we have different friends here than we have in IN. One of her favorite conversations is to name someone (a friend or family member), and then say "soon" (as in will we see them soon?), and then often follow up with another comment. For example: Nonna? Soon? Christmas? or Davicito (a friend at church in PR)? Soon? 'Rico?

It was interesting to watch Mariah. She slept through the night the first night we arrived home (which she hadn't done the whole time we were in the US). She was happy, she wasn't nearly as clingy, and she ate well. Did she know she was home?

We had a wonderful time in IN. Thanks to everyone who hosted us! Lily especially had a blast, and is enjoying her new Christmas toys very much. She seemed kind of surprised to see them here, as though she assumed we left them behind after Christmas! We are enjoying all the Christmas cards that came forwarded from IN; they greeted us when we arrived home.