Welcome home Patrick Shepherd Ayres

Well we made it safely home from China and our first day together with 8 kids is in the books.  We had a great trip but I am so thankful to be home.  I’m fairly certain Lauren’s mom Dottie is thankful for us to be home too.  She pretty much moved into our house while we were gone and took care of everything.  I’m pretty sure I don’t say it enough, but I hit the in-law jackpot when I married Lauren!!!  Roger and Dottie have always stepped in to help throughout our many adventures. It’s a true blessing to have a loving extended family.  Many of you already saw Lauren’s top 10 lists of things we are thankful for now that we are back on US soil. It’s a funny list but true.  We stopped at a fast food restaurant on the way home from Atlanta, and I was just thrilled not to have to order with a picture menu!!!  It was strange coming back to Atlanta rather than Birmingham.  We missed being greeted in the airport by all of our kids and so many of our friends, but when you book trip to China one day before you leave, you pretty much take what you can get.  Rebecca did make the trip with my parents and we were so thankful to see Leanne Jenkins and her son Jessie with her when we arrived.  Driving to Atlanta on a cold Saturday morning shows that Leanne is either really crazy or truly loves us.  We think it’s the latter. Either way it was a great surprise.  When we arrived home the rest of our family had decorated the house with signs and balloons.  They all met us in the driveway for hugs and kisses.  Patrick was so excited that he slept right through the commotion. No matter how hard anyone tried, he simply wasn’t waking up.   

The rest of the day was kindof a jet lagged stupor, but it was great to see all of the kids interacting and playing together.  3 three year old boys and 1 five year old, along with four doting sisters can create quite the commotion.  It was interesting to see Patrick, not sure of where he was, playing and enjoying himself.  I pray that he soon understands that this is home and these people are his family. I look forward to enjoying today before heading back to work tomorrow.  The next few weeks should be exciting.  Figuring out how to mix in another child at the dinner table, bath tub, and car are only a few things to think about. We do have one child who turns 16 tomorrow, Elisabeth.  She’s not quite ready for driving alone yet but when she is, I know it will be a HUGE help.  Maggie turns 15 tomorrow too, so watch out Gadsden, RBC, and Southside. Another Ayres driver will be taking to the road soon.

Aside from the changes in our daily routine, we also will begin investigating Patrick’s medical needs this week.  We have our first cardiology appointment Wednesday.  After this we should have some idea of how soon his next surgery will be.  We pray that it can wait until he has bonded to us a little more, but we will do what is best for him.  The great thing is knowing that God already has it mapped out to perfection, and fortunately we are allowed to follow His perfect plan.

We know that many have been praying for us, and again, we are so grateful for those prayers.  We also appreciate the meals, gifts, and goodies that were already waiting for us when we arrived home.  Please keep the prayers coming as the next few days, months, and years will be filled with plenty of excitement I’m sure.  Lauren and I have always talked about having a big family, but I’m not sure either of us ever imagined it would be this big.  God has definitely shown us His graciousness in a big way during all of our adoption processes.  I’m pretty sure that this is our last, but I never say never.  I am sure, however, that God will continue to write the story of the Ayres family, and for that I could not be more grateful.  Who knows?  I may even continue to write this goofy blog so that in 20-30 years we can look back at it with our kids and grandkids as we sit around the Thanksgiving table….at Convention Hall!!!