No, I DIDN'T DROP OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH

I have been wanting to sit down and post our latest update for days now. However, if I'm feeling really ambitious and ready to do it, I have a 2 year old who is in great need of something and it doesn't include computer time! Other times I've just been too tired with catching up on every other area of life and the last thing I want to do is sit at the computer. But NOT TONIGHT! Ellie is staying over at a friends house, Ben is playing with Dad & I'm stealing a few precious moments to update our blog.

We've been home for a week and a half and things are going amazing! I could not have written a better transition if I wanted to! Ben continues to grow, bond, play, laugh, smile the most beautiful smiles, talk, run, jump, swim.... the list goes on. He is adjusting fabulously and we are enjoying every minute of it! There are moments when I can see the change in Ellie. She told her cousins last week that we were only "borrowing" him for awhile. She then proceeded to tell me that she's just not quite use to him yet. I told her that was OK and that things take time. Of course, the flip side of that is she was adamant about spending her Tooth Fairy money on a new ball for her brother & she couldn't wait to share him with her best friend. So, I'm convinced it's normal. If I would have had a biological child she'd be going through the same emotions as the family went through the change. All in all, we can see the Faithfulness of God as He has so perfectly expanded our family.

Speaking of Ellie & Tooth Fairy, it's just too funny of a story not to share. She had her 2 front teeth loose (very loose) long before we left for Africa. I kept telling her that "those teeth are not coming to Africa with us!" However, due to the fear of potential pain, my beautiful 1st born babied those teeth and they did go to Africa despite my wishes otherwise. And of course they began to turn different colors (black & red) and point in directions that I had no idea teeth could point! It wasn't until our plane left the great continent of Africa that in the middle of the flight Ellie went to the bathroom and came back laughing & crying. Apparently as she waited for the airplane bathroom she decided to work on her kick boxing moves and she proceeded to land an upper cut.... on her own chin! That's all it took for those God awful teeth to fall! I have never been so happy - She looks so cute without them. Therefore, the Tooth Fairy visited our home the 1st night back and due to the double extraction the TF saw fit to leave her $5.00 - SCORE!

Well, I wanted to touch base and post some more pics of our time in Africa. I hope everyone enjoys them. I have one more thing I want to say. As I watched my son walk around our home the 1st night back, I can honestly say that I cannot remember what the home felt like without him. It was as though Benjamin has always been here. I believe that he has, we just didn't know it until now. It's sooooo good to be complete and to be completely home!

Love you all!

Cherri

39 Hours 45 Minutes later...

On Saturday June 5th at approximately 9:30pm my eyes fell upon a most welcomed sight... My HOME! It was a grueling 40 hour trek to make it there but we did it, we are home safely and although I'm still operating on Africa time, we are so happy to be home. Thank you to all of you who have continually lifted us up in prayer through out this entire trip. God is Good all the time!

The kids did exceptionally well considering the physical task of coming home. However, I do not see a future in teaming with either of them for a spot on TV's Amazing Race. After Ellie's melt down in San Francisco and the fact that Ben can not handle a seat belt (Oh Joy with the 5 point harness car seat!) I'll reserve the dream of winning that race to be done with my sister-in-law Ruth. She doesn't stomp her feet and scream inconsolably when tired and as far as I know she'll buckle up!

When we got home my favorite neighbors (my sister and her family) along with my dear Aunt Kathryn were there as our welcoming committee. Having them there and seeing their joy in greeting their new family member reminds me of how this blessing of adoption is shared by all. It was a very proud moment for mama to share our son with them and I was so thankful that despite near exhaustion Ben eaked out a few smiles for the group! After they left and we got ready for bed I was able to just observe my children in their home. Ben walked around the bedroom and kept jumping on his sister destroying her neatly organized pile of stuffed animals as we prepped our bedroom for the family sleepover. He then laugh and giggled and wrestled Bill for the TV remote control. (What is it with men and their remote controls?!) It's as though Ben has always been here with us and again all I can say is God is Good.

I have had so much fun blogging that I intend on keeping it up. Especially over the course of the next few days so I can post more photos from our trip and keep everyone updated on our transistion. I want to say a very special Thank You to our Parents. Thank you Dad for supporting Mom in everyway so she could come and be a part of this experience! Thank you Mom for your special "Oma love". You did a great job of helping out while in Africa. And last but not least, Thank You Gramma Ginny for your sacrifice of time and the gift of your servant's heart! Your very presence was peace and we could not have done it without your support!

We are blessed!

Bill, Cherri, Ellie & Ben

WE'RE HEADED HOME!

Hi Everyone!

So, the last couple of days have been full and not much time to sit and rest but as of today we are done with governmental agencies, medical exams and every other adoption related appointment we have been doing. Yesterday we were at the US Embassy until the evening but we got our travel visa for Ben and now we are enjoying our last 48 hours in Nairobi. This morning we visted the orphaned elephants and it was very cool! Probably my favorite animals. However, Tuesday we went on our safari and it was AMAZING! Monkeys, baboons, thousands of flamingos, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, rhinos and drum roll please.... LIONS! Ok, well, only one lion and it was a she BUT it was awesome and not common for the cat to come out. Needless to say we were all so happy! I would have put Tuesday as my favorite day but something so sweet happened yesterday at the embassy. As we were waiting for our paperwork I started talking with a gentleman seated across from me. Turns out he is Rwandan and working on a green card to further his studies in the USA. As we were talking I glanced down and noticed his written name. He shared the same last name as my son - Bizimana. As I showed him this common fact he asked me if I knew what it meant. I said no but I love the meanings of names. He preceeded to explain to me that it is translated into "God knows my Destiny". The tears could not be held in. A beautiful God moment that only He could ordain. A moment of confirmation again - We did not choose Him, He chose us! My son is and has always been a Kroner. He was hand picked, choosen and saved for us to go and bring him home. And that is exactly what we will be doing tomorrow night. Please keep us in your prayers as we head home tomorrow. Thanks and we love you!

The Kroner's